Most People Aren't Aware Of Genetic Risk For Dangerously High Cholesterol

Most folks with genetics that put them at risk for high cholesterol and early heart disease aren’t aware of their danger, a new study says.

Nearly 90% of people carrying genetics that cause dangerously high cholesterol — an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolemia — were not aware of their risk, researcher...

Popularity of Psilocybin, Psychedelics Hasn't Increased ER Visits

Increased use of hallucinogens like psilocybin hasn’t created an increase in ER visits or hospitalizations for bad trips, researchers recently reported in JAMA Network Open.

“In fact, after a small rise through early 2020, admissions declined through 2023, with no correlation to decriminalization policies,” senio...

Three Times As Many Lung Cancer Deaths Could Be Prevented With One Simple Step

Three times as many lung cancer deaths could be prevented if everyone eligible for screening got a chest CT scan, a new study says.

Only about 1 in 5 U.S. adults eligible for lung cancer screening received it in 2024, researchers reported Nov. 19 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Increasing screening to 100...

Compensation Claims More Frequently Rejected For Families Of Black Murder Victims

Grieving families of Black murder victims are more likely to be denied their claims for victim compensation, a new study reports.

These families are more likely to file for victim compensation following their loss, but face disproportionately high denial rates, researchers recently reported in the journal Race and Justice.

&...

Common Health Problems Of Old Age Pose More Danger Following Major Surgery, Experts Say

Common health problems of old age — dehydration, delirium, malnutrition or falls — can become catastrophic if they occur following a major surgery, a new study reports.

Seniors who suffer these issues while recovering from surgery are more likely to die within a year, and will require more time in hospitals or nursing facilitie...

New Flu Variant Could Bring Another Severe U.S. Season

A new flu variant spreading overseas may set the stage for another tough winter in the United States, experts warn.

The strain, called subclade K, has caused a rise in flu cases in the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan. And now signs suggest it is beginning to take hold across the United States as flu activity rises.

According to the ...

Nearly Half of Americans Fear They Can’t Afford Care in 2026, Poll Finds

Many Americans are bracing for higher medical costs in the new year and a growing number say those expenses are already shaping their decisions for care, according to a new survey.

The latest West Health–Gallup poll, shows that 47% of adults are worried they won’t be able to afford health care in 2026, the highest level since t...

Whooping Cough Surges Nationwide as Vaccinations Fall

Whooping cough is making a major comeback in the United States, with sharp increases now seen in Texas, Florida, California, Oregon and many other places.

Health officials say the latest rise in pertussis cases is being driven by falling vaccination rates, waning immunity and slower public health tracking systems.

What's more, offi...

Scientists Say Kissing Began Long Before Humans Existed

Kissing may feel like a very human habit, but new research suggests it has much deeper roots. A team of scientists says the behavior likely began more than 20 million years ago, long before modern humans existed.

Researchers from Oxford University in England reviewed decades of studies on primates to understand how kissing may have evolved...

Want A Happier Hospital? Hire More Nurses, Study Says

Adding even a few extra nurses can dramatically reduce burnout and improve morale among hospital medical staff, a new study says.

Increasing nurse staffing by as little as 10% improved attitudes among both physicians and nurses working in hospitals, researchers reported Nov. 17 in JAMA Network Open.

“Physician burnout ...

Buprenorphine Lowers Opioid OD Risk, But Only If Taken As Directed Long-Term

The opioid addiction medication buprenorphine can dramatically lower risk of overdose among teenagers and young adults — but only if taken long-term, a new study says.

Those who kept taking buprenorphine as prescribed for at least a year were much less likely to suffer an overdose or require hospitalization due to opioid use, researc...

Head CT Scan Use Has Doubled In U.S. ERs

Use of head CT scans in U.S. emergency departments has more than doubled over the past 15 years, a new study says.

Nearly 16 million head CT scans were ordered by ERs in 2022, up from under 8 million in 2007, researchers reported Nov. 17 in the journal Neurology.

“Head CT scans are a critical tool for diagnosing neurol...

U.S. Making No Progress In Protecting Pregnancy Health, March Of Dimes Report Card Says

The United States has received another barely passing pregnancy health grade from the March of Dimes after another year in which 1 out of 10 babies were born prematurely.

It’s the fourth consecutive year the nation has received a historically low D+ grade, the March of Dimes said in its 2025 Report Card.

The national preterm ra...

Plasma Treatment Shows Promise For Menopause Symptoms Among Breast Cancer Survivors

Plasma infusions may help breast cancer survivors avoid genital and urinary symptoms while on hormone blockers, a recent study says.

As many as 70% of breast cancer survivors suffer from vaginal dryness, itching, burning, frequent UTI and pain during sex while taking estrogen-blocking drugs called aromatase inhibitors.

But an infusio...

Advanced Drugs Should Be Used First In Crohn's Disease, New Guidelines Suggest

New guidelines recommend doctors tackle Crohn’s disease head-on, calling for the use of cutting-edge drugs as early as possible to quell the autoimmune GI disorder as quickly as possible.

The updated American Gastroenterological Association guidelines reject a “step-up” approach in which people get more advanced drugs onl...

Wildland Firefighters Could Soon Get Mandatory Respiratory Protection

For years, federal wildland firefighters have worked long, dangerous shifts with almost no protection from the thick smoke around them.

Now, a new bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate aims to change that.

The Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act, introduced by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), would require the U.S. F...

Novo Nordisk Rolls Out Lower Prices for Ozempic and Wegovy

People paying out of pocket for Ozempic or Wegovy may soon see lower costs, as Novo Nordisk rolls out new price discounts for its popular GLP-1 medications.

The company announced that through the end of March, patients with prescriptions can buy the two lowest doses of Ozempic and Wegovy for $199 a month for two months.

After that, ...

Daily Orange Juice May Shift Gene Activity Tied to Heart Health

Your morning orange juice may be influencing your health in ways you can’t see.

In a new study published recently in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, researchers found that daily OJ intake altered gene activity connected to heart and metabolic function.

For the study, 20 healthy adults drank around ...

New Measles Spread Across States Threatens U.S. Elimination Status

The United States may be on track to lose its measles elimination status for the first time in 25 years as health officials confirm that two major U.S. outbreaks are linked to the same measles strain.

In a recording obtained by The New York Times, health officials said on a call that the strain of measles circulating in Texas sinc...

Eating Disorders Impact Health For Years, Researchers Find

Eating disorders can harm a person’s physical and mental health in ways that linger for years, a new study reports.

Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and other such disorders bring with them a high risk of health problems like diabetes, kidney or liver failure, broken bones and premature death, researchers said.

This risk is sky-...