public health

Latest in public health

water from a faucet fills a plastic cup

Why is fluoride in water so controversial? The science of fluoridation, explained. Why is fluoride in water so controversial? The science of fluoridation, explained.

By Lauren Leffer

Four urinals mounted on tiled wall

New urinal designs use physics to prevent pee splashback New urinal designs use physics to prevent pee splashback

Microplastic pile close-up

Every human semen sample contained microplastics in new study Every human semen sample contained microplastics in new study

Someone filling a glass of water probably wondering if there are PFAS in it.

2 ways of knowing if there are PFAS in your drinking water 2 ways of knowing if there are PFAS in your drinking water

Med school students during a white coat ceremony at the University of Minnesota in 2022, before the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action in admissions

The Supreme Court ruling to end affirmative action will make US doctors less diverse The Supreme Court ruling to end affirmative action will make US doctors less diverse

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children

EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children

By Kate Yoder/Grist

Student at desk doing math homework during COVID-19 lockdown.

US schools aren’t ready for another pandemic US schools aren’t ready for another pandemic

By Katherine Reynolds Lewis/Undark

a tunnel in a sewer system

Taiwan sent mosquito-fighting robots into its sewers Taiwan sent mosquito-fighting robots into its sewers

By Charlotte Hu

illustration of scientist with 3D models

Inside the little-known group that knows where toxic clouds will blow Inside the little-known group that knows where toxic clouds will blow

By Sarah Scoles

a black and white picture cut out of two men in lab coats looking at vials on a lab bench that has a microscope. in purple behind them is text of an old news article, with the headline "science closes in on the common cold"

Why we still don’t have a vaccine for the common cold Why we still don’t have a vaccine for the common cold

By Bill Gourgey

a person with diabetes uses a lancet to poke their finger to check blood sugar levels

Here’s one reason why people with diabetes get lots of UTIs Here’s one reason why people with diabetes get lots of UTIs

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Chinese man wearing COVID-19 mask walking down city street in China with national flags behind him

China’s DNA policing program targeted Tibetans and other minorities, reports reveal China’s DNA policing program targeted Tibetans and other minorities, reports reveal

Phase out fossil fuels now to avoid a devastating global health crisis, WHO warns

Phase out fossil fuels now to avoid a devastating global health crisis, WHO warns Phase out fossil fuels now to avoid a devastating global health crisis, WHO warns

By Laura Baisas

a person with a colorful tattoo arm receives a vaccine and bandaid from a health care professional

What you need to know about getting the new COVID-19 booster What you need to know about getting the new COVID-19 booster

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Up close image of mosquito.

New four-dose malaria vaccine is up to 80 percent effective New four-dose malaria vaccine is up to 80 percent effective

By Laura Baisas

Hand resting on car stick shift holding Juul e-cigarette

Juul to pay states $435M and stop marketing e-cigarettes to kids Juul to pay states $435M and stop marketing e-cigarettes to kids

Set of different cosmetic bottles of cream or serum on a ceramic tray

Is there any science behind the ‘skin cycling’ trend on TikTok? Is there any science behind the ‘skin cycling’ trend on TikTok?

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

What to know about polio boosters, oral vaccines, and your medical history records

What to know about polio boosters, oral vaccines, and your medical history records What to know about polio boosters, oral vaccines, and your medical history records

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

a person wearing a surgical face mask rests their head in their hand looking tired

Long COVID recovery is finally getting the attention it deserves in the US Long COVID recovery is finally getting the attention it deserves in the US

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Black person with short gray hair in a red collared shirt wearing a COVID mask looking directly into the camera

Machine learning is finally helping us track COVID deaths faster and more accurately Machine learning is finally helping us track COVID deaths faster and more accurately

By Kate Baggaley