Last year, Health Secretary Kennedy thrust autism into the national spotlight, calling it an epidemic and vowing to investigate what he characterized as its environmental causes. It struck a nerve in the autism community and reignited debates about whether the autism spectrum is too broad. Judy Woodruff and producer Mary Fecteau have the story for our series, Disability Reframed. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The federal government is reclassifying medical marijuana, categorizing it as a drug with potential medical benefits and less potential for harm. While this doesn't legalize marijuana nationally, it does open the door for further research into its effects. William Brangham reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

At a moment when there's a lot of political attention around questions of affordability, rising health care costs are a growing concern for many Americans. That's especially true for those who are worried about being able to afford insurance premiums after an expansion of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act expired. But they're not the only ones struggling with this. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Lena Dunham rapidly rose to fame more than a decade ago as the comedic force behind HBO's breakout hit, 'Girls.' In a new memoir, Dunham candidly, hilariously, and sometimes painfully explores how she balanced celebrity with her struggles with chronic illness, addiction, and trauma. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The U.S. fertility rate is at an all-time low, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers say this is part of a larger downward trend. Since 2007, the number of Americans having babies has dropped 23%, well below the replacement level, meaning not enough are being born to replace those who die. William Brangham discussed more with Brian Mann of NPR. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

More women are seeking treatment for menopause and perimenopause, driving a shortage of estrogen patches, one of the most commonly used forms of hormone therapy. Manufacturers are struggling to keep up with demand, leaving many to manage a range of difficult symptoms with little relief in sight. We hear from women impacted by the shortage and Stephanie Sy discusses more with Dr. Lauren Streicher. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Earlier this week, The Hershey Company announced that it is returning all of its classic brands to earlier milk and dark chocolate recipes. The move comes amid a growing backlash over the recipe changes and the use of chocolate alternatives in some of its candies. Deema Zein explores what's behind this latest battle in the chocolate wars. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

If you're under 50, it's likely that colorectal cancer isn't on your radar, but it should be. Once considered an older-age disease, rates are skyrocketing among young adults. Deema Zein spoke with two people diagnosed at an early age, and discussed the rise with Dr. Robin Mendelsohn, a gastroenterologist and co-director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancers. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

New York has become the 13th state, along with Washington, D.C., to legalize medically assisted suicide. More than a dozen other states are also considering legalizing the practice, which supporters call medical aid in dying. Stephanie Sy traveled to both coasts to reexamine an issue that has divided Americans along moral and political lines. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah has claimed more than 1,000 Lebanese lives, including 40 emergency workers. The latest victims include two young civil defense workers killed in Nabatieh, a town the Israel Defense Forces have placed under forced evacuation orders. Special correspondent Simona Foltyn and videographer Adrian Hartrick report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy