Bek Shackelford
Stories
-
The U.S. birth rate is on the decline. But not for women 40 and older
Although the U.S. birth rate is on the decline, the number of women having babies in one age group has increased. Those new mothers are 40 and older.
-
A Kansas town narrowly resolved a battle over fluoride over their water
A debate is playing out in Abilene, Kam., over using fluoride in water -- and it may be an example of what's to come for many other cities.
-
A Kansas City birth center's closure worsens the shortage of birth care
Birth centers staffed by midwives are popular places to have a baby. But low reimbursement rates and staffing issues make it difficult for them to stay in business. This is the story of the recent closure of one such center in the Kansas City area. KCUR's Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga, reporter. Diane Webber, editor.
-
A woman's death after stillbirth is a reminder of the U.S.'s maternal mortality issue
Krystal Anderson died of sepsis a few days after giving birth to a stillborn baby. It was her second bout of maternal sepsis. Even though she was in the care of specialists, she died.
-
The lack of Black sperm donors is a nationwide problem
Researchers are studying why there's a dearth of black sperm donors and how to increase the numbers. (This story first aired on Morning Edition on June 13, 2024.)