PBS NewsHour - Health

The Trump administration is moving to roll back limits on some PFAS, the toxic "forever chemicals" found in the drinking water of millions of Americans. The Biden-era rule set the first national drinking-water limits for several PFAS compounds. But industry groups argued the standards were legally flawed and too costly to meet. William Brangham reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Health officials are racing to contain a rapidly expanding outbreak of Ebola in Africa. At least 116 suspected deaths and more than 300 other cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Uganda. The CDC says an American medical missionary has contracted the disease. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Dr. Craig Spencer, who contracted Ebola during a 2014 outbreak. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Supreme Court again extended access to mifepristone, for now. Thursday, justices extended a pause on a lower court ruling that would have blocked telehealth prescriptions and mail distribution of the abortion pill. Amna Nawaz discussed what this means for people seeking the medicine and the legal fight still to come with Mary Ziegler of the University of California Davis School of Law. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

It's not just your kids. Author and historian Helen Zoe Veit's latest book, , "Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History," explores how U.S. culture has shaped selective palates. In this episode of Settle In, she sat down with Amna Nawaz to discuss what she's learned, including tips and tricks to parents hoping to teach their kids to learn to love more food. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Monday, the Supreme Court extended access to the abortion pill mifepristone as justices consider an emergency request to halt a lower-court ruling that would restrict access to the drug, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents Dinner pleaded not guilty and a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine expires on Monday. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The ship at the epicenter of the hantavirus outbreak has been evacuated, and 16 Americans have now been transported to a specialized quarantine unit in Nebraska. Two are at a similar unit in Atlanta. The virus has claimed the lives of three people, including a Dutch couple and a German citizen. William Brangham discussed the virus with Dr. Ashish Jha. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

More than 1 million women in the U.S. start menopause every year, yet this biological certainty is too often shrouded in secrecy or ignored by many mainstream researchers. Horizons moderator William Brangham explores what we do and don't know about menopause with Dr. Sharon Malone and Dr. Lauren Streicher. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Wednesday, three patients were evacuated from the ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak with two of them confirmed to have the disease, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced questioning from the House Oversight Committee over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of breaking a unilateral ceasefire and severe winter weather hits Colorado. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Three people are dead and nearly 150 remained quarantined Tuesday on a cruise ship off the coast of West Africa, as the World Health Organization investigates an outbreak of the rare but deadly hantavirus on board. William Brangham speaks with Dr. Céline Gounder, an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist and editor-at-large for public health at KFF News, to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Monday, former New York city mayor Rudy Giuliani is recovering from pneumonia at a Florida hospital, three people died from a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship, authorities search for suspects in a mass shooting that left at least 23 people injured, the latest Pulitzer prize winners were announced and iconic New York Yankees broadcaster John Sterling has died. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Supreme Court on Monday temporarily allowed continued nationwide access to abortion medication that's often distributed by mail. The court issued a one-week stay on a lower court's ruling that would have led to sweeping changes in how Mifepristone, one of the two drugs commonly used, can be prescribed. Mary Ziegler of the University of California, Davis School of Law joins Amna Nawaz for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Last year, Health Secretary Kennedy thrust autism into the national spotlight, calling it an epidemic and vowing to investigate what he characterized as its environmental causes. It struck a nerve in the autism community and reignited debates about whether the autism spectrum is too broad. Judy Woodruff and producer Mary Fecteau have the story for our series, Disability Reframed. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The federal government is reclassifying medical marijuana, categorizing it as a drug with potential medical benefits and less potential for harm. While this doesn't legalize marijuana nationally, it does open the door for further research into its effects. William Brangham reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

At a moment when there's a lot of political attention around questions of affordability, rising health care costs are a growing concern for many Americans. That's especially true for those who are worried about being able to afford insurance premiums after an expansion of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act expired. But they're not the only ones struggling with this. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Lena Dunham rapidly rose to fame more than a decade ago as the comedic force behind HBO's breakout hit, 'Girls.' In a new memoir, Dunham candidly, hilariously, and sometimes painfully explores how she balanced celebrity with her struggles with chronic illness, addiction, and trauma. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The U.S. fertility rate is at an all-time low, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers say this is part of a larger downward trend. Since 2007, the number of Americans having babies has dropped 23%, well below the replacement level, meaning not enough are being born to replace those who die. William Brangham discussed more with Brian Mann of NPR. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

More women are seeking treatment for menopause and perimenopause, driving a shortage of estrogen patches, one of the most commonly used forms of hormone therapy. Manufacturers are struggling to keep up with demand, leaving many to manage a range of difficult symptoms with little relief in sight. We hear from women impacted by the shortage and Stephanie Sy discusses more with Dr. Lauren Streicher. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Earlier this week, The Hershey Company announced that it is returning all of its classic brands to earlier milk and dark chocolate recipes. The move comes amid a growing backlash over the recipe changes and the use of chocolate alternatives in some of its candies. Deema Zein explores what's behind this latest battle in the chocolate wars. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

If you're under 50, it's likely that colorectal cancer isn't on your radar, but it should be. Once considered an older-age disease, rates are skyrocketing among young adults. Deema Zein spoke with two people diagnosed at an early age, and discussed the rise with Dr. Robin Mendelsohn, a gastroenterologist and co-director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancers. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

New York has become the 13th state, along with Washington, D.C., to legalize medically assisted suicide. More than a dozen other states are also considering legalizing the practice, which supporters call medical aid in dying. Stephanie Sy traveled to both coasts to reexamine an issue that has divided Americans along moral and political lines. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah has claimed more than 1,000 Lebanese lives, including 40 emergency workers. The latest victims include two young civil defense workers killed in Nabatieh, a town the Israel Defense Forces have placed under forced evacuation orders. Special correspondent Simona Foltyn and videographer Adrian Hartrick report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Across the U.S. and around the world, coastal cities are grappling with rising seas and worsening floods. With 42 million people, Jakarta, Indonesia, is the world's most populated city. It's sinking rapidly as climate change and overdevelopment collide. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports for our series Tipping Point. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Dealing with grief and trauma can look different for everyone, and a group in Miami has found an unconventional way of helping people cope. Alessandro de Palma of Student Reporting Labs, the PBS News journalism training program, has the story. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The sauna industry in the U.S. is heating up. More health-conscious Americans are embracing this ancient Finnish tradition as a modern way to help reduce stress and promote wellness. Nowhere has the sauna culture taken root more deeply than in Minnesota. Kaomi Lee from Twin Cities PBS has the story. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Dr. Casey Means, the wellness influencer and ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is the president's nominee for surgeon general. As a prominent voice in the MAHA movement, some of her ideas, such as prioritizing natural foods, reducing pesticide use and exercise, are widely accepted. But she has been criticized for her views on vaccines and raw milk. William Brangham reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Environmental Protection Agency is moving to scale back limits on toxic emissions from coal-burning power plants, clearing the way for them to emit more hazardous pollutants, such as mercury. Advocates are warning that rolling back limits could harm human health and drive up health care costs. Stephanie Sy discussed more with John Walke of the Natural Resources Defense Council. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Maurine Molach lost her son, David, in 2016 when he died by suicide. She is the co-founder of Parents for Safe Online Spaces, a coalition of families who have lost children to online harms and are bringing similar lawsuits. She is not a plaintiff in the case currently on trial. Ali Rogin spoke with Molach about social media's risks to children. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

TrumpRX is now online. The new website lists drugs at reduced rates, with coupon codes to be used at participating pharmacies or directly through manufacturers' sites. It's part of Trump's pledge to lower prescription drug prices, but health policy experts caution the impact will likely be muted for many Americans. Stephanie Sy speaks with Washington Post reporter Dan Diamond for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

South Carolina is experiencing one of the biggest measles outbreaks the U.S. has seen in decades. In that state, there are 876 confirmed cases of the highly contagious virus, which is preventable with a vaccine. While the current surge may be slowing, doctors warn there are still serious risks for vulnerable populations. William Brangham speaks with epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In his new book "Meat," Bruce Friedrich argues that the way we produce meat is unsustainable — for the climate, the planet and public health — and that the solution isn't eating less of it, but making it differently. From lab-grown meat to plant-based alternatives, he says a food revolution is already underway, whether consumers realize it or not. Geoff Bennett speaks with Friedrich for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Measles, one of the world's most contagious diseases, was declared eliminated in the U.S. more than 25 years ago. However, measles cases have skyrocketed in the U.S. as vaccination rates continue to decline, a trend that accelerated during the pandemic. Stephanie Sy spoke with Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University, about the ramifications and reasons behind the outbreak. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Tressie McMillan Cottom says the second Trump administration has revealed uncomfortable truths about power in America. She talks with Geoff Bennett about trust in institutions and how to keep your sense of purpose in an onslaught of news. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The death of a Black midwife following complications from giving birth has renewed difficult questions surrounding inequities in Black maternal health care. Black women are still three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

One day after the Trump administration cut off billions in funding for mental health and addiction programs across the country, the White House is reversing course and restoring about $2 billion in federal grants. The decision, which impacted thousands of organizations and grant recipients, was reversed after bipartisan pushback. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Brian Mann of NPR. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

So you want to change a habit — or maybe start something new. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Charles Duhigg's book, "The Power of Habit," explores how habits are made, and the cues and rewards that shape our behavior. He spoke with Amna Nawaz about how to make habits that actually stick as well as his most recent book, "Supercommunicators." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

By some estimates, about 90% of prescriptions in the U.S. are filled with generic drugs. The Food and Drug Administration says that all agency-approved generic drugs "have the same high quality" as brand-name drugs, but a ProPublica investigation found that the FDA rarely tests the quality of generic drugs. John Yang speaks with investigative reporter Debbie Cenziper for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

HBO's medical drama "The Pitt" is back for season two, fresh off five Emmy wins. Its unflinching look at a single emergency room shift struck a deep chord with frontline healthcare workers. Geoff Bennett visited the actual "Pitt," the real Pittsburgh hospital that doubles as a key location in the show, for our ongoing series on the intersection of arts and health, part of our CANVAS coverage. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump administration released new dietary guidelines that will shape everything from school lunches to medical advice. The guidance puts a bigger emphasis on eating more protein and dairy, something Health Secretary Kennedy has long sought. William Brangham discussed the recommendations with Lindsey Smith Taillie, a nutrition epidemiologist and co-director of the Global Food Research Program. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In a major departure from past practice, the CDC is scaling back the number of recommended vaccines for children. The new schedule recommends that flu and COVID vaccines only be given after consulting with a healthcare provider and narrows recommendations for hepatitis A and B, RSV and bacterial meningitis to what it considers higher risk groups. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dr. Sean O'Leary. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As the saying goes, we are what we eat. That age-old wisdom is behind the emergence of a new field in medicine. Ali Rogin brings us this report for our ongoing coverage of the intersection of arts and health, part of our CANVAS series. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In the first lawsuit of its kind, the city of San Francisco is suing 11 of the nation's top food companies, saying they sell ultra-processed food knowing they are harmful to health. By some estimates, more than 60% of food consumed in the U.S. is ultra-processed. John Yang speaks with Ashley Gearhardt, a University of Michigan psychology professor who studies addiction, to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

We are entering peak flu season, and a new variant known as subclade k is spreading quickly across the country, driving a sharp rise in illness and hospitalizations. Public health officials say this current wave may last for weeks to come. William Brangham discussed the variant and what to look out for this flu season with Dr. Andrew Pekosz of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy