PBS NewsHour - Health

This week, the CDC changed its website to suggest that vaccines may cause autism, even though there's no scientific evidence to prove such a link. It’s the latest change to vaccine guidance under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In response, some Democratic-led states have taken steps aimed at protecting access to vaccines and pushing back on misinformation. William Brangham reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

We’re weeks away from 20 million Americans seeing a massive spike in their healthcare premiums. That’s if no deal can be struck to extend subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. We heard from some of those being affected. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

If the Affordable Care Act subsidies are allowed to expire at the end of the year, premiums would double for the average enrollee, with some paying over $1,000 more every month. The subsidies were at the heart of the recent government shutdown, but Democrats were not successful in securing a deal. William Brangam spoke with Jonathan Cohn and Brian Blase for their views on the debate. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This weekend is the halfway point for the 30th U.N. climate summit known as COP30. In a report issued days before the meeting began, the World Meteorological Organization said 2025 is “on track to be among the three warmest years on record.” New York Times international climate reporter Somini Sengupta, who just returned from COP30, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Last September, a chemical fire in Conyers, Georgia, sent a toxic cloud over the area. A Georgia Public Broadcasting podcast called “Manufacturing Danger: The BioLab Story” examined that day, what led up to it, and the immediate aftermath. Now, a second season of the podcast looks at health consequences for residents a year later. John Yang speaks with GPB’s Pamela Kirkland for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Nearly 7 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s and by 2060, experts say that number could be as high as 14 million. Scientists are trying to find out how one man has been able to stave off Alzheimer's for 25 years, despite having a rare genetic mutation that, doctors say, essentially guaranteed he’d develop the disease. Pam Belluck of The New York Times joins Ali Rogin to discuss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

So-called forever chemicals are both harmful to our health and are everywhere. Studies have found them in women's breast milk and even in rain falling in Tibet. A new book tells the story of how these extremely durable chemicals became so ubiquitous through the eyes of a small community that decided to fight for some measure of justice. William Brangham reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

An outbreak of infant botulism, a rare but serious illness caused by toxins that attack the nervous system, is causing alarm among regulators and parents in the U.S. It's prompting an investigation and a nationwide recall of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The FDA announced it would begin asking drug companies to remove so-called “black box” warnings for hormones prescribed to treat symptoms of menopause. The FDA says the warning has dissuaded generations of women from taking advantage of the medication that could help them. Ali Rogin discussed more with FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Medical imaging, like X-rays and CT scans, are routine, non-invasive and painless tools used by doctors to make diagnoses. But a recent study of about 4 million children published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the radiation exposure from imaging could pose a risk for pediatric cancer. John Yang speaks with Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman, the study’s lead author, to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Southeast Asians have used kratom leaves as a home remedy for centuries. Recently, its popularity in the U.S. has exploded as a way to ease the effects of opioid withdrawal. But kratom is poorly regulated and synthetic versions contain high levels of a powerful compound that officials say should be restricted. Ali Rogin speaks with Tampa Bay Times senior politics reporter Kirby Wilson for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Health systems in rural America are struggling. Many are losing money and over the past decade, more than 100 have closed. To address Medicaid shortfalls in the “One Big Beautiful” budget bill, Congress approved a $50 billion rural health transformation fund. Ali Rogin speaks with National Rural Health Association chief policy officer Carrie Cochran-McClain about how states hope to use the money. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

One of the latest relationship tests to go viral is the “bird theory,” racking up millions of views on social media. It’s based on a theory developed by couples researcher John Gottman about the importance of engaging with partners when looking for a connection. John Yang speaks with licensed clinical psychologist Alexandra Solomon to learn more about the test and what it reveals. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Millions of Americans will soon have direct access to popular weight-loss drugs at far lower prices than they pay now. That’s due to a deal announced between President Trump and pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. William Brangham discussed the deal and its potential impact with Stacie Dusetzina of Vanderbilt University. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Men’s lack of deep, close friendships has been in the spotlight lately. A recent Pew Research Center study found that 54% of women say they turn to a friend for emotional support, but only 38% of men say they do. Essayist Sam Graham-Felsen and American Institute for Boys and Men CEO Richard Reeves join John Yang to discuss why some men seem to struggle with maintaining social connections. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

More than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, according to the CDC. Persistent pain that lasts beyond a typical recovery period can be debilitating and finding the right treatment is a challenge, but a recent study could provide a glimmer of hope. Ali Rogin speaks with New York Times health and science reporter Pam Belluck to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

To reach the isolated eastern Uganda mountain communities that need her help, nurse Agnes Nambozo scales a treacherous 1,000-foot ladder that is too steep for small children, mothers carrying babies and the sick to climb down. John Yang reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The end of breast cancer treatment is cause for celebration, but for many patients, it can bring new challenges. Some studies show that up to 65% of women who undergo breast cancer surgery develop lymphedema, a painful swelling of tissue due to excess fluid retention. Ali Rogin spoke with two members of the nonprofit Lymphedema Education & Research Network to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Dr. Tom Frieden has spent his career as a disease detective, New York City’s health commissioner during a tuberculosis outbreak and CDC director during the Ebola crisis. In his new book, “The Formula for Better Health,” he shares lessons about how to close the gap between awareness of health challenges and the actions needed to solve them. Ali Rogin speaks with Frieden for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

On average, a woman’s risk of being killed in the U.S. increases by 20% when pregnant or after giving birth. Pregnant and postpartum women are more likely to be killed than to die from childbirth-related issues. Many killings are the result of domestic violence. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports from Louisiana, where experts say abortion restrictions are putting women further at risk. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For the past 40 years, pink ribbons have sprouted every October as the symbol of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To take stock of the latest in breast cancer research and the experience of patients, Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Arif Kamal, the American Cancer Society’s chief patient officer, and Kristen Dahlgren, founder of the Cancer Vaccine Coalition. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

More than two years after the pandemic ended, millions of Americans are still living with long COVID. Symptoms vary from person to person, but range from mild to severe to physically debilitating. Recently, Health Secretary Kennedy kicked off new efforts to address long COVID with a roundtable discussion. Ali Rogin speaks with two members of the long COVID community to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

More people than ever are putting their hopes for parenthood on ice, literally. Egg freezing is a costly procedure that had primarily been used by people undergoing medical treatments that could affect their fertility, but now it’s becoming more common among healthy women. Ali Rogin speaks with fertility specialist Dr. Lucky Sekhon and Natalie Lampert, author of ‘The Big Freeze,’ for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Earlier this year, West Virginia became the first of a number of politically conservative states to ban artificial food dyes. It’s part of the larger “Make America Healthy Again” effort championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. For a look at how the new law is playing out, Ali Rogin reports from the Mountain State. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Brain tumors are the leading cause of pediatric cancer-related death. In August, the Trump administration announced it would stop supporting a federally funded network dedicated to researching these deadly cancers. Misha Mehta, president of the Neev Kolte & Brave Ronil Foundation, and Dr. Paul Graham Fisher join Ali Rogin to discuss the implications of the loss of funding. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Friday, Health Secretary Kennedy's overhauled panel of vaccine advisers declined to recommend COVID shots for this fall, Estonia says three Russian fighter jets violated its airspace in the third attempt by Moscow to test NATO's eastern flank this month and the UN is set to reimpose tough sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, claiming more than 49,000 lives in 2023 alone, according to the latest CDC data. One organization has found an unconventional tool to combat those grim numbers: laughter. Lisa Desjardins speaks with Brad Bonar Jr., founder of the 1 Degree of Separation suicide prevention program, for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump administration is planning sweeping cuts to health care funding across the country. Some of those cuts have already taken effect, while others will roll out over the next few years. KFF Health News senior health policy correspondent Stephanie Armour joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss what this means for states, which will have to shoulder more of the costs of health programs. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump Administration released its plan for improving health outcomes and tackling chronic childhood illnesses. The strategy came from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again Commission he oversees. The plan focuses on everything from reducing the consumption of highly processed foods to reviewing vaccines. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For a deeper dive into the implications that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again report could have on the U.S. food system, Geoff Bennett spoke with Marion Nestle, one of the nation’s foremost food policy experts and professor emerita at New York University. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The parents of a teenager who died by suicide have filed a wrongful death suit against ChatGPT owner OpenAI, saying the chatbot discussed ways he could end his life after he expressed suicidal thoughts. The lawsuit comes amid reports of people developing distorted thoughts after interacting with AI chatbots, a phenomenon dubbed “AI psychosis.” John Yang speaks with Dr. Joseph Pierre to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

It used to be that only fitness buffs and bodybuilders thought about how much protein they were getting. But now, everybody seems to be looking for more of it in their diet, and just about every food product has added protein, from pancakes to popcorn. But how much protein do we really need? Ali Rogin speaks with New York Times health reporter Alice Callahan for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The American Academy of Pediatrics released new COVID vaccination guidelines, and for the first time, they diverge significantly from the recommendations from the CDC. The changes leave parents with competing guidance as we head into fall. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician and director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In July, the Trump administration proposed revoking a landmark 2009 finding that’s been the basis for EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. If the proposal is finalized, experts warn that it could jeopardize the health of millions of Americans, especially children. John Yang speaks with pediatrician and clinical professor Dr. Debra Hendrickson for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart of MSNBC join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including President Trump's summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Trump's federal takeover of Washington and the battle over redistricting. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The shooting at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta has shaken many in the field of public health. Authorities say the 32-year-old gunman fired nearly 200 rounds at six buildings on the CDC campus and believed COVID-19 vaccines were to blame for his mental health problems. Geoff Bennett discussed rhetoric and hostility against health professionals with Dr. Megan Ranney. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

More than one million immigrants work in healthcare and make up an increasing share of caregivers for elderly and disabled Americans. That includes not only medical professionals, but also workers who keep facilities running. The industry already faces labor shortages, and the Trump administration’s immigration policies could make it more difficult to find workers. William Brangham reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

After struggling to find doctors who properly treated her own menopause symptoms, Joanna Strober created Midi Health, a virtual clinic designed for the millions of women navigating this significant life transition. She gives her Brief But Spectacular take on revolutionizing women's health care. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The iconic Mississippi River Delta is of enormous importance to the country, especially near the Gulf Coast. It's an economic engine and a key wildlife habitat. But it's shrinking considerably due to a variety of factors, including engineering done decades ago. Science Correspondent Miles O'Brien looks at those problems and efforts to prevent further loss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump's big budget law is expected to make the largest cuts ever to Medicaid, a program that currently provides health insurance for some 70 million Americans. As Lisa Desjardins reports, those impacts will be felt in House Speaker Mike Johnson’s home state of Louisiana, which has one of the highest rates of enrollment in the country. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Many public health experts and scientists say they are stunned by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s decision to cancel nearly half a billion dollars in federal funding for future vaccine development. MRNA technology was central in the battle against COVID and can be developed more quickly than traditional vaccines. Geoff Bennett discussed the implications with Dr. Michael Osterholm. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The U.S. fertility rate hit another record low last year, with families having fewer children and a growing number of women opting out of motherhood altogether. A new large-scale study might offer some clarity. It shows U.S. mothers have seen a stark drop in their mental health. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders