The latest medical news, analysis and reporting (Updated periodically)
A Black physician's memoir looks at the legacy of medical racism in America
Dr. Uché Blackstock has seen firsthand how medical racism shapes health care in America. She's dedicated her career to work at the intersection of medicine, health equity and systemic racism. Her new memoir, "Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine," details both historic health care inequities and her own family history. She joins John Yang to discuss her work and experiences. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
1/28/2024 • 5 minutes, 59 seconds
Why professional athletes are bolstering the push for paid maternity leave
The 2024 Australian Open was an example of a growing trend in women's professional sports: eight players in the tournament had returned to tennis after pausing their careers to have children. USA outdoor track champion and Olympic medalist Alysia Montaño, who heads &Mother, a nonprofit focused on removing systemic barriers to allow mothers to succeed in sports, joins Ali Rogin to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
1/27/2024 • 6 minutes, 8 seconds
14-year-old scientist Heman Bekele on his quest to fight skin cancer with soap
Heman Bekele spent the last year developing a bar of soap that could treat skin cancer. It was the winning entry at the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge, considered one of the top science and engineering competitions for fifth through eighth graders. For our Weekend Spotlight, John Yang speaks with Bekele about his work. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
1/27/2024 • 5 minutes, 14 seconds
Lead-contaminated applesauce pouches expose issues with food safety oversight
The effects of an Oct. 2023 recall of applesauce pouches with high concentrations of lead are widening, raising questions about how food reaches store shelves, who watches over it and how far that oversight extends. Helena Bottemiller Evich, founder and editor of Food Fix, a publication that focuses on food policy, joins Ali Rogin to discuss the unfolding recall and its impact. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
1/21/2024 • 5 minutes, 47 seconds
How rural communities are tackling a suicide and depression crisis among farmers
More than 50,000 Americans took their own lives in 2023, the nation's highest yearly rate of suicide on record. Farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association. Special correspondent Megan Thompson reports from Wisconsin on the burden farmers often deal with and what's being done to help them. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
1/14/2024 • 9 minutes, 10 seconds
Why experts are concerned about the JN.1 variant responsible for latest COVID wave
The U.S. and other parts of the world are in the midst of another COVID-19 wave. Infections and hospitalizations are on the rise this winter and a new variant is responsible for most of those cases. John Yang discussed these current trends and if the approach to the virus needs to change with Dr. Eric Topol. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
1/12/2024 • 6 minutes, 57 seconds
Investigation finds new risks with Philips breathing devices after 2021 recall
In 2021, a widely used breathing device manufactured by Philips was the subject of a safety recall. Now, new reporting shows that the replacement machines sent out to customers might also pose dangerous problems. Ali Rogin speaks with Debbie Cenziper, one of the leaders of the ProPublica and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette investigation, to learn about the latest developments. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
1/7/2024 • 6 minutes, 22 seconds
COVID is surging again. Here's what to know and why experts encourage caution
The U.S. is experiencing another uptick in COVID infections after the holidays, with hospitalizations rising for the eighth week in a row. A new dominant variant, JN.1, has quickly spread to account for more than 60 percent of cases. John Yang speaks with epidemiologist Jessica Malaty Rivera to learn more about the surge and what it tells us about how we deal with COVID moving forward. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
1/6/2024 • 6 minutes, 32 seconds
How a 'perfect storm' of issues is causing a sharp rise in homelessness
The number of Americans experiencing homelessness is now at its highest since records started being kept in 2007, according to estimates in a new report from the federal government. 2023 saw a 12 percent increase in homelessness over the previous year, the biggest one-year jump on record. John Yang speaks with Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, to learn why. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
12/24/2023 • 6 minutes, 10 seconds
'Live to 100' explores why people in 'blue zones' live longer than average
Many people try all sorts of things to have long and healthy lives, from complex diet plans to expensive supplements. But in the Netflix series "Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones," bestselling author Dan Buettner says a lot of that is misguided. He traveled to places where people live much longer than average to figure out how they're doing it. John Yang speaks with Buettner about the series. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
12/23/2023 • 7 minutes, 13 seconds
The risks and rewards of prescribing ketamine for pain and mental health
A coroner's finding that actor Matthew Perry died from "acute effects" of ketamine is drawing new attention to the drug, a powerful anesthetic intended for use during surgery that has also become a popular treatment for chronic pain and mental health conditions. John Yang speaks with epidemiologist Dr. Caleb Alexander to learn more about a rise in ketamine prescriptions and its effects and risks. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
12/16/2023 • 6 minutes, 24 seconds
Your questions answered about staying safe from COVID, RSV and flu this winter
As we head into the winter holidays, John Yang speaks with epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina about the current state of affairs with COVID, RSV and flu infections, lagging vaccination rates and how to stay healthy this season. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
12/10/2023 • 6 minutes, 37 seconds
Why the FDA's approval of revolutionary sickle cell gene therapy is a 'big deal'
Sickle cell disease is a chronic, debilitating condition that affects nearly 100,000 Americans, most of them with African ancestry. Now, the FDA has approved a groundbreaking treatment for it that uses the gene-editing tool CRISPR. John Yang speaks with Yale School of Medicine assistant professor Dr. Cece Calhoun and New York Times reporter Gina Kolata to learn more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
12/9/2023 • 5 minutes, 9 seconds
How studying arctic ground squirrels can help advance human brain health
When arctic ground squirrels hibernate for the winter, they can lower their body temperatures to freezing levels and stay dormant for up to eight months. Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are studying how these animals survive on the edge of life and the clues they may hold to treating injuries and disease in humans. Alaska Public Media's Kavitha George reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
12/3/2023 • 4 minutes, 4 seconds
How abortion restrictions affect the care Wisconsin doctors can give patients
While the number of legal abortions has risen nationwide since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a recent report from a group that supports reproductive rights says there have been sharp declines in states that imposed new restrictions. PBS Wisconsin's Marisa Wojcik spoke with doctors in the state about the effect of those restrictions on their work and their patients. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
12/2/2023 • 7 minutes, 25 seconds
Researchers find strong relationships protect long-term health and happiness
A decades-long Harvard study has concluded that good relationships and close friendships are the key to lifelong health and happiness. Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Robert Waldinger, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the study's director, to learn more about his team's research and how people can nurture the relationships in their lives. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
11/26/2023 • 5 minutes, 33 seconds
Researcher explains connection between ultra-processed foods and depression
The food we eat affects us in many ways. A recent study from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School found a link between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increase in the risk of depression. Ali Rogin speaks with Olivia Okereke, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School who worked on the study, to learn more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
11/25/2023 • 5 minutes, 23 seconds
Southeast Asia flooded with imported plastic waste meant for recycling
Last year, the U.S. exported more than 950 million tons of plastic waste meant for recycling and a significant portion of that ended up in Southeast Asia. The region has been inundated with plastic scrap after China blocked all but the cleanest plastic waste imports in 2018. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on how Thailand is dealing with the problem of plastic. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
11/23/2023 • 8 minutes, 4 seconds
Why the threat of mosquito-borne diseases is on the rise worldwide
For many people in the United States, mosquitoes are merely a summertime nuisance. But around the world, mosquitoes and the diseases they carry are a growing public health concern. Ali Rogin speaks with Stephanie Nolen, a global health reporter for The New York Times, to learn more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
11/19/2023 • 5 minutes, 33 seconds
In Ohio, nurse practitioners push to lift restrictions on how they provide care
One in four health visits in the U.S. are now provided by non-physicians, as a growing number of nurse practitioners fill in critical health care gaps. But nurse practitioners say their work is hampered by outdated restrictions on providing care without physician supervision. Stephanie Sy reports from Ohio for our series, "Critical Care: The Future of Nursing." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
11/19/2023 • 8 minutes, 46 seconds
How a political battle is threatening a federal program that fights HIV
The federally funded President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief provides HIV prevention, treatment and education around the world. The program has seen broad bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for years, but now, a battle led by a small group of House Republicans is putting its future at risk. John Yang speaks with Jennifer Kates, director of global health and HIV policy at KFF, to learn more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
11/12/2023 • 6 minutes, 42 seconds
How gun policies affect the role of firearms in domestic violence
The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday over whether the government may bar people subject to domestic violence protective orders from owning a gun. According to research, women are five times more likely to die when a domestic abuser has access to a gun. Kelly Roskam, director of law and policy at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
11/11/2023 • 4 minutes, 41 seconds
In Connecticut, these horses are helping veterans cope with the trauma of combat
An estimated 15 percent of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD and depression. For some, it's the invisible wounds that take the greatest toll. A program at a farm in Connecticut is helping ease those struggles by connecting veterans with horses. Pamela Watts of Rhode Island PBS Weekly reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
11/11/2023 • 6 minutes, 30 seconds
Why vasectomies are on the rise after the fall of Roe v. Wade
Data shows that interest in vasectomies as a form of birth control is on the rise after the Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to seek an abortion in 2022. To learn more, John Yang speaks with communities correspondent Gabrielle Hays, who talked with doctors and patients in Missouri about their experiences. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
11/11/2023 • 4 minutes, 48 seconds
What's causing the unusually high number of drug shortages in the U.S.
Shortages of over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications for ADHD, cancer and diabetes have been disrupting hospitals and pharmacies for the past year. Now, RSV treatments for infants are the latest to be affected. Michael Ganio, a senior director at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, joins Ali Rogin to discuss what's driving the shortages and what can be done about it. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
11/5/2023 • 6 minutes, 10 seconds
Why pharmacy workers are going on strike amid widespread store closures
Finding a neighborhood pharmacist is becoming more challenging. Over the past two years, CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid have either closed or announced plans to close hundreds of stores. At many of the remaining locations, worsening working conditions have led to unannounced walkouts by pharmacy workers. Tom Murphy, national health writer for the Associated Press, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
10/29/2023 • 5 minutes, 5 seconds
Investigation finds Philips hid safety issues with its CPAP machines for years
CPAP machines help about 8 million Americans with sleep-related breathing disorders, like sleep apnea, by keeping their airways open while they sleep. But one manufacturer, Philips Respironics, is coming under fire for a critical change it made to millions of its breathing machines. Michael Sallah, a reporter and investigations editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, joins Ali Rogin to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
10/28/2023 • 6 minutes, 3 seconds
Swim safety advocates aim to overcome historic racial inequities
Learning how to swim is a rite of passage for many, but a surprising number of American children can't swim. Part of that comes down to access and restrictions rooted in racism that have kept generations of swimmers out of pools. Isabella Jibilian of Rhode Island PBS reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
10/21/2023 • 4 minutes, 51 seconds
How 'thinly veiled' social media ads are influencing what we eat and drink
News about food safety can be hard to keep straight. That's been complicated by a little-known tactic used by the food and beverage industry to influence what we eat and drink through social media, the subject of a joint investigation by The Washington Post and The Examination. John Yang speaks with Washington Post health columnist Anahad O'Connor, who worked on the investigation, to learn more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
10/15/2023 • 6 minutes, 10 seconds
New study highlights systemic barriers to cancer treatment for women
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer has been one of the top two leading causes of death in the United States for 75 years. A recent international study revealed the unique challenges women with cancer can face that make it harder to overcome the disease. Dr. Ophira Ginsburg, one of the co-authors of the study, joins Ali Rogin to discuss the findings. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
10/14/2023 • 6 minutes, 9 seconds
Why the U.S. is pressuring China amid a crackdown on the global fentanyl trade
The Biden administration has made recent moves against China-based firms and executives blamed for supplying chemicals used to make fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin. It's part of the U.S. government's effort to disrupt the global illegal drug trade and stem the opioid epidemic. Brookings Institution senior fellow Vanda Felbab-Brown joins Ali Rogin to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
10/8/2023 • 6 minutes, 39 seconds
Why prescription medication to treat alcoholism is 'vastly underutilized'
Nearly 30 million Americans struggle with alcohol addiction. Medication used to treat alcohol-use disorder have been on the market for decades, but is rarely prescribed. Dr. Sarah Wakeman, medical director of the Substance Use Disorder Initiative at Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham, joins Ali Rogin to discuss medication's potential for treating this disease and why it's underused. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
10/7/2023 • 6 minutes, 25 seconds
Regulatory gaps leave communities at risk of chemical disasters, advocates say
Eight months after a train derailed and spilled toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, people are still waiting for answers about long-term health and environmental consequences. What happened isn't uncommon -- on average, there's a chemical incident in the U.S. every two days. John Yang reports from North Carolina, where one city is trying to move forward after a chemical disaster in 2022. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
10/7/2023 • 8 minutes, 48 seconds
A Brief But Spectacular take on destigmatizing mental illness through poetry
Jeanann Verlee uses her work to bring awareness to issues surrounding mental health. She has authored three books of poetry and writes about mental health awareness, trauma survival and domestic abuse and domestic violence. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on destigmatizing mental illness through poetry. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
10/3/2023 • 2 minutes, 41 seconds
What's behind the messy rollout of this fall's new COVID vaccines
When federal health officials approved new COVID shots in September, doses were expected to be available in pharmacies within days. But two weeks later, many people are having trouble finding the vaccines, and if they do get an appointment, some are having trouble getting insurance to cover the cost. Katelyn Jetelina, a University of Texas epidemiologist, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
10/1/2023 • 6 minutes, 5 seconds
Why some areas of cities like Austin get way hotter than others during summer
Cities across the U.S. broke thousands of heat records this summer, but in many of them, some areas were hotter than others. These areas are known as urban heat islands, which can mean higher energy bills and unsafe conditions for residents. Blair Waltman-Alexin of Austin PBS, in partnership with Austin Vida, reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
9/30/2023 • 5 minutes, 48 seconds
What to know about screening, diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer
Nearly 300,000 American men are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year alone, though most of those diagnosed don't die from it. Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Charles Ryan, a genitourinary oncologist and head of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, about the screening, diagnosis and treatment of the disease, and what it means to live with it. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
9/30/2023 • 7 minutes, 38 seconds
How a lack of regulation for tattoo ink puts Americans' health at risk
Nearly one in three Americans surveyed this summer said they have at least one tattoo, according to the Pew Research Center. But while tattoo artists are required to have a license in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, tattoo ink is totally unregulated in the United States. Dr. Thomas Rohrer, a dermatologic surgeon, joins John Yang to discuss the associated health risks. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
9/24/2023 • 5 minutes, 18 seconds
What's behind an alarming rise in violent incidents in health care facilities
Health care workers are five times as likely to experience workplace violence as other workers, according to government data. In a National Nurses United survey in 2022, 40 percent of hospital nurses said they'd seen an increase in violent incidents. Karen Coughlin, chair of the Massachusetts Nurses Association's workplace violence and abuse prevention task force, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
9/17/2023 • 7 minutes, 28 seconds
Proposed WIC funding cuts raise nutrition concerns for low-income families
With a possible government shutdown looming, one federal program facing funding cuts is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which helps low-income families buy healthy foods. Nell Menefee-Libey, public policy manager for the nonprofit National WIC Association, joins Ali Rogin to discuss the potential impact on millions of children and pregnant people. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
9/17/2023 • 6 minutes, 29 seconds
CDC director discusses updated COVID booster as infections rise from latest variant
A new round of COVID-19 boosters will be available within days as cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across the country. The Food and Drug Administration approved the new shots Monday and a CDC advisory panel recommended the updated boosters for all Americans 6 months or older. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest with CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
9/12/2023 • 6 minutes, 29 seconds
What can be done to prevent gun suicides as U.S. rate hits all-time high
Firearms are involved in more than half of suicides in the U.S. The gun suicide rate has reached an all-time high, and for the first time, the rate is higher among Black kids and teens than white ones, according to a recent analysis by Johns Hopkins University. William Brangham speaks with Dr. Emmy Betz, director of the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, to learn more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
9/9/2023 • 7 minutes, 8 seconds
Arkansas Medicaid recipients fight to stay covered after federal protections end
Medicaid enrollments reached unprecedented levels when Congress temporarily blocked states from kicking people off of the health insurance plan during the pandemic. But that policy has ended, and now states have until 2024 to check people's eligibility and remove those who no longer qualify. Ali Rogin reports from Arkansas, which is nearing the end of its Medicaid unwinding process. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
9/3/2023 • 8 minutes, 16 seconds
Gene variant found linking people of African descent to higher Parkinson's risk
One million Americans live with Parkinson's disease, a progressive condition that causes problems with body movement. New research has identified a genetic variant that increases the risk of Parkinson's in people of African descent, and is not seen in those with European ancestry. Ekemini Riley, managing director of Aligning Science Across Parkinson's, joins John Yang to discuss the findings. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/27/2023 • 6 minutes, 13 seconds
Why sunscreen in the United States is behind the rest of the world
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, everyone older than six months should use sunscreen every day to decrease the risk of skin cancer. But today's sunblock is full of ingredients that are decades old and increasingly obsolete. Dr. Rita Linkner, a board-certified dermatologist, joins Ali Rogin to discuss the state of American sunscreen. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/27/2023 • 6 minutes, 9 seconds
States look to involuntarily hospitalize people to confront growing mental health crisis
Across the country, states are trying to tackle the growing mental health crisis. Some are enacting laws and policies that would make it easier to hospitalize or detain the severely mentally ill against their will or through voluntary court-ordered treatment. California is taking steps toward compelling more mentally ill patients into care. Stephanie Sy reports from San Diego. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/21/2023 • 9 minutes, 46 seconds
Ukrainian nonprofit helps thousands of amputees injured in the war get artificial limbs
As the war in Ukraine rages on, a critical need has emerged, with some 20,000 to 50,000 Ukrainians forced to amputate one or more limbs. The Ukrainian non-profit Superhuman Center is helping survivors move forward, offering reconstructive surgery and physical and psychological support. Co-founder Andrey Stavnitser joined Nick Schifrin to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/20/2023 • 5 minutes, 39 seconds
How communities can improve warning systems and disaster responses
The head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency resigned this week amid criticism for not activating warning sirens during the wildfire that killed more than 100 people. It has put a spotlight on how communities respond to emergencies. Tricia Wachtendorf, the director of the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware, joined John Yang to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/19/2023 • 6 minutes, 31 seconds
What a new Montana law means for transgender children and their families
Families and medical providers in Montana are preparing for a new law set to take effect in October that bans certain medical treatments for minors with gender dysphoria. Proponents of the bill say the law protects children from making medical decisions they may later regret, while others call it dangerous and unethical. Montana PBS's Joe Lesar reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/19/2023 • 6 minutes, 6 seconds
Study estimates nearly half of U.S. water supply contaminated with 'forever chemicals'
A recent government study estimates nearly half of America's tap water could contain toxic "forever chemicals" known as PFAS. These chemicals have been used in many everyday items since the 1940s from nonstick cookware to cosmetics to rain jackets. Exposure to them can lead to serious health outcomes. Stephanie Sy discussed the possible health implications and what can be done with Jamie DeWitt. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/16/2023 • 5 minutes, 47 seconds
Government eyes more coal regulations as black lung cases sharply rise among miners
One in five coal miners in central Appalachia with at least 25 years of experience has black lung disease. It is caused by inhaling toxic dust in and around mines and the most severe form is at its highest rate in decades. In June, the federal agency charged with overseeing miners' health and safety proposed cutting the exposure limit to hazardous silica dust in half. William Brangham reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/9/2023 • 9 minutes, 32 seconds
Investigation reveals lack of consequences for doctors spreading COVID misinformation
What happens when doctors spread misinformation during a pandemic, potentially endangering peoples' lives? A new investigation from The Washington Post looks at why doctors who pushed medical misinformation, particularly about alleged COVID remedies or treatments, faced so few repercussions for their behavior. William Brangham spoke with Lena Sun, one of the lead reporters on that investigation. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/8/2023 • 6 minutes, 42 seconds
News Wrap: Texas abortion ban ruled unconstitutional by state district judge
In our news wrap Saturday, a Texas judge has ruled that the state's abortion ban is too restrictive, the Justice Department asked a federal judge to bar Trump from publicly discussing evidence or witnesses in the 2020 election case, Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested after a court sentenced him to jail, and five more schools are leaving the Pac-12 college football conference. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/5/2023 • 2 minutes, 51 seconds
The FDA just approved a pill for postpartum depression. Here's what that means
Postpartum depression is one of the most common complications of childbirth, affecting about a half million Americans each year. It's among the leading causes of pregnancy-related death. Now, the FDA has approved the first pill for treating postpartum depression. Patricia Kinser, co-chair of perinatal mental health research at VCU's Institute for Women's Health, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/5/2023 • 6 minutes, 32 seconds
Court cases targeting abortion highlight digital privacy concerns
In July, a Nebraska teenager and her mother were convicted after the teen terminated her pregnancy using abortion pills. Among the prosecution's key evidence was exchanges between the two on Facebook Messenger. Caitlin Seeley George with the nonprofit digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future joins John Yang to discuss data privacy issues in a post-Roe America. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/5/2023 • 6 minutes, 38 seconds
How lessons learned from COVID are preparing the world for future health threats
The State Department is putting lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic into action. The Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy is aimed at better preventing, detecting and responding to existing and future health threats. Its first leader is renowned virologist Dr. John Nkengasong. He sat down with Geoff Bennett to discuss the new effort to respond to global health crises. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/4/2023 • 7 minutes, 46 seconds
Rising COVID hospitalizations point to another summer surge in infections
Signs point to a COVID-19 summer surge for the fourth consecutive year. Overall, infections remain much lower compared to the past, but cases began increasing last month and between 300 and 400 Americans are dying each week. John Yang discussed the growing concerns with epidemiologist Dr. Katelyn Jetelina. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
8/3/2023 • 6 minutes, 2 seconds
Climate change causing a sense of despair? Here are some ways to combat it
This summer, millions of Americans are experiencing firsthand the effects of climate change, from triple-digit temperatures to wildfire smoke to bleached coral reefs in warming oceans. For some, growing concern about climate change can become an overwhelming sense of despair that psychologists call climate anxiety. Climate psychology therapist Leslie Davenport joins John Yang to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
7/30/2023 • 8 minutes, 43 seconds
The potential benefits and risks of fighting STIs with doxycycline
Doxycycline, a cheap and widely available antibiotic, is gaining attention as a promising new way to prevent the spread of some sexually transmitted infections. But some health officials are raising concerns that wider use of the preventative antibiotic could breed drug resistance. Washington Post journalist Fenit Nirappil joins Laura Barrón-López to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
7/29/2023 • 6 minutes, 4 seconds
Extreme heat sends thousands to ERs across the country. Here's how to stay safe
With no end in sight for the extreme heat gripping much of the nation, the sizzling temperatures can quickly become hazardous, and in some cases, deadly. Dr. Aneesh Narang, an emergency medicine physician at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, joins Ali Rogin to discuss how emergency rooms are dealing with an influx of patients for heat-related issues and give tips on staying safe. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
7/23/2023 • 7 minutes, 27 seconds
Texas women testify in lawsuit claiming abortion restrictions put their lives in jeopardy
Texas women seeking to block a portion of their state's abortion law are in court this week testifying the strict restrictions put their lives in jeopardy. The lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by women directly impacted by abortion bans that went into effect after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Stephanie Sy discussed the case with Sarah Varney of KFF Health News. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
7/20/2023 • 7 minutes, 16 seconds
As wildfire smoke spreads, millions of Americans lack access to respiratory care
Smoke from the record-setting Canadian wildfires is again making the air hazardous to breathe this weekend across the Northern Plains and upper Midwest. As the smoke triggers breathing problems for many, it also highlights the fact that more than 5 million Americans don't have easy access to a respiratory specialist. John Yang reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
7/16/2023 • 8 minutes, 2 seconds
People in prison struggle to survive unrelenting heat without air conditioning
The extreme heat scorching much of the country is particularly brutal for incarcerated Americans. In Texas, more than two-thirds of prisoner living areas lack air conditioning. Earlier in 2023, an effort to include funding for prison air conditioning in the state's budget failed in the Texas Senate. Maurice Chammah, a writer for the Marshall Project, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
7/15/2023 • 8 minutes, 55 seconds
Rural shortages lead to worsened ambulance deserts and delayed medical care
Nearly 4.5 million Americans live in "ambulance deserts" -- in a medical crisis, they have to wait as long as 25 minutes or more for an emergency medical crew to arrive. Nick Nudell, president of the American Paramedic Association, joins Ali Rogin to discuss what's causing these shortages and what's at stake for people in these regions. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
7/15/2023 • 5 minutes, 57 seconds
Why aspartame is listed as a possible carcinogenic by World Health Organization
The World Health Organization has classified the artificial sweetener aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans. That has led to some concerns and confusion about the risks. Besides diet sodas, aspartame can also be found in a variety of foods, including breakfast cereals, chewing gum and some desserts. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Allison Aubrey of NPR News. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
7/14/2023 • 4 minutes, 14 seconds
The link between a lack of reproductive rights and domestic violence
Long before the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, researchers noticed a link between women having abortion access and a reduced risk of violence from men. In the wake of the court's decision, the opposite is happening and abortion restrictions have led to a significant uptick in intimate partner violence. Amna Nawaz discussed more with NewsHour health reporter Laura Santhanam. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
7/14/2023 • 5 minutes, 12 seconds
Over-the-counter birth control pill approved for sale in U.S.
U.S. regulators approved the nation's first over-the-counter birth control pill. The FDA signed off on Opill, a once-a-day tablet available by prescription since 1973 that will soon be readily available online and in stores. The move is being applauded by medical societies and women's health groups who pushed for wider access. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dr. Jennifer Villavicencio. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders