Ayana Byrd

people holding signs in support of Planned Parenthood and reproductive rights
Ayana Byrd  Aug 19, 2019 4:21PM EDT

Planned Parenthood Withdraws From Title X Program

“We believe that the Trump administration is doing this as an attack on reproductive health care and to keep providers like Planned Parenthood from serving our patients.” 
Damaged electrical poles against a blue sky in Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Ayana Byrd  Aug 14, 2019 2:15PM EDT

ICYMI: Puerto Rico's New Governor Suspends Contract to Repair Power Grid

“I hope this isn’t a smoke screen and that there’s a real audit. That’s what all these people who have lost trust in the government expect.”
Ayana Byrd  Aug 13, 2019 5:13PM EDT

Pediatricians Highlight Impact of Racism On Children's Health

A new statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics urges doctors and policymakers to address bias and discrimination in health care.
Ras Baraka. Black man in gray suit and white shirt talks into microphone.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 12, 2019 4:04PM EDT

Lead Concerns Push Newark to Distribute Bottled Water to Residents

The EPA says residents should not drink tap water, even if it’s been filtered. The city says more tests are needed.
Alexis McGill Johnson. Black woman in a black dress stands in front of a white step and repeat with logos on it.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 9, 2019 1:28PM EDT

Planned Parenthood's New Leader On Racial Equity and Reproductive Health Freedom

Alexis McGill Johnson talks to Colorlines about bringing her life’s work as a racial justice organizer to the reproductive health care organization.
Pedro Pierluisi stands behind a podium
Ayana Byrd  Aug 5, 2019 2:20PM EDT

Puerto Rico's New Governor Challenged as 'Unconstitutional'

The Puerto Rican Senate filed a lawsuit questioning the validity of the swearing in of the territory’s new governor, Pedro Pierluisi.
a rally with someone holding a sign that reads Black Trans Lives Matter
Ayana Byrd  Jul 30, 2019 2:14PM EDT

New Study Pinpoints the Most Urgent Needs of TGNC People Living With HIV

The Transgender Law Center documented the top legal and health care barriers for HIV-positive trans and gender nonconforming people. The goal is “data-driven advocacy led by the community for the community.”
fruit aisle in supermarket with melons and oranges
Ayana Byrd  Jul 24, 2019 4:09PM EDT

Trump Administration Seeks to Strip 3.1 Million People of Food Security

The quest to prevent lower-income earning people from accessing food stamps via the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program continues.
a masked man holding a Puerto Rican flag against a blue sky
Ayana Byrd  Jul 23, 2019 3:06PM EDT

#RickyRenuncia Protestors Demand Resignation of Puerto Rico's Governor

Half a million Puerto Rico residents are mobilizing to oust their elected leader in the aftermath of a text message scandal.
A Mexican baby
Ayana Byrd  Jul 22, 2019 12:36PM EDT

Study Finds Increase in Latinx Preterm Births After Trump Election

Researchers emphasized a connection between psychosocial stress and an increase in babies born early after 45 won the White House.
Leana Wen. Asian woman wearing a black sleeveless shirt, sitting behind a desk with a laptop computer on a brown desk.
Ayana Byrd  Jul 17, 2019 2:16PM EDT

Planned Parenthood President Exits as Organization Prepares for Political Fight

Dr. Leana Wen, who is leaving after eight months, maintains that abortion is a health care—not political—issue.
protest signs at a reproductive rights rally at Capitol Hill
Ayana Byrd  Jul 16, 2019 2:45PM EDT

New Blueprint For Reproductive Justice Hopes to Transform Health Care

More than 80 organizations wrote a manifesto to bring about new policies even as growing conservatism seeks to limit access to reproductive care.
Puerto Rico capitol building in San Juan and Puerto Rican flag
Ayana Byrd  Jul 15, 2019 3:17PM EDT

Puerto Rico Finalizing Plan To Restructure Its Debt

Three years in the making, the effort prioritizes pensioners over bondholders—and will likely be challenged on grounds of constitutionality.
hazy New York City skyline
Ayana Byrd  Jul 10, 2019 1:14PM EDT

Trump's Claim That Nation's Air Has Never Been Cleaner Disproved By His EPA

Pollution is actually up since President Barack Obama left office.
Ilhan Omar and Dean Phillips on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Ayana Byrd  Jul 9, 2019 3:27PM EDT

Activists, Doctors and Politicians Stand Up in Support of Affordable Care Act

As a federal appeals court decides the fate of the nation’s health care policy, folks are fighting back.
pride flag and person in a beauty pageant sash at San Juan pride parade in 2018
Ayana Byrd  Jul 8, 2019 2:52PM EDT

READ: A Push to Rebuild Safe Spaces For LGBTQ+ Puerto Ricans

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and recent legislative challenges to their rights, members of Puerto Rico’s queer community are working to restore life-saving spaces.
Ayana Byrd  Jul 3, 2019 2:15PM EDT

LISTEN: How Puerto Ricans Are Preparing For The Next Hurricane

NPR spoke to politicians and residents of the island about what they are doing in the face of government inaction.  
Black and yellow billboard in Flint, Michigan, reads, "Boiling your water does not remove lead."
Ayana Byrd  Jul 2, 2019 12:53PM EDT

UPDATE: After Protests, Rick Snyder, Governor During the Flint Water Poisoning, 'Turns Down' Harvard Fellowship

The former Michigan governor, whose decisions led to the Flint water crisis, was going to teach government at the university.
A Black man holds a Black boy standing in front of chemical plants
Ayana Byrd  Jun 26, 2019 12:51PM EDT

Louisiana Activists to Chemical Plant: 'Stop Poisoning Black People'

Cancer Alley activists travel to Japan to confront Denka, the company that is currently killing them.
Black man stands outside of New Orleans Superdome after Hurricane Katrina
Ayana Byrd  Jun 25, 2019 4:26PM EDT

Top Medical Orgs Declare Climate Change World's 'Greatest Public Health Challenge'

The 74 medical and health groups stressed that communities of color are the most at-risk.