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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Missourians anxious over future birth control access

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…

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Missouri's 'Taylor Swift Act' targets AI image threats

Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…

Missouri's Senate Bill 1314, similar to House Bill 2365, prohibits funds from being expended by any state department for interdepartmental programs, staffing or other initiatives associated with

New report reveals high economic risk of anti-DEI laws in Missouri

A new report finds some Missouri laws and prospective laws are perceived as discriminatory regardless of their actual intent - and it outlines some bi…

Did Parson's abortion stance prompt historic family, education funding?

State legislators applauded Missouri Gov. Mike Parson's State of the State address last week - although for very different reasons. The governor's …

A 2017 report in the New England Journal of Medicine found, among participants with coronary artery disease, fluctuation in body weight was associated with higher mortality and a higher rate of cardiovascular events, independent of traditional risk factors. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Post-holiday 'yo-yo' diets: risk factors for heart health

The holiday season is filled with recipes passed down from years before, and feasting with family and friends. But think again before you have …

Last year, Kansas voters overwhelmingly rejected efforts to eliminate the right to abortion under the state Constitution. Missouri's total abortion ban went into effect in June 2022. (trac1/Adobe Stock)

KS ruling broadens access to abortion, reproductive healthcare

A Kansas state court judge has blocked several abortion-related restrictions, in a decision which is bound to have an effect in neighboring Missouri…

Stroke is ranked as the second leading cause of death worldwide, with an annual mortality rate of about 5.5 million people. (Irina Strelnikova/Adobe Stock)

For World Stroke Day, learn how to spot a stroke

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke - so learning how to spot one can be vital in saving your own life or someone else's…

At the federal level, hate crime laws include crimes committed on the basis of the victim's perceived or actual race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. (Argus/Adobe Stock)

Kansas City reassures residents after MO spike in religion-based hate crimes

Some Missourians fear an increase in hate crimes in the wake of a six-year-old's murder in Illinois this week - an incident authorities say was motiva…

Obesity researchers in Missouri have been working on a five-year study of childhood obesity in lower-income families, led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. (Adobe Stock)

MO parents urged to 'lead by example' for kids' heart health

Heart disease takes more than 15,000 lives in Missouri every year, making it the number one cause of death in the state. This is the time of year …

Proponents of regular dental care cite the case of 12-year-old Deamonte Driver of Maryland, who died of a toothache in February 2007. (Anna Kosolapova/Adobe Stock)

Greater access to dental care through MO HealthNet

More Missourians should be able to get routine dental care, with a recent change in the way providers are paid by the state. MO HealthNet is paying …

Many of Missouri's working parents have limited and often unaffordable access to quality child care, resulting in

MO loses $1.35 billion annually due to child care issues

Among Missouri parents surveyed, 30% reported they have limited their working hours or stopped altogether because of unreliable child care. The …

The 340B Drug Pricing Program, a part of the 1992 Public Health Service Act, provides outpatient drugs at deep discounts to safety net providers. (Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock)

Missouri community healthcare centers face 340B uncertainty

While large hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers battle over drug costs, Missouri community health centers see themselves as collateral damage…

Missouri law allows Medigap enrollees to change Medicare insurance plans at the same coverage level during their anniversary window. (Andrey/Adobe Stock)

Open enrollment means researching your healthcare options

Missourians have plenty of choices when it comes to health insurance coverage - and it's time to gear up for making those decisions. For people on …

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating democracy. It has gained momentum since it was first observed in 2012. (DEEP/Adobe Stock)

About 1 in 3 Missourians Isn't Registered to Vote

Today is National Voter Registration Day, and Missourians have many locations where they can register to vote - from community colleges and …

Community health workers, as a profession, have a designated workforce classification by the U.S. Department of Labor, and are recognized health professionals by the Affordable Care Act. (N Felix/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Community Health Workers Take a Bow in Missouri

Some 450,000 Missourians get their medical care from Community Health Workers, and those workers are trying to raise public awareness about their …

The Right Time initiative conducted an online survey of 1,000 Missouri residents between April 27 and May 3. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

Is Birth Control Legal? Many Missourians Unsure

One in four Missourians either doesn't believe or doesn't know that using birth control pills is legal in the state. The Right Time, an initiative …

According to the American Heart Association, people feel more confident performing Hands-Only CPR and are more likely to remember the correct rate when trained to the beat of a familiar song. (9dreamstudio/Adobe Stock)

Beyoncé's 'Crazy in Love' Not Just Catchy – It's a Life Saver

With popular artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift touring Missouri this summer, the American Heart Association is reminding people some of …

By federal law, all states provide Medicaid coverage for pregnancy-related services to pregnant women with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level and cover them up to 60 days postpartum, according to KFF. Missouri lawmakers are considering expanding these services to cover a year. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Push for More Postpartum Healthcare Funding

Healthcare advocates in Missouri are urging support for a measure that would expand health care services for new mothers on Medicaid. Senate Bill 45…

St. Louis city government is among localities in abortion-restrictive states seeking to help their residents access reproductive care. (Ted/Adobe Stock)

Missouri AG Sues St. Louis Over Reproductive Equity Fund

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is suing the City of St. Louis for its Reproductive Equity Fund, which Mayor Tishaura Jones signed into law …

Families of three making less than $45,000 a year are eligible for Missouri's Medicaid and CHIP programs. (H_Ko)

Groups: Build Back Better Could Improve Health Outcomes for MO Children

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Health advocates are pressing the U.S. Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act after it passed the House last month. The bill …

One of roughly 600 rallies for abortion access took place last weekend in St. Louis. (Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region)

Report: Millions to Lose Abortion Access If Roe v. Wade Overturned

ST. LOUIS -- As the new U.S. Supreme Court session gears up, a new report found more than 36 million women in 26 states, including Missouri, could …

More than 90% of Democrats, more than 70% of Independents and nearly 45% of Republicans believe the constitutional right to an abortion should be protected, according to recent polling. (Mark Schierbecker/Wikimedia Commons)

Bill Would Curb Medically Unnecessary Restrictions on Abortion

ST. LOUIS - Lawmakers in Congress are reintroducing the Women's Health Protection Act, which would ensure a pregnant person's right to access - and a …

In the 2020 presidential election, women cast nearly 10 million more votes than men. However, more men hold public office than women, according to Rutgers University's Center for American Women and Politics. (Adobe Stock)

Despite High Voter Turnout, Women Hold Only 30% of Political Offices

ST. LOUIS - Women account for a majority of the U.S. population, but a new report shows they make up less than one third of high level government …

Tens of millions of households in the United States spend more than a third of their income on rent, and the pandemic has impacted many Missourians' abilities to keep up. (steheap/Adobe Stock)

Legal-Aid Groups: Know Your Rights When Facing Eviction

ST. LOUIS -- With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eviction moratorium on shaky legal ground and set to expire at the end of June…

Nationwide, roughly 60% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. In Missouri, it's closer to 80%. (Adobe Stock)

Increased Access to Quality Health Care Could Reduce Black Maternal Mortality

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Black women in Missouri are four times as likely to die during childbirth than white women, and during Black Maternal Health Week…

Older women tend to take home roughly 80% of the retirement income that older men do, according to the National Institute on Retirement Security. (9nong/Adobe Stock)

Women's Wage Gap Correlates With Retirement Gender Gap

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- This Wednesday is Women's Equal Pay Day, the average date it would take a woman working full-time to earn what a man did in 2020…

An estimated 70,000 women in the U.S. could lose insurance coverage for their methods of birth control within a year. (Adobe Stock)

A Victory for Religious Freedom, or Discrimination?

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missourians can now be legally denied birth-control coverage in their employer's health insurance, after a new U.S. Supreme …

Even 100 years after securing the right to vote, American women still are not ensured gender equality by federal law. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

A Major Milestone in Women's Fight for Equal Rights

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Aug. 26 will mark the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote. Today, a key player …

Processing rape kits can help bring justice for survivors and prevent future assaults, but thousands remain untested nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

Missouri Focuses on Consistency for Sexual Assault Kit Testing

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State leaders will soon have a better grasp of the magnitude of Missouri's backlog of untested sexual assault kits…

A ban on abortions after eight weeks will go into effect as soon as Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs it. (trac1/Adobe Stock)

MO Gov Prepares to Sign Restrictive Abortion Bill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Amid protests in the state and nationwide, Gov. Mike Parson said he could sign Missouri's restrictive abortion ban as …

A new report shows that racial disparities persist in rates of maternal and infant mortality.(rawpixel.com/Adobe Photoshoo)

Report: Missouri Falls Behind in Maternal, Infant Mortality

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri's record in insuring women of childbearing age is worse than the national average, according to a new report…

Vice President Mike Pence is in Missouri and Illinois on Thursday, campaigning for Republicans running in November. (Paul D. Williams/The White House)

Protesters Out for Vice President Pence's Missouri Visit

ST. LOUIS – Protesters are turning out as Vice President Mike Pence attends a fundraiser in Missouri Thursday. Pence is speaking at an event …

At least 10 women have filed complaints about their treatment in ICE custody. (Maggie A-day/flickr))

Treatment of Pregnant Women in ICE Custody Prompts Calls for Investigation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – This week, members of Congress will continue their push for an investigation into the detention of pregnant women in …

Research shows that taking time off work is crucial for a mother's health after giving birth (StockSnap)

Crowdsourcing Tool Offers New Moms Time Off from Work

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Internet is helping new moms take more time off from work after giving birth or adopting a child. The crowd sourcing …

Women Encouraged to Focus on Their Health

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Women are being urged to make their own health a priority during National Women's Health Week. This week marks the 18th …

More than 30 percent of the Missourians who are considered food insecure are children. (Juan Esteban Zapata)

Report: Nearly 1 Million Missourians are Food Insecure

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Nearly a million people are food insecure in Missouri, meaning they don't always have enough food or access to food to meet …

Hunger is especially prevalent in African-American households, with more than 1 in 5 in Missouri considered food insecure. (bread.org)

MO African-Americans Face Higher Food Insecurity

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Anti-poverty advocates this month during African American History Month are shining the spotlight on hunger issues faced …

New government guidelines say more than 90 percent of fish species are safe to eat, but there are some caveats. (fda.gov)

New Guidelines Out for Eating Fish

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Good news for Missourians who love fresh fish. Two U.S. agencies have released new advice on how much and which types …

Missouri is one of 26 states that a new report describes as

Report: MO Women's Reproductive Freedom "Severely Restricted"

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri may be in line with many other states on reproductive rights, but new research suggests it is out of step with …

Missouri gets failing grades when it comes to women's wages, health and well-being and reproductive rights. (B.Friedman)

Salaries for Missouri Women Still Lagging

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Strides need to be made to level the playing field between men and women in Missouri, according to new research on the …

Missouri comes in 34th in the nation for the pay gap between men and women doing comparable work. (Women's Equality Greater Kansas City)

Salary Report: Women Still Lag Behind Men

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – If the gender pay gap continues to close at its current rate, women will reach pay equity with men in 2059, according to a …

Missouri Women says a new voter id law on the November ballot could suppress their vote. (Missouri Women's Leadership Coalition)

Missouri Making Gains in Women's Equality

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Missouri has made some strides when it comes to equal rights for women, but on this "Women's Equality Day," which recognizes the …

The ACLU says a Texas ruling will mean courts won't have to defer to Missouri lawmakers for restrictions placed on abortion providers. (courts.mo.gov)

ACLU Hails Supreme Court Ruling on Abortion

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Pro-choice advocates in Missouri are hailing a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that strikes down key parts of a Texas law …

The stroke rate is too high in Missouri, but health experts say those numbers can come down if more people get their blood pressure under control. (Virginia Carter)

Missourians Can do More to Prevent Strokes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - This is the final day of American Stroke Month, but stroke is an ongoing concern in Missouri, where it's the fourth-leading …

Missouri has about 500 new cases of HIV diagnosed each year. Most are men, and about half are in communities of color. (CDC)

Spotlight on Preventing HIV/AIDS This Month

ST. LOUIS - Missouri continues to be in the top half of state rankings for new cases of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. Around 500 new cases …

The Missouri Legislature could approve a strong anti-abortion resolution this week, and that would mean voters ultimately decide whether to approve or deny it in November. (B. Smith)

Missouri Senate May Send Personhood Bill to Voters

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri voters may be asked to change the state constitution to say life begins at conception. The House voted in favor of …

A new report documents mothers' efforts to stop mass incarceration of juveniles and improve treatment at youth detention centers. (Joy Knopf)

For Some Missouri Moms, a Mother's Day Alone

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - About 50,000 mothers across the country are spending this Mother's Day weekend worrying about a child in prison. A new report …

Several fundraising events will support female candidates running for office in Missouri between now and the November election. (livingstoncountymo.com)

More Women Needed to Represent Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - An effort is under way in Missouri to get more women elected to office. The Missouri Women's Leadership Coalition is holding a …

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