Health & Safety

Mosquito control teams in Sarasota County, Florida have been spraying larvicides, which target immature mosquitoes, in areas where standing water could serve as breeding grounds for Anopheles, the type of mosquito that can spread malaria.

In Florida's local malaria outbreak, forgotten bite led to surprise hospitalization

3:38pm July 26, 2023

by Stephanie Colombini

For the first time in two decades, the U.S. has evidence of local transmission of malaria. Most of the cases occurred in Florida's Sarasota County, which has stepped up mosquito suppression efforts.

President Biden delivers remarks on expanding access to mental health care in the East Room at the White House on Tuesday.

'Gimme a break!' Biden blasts insurance hassles for mental health treatment

3:06pm July 26, 2023

by Yuki Noguchi

President Biden unveiled a set of proposed new rules for health insurance companies designed to push the industry to cover treatment for mental health problems on par with how it covers medical care.

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An image of the hepatitis C virus Image made from a transmission electron microscopy. The virus is adept at evading the immune system.

Hep C has a secret strategy to evade the immune system. And now we know what it is

2:33pm July 26, 2023

by Bec Roldan

How does the hepatitis C virus keep the immune system at bay? A scientist finds the answer — and it involves a standard technique used by villains.

North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper signs a Medicaid expansion law

Medicaid expansion in North Carolina will begin Oct. 1, if lawmakers can enact a budget

2:04pm July 26, 2023

by Gary D. Robertson, Associated Press

Gov. Roy Cooper's administration is aiming to extend Medicaid coverage to hundreds of thousands of low-income adults starting Oct. 1, but that date depends on lawmakers completing the last step necessary to implement the expansion legislation he signed into law months ago.

Multiple line charts showing rising rates of heat-related illness in 2023 compared to previous years.

This CDC data shows where rates of heat-related illness are highest

12:55pm July 26, 2023

Emergency rooms report when patients visit with health problems caused by heat. Find out when and where rates of illness are spiking, and explore trends over the last five years.

Health & Safety

President Biden endorses plan to expand mental health care

12:26pm July 26, 2023

President Biden has endorsed plans he says will get insurance to pay for mental health care more often.

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Health & Safety

Biden administration wants insurance companies to expand mental health coverage

10:25am July 26, 2023

by Steve Inskeep

The Biden administration is seeking to require insurance companies to beef up coverage of mental health services. NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with White House adviser Neera Tanden.

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HCA Healthcare, a for-profit hospital company headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., had a huge data breach it acknowledged this month, exposing the medical records of 11 million people.

Health & Safety

Someone could steal your medical records and bill you for their care

5:00am July 26, 2023

by Michelle Andrews

Consumers should know that medical identity theft can happen, whether from a large-scale breach or theft of an individual's data. The result could be thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Phoenix mayor on how the city is coping with heat above 110 degrees every day of July

5:45pm July 25, 2023

NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego about how her city's residents are enduring day 26 with temperatures above 110 degrees.

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Blistering temps and heat-related deaths aren't enough to keep tourists out of Zion

4:35pm July 25, 2023

by David Condos

Temperatures have been over 100 degrees for days at Zion National Park. Is it keeping the tourists away? No, even as two hikers in a nearby state park died of apparent heat-related causes Saturday.

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