health
Commuting Past Fast Food Restaurants Is Linked to Obesity, According to New Research
A new study suggests that passing the Golden Arches on your way to or from work can be destructive to your diet.
No, Having an Abortion Is Not Harmful to a Woman's Health
Women who sought but did not receive an abortion were in worse health five years later than peers who did get one, a new study finds.
How Dieting Culture Is Making Women Less Healthy
The body-positivity activist discusses her forthcoming book for teens—and her plans to revolutionize the idea of fat camp.
Tumblr Helped Me Plan My Eating Disorder. Then It Helped Me Heal.
There are upsides and downsides to social media—and I'm proud to be part of a generation tackling these issues to create a healthier future.
Schools That Emphasize Diversity Produce Healthier Students
African Americans tend to have poorer health than whites. New research suggests a more welcoming atmosphere in school could make a difference early in life.
Perceiving Yourself as Overweight Poses Health Risks
New research suggests it can create a negative self-image, which may result in a downward spiral.
Amid a Resurgence of Hepatitis C in America, State Laws Prevent Citizens From Getting Clean Needles and Treatment
Hepatitis C kills more Americans every year than measles or AIDS. Many states' laws aren't helping to mitigate the disease, a new analysis finds.
A Scanner Constantly
Living with a brain tumor can often mean feeling reduced to your clinical records.
My Very Human Errors With My Very Human Disease
The reality of a life with diabetes is much more than a matter of malfunctioning bodily organs.
Fit Athletes, Fat Fans
When it comes to the obesity epidemic, athletes are part of the problem.
Particulate Matters
New research suggests even small amounts of air pollution can make you sick.
The Abortion Clinic Dumpster Dive
Garbage has become an unlikely battleground in the abortion debate, as anti-abortion groups seek evidence of privacy violations in clinics’ trash. “Is it a little bit on the sketchy side?” one activist said of such tactics. “Yeah, maybe.”
The Thing About Falling
How an unexpected stay on a living room couch served as a reminder of the kindness in people.
Five Studies: Why IUDs Are Poised to Become the Future of Birth Control
They're the most effective method—perhaps because they're the most empowering.
The Future of Birth Control
An early look at a Pacific Standard story that's currently only available to subscribers.
A Lesson Unlearned From Hurricane Katrina
The elderly are still the most vulnerable to severe weather events.
'Not Everything Is Made for TV'
After a reality television show filmed the death of a man without getting his family’s approval, New York City hospitals have decided to put an end to filming patients without consent.
Dinner Kits Offer Convenience, but Are They Good for the Planet?
A slew of new dinner kits promise gourmet meals with a fraction of the effort. But at what cost?
Adolescent Friendships Linked to Adult Health
New research finds a link between fitting in with your peers as a teen and better health in your 20s.
How It Feels to Read the Walkercare Plan as a Former Obamacare User
I realized many provisions in Obamacare are made to benefit me and those like me.
Team Hillary and the Insurance Lobby
After insurers helped to torpedo Hillary Clinton’s 1993 health care reform, its lobby sought influence among Democrats through a new kind of Washington firm with ties to the Clintons.
'Stay Far, Far Away' and Other Things Gleaned From Yelp Health Reviews
In a new partnership with Yelp, ProPublica has been given unprecedented access to the rating site’s 1.3 million reviews of health-care providers. One dental chain attracted 3,000 reviews, the vast majority bad.
How Much Acetaminophen a Day Is Safe?
After an investigation, Canada’s top health agency considers whether to lower the maximum recommended daily dose of the active ingredient in Tylenol and other painkillers.