Health

U.S. Supreme Court and protest sign supporting abortion
Ayana Byrd  Mar 19, 2019 11:59AM EDT

Maryland Aims to Leave Title X Program to Protect Abortion Providers and Patients

If approved, the state will refuse nearly $4 million in funding to create its own family planning program.
Close-up of two pregnant, Black prison inmates as they stand behind bars with the orange uniforms raised to show their pregnancies.
Shani Saxon  Mar 13, 2019 3:39PM EDT

States Consider Ban on Shackling Incarcerated People During Childbirth

The American Civil Liberties Union estimates that roughly 12,000 pregnant women are jailed in the United States each year.
A pair of blue-gloved hands gives a white stick to a pair of Black hands. Light blue paper lines the table below, a blue and white box of gloves sits on the table
Ayana Byrd  Mar 13, 2019 10:22AM EDT

The Best Medication to Prevent HIV is Hard to Find Where It's Needed Most

The dangerously scarce availability of PrEP is contributing to high HIV infection rates in Black men.
China's Coal Dependence A Challenge For Climate
Ayana Byrd  Mar 12, 2019 12:22PM EDT

STUDY: White Americans' Consumer Habits Pollute the Air That Black and Latinx People Breathe

Researchers say there is a stark racial difference in who suffers from toxic air and who causes it.
Marva Sadler. Smiling Black woman with dark brown locs, wearing gray, collared shirt
Marva Sadler  Mar 10, 2019 9:03AM EDT

Guided by Love, Abortion Care Providers Are Voices For Their Communities [Op-Ed]

On Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, Whole Woman’s Health’s Marva Sadler shares what guides her mission to provide quality, compassionate abortion care.
Bonnie Watson Coleman and David Johns. Two Black people in dark jackets sit in room facing camera
catherine lizette gonzalez  Mar 10, 2019 9:00AM EDT

WATCH: Lawmakers, Advocates Center Black Women on National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day

Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman and David Johns of National Black Justice Coalition join forces to increase access to lifesaving health care for Black women and girls, who represent two of every three women diagnosed with HIV.
Women stand outside, hold signts that read, "I strike for respect and dignity for all womxn."
Ayana Byrd  Mar 8, 2019 12:18PM EST

House and Senate Dems Introduce Bill That Recognizes Reproductive Rights as Human Rights

The Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights Act was announced in both houses of Congress ahead of International Women’s Day.
Woman with red hair in silohuette puts silverware on table while standing in front of a window in daylight, there is a white orchid in a yellow pot and a lamp with a red shade, trees and benches outside
Saru Jayaraman, Destiny Lopez  Mar 8, 2019 9:27AM EST

Congress Must Pass Raise the Wage Act, Secure Better Future for Women [Op-Ed]

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, Saru Jayaraman and Destiny Lopez connect the dots between securing increased pay for women earning a tipped wage and improved access to reproductive health care.
Floods Hinder Recovery Efforts In Southeast Texas
Ayana Byrd  Mar 7, 2019 11:39AM EST

Congress Investigates EPA For Refusing NASA's Help After Hurricane Harvey

The space agency offered to assess air pollution caused by the storm—and was essentially told “No, thank you.”
Planned Parenthood Protests Trump Administration's Title X Rule Change
Ayana Byrd  Mar 6, 2019 1:32PM EST

Medical Orgs, 22 States Sue Trump Administration to Block Abortion 'Gag Rule'

Leana Wen, president of Planned Parenthood, called the regulation “unethical, illegal and harmful to public health.”
Black doctor and patient during an exam
Ayana Byrd  Feb 27, 2019 10:15AM EST

READ: How Doctors Can Better Serve Black Patients

A Black physician on why her colleagues’ refusal to learn the history of American medical racism harms their patients.
Planned Parenthood Rallies For Pro-Choice Supreme Court Nominee
Ayana Byrd  Feb 26, 2019 11:42AM EST

Support Growing for Restrictive Abortion Bill in Texas

The “fetal heartbeat” bill would prohibit the procedure for people who are more than six weeks pregnant.
Ayana Byrd  Feb 25, 2019 1:02PM EST

Planned Parenthood to Lose Millions in Funding Under New Federal 'Gag Rule'

The Trump administration will now withhold family planning funding if a clinic provides abortion referrals to patients.
Protesters hold signs. Two blue and white signs say, "Keep abortion legal." One black and white sign says, "Abortion kills a person."
Ayana Byrd  Feb 20, 2019 3:52PM EST

Illinois to Pass Laws to Give Women Better Access to Abortions

Due to restrictive laws in neighboring states, women nearby could also have the procedure there.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha.
Ayana Byrd  Feb 12, 2019 4:23PM EST

READ: Flint Whistle Blower Says Government Is Still Failing Residents

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha believes the state legislature is taking actions that could cause another water crisis. 
The outside of the Supreme Court
Ayana Byrd  Feb 4, 2019 10:29AM EST

SCOTUS To Make Landmark Decision on Abortion This Week

The conservative majority Court could effectively overturn Roe v. Wade as it rules on a Louisiana law. 
Ayana Byrd  Jan 24, 2019 12:42PM EST

READ: How Texas Contributed to Rise in Pregnant Girls in Foster Care System

One teen mother: “All my friends that I was in placements with—every single one—either has a kid or is pregnant right now.”
The City of Flint Water Plant is illuminated by moonlight on Jan. 23, 2016, in Flint, Michigan. The state approved new funds for the city yesterday.
Ayana Byrd  Jan 23, 2019 1:20PM EST

Flint Launches Program to Help Kids Who Need Special Education Services Because of Water Crisis

Experts say it’s a step in the right direction, but not enough.
Black pesron holds blue and white sign the reads, "Keep abortion legal."
Sung Yeon Choimorrow, Marcela Howell, Jessica González-Rojas  Jan 22, 2019 11:59AM EST

How the Promise of Roe v. Wade Left Women of Color Behind [OP-ED]

Roe has never been full of promise for women of color, immigrant women and women with low incomes. But if the Trump administration gets its way, we have the most to lose.
U.S. Supreme Court and protest sign supporting abortion
Ayana Byrd  Jan 16, 2019 1:36PM EST

Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Renews Its Fight For Women's Reproductive Health

Representatives Barbara Lee and Judy Chu introduced legislation that aims to protect the right to choose.