Dangerous time for mothers and babies in the U.S.

Public health, explained: Sign up to receive Dr. Jay K. Varma’s reports in your inbox a day early.Hello and welcome to Healthbeat’s weekly report on stories shaping public health in the United States.It was Mother’s Day in the United States on Sunday. In addition to being an important day of celebration, it can also be a solemn occasion, because of the fatal health risks associated with pregnancy and the newborn period. This week I’m highlighting recent stories about emerging risks to mothers and babies in the United States, including restricted access to essential medications, misinformation, and violence.I am Dr. Jay K. Varma, a physician, epidemiologist, and public health expert currently serving as chief medical officer at Fedcap, a global nonprofit focused on economic mobility and well-being for vulnerable communities. Views expressed here are my own.Supreme Court will consider restricting access to medication-assisted abortionAbortion is an essential medical procedure. Roughly 1