Jan 27 Watch 3:11 This flu season is the most severe since 2009 By PBS News Hour The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have declared this year’s flu outbreak to be the worst on record since the 2009 flu pandemic. Last week, one in 15 doctors' appointments were made for flu symptoms, and 37 children have… Continue watching
Jan 27 As doctors drop opposition, aid-in-dying advocates target next battleground states By Melissa Bailey, Kaiser Health News Efforts to expand physician-assisted death, which is legal in six states and Washington, D.C., are met with powerful resistance from religious groups, disability advocates and the medical establishment. Continue reading
Jan 26 Kids got sick eating detergent long before the Tide Pod Challenge By Laura Santhanam Health professionals have worried for years about how easily children accidentally slurp down detergent pods meant for washing machines and dishwashers. More recently, they've also worried about teens, young adults and the so-called "Tide Pod Challenge."… Continue reading
Jan 25 Congress’ deal to end government shutdown added billions in tax cuts to deficit By Marcy Gordon, Associated Press The bill enacted late Monday suspended three taxes that came in under President Barack Obama’s signature health care law: a tax on medical devices, one on high-cost health care plans offered by employers, and another on health insurance companies. Continue reading
Jan 24 Alex Azar confirmed as Trump administration’s next health secretary By Associated Press The 55-43 vote to confirm the former drug company and government executive as secretary of Health and Human Services was largely along party lines. Continue reading
Jan 24 What we know and don’t know about Donald Trump’s medical exam By Dr. Amber Robins The exam confirmed his good physical and cognitive health, the White House physician said, while revealing areas, such as his diet, that need improvement. Continue reading
Jan 20 Too good to be true? Experts clash on whether hitting the gym helps the brain By Sharon Begley, STAT There is a deep ideological schism between equally respected experts about what constitutes proof that exercise can benefit patients with mild cognitive impairment. Continue reading
Jan 19 Remembering AIDS activist Mathilde Krim, ‘mother of the movement’ By Murrey Jacobson Krim, who was a geneticist and virologist, saw the need for attacking the stigma, speaking up on behalf of those who were discriminated against, changing public attitudes and using the power of science and public health to fight for better… Continue reading
Jan 18 How a government shutdown could affect your health By Erin Mershon, Ike Swetlitz, STAT A government shutdown of the FDA, CDC and NIH will likely have widespread and long-lasting consequences for public health. Continue reading
Jan 16 Watch 5:22 What you need to know about this season’s brutal flu By PBS News Hour This year's flu outbreak is the most widespread the Centers for Disease Control has ever seen. Doctor visits are climbing and pediatric deaths from the illness are up as well. What makes it so severe? Dr. Amber Robins of Georgetown… Continue watching