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Public Health

Do soda taxes fight obesity? How did Juul hook American teens? Vox tackles all your questions about public health issues and trends.

The latest in Public Health

What two years without Roe looks like, in 8 charts
Explainers

Americans are confronting a whole new reality of patchwork abortion access after the Dobbs decision.

By Nicole Narea
If it’s 100 degrees out, does your boss have to give you a break? Probably not.If it’s 100 degrees out, does your boss have to give you a break? Probably not.
Future Perfect

The US doesn‘t have federal heat protections. A standard would save lives. As a heat dome suffocates much of the East, it‘s becoming more apparent that we need better standards in the face of climate change.

By Sam Delgado
Drug-resistant bacteria are killing more and more humans. We need new weapons.Drug-resistant bacteria are killing more and more humans. We need new weapons.
Future Perfect

Scientists are testing futuristic tools to dismantle antibiotic resistance.

By Cecilia Butini
Common sunscreen myths, debunkedCommon sunscreen myths, debunked
Even Better

Bottom line: Wearing it is still good advice.

By Keren Landman, MD
MDMA’s federal approval drama, briefly explainedMDMA’s federal approval drama, briefly explained
Future Perfect

MDMA looked like it was on a fast track for PTSD treatment. Now, an FDA committee is advising otherwise.

By Oshan Jarow
This is the world’s best investmentThis is the world’s best investment
Today, Explained newsletter

A new study finds that combating malaria, TB, and HIV pays for itself 405 times over.

By Dylan Matthews
10 big things we think will happen in the next 10 years
Future Perfect

Obesity will go down, electric cars will go up, and a nuclear bomb might just fall.

By Bryan Walsh, Dylan Matthews and 4 more
Why do Americans keep drinking raw milk?Why do Americans keep drinking raw milk?
Public Health

With bird flu affecting multiple dairy farms, unpasteurized products are more dangerous than ever — but some people are reluctant to heed government guidance.

By Keren Landman, MD
Why aren’t we vaccinating birds against bird flu?Why aren’t we vaccinating birds against bird flu?
Future Perfect

It’s not as complicated as it seems, but there’s one key hurdle.

By Jess Craig
The real science behind the billionaire pursuit of immortality
Future Perfect

Longevity research may not let us live forever — but it could still make our lives better in smaller ways.

By Jacob Sweet
No one wants to think about pandemics. But bird flu doesn’t care.No one wants to think about pandemics. But bird flu doesn’t care.
Future Perfect

A pandemic response that amounts to hoping and praying isn’t nearly enough.

By Kelsey Piper
Cholera is making a comeback — and the world doesn’t have enough vaccinesCholera is making a comeback — and the world doesn’t have enough vaccines
World Politics

“A billion people at risk”: How worldwide cholera outbreaks are threatening lives.

By Ellen Ioanes
The history of Arizona’s Civil War-era abortion banThe history of Arizona’s Civil War-era abortion ban
Politics

How conspiring doctors, questionable tonics, and twisted patriotism led to the 1864 Arizona abortion ban that has finally been repealed.

By Nicole Narea
Bird flu in milk is alarming — but not for the reason you thinkBird flu in milk is alarming — but not for the reason you think
Future Perfect

The US Department of Agriculture’s failed response to bird flu in cows, explained.

By Kenny Torrella
The breathtaking lifesaving impact of vaccines, in one chartThe breathtaking lifesaving impact of vaccines, in one chart
Future Perfect

It is almost hard to believe just how effective vaccines are at saving infants’ lives.

By Dylan Matthews
Bird flu in cows — and now in milk. How worried should we be?Bird flu in cows — and now in milk. How worried should we be?
Health

The detection of bird flu in cows and thecommercial milksupply raises new concerns about the risks to public health.

By Kenny Torrella and Benji Jones
Do you need to worry about “forever chemicals”?Do you need to worry about “forever chemicals”?
Even Better

A roadmap for PFAS risk, testing, and more.

By Keren Landman, MD
We can make birth safer for Black mothers. Here’s how.
Policy

What doulas, midwives, and policymakers are doing to end the maternal mortality crisis.

By Anna North
Every year, tuberculosis kills over a million people. Can a new vaccine turn the tide?Every year, tuberculosis kills over a million people. Can a new vaccine turn the tide?
Future Perfect

For the last 100 years, we’ve only had one TB vaccine — and it leaves a lot to be desired.

By Jess Craig
You probably shouldn’t panic about measles — yetYou probably shouldn’t panic about measles — yet
Even Better

Disease surveillance has so far kept the infection at bay in the US, but the CDC has renewed concerns.

By Keren Landman, MD
What to do if you’re worried about “forever chemicals” in your drinking waterWhat to do if you’re worried about “forever chemicals” in your drinking water
Politics

A new EPA rule imposes federal regulations for the first time. Here’s what you can do on your own.

By Li Zhou
Why is there so much lead in American food?Why is there so much lead in American food?
Future Perfect

What lead-tainted Lunchables reveal about the persistent threat of lead exposure.

By Dylan Scott
Why are so many young people getting cancer?
Future Perfect

Cancer used to be a disease of the old. Not anymore.

By Dylan Scott
Can Ozempic be a breakthrough drug and overpriced at the same time?Can Ozempic be a breakthrough drug and overpriced at the same time?
Future Perfect

Millions of Medicare patients could soon be prescribed Wegovy — and it’s going to cost taxpayers a lot of money.

By Dylan Scott
Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis is part of a frightening global trendKate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis is part of a frightening global trend
Future Perfect

It’s not just the Princess of Wales. More and more young people are getting cancer.

By Dylan Scott
How the world has radically cut child deaths, in one chartHow the world has radically cut child deaths, in one chart
Future Perfect

Fewer kids are dying than ever before — but a lot of work remains.

By Dylan Scott
The tropical disease that’s suddenly everywhereThe tropical disease that’s suddenly everywhere
Future Perfect

Dengue is erupting in South America — and has even found its way to the US.

By Dylan Scott
Alcohol overuse causes 178,000 American deaths annually. Why is it so undertreated?
Health

Medications can help the 1 in 12 people who suffer from alcohol use disorder. But most will never be treated.

By Rachel DuRose
What do Americans want from their food? The answers are in Trader Joe’s recalls.What do Americans want from their food? The answers are in Trader Joe’s recalls.
Public Health

Leaving food safety to private enterprise has risks.

By Keren Landman, MD
The CDC has finally loosened Covid isolation guidelines. Here’s why that’s a good thing.The CDC has finally loosened Covid isolation guidelines. Here’s why that’s a good thing.
Public Health

Isolation policies haven’t stopped Covid’s worst outcomes. Other, better policies might.

By Keren Landman, MD
Who fakes cancer research? Apparently, lots of people.Who fakes cancer research? Apparently, lots of people.
Future Perfect

Faked cancer data is the latest sign of science’s fraud problem.

By Kelsey Piper
Driving at ridiculous speeds should be physically impossibleDriving at ridiculous speeds should be physically impossible
Future Perfect

Reckless speeding is epidemic in the US. This simple technology could save tens of thousands of lives.

By David Zipper
Should Big Pharma pay poor countries for finding new diseases?Should Big Pharma pay poor countries for finding new diseases?
Future Perfect

There’s a stalemate over stopping future pandemics — and it comes down to money.

By Dylan Scott
Hospitals are supposed to be safe. Not in Gaza.Hospitals are supposed to be safe. Not in Gaza.
World Politics

Israel’s raid on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis might break international humanitarian law.

By Ellen Ioanes and Nicole Narea
The death of the world’s best marathon runner is part of a troubling global trendThe death of the world’s best marathon runner is part of a troubling global trend
Future Perfect

Car crashes are killing too many young Africans like Kelvin Kiptum.

By Dylan Scott
We have treatments for opioid addiction that work. So why is the problem getting worse?
Future Perfect

Opioid addiction doesn’t get as many headlines as it used to, but the crisis is as bad as ever. It doesn’t have to be.

By Lydialyle Gibson
From Gaza to Sudan, conflict is driving a rise in hunger worldwideFrom Gaza to Sudan, conflict is driving a rise in hunger worldwide
Future Perfect

In the 21st century, famine isn’t inevitable. It’s a policy choice.

By Dylan Scott
Why I’m glad my newborn received a false positive test for a rare genetic disorderWhy I’m glad my newborn received a false positive test for a rare genetic disorder
Future Perfect

The lifesaving revolution in widespread medical testing for infants.

By Kelsey Piper
Why would anyone be against lifesaving malaria bednets?Why would anyone be against lifesaving malaria bednets?
Future Perfect

The no good, very bad case against malaria bednets, explained.

By Dylan Matthews
A deadly new outbreak is testing Africa’s ambitious public health effortsA deadly new outbreak is testing Africa’s ambitious public health efforts
Future Perfect

With foreign aid increasingly uncertain, Africa wants to tackle disease emergencies on its own.

By Dylan Scott