Public Health

Judge orders restoration of federal health websites

The pages that are set to be revived include information for patients about HIV testing and HIV prevention medication, guidance on contraceptives and data on adolescent and youth mental health.

As measles cases rise, a new book warns parents not to underestimate the disease

As childhood vaccinate rates drop in the U.S. outbreaks of measles are rising. In his new book Booster Shots, Dr. Adam Ratner makes the case that this is a bad sign for public health.

NIH announces new funding policy that rattles medical researchers

The National Institutes of Health has dramatically changed its grant-making terms by limiting how much it will disperse for costs such as equipment and administration.

Rape crisis centers see funding delays amid Trump administration spending upheaval

Groups addressing sexual violence report not getting expected payments from grants that they depend on to keep running.

Flu cases rise again, while COVID takes a back seat

It's an unusual winter for respiratory illnesses. The flu is peaking twice: once in early January and again in February. Meanwhile, it's the mildest COVID winter since the pandemic began.

The Gulf South needs more sexual assault nurse examiners. Is teleSANE the answer?

While some see telemedicine as a useful tool to help provide care to sexual assault survivors, others believe it's not enough to solve the nursing shortage.

In New Orleans, focus shifts toward community recovery, healing after terror attack

Officials and health experts are working to make sure those affected by the Bourbon Street attack have access to the medical and financial resources they need.

Need help with breastfeeding? Here are some local resources for Alabama parents

August is National Breastfeeding Month, but the Gulf South has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the country. Advocates are trying to change that.

Women’s health care in the Gulf South is ‘bleak,’ new report says. Here’s how Alabama ranks

Poor ratings in preterm birth rate, infant mortality led to Alabama ranking 45th in the U.S. in the Commonwealth Fund's new "scorecard" on women's health care.

Should heat waves get names like hurricanes? Some believe it could help save lives

As heat waves and heat domes become more intense, the idea of naming extreme heat as we do with other major disasters is gaining traction with some experts.

‘This ain’t the same sun’: Extreme heat is changing summertime for kids in the South

Driven by climate change, extreme temperatures are forcing parents and camp counselors to change their summer routines to keep kids safe.

Gulf South sees record ACA Marketplace enrollment, driven by enhanced subsidies

A new report finds that the South leads the U.S. in increased ACA Marketplace enrollment — especially in states that have not expanded Medicaid.

Florida’s 6-week abortion ban will have a ‘snowball effect’ on residents across the South

Abortion rights advocates say the ban will likely force many to travel farther for abortion care and endure pregnancy and childbirth against their will.

Why haven’t Kansas and Alabama — among other holdouts — expanded access to Medicaid?

Only 10 states have not joined the federal program that expands Medicaid to people who are still in the "coverage gap" for health care

Q&A: How harm reduction can help mitigate the opioid crisis

Maia Szalavitz discusses harm reduction's effectiveness against drug addiction, how punitive policies can hurt people who need pain medication and more.

LGBTQ doctors are leaving the Gulf South due to discrimination: ‘We weren’t welcome anymore’

The loss of specialized doctors due to the influx of anti-LGBTQ laws is the latest blow to a region already dealing with a shortage of health care providers.

After 12 years and a pandemic, Jefferson County’s health officer steps down

Dr. Mark Wilson is well-known for leading residents through the COVID-19 pandemic, but his legacy includes a larger effort to expand the role of public health.

Q&A: Why New Orleans’ unhoused people face increased danger from relentless heat

Delaney Nolan discusses her report for The Guardian that revealed a spike in heat-related illness calls among New Orleans’ unhoused people this summer.

A campaign aims to bridge the breastfeeding gap for Black mothers in the Gulf South

Despite its well-documented advantages, many regions in the US — especially in the South — continue to grapple with low breastfeeding rates. States like Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana have some of the the lowest rates in the country. 

New CDC report finds ‘significant increase’ in children diagnosed with developmental disorders

While the results showing an increase in rates may seem alarming, researchers say it could be a sign of better access to mental health services.

In rural Mississippi, Baby University is helping parents with ‘more than diapers’

The free program in Clarksdale, Mississippi teaches young parents how to better care for their children while filling in the gaps of the social safety net.

‘Kids will end their lives’: Anti-trans legislation is impacting mental health in the Gulf South

As book bans and legislation pile up, a Louisiana trans teen describes the mental toll it’s taking on him and highlights the importance of support systems.

With pandemic-era boost to SNAP over, a Mississippi diaper bank is receiving more calls for help

With the COVID-19 public health emergency over, Diaper Bank of the Delta is trying to fill in the gap and connect struggling families to more resources.

In New Orleans, doctors and churches are teaming up to help Black parishioners get needed care

The effort, part of a five-year study, aims to meet Black patients in a space they feel comfortable to treat hypertension and reduce heart disease risks.

Conflict between Mississippi’s largest hospital, insurer a breaking point for some residents

The ongoing contract dispute between UMMC and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi has no end in sight, forcing some to consider leaving the state for good.

Southern Decadence returns to New Orleans, marked by parades and monkeypox awareness

Health officials gave out monkeypox vaccines and encouraged everyone — not just the LGBTQ community — to take the virus more seriously at the annual festival.

Gulf South hospitals face ‘worst-case scenario’ as staffing costs skyrocket

Facilities are under strain and federal assistance only goes so far.

Tips for a happy, safe and COVID-free Thanksgiving from Gulf South health officials

Hosting a family gathering for Thanksgiving but worried about COVID transmission? Health officials offer these tips for a happy, safe holiday.

How outreach helped Gulf States outpace national COVID vaccine rate for Black residents

COVID-19 vaccination rates among Black residents in the Gulf States are surpassing that of Black residents in the U.S. Health officials say building trust has been key to reaching this point.

Parents Urge Vestavia Hills School District To Require Masks

The Vestavia Hills school board's decision to not require masks goes against guidance from public health agencies, including state health officials.

Will Alabama And Mississippi Expand Medicaid To Low-Income Adults This Time Around?

Many advocates and politicians argue the new incentive is an offer that’s too good to refuse, but it still might not move the needle.