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The TV ad leans on the Affordable Care Act's popularity among independent voters and alludes to Biden's edge over Trump on health issues.
New research shows lifelong bikers have healthier knees, less pain and a longer lifespan, compared to people who've never biked. This adds to the evidence that cycling promotes healthy aging.
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Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and we need all the protection we can get. So why is it so hard to get newer, more effective ingredients approved here?
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Louisiana could be the first state to regulate mifepristone and misoprostol in the same way as some narcotics and stimulants. Opponents predict harmful delays in miscarriage and other lawful uses.
More than a million people could get health care if these states would pass laws expanding Medicaid. Most residents want the expansion but entrenched politics stands in the way.
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Powerful synthetic opioids and drugs like meth and cocaine still flood U.S. communities, fueling historically high overdose deaths.
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When Amylyx Pharmaceuticals found out its ALS drug Relyvrio didn't work, the company took the unusual step of voluntarily pulling it off the market.
The state covers basic services for vulnerable residents, including things like air purifiers for kids with asthma. But nonprofits offering the services struggle to work within the health care system.
Telehealth accounts for 19% of all abortions, new research finds. And while the number of abortions did plummet in ban states, overall abortions across the country are up.
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When Thorsten Siess was in graduate school, he came up with the idea for a heart device that's now been used in hundreds of thousands of patients around the world.
Clinical trials of MDMA have been promising, but concerns have emerged about the quality of the research. A June hearing scheduled by the Food and Drug Administration is likely to address them.
Researchers are learning that handwriting engages the brain in ways typing can't match, raising questions about the costs of ditching this age-old practice, especially for kids.
Millions of new parents in the U.S. are swamped by medical debt during and after pregnancy, forcing many to cut back on food, clothing, and other essentials.
A new analysis shows that students graduating from U.S. medical schools were less likely to apply this year for residencies across specialties in states with restrictions on abortion.
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New medications like Wegovy are changing the way people lose weight and manage obesity, but many Medicaid beneficiaries can't get them.
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The CDC announced stricter regulations for importing dogs from abroad — or traveling internationally with your furry companions.
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New research documents how many children lost a parent to an opioid or other overdose in the period from 2011 to 2021. Bereaved children face elevated risks to their physical and emotional health.
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Federal regulators are trying to prevent bad actors from switching unknowing consumers' Obamacare coverage. Their fixes risk making enrollment so cumbersome that people won't want to sign up.
Some doctors are promoting propellant-free inhalers over puff inhalers that emit greenhouse gases. Climate change can exacerbate respiratory ills because of more fires, air pollution and allergens.
What's a typical vacation activity for doctors? Work. A new study finds that most physicians do work on a typical day off. In this essay, a family doctor considers why that is and why it matters.
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When marijuana becomes a Schedule III instead of a Schedule I substance under federal rules, researchers will face fewer barriers to studying it. But there will still be some roadblocks for science.
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For decades, nonprofits, health insurers and hospitals have been trying to solve the problem of the people who need the emergency room again and again. Here are some of the lessons they've learned.
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Federal health officials say the U.S. has the building blocks to make a vaccine to protect humans from bird flu, if needed. But experts warn we're nowhere near prepared for another pandemic.
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Officially, only one person has caught the illness during the current outbreak. But with limited testing, cases could be flying under the radar.
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The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. in 2022 – while still high – went back to where it was before deaths surged during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest CDC report.
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Women under 60 can benefit from hormone therapy to treat hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. That's according to a new study, and is a departure from what women were told in the past.
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The time a person has to decide whether to have an abortion in Florida and other states with six-week abortion bans is at most two weeks. Why? It's has to do with how we date early pregnancy.
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Sure, new parents are an anxious lot. But instruction manuals for devices meant to keep the baby safe and healthy are daunting and add to the anxiety. Why are they so confusing?
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A rise in breast cancer among younger women prompted the U.S. Preventive Task Force to issue new screening guidelines. They recommend mammograms every other year, starting at age 40.
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A therapy that restores brain cells impaired by a rare genetic disorder may offer a strategy for treating conditions like autism, epilepsy, and schizophrenia.
Agreeing to an out-of-network doctor's financial policy, which protects their ability to get paid and may be littered with confusing jargon, can create a binding contract that leaves a patient owing.
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The federal appeals court in Richmond, Va., ruled in favor of transgender patients on Monday. The case was brought by Medicaid recipients in West Virginia and state employees in North Carolina.
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A new study shows people who are in the habit of climbing stairs are less likely to die from heart disease compared to those who don't. Stair climbers also had a slight boost in longevity.
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Kelly Scott of Tribeca Therapy in New York.'/>Plenty of people go to couples therapy — why not siblings therapy? Experts say the long, complicated relationships between siblings are worth exploring and tending to.
An organic seed company was distressed to learn it had marketed a GMO purple tomato by mistake. The incident raised alarm about the impact of new GMO plants.
Researchers have found that a warm, close bond with a sibling in early adult life is predictive of good emotional health later in life, with less loneliness, anxiety and depression.
A new regulation to protect the rights of pregnant workers is the subject of an anti-abortion lawsuit because it includes abortion as a pregnancy "related medical condition."
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An anti-smoking advocate says the decision to leave menthol cigarettes on the market "prioritizes politics over lives, especially Black lives."
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A recent survey found that Americans' sleep patterns have been getting worse. Adult women under 50 are among the most sleep-deprived demographics.
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Health officials say there's very little risk to humans from the bird flu outbreak among dairy cattle, but there's still much they don't know. Here are four questions scientists are trying to answer.
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Colorado is looking at ways to weed out false reporting of child abuse and neglect as the number of reports reaches a record high. New York and California are reworking the policies, too.
Surgeons transplanted a kidney and thymus gland from a gene-edited pig into a 54-year-old woman in an attempt to extend her life. It's the latest experimental use of animal organs in humans.
The new rules mean 4 out of 5 nursing homes will need more aides and nurses. Unions hailed the change, but advocates say it's not enough care, while nursing home owners say it's an "impossible task."
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The Supreme Court will consider the question: Should doctors treating pregnancy complications follow state or federal law if the laws conflict? Here's how the case could affect women and doctors.
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Drug company reps commonly visit doctors to talk about new medications. A team of economists wanted to know if that helps patients live longer. They found that for cancer patients, the answer is no.
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Patients and doctors in Tennessee, Idaho and Oklahoma are taking legal action, against state abortion bans. Women told dramatic stories of dangerous pregnancies and delayed care.
Updated versions of the mRNA vaccines roll out this week. Experts say they offer good protection against current COVID variants. Who should get them, and when's the best time to roll up your sleeve?
A panel of doctors and scientists advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted to recommend that people 6 months of age and older get new COVID boosters this fall.
Everything about this savory flavor is mysterious, from how it tastes to why it took so long to get recognized as the fifth taste. What is it, and how does it make food taste delicious?
Vaccines for a fall immunization drive against COVID-19 just got the green light from the Food and Drug Administration. The agency says the vaccines can protect people, as hospitalizations tick up.
A growing body of research shows loneliness has profound implications for physical and mental health. Some organizations in Massachusetts are trying to help people connect to lessen those affects.
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Saddled with debt from health care, many Americans are forced into painful tradeoffs. And some are losing their homes.
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At a recent medical gathering, researchers presented their latest hypotheses about what causes – and what could treat – the lingering disease.
Dan Buettner has spent decades exploring the lifestyles and diets of people in remote places where living to 100 is more common. Here are life-enhancing habits from these "blue zones."
People seek out art and music that combine sadness and beauty. Scientists and artists say there's good reason why we're drawn to it.
What happened to abortion numbers since Roe v. Wade fell? The Guttmacher Institute has new state-by-state numbers that show people are traveling for the procedure.
New ideas like "safe storage maps" show gun owners where to put their firearms in safekeeping if a mental health crisis happens. The idea has support, but obstacles are in the way in some states.
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Preliminary laboratory studies find antibodies from previous infections and vaccinations can neutralize the BA.2.86 variant. The findings bode well for new boosters on the way this fall.
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People with diet-related diseases show health improvements when they're given "prescription" produce. A new study shows reductions in blood sugar and blood pressure, key measures of heart health.
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For the first time ever, nursing homes may soon have to guarantee a registered nurse is working 24/7 in every facility.
A study commissioned by the government to recommend minimum staffing levels at nursing homes drew no conclusions. And that means Biden's pledge to set those minimums may come to far less than hoped.
A proposal to establish the biggest student mental health program in the country contains a paradox. With teens' mental health struggles partly fueled by screens, is teletherapy the right tool?
Republicans in Congress back substantial cuts to the budget of the CDC, taking aim at one of former President Donald Trump's major health programs: a push to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S.
(Image credit: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Hollywood actors and writers who qualify for their union health plans get a very good deal compared to other Americans. But not working during the strike threatens their eligibility in the system.
Sesame is now the 9th official allergen. The FDA designation was supposed to protect people with sesame allergies. Instead, it's become harder to avoid, as more bakers add sesame to their products.
Eloise Reynolds encountered a perplexing reality in medical billing: Providers can come after patients for more money well after a bill has been paid.
A see-through squid is giving scientists an unprecedented view of the brain and other organs in a living animal.
People taking weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy report a dampening of the urge to drink. Here's how the drugs curb cravings and what that could mean for helping treat addiction.
Teens share photos or videos of themselves with guns and cash, sometimes calling out rivals, on social media. When posts go viral, fueled by "likes" and comments, the danger is hard to contain.
After a class of flame retardants called PBDEs was phased out due to links with developmental health issues, manufacturers started using another, similar group of compounds.
Two studies show how technology is allowing people to generate speech using only their thoughts.
Illinois hospitals are seeing a surge of out-of-state patients who need abortion care at a hospital due to medical complications. But hospital-based abortions are more costly and harder to arrange.
President Biden and others have lauded Mandy Cohen's pandemic leadership in North Carolina. Those in the state's most vulnerable communities tell a more nuanced story about the new CDC director.
Two children and their parents are suing the state of Florida, alleging that their Medicaid coverage was terminated without proper notice or a chance to contest the state agency's decision.
Starting Sept. 1, limited abortion care will be legal in Texas in two pregnancy circumstances. Getting that through the conservative Texas legislature required "masterful and discreet" lawmaking.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first vaccine for expectant mothers to shield their babies from RSV.
Dr. Austin Dennard is an OB-GYN who is going to give birth very soon. She also had to leave Texas to terminate a previous pregnancy because the fetus had a fatal condition.
Wondering how to prepare for sleep disruption? Should you take melatonin or other sleep aids? Here's answers from researchers and seasoned travelers — including NPR's international correspondents.
Poor air quality can drive you indoors, but do you know what you're breathing inside your home? Here's the latest on optimizing ventilation and other air-clearing strategies.
A federal appeals court would restrict the use of mifepristone, a pill used in medication abortions. But previous action by the Supreme Court means the status quo holds for now.
The suits pursued patients and their families, sometimes putting liens on homes. "I know my house will never be mine. It is going to be the hospital's," said Donna Lindabury, 70, who lost her case.
The shift to electronic medical payments gave rise to a new kind of health care middlemen, who now charge 1-5% every time insurers pay doctors. Here's how lobbyists convinced regulators this was OK.
As young adults prepare to leave blue states and head to historically black colleges in states where abortion is banned, they're getting ready to safeguard their reproductive health during college.
Fewer than half of older adults who need mental health care or treatment for substance abuse get it. Many therapists don't feel qualified to treat older people, and insurance coverage is spotty, too.
An age-old technique transforms vegetables and spices into a popular condiment with a zesty, funky taste. The key? Nurturing the right community of microbes. Here's how the magic happens.
Turns out diners are more likely to get on board for altruistic reasons rather than health. That's what one hospital learned after it pledged to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions.
The Biden administration wants hospitals to do more to make their prices understandable, so that consumers know in advance what a health care service will cost them.
Heat is dangerous for the many people with common conditions like diabetes or heart disease. And vulnerable communities face greater exposure to heat and fewer resources to escape it.
A severe traumatic brain injury can make it hard to remember recent events or conversations. But a form of brain stimulation appears to ease this memory deficit.
Wrenching testimony from women denied abortion care turned the focus toward the suffering and health risks faced by mothers.
Andrew Leland started losing his sight 20 years ago. He's now legally blind, although he still has a narrow field of vision, which allows him to see about 6% of what a fully-sighted person sees.
You don't have to shell out for fancy sodas. It's easy to fill your plate with fiber, a dietary hero that feeds your gut microbes and prevents disease.
Overdose deaths from fentanyl and other opioids have surged but medications that could save thousands of lives "are sitting on the shelf unused," according to new research.
Drugmaker Novo Nordisk focuses on Black lawmakers and opinion leaders to spread the message that obesity is a chronic disease — worth treating at a cost of $1,000 or more a month.
On a trip back to her parents' native country, a writer rediscovers what makes it different. The urban design, and a culture that values longevity, make good health come al lot more naturally.
The monoclonal antibody drug prevents the lung infection that puts 58,000 to 80,000 young children in the hospital each year.
The medical dangers of heat are real. But people often ignore public heat alerts, or don't know how vulnerable they are. A new alert system prompts clinicians to talk about heat with patients.
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, will lead NIH's infectious diseases institute. Colleagues say she has a wide breadth of knowledge and a joyful demeanor.
You don't even have to own one. Research shows just 5 to 20 minutes interacting with other people's pooches can reduce stress hormones and increase well-being.
Medicaid is shedding enrollees for the first time since the pandemic started. But rolls in some states are shrinking much faster than in others. Nearly 4 million people have lost coverage so far.
A term coined to evoke the torment felt by soldiers as they process the cruelty of war, it's now used by doctors to describe the guilt and helplessness we feel when patients can't access needed care.
Millions of people in the U.S. have a genetic variant that raises their risk of cancer. Genetic testing can help people find cancer earlier and seek treatment. But many patients aren't offered it.
State attorneys general vowed the funds would go toward tackling the addiction crisis. But as with the tobacco payouts of the 1990s, local officials have started using them to fill budget shortfalls.
Indiana's law will bar abortions except in cases of lethal fetal anomaly, rape or incest, or when the woman's life or health are seriously jeopardized. The fallout will be felt across the Midwest.
Hot summer temperatures can make you anxious and irritable and dull your thinking. Here's what researchers think is going on.
Like other places, New Orleans has seen record numbers of people falling ill with heat-related conditions. First responders and hospitals race to respond with ice, fluids, and air conditioning.
Many of us know that feeling of being transported by a song. Research reveals that listening to music can have profound effects on our mind and body.
In July, COVID infections, hospitalizations and emergency room visits inched up. Recent summers have seen a bump in COVID. This year's rise looks modest so far.
Medicare soon will start something it hasn't done in its 58-year history: Negotiate on drug prices. On Sept. 1, Medicare will target the first 10 drugs for price negotiations.
A tornado that ripped through a Pfizer plant in Rocky Mount, N.C., raised worries about shortages of medicines used in hospitals. The drugs include commonly used painkillers and anesthetics.
Medicare was supposed to cover the entire cost of his procedure. But the anesthesia provider failed to file its claims in a timely manner and billed the patient instead.
President Joe Biden unveiled a set of new rules for health insurance companies designed to push the industry to cover treatment for mental health problems on par with how it covers medical care.
For the first time in two decades, the U.S. has evidence of local transmission of malaria. Most of the cases occurred in Florida's Sarasota County, which has stepped up mosquito suppression efforts.
Emergency rooms report when patients visit with health problems caused by heat. Find out when and where rates of illness are spiking, and explore trends over the last five years.
Consumers should know that medical identity theft can happen, whether from a large-scale breach or theft of an individual's data. The result could be thousands of dollars in medical bills.
It can be heartbreaking to let go of a hand-made rug or sweater that a loved one didn't quite finish. A group of volunteer knitters, quilters and other crafters offer some closure.
Countertops made of the engineered stone "quartz" are incredibly popular, but public health experts say cutting this material unsafely can expose workers to deadly dust.
A diet composed of 80% ultra-processed foods led one British doctor to gain weight and feel unwell. Now, he's trying to nail down the health effects of this type of diet, which many Americans eat.
The set of health policy ideas have been GOP favorites for decades. It could mean cheaper health insurance but would undermine protections for patients in the Affordable Care Act.
Multiple organ failure, heart attack and kidney failure are the primary ways people die in extreme heat. Read on to find out how to stay safe in the heat wave.
All those daily activities we'd rather avoid — taking the stairs, cleaning the house etc. — have a big metabolic payoff. Non-exercise activity thermogenesis can help manage weight and boost health.
In June, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law undoing local protections that ensured breaks for laborers who spend their days in scorching heat. The law takes effect Sept. 1.
Virtual access to doctors is a huge plus for patients. But it's a lot of new work for physicians. And the health care business model hasn't caught up with this new reality.
After years of being the world's best-selling drug, Humira faces competition from copycat versions known as biosimilars. One called Yusimry costs a $1,000 or less.
Women who had complicated and tragic pregnancies are suing Texas over its abortion bans. A hearing had emotional testimony in an Austin courtroom Wednesday. The state wants the case dismissed.
The recently approved contraception Opill should be available for consumers next year. It's not clear how or whether insurance will cover it. Here's what's known so far.
One North Carolina family's six-figure medical bill came from a state hospital. The attorney general, who is running for governor and says he's against high medical costs, tried to collect the debt.
It's taking off around the country: Treatment at home for patients sick enough to be in a hospital, but stable enough to be home. Are family caregivers ready for all the responsibility?
In a large study, the experimental drug donanemab slowed the progression of Alzheimer's by about 35%. That's slightly better than the drug Leqembi, which was fully approved by the FDA on July 6.
'Below the Belt' highlights patients' stories and the push for new research dollars for this poorly understood disease. Here are 7 surprising facts from the film.
The 3-digit suicide prevention lifeline went live a year ago. More work is needed on the 988 system, but the first year has gone more smoothly than many expected.
New companies are working to commercialize in vitro gametogenesis, or IVG, a technology that could make human eggs and sperm in the lab from any cell in the body.
The FDA cracked down on the nicotine devices, yet they're stocked on many store shelves. The reason has to do with burgeoning overseas production, lack of clear rules, and lax enforcement.
Moderate consumption of aspartame is OK, scientists say. But heavy consumers may want to reduce their intake. The WHO says aspartame may "possibly" cause cancer. The FDA questions the evidence.
When's the right time to start your child with a phone? Is 12 too young? Here's what a professional screen time consultant tells parents about the risks kids face online.
You can still enjoy the outdoors this summer despite the scorching weather, if you're smart about it. Here's what to watch out for and how to stay safe.
Taken after sex, the antibiotic doxycycline can ward off some sexually transmitted illnesses. Doctors are already prescribing it and the CDC is expected to share guidance soon for how best to use it.
As money is funneled to states, opioid councils wield significant power in determining how it gets spent. They face concerns about conflicts of interest and lack of representation by affected groups.
Research shows it's possible to generative positive emotions and memories, even amid strife and anxiety. If you're planning a family vacation, a simple meditation exercise can help you keep your cool.
Calliope Holingue researches how the microbiome and mind affect each other. She's part of a growing field, exploring how that connection could ultimately improve treatments for mental conditions.
At least nine bills introduced in Congress take aim at pharmacy benefit managers, the powerful middlemen that channel prescription drugs to patients. Here's what the fuss is all about.
The first drug found to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease has been granted full approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
The Supreme Court delivered a historic victory to the anti-abortion movement. But many still feel their work is far from complete, and are seeking new strategies to stop abortion in all 50 states.
Alicia Roth Weigel is one of three activists profiled in Julie Cohen's new documentary. She says intersex is an umbrella term for people whose "anatomy doesn't fit super neatly into a binary box."
An obscure bit of brain tissue appears critical to both out-of-body experiences and our sense of being anchored to a physical self.
The rate at which women in the U.S. are dying from pregnancy related causes more than doubled in recent decades. A new study, published in JAMA shows Black women and Native Americans are most at risk.
The state's abortion bans make no exceptions for fatal fetal anomalies. Two women had devastating pregnancy diagnoses — one could leave the state for an abortion, and the other could not.
It's already harder to get an abortion in many places and access is likely to be limited more with the passage of new laws.
Beekeepers lost nearly half of their honeybee colonies last year. Without bees, farmers can't grow the fruits and plants that feed us. So farmers are working harder to get their crops pollinated.
If you've ever felt a need for therapy but got overwhelmed at the very prospect of choosing a provider, read on. Here's a step-by-step guide to finding someone who fits your needs — and budget.
A new survey documents the challenges LGBTQ+ women encounter throughout their lives — from harassment and discrimination to domestic violence.
A new CDC report finds that just a third of those diagnosed with hepatitis C have cleared the virus — a decade after a cure was made available.
New research calls into question prescribing the drugs even for short-term pain relief – especially given the risk of addiction.
After emergency gallbladder surgery, a Tennessee woman said she spent months without a permanent mailing address and never got a bill from the hospital. She ended up in court a few years later.
Limiting when you eat to a 6- or 8-hour window can help reduce calorie intake. While the weight loss isn't dramatic, it may be easier to stick to than counting calories.
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to grant full approval to the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab by July 6. But access to the drug may still be limited.
Kristie Fields, a cancer patient in Virginia was urged to go public to seek help for her medical bills. But she worried about feeding hurtful stereotypes.
A new study of astronaut blood finds that space travel reduces the expression of 100 genes related to the immune system.
After the Supreme Court ruled a year ago to overturn Roe v. Wade, more than a dozen states acted to outlaw abortion or severely restrict access. Here's how those laws affected the lives of residents.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but limited access to those ages four and five.
Two U.S. food companies have received the go-ahead to sell chicken grown from cultivated animal cells in a production facility. It's the first time meat grown this way will be sold in the U.S.
An economics professor at Middlebury College and her undergrad research assistants have been tracking access to abortion care since 2009. These maps show the dramatic changes in the past decade.
Diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's spread through the brain like a forest fire. A new study suggests how the fire starts.
Want to plant but afraid of the 'ouch'? Here's advices from a physical therapist for how to get hands-on in the garden, even if you have back pain or other chronic aches.
Living near parks can boost health and well being. But low-income communities and those of color often have less access than wealthier, white ones. Revamping schoolyards could be a game changer.
President Biden's pick for the next director of the CDC is Dr. Mandy Cohen, an internal medicine physician with experience in state and federal government.
A new study finds men with low T who used a gel to increase the hormone did not have a higher rate of heart attacks than men on a placebo. But the anti-aging benefits are iffy.
KFF Health News obtained documents showing the exact dollar amounts — down to the cent — that local governments have been paid in 2022 and 2023 in lawsuit settlements from the opioid crisis.
A panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration has recommended revising the current COVID-19 vaccine so that it specifically targets omicron.
Medical schools in states that have banned abortion can't teach abortion care. Sen. Tammy Baldwin wants to make funds available for students in those states to travel for the training.
The recent, abrupt shortage of critical cancer drugs is forcing doctors to ration essential medications. It highlights a broken business model in generic drugs.
A nationwide decline in foster home spots has led to dire situations around the country. In rural northeastern Nevada, officials resorted to housing children in casino hotels for short stints.
Families can get blindsided by risky behavior with money, sometimes even before a diagnosis. Having tough conversations and setting up guardrails in advance can help prevent disaster.
Dopamine is a part of our brain's survival mechanism. It is also part of why sugary foods and social media hook kids. The latest neuroscience can help parents help their kids manage behavior.
Much of the Northeast U.S. is blanketed in a murky haze of wildfire smoke. For most people breathing this air is unpleasant, for others it can be life-threatening. There are ways to reduce the risk.
The National Eating Disorders Association took down a controversial chatbot, after users showed how the newest version could dispense potentially harmful advice about dieting and calorie counting.
A panel of experts to the Food and Drug Administration has recommended the agency approve a long-acting antibody drug that can protect infants from the seasonal virus, RSV.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders often develop diabetes at lower weights and younger ages than others. Doctors from these communities are pushing for earlier screenings and lifestyle changes.
Most American kids quit playing sports by age 11. That means a lot of kids are missing out on some of the huge benefits of sports, including spacial awareness, physical activity and team skills.
Powerful new artificial intelligence tools can perpetuate long-standing racial inequities if they are not designed very carefully. Researchers and regulators are taking note, but perils are vast.
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The number of doctors of osteopathy is surging, and more than half of them practice in primary care, including in rural areas hit hard by doctor shortages.
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Health officials say more vaccination, testing and awareness among people at high risk for infection with mpox could curb a potential resurgence in the U.S.
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Sunscreen is crucial for skin protection and the SPF is important. But dermatologists say the key to good summer skin care is applying plenty of lotion and re-applying it often, even when it's cloudy.
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Scientists have shown that deep brain stimulation during sleep can help people retain new information. The approach could help people with memory problems related to disorders like Alzheimer's.
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Most first- and second-year medical students don't attend lectures. A student and a professor suggest it's a good time to think a lot about medical education, starting with "flipping the classroom."
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In recent years, the demands on the NEDA helpline, and the humans who ran it, escalated. The organization says it was unsustainable. But some have worries about new plans for an online chatbot.
Games probably won't rot your kid's brain. But kids do need guidance in using them wisely. Here's how to help them, starting with spending some of your own time in the games your kids can't put down.
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Poor diet, lack of exercise, stress and trauma, all drive America's declining life expectancy and increasing rates of chronic disease. So how can we live better in America? NPR looks for answers.
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From excessive hygiene to low-fiber diets, author Theresa MacPhail explores the deep-rooted causes of rising allergy rates in her new book Allergic.
Despite its reputation as a lifesaver, for the elderly and medically frail, CPR may cause more harm than good. It's why many doctors opt not to receive it themselves.
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Kids today live in an ultra-processed world: Nearly 70% of what they eat is packaged, processed and probably not great for them. Here are ways to cut back, without cooking every meal from scratch.
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Researchers are inching closer to creating human eggs and sperm in the lab that carry a full complement of anyone's DNA. It could revolutionize fertility treatment and raises huge ethical questions.
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A team of researchers tracked thousands of people who took a daily multivitamin for three years. At the end of the first year, they performed slightly better on memory tests than people on a placebo.
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Sure, they're tasty, but packaged snacks and meals can be packed with sugar, salt and a list of unpronounceable ingredients. So what are they doing to your health? Scientists are trying to find out.
(Image credit: Meredith Rizzo for NPR)
As states begin to require people to requalify for the free health insurance, many who are eligible are losing coverage because of administrative snafus.
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For parents of teenagers, adolescence can be challenging, but to a brain scientist it's a time of breathtaking development. And it's a "window of opportunity" on the way to becoming an adult.
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After emergency surgery, an American expatriate now carries the baggage of a five-figure bill. Costs for medical care in the U.S. can be two to three times the rates in other developed countries.
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Even the Trump-era surgeon general is concerned about the repercussions for women's health, as doctors say they are reluctant to practice in states that have banned abortion.
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As the West endures a megadrought, rising levels of arsenic — a known carcinogen — in the water supply of Colorado's San Luis Valley offer clues to what the future may hold.
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It can be easy to get your hopes up about exciting new research or alternative approaches to cancer treatment. Here's an insider's guide for figuring out which ones are worth your time.
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The NIH will track the diets and lifestyles of 10,000 people to see how genetics, biology and the microbiome impact people's health. The study will use AI to tailor individual diet advice.
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A cluster of mpox cases in the Chicago area has sparked fears of a summer wave. Health officials are pointing to new research showing the vaccine is effective and hoping people take notice.
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At least 58,000 childern younger than 5 years old are hospitalized each year with RSV infections. A Pfizer vaccine given to pregnant people could help protect their infants from severe RSV illness.
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Some seniors got dozens of COVID tests they never ordered. Bad actors may have used seniors' Medicare information to improperly bill the federal government — and could do it again, investigators say.
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While a Supreme Court order continues to ensure the drug is still widely available, the issue returned Wednesday to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals as lawyers for both sides urged the court to act.
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Many parents are worried about their kids losing themselves for hours on their phones. Turns out, teens are troubled too. But they also know a lot about how to get unhooked. Here's how they do it.
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Three years ago, the emergency declaration enabled certain tools for fighting the pandemic and protecting Americans. Now that it's expiring, here's what is changing — and what's not.
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U.S. hospitals have seen a record number of cyberattacks over the past few years. Getting hacked can cost a hospital millions of dollars and expose patient data, and even jeopardize patient care.
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A new cookbook offers kitchen techniques that reduce physical exertion. It aims to make home cooking accessible again for those with chronic back pain.
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A recent study found that if you expect great sex after midlife, you're more likely to get it. Here's advice for seniors for how to make the most of your love life.
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The CDC says the coming end of the public health emergency means the agency will be scaling back the data it routinely collects and releases about the pandemic.
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Montana and other states are trying to increase the number of nurses who are specially trained to treat survivors of sexual assault.
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Americans paid an estimated $1 billion in interest on medical debt in just three years, a federal agency finds. This includes use of credit cards often pitched in doctors' and dentists' offices.
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Kids in the U .S. consume a lot of sugar - nearly 53 pounds a year on average. Obama's new food company PLEZi Nutrition, will lower the sugar content and improve nutrition in products aimed at kids.
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Across the country, schools are reporting rising cafeteria debt, and fewer kids are enrolling in their free and reduced price programs. Many states are moving to make meals free for all kids again.
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The FDA is considering greenlighting the experimental treatment under its accelerated approvals program. Some critics point out the therapy isn't yet proven to work and may be costly.
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Scientists are turning up more evidence that some people may harbor a viral reservoir in the wake of COVID-19. What could that tell us about long COVID?
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Scientists have decoded streams of words in the brain using artificial intelligence and the data from MRI scans.
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Jaci and Dustin Statton didn't think Oklahoma's abortion bans would affect them. They were open to having more kids. They didn't imagine Jaci would face a life-threatening pregnancy, though.
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A growing number of hospitals are shifting care into patients' homes. That means moving medications, machines and staffing with it, but hospitals are finding patients heal better, and it's cheaper.
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There's already a huge demand for existing weight-loss drugs, so the new medication is highly anticipated. Obesity affects an estimated 650 million adults globally.
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As U.S. life expectancy falls, experts say incarceration has serious health impacts. The U.S. has one of the highest rates of people in prison or jail in the developed world.
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Doctors rushed a pregnant woman to a surgeon who charged thousands upfront just to see her. The case reveals a gap in medical billing protections for those with rare, specialized conditions.
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A study of roughly 2,700 shootings in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia found widening racial disparities after the pandemic began, with black children the most frequent victims.
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Journalist Virginia Sole-Smith says efforts to fight childhood obesity have caused kids to absorb an onslaught of body-shaming messages. Her new book is Fat Talk.
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A new study shows women who call the hospitals in Oklahoma get confusing information about the state's abortion bans. One family lived through that confusion with dire consequences last month.
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A striking decline in teen mental health has coincided with the rise of smartphones and social media. Is social media causing the mental health challenges? Finally, research can answer that question.
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More women are serving in the U.S. military, and women are the fastest-growing group among U.S. veterans. The Veterans Administration is trying to meet their health needs, including pregnancy care.
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Researchers in Virginia Beach, Va., show how they test wastewater for signs of COVID-19, and how they're preparing to look for other health threats.
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New research shows that one of the most common infections in women may be linked to our food supply. Here's what to know to protect yourself.
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Researchers have found a system in the brain that seems to integrate control of individual muscles with a person's intentions, emotions and entire body.
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The U.S. desperately needs more Black and Hispanic doctors, research shows. But financial pressures and discrimination can keep young people from even applying to med school.
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Billions of dollars are headed to state and local governments to address the opioid crisis. If the federal government fails to oversee how the money is spent, advocates worry it will be wasted.
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Millions of Americans suffer from long COVID, which can have debilitating physical effects, including fatigue and difficulty breathing. Yet many patients feel abandoned, as federal aid winds down.
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When a town loses its grocery store, it also lose a local source of healthy food and a place for neighbors to gather and connect. But some communities are finding innovative ways to keep shops open.
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Boys born to mothers who got COVID-19 while pregnant seem to have a higher risk of subtle developmental delays, including those associated with autism spectrum disorder.
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Maria Caprigno was one of the youngest people in the U.S. to get the surgery. As parents and doctors grapple with the obesity treatment for teens, Caprigno cites the long-term benefits.
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Despite laws that say mental health care should be paid for on a par with other medical care, health insurance stopped covering the care a suicidal teen needed before she was stable.
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In a state that bans abortion, anxiety about rape and getting pregnant drove this teen to start on birth control, though she's not having sex.
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A Texas judge ruled that the Food and Drug Administration wrongly approved mifepristone in 2000 and accused it of doing a rush job. Here's what really went down.
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The chances of developing lingering symptoms after COVID appears to fall sharply from the first to the second time someone gets sick, new research finds. The risk is still significant.
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NPR would like to hear from you. With the future of some abortion pills in jeopardy, tell us about your experience using medication to end a pregnancy or treat a miscarriage.
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The end-of-life benefit costs billions a year. A new approach aims to eliminate waste and weed out bad actors, while making the care more inviting to those who most need it.
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The start of pregnancy — as well as exactly when that happens — is a hot topic in some state legislatures and U.S. courts. Understanding the nuances of what happens when has never been more important.
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Paying taxes can be agonizing. So can shopping for health insurance. But a handful of states have made enrolling in subsidized or free coverage a little easier for people when they file their taxes
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A national poll finds that a majority of Americans have felt the effects of gun violence in their personal lives.
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A judge's ruling puts access to the abortion drug mifepristone in limbo, pending further court decisions. But there's another drug that is safe and effective at ending early pregnancy.
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Strep throat is more prevalent this year, and amoxicillin manufacturers didn't make enough of the antibiotic to go around.
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Some doctors prescribe sublingual immunotherapy, known as SLIT, a serum taken as drops under the tongue. Patients like it, but it is not FDA-approved, so insurance usually doesn't cover it.
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Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, medical providers are encountering more legal and political battles — and escalating threats from the anti-abortion movement.
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The drug had been fast-tracked for approval under the agency's accelerated approval program, and has been available for more than a decade, despite the drugmaker's failure to prove that it works.
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When she gave birth to her baby with a fatal condition two months early, Samantha Casiano scrambled to raise funds for the funeral. Anti-abortion advocates say Texas laws are "working as designed."
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New startups believe chatbot technology could help reduce the burden on physicians. But some academics warn bias and errors could hurt patients.
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Some consumers who bought health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act have had a tough start to the year: Many say it's hard to find an in-network doctor or hospital.
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A few dozen high schools across the U.S. combine education with treatment for substance use disorders to keep kids in recovery — and in school.
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Art can make the brain's wiring stronger, more flexible, and ready to learn, say the authors of the new book, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.
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Patients who have digestive symptoms only after eating red meat may have developed an allergy caused by ticks. Previously, doctors looked for symptoms such as rashes, hives and breathing troubles.
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A pediatric surgeon and his colleagues at Vanderbilt University Medical Center had prepared for a mass casualty event, but the victims of Monday's shooting had already died by the time they arrived.
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Democratic leaders in California and Oregon are becoming more open to using involuntary psychiatric commitment to combat homelessness, drug abuse and untreated mental illness.
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All told, drugmakers and distributors will pay over $50 billion to communities harmed by opioids. An investigation finds that only a dozen states are letting the public see how they use the money.
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The Food and Drug Administration appears poised to make available the COVID-19 vaccines that target omicron as a second booster for people with weak immune systems and those ages 65 and older.
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Public health professor Arline Geronimus explains how marginalized people suffer nearly constant stress, which damages their bodies at the cellular level. Her new book is Weathering.
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A Boston hospital gets daily, home blood pressure checks for moms at risk for the pregnancy complication, pre-eclampsia. The effort is a response to alarming rates of Black maternal mortality.
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A Florida woman tried to dispute an emergency room bill, but the hospital and collection agency refused to talk to her — because it was her child's name on the bill, not hers.
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It can be a lifeline for patients who can't afford the time or costs of driving or flying commercially. It's an example of the unconventional tactics of abortion rights groups in a post-Roe America.
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A decade after a landmark report on Americans' shorter lives, the problem has only gotten worse. Unlike other wealthy nations, U.S. life expectancy has not bounced back from the pandemic.
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Part of a national trend, medical residents at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia push to form a union to demand better working conditions and higher wages. Child care is an important issue for many.
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Scientists have sequenced the genome of Ludwig van Beethoven from two-century-old locks of hair, and found clues about the ailments that plagued him in life.
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Mora Leeb was 9 months old when surgeons removed half her brain. Now 15, she plays soccer and tells jokes. Scientists say Mora is an extreme example of a process known as brain plasticity.
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GOOD Meat, which grows chicken and other meat from animal cells in a production facility, is the second company to cross this hurdle. The move brings no-kill meat closer to sale in the U.S.
(Image credit: Brian L. Frank for NPR/Brian L. Frank for NPR)
Poverty, by America author Matthew Desmond says if the top 1% of Americans paid the taxes they owed, it would raise $175 billion each year: "That is just about enough to pull everyone out of poverty."
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With a pandemic-era rule expiring this month, people on Medicaid will have to re-qualify to keep their coverage. Language barriers, housing instability and computer literacy could stand in their way.
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If you're in your 20s, 30s or 40s, you need to know the signs to watch for and when to seek screening or treatment for colorectal cancer.
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Health care vans that provided COVID testing and vaccines in the pandemic are now providing a range of health services in hard-to-reach communities. New access to federal funds could expand the trend.
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A Mississippi woman's life has been transformed by a treatment for sickle cell disease with the gene-editing technique CRISPR. All her symptoms from a disease once thought incurable have disappeared.
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After years of high rates, the country hit a new high during the pandemic, far exceeding rates in other developed nations. Black women are at especially high risk.
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Many of Ricardo Nuila's patients at Houston's Ben Taub Hospital are dealing with serious illnesses as a result of not being able to access basic preventive care. His new book is The People's Hospital.
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The rates of premature birth in the U.S. are high, especially in certain states. Experts worry that states restricting abortion have fewer maternal care providers than those with abortion access.
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As the White House and Republicans in Congress gear up for negotiations over the U.S. debt ceiling, how to pay for senior health care could be a sticking point, even if cuts are "off the table."
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Karen Fine says "I feel like I learn from my patients all the time. ... They really have skills and senses that we don't." Her new memoir is The Other Family Doctor.
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New evidence shows bempedoic acid works to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks, without the muscle pain that some people suffer when taking statins.
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A bipartisan group of senators wants to make daylight saving time permanent. But sleep experts say standard time is better, because it saves morning light and is more in sync with our natural rhythms.
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Monkeys using stones to crack open nuts generate many stone flakes accidentally that look exactly like the ones archaeologists have long thought early humans made intentionally as tools. Oops.
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Close to 40% of surveyed Americans, a record high, put off medical care last year because of finances. Americans are delaying or skipping doctor's visits, dental and vision care, and medications.
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Researchers have mapped the more than 500,000 connections in the intricate brain of a fruit fly larva. This map, they say, could help scientists figure out how learning changes the human brain, too.
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The lingering jet-lagged feeling you get when daylight saving time begins and ends can disrupt your health as well as your mood. Try these 6 tips from sleep experts to make next week easier.
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Trump-appointed federal judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ruled that free birth control for teens from a federal program violates Texas law and parental rights. For now, it's still available in other states.
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The Third International Summit on Genome Editing concluded Monday with ethicists warning scientists to slow down efforts to use gene-editing to enhance the health of embryos.
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Once U.S. stockpiles of COVID-19 vaccine run out, Moderna says it might charge as much as $130 per dose, but give people who lack health insurance a break. Critics say that's not enough help.
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More than 50 consumer and patient groups want the Biden Administration to aggressively protect Americans from medical bills and debt collectors. The effort follows a KHN/NPR investigation.
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Federal restrictions seemed to explain why many doctors weren't prescribing medication for opioid addiction. But some caution that removing those rules isn't enough to overcome hesitancy and stigma.
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The last time this summit convened in 2018, the world was shocked to hear a scientist had created the first gene-edited babies. He was condemned, but gene-editing has continued, with some success.
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In Texas, many uninsured people can access Medicaid if they get pregnant. But 2 months after giving birth, the coverage ends. Advocates say new moms need a full year, to improve maternal health.
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Sick children overwhelmed hospitals this past fall and winter, exposing vulnerabilities in the nation's ability to care for its youngest during a crisis.
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The Food and Drug Administration has new tools to hold drug companies accountable for promises they make about medications. But the agency has yet to show its hand in using this new power.
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Injuries, abuse, and neglect have continued at the state-run psychiatric facility that lost its federal certification due to preventable patient deaths. But an information blackout remains.
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Depending on where they lived, demands for repayment can drain the assets that a patient on Medicaid leaves behind after they die. Iowa aggressively collects "clawback" funds.
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Some doctors in Texas are so worried about the abortion bans, they hint to patients with pregnancy complications, "I've heard traveling to Colorado is really nice this time of year."
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Millions of people who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP will see a cut of $90 a month or more. Some recipients say it will make it harder to buy healthy food.
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NPR is reporting on the impact of state restrictions on abortion. If you have tried to obtain an abortion since last June, we'd like to hear from you.
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When Lauren Miller found out one of her twins had a fatal condition, she discovered her doctors in Texas would only say: You need to leave the state. She went to Colorado for a selective reduction.
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When a dire disease strikes, it's easy to slip into war terms to describe the experience. But that sort of talk turns life into two outcomes: winning and losing. And that's not the way life works.
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Billing experts and lawmakers are playing catch-up as providers get around new consumer protections, leaving patients like Danielle Laskey of Washington state with big bills for emergency care.
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The federal agency that oversees Medicaid suggested Idaho wasn't trying hard enough to reach beneficiaries before letting their coverage lapse. Consumer advocates fear that could happen again.
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New research found teens and young adults who even briefly cut time on social media gained self esteem. Try these 5 tips to help them — and yourself — improve screen-life balance.
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Sure, you may resent how much of your energy gets sucked up by your job. But research finds that keeping up relationships with colleagues may have a big upside to your health and happiness.
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People leaving jail or prison are at extremely high risk of hospitalization and death, and policymakers from deep blue California to solidly red Utah think bringing Medicaid behind bars could help.
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Archaeologists have discovered evidence of a rare type of skull surgery dating back to the Bronze Age that's similar to a procedure still being used today.
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The U.S. faces a shortfall of about 450,000 nurses and 120,000 doctors in the coming years. The Senate's top health committee, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, is considering bipartisan solutions.
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Petitions for compassionate release soared in the pandemic, but federal judges denied most requests. This week officials will review guidelines aimed at freeing imprisoned people who pose no threat.
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Two stroke patients regained control of a disabled arm and hand after researchers delivered electrical stimulation to their spines, paving the way toward a medical device that could aid movement.
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Optometrists are lobbying for more leeway to treat patients — and physicians' groups are pushing back. But it's more than a turf war, both sides say, as they explain why patients' vision is at stake.
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The FDA announced the supply troubles in the fall. Four months later, the medication remains hard to get and could stay that way until the spring
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Researchers found a new approach to developing a male contraceptive. A chemical taken shortly before sex immobilizes sperm and prevents conception. The research is limited to mice but shows promise.
They came to tell Congress about their "recovery plan" for physicians, which includes a Medicare pay boost and an end to some frustrating insurance company requirements.
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The platform banned food advertising, yet many videos viewed by millions of kids continue to showcase candy, soda and packaged snacks, likely affecting kids' food preferences, researchers say.
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Politicians are again pointing fingers over cutting Medicare. Any party accused of threatening the program tends to lose elections, but without a bipartisan agreement, seniors stand to lose the most.
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Researchers paired new parents with financial coaches in a pediatric clinic. They found the families were more likely to come for well-child visits and vaccinations — and they got ahead financially.
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For people with drug-resistant epilepsy, surgery used to be seen as a last resort. Now it's often the treatment of choice.
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Medicare suddenly stopped paying for the pricey drug that prolongs his life. As he waits for an appeal, this retired physician wonders if he should give up treatment to spare his family the cost.
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Nearly one in three girls reported seriously considering suicide in the past year – a 60% rise from a decade ago, according to the CDC survey data.
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She's seen what happens when people don't trust or understand their doctor. Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick founded 'Grapevine Health' to get solid information out, especially to Black and Latinx patients.
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Medicaid enrollment swelled during the pandemic. And some states are being especially aggressive at policing their rolls.
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For years, chocolate-lovers have pointed to studies suggesting compounds in cocoa may be good for heart health. But some of the recent evidence comes from flavanol-rich cocoa, not from candy bars
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Increasingly, private equity firms shape staffing decisions at hospital emergency rooms, research shows. One apparent effect: Hiring fewer doctors and more health care practitioners who earn far less.
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After three years, the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center is ceasing operations. Its data dashboards and maps became go-to sources for information from the early days of the pandemic.
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Drugmakers will be required to pay Medicare back for price increases that outpace inflation. The industry is expected to put up a fight over implementation.
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Filmmaker Laura Poitras and Goldin discuss their Oscar-nominated documentary aboutefforts to remove the Sackler family name from prominent museums amid the opioid epidemic.
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At many U.S. hospitals, children and teens are stuck in the emergency department for days or weeks because psychiatric beds are full. Massachussets has a simple, yet promising solution..
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Insurers, employers, taxpayers and other consumers will all be affected as drugmakers move these products to the commercial market in May. How much you'll pay depends on your health insurance.
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Researchers surveyed commuters to find out what they do — and don't — get out of the daily trek to and from work. Many people say it's invaluable personal time to recover and switch gears.
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When a case of COVID-19 morphs into the mysterious, chronic condition known as long COVID, the specialists, appointments, medications and daily need for family care can overwhelm everyone involved.
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After months of eye-popping prices, egg lovers are finally seeing some relief. Wholesale prices in the Midwest fell by 58 cents at the end of January, but the days of a $1.50 a dozen may not return.
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Happiness can sometimes feel just out of reach. But having more fun? You've got this — and those giggles and playful moments can make a big difference to your health and well-being.
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The main reason the surge is ebbing now, pandemic experts suspect, is the significant immunity many people in the U.S. have acquired from prior infections and COVID vaccinations many received.
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The illness sends tens of thousands of babies to the hospital each year. If approved, the new injection would be the first broadly available prevention tool.
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During the time that deaths from addiction and suicide among white Americans rose by about 9%, deaths among Native Americans shot up by about 30%, a new study shows.
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As the U.S. government debates whether to require higher staffing levels at nursing homes, financial records show some owners routinely push profits to sister companies while residents are neglected.
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U.S. doctors can now choose Amjevita instead, the first of several close copies of the popular rheumatoid arthritis drug expected this year. But industry-watchers warn consumer savings may be limited.
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Most doctors get little training in the science of obesity or how to counsel people with the disease. As a result, many patients experience stigma in the exam room.
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Dr. Henry Marsh felt comfortable in hospitals — until he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. "I was much less self-assured now that I was a patient myself," he says. His book is And Finally.
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The new weight-loss drugs can be life-changing for people facing health conditions worsened by obesity, but price and spotty insurance coverage may keep them out of reach.
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A family had more than $12,000 in medical bills they couldn't explain after their baby was delivered early. It turns out the doctors who cared for her worked at a different, out-of-network hospital.
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The hormone oxytocin plays a key role in long-term relationships. But a study of prairie voles finds that the animals mate for life even without help from the "love hormone."
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Long criticized as discriminatory, the policy has prevented many gay and bisexual men from donating blood. The Food and Drug Administration revealed a draft of its new approach on Friday.
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Just outside St. Louis, a cemetery for children sits on a hill. A wooden, weather-worn sign welcomes mourners to "Baby Land." The gravediggers who made the special spot work quietly in the shadows.
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Policymakers have long grappled with how to handle experiments that might generate potentially dangerous viruses. Now, officials are considering whether oversight needs to be expanded.
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Advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today endorsed a proposal to make big changes in the nation's approach to vaccinating people against COVID-19.
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After months of COVID, flu and RSV infections, parents of little kids are kinda losing it. But the data shows kids have always brought home waves of respiratory illness.
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An NPR/Ipsos poll found widespread confusion on some basic facts about abortion and pregnancy. Can you answer the same questions correctly?
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The days might seem long, but the years go by quickly, friends warned when my son was born. I wanted to savor each precious memory, but how? Living on "toddler time," showed me the way.
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Toxic metal can be harmful to developing brains. New lead targets are part of a broad FDA imitative to reduce children's exposure to the lowest levels possible.
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Since early in the pandemic, people on Medicaid have been able to stay enrolled without reapplying. That will change in April and millions of eligible people will lose the coverage.
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The new approach would simplify vaccination guidance so that, every fall, people would get a new shot, updated to try to match whatever variant is dominant.
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JPMorgan's cheery confab returned to San Francisco, but the health care capitalists had economic anxiety, too.
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At-home rapid tests have become a staple of COVID-19 precautions, but some experts worry that people are relying too much on these tests and that's creating a false sense of security.
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Some companies and researchers think smart computers might eventually help with provider shortages in mental health, and some consumers are already turning to chatbots to build "emotional resilience."
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Coastal and politically progressive states have passed stronger paid sick and family leave policies than many states with larger rural populations.
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For nearly a century, jazz musicians have debated what gives songs that propulsive, groovy feel that makes you want to move with the music. The secret may lie in subtle nuances in a soloist's timing.
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And what about a cold or RSV? With all the illness spreading, it's virus soup out there these days. Some people feel so sick they're wondering if they're fighting more than one germ at once.
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Getting abortion medication online is easier than ever thanks to regulatory changes. The practice is pushing the boundaries of the traditional doctor-patient relationship.
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The 3-digit suicide and crisis lifeline – 988 – fielded nearly half a million more calls, texts and chats in its first 5 months than the old 10-digit Lifeline did during the same time in 2021.
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It would make more sense to screen a plane's wastewater to look for new variants than to screen individual passenger volunteers, some researchers say. Others say any information is helpful.
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It's the last weekend for Obamacare open enrollment, and nearly 16 million Americans have signed up for a health insurance plan.
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A new study finds that taking regular, short bouts of movement during the day can reduce the risk of developing conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
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People who lose track of time aren't rude, researchers say — they may just be listening to their inner timekeeper instead of an external clock. Living according to "event time" has its benefits.
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Champion distance runner Lauren Fleshman says too many coaches assume — falsely — that what works for male athletes also benefits female athletes. Her memoir is Good for a Girl.
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Instead of health insurance, the Rev. Jeff King had signed up for an alternative that left members of the plan to share the costs of health care. That meant lower premiums, but a huge hospital bill.
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Photographer Lori Grinker struggled to get along with her mother all of her life. When she moved in with her to help with her failing health, old wounds melted away.
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Does the idea of ambitious goal-setting in January turn you off? Try these tips for sustainable self-care instead.
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RSV and the flu appear to be receding in the U.S., but COVID is on the rise, new data suggest, driven by holiday gatherings and an even more transmissible omicron subvariant that has become dominant.
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An Alzheimer's drug that removes the substance amyloid from the brain has received a conditional approval from the FDA. A large study found the drug decreased the loss of thinking and memory by 27%.
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Hunching over screens takes a toll. Movement researchers say you can prevent pain from accumulating by taking quick breaks for movement. Here are 5 exercises to try that take a minute or less.
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Climate goals can feel distant. But climate change is a happening right now. Speed up the benefits for taking action, psychologists say, if you want leaders and others to pay attention and act.
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A group of doctors trains health care providers to treat miscarriage in the emergency department. This could be increasingly important in states where abortion is outlawed.
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The cases of accidental ingestion of cannabis candies and baked goods among small children increased 1,375% in five years, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics.
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An investigation finds that corrections officers in Pennsylvania use physical force on people who may be unable to comply with orders due to a mental health condition.
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As we dive into another new year of resolutions, managing time is the key to success. And learning to organize our time around our goals may mean saying 'no' to activities that don't align.
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In Fairfax County, Va., the health department is training high school students to become health ambassadors in underserved communities and get a leg up on future careers in public health.
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The year 2022 was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Gregor Mendel. He's known as the father of genetics, so scientists exhumed Mendel's body and examined his DNA.
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When she was pregnant, Kaitlyn Joshua struggled to get medical care — and answers — in post-Roe Louisiana, where abortion is banned.
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Public health officials want more Americans to get the latest COVID vaccine booster. Only 35% of people over 65 have gotten the shot, though 75% of COVID deaths are among people in this age group.
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Psychedelic drugs were a hot topic at this year's Society for Neuroscience meeting. Researchers hope the drugs can help people with disorders like depression and PTSD.
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Call it "precision waking" — the alleged ability to decide when you want to wake up and then doing so, without an alarm. If you think you can do it, you're not alone, though how is still mysterious.
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Testing pregnant people's blood to look at free-floating DNA can tell doctors about the health of the fetus. But these tests sometime turn up DNA that might be shed by cancerous cells.
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A new report shows the pandemic and the overdose crisis helped push down the average life expectancy in the U.S. for a second year in a row.
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An examination of billing policies and practices at more than 500 hospitals across the country shows widespread reliance on aggressive collection tactics.
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A health system charged a woman for a shoulder replacement she didn't need and hadn't received. She didn't receive the care, but she did receive the bill — and some medical records of a stranger.
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The brain uses special neurons called time cells to organize our memories of events and experiences. But, despite their name, these cells don't work like a clock.
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In the months since Roe v. Wade was overturned, training groups in North Carolina say they've seen an uptick in interest from people wanting to work as abortion doulas.
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We mark our days by sunlight, with special receptors in our eyes that respond to light and help reset our body clocks each day. This man can't see, but is still a circadian wiz. Here's how.
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The ruling is the latest twist in a long-running dispute over where dozens of federally-supported former research chimps should live out the remainder of their days.
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Pediatric cases of RSV and flu have sent families crowding into ERs, as health systems struggle with staff shortages. In Michigan, only 9 out of more than 130 hospitals have a pediatric ICU.
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The U.S. agency that's supposed to protect workers' health has all but given up on setting limits on a dangerous chemical released in tire manufacturing. Meanwhile, workers are dying.
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What would a world without medical debt look like? In Germany's former coal-mining region medical debt is almost unknown, despite economic challenges and health problems. Here's why.
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Many people reported a distortion in their sense of time during the pandemic, but the individual experience is highly dependent on a range of factors from emotional state to culture.
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Winter can be hard, especially in the halls of healing. A doctor shares how this year's World Cup has become the holiday event she and others didn't know they needed.
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Using CRISPR to modify certain immune cells could make cancer-fighting immunotherapy more potent for a broader set of patients. Two people who went through the treatment share their stories.
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The pandemic put infectious diseases doctors in the spotlight. The 'Fauci Effect' raised the number of fellowship applicants in 2020, but this year almost half of the training programs went unfilled.
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A KHN investigation found when some Medicare Advantage plans got a rare federal audit, they couldn't produce billing records for care they said they'd provided. Some blamed fire, flood — or doctors.
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Kristen Petranek has a history of miscarriages – and she has diabetes, which makes pregnancy risky. She fears that if something goes wrong, her state's law may inhibit doctors from helping her.
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The experimental drug lecanemab was able to slow down Alzheimer's in a large study. Many researchers think the drug will become the first to help large numbers of patients.
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Their accounts contrast sharply with what chemical giants have said about worker safety at their facilities. At an Olin plant outside of McIntosh, Ala., workers recall decades of asbestos exposure.
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The disease, which predominantly affects patients of color, can damage the body in ways that can make it difficult to have a child. But patients don't always have access to fertility care.
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For decades birth control research focused on women. Now there's a new push to develop gels, pills or other products that could keep men from getting their partners pregnant.
Makers of products like Children's Tylenol say they're trying to keep up with big demand as RSV, flu, and COVID spread. But medical experts note that kids' fevers don't always call for medicine.
When health bills aren't legible — via large-print, Braille or other adaptive technology — blind patients can't know what they owe, and are too often sent to debt collections, an investigation finds.
In a large study, the experimental Alzheimer's drug lecanemab reduced the rate of cognitive decline by 27 percent in people in the early stages of the disease.
La información falsa dirigida a la comunidad latina está creciendo. Gran parte de ella está diseñada para impulsar a los votantes o desalentar a las mujeres embarazadas a buscar atención medica.
The advent of vaping revived nicotine addiction among young people after a dramatic decline. The FDA seems poised to at last yank some products aimed at teens from the market. Will it work?
Some doctors and medical practices voluntarily give rebates on a bill if an injury occurs during a procedure, while others will not, a medical ethicist says. Here's how patients can respond.
A new wave of counselors is supporting people of color by 'decolonizing' the practice of therapy. They aim to make therapy more culturally responsive and to take generational trauma into account.
In states with abortion bans, doctors may hesitate to provide abortion care in a medical emergency. Some ethicists argue doctors should practice civil disobedience and put patients' lives first.
As the holiday approaches, infectious disease specialists are bracing for the possibility that big family get-togethers and travel will propel the spread of RSV, flu and COVID-19.
The cash represents an unprecedented opportunity to derail the opioid epidemic. But with countless groups advocating for a share of the pie, the impact could depend heavily on geography and politics.
Physician Siddhartha Mukherjee explains how cellular science could lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer, HIV, Type 1 diabetes and sickle cell anemia. His new book is The Song of the Cell.
Taxpayers footed the bill for care that should have cost far less, according to records released under the Freedom of Information Act. The U.S. government may charge insurers $650 million as a result.
The treatments were highly popular earlier in the pandemic. One by one, they got knocked out by more convenient, less expensive treatment options, and new COVID variants.
The clinics have popped up all over the country, but doctors still don't know the best way to treat these patients, whose symptoms can vary dramatically.
Some credit cards advertised by hospitals lure in patients with rosy promises of convenient, low-interest payments on big bills. But interest rates soar if you can't quickly pay off the loan.
In a new book, writer Alison Mariella Désir shares her journey into long distance running, reveals the hidden contributions of Black runners and calls for the sport to become more inclusive.
State law at the time prohibited abortion after around 6 weeks. Legal experts say this kind of law leaves doctors uncertain of what's legal and can put patients in dangerous situations.
The FDA has taken a first step towards green-lighting cultivated, "no-kill" meat. The agency gave a safety nod to Upside Foods, which provided documentation to show their cultivated meat is safe.
Step aside, BA.5. The new variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, appear to be among the most adept yet at evading immunity from previous infection and vaccination.
In Montana and across the nation, homeless shelters report the worrisome trend that seniors are a growing proportion of their residents.
Nearly 75% of Americans with disabilities live with a family caregiver, many of them age 60 or older. Updating your care plan now, experts say, can help make sure everyone thrives.
Researchers compared a practice of daily mindfulness meditation to taking Lexapro to control anxiety symptoms. The meditators got equivalent relief, without the side effects.
For those at high risk, Pfizer's antiviral drug helps stave off severe COVID-19. Now research suggests it may also reduce their chances of long COVID.
Michigan faces a key vote on abortion rights as patients travel there from other states. At a clinic near Detroit, many women share what abortion access means for their own lives and futures.
Millions of people are prescribed statins to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, but many would rather take supplements instead. A new study shows statins are much more effective.
An Indiana man's family sued a state-owned nursing home for alleged mistreatment. A U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case could determine the right of many Americans to sue government agencies.
In American Sirens, writer Kevin Hazzard recounts how a group of Black paramedics in Pittsburgh in the 1970s pioneered and professionalized the modern day ambulance service.
The updated recommendations seek to course correct after guidelines from 2016 were criticized for harshly limiting access to needed pain medication.
False information targeting the Latino community is surging. Much of it is designed to galvanize voters or discourage pregnant women from seeking care.
Updated COVID boosters are now available for anyone age 12 or older. The CDC is urging anyone who is eligible to sign up but some vaccine experts say some people might want to wait.
Religious rules guiding Catholic health care systems often mean their doctors can't prescribe contraceptives or perform tubal ligations. And sometimes that leaves patients with few other options.
Heat waves, drought, massive storms. The bad news just keeps coming and there's no denying these issues are anxiety-provoking. If you feel that way, you're not alone.
After the disruption and trauma of the pandemic, educators say kids still need added support this year. In some schools, they're making emotional wellness part of the curriculum.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has signed off on updated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines that target the original virus and the omicron subvariants.
The way many Americans eat is fueling chronic disease. Here are seven big ideas from the White House's upcoming nutrition conference for how to improve Americans' diets.
The new shots from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech target both the original strain of the coronavirus and the omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants that most people are catching now.
Americans' life expectancy dropped for the second year in a row and is the biggest drop since the 1920s. COVID-19 is driving the downward trend, according to CDC data.
The Food and Drug Administration is planning to authorize a new generation of COVID-19 boosters this week that for the first time will target the omicron variant.
For decades, the U.S. medical system has adhered to a legally recognized standard for death, one embraced by most states. Why is a uniform standard for the start of human life proving so elusive?
Rates of new cases are declining in major cities, suggesting public health campaigns are working. But the spread
The vaccine maker alleges that its rivals Pfizer and BioNTech used some patented features of its mRNA technology to develop their COVID vaccines.
In a mental health crisis, a conversation with an empathetic listener can be live-saving. But when someone needs in-person help, there's a shortage of resources in many parts of the country.
Polio is spreading in a few New York counties with low vaccination rates. Experts warn that other places in the U.S. could face the same challenge.
A hospital's cost calculator said her procedure would be $1,400 for patients without insurance. Instead, the bill was almost $18,000 and, her part was more than $5,000 — the balance of her deductible.