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There is a curious connection between sickness and social change. Studies suggest that communities suffering from more infectious diseases are more likely to be collectivist — ethnocentric, conformist, highly protective of their own group's members and antagonistic toward anyone from outside. (Kaplan, 11/14)

Use of cholesterol-lowering statin medications in the United States rocketed upward 80% in the decade between 2002 and 2013. But new research suggests that the drugs shown to prevent heart attacks and strokes remain underused, especially among women, ethnic minorities and the uninsured. (Healy, 11/14)

On a typical couple of October days, Planned Parenthood clinics in Massachusetts got six online requests for appointments from women who wanted an IUD. On Wednesday and Thursday after last week's presidential election, they got 97... The spike in IUD demand came as many a young woman's social media feed lit up with advice to get an IUD now, while Obamacare — which mandates that birth control be covered with no out-of-pocket costs — is still in force. (Goldberg, 11/15)

If Trump and the Republicans pursue their plan to repeal Obamacare, what will happen to birth control? Currently, many types of contraception are available at no out-of-pocket cost. While health care lawyers are debating how quickly the law could be changed, many women are booking visits to their OB-GYNs to get care now — in case services are cut back. (Gorenstein, 11/14)