A heavily mutated variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 appears to be affecting primarily children, scientists say, though it’s not causing more severe disease – in kids or in adults.

Kids may be more likely to get the new ‘Cicada’ variant of Covid-19, scientists say. Here’s what to know about BA.3.2

Scientists created virtual replicas of patients’ diseased hearts so precise that blocking a dangerous irregular heartbeat in these digital “twins” showed doctors how to better treat the real thing.  One of the first clinical trials of these custom models suggests it might improve care for ventricular tachycardia, a notoriously difficult-to-treat arrhythmia that is a major cause of sudden cardiac arrest, blamed for about 300,000 U.S. deaths a year.  The study, by researchers at Johns Hopkins Univ

To fix a patient's irregular heartbeat, doctors first tested its digital 'twin'

It's unclear if Woods took hydrocodone before driving, but experts say getting behind the wheel while on the prescription drug can be dangerous.

What were the little white pills found in Tiger Woods's pocket at the scene of his crash? What to know about hydrocodone.

Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Almost everything you eat passes through your gut microbiome, the community of trillions of bacteria, viruses and other microbes that live in your intestines. These microbes play a critical role in your health. One reason is that they produce short-chain fatty acids. These special compounds protect your colon and boost your gut health. They help lower inflammation, regulate your immune

What an expert on the gut microbiome eats in a day

Nearly 10% of adults smoked cigarettes in 2024, the report found.

Smoking rate among US adults drops to record low as vape use rises, CDC report finds

Here's what to know about peptides, what they can and can't do, and what's driving viral claims about possible health benefits online.

What to know about the "wild, wild West" of viral peptide claims

Keeping a tiny brain area called locus coeruleus functioning properly may stave off symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and keep the aging brain healthy

Vagus nerve stimulation shows promise as a way to counter Alzheimer’s disease- and age-related memory loss

The weather anchor said he felt healthy before he talked to his doctor.

ABC News' Sam Champion opens up about recent health scare

Dietitian Abbey Sharp was named by the "Biggest Loser" trainer during a debate with body positivity advocates on the platform Jubilee. Now, Sharp weighs in on the obesity discourse.

Jillian Michaels put me at the center of a body positivity debate. She's not entirely wrong about obesity.

A large, new study found that the stimulant methylphenidate, such as the drugs Ritalin and Concerta, may lower the risk of psychosis when prescribed to younger children with ADHD.

Common ADHD medication prescribed in childhood may protect against risk of psychosis

A COVID mutation that previously went under the radar, BA.3.2, has been detected in 25 states, said the CDC. Nicknamed "cicada" it's been found in 23 countries.

New COVID-19 variant 'Cicada' is spreading. What to know about BA.3.2.

Whole milk will return to school cafeterias under a newly signed law.

What are the health benefits of whole milk for kids?

State health officials confirmed a second pediatric death associated with the flu this season. Here's what to know.

There’s ‘super flu,’ COVID, RSV. Is it going around in SoCal?

Wastewater testing can alert public health officials to measles infections days to months before cases are confirmed by doctors, researchers said in two studies published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Colorado health officials were able to get ahead of the highly contagious virus by tracking its presence in sewer systems, researchers wrote.  The findings add to evidence that wastewater testing is a valuable weapon in tracking disease, including COVID-19, polio, mpo

CDC studies show value of nationwide wastewater disease surveillance, as potential funding cut looms

Last year, measles cases in the U.S. reached a 33-year high.

At least 171 measles cases confirmed in 9 states, CDC data shows

A majority of counties across the U.S. are seeing a steady rise in vaccine exemptions for religious or personal beliefs among children entering kindergarten, a new study shows

Vaccine exemptions for religious or personal beliefs are rising across the U.S.

Whole milk is heading back to school lunch cafeterias.

Trump signs bill allowing whole milk to return to school lunches

Spring & Mulberry recalled one lot of Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bars.

What to know about voluntary chocolate recall

Whole milk is heading back to school cafeterias across the country after President Donald Trump signed a bill Wednesday overturning Obama-era limits on higher-fat milk options.  Nondairy drinks such as fortified soy milk may also be on the menu in the coming months following adoption of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which cleared Congress in the fall.  The action allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to serve whole and 2% fat milk along with the skim and low-fa

Trump signs a law returning whole milk to school lunches

Department of Justice said five Kaiser Permanente affiliates in California and Colorado agreed to ​pay $556 million to resolve claims they illegally pressured doctors to add codes ‌for diagnoses they never considered to patients' medical records, in order to inflate Medicare payments ‌from the government. Wednesday's settlement resolves two whistleblower lawsuits accusing the affiliates of Oakland, California-based Kaiser of violating the federal False Claims Act.

Kaiser Permanente affiliates to pay $556 million to resolve US claims alleging Medicare fraud

An annual health report from UnitedHealth report found Georgia ranked 38th nationally, in part from recreational drug use and high costs.

National health ranking puts Georgia near bottom of list. Here's why

Health officials in South Carolina confirmed 124 new measles cases since Friday, as the outbreak in the northwestern part of the state balloons following the holidays.  There is a second, separate measles outbreak along the Arizona-Utah border, where 418 people have been infected since August.  Last year was the nation’s worst year for measles spread since 1991, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

South Carolina confirms 124 new measles cases as outbreak on the Arizona-Utah line grows

The stimulants Ritalin and Adderall have been used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for decades, but research shows they don’t act on the brain’s attention circuitry as had long been assumed. Instead, the medications primarily target the brain’s reward and wakefulness centers, according to a new study published in the journal Cell. The research, which used brain imaging data from almost 5,800 children ages 8 to 11, also pointed toward the important role that lack of sleep

ADHD drugs work, but not the way experts thought

This year's flu season is shaping up to be particularly brutal. Here's what to know this week, including cases taking a downturn.

Is relief in sight? Flu season still brutal but cases are declining.

The CDC is no longer recommending that all adolescents and teens get vaccinated for potentially fatal bacterial meningitis, although the shots are still available for high-risk patients.

As cases of a rare, deadly infection rise, doctors worry fewer teens will get vaccinated

The media superstar, who has struggled with weight for much of her life, and a Yale School of Medicine doctor team up for a book that examines the biology of obesity, offering a new way forward.

Book excerpt: "Enough" by Dr. Ania Jastreboff and Oprah Winfrey

"Your goal might be set in stone, but how you achieve it shouldn't be."

Struggling to keep your New Year's resolutions? Here's how to keep yourself on track

Andy Provencher spent a year searching for the cause of his exhausting symptoms before a physician's assistant suggested a rare illness.

Doctors thought he had cancer. An offhand suggestion led to a rare diagnosis.

When Sarah Baldassaro turned 50, she took stock of her health and began working with a fitness coach on strength training, a type of exercise that's crucial for women in midlife.  “Now I would say I’m stronger overall than I ever have been at any age,” said Baldassaro, 52, of Alexandria, Virginia.  Medical experts say strength training keeps bones and muscles healthy after menopause when estrogen loss speeds up a reduction in bone density and contributes to the gradual loss of muscle mass.

Strength training is crucial after menopause. How to make the most of your workouts

Dr. Molly O’Shea has noticed growing skepticism about vaccines at both of her Michigan pediatric offices and says this week's unprecedented and confusing changes to federal vaccine guidance will only make things worse.  The biggest change was to stop blanket recommendations for protection against six diseases and recommend those vaccines only for at-risk children or through something called “shared clinical decision-making” with a health care provider.  The phrase, experts say, is confusing and

Doctors say changes to US vaccine recommendations are confusing parents and could harm kids

From extreme heat to mosquito-borne illnesses, climate change is making people sicker and more vulnerable to disease. Health scientists explain what individuals and governments can do about it.

Want to make America healthy again? Stop fueling climate change

Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have had a meteoric rise in recent years, but how fast does the weight return after stopping treatment?

Study reveals how fast weight returns after ending GLP-1 drugs

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the flu shot isn't effective in protecting children. Here's what experts say.

RFK Jr. says fewer flu shots for kids may be 'better.' What experts say.

Irregularities in how the government developed the updated guidelines raise questions about its conclusions.

I served on the expert committee that advised the government on new dietary guidelines – most of our recommendations were ignored

People who stop taking GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss are projected to regain their shed pounds within about 1½ years, a review of existing research has found. The paper also found that former users of a wider list of weight-loss drugs regain weight four times more quickly than those who had used behavioral techniques like dieting or exercise. For sustained health benefits after coming off the drugs, scientists say, it is necessary to make lasting changes to your diet and

Former GLP-1 users regain lost weight after about 18 months, study says

A handful of crypto-powered health groups have cropped up, aiming to put patients in the driver's seat. Does this “decentralized” approach lead to better outcomes — or riskier medicine?

They want better health care — so they're turning to crypto startups

Some experts say red meat and full-fat dairy can be high in saturated fats.

RFK Jr.'s diet guidelines emphasize red meat, full-fat dairy. How healthy are they?

Jan 8 (Reuters) - Merck on Thursday said any changes to the U.S. child and adolescent immunization schedule should rest on comprehensive data and guidance from vaccine experts, after federal health

Merck urges science-led US vaccine schedule after CDC trims childhood vaccine list

As they age, it’s not uncommon for many people to let out a muted groan when getting out of bed in the morning.  Dr. Miho Tanaka, a sports medicine surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, said good mobility is increasingly recognized as an important part of overall health.  Mobility and flexibility are often confused, said Jessica Valant, a physical therapist and Pilates instructor near Denver.

Mobility exercises are an important part of fitness as we age. Here are some tips

Flu is surging across most of the U.S. Amid an early, harsh season, the flu shot may be more effective than predicted against the H3N2 subclade K strain.

How effective is the flu shot this year? New report shows promising results

The guidelines encourage diets focused on whole foods and protein-rich meals.

RFK Jr. releases new dietary guidelines with emphasis on protein, full-fat dairy

Jan 7 - OpenAI on Wednesday launched a ChatGPT Health tab that answers health-related questions and lets users upload medical records and connect wellness apps such as Apple Health and MyFitnessPal.

OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to connect medical records, wellness apps

The food pyramid has changed. Here's what you need to know.

New dietary guidelines recommend more dairy, meat and fats: What to know

The CDC estimates there have been at least 11 million illnesses so far.

Flu activity in US could continue to rise for weeks, top CDC epidemiologist says

The CDC estimated there have been at least 11 million flu cases as of December 27.

Flu surges across U.S. as doctor visits reach highest level since 1997

Medical groups are speaking out against the changes announced this week.

5 things for parents to know about changes to kids vaccine schedule

Flu cases are on the rise - in some cases, on a historic level, according to new CDC information.

Flu cases skyrocket in US. See cases, where people got sick.

In an unprecedented move, health officials cut the number of vaccines routinely recommended for children from 17 to 11.

RFK Jr. guts the US childhood vaccine schedule despite its decades-long safety record

The Trump administration is overhauling the list of routine shots recommended for all babies and children in the United States, bypassing the government’s typical process for recommending vaccines and delivering on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s longstanding goals to upend the nation’s pediatric vaccine schedule. Effective immediately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will no longer recommend every child receive vaccines for rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease, re

U.S. overhauls childhood vaccine schedule, recommends fewer shots

Something strange is happening with malnutrition. It’s by far the fastest-growing cause of death in America, soaring sixfold over the past decade or so, according to our analysis of death certificate data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. To be sure, we wouldn’t yet call it commonplace. But while it accounts for fewer than 1 in 100 deaths, its toll is rising so fast th

Why are malnutrition deaths soaring in America?

Hepatitis, flu, COVID and RSV shots are no longer universally recommended.

CDC changes kids' vaccine schedule, removing universal recommendation for some shots

CBS News is tracking a record number of measles cases around the country after an outbreak in West Texas that led to the deaths of two children.

Map shows more than 1,900 measles cases across U.S.

Influenza is on the rise. Flu activity was "high" or "very high" in 32 states and jurisdictions, as of Dec. 30, according to the CDC.

Flu season is underway. What are common symptoms to watch for?

As the U.S. copes with ongoing measles outbreaks and possible changes to the childhood vaccine schedule loom, a new report shows the risks of delaying vaccines.

Parents who delay baby's first vaccines also likely to skip measles shots

A study aims to identify the possible link between calcium deposits in women's breast arteries and life-threatening heart risks.

Can a mammogram help identify heart disease?

In his new book, the oncologist and health policy expert discusses longevity, and how to best differentiate valid and effective health and wellness advice from "the speculative, deceptive, and just plain stupid."

Book excerpt: "Eat Your Ice Cream" by Ezekiel J. Emanuel, M.D.

It comes as the U.S. surpassed 2,000 measles cases for the 1st time in 33 years.

Kids who get 2-month vaccines on time 7 times more likely to receive MMR shot: Study

During the week ending Dec. 27, 4,546 people were hospitalized with flu.

Record-breaking flu hospitalizations in New York in a single week: Health officials

Long-defined by high prices, shortages and weekly injections, weight loss drugs including Wegovy and Zepbound are expected to be easier to access and afford.

What to watch for in weight loss drugs in 2026

Cases of influenza in the United States are rising, driven by a new strain that public health officials worry current vaccines may not protect against as effectively. Health officials and researchers say that although the flu season has not reached its peak, the spike in cases is not historically unusual - and they stress vaccines probably still offer protection against the worst effects of the strain.Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The W

Flu cases are rising with a strain that makes older people sicker

For as long as she could remember, Dina Radenkovic was a meticulous planner, determined to leave as little as possible to chance. But Radenkovic - a physician, research scientist and biotechnology investor - felt gripped by uncertainty over how to plan for one of her most long-held goals: becoming a mother. She thought about freezing her eggs, but enduring two weeks of potentially uncomfortable and nauseating injections felt impossible: It would have meant missing work. So in December 2022, Rade

A company is trying to unlock a key to aging, in a long-overlooked body part

There are four antiviral medications approved by the FDA to treat influenza.

What you need to know about flu treatments as cases spike across the US

There were breakthroughs in Alzheimer's disease and sleep apnea.

1st-ever disease gene fix, Alzheimer's blood test: 7 medical breakthroughs in 2025

People from many different cultures across the globe and across millennia largely agree about which body parts are most valuable – and how much compensation they warrant when injured.

An eye for an eye: People agree about the values of body parts across cultures and eras

CDC data shows 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths this season so far.

Flu activity rises sharply across US with 7.5 million cases, CDC data shows

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 32 jurisdictions are showing "high" or "very high" levels of flu.

Flu cases spiking this holiday season, CDC data shows

Flu is rising rapidly across the U.S., driven by a new variant of the virus — and cases are expected to keep growing with holiday travel.  In the U.S., flu typically begins its winter march in December.  On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported high or very high levels of illness in more than half the states.

Flu is rising rapidly, driven by a new variant. Here's what to know

The new year is a time when many try to start new good habits and commit to improving health and wellness.  This year, The Associated Press got the downlow on all manner of health and wellness claims and fads.

Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple

Only 40% of adults meet criteria for obesity when BMI alone is used.

75% of US adults may meet criteria for obesity under new definition, study finds

Added sugars are difficult to quickly spot because many companies use clever marketing to distract consumers, said Nicole Avena, a professor of neuroscience and psychiatry at Mount Sinai Medical School and Princeton University who has studied added sugars.  Avena said while some health-forward brands know people are starting to become aware of the hazards of added sugars, "a lot of the bigger brands don’t worry so much about people’s health.”  The average American consumes 17 grams of added suga

Foods with healthy-sounding buzzwords could be hiding added sugar in plain sight

Perseverance helps people achieve goals and is linked with well-being. But combined with chronic societal stressors, it can lead to cognitive overload that puts a strain on brain health.

‘Grit’ and relentless perseverance can take a toll on brain health − particularly for people facing social stresses like racism

What you do in the years leading up to menopause can help counter the natural hormonal effects of aging, setting you up for a healthier transition.

Midlife weight gain can start long before menopause – but you can take steps early on to help your body weather the hormonal shift

By blaming chronic disease and disability on food and toxins, and ‘just asking questions’ about widely accepted science, MAHA discounts the government’s responsibility for meeting disabled peoples’ needs.

How federal officials talk about health is shifting in troubling ways – and that change makes me worried for my autistic child

The flu season is hitting in full force, especially in New York, Colorado and Louisiana, where flu-like activity is very high, according to the CDC.

Bad flu season getting worse; skyrocketing cases set state record

Vaccine hesitancy isn’t a moral failure – it’s a property of a system in which people must balance personal and collective interests.

Game theory explains why reasonable parents make vaccine choices that fuel outbreaks

Recent federal scrutiny of an additive in some vaccines — aluminum salts — offers a clue about what’s to come under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership.

Aluminum salts emerge as likely target as health officials scrutinize childhood vaccines

A long-awaited change in drug policy by President Donald Trump could bring scientists one step closer to understanding the harms and benefits of marijuana.

Cannabis reclassification could 'open the floodgates' for research, scientists say

Dec 23 () - The weight-loss drug market is surging, with biotech firms racing to win share in a sector dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Analysts forecast the industry will generate about $150 billion in annual sales in the next decade.

Factbox-Weight-loss drug developers line up to tap lucrative market as competition heats up

Doctors and scientists say this year's influenza season could be tougher than usual, with a new version of the flu virus, called H3N2, spreading quickly.

Flu season is ramping up, and some experts are "pretty worried"

Some tout a daily semaglutide pill as a game-changer for weight-loss treatment.

FDA approves Wegovy pill for weight loss: What to know

At least 20 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Raw oysters linked to ongoing salmonella outbreak infecting 64 across 22 states: CDC

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a pill version of the weight-loss drug Wegovy.

FDA approves Wegovy pill for weight loss

If you want to build healthier habits in 2026, here’s my advice: Give yourself time. New routines don’t stick overnight. A classic study found that it takes on average 66 days of practicing a new dietary or physical behavior each day before it becomes a habit. You need to make it easy to make it last. So choose one habit and list every barrier that will keep you from hitting the mark. Then pre-solve each one. Is it too cold to go for a jog early in the morning? Find a 30-minute cardio routine on

I’m a doctor. Here are 10 science-backed tips to help you get healthier.

Health disparities cost society billions of dollars, and their effects ripple across communities.

How stripping diversity, equity and inclusion from health care may make Americans sicker

Melanin Bee curves her spine like a stretching cat as she lets out a maniacal, forced laugh.  The quick-fire pattern of manufactured giggles —“oh, hoo hoo hoo, eeh, ha ha ha”— soon ripples into genuine laughter, and she giddily kicks her feet.  The laughter clubs were based on the common-sense notion that laughter relieves stress.

Doctor's orders? ‘Belly laugh at least two to five days a week'

Getting the most out of a doctor’s visit requires some advance preparation.  “It is really hard — even for me as a doctor going to see my own family doctor — to remember the things that I wanted to bring up,” said Dr. Sarah Nosal, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

You finally got a doctor's appointment. Here's how to get the most out of it

C-reactive protein – a marker of inflammation – is as easily measured with blood work in a doctor’s office as cholesterol.

How C-reactive protein outpaced ‘bad’ cholesterol as leading heart disease risk marker

Experts say Trump's executive order may remove barriers currently in place.

How Trump's marijuana executive order could change medical research landscape

New York City is seeing some of the highest levels in the country.

Flu illness count nears 5 million, with New York City among the hardest hit

KJ Muldoon received a groundbreaking new treatment earlier this year.

Baby takes 1st steps after receiving groundbreaking gene-edited therapy

Norovirus can spread easily. Someone who was sick with the virus can spread it up to two weeks after feeling better.

How to disinfect if the stomach bug hits your home

Both crises share common roots and solutions, researchers say.

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