PBS News Hour - Health

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