Host of 'Making Gay History' reflects on coming of age during the AIDS crisis NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Eric Marcus, the host of the podcast Making Gay History, about his audio memoir on coming of age during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. Ashley Brown
People who want organ transplants must get the COVID-19 vaccine, a hospital says The UCHealth hospital system in Colorado says unvaccinated patients won't be eligible for an organ transplant, citing the "significant risk the virus poses to transplant recipients." Bill Chappell
Diet soda may prompt food cravings, especially in women and people with obesity New research adds to growing concern over zero-calorie drinks. Consuming artificial sweeteners may confuse our body, leading to increased hunger and weight gain. Allison Aubrey
Pfizer officially asks the FDA to authorize its COVID vaccine for kids aged 5-11 "With new cases in children in the U.S. continuing to be at a high level, this submission is an important step in our ongoing effort against #COVID19," the pharmaceutical giant said. Joe Hernandez
COVID is changing medical fly-in missions — and it might be for the better For decades, Western docs and nurses have parachuted into poor countries to perform surgeries. That's not working in this pandemic. But there's a new twist that holds promise. Joanne Silberner
Delaware racetrack offers a victory lap to drivers who get vaccinated Up to 800 people get to drive the Monster Mile at Dover International Speedway. They get a shot at the track, and some people will also get NASCAR tickets.
The World Health Organization approves the first malaria vaccine The WHO has given the green light to the first malaria vaccine. Thousands of people are afflicted by malaria every year in sub Saharan Africa. Young children are especially vulnerable to the disease. Jason Beaubien
COVID deaths leave thousands of U.S. kids grieving parents or primary caregivers Roughly 175,000 children in the U.S. have lost one or both parents or a grandparent caregiver to COVID-19, according to a new study. The majority come from racial and ethnic minority groups. Rhitu Chatterjee
A U.S. judge blocks enforcement of Texas' controversial new abortion law Known as SB 8, the law bans almost all abortions in the state after about six weeks of pregnancy, even in cases of rape, sexual abuse and incest. Ryan Lucas
The White House will spend an additional $1 billion on rapid at-home COVID tests The investment is a response to an ongoing national shortage and follows a $2 billion investment in September to supply rapid tests to community health centers, food banks and schools. Joe Neel