Life expectancy in the U.S. continues to drop, driven by COVID-19 Americans' life expectancy dropped for the second year in a row and is the biggest drop since the 1920s. COVID-19 is driving the downward trend, according to CDC data. Selena Simmons-Duffin
Yes, that's a worm in the blackberry you just picked Seven years ago, my friend and colleague Ann Dornfeld sent me the photo above, showcasing worms in her blackberries. Isolde Raftery
FDA expected to authorize new omicron-specific Covid boosters this week The Food and Drug Administration is planning to authorize a new generation of Covid-19 boosters this week that for the first time will target the omicron variant. Rob Stein
Marijuana use is outpacing cigarette use for the first time on record Cigarette use has been declining for decades, while marijuana use has been on the rise, according to a new Gallup survey in the U.S. Ayana Archie
'It's almost like a light switch.' Everett doctor touts potential of new drug to break meth addiction ‘What we found so far in the initial phases of this treatment are that after receiving this drug, people's symptoms from the methamphetamine intoxication, improve very quickly.’ Kim Malcolm
Whatever happened to the Malawian anti-plastic activist inspired by goats? Gloria Majiga-Kamoto, after seeing goats dying from eating plastic bags, took on the plastic industry and won the Goldman Environmental Prize. But Malawi's plastic industry still poses challenges. Julia Simon
988 mental health hotline doesn't fix the lack of in-person resources in rural areas Even with the upgraded 988 mental health hotline, there are still some callers who need to be connected with in-person services. In rural areas especially, those resources remain few and far between. Aaron Bolton
The Biden administration is handing COVID costs to the healthcare industry NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Stephanie Armour of the Wall Street Journal about the federal government's plans to shift costs for COVID prevention and treatment to the healthcare industry.
Early signs suggest monkeypox may be slowing in the U.S. Rates of new cases are declining in major cities, suggesting public health campaigns are working. Will Stone
