Ever since the pandemic, home births gained popularity among pregnant women. But some of these women aren’t actually giving birth in their homes; instead, they book Airbnbs to deliver their bundles of joy. Why go through the trouble of a home birth outside of the comfort of your own house then? Well, home births can have complications. Some women want to have a home birth but live very far from a hospital. So, they book properties close to a hospital in case of an emergency that needs immediate medical attention. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
