Millions of Americans struggle to afford healthy meals and nutritious food. Known as “food insecurity,” this problem was already rising when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits – previously…
Category: Anthropology
American Indians forced to attend boarding schools as children are more likely to be in poor health as adults
Many American Indians attended compulsory boarding schools in the 1900s or have relatives who did. My family is no different. Three generations of Running Bears – my grandparents, parents and…
Solutions for a world on fire
As the eastern U.S. and Canada reeled from days of thick wildfire smoke in early June 2023, millions of people faced the reality of climate change for the first time.…
Adjusting jobs to protect workers’ mental health is both easier and harder than you might think
U.S. employees are increasingly struggling with mental health challenges tied to their jobs, such as depression, anxiety and burnout. We’re professors who research how employees interact and workplace well-being. After…
Annual numbers of excess deaths in the US relative to other developed countries are growing at an alarming rate
The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea People in the U.S. are dying at higher rates than in other similar high-income countries, and…
Anti-trans bills and political climates are taking a significant mental health toll on trans and nonbinary people – even during Pride
Pride month is a time of celebration for the LGBTQ+ community, with parades and events that bring people together in joyful moments of connection. In 2023, as the LGBTQ+ community…
‘From Magic Mushrooms to Big Pharma’ – a college course explores nature’s medicine cabinet and different ways of healing
Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching. Title of course: “From Magic Mushrooms to Big Pharma” What prompted the idea for the…
Drawing, making music and writing poetry can support healing and bring more humanity to health care in US hospitals
The COVID-19 pandemic shined a light on the deep need that people feel for human touch and connection in hospital settings. Having relatives peering through windows at their loved ones…
WHO’s recommendation against the use of artificial sweeteners for weight loss leaves many questions unanswered
Do low-calorie sweeteners help with weight management? And are they safe for long-term use? This is among the most controversial topics in nutritional science. In early May 2023, the World…
