New report finds maternity care deserts in more than 35% of U.S. counties Some patients must drive more than an hour to seek prenatal care.
Mammograms will better explain what it means to have dense breasts Nearly half of women over 40 have dense breasts, which raises their risk of breast cancer. Mammograms should now include an assessment of breast tissue density. Yuki Noguchi
Fearing the worst, schools deploy armed police to thwart gun violence Armed officers on campus could speed police response to gun violence. But there is scant research to support this strategy, and studies about racial bias raise other concerns about police in schools. Christine Spolar
Utilities must comply with limits on PFAS chemicals by 2029. Some have a head start Treatment plants that filter "forever chemicals" from drinking water in Orange County, Calif., are models for water systems across the country that will need to comply with EPA rules by 2029. Pien Huang
Long Covid and chronic Lyme pose medical challenges The presence of long COVID is making diagnosis more difficult because both long COVID and chronic Lyme disease have similar symptoms, such as body pain, fatigue and brain fog.
Efforts to push abortion rights amendments off the ballot in Missouri, Nebraska, Florida Access to reproductive health care and abortion rights are on the ballot in 10 states across the country this November. Now, efforts are rising to knock the measures off the ballot.
Life coach or therapist? Know the differences There's multi-billion dollar market in the U.S. for life and health coaching. Many Americans are looking for alternatives to traditional mental health care. But unlike therapy, coaching is unregulated. Emily Hemendinger
Native-led suicide prevention program focuses on building community strengths A research group is testing a new suicide prevention model in rural Alaska Native villages: supporting cultural activities that strengthen community bonds and a sense of shared purpose. Brandon Kapelow
Whatever happened to ... the Brazilian besties creating an mRNA vaccine as a gift to the world NPR's coverage of their effort to invent an mRNA vaccine that would be free for all countries to manufacture brought them an award for altruism in health. We checked in on their progress. Nurith Aizenman
How one family of Afghan refugees is adjusting to their new life in Maine People fleeing violence and persecution can be haunted by their traumas for a long time, even after they have found safety in a new place. And children are particularly vulnerable. Rhitu Chatterjee has the story of a boy who fled Afghanistan and has recently settled in Maine. Rhitu Chatterjee