PBS News Hour - Health

It’s estimated that around 7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, a number that’s expected to double by 2060. But researchers have found that some of the highest rates of cognitive impairment and dementia exist in a population that’s long been one of the most difficult to study: Native Americans. Stephanie Sy recently traveled to Seattle to understand why. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Last year, 1 in 10 U.S. babies was born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, which is considered preterm. That’s one of the highest premature birth rates among developed nations, according to the March of Dimes. We hear from parents of preterm babies about their experiences, and Ali Rogin speaks with an entrepreneur who’s using AI to help doctors predict when preterm births are likely. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The federal vaccine advisory panel, all appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted to drop the universal recommendation that children should get vaccinated for hepatitis B at birth. William Brangham discussed this and other changes under consideration for vaccines with pediatrician Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Many people associate colon cancer with old age, but that's not the case anymore, as the number of young people being diagnosed is on the rise. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 154,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer in 2025. One in five will be under the age of 55. Deema Zein reports on the latest research and patients' experiences. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Communities across the globe commemorated World AIDS Day, reaffirming a commitment to end an epidemic that has killed more than 44 million. But this year, for the first time in decades, the U.S. government decided not to mark the occasion, and the Trump administration has reportedly barred agencies from commemorating or participating. William Brangham discussed more with Dr. Demetre Daskalakis. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case involving faith-based pregnancy centers in New Jersey. The organization is hoping to block the state from investigating whether they misled women into believing the centers offered abortions. The case highlights an effort to crack down on so-called crisis pregnancy centers. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports for our series, The Next Frontier. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As friends and family gather this holiday season, there’s a warning for new parents. The CDC says cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, remain elevated this year. An unvaccinated infant died from the illness in Kentucky this week, while other states across the country are also experiencing a surge of cases. Ali Rogin speaks with pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Lorne Walker for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In Boston, music therapy is being used to enrich the well-being of people hoping to overcome trauma. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown reports for our look at the intersection of art and health, part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Lead is a key element in your car battery and is expensive to produce domestically. U.S. automakers often use recycled lead produced overseas, a practice long framed as an environmental success story. But a new investigation has found that the recycled lead used by U.S. auto and battery manufacturers is not safe and is linked to dangerous lead poisoning. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This week, the CDC changed its website to suggest that vaccines may cause autism, even though there's no scientific evidence to prove such a link. It’s the latest change to vaccine guidance under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In response, some Democratic-led states have taken steps aimed at protecting access to vaccines and pushing back on misinformation. William Brangham reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy