A bipartisan Senate bill, dropping Thursday, promises better health care for some of the poorest, sickest Americans, who are known as “duals” because they qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Category: NPR
A simple blood test can detect colorectal cancer early, study finds
At a time when colorectal cancer is rising, researchers say a blood test can detect 83% of people with the disease. If the FDA approves it the test would be another screening tool for early detection.
In ‘Unshrinking,’ a writer argues that the medicalization of fatness leads to bias
Kate Manne tried to shrink her body for years before embracing her size as part of a “natural, normal human variation.” She says the fight against fat phobia must start in the doctor’s office.
What we know about long COVID — from brain fog to physical fatigue
“Long COVID has affected every part of my life,” said Virginia resident Rachel Beale said at a recent Senate hearing. “I wake up every day feeling tired, nauseous and dizzy. I immediately start planning when I can lay down again.”
Beale is far from alone. Many of her experiences have been echoed by others dealing with long COVID. It’s a constellation of debilitating symptoms that range from brain fog and intense physical fatigue to depression and anxiety.
But there’s new, promising research that sheds light onto some symptoms. NPR health correspondent Will Stone talks with Short Wave host Regina G. Barber about the state of long COVID research — what we know, what we don’t and when we can expect treatments or even cures for it.
Have more COVID questions you want us to cover? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we’d love to hear from you.
In the world of medicine, race-based diagnoses are still very real
We’ve probably said it a hundred times on Code Switch — biological race is not a real thing. So why is race still used to help diagnose certain conditions, like keloids or cystic fibrosis? On this episode, Dr. Andrea Deyrup breaks it down for us, and u…
New Jersey passed a law that will have insurance companies approving meds faster
Increasingly, insurance companies want doctors to get an ok for treatments or drugs ahead of time. It’s called “prior authorization” and it can mean troublesome delays for patients.
How high blood sugar, hypertension and obesity can add up to cancer risk
It’s known that obesity is linked to many cancers. A study shows metabolic syndrome, which includes factors like high blood pressure and insulin resistance, also drives increased risk.
A leading mindfulness teacher shares insights to counter tech addiction and isolation
Jon Kabat-Zinn, who brought mindfulness meditation into mainstream medical settings, discusses how the centering practice can help with some of today’s widespread social problems.
Health industry struggles to recover from cyberattack on a unit of UnitedHealth
Doctors are worried that the attack on Change Healthcare, part of UnitedHeathcare’s Optum division, will mean they can’t get paid properly for months.
Most Americans support abortion for pregnancy-related emergencies
A new poll finds the majority of American voters, including Republicans, support protecting access to abortion for women who are experiencing pregnancy-related emergencies, such as miscarriages.
