Listen: Healthbeat staff talk vaccinations, bird flu and other public health stories on ‘What the Health’

This major policy change treats Head Start as a welfare program rather than an educational one.

Cuts to public health and Medicaid don’t make costs disappear — they just shift them to the health care system. Hospitals are already seeing the fallout: longer wait times, overburdened staff, and sicker patients requiring more intensive — and expensive — care.

A state health initiative positions food and nutrition as essential health supports beyond the traditional clinical setting, recognizing that medical care can happen in the community, too.

Patricia Horton, founder of the Georgia Center for Nursing Excellence, says that listening to people's personal concerns can help with issues like vaccine hesitancy.

Doula coverage across New York City increased 25% from 2022 to 2024, and underserved neighborhoods saw investments in care.

Research shows that women who spend time in nature have healthier pregnancies. It's especially vital for Black women, who have a higher maternal mortality rate.