Health News

Latest Health Headlines

July 04

Foreign medical residents fill critical positions, but run into visa issues

Some hospitals in the U.S. are without essential staff because international medical residents set to start their training this week were delayed by the Trump administration’s travel and visa restrictions
July 04
A nurse transports a patient on a stretcher inside Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
July 03

Republican megabill will mean higher health costs for many Americans

Major healthcare overhaul threatens coverage for millions Americans.
July 03
An ambulance operated by American Medical Response (AMR), on contract for Washington DC Fire and EMS, responds near the Capitol, June 28, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
July 03

Why the hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective

The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated, and no evidence suggests the hepatitis B vaccine is unsafe, an infectious disease expert told ABC News.
July 03
The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated, and no evidence suggests the hepatitis B vaccine is unsafe, an infectious disease expert told ABC News.
July 03

RFK Jr., CDC panel casting doubt on the hepatitis B vaccine. Here's why it's safe

The first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended at birth.
July 03
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a news conference at the Department of Health and Human Services, April 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
July 03

RFK Jr. wants everyone to use wearables. What are the benefits, risks?

Kennedy said his vision is for every American to have a wearable within 4 years.
July 03
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event, Nov. 1, 2024, in Milwaukee.
July 02

FDA vaccine official restricted COVID vaccine approvals against the advice of agency staff

A top official at the Food and Drug Administration recently overruled government scientists on the availability of two COVID-19 vaccines
July 02
FILE - A nurse loads a syringe with a COVID-19 booster vaccine at an inoculation station in Jackson, Miss., Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
July 02

Former CDC officials warn proposed budget cuts could cost American lives in 2026

A budget proposal would slash agency funding by more than half by 2026.
July 02
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Gateway Center is seen in the rain in Bethesda, Md., June 8, 2025.
July 02

Nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon recalled over possible listeria contamination

The maker of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon is recalling nearly 368,000 pounds of the product because it may be contaminated with listeria bacteria
July 02
July 02

As measles cases near 30-year high in US, this state confirms 1st in 15 years

The case was confirmed in an unvaccinated child in central Wyoming.
July 02
A sign is seen outside a clinic with the South Plains Public Health District, on Feb. 23, 2025, in Brownfield, Texas.
July 01

As USAID comes to an end, study finds cuts could lead to 14 million additional deaths

Officials say foreign aid will now align with the administration's policies.
July 01
The USAID logo is seen on a machine that processes recycled plastic into construction blocks at the Pasig Eco Hub, a project impacted by the Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid, March 10, 2025 in Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines.
July 01

HHS layoffs were likely unlawful and must be halted, US judge says

Executive branch doesn't have authority to change agencies created by Congress.
July 01
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., testifies during a House Energy and Commerce Committee, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
June 30

New York City doctor pleads guilty to sexually abusing patients in hospital

A New York doctor has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of rape and sexual abuse
June 30
June 30

Who might lose Medicaid coverage under Trump's megabill

Experts say work requirements might force people off Medicaid.
June 30
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Democratic Republic of the Congo's Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, June 27, 2025.
June 30

'Significant burden' of sleep apnea could 'double' as temperatures rise: Study

Obstructive sleep apnea affects about 1 billion people globally.
June 30
Stock photo of a man suffering from obstructive sleep apnea and sleeping with a Cpap mask.
June 30

Supreme Court throws out appellate rulings in favor of transgender people in 4 states

The Supreme Court has thrown out appellate rulings in favor of transgender people in four states following the justices’ recent decision upholding a Tennessee ban on certain medical treatment for transgender youths
June 30
FILE - The Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
June 30

This Ukrainian woman beat cancer. But her fight to free her captive husband isn’t over

A Ukrainian woman, Olha Kurtmalaieva, has endured cancer and war while fighting to bring her husband home from Russian captivity
June 30
Olha Kurtmalaieva stands in a park in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
June 28

Male infertility: 5 lifestyle factors that could be hurting your fertility

New research suggests one-third of fertility issues stem from male factors.
June 28
Dr. Alok Patel speaks with ABC News.
June 27

FDA expands warning label for COVID-19 vaccines

The Food and Drug Administration finalized the expansion of heart risk warning labels on Moderna and Pfizer’s mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Alok Patel has more medical news to share.
June 27
FDA expands warning label for COVID-19 vaccines
June 27

Impact of cannabis use on male fertility

Dr. Alok Patel answers viewer questions about male fertility, the positives of a short nap during the day and a new study on ADHD medications.
June 27
VIDEO: Impact of cannabis use on male fertility
June 27

Idaho doctor, patients sue over new law halting public benefits to immigrants in US unlawfully

A new Idaho law restricting public benefits for undocumented immigrants is facing a legal challenge
June 27
FILE - The James A. McClure Federal Building & United States Courthouse, which houses the U.S. District Court, in seen in Boise, Idaho, on Jan. 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Troy Maben, File)
June 26

Philadelphia's schools accused of failing to properly inspect asbestos in buildings

Philadelphia’s public schools are facing federal criminal allegations of failing to properly inspect eight schools for damaged asbestos
June 26
FILE - The School District of Philadelphia headquarters are shown in Philadelphia, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
June 26

New Mexico announces measles outbreak in a county detention facility

The New Mexico state health department says five people in a county detention facility have measles
June 26
FILE - A section on measles is visible in the American Academy of Pediatrics Red Book seen at Hobbs Medical Clinic Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Hobbs, N.M. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
June 26

CDC vaccine advisory panel recommends against flu vaccines containing thimerosal

Opponents worry the decision will reduce access and fuel skepticism.
June 26
A sign marks the entrance to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, on Oct. 8, 2013.
June 26

CDC panel recommends RSV shot for babies

The meeting was the first made up of RFK Jr.'s new hand-selected members.
June 26
The campus of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is seen as a meeting of the Advisory Committee in Immunization Practices takes place, June 25, 2025, in Atlanta.
June 26

Thimerosal: What to know about the preservative from a bygone flu-shot debate

The Trump administration's vaccine advisers are bringing up an old flu-shot debate: Whether it's time to wipe out the last small fraction of those vaccines that contain a controversial preservative
June 26
Lyn Redwood, a nurse practitioner who once ran the anti-vaccine group that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. founded, attends a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Shelby Lum)
June 26
Lyn Redwood, a nurse practitioner who once ran the anti-vaccine group that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. founded, attends a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Shelby Lum)
June 25

Senate struggle over Medicaid cuts threatens progress on Trump's big bill

One key issue stalling progress on President Donald Trump’s big bill in Congress is particularly daunting
June 25
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., center, joined at left by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the GOP whip, speaks to reporters after Republican senators met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and worked on President Donald Trump's tax and immigration megabill so they can have on his desk by July 4, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
June 25

What to know about thimerosal, a vaccine ingredient removed decades ago

A CDC advisory panel is slated to vote on a little-used preservative.
June 25
A nurse prepares to administer a flu shot during a 9th Ward COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic at the Pullman Community Center in Chicago on Oct. 10, 2024.
June 25

FDA requires updated warning about rare heart risk with COVID shots

U.S. health officials have expanded warnings about a rare heart side effect associated with the two leading COVID-19 vaccines
June 25
FILE - An ampoule of the vaccine "Comirnaty" for children from the manufacturer Biontech/Pfizer is pictured in a pharmacy in Duesseldorf, Germany, Dec. 13, 2021. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP, File)
June 25

CDC nominee Susan Monarez sidesteps questions about disagreements with RFK in Senate hearing

CDC nominee Susan Monarez says she values vaccines and rigorous scientific evidence but has largely sidestepped questions about widespread cuts to the agency and whether she disagreed with any of Health Secretary Robert F
June 25
Susan Monarez, President Donald Trump's nominee to be director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arrives to testify before the Senate HELP Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
June 25

What meeting of CDC advisory panel means for vaccines

ABC News’ Alex Presha and medical contributor Dr. Alok Patel discuss the meeting of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel.
June 25
VIDEO: What meeting of CDC advisory panel means for vaccines
June 25

Kennedy's new vaccine advisers meet for first time

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F
June 25
CDC participants listen to the speakers during a meeting of the Advisory Committee in Immunization Practices, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
June 25
FILE - Rosei Warren hauls compost to a garden plot in preparation for planting vegetables at the Ivanhoe neighborhood community garden, April 9, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
June 24

Global vaccination efforts stall, leaving millions vulnerable to preventable diseases

Global efforts to protect children against diseases like measles, polio and tuberculosis have stalled since 2010, leaving millions vulnerable to deadly infections
June 24
FILE - A health worker administers a polio vaccine to a child in Karachi, Pakistan, Jan. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan, File)
June 24

Team physicians in college sports wary of greater liability risk with athletes now making big money

The professionalization of college sports has prompted concern among team physicians that they will be exposed to a greater risk of medical liability lawsuits by injured athletes who claim a poor outcome caused them to lose future earnings
June 24
FILE - Oregon State medical trainers check the right knee of linebacker Matthew Tago (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Hawaii, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner, File)
June 24

A West Virginia parent sues seeking a religious exemption from required school vaccinations

A West Virginia woman has filed a lawsuit seeking a religious exemption from required school vaccinations for her young child
June 24
FILE - West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey speaks during a news conference at the Hubert Humphrey Building Auditorium in Washington, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
June 21

Weekend health roundup

ABC News medical contributor Dr. Alok Patel breaks down what to know about new COVID-19 variant that causes “razor blade throat,” new skin cancer warnings for people of color, and more.
June 21
VIDEO: Weekend health roundup
June 20

New COVID variant causing ‘razor blade throat’

The variant, known as NB.1.8.1, has been nicknamed by some as “razor blade throat” due to the painful symptom.
June 20
VIDEO: New COVID variant causing ‘razor blade throat’
June 20

Ethical questions arise over case of brain-dead pregnant woman in Georgia

Adriana Smith, a brain-dead woman in Georgia, was kept on life support until her fetus was viable. Experts say it raises ethical and legal questions.
June 20
Adriana Smith, a brain-dead woman in Georgia, was kept on life support until her fetus was viable. Experts say it raises ethical and legal questions.