NEW PODCAST EPISODE — The dangers of AI chatbots to teen mental health

As loneliness and isolation grow among U.S. teens, more youth are turning to AI chatbots for companionship.
The trend is sparking concerns about risks to teen mental health and relationships. Listen to the episode now.

Read & share stories from the April 2026 issue of The Nation's Health >>
Highlights
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Data centers, which are often located in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, are proliferating across the U.S., bringing concerns with them.
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Health insurance providers continue to deny far more behavioral health care claims than medical ones and set up additional barriers.
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People born beyond U.S. borders form the backbone of the nation's health workforce. But tighter immigration restrictions threaten that stability.
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Student loan debt is common among the nation's state and local public health workforce, with more than 40% of workers still paying off loans, a new study finds.
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MOSAIC, a university mentoring program, addresses concerns that graduate students of color frequently raise, such as limited institutional support and challenges finding community.
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Public health vending machines are a growing part of agency toolboxes, promoting oral health, safe sex, overdose prevention and more.
Top public health news stories 2025
From threats to public health funding to tackliing textile waste, public health professionals turned to The Nation’s Health in 2025 to stay up on the field. Check out what grabbed their attention and catch up on important stories you may have missed.







