What We're Reading: Supreme Court Sets Abortion Case Date; Workplace Safety Rule for Extreme Heat; Rehab and Stroke Recovery

Supreme Court to Hear Landmark Abortion Case in Early December

As reported by the Associated Press, the Supreme Court announced yesterday it will hear arguments in Mississippi’s case to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade decision on December 1. Seeking to uphold its ban on most abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy, Mississippi asked the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, to also overrule the 1992 Planned Parenthood v Casey decision that prevents states from banning abortion before approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy. Speaking on the case, the Biden administration advocated for the Supreme Court to not overturn the Roe v Wade case, and will back the only abortion clinic in Mississippi, Jackson Women’s Health Organization, against the state’s challenge.

Biden Administration Moves to Protect Workers Against Extreme Heat

After a dangerously hot summer marked by droughts, wildfires, and other extreme weather conditions, several federal agencies announced a plan yesterday as part of the Biden administration’s effort to reduce heat-related illness and protect public health. According to POLITICO, the plan will include a proposed federal workplace heat standard, the first of its kind, which will educate employers on how to prevent heat illness and expand workplace enforcement on days exceeding 80 °F. Extreme heat is currently the leading cause of climate-related death for Americans.

Timing of Rehab Linked With Stroke Recovery

As reported by NPR, a study published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that people who have had a stroke may regain more hand and arm function if intensive rehabilitation begins 2 to 3 months after the occurrence. Assessing 72 patients who experienced a stroke, the study found no positive effects of rehab starting 6 months or more after stroke, with lesser effects observed for initiating rehab 30 days or less after stroke. Currently, recommendations advise patients with stroke to begin rehabilitation as soon as possible and to extend rehab longer than most insurance coverage allows.