News and Issues

From junior high school hygiene films to websites, public health campaigns, scientific studies, children’s books, bodice-ripper novels and (sometimes) parents, Americans have always found ways to learn about sex. While attitudes towards sex education swing from the blissfulness of ignorance to the empowerment of liberation — and back again — every generation finds new ways to answer the old questions. Our desire to learn about desire has not changed. more »

State politicians turned their attention to pressing health care issues such as preventing drug overdose deaths, restricting e-cigarettes and making medical marijuana more available. States also grappled with the question of who should receive a costly and highly effective cure for hepatitis C. A few states also launched programs aimed at controlling two of the costliest chronic conditions — asthma and diabetes. more »

Nichola Gutgold writes: Preserving women's history and reminding our younger generations, especially girls and young women about it, is crucial for continued progress. The sad truth is women who have run for the United States presidency are frequently left off the history pages. Researchers found that one in four children believed it is illegal for women and minorities to hold the office of president. more »

Website features: Interactive map of the United States that displays the relative severity of seasonal flu in 94 cities across the country; flu and incidence numbers for each. Influenza incidence predictions by city for the coming weeks; map that illustrates the proportion of flu cases by region. more »