Caring for an aging parent is a complex role that gets more difficult over time. No wonder many people resent or reject the “caregiver” label.

But that doesn’t help the situation, researchers say. In fact, people who embrace the caregiver identity are more likely to connect with services and find community support. And Denise Brown, a caregiving coach in Illinois, says you can start calling yourself a caregiver as soon as you hit the first stage: “expectant caregiver.”

“What often starts a caregiving experience for individuals is worry,” she says. “ You look into the future and you think, ‘Oh, I think someone`s going to need help in the family.’”

Listen as Cara Anthony shares her experience with HealthQ co-host Blake Farmer. Check out wpln.org/healthq for more on navigating your caregiver identity.

"Before she fell asleep, Kizzy decided that however base her baby`s origins, however light his color, whatever name the massa forced upon him, she would never regard him as other than the grandson of an African."

The book “Roots” changed how Americans talk about race and history. Gov. Bill Lee designated it as an official Tennessee state book in 2024. Now 50 years later, it`s become the target of a book ban in Knox County, Tennessee.

As education reporter Camellia Burris reports, the county school board reversed its decision to remove “Roots” from library shelves after public backlash. It was one of more than 100 titles banned because of content that was deemed inappropriate.

Alex Haley’s “Roots” is about the horrors of the slave trade in America. It was removed because the Knox County school board said that a passage depicting the rape of an enslaved woman violated the state’s Age Appropriate Materials Act. But many say that students need books like “Roots” to understand the impact of slavery. Others are also criticizing the state law for being too vague and subjective. And now, the Knox Conty school board is asking that the law be slightly revised.

Tap link in bio for the full story and follow along for more from Camellia Burris.

Ready to play the HealthQ quiz with @caraanthony and @flakebarmer?

Here’s the deal: More than a dozen kinds of cancer are on the rise in American adults under 50. Colorectal and breast cancers have increased the most, and colorectal is now the deadliest cancer for Americans ages 18 to 49.

So what does this mean for you? At-home testing kits, which vary in accuracy, can provide additional information ... but not enough to replace personalized medical advice. If you’re concerned about cancer — because you have a family history, or because you have disturbing symptoms — you gotta talk to a doctor.

HealthQ is a project from Nashville Public Radio and @kffhealthnews designed to boost your healthcare know-how. Hosts Cara and Blake are your approachable guides to an unapproachable healthcare system.

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Illustration: Candice Evers

Did you see Brad Paisley talking about the proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo? Lots of people did.

And hundreds of people stood in line for hours on Thursday to speak at the city’s first public hearing on proposed regulations for data centers, reports Caroline Eggers. Many people voiced opposition to a data center proposed near the Nashville Zoo, which created a petition earlier this month that now has nearly 400,000 signatures. Some people also expressed concern about the data center proposed at Fisk University.

Data centers are rapidly spreading across our nation, and the greater Nashville area has at least 27 facilities in operation. More proposals are in progress. Amid public backlash, the city is considering a five-month moratorium on data centers while officials weigh how to define and regulate them.

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