Greater Worcester

Black patients had disproportionately higher acute care utilization compared to patients of other racial and ethnic groups, and Hispanic patients visited emergency departments at a disproportionately higher rate compared to White patients, according to a new state report on inequities in health care.

Worcester Business Journal is accepting nominations for the inaugural Champions of Health Care awards. The newly launched awards program seeks to honor healthcare professionals on all levels who are leaders in the industry and in the region.

The Community Healthlink substance abuse programs that have been closed since April will need eight to 12 more months to reopen, according to a letter from the Worcester Commissioner of Health and Human Services Dr. Matilde Castiel to City Manager Eric Batista.

In order to preserve access to care for patients as it intends to move forward in closing its maternity ward in Leominster, UMass Memorial Health in Worcester has released its plan, relying on other health centers, public transit, and ambulances.

Two Massachusetts airports will be tasked with developing and agreeing to runway safety action plans following upcoming meetings with federal officials.

State and federal regulators appear to have made a breakthrough to move forward with a voter-approved vehicle repair data law after legal battles and safety concerns stalled its implementation.

Unemployment rates rose slightly in July, but remained low across Central Massachusetts, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on Tuesday by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

Six percent of workers who filed workers' compensation claims for catching COVID-19 between March 2020 and September 2021 have also received care for Long COVID, according to a new report.

In a move that one Massachusetts social worker described as an "answered prayer," the state will repay more than $140 million in student loans for almost 3,000 health care providers who serve communities in need.

Nearly $2 million in federal dollars will flow into Massachusetts and Boston city coffers to tackle the migrant housing crisis, with the money arriving just over a week after Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency due to strained shelter systems.