PBS NewsHour - Health

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

In our news wrap Friday, health officials in western Texas say an ongoing measles outbreak has now infected nearly 200 people as the virus also spread to even more parts of the U.S., Russia launched dozens of missiles and drones toward Ukraine and a lunar lander mission has come to an early end. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A new study shows that Americans’ risk of developing dementia after turning 55 is more than double what earlier research had found. The New York University study estimates that the number of dementia cases will double by 2060, reaching 1 million new diagnoses each year. John Yang speaks with Dr. Josef Coresh, one of the authors of the study, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The FDA canceled a critical meeting of flu vaccine experts where officials decide which strains to target in the next vaccine. It comes amid one of the worst flu seasons in 15 years, according to the CDC. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dr. Paul Offit, one of the FDA committee advisors 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

There are now more than 120 confirmed measles cases linked to an outbreak in western Texas, the largest such outbreak the state has seen in over 30 years. It's raising questions about vaccine hesitancy in some communities and the growing challenge of these periodic outbreaks. William Brangham discussed more with Caitlin Rivers, author of "Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

One of the executive orders Trump signed this past week seeks policy recommendations to expand access to in vitro fertilization. According to a 2024 survey, 1 in 10 women of reproductive age say they received fertility assistance, including IVF, but insurance coverage for the procedure is limited. Ali Rogin speaks with Barbara Collura about how the order stacks up to Trump’s campaign pledge. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Trump administration plans to roll out a new strategy against the bird flu. There are few details, but to bring egg prices down, the plan is aimed at trying to minimize the slaughter of chickens when the flu strikes a flock. More than 150 million poultry have been affected since 2022 and 58 people have been sickened by it. Geoff Bennett discussed more with epidemiologist Dr. Katelyn Jetelina. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Last month’s wildfires in California destroyed thousands of homes, killed at least 29 people and will likely cost hundreds of billions of dollars. President Trump has claimed that state officials made the disaster worse by how they managed the state’s complex water system. William Brangham looks at those allegations and the realities of water management in the nation’s most populous state. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It’s the middle of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and while it might not feel like the season for jumping in the water, more and more people are finding an icy plunge invigorating. William Brangham takes a look at the world of winter swimming and both its potential benefits and risks. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Trump administration recently announced the National Institutes of Health will make big changes in the way it funds researchers. Scientists say the move will have a huge effect on their work. We hear from medical researchers about the cuts and Amna Nawaz discusses more with Dr. David Skorton of the Association of American Medical Colleges. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Worldwide, 1 in 10 women of reproductive age suffer from a condition known as endometriosis. It’s an illness where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows in places it’s not supposed to be, and can lead to infertility, debilitating pain and financial hardship. Ali Rogin spoke with gynecologic surgeon Dr. Laura Homewood for our ongoing series, “Unequal Treatment.” PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Caring for beloved pets as a veterinarian can be satisfying and rewarding, but it can also bring mental health challenges that some feel haven’t been adequately addressed. Now, some veterinary schools are trying to do something about it for the next generation of vets. John Yang reports. Warning: This story discusses suicide. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Trump and Republican candidates made rolling back federal protections for transgender people a big issue, spending hundreds of millions of dollars on TV ads, much of it focused on gender-affirming care for minors. Despite the attention, a new study finds that gender-affirming medications are very rarely prescribed to adolescents. John Yang speaks with KFF's Lindsey Dawson to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Many medical centers use an AI-powered tool called Whisper to transcribe patients' interactions with their doctors. But researchers have found that it sometimes invents text, a phenomenon known in the industry as hallucinations, raising the possibility of errors like misdiagnosis. John Yang speaks with Associated Press global investigative reporter Garance Burke to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

When it comes to infant mortality, the United States ranks 54th in the world. That's about three times that of Japan, Singapore or Slovenia. Within the U.S., Ohio is in the bottom 25 percent of all states. Hamilton County was even worse until it started working on saving newborns a decade ago. Paul Solman went there to find out how they've done it. It's part of our coverage of Race Matters. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As part of his blitz of executive orders, President Trump delivered on a promise to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization. The Trump White House accuses the WHO of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and bias toward China. Amna Nawaz discussed potential implications with Lawrence Gostin of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Menopause is a chapter in women's lives that brings a myriad of sometimes debilitating medical issues that can last for more than a decade. It's an area of medicine that for years has been overlooked and underfunded. Rhode Island PBS Weekly's Isabella Jibilian reports for our ongoing series, "Unequal Treatment." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders