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Latest Health Headlines

1 hour ago

Moderna awarded $590M to help accelerate development of mRNA-based bird flu vaccine

There have been 67 confirmed human bird flu cases in the U.S. since April 2024.
1 hour ago
Avian influenza or bird flu.
January 17

What 3rd case of bird flu with unclear infection source means in fight against virus

So far, 67 human bird flu cases have been confirmed in the U.S., the CDC says.
January 17
An H5N1 avian influenza virus molecule.
January 17

What to know about 'quad-demic' of COVID, flu, RSV and norovirus

Norovirus levels are hitting highs not seen in six years, according to CDC data.
January 17
A man wears a mask as he shops for cold and flu medication, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York.
January 16

By the Numbers: New stats on cancer mortality rates

The American Cancer Society Thursday released its annual statistics on trends regarding who is being diagnosed -- and who is dying -- from cancer.
January 16
By the Numbers: New stats on cancer mortality rates
January 16

Justice Department says Alabama institutionalizes too many children with disabilities

The U.S. Justice Department says Alabama is unnecessarily institutionalizing children with physical disabilities in nursing homes and hospitals
January 16
January 16

What to know about 'quad-demic' of flu, norovirus, COVID and RSV in US

Four viruses are currently circulating in the United States, together earning the name "quad-demic."
January 16
Four viruses are currently circulating in the United States, together earning the name "quad-demic."
January 16

Get ready for an even bigger chill. Siberian air to make Trump swearing-in coldest in 40 years

The vast majority of Americans are about to get an extended taste of frigid Siberian weather
January 16
FILE - Members of the U.S. military Joint Honor Guard parade as they rehearse ahead of the upcoming presidential inauguration, at the North Lawn in front of the White House in Washington, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
January 16

At least 30 dead, dozens injured after drinking bootleg alcohol in Istanbul

Turkey's state-run news agency says at least 30 people have died in Istanbul in the past three days after drinking bootleg alcohol
January 16
January 15

Some parents could be able to join Georgia's Medicaid program without working

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wants to let low-income parents with young kids enroll without working in a Medicaid program that provides coverage for some able-bodied adults
January 15
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp addresses the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
January 15

FDA proposes limiting nicotine in cigarettes, other tobacco products

The level of nicotine would be capped at .7 milligrams per gram.
January 15
The level of nicotine would be capped at .7 milligrams per gram.
January 15

Democratic attorneys general ask to defend health access for 'Dreamers' since Trump probably won't

A group of Democratic state attorneys general are asking a court to let them defend a federal policy to allow young adult immigrants known as “Dreamers” to access subsidized health care
January 15
FILE - New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, Nov. 21, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, file)
January 15

FDA bans use of Red No. 3 dye in food, drinks

Advocacy groups have pushed for the ban for years.
January 15
Red dye is seen in a cup in this undated stock photo.
January 15

FDA bans red dye No. 3 from foods

U.S. regulators are banning the dye called Red 3 from the food supply
January 15
FILE - Pez candy, which contains red dye no. 3, is on display at a store in Lafayette, Calif., March 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Haven Daley, File)
January 15

FDA proposes limiting nicotine levels in cigarettes, other tobacco products

The move could make cigarettes less addictive and easier to quit, the FDA said.
January 15
A male hand with a cigarette in this undated stock photo.
January 15

FDA floats plan to make cigarettes nonaddictive, but its fate rests with Trump

The Biden administration is floating a long-awaited proposal to make cigarettes less addictive by capping their nicotine levels
January 15
FILE - A man holds a lit cigarette while smoking in San Francisco, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
January 14

New report proposes redefining obesity by adding body fat and health status to BMI

Obesity is currently defined as a BMI of 30 or above in adults.
January 14
January 14

Wildfires pollute the air with smoke, dust, ash. Here's how to protect yourself

Wildfire smoke contains small particles that can cause serious health problems.
January 14
Smokes and flames overwhelm a commercial area during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2025.
January 14

4 in 10 Americans at risk for dementia after age 55, study suggests

The dementia risk was greater for women and Black Americans, the study found.
January 14
In this undated stock photo, a woman is seen comforting a patient in a hospital bed.
January 14

Vulnerable Americans live in the shadow of COVID-19 as most move on

People with immune system health problems continue to take precautions against COVID-19 five years into the pandemic
January 14
Jacqueline and Alexa Child stand for a portrait in their neighborhood Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
January 13

Sierra Leone declares emergency after confirming 2nd mpox case in 4 days

Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency after reporting its second case of mpox in less than four days
January 13
January 13

Several health care centers remain closed as California wildfires spread

Several health care centers are rescheduling non-emergency procedures.
January 13
A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.
January 11

Dr. Judith Joseph on coping with the aftermath of the California wildfires

As the fires continue, the material toll is undeniable. Board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph shares tips on dealing with the trauma and mental toll.
January 11
Dr. Judith Joseph on coping with the aftermath of the California wildfires
January 11

Insurers Limit Coverage of Prosthetic Limbs, Questioning Their Medical Necessity

This is a MedPage Today story. When Michael Adams was researching health insurance options in 2023, he had one very specific requirement: coverage for prosthetic limbs. Adams, 51, lost his right leg to cancer 40 years ago, and he has worn out more legs than he can count. He picked a gold plan on the Colorado health insurance marketplace that covered prosthetics, including microprocessor-controlled knees like the one he has used for many years. That function adds stability and helps prevent falls. But when his leg needed replacing last January after about 5 years of everyday use, his new marketplace health plan wouldn't authorize it. The roughly $50,000 leg with the electronically controlled knee wasn't medically necessary, the insurer said, even though Colorado law leaves that determination up to the patient's doctor, and his has prescribed a version of that leg for many years, starting when he had employer-sponsored coverage. "The electronic prosthetic knee is life-changing,"...
January 11
January 11

Maintaining good balance is crucial as you age. Asking these questions can help

To age well, geriatricians say one underappreciated key is maintaining good balance
January 11
FILE - A couple walk on a sidewalk in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday on May 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix, File)
January 10

How a week of weather extremes upended the lives of millions of Americans

The week began with a biting cold snap that hammered much of the U.S., the product of a jet stream that slips out of its usual path more often these days
January 10
FILE - Fire crews battle the Eaton Fire as it impacts a structure Jan. 9, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer, File)
January 10

Health care AI, intended to save money, turns out to require expensive humans

Artificial intelligence systems require consistent monitoring, experts say.
January 10
January 10

Man says two of his cats died after drinking raw milk recalled for bird flu

A California man says his two cats died and a third was hospitalized after he fed them raw milk recalled for bird flu risk
January 10
This photo provided by Joseph Journell of San Bernardino, Calif. shows two of his cats, Alexander, background, and Tuxsie, right, who died from bird flu after they drank raw cow's milk. Cleo, center, did not drink the milk and remained healthy. (Joseph Journell via AP)
January 10

Thousands of Providence Health Workers Strike in Oregon

This is a MedPage Today story. Nearly 5,000 healthcare workers from Providence Health began a strike Friday morning, picketing all eight Providence hospitals in Oregon, after months of contract negotiations between the health system and the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) union, which is representing the workers. The strike is believed to be the largest involving healthcare workers, and the first involving physicians, in the state's history, according to the ONA. The sprawling group -- including mostly nurses, but also physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and nurse midwives -- is "resolved" in its "demands for fair contracts that will invest more in patient safety, follow the [state's] safe staffing law, decrease physician caseload, and offer regionally competitive wages and benefits to be able to recruit and retain more staff," the union said. In a phone interview with MedPage Today while out on the strike line, Jennifer Lincoln, MD, an ob/gyn at Providence...
January 10
January 10

It's sick season. Here's how to protect yourself from norovirus, COVID, flu and RSV

In the winter months, it seems few are safe from some kind of illness — flu, COVID-19, norovirus, colds
January 10
FILE - A child washes her hands at a day care center in Connecticut on Thursday Aug. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
January 10

DC sues federal government over pollution in Anacostia River

The District of Columbia is suing the federal government over pollution in the Anacostia River, hoping it will lead to a cleanup of the urban waterway
January 10
FILE - A bicyclist rides along a shoreline paved trail on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, at Anacostia Park in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner, File)
January 10

What the end of Meta's fact-checking could mean for health, medical misinformation

Meta said it's moving towards community notes to moderate content.
January 10
The Meta (formerly Facebook) logo marks the entrance of their corporate headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., Nov. 9, 2022.
January 10

California wildfires can take heavy mental health toll on residents, firefighters

Wildfires can lead to increased rates of anxiety, depression and PTSD.
January 10
Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles, Jan. 9, 2025.
January 09
AP Illustration / Annie Ng
January 09

USTR warns of risks from online pharmacies in its 'notorious markets' report

An annual U.S. government report on “notorious markets” known for counterfeiting and other violations of intellectual property says that nearly all 35,000 online pharmacies around the world are being run illegally
January 09
FILE - Workers prepare to destroy over 50 tons of confiscated fake medicine during a campaign to mark World Consumer Rights Day in Beijing, Thursday March 15, 2012. (AP Photo/File)
January 08

Doctor discusses how hospitals are responding to devastating wildfires

ABC News’ Linsey Davis speaks to Dr. Peggy Tseng about treating additional patients, amid what is already the busiest time of the year for hospitals, due to six wildfires in the County of Los Angeles.
January 08
Doctor discusses how hospitals are responding to devastating wildfires
January 08

Morning coffee habit may lead to longer life: Study

The report, published in the European Heart Journal, analyzed health data from more than 40,000 U.S. adults.
January 08
The report, published in the European Heart Journal, analyzed health data from more than 40,000 U.S. adults
January 08

Drinking coffee at this time may lower your risk of early death, study suggests

Morning coffee drinkers had lower risk of early death compared to non-drinkers.
January 08
January 08

What health experts believe will happen with bird flu in 2025

So far, there have been 66 human cases of bird flu reported in 10 states.
January 08
Herd of cows eating hay in a dairy farm.
January 07

What health experts believe could happen with bird flu in 2025

The CDC said the risk of bird flu to the general public is low, but public health experts say they are worried the virus could mutate and become more transmissible.
January 07
The CDC said the risk of bird flu to the general public is low, but public health experts say they are worried the virus could mutate and become more transmissible.
January 07

Study on fluoride and kids’ IQ levels raises concerns overseas

Medical experts warn that the study’s results shouldn’t be a major concern for parents in the U.S.
January 07
Medical experts warn that the study’s results shouldn’t be a major concern for parents in the U.S.
January 06

1st bird flu death in the US reported in Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the first human bird flu death in the United States on Monday.
January 06
VIDEO: 1st bird flu death in the US reported in Louisiana
January 06

Easy tips to start meditating in 2025

Peloton instructor Chelsea Jackson Roberts on how to be healthier, both mentally and physically, in 2025.
January 06
VIDEO: Easy tips to start meditating in 2025
January 05

Processing trauma in the wake of an attack

Trauma psychologist Suzana Flores joins ABC News Live to discuss how to process trauma after the New Orleans attack.
January 05
VIDEO: Processing trauma in the wake of an attack
January 04

U.S. Surgeon General sounds alarm about link between alcohol and cancer

Chief medical officer of Dry January USA Dr. Michael Caldwell discusses tips and tricks to participating in a successful Dry January.
January 04
U.S. Surgeon General sounds alarm about link between alcohol and cancer