Biden Plan To Expand Obesity Drug Coverage Is Rejected

The Trump administration has decided not to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage for popular obesity drugs, blocking a Biden administration initiative that could have helped millions of Americans access the medications.

Catherine Howden, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said that expanding coverage f...

Most Eligible Smokers Not Getting Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer screening can save the lives of former and current smokers, but most aren’t taking advantage of it, a new study says.

Fewer than 1 in 5 people eligible for lung cancer screening go through with a chest CT scan, according to research published April 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

But i...

Heart-Related Deaths More Likely During Day/Night Heatwaves

More people die from heart problems during heatwaves where high temperatures stretch through both the day and night, a new study says.

Heatwaves that offer no relief at night -- known as compound heatwaves -- are much more deadly than soaring daytime temperatures alone, researchers reported April 1 in the Journal of the American College of...

Wildfire Smoke Increases Risk Of Mental Health Problems

Smoke from wildfires driving you mad?

You’re not alone, a new study says.

Short-term exposure to air choked with wildfire smoke increases people’s risk of mental health problems, according to findings published April 4 in JAMA Network Open.

Hospital emergency rooms experience surges in patients with mental ...

Some Folks Hit With Fees for Using Health Care Message Portals

Don’t be surprised if you get a bill for that note your doctor sent you through his clinic’s patient portal.

About 1 in 7 patients have been billed for messages sent to them through a patient portal, according to a new study published April 4 in JAMA Health Forum.

“Even though we don’t know the exact ...

Diarrhea-Causing Bacteria Spreading Undetected Through Hospitals

A notorious hospital-associated infection has been spreading through hospitals much more readily than people suspected, a new study says.

The bacterium Clostridium difficile – commonly called C. diff – spreads within intensive care units more than three times as much as previously thought, researchers reported...

Ozone Pollution Increases Risk Of Childhood Asthma

Ozone air pollution increases the risk of asthma among preschoolers and kindergarteners, a new study says.

Relatively small increases in ozone smog in a child’s first two years of life is associated with an increased risk of asthma and wheeze at 4 to 6 years of age, researchers reported April 2 in JAMA Network Open.

Ho...

Knee Replacement Recovery Time: What You Need To Know

Wondering what recovery is really like after knee replacement surgery? 

Dr. Ayesha Abdeen, chief of hip and knee replacement surgery at Boston Medical Center, breaks down exactly what to expect -- from managing pain in the first few days to getting back on your feet and returning to the activities you love.

Total knee replacemen...

Experts Warn Bird Flu Could Pose Growing Risk to Human Health

Bird flu is changing fast and could become more dangerous to humans, new research from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte suggests.

A team of scientists found that the H5N1 virus, also known as bird flu, is becoming more adept at infecting mammals.

That includes cows and, to date, at least 64 people, according to the U.S. ...

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 ...