health care

Sen. Bernie Sanders shakes hands with former Vice President Joe Biden Thursday.

Democratic Debate Exposes Deep Divides Among Candidates Over Health Care

2:01am September 13, 2019

by Danielle Kurtzleben

A large chunk of Thursday's Democratic primary debate featured policy brawls about health care policy — including costs, coverage and worries about whether the party is growing too extreme.

Health & Safety

OPINION: Volunteering Abroad Is Popular And Problematic. Let's Fix It

6:22pm September 12, 2019

by Lawrence Loh

From students to professionals to retirees, many people are eager to fly off for a volunteer stint. How can we make sure they really do make things better?

Students in medical schools are about to become doctors in the midst of an opioid crisis. That's why one top U.S. medical school is rethinking what to teach them about pain and pain management.

Health & Safety

How To Teach Future Doctors About Pain In The Midst Of The Opioid Crisis

1:08pm September 11, 2019

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Around 20% of U.S. adults live with chronic pain. Medical schools traditionally haven't dedicated much time to teaching about pain and pain control, but one top school now has a mandatory course.

Queue Listen Now

Unlike Planned Parenthood which pulled out of Title X family planning funding, many clinics still take the funding and must comply with new rules on discussing abortion. Doctors worry it will affect their relationships with patients.

Health & Safety

Doctors Say Federal Rules On Discussing Abortions Inhibit Relationships With Patients

6:32pm September 09, 2019

by Mara Gordon

Many clinics that provide family planning services still rely on Title X funding. Their doctors worry about what they can say to patients about abortion under new rules.

Dr. Sarfraz Khan, chief medical officer at Meridian Health Services in Indiana, connects with patients over the internet.

Health & Safety

Telepsychiatry Helps Recruitment And Patient Care In Rural Areas

4:14pm September 09, 2019

by Yuki Noguchi

A telemedicine initiative at Meridian Health Services is making it possible to offer psychiatric care to more patients in remote areas. It's also helping recruit doctors in a tight labor market.

Queue Listen Now

Joe Bay (center), coach of a New York City "Bootcamp for New Dads," instructs Adewale Oshodi (left) and George Pasco in how to cradle an infant for best soothing.

How A Prenatal 'Bootcamp' For New Dads Helps The Whole Family

9:39pm September 08, 2019

by Juli Fraga

Prenatal classes often focus on Mom-to-be — on her shifting role and emotional needs, along with new skills. But if Dad gets sidelined early into a supporting role, research shows, everybody loses.

Supporters of safe injection sites in Philadelphia rallied outside this week's federal hearing. The judge's ultimate ruling will determine if the proposed "Safehouse" facility to prevent deaths from opioid overdose would violate the federal Controlled Sub

Trump Administration Is In Court To Block Nation's First Supervised Injection Site

6:03pm September 06, 2019

by Nina Feldman

Efforts to combat Philadelphia's opioid crisis with a supervised injection site could be stymied by a portion of federal law meant to protect neighborhoods during the crack epidemic of the 1980s.

Dr. Peter Grinspoon was a practicing physician when he became addicted to opioids. When he got caught, Grinspoon wasn't allowed access to what's now the standard treatment for addiction — buprenorphine or methadone (in addition to counseling) — precis

For Health Workers Struggling With Addiction, Why Are Treatment Options Limited?

12:11pm September 06, 2019

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

Doctors and nurses are often barred from turning to FDA-approved medications that research shows to be the most effective way to quit. Critics of that policy say stigma is undermining best practice

Groupon and other deal sites are the latest marketing tactic in medicine, offering bargain prices for services such as CT scans.

Groupon For Medical Scans? Discounted Care Can Have Hidden Costs

1:59pm September 05, 2019

by Lauren Weber

Groupon and other deal sites are the latest marketing tactic in medicine, offering bargain prices. But critics say pursuing such discounts can also entail getting unnecessary or duplicative services.

Abortion opponents in Sacramento, Calif., protest legislation that would require public university campuses in California to provide the pills used in medication abortion.

California Again Considers Making Abortion Pills Available At Public Colleges

5:01am September 05, 2019

by April Dembosky

State lawmakers are expected to pass a bill requiring campus health centers to provide pills used for medication abortions. If the measure becomes law, it will be the first of its kind in the U.S.

Queue Listen Now