Kavitha Cardoza

The wait to gain entry to adult English-language classes can be long. Once you're in, balancing class with family and job obligations can be a challenge. But many immigrants are determined. Ana Perez says she tries to never miss a class: "A day of studying is sacred for me."

The number of overweight and obese children is rising. Many of those kids struggle to manage medical conditions at school, but they also face practical challenges, like frequent bathroom breaks and difficulty moving between classes. Obesity can also take a toll on kids' emotional health — and their test scores.

Washington, D.C., has the highest rate of HIV infection in the nation. A key initiative in the battle to contain the epidemic is encouraging people to get tested. From the grocery store to the nightclub, community health workers are pushing the conversation with on-the-spot test results.