Health
- USAssociated Press
Relatives of those who died waiting for livers at now halted Houston transplant program seek answers
Several relatives of patients who died while waiting for a new liver said Wednesday they want to know if their loved ones were wrongfully denied a transplant by a Houston doctor accused of manipulating the waitlist to make some patients ineligible to receive a new organ. Officials at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center have said they are investigating after finding that a doctor had made “inappropriate changes” in the national database for people awaiting liver transplants. Susie Garcia's so
3 min read - HealthNBC News
How one state is trying to make weight loss drugs cheaper
Weight loss drugs aren't covered by insurance for North Carolina's state employees. The state is negotiating with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to try to lower the costs.
5 min read - HealthYahoo Life
The latest on bird flu: How it's spread, what it means for milk and eggs and more
Everything need to know about the spread of avian influenza, aka bird flu, in the U.S.
7 min read - USUnited Press International
USDA announces new school meal standards that call for less sugar, salt in students' food
Gradually improved nutrition standards for school meals will help promote the health of the nation's schoolchildren, the United States Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.
2 min read - HealthTODAY
What is the healthiest fish? This surprising No. 1 pick beat out salmon
Fish is a high-protein, low calorie food. Sardines are the healthist fish. Here are other fish high in protein and omega-3's and 7 fish you should never eat.
11 min read - HealthAssociated Press
More doctors can prescribe a leading addiction treatment. Why aren't more people getting help?
It’s easier than ever for doctors to prescribe a key medicine for opioid addiction since the U.S. government lifted an obstacle last year. Researchers analyzed prescriptions filled by U.S. pharmacies for the treatment drug buprenorphine. The number of prescribers rose last year after doctors no longer needed to get a special waiver to prescribe the drug, while the number of patients filling prescriptions barely budged.
2 min read - BusinessReuters
Regeneron to collaborate on gene editing therapies with Doudna-founded Mammoth
Mammoth's CRISPR-based gene editing platform and Regeneron's delivery technologies will be used to create disease-modifying medicines that can be delivered to tissues beyond the liver. CRISPR, discovered by Jennifer Doudna and CRISPR Therapeutics co-founder Emmanuelle Charpentier, uses molecular "scissors" to trim faulty parts of genes that can then be disabled or replaced with new strands of normal DNA.
1 min read - BusinessReuters
Merck raises 2024 profit forecast on strong sales of cancer drug Keytruda
(Reuters) -Merck & Co on Thursday raised its annual profit and revenue forecast on the back of strong sales for its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda. The New Jersey-based drugmaker said it expected earnings of $8.53 and $8.65 per share, up from its previous forecast of $8.44 to $8.59, and sales of $63.1-$64.3 billion for the year. Merck's new forecast includes a $0.26 per share charge for its $680 million acquisition of cancer drug developer Harpoon Therapeutics, which closed in the first quar
2 min read - HealthAssociated Press
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Ever since college, Brad Jobling struggled with his weight, fluctuating between a low of 155 pounds when he was in his 30s to as high as 220. A little over a year ago, the 58-year-old Manhattan resident went on a new weight loss drug called Wegovy.
7 min read - HealthYahoo Life
More than half of adults still consume some type of milk, new Yahoo/YouGov poll finds. Are there benefits to drinking it?
Whole milk and 2% cow’s milk emerged as the top choices of milk, beating out plant-based milk.
6 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Venezuela broke its HPV vaccine promises, and there's barely any sex ed. Experts say it's a problem
Some of the 10 women and teenage girls who recently came to a medical clinic in eastern Venezuela for free contraceptives fidgeted a bit when a community health worker taught them how to use an IUD, condoms and birth control pills correctly. The health worker also asked what they knew about HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world and the cause of nearly all cervical cancer. Of the 10, ages 16 to 33 — two of whom had traveled to Putucual by boat and bus — only one had l
7 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Climate change is bringing malaria to new areas. In Africa, it never left
When a small number of cases of locally transmitted malaria were found in the United States last year, it was a reminder that climate change is reviving or migrating the threat of some diseases. Take Funmilayo Kotun, a 66-year-old resident of Makoko, an informal neighborhood in Nigeria’s Lagos city. Its ponds of dirty water provide favorable breeding conditions for malaria-spreading mosquitoes.
3 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Malaria is still killing people in Kenya, but a vaccine and local drug production may help
As the coffin bearing the body of Rosebella Awuor was lowered into the grave, heart-wrenching sobs from mourners filled the air. It was the latest of five deaths in this family attributed to malaria. The disease is common in Kenya, and it is preventable and curable, but poverty makes it deadly for those who can't afford treatment.
3 min read - USAssociated Press
US births fell last year, marking an end to the late pandemic rebound, experts say
U.S. births fell last year, resuming a long national slide. A little under 3.6 million babies were born in 2023, according to provisional statistics released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. births were slipping for more than a decade before COVID-19 hit, then dropped 4% from 2019 to 2020.
4 min read - BusinessReuters
US births retreat after pandemic-era growth
The number of births in the United States fell by 2% in 2023 from the previous year, driven in part by a marked birth rate decline among older teenagers and women aged 20-24, according to a report from the CDC released on Thursday. The number of births in the U.S. fell to 3,591,328 in 2023 from 3,667,758 the year prior, according to provisional National Centers for Health Statistics (NCHS) data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The birth rate in 2022 was flat with the
2 min read - BusinessABC News
Teen births in US fall to record low, as overall total drops by 2%: CDC
The overall number of births in the United States dropped in 2023 as teenage births reached a record low, according to new provisional federal data published early Thursday. In 2023, there were 3.59 million births recorded, a 2% decline from the 3.66 million recorded in 2022, according to the report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.
3 min read - HealthNBC News
Mother describes leaving Idaho for an abortion as Supreme Court considers its ban
The Supreme Court will weigh whether Idaho's abortion ban conflicts with a federal law that requires hospitals to provide patients treatment in emergencies.
5 min read - HealthGood Morning America
Victoria Monét speaks out about gaining weight amid PCOS battle
Singer Victoria Monét is opening up about the changes to her body that she says are due to polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. In text shared above the photo, Monét wrote that she had "gained a lot of weight," adding, in part, "PCOS has me really messed up." Monét, 34, is not alone in battling the condition.
3 min read - HealthVerywell Health
17 Healthy High-Fiber Snacks
High-fiber snacks can be part of a healthy eating plan. Enjoy these 17 snacks to get the benefits of fiber.
11 min read - HealthYahoo Life
Christina Applegate says she got sapovirus after eating a contaminated salad. Here's what that is — and how to avoid it.
Sapovirus, similar to norovirus, causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and can be pretty harrowing, according to Christina Applegate.
4 min read - USCBS News
Bird flu outbreak is driving up egg prices — again
Egg prices are jumping as an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza forces producers to slaughter millions of infected birds.
3 min read - USGood Morning America
USDA announces changes coming to school meals: What to know
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a series of changes to nutrition standards for school meals, including one that is a historic first. Here are three things to know about the changes coming to breakfast and lunch meals served at school. The biggest change announced by the USDA is that, for the first time, there will be limits on added sugars in school meals.
3 min read - HealthVerywell Health
Hemlock Poisoning: What to Know
Poison hemlock is a highly toxic plant that can cause hemlock poisoning when you touch or ingest it. Find out what it looks like and what to do if you’re poisoned.
5 min read - BusinessUSA TODAY
Spring cleaning for clean breathing: How you can improve indoor air quality in your home
A routine tuneup found biological growth in my home's HVAC unit. Here what I did to get rid of it, plus expert tips for improving indoor air quality.
6 min read - HealthVerywell Health
Constant Runny Nose? It Might Not Be Allergies
If you have a constant runny nose, it might not be allergies. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a persistent inflammatory condition that causes the sinuses to swell for more than three months.
5 min read - HealthVerywell Health
NYC Reports Increases in Leptospirosis, an Infection Caused by Rat Urine
Leptospirosis cases have been rising in New York City. Here's how to protect yourself.
3 min read - HealthThe Conversation
Getting a good night’s rest is vital for neurodiverse children – pediatric sleep experts explain why
Sleep habits can be improved by making shifts in both daytime and evening routines.
7 min read - HealthVerywell Health
Does Collagen Support Hair Growth?
Studies haven’t concluded what collagen does for hair growth in humans. Learn the potential benefits and collagen alternatives to consider.
8 min read - HealthAssociated Press
Dairy cattle must be tested for bird flu before moving between states, agriculture officials say
Dairy cattle moving between states must be tested for the bird flu virus, U.S. agriculture officials said Wednesday as they try to track and control the growing outbreak. The federal order was announced one day after health officials said they had detected inactivated remnants of the virus, known as Type A H5N1, in samples taken from milk during processing and from store shelves. “The risk to humans remains low,” said Dawn O'Connell of the federal Administration for Strategic Preparedness and
2 min read - HealthVerywell Health
How to Increase Your Fiber Intake Without Bloating
Fiber is important for heart and digestive health, but eating too much fiber too quickly can cause bloating. Nutrition experts discuss how to increase fiber intake without bloating.
4 min read - HealthAssociated Press
Allergies can make you miserable. Here's how to track pollen levels near you
Allergy season can bring misery to tens of millions of Americans each year. Tree, grass, and other pollens can cause runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing. Where you live and what you're allergic to can make a big difference in how bad your allergies are, but there are many things you can do to feel better.
3 min read - HealthVerywell Health
4 Reasons Weight Loss Drugs Aren't Working for You
Obesity medications don't work for everyone. Eating and exercising well and adjusting your dose could help.
8 min read - HealthVerywell Health
Lump in Groin: Causes With or Without Pain
Identifying Lumps Based on Male and Female Anatomy
9 min read - HealthVerywell Health
Understanding Benzodiazepines and How They Work
Benzodiazepines (also known as benzos) are a class of medications used to treat anxiety disorders, seizures, insomnia, and other health conditions. While effective, they can come with some side effects and risks.
9 min read - HealthAssociated Press
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart. Lisa Pisano’s combination of heart and kidney failure left her too sick to qualify for a traditional transplant, and out of options. Then doctors at NYU Langone Health devised a novel one-two punch: Implant a mechanical pump to keep her heart beating and days later transplant a kidney from a genetically modified pig.
4 min read - HealthGood Morning America
Woman becomes 1st patient to undergo combined heart pump implant and pig kidney transplant
In a first-of-its-kind procedure, a terminally ill patient has become the first person in the world to undergo a gene-edited pig kidney transplant and also have a mechanical heart pump surgically implanted. Surgeons at NYU Langone Health, in New York City, performed the operation in two steps, the first being the implantation of the heart pump. The second took place days later, with the transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney and the pig's thymus gland -- which makes white blood cells
5 min read - HealthUSA TODAY
Grandmother gets new lease on life from heart pump, pig kidney
A grandmother on the brink of death received an experimental surgery earlier this month, getting a new heart valve and a kidney from a gene-edited pig
6 min read - ScienceThe Conversation
Nearsightedness is at epidemic levels – and the problem begins in childhood
While reading, scrolling and focusing on other objects near our faces increase the risk of developing myopia, a little time outdoors in the sun can help mitigate it.
5 min read - HealthThe Conversation
Do implicit bias trainings on race improve health care? Not yet – but incorporating the latest science can help hospitals treat all patients equitably
Many Black patients experience stark differences in how they’re treated during medical interactions compared to white patients.
6 min read - USAssociated Press
USDA updates rules for school meals that limit added sugars for the first time
The nation's school meals will get a makeover under new nutrition standards that limit added sugars for the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday. The final rule also trims sodium in kids' meals, although not by the 30% first proposed in 2023. And it continues to allow flavored milks — such as chocolate milk — with less sugar, rather than adopting an option that would have offered only unflavored milk to the youngest kids. The aim is to improve nutrition and align
2 min read - HealthVerywell Health
Why Do I Keep Getting Canker Sores?
Exploring Possible Causes and Solutions
8 min read - HealthThe New York Times
Fragments of Bird Flu Virus Discovered in Milk
Federal regulators said Tuesday that samples of pasteurized milk from around the country had tested positive for inactive remnants of the bird flu virus that has been infecting dairy cows. The viral fragments do not pose a threat to consumers, officials said. “To date, we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe,” the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement. Over the past month, a bird flu virus known as H5N1 has been detected in more th
5 min read - BusinessReuters
Thermo Fisher lifts profit forecast as medical equipment demand improves
The medical equipment maker in January signaled that muted demand for its services used in the making of therapies and vaccines will extend at least into the first half of the year, but could pick up later. The Waltham, Massachusetts-based firm said it now expects annual adjusted profit of $21.14 to $22.02 per share, compared with its previous forecast of $20.95 to $22 per share. Analysts had estimated a profit of $21.53 per share for 2024, according to LSEG data.
1 min read - BusinessReuters
Biogen cost cuts drive profit beat, as Alzheimer's drug off to slow start
(Reuters) -Biogen reported a quarterly profit that topped Wall Street estimates, helped by cost cutting, as the launch of its new Alzheimer's disease drug remained sluggish. Sales of Alzheimer's drug Leqembi, recorded by Japanese partner Eisai, were just $19 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' tempered expectations of between $13 million and $30 million. However, the cost cutting measures contributed to a profit that exceeded analysts' expectations by 22 cents and Biogen shares were
2 min read - BusinessReuters
Insurer Humana pulls 2025 profit forecast on disappointing Medicare rates
(Reuters) -Humana withdrew its already downscaled 2025 profit forecast on Wednesday, citing disappointing government Medicare reimbursement rates, sending the health insurer's shares down over 5% in morning trade. The company, which heavily depends on government-backed insurance such as Medicare Advantage (MA), has been facing multiple challenges. Humana's stock has fallen nearly 19% since the insurer slashed its 2025 profit forecast to $22 and $26 per share from $37 in January, anticipating a
2 min read - USUSA TODAY
Which nursing homes meet new federal staffing standards? See data for your local facility.
Few nursing homes have enough nurses and aides to meet nationwide staffing minimums revealed this week. Look up the gaps at roughly 14,500 facilities.
4 min read - HealthReuters
About 3.6 million Medicare beneficiaries could be eligible for Wegovy coverage, study shows
Wegovy was approved by the U.S. health regulator last month for lowering the risk of stroke and heart attack in overweight or obese adults who do not have diabetes. The additional approval would expand Medicare coverage for Wegovy and coverage by other insurers for such adults with heart conditions.
2 min read - BusinessReuters
Roche eyes return to growth after Q1 hit by forex, loss of COVID sales
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Roche confirmed ambitions to return to sales growth this year on a continued boost from eye drug Vabysmo, after first-quarter sales slipped by 6% on the loss on COVID-19-related revenue. Quarterly sales fell to 14.4 billion Swiss francs ($15.80 billion), the family-controlled drugmaker said in a statement on Wednesday, hurt also by a strong Swiss franc that weighed on overseas revenue but in line with analysts expectations. Roche, which does not disclose quarterly earnings
1 min read - HealthVerywell Health
What Are the Most Effective Psoriasis Therapy Options?
With many treatment options for psoriasis, how do you know which ones are right for you? Here are the most effective psoriasis therapy options to consider.
11 min read - HealthNBC News
Bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, though officials maintain supply is safe
The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that fragments of the bird flu virus had been detected in some samples of pasteurized milk in the U.S.
3 min read