Food Insecurity in Chicago
Area hospitals, pantries work to counteract federal cuts Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Illustrations by Fiorella Quaranta The sprawling Illinois Medical District — home to Rush University Medical Center, Cook County Health, UI Health, Sinai Chicago, the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, and more — sits just east of some of Chicago’s most under-resourced neighborhoods, […]
Powerfully Local
Fact checked by Ros Lederman Above photo courtesy of FARMZERO Not all produce is created equal. You can taste the difference between an anemic strawberry shipped thousands of miles from Chile or Mexico and the burst of almost candy-like sweetness from a plump, ruby-red farmers market strawberry picked just hours ago. The fleeting seasonal sweetness […]
Weight Loss Drug Revolution
New medications are reshaping our view of obesity and health Fact checked by Derick Wilder Biology Over Blame By Catherine Gianaro For decades, American culture has framed obesity as a failure of willpower. Eat less, move more, cut carbs. But that approach doesn’t work for everyone. Powerful new weight-loss drugs are shifting the conversation — […]
Inside the State of Cancer Today
A Cancer Care Roundtable Nearly 2 million Americans will find out they have cancer this year — a stark reminder that the disease remains one of the nation’s most pressing health challenges. Yet cancer care today is moving at a pace few could have imagined a decade ago. From breakthroughs in immunotherapy and precision medicine […]
What’s in a Diet?
Fact checked by Derick Wilder Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to feel better — physically and mentally. But with so many diets claiming to be the best, choosing the right one can be confusing. The truth? The best diet is the one you can stick to and that helps you […]
Empowering Women Physicians
The annual Power of Women In Medicine Summit brought together hundreds of physicians from across the country Above photo: Marcia Faustin, MD, on day two of The Power of Women in Medicine Summit at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, Illinois on September 19, 2025. Photo by Kuma Content, courtesy of Women In Medicine The annual […]
Living with MRKH
Many adolescent girls diagnosed with this rare congenital disorder struggle when their bodies don’t follow the typical teen script First crushes, friendship drama, the awkward excitement of growing up — all classic milestones of female adolescence. But for those born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, the teenage years often carry an added weight. While their peers […]
Chicago Health at the Farmers Market
Connecting with community members and talking with kids about journalism If you stopped by the bustling Portage Park Farmers Market this past weekend, you may have spotted Chicago Health. Our Editor-in-Chief Katie Scarlett Brandt was on hand, talking with community members about the importance of media and health literacy, gathering story ideas, and listening to […]
Walking for Hope
Valarie’s journey from diagnosis to determination When her nosebleeds began, Valarie Traynham brushed them off as something minor. But soon, fatigue set in, followed by pneumonia. “I thought that was kind of weird,” she recalls. “Why do I have pneumonia? I’m supposed to be a healthy young woman.” Her primary care doctor noticed something unusual […]
More Than Medicine
Why our health demands a new approach I was told I’d need months of therapy after brain surgery. Instead, I walked out of the hospital just two days later. At 36, I underwent a 14-hour surgery to remove a brain tumor known as an acoustic neuroma. My surgeons expected a long, difficult recovery, but when […]
CDC in Crisis
Kennedy hearing deepens crisis over dismantling of CDC leadership – health scholar explains why the agency’s ability to protect public health is compromised Above photo: Visible bullet holes in the CDC’s venerable building speak volumes of the unfolding crisis. Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images News via Getty Images By Jordan Miller, Arizona State University The Centers for […]
Opening Minds
Illinois weighs psychedelic-assisted therapy in landmark CURE Act Jean Lacy, with her mushroom-decorated button proclaiming “psilocybin saves lives,” has earned a reputation among clerks as the “magic mushroom lady.” In recent years, Lacy has made many trips to Springfield with other advocates to share their stories of healing through psychedelic-assisted therapy. “For the longest time, […]
“How Did This Happen?”
Anger, confusion, and sadness take root in the early days of Weiss Memorial Hospital’s closure Even before Weiss Memorial Hospital administrators locked the front doors on Friday, Aug. 8, the building looked abandoned. Over the months, weeds grew unchecked, blocking exterior signage, climbing the walls below the administration office windows, and lining the sidewalks. “Can […]
Dangerous Air
Wildfires push Chicago air quality to unhealthy levels Chicago experienced some of the worst air quality in the world last week as wildfire smoke from multiple wildfires drifted over the area, prompting health alerts and urging residents to limit outdoor activities. By late Thursday afternoon, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) — the federal government’s […]
Medicaid’s Many Names
Medicaid covers 83 million people in the United States, 44% of whom are children. People living in nursing homes are also commonly on Medicaid. The program covers more than 60% of nursing home residents, 20% of assisted living facility residents, and over half of long-term care facility residents. Yet many Medicaid recipients don’t realize they’re […]
Funding Cuts Outrage
Health and home care workers protest cuts to Medicaid: ‘It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity’ Rebekah Mahon, an Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services personal assistant and single mother, relies on Medicaid and SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to support herself and her 2-year-old child. Recently, though, she says she lost her SNAP benefits […]
Q&A: Federal Cuts to Medicaid, ACA
University of Chicago professor shares realities of the “Big Beautiful Bill” healthcare impacts Medicaid covers about 83 million people, Medicare about 66 million, and nearly 24 million people are enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans. Combined, these programs support nearly half of all Americans. But the recently passed “Big Beautiful Bill” puts them […]
Suing the Secretary
American Academy of Pediatrics and others sue the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine changes Above photo by Heather Hazzan, shot on location at One Medical An anonymous physician is suing Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) because recent unilateral changes […]
Life After the Cut
Patients with rare diseases grapple with uncertainty amid NIH funding cuts Milan Afshar sat on an 8 a.m. flight from Chicago to Baltimore in February 2024, twisting his ring as he watched the sunrise through the window. It was a routine medical trip, but his mind swirled with anxiety about his mysterious illness and the […]
Privacy vs. Public Health
The controversy brewing behind RFK Jr.’s national autism registry and data initiative Fact checked by Ros Lederman Peter J. Smith, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago, is quick to the point. “This is an absolute ethical minefield,” Smith says of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s newly announced […]
Investing in Women Means Investing in the Future of Medicine
In healthcare, we often talk about prevention. But when it comes to preventing burnout, leadership gaps, or disparities in women’s health, we continue to operate reactively. It’s time we change that — and it starts with how we invest in people. This September, the Power of Women in Medicine Summit returns to Chicago for […]
Egg Recall
As a Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs sickens people nationwide, the CDC issues warnings for nine states, including Illinois Before you reach for another egg to scramble up for breakfast or mix into a batch of cookies, check the package. Illinois is one of nine states where the August Egg Company has issued a recall […]
Finding Unity in Medicine
As people in the U.S. feel increasingly divided, acupuncturists work to unify how people view health and resiliency Fact checked by Ros Lederman Above photo: Changwu Wang, a second-year student at the Pacific College of Health and Science, heads to classes that teach him how to integrate ancient healing techniques such as acupuncture and modern […]
Award Season
Read our 2024 award-winning stories and latest recognitions We’re excited to share the honors that Caregiving and Chicago Health magazines have received this past year for outstanding work. Congratulations to all, and please enjoy reading through our honored entries. Awards Gun Violence and Public Health: A national crisis echoing throughout our community Design by Erin […]
Healthy Plates
How the Dietary Guidelines for America come to be and how they stand to impact Americans’ health Fact checked by Ros Lederman Americans have their work cut out for them when it comes to health. The statistics paint a concerning picture, from weight to chronic disease. Diet plays a key role in these patterns, and […]
Essential Services
These resources can help you find assistance When setting up aging services, you may have a cloud of questions and concerns. Fortunately, many Chicago-area organizations provide helpful resources for a range of situations. Start by reviewing these service categories to see what type of resources you might need to consider. Review lists of specific Chicago-area […]
Bird Flu’s Flight
As infections and low egg supplies persist, avian flu remains an unpredictable health concern Soaring egg prices, purchase limits, empty shelves — since January, Americans who shop for eggs know the scene well. And as the ongoing bird flu outbreak rages, there’s no end in sight. The avian flu, or bird flu, has been wreaking […]
After the Darién
Venezuelan migrant children and the mental health journey they face This is the story of thousands of families, violently uprooted from their homeland, now struggling to build new lives and opportunities for their children. Schools, community members, and human rights organizations have played a crucial role in addressing their mental health needs and integration. Yet, […]
Ask the Doc
Itchy Privates By Rajal Patel, MD Interview by Stephanie Bouchard Fact checked by Jim Lacy Q: My skin is scaly and itchy in my private areas. What’s going on? A: First things first: If you see something on your vulva, anus, or penis and you don’t know what it is and it’s freaking you out, go see your gynecologist […]
5 Books to Understand the State of American Healthcare
Fact checked by Jim Lacy The state of health and medicine in the United States is complicated, to say the least — from medical professional shortages, to system consolidations; high healthcare costs to rampant misinformation. Americans are experiencing the unsteadiness of this moment in out-of-control medical debt, long waits for appointments, and high levels […]
Understanding U.S. Healthcare Copays
Fact checked by Jim Lacy Copayments, coinsurance, deductibles…. Health insurance could have a dictionary all its own. Copays are out-of-pocket fees that range from a few dollars for routine doctor visits to hundreds or even thousands for prescriptions or specialty care. Copays emerged in the mid-20th century as employer-sponsored health insurance plans gained popularity. Initially, […]
Breakthrough Stroke Therapy Offers Hope
Fact checked by Jim Lacy The effects of stroke, among the top drivers of disability in people over 60, have a new foe in Vivistim. The device stimulates the vagus nerve via a small chip implanted in a person’s chest. The goal: to restore arm function. The therapy is intended for people six months removed […]
New AFib Treatment Slows Its Progression
Fact checked by Jim Lacy OSF Healthcare announced recently that its Electrophysiology Lab now offers people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) a brand-new technology called Farapulse. Within Chicago, only about 10 hospitals offer the radiation-free treatment, including Ascension Resurrection, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and University of Chicago Medicine. Designed by Boston Scientific, Farapulse is an FDA-approved cardiac […]
Mapping the Heart
Fact checked by Jim Lacy If you haven’t yet heard of a cardiac PET-CT stress test, you may soon. More hospitals are investing in this diagnostic tool, which looks like a standard CT machine. The noninvasive procedure enables cardiologists to see whether enough blood is flowing to a patient’s heart. Patients receive a small amount […]
New Health Laws
Cancer Patients’ Bill of Rights Effective January 2025 The Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution that states all Illinois residents who have cancer — regardless of their financial situation, race, or background — deserve access to timely treatments, clinical trials, and information. About 78,000 Illinois residents were diagnosed with cancer this past year. […]
A Breakthrough in Early Cancer Detection
Fact checked by Jim Lacy Because many cancers have no known biomarkers — molecules found in the body that link to a specific condition — those cancers are often discovered in patients at later stages. But that’s starting to change. Exact Sciences, in Madison, Wisconsin, has identified biomarkers that predict very early-stage cancer, before people […]
Humanity in Healthcare Shouldn’t Be an Oxymoron
Fact checked by Jim Lacy Humanity in healthcare, in the United States at least, feels like an oxymoron. Is that because we expect more honoring and better tending from a field, medicine, focused on keeping humans well? Yet, inherent in doctor visits is threat. Will something be discovered that will devastate me physically, psychologically, familialy, […]
A Big Headache
The insurance assurance Fact checked by Shannon Sparks When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, I felt a wave of relief. “Finally!” I said to anyone willing or close enough to listen, “This is going to expose the massive failures in our healthcare system, and we’ll come out of this better than before.” It really looked that […]
The Vital Vagus
The autonomous nervous system’s longest nerve runs from the brain into the gut, helping the body rest, relax, and digest Fact checked by Jim Lacy Have you heard of the vagus nerve? I certainly hadn’t — until my son, who has a host of food allergies and other health issues, experienced anaphylaxis this past spring. […]
Sleeping Heart
Where cardiology and sleep medicine meet — and how they impact each other Fact checked by Jim Lacy Dana Huelat’s husband and kids noticed something about her sleep last summer: Her snoring and breathing pauses seemed worse. She made an appointment with her primary care physician, who suggested testing for sleep apnea, which causes repeated […]
Destination Zero
The journey to eliminate periprosthetic joint infections Fact checked by Jim Lacy Infections after surgery are always a risk. They can take a toll on the patient’s recovery and quality of life, leading to serious complications if not treated properly. When infections happen in the structures near a joint replacement implant, they can be especially […]
How to Stay Calm in a Stressful News Cycle
Fact checked by Derick Wilder It’s easy to get sucked into the news cycle’s doom and gloom. There’s no shortage of strife: bird flu, upheaval at the major health agencies, measles outbreaks. Just to name a few. There’s also no limit on how we can access the news: newspapers, TV, magazines, podcasts, and the endless […]
The Price We Pay
A snapshot of the United States’ healthcare financials Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Three-fourths of countries worldwide explicitly protect their citizens’ right to health in their constitutions. The United States is not one of them. Not only is healthcare not considered a human right in the U.S., but insurance companies and their shareholders profit off […]
Undoing Debt
As residents stress over unpaid medical bills, Illinois pilot programs pledge to abolish $1 billion of medical debt Fact checked by Jim Lacy Gloria Austin knew she had a problem when a red rash, a line around her stomach, appeared, as pain ramped up. The East Garfield Park resident was 62 at the time. After […]
In the Time of Transplant
Technological developments are changing how we save lives and snub death Fact checked by Jim Lacy By all accounts, Gary Gibbon should be dead. The 67-year-old had been living a full and healthy life in Santa Monica, as a pulmonologist, allergist, and immunologist who enjoyed walking along the beach. But in March 2023, he began […]
MD, DO – What Kind of Doctor is This?
Exploring the differences between allopathy and osteopathic medicine Fact checked by Shannon Sparks After ramping up my yoga practice a few years ago, I experienced tremendous pain in my hands. Poses that put pressure on them became intolerable. Even biking was agony; I couldn’t grip the handlebars. Someone recommended a sports medicine doctor to me, […]
Who’s In Charge?
How government agencies influence vaccine policy Fact checked by Derick Wilder Although local health departments set vaccine requirements and schedules, the federal government plays a significant role in vaccine development, approval, and distribution. With Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), that process may change. Kennedy has […]
At the Heart of It All
Chicago Health Cardiology Roundtable Our hearts are the engines that propel us, circulating blood to the farthest reaches of our bodies. But just like any engine, time and usage take their toll. For more than 100 years, heart disease has been the no. 1 cause of death in the U.S. Yet, within that same time […]
Good Grillin’
Setting the table for a healthy grilling experience — from set up to clean up Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Summer and grilling go hand-in-hand. But even though we associate this form of cooking with sun and fun, it isn’t without its risks. Grilling meats for too long directly over an open flame can produce […]
Precision Diets
Optimizing the food on your plate to fuel you, rather than deplete you Fact checked by Jim Lacy Your daily nutrition needs are unique to you — the specific foods that help your body function, the tastes and textures that resonate with you, the time your body clock tells you you’re hungry. But did you […]