While the numbers are finally starting to decline, more than 74,000 Americans are still dying every year from opioid overdoses. Despite that, very few people who are struggling with addiction get treatment. William Brangham looks at the renewed focus on methadone, one of the oldest and most effective medications in this fight. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Since Trump’s reelection, many women and health care providers across the U.S. have been stockpiling supplies of abortion pills and emergency contraception. One of the largest suppliers of abortion medication reported a 17-fold increase in requests the first 24 hours after Election Day. Ali Rogin speaks with Elissa Nadworny, who covers reproductive rights and abortion for NPR, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It’s been about three months since Hurricane Helene pummeled the mountains of North Carolina, but its effects are still being felt well beyond the storm’s path. After the hurricane flooded a manufacturing plant that produces about 60 percent of the nation’s supply of IV fluids, hospitals are feeling the squeeze. Ali Rogin speaks with Jackie Fortiér, a reporting fellow at KFF Health News, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has revealed a simmering anger with the American healthcare system in the spotlight. William Brangham discussed more with Wendell Potter. He spent decades working for the health insurance company, Cigna, before leaving and dedicating his career to reform. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

New data from the CDC shows a drop in drug overdose deaths, down nearly 17 percent compared year-over-year. The annual death toll dropped from approximately 113,000 to just over 94,000. It’s a rare bit of good news after decades of rising fatalities. Overdose deaths have nearly quadrupled since 2002 and spiked to record highs during the pandemic. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Brian Mann of NPR. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

More than 75 Nobel laureates signed a letter asking the U.S. Senate not to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary, citing his opposition to vaccines among their concerns. William Brangham takes a deeper look at Kennedy's record on that issue and what impact he could have leading the nation's health agencies. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, drunk driving crashes are as much as 40 percent higher between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day than the rest of the year. The legal blood alcohol limit in the U.S. is higher than around the world, and advocates say lowering it would reduce fatal car crashes. John Yang speaks with researcher James Fell to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President-elect Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services has raised a number of questions in the public health community about Kennedy's long history of opposing vaccines. It's also put a spotlight on a number of other comments he's made, including about what millions of Americans eat and drink each day. William Brangham reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S., but much of the coverage about it is made by and for adults. Our Student Reporting Labs handed cameras to 14 young journalists and their work is part of the documentary, "Run, Hide, Fight: Growing Up Under the Gun." In this excerpt, Alexis and Brianna Schmidt talk to classmates about living through a mass shooting. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Cesarean sections to deliver babies are among the most common surgical procedures in U.S. hospitals. A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that Black women are almost 25 percent more likely than white women to have unnecessary C-sections, putting them at risk of surgical complications. John Yang speaks with New York Times investigative reporter Sarah Kliff to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders