Childhood myopia, or nearsightedness, is growing rapidly in the U.S. and around the world. Researchers say kids who spend two hours outside every day, are less likely to develop the condition.
Researchers are learning that handwriting engages the brain in ways typing can't match, raising questions about the costs of ditching this age-old practice, especially for kids.
New research documents how many children lost a parent to an opioid or other overdose in the period from 2011 to 2021. Bereaved children face elevated risks to their physical and emotional health.
More than 6.5 million people in 2023 took a mental health screening test through the Mental Health America (MHA) Online Screening Program, with 79% of users located in the U.S. scoring positive for moderate to severe symptoms of a mental health condition.
The economist made a name for herself using data to challenge the accepted rules of pregnancy. Now, she's returning to the topic with a book on how to navigate its complications.
Sure, new parents are an anxious lot. But instruction manuals for devices meant to keep the baby safe and healthy are daunting and add to the anxiety. Why are they so confusing?
Researchers have found that a warm, close bond with a sibling in early adult life is predictive of good emotional health later in life, with less loneliness, anxiety and depression.
Ten years ago, Flint, Mich. switched water sources to the Flint River. The lack of corrosion control in the pipes caused lead to leach into the water supply of tens of thousands of residents. Pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha recognized a public health crisis in the making and gathered data proving the negative health impact on Flint's young children. In doing so, she and community organizers in Flint sparked a national conversation about lead in the U.S. water system that persists today.
Today on the show, host Emily Kwong and science correspondent Pien Huang talk about the state of Flint and other cities with lead pipes. Efforts to replace these pipes hinge on proposed changes to the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule.
Have questions or comments for us to consider for a future episode? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to hear from you!
With nearly 5,000 cases reported so far this year — and concerns about a new strain — the Democratic Republic of Congo is considering the declaration of a public health emergency.
Colorado is looking at ways to weed out false reporting of child abuse and neglect as the number of reports reaches a record high. New York and California are reworking the policies, too.
World Autism Acceptance Month is meant to bring greater attention to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but recent research shows accessing care can be difficult for some families. During a recent discussion with GPB’s Pamela Kirkland, Georgia Tech's Jennifer Singh shares her research into the hurdles confronting specific demographic groups — particularly, lower-income Black families — in diagnosing autism and accessing care.
An estimated 42% of Georgians have to go out of network for residential substance misuse and psychiatric residential treatment for kids, according to new research.
