Health & Safety

Health & Safety

U.S. Supreme Court to hear case about access to the abortion pill mifepristone

4:58am December 14, 2023

by Sarah Varney

The U.S. Supreme Court says it will hear a case about the abortion pill mifepristone next year and review a lower court decision that would make it harder to get that medicine.

The Supreme Court will decide the fate of abortion pill mifepristone

4:38pm December 13, 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will review a lower court decision that would make mifepristone, the commonly used abortion pill, less accessible.

Diana and Paul Zucknick have tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to have children. The Austin, Texas, couple are intrigued by scientific research that may someday make it possible to create eggs and sperm from their skin cells.

Infertile people, gay and trans couples yearn for progress on lab-made eggs and sperm

4:38pm December 13, 2023

by Rob Stein

An experimental technology that might someday allow infertile couples, as well as gay and trans couples, to have genetically related children stirs hope. So far, the technique has worked in mice.

Center for Reproductive Rights attorney Molly Duane speaks before the Texas Supreme Court in Austin on Nov. 28. The court ruled in a different abortion case on Monday.

Health & Safety

5 things to know about the latest abortion case in Texas

2:48pm December 13, 2023

The case involves just one abortion, but it's likely to have wider implications in the state with some of the strictest abortion laws in the country.

Christian Wiman is the author of more than a dozen books of poetry and prose. He's been a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and served as editor of POETRY magazine.

After 18 years living with cancer, a poet offers 'Fifty Entries Against Despair'

1:34pm December 13, 2023

by Terry Gross

Christian Wiman says he's no longer afraid of dying. "When death hangs over you for a while, you start to forget about it," he says. Wiman's new book is Zero at the Bone.

Queue Listen Now

Americans with mental health conditions often can't get treatment, a new report finds.

Health & Safety

Most Americans with mental health needs don't get treatment, report finds

11:11am December 13, 2023

by Rhitu Chatterjee

Many Americans are diagnosed with mental health conditions, but most don't get professional help, even if they're insured. Obstacles include difficulties finding providers their plan covers.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a lower court decision that would make mifepristone less accessible.

Supreme Court to hear abortion pill case

10:21am December 13, 2023

The court's action sets up a collision between the Food and Drug Administration's 23-year study and supervision of mifepristone, and the circumstances under which it can be prescribed.

New research suggests that zebra finches must sing a lot to maintain top-tier singing performances.

These songbirds sing for hours a day to keep their vocal muscles in shape

9:00am December 13, 2023

by Ari Daniel

Zebra finches who did not sing every day quickly lose their vocal prowess, a new study finds. The results could potentially shed light on vocal rehabilitation for humans, too.

Queue Listen Now

An Israeli air strike damaged this ambulance in front of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on November 3. Israel said the vehicle was "identified ... as being used by a Hamas terrorist cell" and that a "number of Hamas terrorist operatives were killed." Hamas denied the presence of fighters in the ambulance convoy, calling the claims "baseless."

Attacks on health care are on track to hit a record high in 2023. Can it be stopped?

5:11am December 13, 2023

by Ari Daniel

The targeting of hospitals and medical workers is a fact of modern warfare — in Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Gaza and Israel. International law say such attacks are unacceptable. Are there any consequences?

'I ain't found it yet.' No line this mother won't cross to save her addicted daughter

5:52pm December 12, 2023

by Martha Bebinger

Renae was so desperate to keep her child alive when so many others have died from overdose that she resorted to extreme measures — and extreme risks. She now supervises drug use in her own home.

Queue Listen Now