Public health officials say wastewater surveillance could help them track trends for many kinds of diseases - from COVID to polio - but only if they can keep the testing system going.

Activists and community members march into the Minnesota State Capitol building during a Trans Day of Visibility rally on March 31, 2023. Minnesota is one of at least 12 states that has restricted gender-affirming care for minors this year.

Minnesota to join at least 4 other states in protecting transgender care this year

6:35pm April 21, 2023

In 2023, a record number of states have passed rules or legislation to eliminate youth gender-affirming care, but a record number of states have also moved to protect care for trans youth and adults.

Supreme Court set to weigh in on availability of abortion pill mifepristone

4:43pm April 21, 2023

The Supreme Court is expected to weigh in by midnight Friday on whether to allow an abortion pill to remain widely available.

Even a straightforward cataract surgery may be impossible in many places. These patients underwent surgery as part of a campaign run by Himalayan Cataract Project at the Bisidimo Hospital in Ethiopia. Surgeons performed more than 1,600 cataract surgeries during a six-day event.

Health & Safety

How do you get equal health care for all? A huge new database holds clues

3:20pm April 21, 2023

by Nurith Aizenman

The World Health Organization registry holds 11 million data points — key to addressing global health inequality. Yet health officials stress how much information is still missing.

"When I see the patterns of nature and the way that nature treats me, it's all about optimism. The negativity comes from humanity," says Edgard Gouveia Jr., who co-founded a group based out of Brazil that uses games to mobilize large crowds to solve intractable problems.

How do you stay optimistic in spite of it all? 6 hopeful souls share their secrets

2:39pm April 21, 2023

by Ari Daniel

They're activist and advocates from Brazil, Colombia, India, Kenya, Lesotho and the U.S. We wanted to know: How do they stay positive in the face of the world's many problems and woes?

'I'm going to die in these shoes.' Ga. woman loves shoes — despite polio's effects

6:06am April 21, 2023

by Halle Hewitt

Shirley Duhart was two years old when she got polio in 1950. She talks to her doctor, Dale Strausserher, about her love of shoes. Though she struggled to walk, shoes became very important to her.

Health & Safety

Morning news brief

5:57am April 21, 2023

The Supreme Court is deciding whether to allow an abortion pill to remain available. The Pentagon may evacuate U.S. citizens from Sudan. U.S. officials say they've infiltrated the Sinaloa cartel.

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