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Judge Blocks Cuts to $11 Billion in Public Health Funding

A federal judge has stopped the Trump administration from cutting $11 billion in public health funding -- at least for now.

U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy, who was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019, said Thursday that she would grant a temporary restraining order. The request came from 23 states and the District of Columbia, wh...

Common Chemicals in Plastics May Harm Baby Brain Development

Common chemicals used in plastic and personal care products may interfere with brain development in babies, a new study says.

Phthalates are found in many everyday items, like food packaging, shampoo, toys and vinyl flooring.

They help make plastics soft and carry scents in products. But they may also harm unborn babies’ brains...

Trump Administration Orders More Cuts to CDC Budget

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not only lost nearly a fifth of its workforce, it has also been directed to slash $2.9 billion in contract spending.

That’s about 35% of its total contract budget. The agency has been ordered to comply by April 18.

These cuts come on top of the loss of 2,400 employee...

FDA Delays Final Approval of Novavax COVID Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has delayed the full approval of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine. 

The decision had been expected by April 1, but the agency now says it needs more information before moving forward.

The Novavax shot is already available under emergency use. But full FDA approval would allow the vacci...

Medicaid Expansion Protected Americans During COVID-19 Pandemic

Americans received some protection against death during the COVID-19 pandemic if they lived in a state that had expanded its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a new study says.

Even though death rates rose nationwide during the pandemic, Medicaid expansion states experienced a slower increase in deaths compared to state...

Antidepressants Linked To Sudden Cardiac Death

Antidepressants appear to increase people’s risk of sudden cardiac death, a new study says.

People taking the mood meds are more likely to die suddenly from heart problems, and their risk rises the longer they’re on the drugs, according to findings presented Monday in Vienna at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology.

Discrimination Dramatically Increases Risk for Depression, Anxiety

Disrespected by a neighbor or colleague? Eyerolls from servers at a restaurant or store? Denied a job or a mortgage due to skin color?

More than half of Americans have experienced some such form of discrimination, and this mistreatment dramatically increases their risk of depression or anxiety, a new study says.

Nearly 56% of America...

New Blood Test Can Diagnose, Track Alzheimer’s Disease

An experimental blood test for Alzheimer’s disease not only can aid in its diagnosis but also indicate how far the brain condition has progressed, a new study says.

The test tracks levels of a protein called MTBR-tau243, which is linked to toxic tau tangles that build up in the brain as part of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers ...

Bedsores More Likely In Short-Staffed Hospitals Leaning On Nurse OT, Travel Nurses

Hospitals could be short-changing patients if they lean too heavily on nurse staffing agencies or overtime hours, a new study says.

Patients are much more likely to develop bedsores at short-staffed hospitals that regularly bring in travel nurses or require nurses to work overtime, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open.

...

Lifestyle Changes Boost Longevity For Cancer Survivors

Cancer survivors can reduce their ongoing risk of death by sticking to diet and exercise guidelines recommended by the American Cancer Society, a new study suggests.

Non-smoking survivors of obesity-related cancers had an overall lower risk of death if they adopted the ACS lifestyle recommendations following their treatment, according to f...

Longtime Head of 9/11 Health Program Let Go Amid Federal Job Cuts

The longtime leader of a federal health program for 9/11 survivors and first responders has been fired, worrying many advocates and lawmakers.

The program serves more than 100,000 people.

Dr. John Howard, head of the World Trade Center Health Program, lost his job during a wave of government job cuts ordered by U.S. Health and Human ...

23 States Sue Over $12B in Public Health Cuts

A group of 23 states and Washington, D.C., is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over a sudden cut of $12 billion in public health funding.

The lawsuit says the rollback will disrupt vital services. It was filed Tuesday and asks the court to stop the cuts right away.

Most of the money -- roughly $11.4 billio...

Two Louisiana Infants Die of Whooping Cough Amid Drop in Vaccinations

Health experts are warning that whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is making a dangerous comeback.

Cases are rising across the country, and Louisiana recently reported that two infants have died -- the state’s first deaths from the illness since 2018.

“For infants, it’s really rather terrifying,” Dr. Joh...

How Cory Booker Prepped His Body To Break 25-Hour Senate Speech Record

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker stood on the Senate floor and spoke for 25 hours and 5 minutes this week, breaking the modern record for the longest Senate speech ever.

Senate rules allow a member who is recognized by the presiding officer to speak for as long as they wish, as long as they don't stop or sit down. The 55-year-old New Jersey Democrat ...

Blood Test Can Predict Recovery From Spinal Cord Paralysis

An experimental blood test might be able to help doctors predict whether someone will recover their mobility following a spinal cord injury.

The test looks for fragments of spinal cord DNA floating freely in a person’s blood, researchers recently reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Higher levels of this ...

Unnecessary Imaging Scans Contributing To Climate Change

Thinking of splurging on a whole-body MRI or CT scan, based on the latest health fad?

Just keep in mind that you’ll be contributing to climate change, a new study says.

Unnecessary imaging scans for Medicare recipients alone create up to 129 metric kilotons of carbon dioxide emissions a year – equivalent to powering a tow...

Screen Time Linked To Poor Sleep, Depression Among Teen Girls

THURSDAY, April 3, 2025 -- Can’t get your teenage girl off her smartphone, iPad or laptop?

This could cost her much-needed sleep and increase her risk of depression, a new Swedish study says.

Teenagers who spend more time on screens tend to get worse sleep, both in terms of sleep quality and duration, researchers reported April...

Even Wealthy Americans Die Younger Than Europeans

Death comes for everyone, be they rich or poor.

But no amount of money will help Americans live longer than Europeans, a new study says.

Even the richest Americans face shorter lifespans compared to well-heeled Europeans, according to results published April 2 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

And in some cases, ...

'Weekend Warriors' Reap Similar Health Benefits As Steady Exercisers

Life is busy, and some folks simply don’t have time until the weekend to work out.

Turns out, that’s just fine for their health, a new study suggests.

“Weekend warriors” who cram their week’s exercise into one or two days appear to gain as much benefit as people who are physically active throughout the w...

Stroke Risk From Neck Artery Tears Is Rising Fast

Strokes caused by an artery tear are landing five times as many Americans in the hospital these days, a new study says.

Cervical artery dissection involves a small tear in the inner lining of an artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain.

Blood can clot at the site of the tear. If the clot breaks loose, it can travel to the ...