PBS NewsHour - Health

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly intends to remove all 16 members of the United States Preventive Services Task Force. The highly influential panel plays a key role in determining what treatments insurers must cover and makes recommendations about care that are followed by doctors across the country. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Dr. Bobby Mukkamala. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

From unbearable pain to feeling no symptoms at all, women with uterine fibroids can have vastly different experiences. While these growths affect a large percentage of women, health advocates say they too often go undiscussed. Ali Rogin speaks with Sateria Venable, a patient advocate and CEO of The Fibroid Foundation, to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The birth control pill is one of the most common forms of contraception in the U.S. But in recent years, claims of side effects of the pill have filled social media platforms, often fueled by influencers promoting misinformation. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports on the science behind birth control for our series, The Next Frontier. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Earlier this year, the Trump administration scrubbed CDC guidance on birth control from government websites and froze $65 million in funding to family planning clinics that provide free or low-cost contraception. The moves are seen as part of an effort to curtail reproductive rights. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports for our series, The Next Frontier. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In recent years, people have become more comfortable sharing their personal experiences about mental health, a sign that stigma around it is diminishing. On Instagram and TikTok combined, there are nearly 90 million posts with the hashtag “mental health.” But not all the information online is accurate. Stephanie Sy speaks with licensed psychologist Taisha Caldwell-Harvey to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For decades, the National Cancer Institute has spearheaded breakthrough advancements against the disease. Cancer deaths have been reduced by a third since the 1990s, but now the world’s premier cancer institute is in the midst of a fierce battle over its future. William Brangham speaks with Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Since President Trump signed his sweeping domestic policy bill into law, a key provision that prevents Planned Parenthood clinics from receiving Medicaid funding has already been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. William Brangham discussed the legal challenge with Alexis McGill Johnson, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The White House backed off $400 million in immediate cuts it was proposing in the global fight against HIV and AIDS and potentially other high-profile health programs. It's part of the package of cuts facing the Senate over the next two days. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

So far in 2025, the Trump administration has cut more than $1 billion in NIH grants. That includes a study on sickle cell disease, a blood disorder that affects roughly 100,000 people in the U.S. According to the CDC, 90% of them are Black. Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Charity Oyedeji, a Duke University hematologist whose research grant was terminated, to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump’s big tax law includes a major provision the GOP has endorsed for years: work requirements for Medicaid recipients and for food stamp benefits. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 11.8 million Americans could lose medical coverage over the next decade and more than 3 million could lose SNAP benefits. Laura Barrón-López discussed the stakes with Pamela Herd. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Every year, nearly 31 million people in the U.S. are bitten by a tick. Tick-related illnesses like Lyme disease are on the rise, a trend experts attribute to climate change, human expansion into forested areas and overpopulations of deer. Ali Rogin speaks with pediatric infectious diseases specialist Dr. Andrew Handel about how to best avoid these tiny insects. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Extreme heat is becoming a dangerous new normal that brings with it a number of health risks. From severe burns to accelerated aging, the effects of long periods of high temperatures on the human body are getting more attention in this time of rising climate change. Stephanie Sy reports from Phoenix, the epicenter of extreme heat in the United States, for our series, Tipping Point. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The FDA has approved a breakthrough preventative treatment for HIV that could change the course of the AIDS epidemic. But deep cuts to health initiatives could hinder the rollout. Lenacapavir not only offers nearly 100 percent protection from HIV, but people only need two injections per year. William Brangham discussed more with Mitchell Warren of the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

According to the CDC, 1 in 5 American adults is living with obesity. In recent years, many have turned to weight loss drugs containing GLP-1, a hormone that slows digestion and helps with sustained weight loss. In a new book, former FDA head Dr. David Kessler advocates for their use, but says they shouldn’t be seen as a quick and easy fix. Ali Rogin speaks with Kessler for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Earlier in June, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 members of a key vaccine advisory panel and handpicked eight new members, including several who have expressed skepticism about some vaccines. The move prompted the resignation of Dr. Fiona Havers, one of the CDC’s leading vaccine experts. Ali Rogin speaks with Havers about her decision. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A shift in a key vaccine advisory committee has raised alarms among public health experts. The ACIP routinely makes recommendations to the CDC. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired every prior member of the panel and appointed seven new ones. They just finished a two-day meeting pushing for a new direction. Geoff Bennett discussed more with former Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Rural hospitals across the country, many already struggling to stay afloat, could face devastating consequences if proposed Medicaid cuts in the domestic spending bill become law. To help understand what’s at stake, Geoff Bennett spoke with Tim Wolters, the director of reimbursement for the Citizens Memorial Hospital system in southwestern Missouri. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For more on the dangers of extreme temperatures and key tips for dealing with the heat, Stephanie Sy speaks with Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A historic and national $7.4 billion dollar settlement has been reached with Purdue Pharma, the maker of the opioid OxyContin that spurred a major start of the opioid epidemic. A prior settlement had been struck down by the Supreme Court. NPR'S national addiction correspondent, Brian Mann, joins Lisa Desjardins with more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The abrupt removal of all of the members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has sparked outrage and worry among many public health experts. That includes the American Medical Association, which called for a Senate investigation into Kennedy today. Geoff Bennett has reaction from Dr. Tom Frieden, a former director of the CDC. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

CT scans are quick, painless, non-invasive tests that can identify everything from brain tumors to injuries from an accident. But a new study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine shows a link between the radiation exposure from the imaging tool and cancer. Ali Rogin spoke 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

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have found a link between use of social media by pre-teens and future depression. The study, published this week in the American Medical Association’s journal JAMA, said more time spent on social media “may contribute to increased depressive symptoms over time.” Ali Rogin speaks with lead researcher Dr. Jason Nagata to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. plunged last year to their lowest level since 2019, according to the CDC. In 2024, nationwide overdose deaths fell by nearly 30,000 from the year before, a drop of about 27 percent. There were declines across all categories of drug use, including opioids, the source of most overdose deaths over the past decade. John Yang discussed more with Brian Mann of NPR. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

This Mother’s Day, we explore how government policies and society’s expectations shape the experience of new moms. Ali Rogin speaks with journalist Abigail Leonard, whose new book “Four Mothers” follows the ups and downs of the first year of motherhood around the world. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For more than 50 years, millions of federal dollars in Title X grants have funded clinics that offer free or discounted family planning services to mostly low-income Americans. In April, the Trump administration froze more than $65 million in grants, forcing some providers to shut their doors. Brittni Frederiksen, associate director for Women's Health Policy at KFF, joins Ali Rogin to discuss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The CDC reported 12 seasonal flu-related deaths of children this week, bringing the total number of pediatric flu deaths this season to 216 — the most in 15 years. Experts say one reason for this new record could be the plummeting flu vaccination rate among American children. John Yang speaks with Dr. Peter Hotez at Baylor College of Medicine to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Many conservatives want the FDA to impose tighter restrictions on mifepristone and misoprostol, which can be delivered by mail. The medication accounted for 63 percent of U.S. abortions in 2023. Amna Nawaz spoke with the new FDA commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, about what the agency may do. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For decades, Catholic leaders in the U.S. have placed restrictions on certain reproductive health services at Catholic-run hospitals. But as abortion is becoming harder to access nationwide, there’s a new spotlight on care at these facilities. Special correspondent Sarah Varney traveled to Eureka, California, to meet one woman who ran into the limits of Catholic-run healthcare. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For three decades, the EPA established offices nationwide to address disproportionately high levels of pollution in poor and minority communities. Now, the Trump administration is eliminating these environmental justice offices as part of its effort to end DEI programs and cut spending. Ali Rogin speaks with Amudalat Ajasa, who covers environmental health for The Washington Post, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For years, Black women have used synthetic braids to help style their hair. But a recent study by Consumer Reports found that these fake hair strands can contain dangerous chemicals that pose a health threat. Ali Rogin reports on the history of braiding in Black culture and speaks with Adana Llanos, co-leader of the Cancer Population Science Program at Columbia University, to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged to find out what's driving the country's rise in autism spectrum disorder after a new CDC report said that rate had continued to climb. There are reports that the CDC plans to study a supposed connection between autism and vaccines, despite dozens of studies showing no connection between the two. Ali Rogin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In a news conference on the rise in autism spectrum disorder, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made no mention of vaccines and instead emphasized the government’s plans to study potential environmental factors. To help put Kennedy's pledge in context, Stephanie Sy spoke with Christine Ladd-Acosta of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

More than 2 million Americans are living with limb loss. A federal report says that number is expected to almost double by 2050. Recent reporting by KFF Health News found that many who have lost limbs are hitting roadblocks when they try to get insurance to cover the cost of prosthetic limbs. Ali Rogin speaks with KFF Health News contributing writer Michelle Andrews to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In recent years, hospital systems have been buying up medical practices at a rapid pace. Now, patients getting routine medical care are being hit with high costs and unexpected hospital fees — even if they never visited a hospital. Special correspondent Megan Thompson reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A second child died from measles-related causes in Texas where an outbreak has infected at least 505. Until this year, the U.S. had no reported measles deaths in a decade. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former anti-vaccine advocate, now says the MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles. Deema Zein spoke with someone who had a front-row seat to its creation. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Making sure you get the right amount of daily vitamins can be difficult. Today, a booming multi-billion-dollar industry of gummy vitamins and supplements claims its products make it both easier and tastier. But how do they compare with traditional vitamin pills? Ali Rogin speaks with registered dietitian Shyla Davis-Cadogan to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Economics correspondent Paul Solman is exploring the impact on communities in Massachusetts after a private equity firm bought struggling hospitals. In his second report, he looks at how private equity's increasing role in health care is affecting patients. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump has put into place a very different team than his predecessors when it comes to public health and research. The CDC is very much in the thick of it. Five senior leaders at the CDC have announced their departures and staff are anticipating cuts that could affect as much as a third of its workforce. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Lena Sun of The Washington Post. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Millions of American women use some form of contraception to prevent pregnancy, and one of the most popular forms is an intrauterine device, or IUD. Lately, IUDs have been going viral not because of their popularity, but because of the pain associated with getting them. Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Aaron Lazorwitz, a professor at Yale School of Medicine, to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As we mark five years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we're speaking with a small handful of the countless people whose lives were turned upside down by the virus. Our latest reflection is from a nurse who worked on the frontlines in New York. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Five years ago this week, the World Health Organization called the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. In the United States, officials declared a national emergency, triggering travel bans for non-U.S. citizens and shutdowns nationwide. Now, many who lived through the pandemic, including those who treated infected patients, are still dealing with the fallout. Ali Rogin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The growing measles outbreak in the U.S. Southwest claimed a second life this week. So far this year, more than 220 cases have been reported across 12 states, with the majority in Texas. John Yang speaks with infectious disease epidemiologist Jessica Malaty Rivera to learn more about the outbreak and how it differs from previous ones in recent years. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders