Category: Health

Skating on Stolen Land

A roller skating fundraising campaign for Navajo health during the pandemic? At first I thought I had misunderstood my colleague Daisy Purdy’s comment over email. She had written that she might be hard to reach because she would be driving across country, to go to Arizona to begin a roller skating fund-raiser.

But of course, the Navajo Nation is among the hardest hit locations in the world, with the highest per capita COVID-19 infection rate. So awareness and pandemic relief is needed now—not at some later more convenient time.

COVID-19 Vaccine: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know

COVID-19 Vaccine: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know

Rather than coordinating a coherent, scientifically-based national strategy to combat the global, COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump is hedging his bets solely on the quick release and acceptance of a vaccine. There are lots of questions surrounding the potential of a COVID-19 vaccine, and some warranted concern for what to expect when options come along: How far are we from a vaccine? Will the vaccine be safe and effective? Will I be able to get the vaccine once it’s approved?

Let’s tackle some of the most common ones.

Age is More Than a Number: High Infant Mortality Among Births to Teen Mothers

Age is More Than a Number: High Infant Mortality Among Births to Teen Mothers

Infants born to teens under age 19 are more likely to die in the first year of life, compared to those born to women over age 20, new data shows. There are clinical reasons why infants born to teen mothers have higher death rates in their first year. But, our policies and health care system also fall woefully short when it comes to making sure pregnant and parenting teens get the services they and their children need.

If we truly want to reduce deaths among infants born to teen mothers, here’s what we need to do.

Rabbi Hara Person: Why Progressive Faith Leaders Must Defend Reproductive Rights

Rabbi Hara Person: Why Progressive Faith Leaders Must Defend Reproductive Rights

Ms. recently spoke with Rabbi Hara Person—chief executive of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and self-proclaimed “reader, writer, feminist and challah-baker” —about politics, women’s rights, and the role of faith-based leaders in 2020.

“We need to make sure people hear that there is no such thing as the one religious perspective or the one faith perspective on reproductive rights—we need to say loudly and clearly that there is a progressive religious voice on these issues as well as the right wing religious voice that they regularly hear. “

Weekly Pulse, Aug 30-Sep 4: COVID Cases Still "Unacceptably High"—But Can We Trust a Rushed Vaccine?

Weekly Pulse, Aug 30-Sep 4: COVID Cases Still “Unacceptably High”—But Can We Trust a Rushed Vaccine?

For The Weekly Pulse (a revisit of an old Ms. column!), we’ve scoured the most trusted journalistic sources—and, of course, our Twitter feeds—to bring you this week’s most important news stories related to health and wellness.

This week: Trump’s handling of the pandemic remains woefully insufficient; Sen. Cruz is “leading the charge on a Hail Mary plea” against medication abortion; House Dems are looking to challenge Hyde; and your weekly COVID-19 updates.