Health

White and yellow sign reads "Danger: Radiation Risk" against a blue sky, silver chainlink fence and rusted barbed wire
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Oct 8, 2019 5:43PM EDT

Research Reveals High Levels of Radiation in Navajo Women Stemming From Cold War

“Thousands of abandoned uranium mines dot the Western landscape, hundreds on the Navajo Nation alone, continuing to expose families to the ill effects of radiation, including kidney failure and cancer.”
Protesters hold signs in support of abortion rights outside of Supreme Court.
Ayana Byrd  Oct 7, 2019 1:32PM EDT

SCOTUS To Hear Case That Could Dismantle Roe v. Wade

“Access to abortion is hanging by a thread in this country, and this case is what could snap that thread.”
Pink and white sign in support of abortion rights held outside Old Courthouse in St. Louis, Missouri
Ayana Byrd  Oct 2, 2019 5:43PM EDT

Planned Parenthood Covertly Opens Clinic to Provide Care for Missourians

The 18,000-square foot facility is located in Illinois—just 13 miles from Missouri’s lone abortion clinic, which is currently under fire.
Signs in support of abortion rights hang on a metal fence
Ayana Byrd  Oct 1, 2019 1:42PM EDT

New Poll Shows Most Americans Back Federal Funding of Abortion

Support is highest among women of color and people who live in abortion battleground states.
Two white water fountains on white tiled walls with signs warning people not to drink from them
Ayana Byrd  Sep 30, 2019 3:25PM EDT

Study Finds Race is Primary Factor in Enforcement of Safe Drinking Water Act

Flint and Newark are just two of the many cities where the race of residents is tied to poor regulation of water safety.
A multiracial group of women hold up a colorful sign that says, “Reproductive Freedom!”
Jessica González-Rojas, Marcela Howell, Sung Yeon Choimorrow  Sep 30, 2019 12:29PM EDT

It's High Time We End Hyde If We Are Serious About Racial Justice [Op-Ed]

The Hyde Amendment blocks women from using federal funds such as Medicaid to end unwanted pregnancies. On this 43rd anniversary of a rule that places undue burden on women of color, we say enough is enough.
Fire department official stands with cases of bottled water in Newark, New Jersey
Ayana Byrd  Sep 24, 2019 1:33PM EDT

Newark Sees Preliminary Decrease in Water Lead Levels

The latest results show that water filters are finally working in most of the tested homes.
a button about insulin availability pinned to a blue suit jacket
Ayana Byrd  Sep 23, 2019 3:13PM EDT

Rising Insulin Prices Put Diabetics In Danger

African-American, Latinx and Asian-American diabetics are hardest hit by the skyrocketing costs.
Bald Black woman smiling holding Black newborn.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Sep 20, 2019 4:04PM EDT

Good News: Fewer Black People Are Dying From Cancer

But the American Association of Cancer Research says deadly health disparities remain.
Pregnant person in a striped gray and black shirt holding a purple flower as someone touches their abdomen
Ayana Byrd  Sep 17, 2019 3:29PM EDT

This Tiny Pill Could Lower Mortality Rates for Black Babies

It could prevent a life-threatening condition called preeclampsia—but many patients don’t know it can help.
A man with dark hair sits in a chair holding his young daughter across his lap inside of her hospital room.
Shani Saxon  Sep 16, 2019 5:45PM EDT

Spike in Uninsured May be Linked to Trump Immigration Policies

The number of uninsured people in America has increased for the first time in nearly a decade.
Hands holding a red sign that reads, "Stop the war on choice."
Ayana Byrd  Sep 16, 2019 3:18PM EDT

California Poised to Be First State to Provide Free Medication Abortions to College Students

The law will benefit the students at public universities in the state, who are predominantly people of color and may face geographic and economic hurdles to obtaining the medical procedure.
a gas flare and buildings of the Shell Petroleum plant in Norco, Louisiana, against a dark sky
Ayana Byrd  Sep 9, 2019 1:43PM EDT

Cancer Alley Residents Stop New Chemical Plant From Opening

A lawsuit and protests pushed a Chinese petrochemical firm to withdraw its approved application to build in Louisiana.
Aerial shot of Abaco Island, Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian
Ayana Byrd  Sep 4, 2019 3:09PM EDT

8 Ways To Help The Bahamas Recover From Hurricane Dorian

“We are in the midst of one of the greatest national crises in our country’s history.”
Exterior of Planned Parenthood of St. Louis. Gray-painted bricks, blue signage.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 28, 2019 1:37PM EDT

Court Temporarily Blocks Missouri's Eight-Week Abortion Ban

But new restrictions—including for cases of fetal Down Syndrome—were allowed to go into effect.
Doctors and nurses hold signs protesting family separation.
Shani Saxon  Aug 27, 2019 5:17PM EDT

Trump Admin Threatens Migrants Seeking Life-Saving Medical Care With Deportation

Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.): “This is a new low. Donald Trump is literally deporting kids with cancer.”
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Governor Philip D. Murphy at podium in Newark, New Jersey. American and yellow New Jersey flags in the background.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 27, 2019 1:54PM EDT

New Plan Seeks to Replace Newark's Lead Pipes In Less Than 3 Years

With the national spotlight on the city’s lead water crisis, officials have shaved seven years off the initial timeline to replace pipes.
Pallets of water with a line of people standing behind them in Newark, New Jersey at a bottled water distribution center
Ayana Byrd  Aug 26, 2019 1:43PM EDT

The Decisions and Inaction Behind Newark's Lead Water Crisis

An investigation by The New York Times reveals years of mismanagement.
Young White man in blue scrubs draws blood from Black man wearing hospital gown.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Aug 22, 2019 3:33PM EDT

Medical Association Blasts Trump Administration for Attacking Health Care Rights

American Medical Association to Department of Health and Human Services: “This proposal marks the rare occasion in which a federal agency seeks to remove civil rights protections.”
people on the lawn outside of National Museum Of African American History & Culture
Ayana Byrd  Aug 21, 2019 2:45PM EDT

How City Planners Are Battling Rising Temps Across Nation

Global warming is causing major climate shifts. Now, cities are making major changes to protect their most vulnerable residents.