Content warning: The following story mentions sexual assault.
What's going on: Last week, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed a law that bars government officials from asking sexual assault survivors to take polygraph tests. For years, Utah prosecutors could request the tests, even though they're not admissible in court due to their unreliability. Still, officials could use the results to decide whether to pursue criminal charges. In some cases, like this one, those results can shut down cases that are very much worth pursuing. The law goes into effect in May.
Tell me more: Only about half of US states explicitly limit law enforcement's use of polygraphs in sexual assault cases. Experts have long questioned the tests in the legal space. So-called "lie detectors" measure physical responses like stress, fear, and anxiety — not truth. That creates a problem for sexual assault survivors, who understandably may show intense physical reactions tied to trauma. Yet, the test can register those responses as deception. The process can also "revictimize" survivors, which is why even the International Association of Chiefs of Police advises against their use in these cases. As Utah changes how officials handle these investigations, advocates say much of the rest of the country still has work to do.
Clean air and water protections aren't just nice-to-haves. Without them, experts warn of higher health risks and costs that could add up fast. Learn more.*
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Women's Health
Consider This Your Push Present
What's going on: Some might call them birth BFFs — and now they're finally getting insurance backing. By next year, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) will become the first major insurer to cover doula services in all of its employer-sponsored plans. Typically, plans excluded doulas, which put their support out of reach for many families. UHC's move reflects growing recognition that doulas — who act as advocates and coaches (and therapists for some of us) during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum — can improve health outcomes. It also aligns with a broader trend: at least 26 states now require Medicaid to cover doulas, and some extend that requirement to private plans.
What it means: UHC's decision comes at a "critical point" for maternal health. The US still sees high maternal mortality rates, and health experts increasingly argue that doula care should be standard. While advocates applaud UHC's new benefit, some worry that its reimbursement model, which requires upfront payment, could still create barriers for lower-income families. Meanwhile, new research suggests global maternal health declines under Republican presidents, who typically cut federal aid for family planning programs. That's another reminder that access to care depends as much on policy as it does on medicine.
What's going on: My friend Jen used to toast her birthday with, "Well, if I wasn't getting older, I'd be dead." Dark? Sure. Wrong? Maybe not. A new study suggests that mindset might actually help people age better. Researchers who analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study found that nearly half of participants over 65 improved physically, cognitively, or both as they aged. The standout group: people with more positive beliefs about aging. After tracking walking speed and cognitive performance for more than a decade, they were significantly more likely to get stronger, sharper — or both.
So, can we all be super-agers, or what? Aging is inevitable — just like taxes and immediately forgetting the password you just reset. But it's not necessarily a one-way ticket to decline, and the research suggests more people have the potential to become super-agers than we think. Experts say improvement is possible, especially when people reject negative stereotypes about aging and invest in habits like exercise, social connection, and mental engagement. People who thrive later in life tend to have strong connections, meaningful routines, and a sense of purpose. So if adding candles to your birthday cake stresses you out every year, it may help to reframe your mindset — aging isn't the problem. It's the privilege. (Jen called it.)
Psst…there's a new subscription service that can simplify the process. Connect with licensed healthcare professionals, learn about FDA-approved options, and get upfront pricing — for just $59/month.†
Quick Hits
🤨 In his quest to run a 5K every day, one man has crammed his miles into some wild (and incredibly small) locations. The bathtub wasn't even the weirdest.
🚿 Here's what dermatologists say about the right time to shower each day. I mean, if we're really shooting for the moon here, can we just take multiple long bubble baths?
