Health & Safety

Durga, now 21, was married in her northern Indian village at the age of 15. Her father, who forced her into the marriage, has since had a change of heart and is striving to dissolve the union.

UNICEF's Good News About Child Marriage Isn't Quite As Good As It Sounds

1:32pm March 14, 2018

by Chhavi Sachdev

A new report cites tremendous progress in bringing down rates of child marriage, especially in India. But critics raise concerns about some of the data points.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam met with legislators last week to discuss next steps in the budget. He wants Medicaid expansion to be a priority.

Virginia Republicans Divided On Medicaid Expansion

7:35am March 14, 2018

by Megan Pauly

Medicaid expansion is a real possibility in Virginia this year. The matter will be taken up in a special session after lawmakers failed to agree on whether or not to do it in the regular session.

Feranmi Okanlami, now a doctor, became partially paralyzed after an accident in 2013. He says adjustments for his disability during his training, like this standing in frame chair, helped him succeed. A new report finds variability in medical institution

Health & Safety

For Aspiring Doctors With Disabilities, Many Medical Schools Come Up Short

11:37pm March 13, 2018

by Elana Gordon

A national survey finds medical schools should do more to help doctors with disabilities thrive. While some schools do make needed accommodations, others need to take basic steps to take to help.

Residents wait to fill containers at a source for natural spring water in Cape Town, South Africa.

Health & Safety

Every Day Seems Like 'Day Zero' To Some Cape Town Residents

9:26pm March 13, 2018

by Daniella Cheslow

A three-year drought has brought on water restrictions — and talk of "Day Zero," when Cape Town will run out of water. But for many people in the townships, a short supply is nothing new.

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Leon Beers, a retired railroad engineer who lives near Sacramento, Calif., has a form of Parkinson's disease. His live-in caregiver, Timothy Wehe, helps him get outside using a walker.

Lifting Medicare's Annual Limits On Physical Therapy Helps Ease Patients' Pain

5:01pm March 13, 2018

by Susan Jaffe

Last month's congressional budget deal included some benefits for Medicare recipients that may reduce their drug expenses and increase the coverage for certain therapies.

As early as your mid-40s, especially if you're sedentary, your heart muscle can show signs of aging, losing its youthful elasticity and power. But moderately strenuous exercise can change that.

Hearts Get 'Younger,' Even At Middle Age, With Exercise

4:06pm March 12, 2018

by Patti Neighmond

As early as your mid-40s, especially if you're sedentary, your heart muscle can show signs of aging, losing its youthful elasticity and power. But moderately strenuous exercise can change that.

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After a cryogenic tank like the one in this file photo lost a great deal of liquid nitrogen, a fertility clinic began the process of determining the damage to stored embryos and eggs.

Fertility Clinic Says Failure May Have Damaged Thousands Of Eggs And Embryos

12:52pm March 12, 2018

by Bill Chappell

The problem hit a San Francisco clinic on March 4 — the same day that a similar cryogenic tank failure was reported in Cleveland.

Health & Safety

Evidence Indicates Cyclists May Age Better Than Those Who Don't Bike

7:40am March 12, 2018

by Allison Aubrey

There's evidence that if you regularly bike — even just for fun — you may age better than those who don't. A study shows that cyclists bodies may fend off some of the typical age-related decline.

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Many Women Come Close To Death In Childbirth

8:16am March 11, 2018

by Renee Montagne

NPR and ProPublica have reported American mothers die in childbirth at a higher rate than mothers in all other developed countries. And for every woman who dies, 70 women reach the brink of death.

The Tsimane, who live in the Bolivian Amazon, often avoid going to the doctor — even if there's free medical care available in their community.

Health & Safety

How To Get People To See A Doctor When They Don't Want To

7:00am March 11, 2018

by Susan Brink

A new study looks at why the Tsimane people of Bolivia often avoid seeking medical care — and what might change their minds.