Health

Health
Ticks are emerging. Experts warn of rare but deadly vector-borne Powassan virus on the rise
Epidemiologist Elizabeth Schiffman, who supervises the Vectorborne Diseases Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health, joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition with information to prevent infection and keep people safe.
Recognizing and treating bipolar disorder
Does someone you know have bipolar disorder? Would you even recognize the signs of this mental health condition? MPR News host Angela Davis talks about living with bipolar disorder and how treatment is changing. 
U.S. measles cases surpass 700 with outbreaks in six states. Here’s what to know
Texas state health officials confirmed 20 more cases of measles Tuesday, alongside five new cases in New Mexico. U.S. measles cases topped 700 as of Friday, and two children and an adult have died. New Mexico, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas have active measles outbreaks.
RFK Jr.’s mixed message about the measles outbreaks draws criticism from health officials
Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to contain measles outbreaks around the country have drawn criticism from a number of health officials who say he has delivered a mixed message about the effectiveness of the measles vaccine.
States push Medicaid work rules, but few programs help enrollees find jobs
Some lawmakers are pushing to require that Medicaid recipients work in order to get or keep coverage, and some states already try to help them find jobs. But the effects of those efforts are unclear.
After delays, first vaccine advisory meeting under RFK Jr. set to start
For the first time since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became health secretary, vaccine advisers to the CDC are meeting to discuss vaccines for RSV, HPV, COVID and more.
Study finds more people are obtaining abortions but fewer are traveling to other states for it
A new study has found that fewer people crossed state lines for abortions in 2024 than the previous year. One reason is likely the increase of availability of abortion pills. The Guttmacher Institute has found that the number of abortions in states where they’re legal increased by less than 1 percent last year and the number of people crossing state lines to get them dropped by about 9 percent.
Medicaid puzzle confronts Minnesota lawmakers. Federal cuts could hit health safety net program
Republicans in Washington are working on slashing the federal budget to help pay for a slate of tax breaks. State lawmakers know it could mean a health care funding hole, but they don’t know how much they’ll have to backfill.
Teen run over, injured while playing 'Nerf Wars' in Sauk Rapids
The teen’s injuries were not life-threatening. The Nerf Wars game, in which high school students wage public battles using foam dart guns, has raised safety concerns across Minnesota for years.