DEMOGRAPHICS

May 11 2026HEALTH

Why Nigeria’s Young Women Delay or Avoid Birth Control

This story looks at the real reasons some young women in Nigeria put off using birth control. Most are between 15 and 24 — an age when surprises, either wanted or unwanted, can change entire futures. Scientists wanted to know what pushes these decisions. At first glance, money and location pop up. B

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May 11 2026RELIGION

The Quiet Decline of America’s Religious Leaders

Churches across the U. S. are facing an unseen crisis: fewer people are stepping up to serve as spiritual leaders. Over the past few years, training programs for pastors and priests haven’t just slowed down—they’re shrinking. Schools that prepare clergy have seen a sharp drop in students, with some

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May 06 2026POLITICS

How America’s Changing Population Makes Racial Gerrymandering Harder

The U. S. Supreme Court recently ruled against strict racial gerrymandering rules, sparking anger from critics who call it a threat to minority voting power. But the real reason these rules are fading isn’t politics—it’s because America’s population itself is changing. More people now identify as mu

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Apr 21 2026HEALTH

Oregon’s Health Insurance Drop: Why Fewer People Are Signing Up

The Oregon Health Authority released its latest report showing that about 21, 000 fewer residents joined the state’s health insurance marketplace this year compared to last. The drop comes after a series of policy shifts that have made plans more expensive and harder to access. During open enrollme

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Apr 14 2026HEALTH

How Ethiopia’s first birth age connects to health, wealth, and where people live

When a woman has her first child in Ethiopia often shapes not just her own health but also the future of her family and the nation. Babies born to very young mothers face higher chances of health problems right after delivery. Mothers under 18 also tend to have less schooling and fewer job opportuni

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Apr 01 2026HEALTH

Hospital Care in 19th‑Century Amsterdam: Who Survived and Why

In the mid‑1800s, Amsterdam’s Binnengasthuis hospital was a place where people could seek help or, sometimes, face their final days. Researchers looked closely at patient records from 1856 to 1896 to understand who was admitted and how many survived. The study found that death rates were not as h

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Mar 28 2026POLITICS

Social Security Faces a Growing Gap: What the Numbers Really Say

About 70 million people got their Social Security checks in February, and most of them are retirees who depend on those payments to survive. Studies over the past two decades show that 80‑90% of retirees use these benefits to make ends meet. This shows how vital it is for lawmakers to keep the progr

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Mar 13 2026RELIGION

Education Levels Vary Widely Among U. S. Religions

The latest national survey shows that people who follow smaller religions tend to have higher education. Hindu and Jewish Americans lead the way, with about 70 % of Hindus and 65 % of Jews holding a bachelor’s degree or more. These groups are tiny in the country, making up less than 1 % and ab

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Feb 10 2026HEALTH

Spine Clinic Study Reveals Pain Patterns and Risk Clues

A team of doctors looked closely at people who came to a spine clinic for help with long‑term back pain. They wanted to know what these patients look like, how they feel, and how well they can move. The study gathered data on age, gender, job type, pain level, and daily function. The researchers co

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Jan 26 2026POLITICS

Staten Island's Electoral Boundaries: A Fight for Power or Fairness?

Staten Island has long been a challenging area for Democrats. Over the past 40 years, only two Democrats have secured the congressional seat, and their victories were short-lived. Now, Democrats are advocating for a change in district boundaries, arguing that it's about fairness. A judge recently r

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