William Wan

Washington, D.C.

Enterprise reporter Education: University of Chicago, BA in English literature; University of Maryland, MA in Journalism William Wan is an enterprise reporter focused on narrative and long-form stories at The Washington Post. He was the Post's national health reporter during the pandemic. And in the past two decades, he has reported from more than 20 countries and covered national security, the Obama presidency, mass shootings and disasters, foreign policy and religion. As The Post's China correspondent, he uncovered corruption in its judicial system and human rights abuses. His coverage of mental health in the pandemic contributed to government action and an unprecedented increased in federal funding. He has won awards for his coverage of religion, China and health. He was part of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist team that covered the Fort Hood shooting. Before joining The Post, he worked as a reporter for the Los Angeles Times and the Baltimore Sun. Honors & Awards:

2021 NIHCM Health Care Journalism Award for series on pandemic mental health
2021 Features award from the Association of Health Care Journalists for coronavirus coverage
2021 Public Service Award from the American Association of Suicidology
2020 SAVE Award for Excellence in Reporting on Suicide
2015 National Headliner Award for international news for exposing corruption among China’s cops and courts
2015 Livingston Award finalist for International Reporting
2014 & 2015 Human Rights Press Award from Amnesty International and Foreign Correspondents’ Club
2014 Boston University's Hugo Shong Asia Reporting Award for uncovering government abuses of Chinese families
2014 National Award for Excellence from Asian American Journalists Association for China coverage
2011 American Society of News Editors Award for diversity writing for stories of religious discrimination in the U.S. Army
2010 & 2011 Religion Writer of the Year
2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist team for breaking news on Fort Hood shooting

Languages spoken in addition to English: Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), French

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Latest from William Wan

Health

Parents wonder what to do with their unvaccinated children as CDC changes mask guidance

Right now pediatricians urge parents to remain cautious and vigilant, as so much remains unclear about how the new policy will affect viral transmission in communities and nationwide.

May 14, 2021

Health

Biden announces $7.4 billion to hire more public health workers amid pandemic

After decades of chronic underfunding, U.S. public health departments last year showed how ill-equipped they are to carry out basic functions, let alone serve as the last line of defense against a pandemic.

May 13, 2021

Health

With Pfizer coronavirus vaccine authorized for adolescents, some parents scramble to make appointments while others are wary

The decision that the two-shot regimen is safe and effective for younger adolescents had been highly anticipated by many parents and pediatricians, particularly with the growing gap between what vaccinated and unvaccinated people may do safely.

May 11, 2021

Health

U.S. birthrate falls to its lowest level in decades in wake of pandemic

It is the biggest annual decrease in almost half a century, suggesting the coronavirus has accelerated an existing trend.

May 5, 2021

Health

West Virginia is offering an incentive to get vaccinated: Money

Apr 27, 2021

Health

Burned out by the pandemic, 3 in 10 health-care workers consider leaving the profession

After a year of trauma, doctors, nurses and other health workers are struggling to cope. More than half are burned out. More than 6 in 10 have struggled with worsening mental health.

Apr 22, 2021

Health

More than 4 in 10 health-care workers have not been vaccinated, Post-KFF poll finds

The lingering obstacles to vaccinating health-care workers foreshadows the challenge the United States will face as it attempts to get the vast majority of the population vaccinated.

Mar 19, 2021

Health

Americans are getting fewer coronavirus tests. Here’s why that’s bad.

Coronavirus testing, which helps stop virus transmission, is down 33.6 percent. Officials say some don’t want the inconvenience or to quarantine after getting results.

Mar 4, 2021

Health

‘Masks required’ signs are coming down after Texas, Mississippi lift coronavirus restrictions

Businesses scrambled, local officials pushed back, and public health experts worried the actions could accelerate a trend of states ending restrictions just as cases plateau nationwide.

Mar 4, 2021

Health

Biden promises enough coronavirus vaccine for ‘every adult in America’ by the end of May

Biden is promising vaccines as federal officials worry that states reopening could imperil pandemic progress

Mar 2, 2021

About William Wan

William Wan is an enterprise reporter focused on narrative and long-form stories at The Washington Post. He was the Post's national health reporter during the pandemic. And in the past two decades, he has reported from more than 20 countries and covered national security, the Obama presidency, mass shootings and disasters, foreign policy and religion. As The Post's China correspondent, he uncovered corruption in its judicial system and human rights abuses. His coverage of mental health in the pandemic contributed to government action and an unprecedented increased in federal funding. He has won awards for his coverage of religion, China and health. He was part of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist team that covered the Fort Hood shooting. Before joining The Post, he worked as a reporter for the Los Angeles Times and the Baltimore Sun.