10 Health Stories You Don't Want To Miss From 2018
From Lyme disease prevention to $100,000 medical bills, here are 10 of NPR's most read U.S. health stories in 2018.
Mental Health
How To Help Kids Overcome Their Fear Of Doctors And Shots
Half of the parents of young children in a recent survey said their kids fear going to the doctor. Some admit skipping vaccines and needed appointments. Here's how to nip medical anxiety in the bud.
'WSJ' Report: Psychiatric Hospitals With Safety Violations Remain Accredited
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Wall Street Journal reporter Stephanie Armour about her investigation of how many psychiatric hospitals with troubling safety records continue to receive accreditation.
Fact Check: Media May Unintentionally Mislead About Holiday Suicide Statistics
News organizations often report that suicides go up over the holiday season. But according to federal statistics, that's not just true.
After Other Options Fail, A Family Tries Medical Marijuana For Son With Autism
Rhode Island is among a growing number of states allowing children with autism to be treated with medical marijuana. The benefits are unproved and the full extent of the risks are unknown.
If You Feel Thankful, Write It Down. It's Good For Your Health
A growing body of research shows keeping a log of what you are thankful for can lower stress, help you sleep better, and may even reduce the risk of heart disease. But it's not for everyone.
Scientists Find A Brain Circuit That Could Explain Seasonal Depression
Research suggests the winter blues are triggered by specialized light-sensing cells in the retina that communicate directly with brain areas involved in mood.
5 Ways Nixing The Affordable Care Act Could Upend U.S. Health System
If the decision of a judge in Texas to invalidate the federal health law holds up, expect broad effects on your health care — from insurance coverage to Medicare payments to pre-existing conditions.
A New Way To Get College Students Through A Psychiatric Crisis — And Back To School
A partnership between a mental health care provider and colleges is redefining emergency mental health care on campus – helping students get needed care without losing track of their academic goals.
Teen Girls And Their Moms Get Candid About Phones And Social Media
About half of all teens say they've tried to cut back on their phone use. But one of the girls we spoke with says that's hard when "it's obviously designed to be addictive."