How meth became an epidemic in America, and what’s happening now that it’s faded from the headlines

An anthropologist who wrote a book exploring meth’s impact on rural communities explains what drove the epidemic and how it’s changed.

Bryan Keogh, Managing Editor • conversation
March 15, 2024 ~8 min

Hundreds of thousands of US infants every year pay the consequences of prenatal exposure to drugs, a growing crisis particularly in rural America

Many people wrongly assume that cannabis use during pregnancy is safe. Research is increasingly documenting a host of serious health harms from prenatal exposure to cannabis and other substances.

Amna Umer, Associate Professor of Pediatric Epidemiology, West Virginia University • conversation
Feb. 27, 2024 ~9 min


Headache or sore all over after bad night’s sleep?

Sleep loss heightens pain; pain can cause sleep loss. But why one begets the other has been largely clouded in uncertainty — until now.

Caitlin McDermott-Murphy • harvard
Nov. 28, 2023 ~7 min

Annual numbers of excess deaths in the US relative to other developed countries are growing at an alarming rate

New research shows that preventable deaths are increasing in the US at the same time that life expectancy keeps dropping.

Patrick Heuveline, Professor of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
June 13, 2023 ~6 min

Alcohol use is widely accepted in the US, but even moderate consumption is associated with many harmful effects

The number of deaths related to alcohol use in the US grew by a staggering 25% between 2019 and 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christina Mair, Associate Professor of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
Jan. 6, 2023 ~9 min

Study reveals fentanyl’s effects on the brain

Researchers have learned that fentanyl produces a specific EEG signature, which could allow clinicians to monitor its effects to enable safer, more personalized administration during and after surgery.

Tracy Hampton • harvard
Aug. 31, 2022 ~3 min

Taking certain opioids while on commonly prescribed antidepressants may increase the risk of overdose

Drugs can interact with one another in ways that are harmful. A study finds that taking oxycodone with certain SSRIs can make an opioid overdose more likely.

Ismaeel Yunusa, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences, University of South Carolina • conversation
July 29, 2022 ~3 min

Why opting out of opioids can be dangerous in the operating room

Non-opioid directives allow patients to refuse opioids in all health care settings. For surgical procedures that require anesthesia, however, this may do more harm than good.

Paul Edward Hilliard, Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan • conversation
June 10, 2022 ~8 min


Former Harvard fellow discusses ‘Dopesick’ adaptation

The new Hulu series is based on the bestselling book “Dopesick” by Beth Macy, a journalist and former Nieman Fellow.

Liz Mineo • harvard
Oct. 20, 2021 ~7 min

Opioid lawsuit payout plans overlook a vital need: pain management care and research focused on smarter use of addictive drugs

Ending the opioid epidemic requires addressing not only treatment gaps in addiction and overdose, but also inadequate pain management.

Mark C. Bicket, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan • conversation
Aug. 20, 2021 ~9 min

/

2