Emergency department visits are costly to providers and to patients. We use the Flint water crisis to test if an increase in office visits reduced avoidable emergency room visits. In September 2015, the city of Flint issued a lead advisory to its residents, alerting them of increased lead levels in their drinking water, resulting from the switch in water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River. Using Medicaid claims for 2013-2016, we find that this information shock increased the share of enrollees who had lead tests performed by 1.7 percentage points. Additionally, it increased office visits immediately following the information shock and led to a reduction of 4.9 preventable, non-emergent, and primary-care-treatable emergency room visits per 1000 eligible children (8.2%). This decrease is present in shifts from emergency room visits to office visits across several common conditions. Our analysis suggest that children were more likely to receive care from the same clinic following lead tests and that establishing care reduced the likelihood parents would take their children to emergency rooms for conditions treatable in an office setting. Our results are potentially applicable to any situation in which individuals are induced to seek more care in an office visit setting.

Shelter in place orders (SIPOs) require residents to remain home for all but essential activities such as purchasing food or medicine, caring for others, exercise, or traveling for employment deemed essential. Between March 19 and April 20, 2020, 40 states and the District of Columbia adopted SIPOs. This study explores the impact of SIPOs on health, with particular attention to heterogeneity in their impacts. First, using daily state-level social distancing data from SafeGraph and a difference-in-differences approach, we document that adoption of a SIPO was associated with a 5 to 10 percent increase in the rate at which state residents remained in their homes full-time. Then, using daily state-level coronavirus case data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we find that approximately three weeks following the adoption of a SIPO, cumulative COVID-19 cases fell by 44 percent. Event-study analyses confirm common COVID-19 case trends in the week prior to SIPO adoption and show that SIPO-induced case reductions grew larger over time. However, this average effect masks important heterogeneity across states — early adopters and high population density states appear to reap larger benefits from their SIPOs. Finally, we find that statewide SIPOs were associated with a reduction in coronavirus-related deaths, but estimated mortality effects were imprecisely estimated.

Quantum physics impacts the technology students use every day. Use these resources from NOVA broadcasts, NOVA Digital, and What the Physics!? to introduce quantum concepts to your classroom.

A new analysis pinpoints some of the most ancient stars in our galaxy—and tells the story of the Milky Way’s ravenous past.

Using data from an especially bright population of stars, astronomers have reconstructed the Milky Way’s peaks and valleys like never before.

The gargantuan structures hint at a massive explosion in our galaxy’s past.

USC guard Kyle Sturdivant knows the grief for his father won't fade anytime soon, even as he returns to the game he and his father once bonded over.

Kyle Sturdivant is entering the NCAA transfer portal after having to mourn the death of his father in the middle of his freshman season at USC.

If only such important decisions weren't in the hands of Trump, a president so obviously unprepared and ill-equipped to make them.

I've been doing my part to keep an eye on my older neighbors, which helps calm my own feelings of fear and helplessness.

A memo to the newsroom from Editor Davan Maharaj and Managing Editor Marc Duvoisin: We're delighted to announce that Mark Porubcansky, a mainstay of the foreign desk for the last 14 years, is the new foreign editor of the Los Angeles Times.

The Kings traded forward Klye Clifford and backup goalie Jack Campbell to the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Trevor Moore and draft picks.

A look at what happened in today in sports history including hockey great Wayne Gretzky announcing his retirement from sports.

Whether truth or fiction, these tales of space treat science seriously

What you need to get started in exploring the night sky. Even basic binoculars will do

It doesn't take a lot of fancy equipment. A modern camera with a longer lens can help you capture the heavens.

Guard Johnny Juzang adored UCLA while attending Studio City Harvard-Westlake High, but opted for Kentucky. A year later, he is transferring to UCLA.

Longtime partner of I.M. Pei also designed Boston's John Hancock Tower

Homeowners in neighborhoods zoned for single-family residences now have great ability to build accessory homes — sometimes dubbed "granny flats" — as a way to creatively address the region's housing shortage. Here's a look inside a few ADUs and some design tips from residents who've taken the plunge.

There's sloppy play and misfires. At times, it's like you're watching a blooper reel. But L.A. Wildcats games are a Lambeau-leaping hoot. And a great value.

If you're bummed over coronavirus beach closures, build one in your own backyard as the season's first heat wave hits SoCal.

The revival of Tokyo Gardens' classic chashu shumai has been a much-needed bright spot during the pandemic — and a reminder of the resiliency of L.A.'s Asian American community.

Using chopsticks to stir melted butter and eggs results in a delicious hot breakfast.

After tossing his Scottsdale, Ariz., home on the market last year, retired pitcher Mark Mulder has sold the amenity-loaded home for $1.81 million.

Reality star and makeup mogul Kylie Jenner just dropped $36.5 million on an impressive mansion in Holmby Hills.

'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' will arrive on Disney+ on May 4, two months earlier than originally anticipated.

Talia Shire has a new release, 'Working Man,' that she calls a powerful film that 'spoke to my soul.'

Latin pop star Becky G has been quarantining in Inglewood with her parents, three siblings and her boyfriend, L.A. Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget.

TV highlights for May 3-9 include the 2019 franchise entry "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" plus a new documentary about Natalie Wood and the big-screen adaptation of "Downton Abbey"

The Cricket Show pays tribute to Captain Tom Moore today on his 100th birthday. Here's how to watch the Sky Sports special.

All the latest rumours and gossip coming out of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Cuộc đời lưỡng quốc nguyên soái Konstantin Rokossovsky nói nhiều về lịch sử khó khăn giữa hai dân tộc Nga và Ba Lan.

The world is nearing 4 million cases of the coronavirus. More COVID-19 news Saturday.

An annoucement on the Fishers trampoline park's website states the park's permanent closure.

Kyle Larson's derogatory comments, which appeared meant for a private channel, went public Sunday night, and he's been suspended by his team and the series.

The 2020 high school basketball tournament didn't get to finish. So Kyle Neddenriep built a 64-team bracket of his own.

High school basketball players Sincere McMahon and Connor Hickman, and coach Jeremy Rauch talk with IndyStar's Kyle Neddenriep

Want to visit the Northern, Western, Eastern and Southern Capitals? Book flights to Beijing, Xian, Tokyo and Nanjing.

The governors of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky have been in close contact throughout the coronavirus pandemic and are coordinating stay-at-home orders.

Japonya hükümeti, Uygurlu Türklerin sürgündeki lideri Rabiya Kadir'in Tokyo ziyaretine mesafeli yaklaştı. Çin, Kadir'e vize verilmesinden rahatsızlık duyduğunu ifade etmişti.

IU alum and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban pitches an idea to Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari as if he was a 'Shark Tank' contestant.

Florida Georgia Line, Nelly, Cole Swindell and more will play the inaugural FGL Fest at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The fifth annual Bacon Fest brought faithful bacon lovers flock Downtown.

Twelve people were injured by the blaze in a 49-storey residential building in Sharjah.

Sunderland complete the signing of defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos on loan from VfL Wolfsburg until the end of the season.

A chronology of key events

Key facts, figures and dates

The Hawaii-based Gemini telescope produces a super-sharp picture of the gas giant in the infrared.