Public Health

$50 Billion in Opioid Settlement Cash Is on the Way. We’re Tracking How It’s Spent.

Spending the money effectively and equitably is a tall order for state and local governments, and a lack of transparency in the process is already leading to fears of misuse.

  • By Aneri Pattani, Kaiser Health News

As 988 Crisis Line Sees More Use, States Debate How to Pay for It

Five states have approved a monthly phone fee to support the crisis hotline.

  • By Noelle Straub, Stateline

A Spill Outside Philadelphia Adds to the Growing List of Chemical Accidents This Year

There have already been 50 chemical spills or fires in the U.S. this year, and it's only March.

  • By Max Graham, Grist

Extra Food Assistance Cushioned the Early Pandemic’s Blow on Kids’ Mental Health

COMMENTARY | Expanding SNAP helped shield low-income children from some of the harm caused by economic upheaval when the Covid-19 pandemic began.

  • By Grace Melo, Pourya Valizadeh and Rodolfo M. Nayga Jr., The Conversation

Prescription for Housing? California Wants Medicaid to Cover 6 Months of Rent

Gov. Gavin Newsom is making a bold push for Medicaid health plans to provide more housing support. He argues it’s cheaper to pay for rent than to allow homeless people to fall into crisis, which requires costly care in hospitals, nursing homes and jails.

  • By Angela Hart, Kaiser Health News

As Opioid Deaths Keep Rising, Report Urges Lawmakers to Develop New Approaches

Drug overdose rates in the U.S. have risen fivefold in the past two decades. A new report argues state lawmakers should view America’s staggering opioid crisis through an "ecosystems" approach.

  • By Ashley Murray, Maryland Matters

To Prevent Gun Suicide, States Consider Allowing People to Deny Themselves a Gun

“We can’t stop all suicide, but if we make the means less lethal, we can save lives.”

  • By Tim Henderson, Stateline

Schools Struggle With Lead in Water While Awaiting Federal Relief

President Joe Biden said in his State of the Union address that federal funds will pay to replace lead pipes in hundreds of thousands of schools and child care centers. In the meantime, schools are dealing with high lead levels now.

  • By Katheryn Houghton, Kaiser Health News

States Strive to Help SNAP Recipients Cope With Lower Benefits

More than 41 million people bought food with SNAP benefits last year.

  • By Marsha Mercer, Stateline

Which State You Live in Matters for How Well Environmental Laws Protect Your Health

COMMENTARY | An environmental health lawyer explains why some states have weaker rules than others, and how you can make your concerns heard.

  • By Susan Kaplan, The Conversation

VR Map Tracks ‘Silent Killer’ of Extreme Heat

A 3-D map of Washington, D.C., overlaid with temperature data illustrates urban heat islands and shows neighborhoods that are most at risk.

  • By Chris Teale

Amid Dire Suicide Rates in Montana, Governor Expands Student Mental Health Screening

Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte announced a $2.1 million grant using federal aid after state lawmakers rejected a bill that would have essentially addressed the same needs of young people at risk of suicide.

  • By Keely Larson, Kaiser Health News
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Neighborhood 'Walkability' May Boost Exercise, Lower BMI

People who live in walkable neighborhoods are more likely to exercise and have lower BMIs. But the finding differs by race and ethnicity.

  • By Boston University, Futurity

Urban Heat Map Reveals Priority Spots for Cooling Efforts

Citizen scientists in Milwaukee collected air temperature and humidity data to help state officials focus where heat prevention efforts are most needed.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Dollar Stores Are the Fastest Growing Food Stores in the U.S.

Dollar stores are now the fastest-growing food retailers in the contiguous United States—and have doubled their share in rural areas, according to a new study.

  • By Kara Baskin for Tufts University, Futurity

Cheap Sewer Pipe Repairs Can Push Toxic Fumes Into Homes, Schools

COMMENTARY | Here’s how to lower the risk.

  • By Andrew J. Whelton, The Conversation

States at Center of Battle Over Gas Furnaces and Stoves

Moved by environmental and health concerns, action by state officials to ban natural gas in buildings is heating up. But the plans are also sparking opposition.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

After Years of Legal Action from States, 3M Will Stop Making ‘Forever Chemicals’

Legal experts estimate future PFAS litigation could cost the company more than $30 billion.

  • By John McCracken and Joseph Winters, Grist

New York City Agencies to Involuntarily Admit More Severely Mentally Ill People for Evaluations

Mayor Eric Adams clarified that people do not have to be a danger to themselves or others to receive help.

  • By Sahalie Donaldson

Working in Extreme Heat is Risky for Pregnant Workers. Advocates Say Passing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Could Help

But time is running out to pass the legislation before the new congressional term starts.

  • By Jessica Kutz  , The 19th

America’s Massive Gap Providing Mental Health Services

Counties are pushing Congress to help fix the problem, which is especially bad in rural communities. But whether lawmakers will do so as part of upcoming budget legislation is unclear.

  • By Kery Murakami