Tonight: what happened to federal food programs after states banned abortion, why pregnancy complications can haunt your heart for years afterward, botox at Planned Parenthood (plus more).

— Meghan McCarthy

ABORTION BANS INCREASE SPENDING // A study found states that had fully banned abortion at the start of 2023 saw birth rates rise nearly 2%, with around 14,500 additional births that year. At the same time, enrollment in WIC, a federal food program, increased over 4% for postpartum women and more than 2% for infants in those states, adding nearly $7 million in food costs across 13 states that year. The catch? The WIC budget is not set to absorb everyone who qualifies — meaning increases can lead to waiting lists.

PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS CAN HAUNT THE HEART // Another reminder that pregnancy can shape long-term health: A study finds women who had complications like preterm birth or hypertensive disorders and who reported higher stress during and after pregnancy had slightly higher blood pressure two to seven years later, compared to women with lower stress. The effect was modest (about a 2 mm Hg difference), but researchers say the findings highlight the need for cardiovascular monitoring after complicated pregnancies, not just care during pregnancy itself.

BOTOX SAVING PLANNED PARENTHOOD? // The New York Times digs into life at a Planned Parenthood clinic that’s pivoting to aesthetic procedures to keep the lights on. Reporter Alisha Haridasani Gupta covers a clinic in Sacramento that has started offering Botox injections and IV hydration treatments — pricing Botox at about $9 per unit, roughly 25–40% cheaper than many nearby medical spas.

WHY PREGNANT WOMEN ARE TURNING TO CANNABIS // A study analyzing national data found that just under 4% of pregnant women report using cannabis, and most say they’re trying to manage symptoms — especially mental health issues (83%) and nausea or gastrointestinal distress (77%). The findings suggest cannabis use during pregnancy may often reflect untreated symptoms like anxiety, nausea, or pain, raising questions about whether the health system is offering pregnant patients enough safe and effective alternatives.

A BLOOD TEST THAT SEES DEMENTIA COMING — DECADES OUT // A JAMA Network Open study found a blood biomarker linked to Alzheimer’s disease could flag women at higher risk of dementia up to 25 years before symptoms appear. Researchers analyzed blood samples from nearly 2,800 women collected in the late 1990s and found that higher levels of p-tau217, a protein fragment tied to early Alzheimer’s changes, were strongly associated with later dementia.