Health & Safety

Maryland created a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to rein in prices

5:07am April 25, 2023

by Scott Maucione

Maryland is working on a new way to keep prescription drugs affordable, as pharmaceutical companies continue to raise prices. Other states are following Maryland's lead.

Chelsea Freels, a 17-year-old outside her home in Richmond Heights, Mo., on April 20, 2023. Freels, who is transgender, says she feels targeted by policies restricting gender-affirming care coming from Jefferson City, the state capital.

Missouri to restrict gender-affirming care for trans adults this week

8:20pm April 24, 2023

by Jason Rosenbaum

Missouri AG Andrew Bailey has issued a rule that severely limits adults and youth from receiving gender-affirming care. The rule, the first of its kind, is scheduled to take effect Thursday.

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Boys may be prone to fetal brain development from COVID

4:14pm April 24, 2023

by Jon Hamilton

A new study finds that when pregnant people get COVID, their male children have a greater risk of subtle neurodevelopmental effects.

A pregnant military veteran receives a tiara at a 'drive through' baby shower at the VA in Atlanta. Among researchers, there's concern that women veterans may be at heightened risk for pregnancy complications, compared to their civilian counterparts.

Health & Safety

Why the VA in Atlanta is throwing 'drive-through' baby showers for pregnant veterans

11:39am April 24, 2023

by Jess Mador

More women are serving in the U.S. military, and women are the fastest-growing group among U.S. veterans. The Veterans Administration is trying to meet their health needs, including pregnancy care.

Kat Yetka (left) pours the wastewater sample over a filter (right), negatively-charged to better capture COVID virus particles.

Health & Safety

Tracking health threats, one sewage sample at a time

5:01am April 24, 2023

Researchers in Virginia Beach, Va., show how they test wastewater for signs of COVID-19, and how they're preparing to look for other health threats.

The Paralympics TikTok account combines sports footage with viral audio to showcase athletes. But critics of compilations posted to Twitter say it mocks them instead.

Edgy or insensitive? The Paralympics TikTok account sparks a debate

5:00am April 24, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

People are slamming the account for what they see as mocking Para athletes. But those behind it, and some featured on it, say it's an important tool for increasing visibility and understanding.

Some urinary tract infections may be caused by food-borne E. coli bacteria, research finds.

Health & Safety

Unraveling a hidden cause of UTIs — plus how to prevent them

1:00pm April 23, 2023

by Allison Aubrey

New research shows that one of the most common infections in women may be linked to our food supply. Here's what to know to protect yourself.

Health & Safety

What happens next for mifepristone in the courts

5:18pm April 22, 2023

The abortion pill mifepristone will remain available in the U.S., for now. NPR's Adrian Florido talks to Julie Rovner of KFF Health News.

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Pedestrians walk along the edge of a sidewalk to avoid tents and sleeping bags, on April 13, 2020, in the tenderloin area of San Francisco.

Gov. Newsom sends National Guard and CHP to tackle San Francisco's fentanyl crisis

3:49pm April 22, 2023

by Juliana Kim

The two agencies will join forces with local police and the district attorney's office to ramp up efforts against fentanyl trafficking in San Francisco.

Nagwa Khalid Hamad, who died when mortar hit her home in Khartoum, at a wedding in in 2019. Her son says: "I don't even recall whose wedding it was but all i can remember is my brother, sister, mom and myself were there and we were happy." He describes her as "a very calm person." If he was upset, he says, "she would say to just take it in, just breathe it in and don't worry about it."

Health & Safety

His mom — a doctor and 'a true angel' — died when mortar struck her home in Sudan

11:30am April 22, 2023

by Emmanuel Akinwotu

Nagwa Khalid Hamad, 66, was one of at least 400 killed since conflict erupted last Saturday. Her son spoke to NPR about her death and life — and what she meant to him, to family and to her patients.