Nancy Shute

Public health has a way of slipping off the radar when people aren't scared about Ebola or anthrax. But that doesn't mean the threats go away. And most states aren't prepared for the next one.

A push to make narcotic painkillers harder to abuse means that generic versions of OxyContin won't be allowed. But drugs that are more resistant to abuse are expensive and can still be addictive.

Parents don't always use booster seats for children, even though they're required in 47 states. Only half insisted their child use a booster when riding in the family car with boosterless friends.

Older people are much more likely to be killed crossing the street, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And men are more likely to be killed than women, regardless of age.

All people have brain abnormalities, but people with migraines are more likely to have ones similar to tiny strokes. The changes may explain why people with migraines have a higher risk of stroke.

Feeling grumpy and antisocial because you've got a cold? That's not just a random side effect. It's your body saying, "Hey, slow down and rest so you can get better."

The bill would make big changes to the nation's health care system by rolling back key requirements of Obamacare, including that insurers not charge more to people with pre-existing conditions.

The bills under consideration in Congress would make big changes in health care coverage and costs for millions of people. Our searchable FAQ provides answers to key questions on where, how and why.

More than half of Americans suffer lower back pain each year, the latest NPR/Truven Health Analytics survey finds. And they're often not going for treatments recommended as safest and most effective.

Neither getting the flu nor getting a flu shot appears to increase the risk of autism in children, a study finds. The shots are recommended because the flu poses health risks to mother and fetus.