Health

Health
Diet culture can hurt kids. This author advises parents to reclaim the word 'fat'
Journalist Virginia Sole-Smith says efforts to fight childhood obesity have caused kids to absorb an onslaught of body-shaming messages. Her new book is “Fat Talk.”
Minnesota House near passage of marijuana bill; Senate to vote Friday
After a three hour debate late Monday, the Minnesota House is expected to pass a bill Tuesday legalizing marijuana, and the Senate is scheduled to debate its version on Friday. More negotiations are ahead before a final version reaches Gov. Tim Walz.
As lawmakers prepare to debate marijuana legalization, a Minnesota psychiatrist weighs in
The proposal has some medical providers talking about what legalized cannabis use might mean for the health, particularly the mental health, of Minnesotans. Dr. Sheila Specker, a psychiatrist and director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at the University of Minnesota, joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to talk about some doctors’ concerns and recommendations.
Demand for culturally-aware mental health providers rises in a more diverse Minnesota
Finding proper mental health care can be difficult for many people — especially as the state grapples with a shortage of mental health providers. But as the state becomes more racially and ethnically diverse, finding therapists with cultural awareness is an added challenge for many people of color.
Minnesota could soon join these other states in protecting transgender care this year
In 2023, a record number of states have passed rules or legislation to eliminate youth gender-affirming care, but a record number of states have also moved to protect care for trans youth and adults.