Children's Health

A baby receives the rotavirus vaccine during a clinical trial in Niger. The new vaccine is the first designed specifically for children in sub-Saharan Africa. It doesn't require refrigeration and will be cheaper than ones currently available.

Powdered Vaccine Raises Hopes Of Stopping A Top Killer Of Kids

6:54pm March 22, 2017

by Michaeleen Doucleff

It's aimed at rotavirus, a nasty pathogen that can cause diarrhea and kills more than 500 children a day. The secret to the vaccine is the same thing that makes space ice cream so cool.

The Government Accountability Office will investigate potential abuses of the Orphan Drug Act.

GAO Will Investigate Skyrocketing Prices For Orphan Drugs

4:20pm March 22, 2017

by Sarah Jane Tribble

The Orphan Drug Act was created to help patients with rare diseases get life-saving medications. But soaring prices suggest the law is being manipulated to increase profits.

Fatun Mohamed Sareye, 30, sits with her family at a camp for internally displaced people in Garowe, Somalia.

Health & Safety

Social Media Star Has A 'Crazy Idea' To Help Somalia

1:56pm March 22, 2017

by Natalie Jacewicz

Jerome Jarre wanted to raise $1 million, buy 60 tons of food and get Turkish Airlines to fly it in for free. How's he doing?

Women worry that bad things will happen if they exercise while pregnant, but doctors say in almost all cases it's not just safe, but can improve health.

Exercising While Pregnant Is Almost Always A Good Idea

1:48pm March 21, 2017

by Katherine Hobson

Women often worry that exercise is dangerous during pregnancy, but the data shows it's almost always good for both mother and the developing fetus. As with so many things, moderation is key.

A pair of studies show declines in opioid use by young people, including prescription use, intentional misuse and accidental poisonings.

Studies Suggest Cautious Optimism About Declines In Teen Opioid Use

1:49pm March 20, 2017

by Tara Haelle

A pair of long-term studies found fewer children and teenagers are coming in contact with opioids, and that hospitalizations from the drugs are down. The same is not true for adults.

Julia (center) first appeared online and in printed materials as a part of Sesame Street's See Amazing in all Children initiative. She'll now appear on TV as well. From left, Elmo, Alan Muraoka, Julia, Abby Cadabby and Big Bird.

Julia, A Muppet With Autism, Joins The Cast Of 'Sesame Street'

12:14pm March 20, 2017

by David Folkenflik

Julia has bright red hair, big green eyes and she loves to draw. She can be a little shy, but Elmo and Abby Cadabby don't mind. She's voiced by Stacey Gordon, whose son is on the autism spectrum, too.

Queue Listen Now

Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, says the health care provider takes in about $400 million per year in reimbursements under Medicaid and other federal programs.

Planned Parenthood Would Lose Millions In Payments Under GOP Health Plan

3:24pm March 15, 2017

by Rebecca Hersher

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that defunding Planned Parenthood would cause an uptick in births. Nearly half of pregnancies in the U.S. are covered by Medicaid.

Queue Listen Now

Injuries to babies associated with products like strollers and cribs have increased, a study finds.

Nursery Products To Blame For Rise In Infant Injuries, Study Finds

4:26pm March 13, 2017

by Jessica Boddy

The number of children injured by strollers, cribs, carriers and other nursery products is on the rise. Researchers say both parents and manufacturers can do things to limit injuries.

Getting kids to eat veggies through subterfuge — say, by sneaking spinach into smoothies -- sets the bar too low, researchers say. Your child must actually learn to like veggies, weird textures and all.

Save Hide And Seek For The Playground: Why Kids Should See Their Veggies

7:00am March 12, 2017

by Sujata Gupta

Getting kids to eat veggies through subterfuge — say, spinach smoothies -- sets the bar too low, researchers say. Your child must actually learn to like veggies, weird textures and all. Here's how.

Leana Wen, Baltimore's health commissioner, says when women skip prenatal care because they can't afford it, their health and their children's health suffers.

I'm Pregnant. What Would Happen If I Couldn't Afford Health Care?

5:00am March 11, 2017

by Leana Wen

Prenatal care costs more than $10,000 on average. Dr. Leana Wen wonders what choices she would make if she didn't have health insurance to cover that, and how those choices would affect her baby.