Health & Safety

Boxes of the drug mifepristone sit on a shelf at the West Alabama Women's Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on March 16, 2022.

The FDA finalizes rule expanding the availability of abortion pills

11:04pm January 03, 2023

by The Associated Press

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday finalized a rule change that broadens availability of abortion pills to many more pharmacies, including large chains and mail-order companies.

Fans watch as Buffalo Bills football player Damar Hamlin leaves Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium in an ambulance on Monday night after experiencing a cardiac arrest during a game.

Did Damar Hamlin experience commotio cordis? What to know about the rare phenomenon

6:24pm January 03, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

It involves the impact of a specific force to the chest at a specific moment in the cardiac cycle. One cardiologist told NPR that what happened to Hamlin was likely "a perfect storm of events."

Registered nurse Carole Kriessman performs a quick checkup on Ja'Mil'Lion DeLorenzo's 4-week-old son, Haiyden, at DeLorenzo's grandmother's home in Glenolden, Pa., on June 9.

Maternal deaths in the U.S. are staggeringly common. Personal nurses could help

5:00pm January 03, 2023

by Laura Benshoff

The nation has the highest rate of maternal mortality among wealthy countries. A long-standing program, Nurse-Family Partnership, which supports new parents, works to address this deadly trend.

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Cannabis candies, made to look appealing, are being ingested by children under 6, sending some kids to the hospital. Most of the children found the edible weed at their own homes.

Health & Safety

3,000+ young children accidentally ate weed edibles in 2021, study finds

12:19pm January 03, 2023

by Rhitu Chatterjee

The cases of accidental ingestion of cannabis candies and baked goods among small children increased 1,375% in five years, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics.

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Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin, 24, collapses on the field in a game against Cincinnati

8:21am January 03, 2023

The Bills said Hamlin had a cardiac arrest after a hit. NPR's Rob Schmitz talks to Dr. Christopher Madias of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Center at Tufts Medical Center, about the effects of the blow.

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Health & Safety

After celebrating the holidays, maybe it's time to try 'dry January'

7:17am January 03, 2023

The month of alcohol abstinence known as "dry January" can have beneficial effects on participants months after completing the challenge.

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A Brazil fan points to "zero" on the Budweiser cup prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Serbia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail City, Qatar.

A golden age for nonalcoholic beers, wines and spirits

6:30am January 03, 2023

by Greg Rosalsky

There are many more drinking options this Dry January if you like the taste of alcoholic drinks but don't like the effects of alcohol.

Health & Safety

Study: More than 3,000 young children accidentally ate pot edibles in 2021

5:15am January 03, 2023

by Rhitu Chatterjee

A new study in the journal Pediatrics finds a huge spike in accidental consumption of edible weed among children 5 and younger. While most suffered mild impacts, about one in five were hospitalized.

Health & Safety

Encore: Do China's COVID vaccines do the job?

4:39pm January 02, 2023

by Michaeleen Doucleff

As COVID spreads rapidly through China, rumors circulate about the effectiveness and safety of the Chinese-manufactured vaccines. But what does the scientific data actually say about these shots?

Health & Safety

Encore: How much water do you actually need? Here's the science

4:26pm January 02, 2023

Many feel tethered to a water bottle, having heard that hydration is key to being healthy. Here's what the science says about how much water to drink and when.