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.
Your Health
Insured, But Indebted: Couple Works 5 Jobs To Pay Off Medical Bills
Even after buying employer-provided health insurance, an Arizona couple incurred a mountain of medical debt since a new baby was born.
How Working On Christmas Became A Privilege For 2 Young Doctors
In late December, medical interns are halfway through their first year of hands-on work with patients. The holiday season marks a special challenge as these doctors take on more responsibility.
Bill Of The Month Update: Skier To Get $6,358 Refund After Surgery For Broken Leg
Ski buff Sarah Witter will get $6,358 back from her hospital and insurer after a review of her bill following the NPR-Kaiser Health News story about her case.
Bad Vibes: How Hits To The Head Are Transferred To The Brain
A question about heading soccer balls inspired a series of experiments to understand how the brain changes shape when someone's head takes a hit.
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.
Why The U.S. Remains The Most Expensive Market For 'Biologic' Drugs In The World
Biologic drugs, often made with the help of living organisms, are especially lucrative because they have scant competition from biosimilars, drugs akin to generics. It's a different story in Europe.
Bill Of The Month: $43,208 For Repeat Surgery To Replace Broken Medical Device
If implanted medical devices fail, patients and their insurers usually have to pay for repairs. That financial responsibility falls to them even when the problems were solely with the devices.
Surgeon General Warns Youth Vaping Is Now An 'Epidemic'
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams issued a forceful advisory about vaping by U.S. teenagers, saying electronic cigarette use among young people has reached levels that require urgent action.