Are Anti-Vaxxers a Major Health Threat? The World Health Organization Says Yes.
The WHO has named vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 public-health threats of 2019. Here's how the anti-vaccination movement came about, and what to do about it.
Public Health
America's Uncounted Abortions
Mail-to-home abortion pills may be gaining in popularity, but the nationwide statistics we have only count clinic abortions.
Scientists Are Finally Comfortable Saying Climate Change Caused Deaths and Worse Weather
In a presentation about America's National Climate Assessment, their messages were sure and simple.
How Liberia's Ebola Outbreak Led to Water Access Reform
The virus exposed the dire state of Liberia's water system, and forced the country to revamp the way it provides clean water access to its citizens.
Why Communities Across America Are Pushing to Close Waste Incinerators
They can be a threat to public health, and a poor solution to larger environmental problems. Organizers from Baltimore to Detroit to Los Angeles are working for a future without them.
Most Schools Don't Have Clear Restroom Policies, and That's a Public-Health Problem
A new survey finds that just 8 percent of schools have concrete bathroom policies. That lackadaisical approach can have serious health consequences for students.
The Myths Behind the Idea That Domestic Violence Is a 'Personal Problem'
A viral Thrillist story about a burger joint left out domestic abuse charges against the owner—but intimate partner violence isn't a private issue.
Pot Is Edging Out Alcohol and Cigarettes as the Teenage Drug of Choice. Is That a Good Thing?
By many measures, pot is far safer than alcohol. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's good for you, some public-health experts say.
Why Do We Keep Having E. Coli Outbreaks?
The new, wide-ranging warning about romaine lettuce illustrates gaps in the government's ability to oversee food safety.
EPA Policing of Environmental Violations Plummeted in 2018
Environmental Protection Agency enforcement fell to 10-year lows in 2017, but 2018's numbers may be even lower.
The Less People Understand Science, the More Afraid of GMOs They Are
A lack of scientific literacy is correlated with undue fears around genetic modification, chemicals, and common food production techniques.
Though Wildfire Smoke Threatens Farmworkers' Health, Volunteers Are Being Blocked From Distributing Protective Masks
Amid hazardous air conditions in California, farm management is turning away volunteers attempting to hand out masks to farmworkers.
As Wildfire Smoke Fills the Air, Farmworkers Continue to Labor in the Fields
As fires clogged the air in Southern California, farmworkers continued to work, even as public-school students and others were told to stay home and indoors.
The Legal Strategy Behind Alabama and West Virginia's New Anti-Abortion Amendments
Both amendments were patterned after a successful policy change in Tennessee.
The FDA Approves a Controversial New Opioid Painkiller
The Food and Drug Administration is approving a powerful new opioid painkiller, the agency announced Friday.
One Year After Trump Declared Opioid Addiction a Public-Health Emergency, What's Changed?
The declaration was met with a lot of fanfare, but officials did little with the legal powers it gave them, experts say.
With Flu Season Nearly Here, Medical Experts Warn That Trump's Immigration Policy Is a Public-Health Threat
Proposed changes by the Trump administration that discourage immigrants from using public services come just ahead of flu season, according to epidemiologists.
Are Nursing Homes Prepared for Hurricane Michael?
A quick look at Florida state data suggests 5 percent of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the areas under threat from Hurricane Michael haven't submitted plans to the state for keeping their residents cool and safe.
Can Small Doses of Radiation Harm You? The EPA Isn't Convinced.
A new rule might open the door for regulation rollbacks on radiation and harmful chemicals.
The EPA Removes Language About Climate Change From Its Latest Proposal on Greenhouse Gases
In a draft proposal rolling back Obama-era regulations on hydrofluorocarbons, the Trump administration scrapped all references to climate change and those most affected by it.
Sexual Harassment and Assault Are Understudied Health Risks
They're linked to high blood pressure, insomnia, and depression.
The Cost of Cleaning Up Nitrate Contamination Falls on America's Poorest Counties
A new report estimates that remediating contaminated small water systems could cost up to $666 a year per person.
We Could Have Eliminated Syphilis 20 Years Ago. Now It's on the Rise.
What can we learn from a failed attempt to eradicate "the Great Pox" in the U.S.?