Top HHS Officials Out as White House Shores up Midterm Election Strategy

FRIDAY, Feb. 13, 2025 (HealthDay News) —  U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s second-in-command is apparently on his way out as part of a restructuring ahead of midterm elections, CNN reported.

Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill is expected to leave soon, after struggling to find his fit within the depar...

Thousands of NYC Nurses Return To Work, but One Major Strike Goes On

A monthlong nurses strike in New York City is coming to an end, but not for everyone.

Nurses at Montefiore and Mount Sinai hospitals voted to approve new three-year contracts, clearing the way for about 10,500 nurses to return to work in the coming days. 

But nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian? They rejected their proposed deal, mea...

States Sue To Block $600 Million Cut to Public Health Funds

Four states are suing to stop the Trump administration from rescinding hundreds of millions of dollars already set aside for public health programs.

California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota filed suit Wednesday after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it planned to cut about $600 million in funding to those Dem...

Trump Scuttles Key Climate Finding Used to Control Greenhouse Gases

President Donald Trump is undoing a long-standing scientific finding that says climate change threatens human health and the environment.

The move strips the federal government of much of its power to limit greenhouse gas pollution.

The decision targets the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "endangerment finding," a 2009 findin...

Swap TV For Activity To Ward Off Depression, Study Suggests

Want an easy way to head off the blues?

Stash the TV remote.

Dutch researchers who followed more than 65,000 adults for four years found that replacing 60 minutes of TV with something more active cut depression risk by 11% — and nearly 19% in middle-aged adults.

And more is even better.

"For 90- and 120-minute reall...

One Simple Step Can Reduce Risk Of Preeclampsia, Study Says

Doctors could reduce rates of a dangerous high blood pressure condition in pregnancy by taking one simple step, a new study says.

Prescribing daily aspirin to all pregnant women at their first prenatal visit was associated with an overall reduction in cases of severe preeclampsia, according to findings presented at a meeting of the Society...

Tween Screen Addiction Linked To Mental Health Problems, Substance Use

Tweens addicted to the digital world — mobile phones, social media, video games — are more likely to develop mental health and behavioral problems as teenagers, a new study says.

Depression, sleep problems, ADHD, substance use, suicidal behaviors and conduct problems all were more likely among 11- to 12-year-olds with problemat...

Physical Inactivity Drives Diabetes Complications, Study Finds

A lack of exercise drives a good portion of the health problems faced by people with type 2 diabetes, a new study says.

Up to 10% of diabetes complications like stroke, heart failure, heart disease and vision loss can be attributed to sedentary behavior, researchers reported in the Journal of Sport and Health Science.

&...

Traveling To The Big City For Cancer Care? That Might Not Be Necessary For All Rural Patients, Study Says

Rural cancer patients often travel long distances to seek treatment at major medical centers, but new research suggests those journeys might not be necessary.

Lung or colon cancer patients treated at a local hospital had similar death rates and surgical outcomes to those who traveled to big-city medical centers for care, researchers report...

Food Choice Matters More Than 'Low-Carb' or 'Low-Fat' Labels

For years, the world of nutrition has been a battlefield between two camps: Those who swear by low-carb living and those who stick to low-fat diets.

But a massive new study suggests that the winner of this debate isn't a specific macronutrient ratio, but rather the quality of the food on your plate.

Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Ch...

Toxic Chemicals Found in Popular Hair Extensions

For many, hair extensions are a staple of style and convenience, but they may come with a hidden health cost.

Researchers have uncovered a wide array of hazardous chemicals in these products — including those linked to cancer and birth defects — marking the most comprehensive look to date at this largely unregulated industry.

Child Poisonings Spur Oregon to Weigh New Limits For Cannabis Edibles

Amid growing reports of kids needing medical attention after consuming edibles that look like their favorite treats, Oregon lawmakers are weighing tighter limits on how much cannabis one serving can contain.

"We need to reckon with this a little bit," said state Sen. Lisa Reynolds, a pediatrician from Portland who leads the state Senate&rs...

Measles Cases Rise in North Carolina as Public Exposures Are Reported

Health officials in North Carolina are warning residents about possible measles exposure after infected people visited stores, gyms and restaurants in and around the state capital over the past week.

The exposures were reported in Wake, Durham and Johnston counties, as the state continues to see a rise in measles cases this winter.

S...

Why Bedroom Temperature Matters More for Sleep as We Age

Ever find yourself tossing and turning on a warm night, flipping the pillow over and hoping sleep finally comes?

New research published in the journal BMC Medicine, suggests the temperature of your bedroom may play a bigger role in how well you rest, especially as you get older.

A study from Griffith University in Australia ...

Your Cat’s Purr May Say More Than Its Meow, Study Finds

If you’ve ever thought your cat’s meow sounded different depending on the situation, you’re not imagining it.

New research suggests that while a cat’s meow changes based on mood or need, its purr stays surprisingly consistent and may be the key to telling one cat from another.

In a new study, researchers from ...

Mental Health Risk Doubled For Women Who Quit Antidepressants During Pregnancy

Women who stop taking prescribed antidepressants during pregnancy are playing games with their mental health, a new study says.

Pregnant women who quit their antidepressants are nearly twice as likely to experience a mental health emergency compared to those who keep taking their meds, researchers reported Wednesday at a meeting of the Soc...

COVID Vaccines During Pregnancy Not Linked To Autism

Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy is not linked to any risk of autism or other brain development problems in children, a new study says.

Researchers found no ties between mRNA COVID vaccines and child developmental issues, according to findings presented Wednesday at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual preg...

FDA Declines to Review Moderna’s mRNA Flu Vaccine Application

In a major blow to vaccine development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it will not review Moderna’s application for the first mRNA-based flu shot.

Dr. Vinay Prasad, the nation’s top vaccine regulator, told the company it lacked an "adequate and well-controlled" study, Moderna said in a statement earlier this w...

Smartwatches May Soon Predict a Depression Relapse

Your smartwatch might soon do more than just count your steps or check your heart rate: It could serve as a literal early-warning system for your mental health.

New research from McMaster University suggests that wearable trackers can detect the subtle signs of a depression relapse weeks or even months before an actual episode.

The s...

Tinnitus Harms 1 in 5 Careers, Survey Finds

Tinnitus seems like one of those problems a person should be able to easily shrug off.

After all, what’s a little ringing in the ears?

But tinnitus can have a significant impact on a person’s career, a new study says.

Nearly 1 in 5 adults say tinnitus has caused them to cut their working hours or quit their job alto...