Health : NPR https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1128 Health en Copyright 2023 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Sun, 15 Jan 2023 05:00:44 -0500 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 Health https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1128 What's the #1 thing to change to be happier? A top happiness researcher weighs in There are plenty of factors in life that contribute to happiness. But could keeping in touch with your loved ones be the most important? Sun, 15 Jan 2023 05:00:44 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/15/1149063567/whats-the-1-thing-to-change-to-be-happier-a-top-happiness-researcher-weighs-in https://www.npr.org/2023/01/15/1149063567/whats-the-1-thing-to-change-to-be-happier-a-top-happiness-researcher-weighs-in

There are plenty of factors in life that contribute to happiness. But could keeping in touch with your loved ones be the most important?

(Image credit: guoya/Getty Images)

]]> Ari Shapiro In Appalachia, one group of sex educators is harassed into pausing its work A backlash against comprehensive approaches to sex education is taking root across the U.S. In Appalachia, a group of sex educators is suspending public events for now after members were threatened. Sat, 14 Jan 2023 07:58:03 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/14/1149245224/in-appalachia-one-group-of-sex-educators-is-harassed-into-pausing-its-work https://www.npr.org/2023/01/14/1149245224/in-appalachia-one-group-of-sex-educators-is-harassed-into-pausing-its-work A backlash against comprehensive approaches to sex education is taking root across the U.S. In Appalachia, a group of sex educators is suspending public events for now after members were threatened.

]]> Maria Godoy China's COVID surge prompts CDC to expand a hunt for new variants among air travelers It would make more sense to screen a plane's wastewater to look for new variants than to screen individual passenger volunteers, some researchers say. Others say any information is helpful. Sat, 14 Jan 2023 07:01:13 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/14/1148835237/us-airports-screening-covid-variants-omicron https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/14/1148835237/us-airports-screening-covid-variants-omicron

It would make more sense to screen a plane's wastewater to look for new variants than to screen individual passenger volunteers, some researchers say. Others say any information is helpful.

(Image credit: Rick Bowmer/AP)

]]> Rob Stein Screening at U.S. airports expands to try to detect new COVID variants The CDC has expanded screening of incoming international air travelers to try to more quickly spot any new variants that might emerge from China's massive COVID outbreak. Fri, 13 Jan 2023 16:51:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/13/1149182927/screening-at-u-s-airports-expands-to-try-to-detect-new-covid-variants https://www.npr.org/2023/01/13/1149182927/screening-at-u-s-airports-expands-to-try-to-detect-new-covid-variants The CDC has expanded screening of incoming international air travelers to try to more quickly spot any new variants that might emerge from China's massive COVID outbreak.

]]> Rob Stein What you need to know about gas stoves and health risks Gas stoves have been in the news as the Consumer Product Safety Commission researches emissions and health effects. NPR Climate Desk's Jeff Brady sorts the misinformation from the facts. Fri, 13 Jan 2023 16:04:05 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/13/1149135773/what-you-need-to-know-about-gas-stoves-and-health-risks https://www.npr.org/2023/01/13/1149135773/what-you-need-to-know-about-gas-stoves-and-health-risks Gas stoves have been in the news as the Consumer Product Safety Commission researches emissions and health effects. NPR Climate Desk's Jeff Brady sorts the misinformation from the facts.

]]> Jeff Brady More people than ever buy insurance on Healthcare.gov It's the last weekend for Obamacare open enrollment, and nearly 16 million Americans have signed up for a health insurance plan. Fri, 13 Jan 2023 05:18:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/13/1148934752/more-people-than-ever-buy-insurance-on-healthcare-gov https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/13/1148934752/more-people-than-ever-buy-insurance-on-healthcare-gov

It's the last weekend for Obamacare open enrollment, and nearly 16 million Americans have signed up for a health insurance plan.

(Image credit: Subin Yang)

]]> Selena Simmons-Duffin Open enrollment for ACA insurance has already had a record year for sign-ups Nearly 16 million people have already signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. There are still three more days to sign up. <em>(Story aired on ATC on Jan. 12, 2023.)</em> Fri, 13 Jan 2023 05:14:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/13/1148970604/open-enrollment-for-aca-insurance-has-already-had-a-record-year-for-sign-ups https://www.npr.org/2023/01/13/1148970604/open-enrollment-for-aca-insurance-has-already-had-a-record-year-for-sign-ups Nearly 16 million people have already signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. There are still three more days to sign up. (Story aired on ATC on Jan. 12, 2023.)

]]> Selena Simmons-Duffin Open enrollment for ACA insurance is about to close. It's already a record year for sign-ups Nearly 16 million people have enrolled so far, and people can still sign up in most places until Sunday. Thu, 12 Jan 2023 15:57:58 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148810085/open-enrollment-for-aca-insurance-is-about-to-close-its-already-a-record-year-fo https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148810085/open-enrollment-for-aca-insurance-is-about-to-close-its-already-a-record-year-fo Nearly 16 million people have enrolled so far, and people can still sign up in most places until Sunday.

]]> Selena Simmons-Duffin Sitting all day can be deadly. 5-minute walks can offset harms People who get regular short bouts of exercise are less likely to develop diabetes, dementia and heart disease, a new study finds. And an added benefit - regular movement puts people in a better mood. Thu, 12 Jan 2023 14:36:02 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/12/1148503294/sitting-all-day-can-be-deadly-5-minute-walks-can-offset-harms https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/12/1148503294/sitting-all-day-can-be-deadly-5-minute-walks-can-offset-harms

People who get regular short bouts of exercise are less likely to develop diabetes, dementia and heart disease, a new study finds. And an added benefit - regular movement puts people in a better mood.

(Image credit: EschCollection/Getty Images)

]]> Allison Aubrey New York City nurses end strike after reaching a tentative agreement After three days on the picket line, more than 7,000 nurses are returning to work at the city's biggest hospitals with the promise of "concrete, enforceable safe staffing ratios," their union said. Thu, 12 Jan 2023 08:49:07 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148648031/new-york-nurses-strike-mount-sinai-montefiore-agreement https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148648031/new-york-nurses-strike-mount-sinai-montefiore-agreement

After three days on the picket line, more than 7,000 nurses are returning to work at the city's biggest hospitals with the promise of "concrete, enforceable safe staffing ratios," their union said.

(Image credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

]]> Emily Olson The FDA no longer requires all drugs to be tested on animals before human trials In a victory for animal rights advocates, drugmakers can take their products to human clinical trials using alternative testing methods that don't involve animals. Thu, 12 Jan 2023 06:03:19 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148529799/fda-animal-testing-pharmaceuticals-drug-development https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148529799/fda-animal-testing-pharmaceuticals-drug-development

In a victory for animal rights advocates, drugmakers can take their products to human clinical trials using alternative testing methods that don't involve animals.

(Image credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

]]> Joe Hernandez Addiction treatments in pharmacies could help combat the opioid crisis A small study shows pharmacists could play a key role in getting addiction medication directly into the hands of more people who need it. <em>(Story aired on All Things Considered on Jan. 11, 2023.</em>) Thu, 12 Jan 2023 05:09:50 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148635038/addiction-treatments-in-pharmacies-could-help-combat-the-opioid-crisis https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148635038/addiction-treatments-in-pharmacies-could-help-combat-the-opioid-crisis A small study shows pharmacists could play a key role in getting addiction medication directly into the hands of more people who need it. (Story aired on All Things Considered on Jan. 11, 2023.)

]]> Martha Bebinger Ryan Shazier was seriously injured in an NFL game. He has advice for Damar Hamlin The players suffered different injuries, though in similar settings. The former Steeler reflects on the memories Hamlin's collapse brought back and what he learned from his own long road to recovery. Thu, 12 Jan 2023 05:09:50 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148633637/damar-hamlin-recovery-ryan-shazier-advice https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148633637/damar-hamlin-recovery-ryan-shazier-advice

The players suffered different injuries, though in similar settings. The former Steeler reflects on the memories Hamlin's collapse brought back and what he learned from his own long road to recovery.

(Image credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

]]> Rachel Treisman Anti-fatness keeps fat people on the margins, says Aubrey Gordon In her new book <em>You Just Need To Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths About Fat People</em>, Aubrey Gordon tackles the biases and myths that she says keep fat people on the margins of society. Thu, 12 Jan 2023 05:01:18 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148169767/anti-fatness-keeps-fat-people-on-the-margins-says-aubrey-gordon https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148169767/anti-fatness-keeps-fat-people-on-the-margins-says-aubrey-gordon

In her new book You Just Need To Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths About Fat People, Aubrey Gordon tackles the biases and myths that she says keep fat people on the margins of society.

(Image credit: Beth Olson/Beacon Press )

]]> Mallory Yu Offering addiction treatments in pharmacies could help combat the opioid crisis A small study shows pharmacists could play a key role in getting addiction medication directly into the hands of more people who need it, but there are a lot of barriers to expanding the project. Wed, 11 Jan 2023 17:46:18 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2023/01/11/1148488971/offering-addiction-treatments-in-pharmacies-could-help-combat-the-opioid-crisis https://www.npr.org/2023/01/11/1148488971/offering-addiction-treatments-in-pharmacies-could-help-combat-the-opioid-crisis A small study shows pharmacists could play a key role in getting addiction medication directly into the hands of more people who need it, but there are a lot of barriers to expanding the project.

]]> Martha Bebinger