PBS NewsHour - Health

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

The Gates Foundation has announced a new $2.5 billion pledge through 2030 for women’s health initiatives worldwide. It comes at a time when the Trump administration is cutting major research and aid directed at women and maternal health. Amna Nawaz discussed the goals of this new funding with Dr. Anita Zaidi, president of the Gates Foundation's Gender Equality division. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As the Trump administration works to reimagine public health, a new study paints a stark picture of the challenges facing the nation’s kids. American children’s health has significantly worsened across several key indicators since 2007, according to a recent study published in JAMA. Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Christopher Forrest, a pediatrician and one of the study’s lead authors, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Imagine a future where the aging process can be delayed and more people live active, healthy and disease-free lives well into their 90s. That reality may be sooner than you think, according to Dr. Eric Topol, author of the new book “Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity.” Ali Rogin speaks with Topol about the rapidly advancing science of healthy aging. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Members of the U.S. House have left Washington for their summer break, and Republicans are working to promote the tax and spending cuts President Trump recently signed into law. But concerns about cuts to Medicaid remain. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports from Louisiana, home to the top two House leaders, and the state with the greatest reliance on Medicaid in the country. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

An estimated 42% of Americans over 55 will eventually develop dementia. A new study revealed the strongest evidence yet that a balanced diet, consistent exercise and social activity helped improve cognition. Amna Nawaz discussed the study with Jessica Langbaum, the senior director of research strategy at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The U.S. fertility rate reached an all-time low in 2024, according to the CDC. This trend has sparked fear among many on the right, from Elon Musk to Donald Trump, who believe Americans should have more babies. Sarah Varney looks at this movement encouraging families to have more children, its growing influence and ties to the anti-abortion movement. It's part of our series, The Next Frontier. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

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