Health

Advocates and families impacted by the opioid crisis are urging for enhanced oversight of opioid settlement funds, suggesting a crowdsourced database to detect misuse, amid worries that state legislators may divert these funds to address budget deficits.

More than 30 states are reimbursing doulas through Medicaid or are implementing laws to do so, aligning with research that indicates doulas can enhance health outcomes and mitigate racial health disparities.

Faith-based therapists are increasingly incorporating biblical principles alongside evidence-based therapeutic methods to assist clients in navigating life transitions, overcoming obstacles, and fostering spiritual, emotional, and mental growth. This approach reflects a broader trend in mental health care that recognizes the importance of integrating religious beliefs with clinical practices to support holistic healing.

The role of families in supporting new mothers is essential for ensuring their health and well-being during and after pregnancy. Advocacy in healthcare settings, emotional support, and assistance in postpartum recovery are critical areas where families can make a significant impact.

The recent surge in infectious diseases in the US is attributed to the decline of childhood immunization rates, with Black Americans being disproportionately affected due to lack of health insurance and concerns about racist medical policies.

Six organizations representing public health professionals, along with a pregnant doctor, have filed a lawsuit against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his decision to halt COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant women and children. The lawsuit highlights concerns that Kennedy's policy could exacerbate health disparities, particularly affecting Black Americans who suffered disproportionately during the pandemic.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4th, dismantles the EPA's Environmental and Climate Justice Program, threatening billions in grants earmarked for underserved communities and reversing key protections for drinking water and the Clean Air Act.

Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) is strongly opposing the "One Big Beautiful Bill" in the House, which she says will cause widespread harm to Medicaid recipients, including 14-17 million people losing access to healthcare and 20,000 of her constituents in Washington State losing Medicaid coverage.

A coalition of 23 organizations, comprising nonprofits and local and tribal governments, has initiated legal action to restore $3 billion in grants rescinded by the Environmental Protection Agency. The lawsuit challenges the cancellations that followed executive orders issued by President Trump, arguing that the funds were lawfully appropriated by Congress and cannot be revoked unilaterally.

HIV advocates, led by figures such as Cedric Sturdevant, are mobilizing against the Trump administration's proposed reductions in HIV funding. These cuts threaten to result in an estimated 14,600 additional HIV-related deaths over the next five years, underscoring the critical need for sustained support and intervention.