Summary Informed consent is supposed to be the moment a research participant fully understands what they're agreeing to. In practice, it rarely works that way. Fewer than 10% of participants report reading an entire consent form before signing it,⁵ and in controlled comprehension tests, only 28% of participants could correctly answer basic questions about what they'd just consented to.⁵ The gap is widest for the communities research is most supposed to serve: people with lowe

Summary Women are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. incarcerated population — up more than sevenfold since 1980, even as overall crime has fallen. Roughly 70% of incarcerated women meet clinical criteria for a substance use disorder, and formerly incarcerated women are more likely than formerly incarcerated men to become homeless after release. In New York, women make up a small share of the state prison population (about 4%) but face a reentry system built almost entir

Nationally, adult literacy skills are slipping. The 2023 PIAAC assessment (released Dec. 2024 by NCES) found U.S. adults' average literacy scores fell for the first time in the survey's history, continuing a decline from 2017. Fourth-grade reading proficiency has dropped to its lowest recorded level. On the 2024 Nation's Report Card (NAEP), only 31% of U.S. 4th graders scored "proficient" in reading — down from 35% in 2019 — and roughly 40% scored below the "basic" level, the

Two things determine whether someone gets an annual checkup: whether they have a regular doctor to go to, and whether they can afford the visit. Both break down along racial and ethnic lines.

Participating in health studies is a meaningful way to contribute to medical research. It helps improve treatments, understand diseases better, and shape the future of healthcare. Thanks to technology, you can now take part in many of these studies from the comfort of your home. If you’ve ever wondered how to get involved, you’re in the right place. I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about online health study participation, making it easy and approachable. What

This guide is designed to support ethical, safe, and informed participation in research studies.

Women who have been involved in the criminal legal system often face serious health challenges that go beyond the surface. They are more likely to experience substance use disorders and unintended pregnancies, yet they frequently encounter barriers when trying to access treatment and reproductive health services. The WORTH Paths Research Study aims to break those barriers. This innovative program is testing a new digital health intervention designed to help women aged 18–44 w