Health | Covering health care and health policy in Southern California

A 'potentially powerful model' for treating sickle cell

A sickle cell clinic in South L.A. is believed to be the first of its kind: It brings primary and specialty care providers under one roof to treat the disease. Rebecca Plevin
More from Community Health
Rebecca Plevin/KPCC
LATEST FROM Impatient
Health Events at KPCC

KPCC hosts free events that open dialogue and deepen the understanding of vital issues affecting Southern California. See our in-studio events.

Health Resources

Tools and guides to help you get informed and engaged.

KPCC believes that making Health in Southern California relevant and accessible is an important part of strengthening the civic and cultural bonds that unite the diverse communities of this region.

Recent Health coverage

To Prevent Pregnancy-Related Depression, At-Risk Women Advised To Get Counseling

Patti Neighmond | NPR |

An influential expert panel recommends pregnant women at risk of depression get referred to counseling to prevent the illness. But for many women and their doctors, it may be easier said than done.

Racist Med School Yearbook Photos? Medicine's Racism Problems Go Even Deeper

Mary Louise Kelly and Mara Gordon | NPR |

The media attention around a racist photo on Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's medical school yearbook page sheds light on the larger problem of how racism affects medical care for African-Americans.

Audio

The 'Strange Science' Behind The Big Business Of Exercise Recovery

Terry Gross | NPR |

Does exercise recovery work? Science writer Christie Aschwanden examines the physiology and effectiveness of sports drinks, protein powders and other products and services in her new book, Good to Go.

Giving Medicine To Young Children? Getting The Dose Right Is Tricky

Patti Neighmond | NPR |

In a recent survey, 1 in 5 parents said they thought using a household spoon was OK for measuring their child's medicine. It's not. Here's how to help little kids without overdosing them.

Audio

School Shooters: What's Their Path To Violence?

Rhitu Chatterjee | NPR |

Psychologists and the FBI say they are getting a better understanding of the mix of factors that lead some kids to open fire on a classroom. The shooting can be an act of desperation fueled by anger.

Measles Cases Mount In Pacific Northwest Outbreak

Jonathan Lambert | NPR |

So far this year, 55 measles cases have been confirmed in Washington state, most of them in unvaccinated children. The outbreak's epicenter is Clark County, Wash., just north of Portland, Ore.

LA researchers are using a musical pacifier to help preemies

Priska Neely |

Researchers at UCLA are using music therapy to help premature babies connect with their parents and learn how to feed so they can go home sooner.

Audio

More Health

Halting U.S. HIV Epidemic By 2030: Difficult But Doable

Joe Neel and Selena Simmons-Duffin | NPR |

The Trump administration has a plan to end the spread of HIV in the U.S. in 10 years. HIV/AIDS advocates say it's feasible but that the administration's actions on health run counter to the goal.

China Investigating Reports Of HIV-Tainted Medication

Merrit Kennedy | NPR |

The suspect batch contains more than 12,000 treatments of human immunoglobulin meant to boost patients' weakened immune systems. It's not yet clear if anyone contracted HIV from the product.

Trump Highlights Health Agenda And Vows To Lower 'Unfair' Drug Prices

Julie Rovner | NPR |

The president's State of the Union address laid out a series of goals, including lowering prescription prices, pursuing an end to the HIV epidemic and increasing research for childhood cancers.

Bipartisan Support Builds For Limits On Surprise Medical Bills

Shefali Luthra and Emmarie Huetteman | NPR |

President Trump said that taming unexpected medical bills would be a top priority for his administration. The sentiment found support from many in Congress.

If You're Often Angry Or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

Nell Greenfieldboyce | NPR |

Physicians have been taught to look for signs of hopelessness, sadness and lack of motivation to help them diagnose depression. But anger as a depression symptom is less often noticed or addressed.

Audio

Lawsuit Details How The Sackler Family Allegedly Built An OxyContin Fortune

Christine Willmsen and Martha Bebinger | NPR |

The Massachusetts attorney general alleges that the family behind Purdue Pharma knew that OxyContin was causing overdoses, yet continued to cash in. New documents in the case were released Thursday.

Medical Effects Of Extreme Cold: Why It Hurts And How To Stay Safe

Patti Neighmond | NPR |

Frostbite can nip ears in just a few minutes in the sort of temperatures many Americans are facing this week. Pull that hat down and curb the drinking; alcohol can impair your judgment of temperature.

Audio

Study Found Vaping Beat Traditional Smoking-Cessation Options

Richard Harris | NPR |

People who use e-cigarettes to quit smoking have milder cravings. The act of vaping provides pleasure, which may contribute to its success as a tobacco-quitting aid, researchers say.

Audio

Fear Of Deportation Or Green Card Denial Deters Some Parents From Getting Kids Care

Ashley Lopez | NPR |

A Texas girl needs autism treatment, but her immigrant mother is afraid of turning to Medicaid. As more U.S. children go without health coverage, border watchers partly blame politics of intimidation.