Half of Americans breathe unhealthy air. Here’s how Midwest metros are doing
Nearly half of all Americans live with dangerous levels of air pollution, according to a new report from the American Lung Association.
Sickle cell experts worry as CDC’s Division of Blood Disorders staff put on leave
Sickle cell experts say the future of a critical data collection program is in flux after staff at the CDC’s Division of Blood Disorders were placed on administrative leave without a clear future plan.
Federal funding cancellation threatens major diabetes study, researchers say
The American Diabetes Association said that eliminating funding for the program “means the loss of a decade’s worth of important findings and progress toward diabetes prevention and understanding Alzheimer’s disease and associated dementia in diabetes.”
Thousands of deceased donor kidneys are discarded. This organization hopes to revive them
Despite the long waitlists and organ shortages, around 9,000 kidneys from deceased donors last year were discarded due to perceived issues with their viability.
Government | Health | Politics
The powerful vaccine committee RFK Jr. could soon control
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long criticized an obscure and powerful federal vaccine committee. If senators confirm him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, he would control it.
New concerns over cancer and alcohol suggest even moderate drinking increases risk
New research shows strong ties between alcohol and cancer, which has reignited a debate among experts about the health impacts of drinking, even in moderate amounts.
Recent Alzheimer’s advancements leave Black and Latino patients behind
There are more treatments available that can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, but not everyone is reaping the benefits of this. Older Black and Latino Midwesterners are often left out.
The Checkup: What could a second Trump term mean for Medicaid?
A big question for many people on election day will be how a new president could impact health care –– particularly Medicaid, the public health insurance program for low-income adults. Much has been made of Project 2025, a nearly 1,000-page blueprint for if former President Donald Trump were to win the upcoming election. It’s authored by the…
Hospitals brace for IV fluid shortages after Hurricane Helene closes N.C. manufacturing plant
Hospitals across the U.S. are bracing for a potential shortage of intravenous fluids, also known as IV fluids, after Hurricane Helene brought the country’s biggest manufacturing plant –– responsible for nearly 60% of IV fluid supply –– to a halt. It’s the latest example of a natural disaster’s impact extending well beyond its immediate human…
How supporting caregivers could make a difference in dementia
Patients and their caregivers are often left to navigate the confusing world of dementia by themselves, but Medicare is launching a new program to change that.
The push for embryo rights worries IVF patients and doctors in the Midwest
Thirteen states across the U.S., including much of the Midwest, introduced bills this year that could give some rights to embryos and fetuses usually associated with people. None passed but people in the fertility world are concerned that lawmakers will try again and what that means for reproductive rights.
The Checkup: ‘Junk patents’ by big pharma lead to soaring drugs prices, FTC says
The Federal Trade Commission says drug makers are gaming the system in order to keep drug prices high by filing what it describes as “junk patents”.
Is private equity ruining health care? It’s complicated
While stories of private equity firms running amok in health care are easy to find, new research paints a more nuanced picture.
Curbs can be a physical and social barrier for wheelchair users. One program teaches kids to roll past them
Wheelchairs may seem straightforward to use, until you need to move up and down hills or stairs. Around 3.7 million people use a wheelchair in the United States. They push themselves an average of 2,000 to 3,000 times a day, but some don’t have access to formal skills training that helps them smoothly navigate the…
The Checkup: Are my eclipse glasses legit? How do I protect my eyes? And what symptoms to look out for
A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely obscures the sun’s bright surface. Parts of the Midwest including Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois are in the path of totality, which means people there will be able to see the spectacular moment the moon totally covers up the sun. With the excitement and anticipation surrounding…