Kara Schmidt

Prior to the expansion of the Affordable Care Act and the legalization of same-sex marriage, LGBTQ+ adults were largely unable to qualify for health care coverage. Now, coverage rates have increased across the board.

Smoke exposure from wildfires does not affect communities equally, with areas with higher social vulnerability scores experiencing the greatest health risks after exposure.

Food pantries are an often stigmatized service in the United States, with many across the country expecting food quality to be lower if it comes from a pantry versus a traditional grocery store.

Though telehealth use has largely increased since 2020, gaps in use persist among rural and low-income adults, likely driven by a lack of access to and information about these services.

In 2020, 87% of emergency physicians reported increased feelings of stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many took to social media to express their concerns (and perhaps cope).

The current onslaught of anti-trans legislation has led to an inconsistent mix of state-level policies across the country, greatly impacting health equity for transgender people.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals experience a higher rate of suicide, mood and anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders, but many mental health and substance use treatment facilities do not provide services in sign language.

Survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual violence had higher odds of health care insecurity than those who did not experience this kind of violence.