Health

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its intent to investigate the impact of microplastics and pharmaceutical medications on the safety of the nation's tap water, marking a significant step in addressing these emerging contaminants. These substances have been added to the drinking water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL), a roster of unregulated potential threats to public water systems. While hailed by some as a 'major win' for public health initiatives, the regulatory process is projected to be extensive, potentially requiring years for any new standards to be implemented, if proposed at all.

A recent study has found that health and government organizations have inadvertently provided millions of dollars in advertising revenue to websites that regularly disseminate health misinformation.

A study presented at the American College of Cardiology conference in New Orleans indicates that culturally tailored Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) regimens, combined with dietitian guidance, can significantly improve blood pressure in Black and Hispanic adults, with participants experiencing double the reduction rate compared to other methods.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Foundayo, Eli Lilly's second GLP-1 pill for weight loss, significantly expanding the array of available obesity therapies. This new oral medication distinguishes itself by allowing flexible administration at any time of day, without dietary restrictions, and is priced as low as $149 per month for out-of-pocket patients.

Efforts to reduce unnecessary medical testing have led some hospitals to scale back the use of a decades-old inflammation test known as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR. But new research suggests that the decision may come with unexpected clinical and financial trade-offs.

Black students on college campuses are discovering transformative spaces dedicated to racial healing, which provide crucial environments for processing racial stress and affirming their identities. These intentional communities foster vulnerability and respect, addressing the emotional and psychological harm caused by racism and promoting a sense of wholeness.

Black maternal health is characterized by a complex history of both exploitation and extraordinary leadership, a legacy that continues to influence contemporary health outcomes. Addressing these persistent disparities, the Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition (SEMPQIC) is dedicated to fostering a coordinated and equitable network for perinatal care, aiming to reduce adverse maternal, perinatal, and infant outcomes.

Trauma therapist and nonprofit founder Ashley McGirt-Adair is spearheading initiatives to provide culturally competent mental health services and advance racial healing within Black communities. Her forthcoming book, "The Cost of Healing in Silence," and the Therapy Fund Foundation advocate for destigmatizing mental illness, confronting bias, and integrating indigenous and African-centered healing practices to address systemic racial trauma.

Lung cancer survivor Colette Smith credits biomarker testing with providing crucial information for her treatment, a resource that could become inaccessible to millions of New Yorkers if the state legislature proceeds with rolling back Medicaid coverage.

Steve Woods, a 70-year-old carpenter, has managed kidney disease for over two decades, relying on dialysis and a kidney transplant. He now advocates for early health intervention and proactive care, particularly within communities disproportionately affected by kidney ailments.