health care

Psychiatric patients have longer ER stays than patients with physical problems, research shows, and have trouble finding inpatient care and follow-up treatment. Kids can be among the hardest hit.

Almost all parents rate their child care as very good or excellent, according to a new NPR poll. But researchers say that's off base, and that just 10 percent of child care is high quality.

Climbing drug prices are taking a toll on West Virginia's budget, some state legislators say. Expensive drugs fuel an increase in Medicaid spending, which leaves less money for schools and roads.

Smartphones can be used to test for atrial fibrillation, a common heart condition that can cause strokes. But it's still not clear who should use this emerging technology.

Over the past two weeks, we have examined some of the challenges American working parents experience, and solutions proposed to alleviate those burdens. Now we hear from listeners who are working parents around in the country about the issues most pressing to them.

Black women are more likely to die of breast cancer than are white women, and that's especially true for older women, the CDC reports. Lack of access to quality health care is a big factor.

Researchers often combine the results of many medical studies to evaluate treatments. But when the combiners have a financial interest, the results might be inaccurate, a scientist says.