Ruhi Saldanha is an undergraduate student.

Gun violence prevention is a neighborhood story

Health Policy
July 31, 2026

Gun violence remains a significant public health and safety concern in the United States. Chicago and New York City are often referenced in national conversations about public safety. Both are highly populated and diverse cities that have histories of concentrated gun violence, neighborhood-level inequalities, and extensive violence-prevention infrastructure.

In 2025, Chicago experienced a 34.5 percent reduction in shootings compared to the previous year. Chicago had 1,471 shooting incidents …

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Gun violence prevention is a neighborhood story

Why U.S. health care costs so much

Health Policy
December 12, 2025

The U.S. has the lowest health care quality ranking compared to other high-income countries. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. spent approximately $4.9 trillion on health care in 2023. This means that almost one out of every five dollars spent in the U.S. goes towards health services. Despite this high spending, the U.S. consistently has a lower life expectancy compared …

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Why U.S. health care costs so much

States have the power to influence health care

Health Policy
January 19, 2025

Individual states in the United States can significantly shape key health care areas through policy.

In early 2024, a KKF analysis indicated that Americans collectively held around $220 billion in medical debt.

North Carolina has one of the highest percentages of adults facing medical debt, at 13.4 percent. On July 1, 2024, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) …

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States have the power to influence health care

A teenager’s perspective: the pressing need for mental health days in schools

Conditions and Diseases
September 29, 2023

Mental health in children and teens is worsening, and there are not enough providers to support them. This is a cause for significant concern.

As a teenager who has experienced firsthand the challenges of maintaining positive mental health amidst a demanding school environment, I strongly advocate for the inclusion of mental health days as a means to support the well-being of students nationwide. May has been observed as …

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A teenager’s perspective: the pressing need for mental health days in schools