PBS NewsHour - Health PBS NewsHour

U.S. drinking water is among the world's safest and most reliable, but aging infrastructure across the country is posing challenges. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that there's a water main break every two minutes. Shannon Marquez, professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University, joins John Yang to discuss why these problems are so common. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Malaria is one of the world's deadliest diseases. Across Africa, it kills nearly half a million children younger than 5 each year. A new vaccine, only the second of its kind, holds the promise of saving thousands of lives and moving the world closer to eradicating malaria. Ali Rogin speaks with Andrew Jones, deputy director of immunization supplies for UNICEF, to learn more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Smoke from wildfires hundreds of miles away is still a health threat, contributing to nearly 16,000 deaths a year, according to a recent National Bureau of Economic Research analysis. Laura Kate Bender, who leads the Healthy Air campaign for the American Lung Association, joins John Yang to discuss what makes wildfire smoke so hazardous and how people can protect themselves. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A key FDA advisory committee rejected the use of a psychedelic drug to help patients struggling with PTSD, questioning its safety and effectiveness. The FDA must now decide whether it will follow suit and reject the use of what's known as MDMA. Some patients and researchers had long hoped the government would approve it. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The pace of COVID fatalities in the U.S. has slowed significantly, with the nation's death toll standing at more than 1 million people. With precautions like mandatory masking no longer in place, it can seem as if worries about the virus are gone as well. But for many people with disabilities, the threat is still very real. We hear from people in the disability community about their concerns. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A new study adds to the evidence that girls in America are reaching puberty earlier with potentially troubling implications for their long-term health. More girls are getting their first periods sooner than previous generations and experiencing longer periods of menstrual irregularity. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders