The 2023 health stories that stood out

Also: What parents need to know before giving kids melatonin [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  December 19, 2023 Hi CommonHealth reader, 2023 is nearly over, and for many of us, this is a time to reflect on all that’s happened in our lives and in the world over the past year. There were plenty of big health stories: We witnessed the advent of revolutionary new obesity drugs, the burgeoning use of AI in medicine, the approval of the first treatment using CRISPR gene-editing technology, the complicated aftermath of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, the devastating humanitarian crisis still unfolding in Gaza and more. Here are some of WBUR’s top local health stories of 2023. They drew lots of readers and listeners like you, and their implications are sure to last into the new year, and likely beyond. PFAS are everywhere Scientists are still learning a lot about PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” But we know they can be in everything from dental floss to food containers to drinking water. They can be absorbed into the body and are linked to some serious medical concerns. My colleague, Gabrielle Emanuel, told us the story of a woman whose well [water was contaminated with PFAS]( and helped us understand [how to mitigate our own PFAS risk](. The Boston Marathon bombings, 10 years later This year marked a decade since the shocking attack near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. At that time, medical workers and hospitals responded rapidly to save lives. And they [developed special bonds]( doing so. But as I reported, the medical system would be more challenged in [responding to a disaster today]( because hospitals are already so crowded and short-staffed. A new phase for COVID The state and federal [COVID public health emergency declarations]( expired in May — and along with them, several major government policies designed to protect people from the virus[came to an end]( too. That includes [universal masking]( inside hospitals. COVID is [far from gone]( as most of us know from personal experience, but experts say it is not hitting most people as hard as it used to, mainly because of built-up immunity and treatments that help prevent severe illness. Boston's life expectancy gap Here are a couple numbers to help us think about health inequities: two and 23. In Boston, there’s a [23-year difference in life expectancy]( between Back Bay and Roxbury, neighborhoods that sit just two miles apart. My colleague Martha Bebinger reported this disparity stems from several interconnected problems, including racism, chronic stress and substandard housing conditions. It was one of WBUR's most-read online stories of the year. Crime scene at the Harvard morgue This has to be the creepiest health-related story of the year, and devastating for the families affected. A manager of Harvard Medical School’s morgue was accused of [stealing and selling body parts]( that had been donated for [medical research]( as my colleague Ally Jarmanning reported. A review found there was [little oversight]( of the morgue's day-to-day workings. An influx of migrants land at Logan Airport Thousands of migrants have entered the state's family shelter system, according to official estimates. The situation became so dire over the summer that workers at Logan Airport started [setting up cots for the new arrivals](. For the first time in the family shelter program's history, there is a waitlist. More than 300 families are [on it]( and many of them have medical needs. P.S.— This is our last CommonHealth newsletter of the year. We'll be back Jan. 2. Until then, on behalf of my team, I want to thank our readers and wish you all a happy, healthy and restful holiday season. Priyanka Dayal McCluskey Senior Health Reporter [Follow]( Support the news  This Week's Must Reads [Mass. Health Dept. says state needs controversial overdose prevention centers]( A report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health endorses overdose prevention centers where staff are on hand, if needed, to revive clients who use drugs. The report was released in conjunction with new overdose death data showing virtually no change in the state's record-setting numbers of fatal overdoses. [Read more.]( [Mass. Health Dept. says state needs controversial overdose prevention centers]( A report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health endorses overdose prevention centers where staff are on hand, if needed, to revive clients who use drugs. The report was released in conjunction with new overdose death data showing virtually no change in the state's record-setting numbers of fatal overdoses. [Read more.]( [What parents need to know before giving kids melatonin]( Research shows nearly one in five school-age children are using melatonin to help them sleep. But these supplements are unregulated and pediatricians worry about their safety and the dose. [Read more.]( [What parents need to know before giving kids melatonin]( Research shows nearly one in five school-age children are using melatonin to help them sleep. But these supplements are unregulated and pediatricians worry about their safety and the dose. [Read more.]( [Oprah and WeightWatchers are now embracing weight loss drugs. Here's why]( WeightWatchers CEO Sima Sistani says the old advice around losing weight through determination and resilience and willpower was wrong: "The truth is that this is a chronic condition." [Read more.]( [Oprah and WeightWatchers are now embracing weight loss drugs. Here's why]( WeightWatchers CEO Sima Sistani says the old advice around losing weight through determination and resilience and willpower was wrong: "The truth is that this is a chronic condition." [Read more.]( ['It allows doctors to be human beings': Mass. hospitals will stop asking clinicians about past mental health and addiction]( The state’s hospitals and health insurers say they will no longer ask clinicians about their history of mental health or substance use treatment. It's part of a national effort to encourage health care providers to seek help when they need it. [Read more.]( ['It allows doctors to be human beings': Mass. hospitals will stop asking clinicians about past mental health and addiction]( The state’s hospitals and health insurers say they will no longer ask clinicians about their history of mental health or substance use treatment. It's part of a national effort to encourage health care providers to seek help when they need it. [Read more.]( [The U.S. is unprepared for the growing threat of mosquito- and tick-borne viruses]( Experts warn that new tropical viruses are headed for the U.S. – and the country should take active measures to fend them off. [Read more.]( [The U.S. is unprepared for the growing threat of mosquito- and tick-borne viruses]( Experts warn that new tropical viruses are headed for the U.S. – and the country should take active measures to fend them off. [Read more.]( What We're Reading 📚 - Doctors With Histories of Big Malpractice Settlements Work for Insurers, Deciding If They’ll Pay for Care ([ProPublica]( - Inside the Booming Business of Cutting Babies’ Tongues ([The New York Times]( - Judging Emily ([The Boston Globe]( "It allows doctors to be human beings. It allows them to deal with their problems without adding a whole layer of punishment." — Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary care physician, about the decision by Massachusetts hospital leaders [to stop asking doctors about their history of mental illness and addiction]( ICYMI [Why a mom turned to supervising illegal opioid use at her home]( In Renae's backyard, people she loves trust they can use drugs without fear of being raped, robbed or dying after an overdose. Renae keeps watch and revives people, if needed. 10 years ago, Renae couldn't have imagined doing this. But that was before her own daughter became addicted to opioids. [Read more.]( [Why a mom turned to supervising illegal opioid use at her home]( In Renae's backyard, people she loves trust they can use drugs without fear of being raped, robbed or dying after an overdose. Renae keeps watch and revives people, if needed. 10 years ago, Renae couldn't have imagined doing this. But that was before her own daughter became addicted to opioids. [Read more.]( 🧠💥 Did you know...💥🧠 ...[giving gifts can boost our happiness]( But if you feel frazzled by this annual December tradition, you're not alone. Experts say we can ease some of the stress by being intentional about our gifts, and creating rituals around shopping and wrapping. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news     Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here.](  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.