In hopes of reducing some veterans' reliance on pills for physical pain and psychological trauma, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is taking a look at alternative therapies.
Neuroscientist Barbara Lipska describes in a new memoir surviving 20 brain tumors, and what the eight-week nightmare of psychological symptoms taught her about mental illnesses she's long studied.
Supporters call this right-to-die proposal the strongest move yet to document a person's advance wishes in cases of severe dementia. Critics say it would deny basic care to society's most vulnerable.
The Martinez family has been waiting more than a year for a neurologist to diagnose the son's condition. He needs a diagnosis to be eligible for the health care he needs, but can't get an appointment.
Research suggests that African-American and Latino children with autism are diagnosed later in life because of healthcare provider bias and families' lack of access to care, among other reasons.
The Trump administration has advised Idaho that its plan to allow insurance policies that fall short of Obamacare standards could result in penalties for insurers. But another strategy might yet fly.
In the wake of the Parkland shooting, Florida plans to expand paid time off benefits to first responders suffering from PTSD. Those diagnosed before Parkland are not included.
Hospitals have long been linchpins of rural communities, providing jobs as well as health care. But policy analysts say some hospitals may have to change or close to better serve rural health needs.
Public health agencies are set up to regulate air pollution from cars, trucks and factories. Wildfire smoke presents a different set of threats, prompting some of those agencies to rethink priorities.
Last summer's wildfires handed scientists a rare chance to study effects of smoke on residents. Most previous work had been on wood-burning stoves, urban air pollution and the effects on firefighters.
Their first epiphanies came during musings over beer, and evolved into a decade of teamwork. Two Harvard researchers explain why they think Alzheimer's disease may be traced to an immunity glitch.
A package of mental health bills in California aims to make it easier for new moms to get help and to build awareness among more health workers of postpartum mood disorders.
Parents of adult children with developmental disabilities often struggle with long-term housing options. In one Michigan city, there's an unusual development aiming to provide more independence.
With another federal budget deadline looming, there's a push to add provisions to a spending bill that would help community health centers and other providers of health services for low-income people.
The state built some key conservative policies into its experimental expansion of Medicaid. Lawmakers, health officials and patient advocates across the U.S. are now keenly watching the results.
It was a medical miracle: Surgery that made it possible for babies born with heart defects to live to adulthood. But for some, those mended hearts start to falter decades later.
For more than 50 years, the health program for the poor and sick has been required to ferry some clients to and from medical appointments. But a few states say transport is currently too expensive.
California alone has spent billions in state funds over the last 14 years to support stem cell research. Scientists want another round of cash. So, what exactly did voters get for their money so far?
The rate of hospitalizations due to influenza is continuing to rise. Now, a study finds the risk of having a heart attack also spikes in the days after a confirmed diagnosis of flu.
Last summer, the Oregon Legislature passed a package of state taxes to cover Medicaid's expanding rolls. But Oregon voters Tuesday could throw a wrench in that plan by refusing some of the taxes.
Many specialists in family leave policy say the tax credits included in the new federal law are too small to persuade most employers to offer such benefits.
In the final piece of NPR's series on the sexual assault epidemic against people with intellectual disabilities, we hear from victims themselves about how these experiences shape their lives.
Scientists believe they have solid evidence that repeated direct hits to the head can cause the degenerative brain disease seen in some athletes, even if there are no signs of concussion.
