Health News
11/17/2025

Making sense of the showdown at the CDC



Chagas disease, a deadly infection caused by ‘kissing bugs,’ may have taken root in the U.S., researchers say



Confused by the new COVID vaccine guidelines? Here's what you need to know.



Trump promotes unproven theory about Tylenol and autism. What does the science say?



Poll: Only 15% of Americans agree with the unproven claim that Tylenol causes autism



If you think you can't focus for long, you're right


Your attention span has shrunk by nearly two minutes in the past 20 years, driven in part by technology's hold over your work and home life, experts say. Here's how to stay focused so you can get things done.

What you should know if there's no sexual attraction for your partner, according to a therapist


Why would a person pick a potential life partner without feeling the spark of sexual attraction? And can these relationships survive and thrive? Can sexual attraction be cultivated later? Therapist Ian Kerner shares what he's learned in his practice.

How to cool down without AC


No air conditioning? Here are 14 methods for cooling your body and buffering your house from the outside heat.

The benefits of 'body doubling' when you have ADHD, according to experts


'Body doubling' is a strategy people with ADHD can use to accomplish more than they would alone. Here's how to do it.

What a medication abortion is like, according to a doctor


An expert in medication abortion describes how mifepristone and misoprostol work and what to expect after using these medications known as the "abortion pill."

8 activewear brands you should add to your workout wardrobe


The increasing popularity of stylish, trendy athletic wear has made über-comfortable clothing something that's not just for the gym. It's infiltrated all corners of culture, from high fashion runways to the offices of Silicon Valley executives — and really, it's appropriate for any occasion when you just want to be comfortable.

The best coupons at CVS Pharmacy



The planet is getting hotter fast. This is what happens to your body in extreme heat


Human-caused climate change has already made heat waves around the world more frequent and intense.

Your guide to finding the right Theragun massage gun for you



How long you can use vintage Tupperware


Since Tupperware, the iconic kitchen brand that's been a household name for decades, signaled recently that it might be going out of business, you might be wondering how long your stash of its food storage containers is safe to use — especially if it's vintage.

Why we have nightmares and how to stop them


We leave behind our fears of monsters under the bed as we say goodbye to our childhoods, but one can follow us into adulthood and loom over our heads.

Paper airplane breaks a world distance record


It's a bird... It's a plane... It's a paper airplane!

This bat fossil could fill in a piece of the evolutionary puzzle


Two 52 million-year-old bat skeletons discovered in an ancient lake bed in Wyoming are the oldest bat fossils ever found — and they reveal a new species.

Fuzzy first photo of a black hole gets a sharp makeover


The first photo ever taken of a black hole looks a little sharper now.

US gets D+ grade for rising preterm birth rates, new report finds


The rate of premature birth in the United States is climbing, according to the infant and maternal health nonprofit March of Dimes.

Desperate for heart surgery for their baby, a family feels the effects of pediatric hospital shortages


Even before their daughter was born in June, Aaron and Helen Chavez knew she would need heart surgery. Doctors expected her to have an operation around 6 months of age.

Covid-19 boosters could keep thousands of kids out of hospitals, but uptake remains low


Higher Covid-19 vaccination rates among US children could prevent thousands of pediatric hospitalizations and millions of missed school days, according to an analysis published Tuesday by the Commonwealth Fund and the Yale School of Public Health.

Experimental therapy gantenerumab fails to slow or improve Alzheimer's memory loss in clinical trials


An experimental treatment, gantenerumab, failed to help people at high risk of memory loss from Alzheimer's or those who were in the early phases of the disease, the manufacturer said Monday.

RSV hospitalization rate for seniors is 10 times higher than usual for this point in the season


The respiratory virus season has started early in kids this year and flooded children's hospitals in many parts of the country -- especially with respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV.

A simple hack to help you switch off after work


Dr Claire Ashley shares her tip on the Woman's Hour Guide to Life.

The complications of dating with endometriosis


Women's health advocate Sophie Richards talks about dating now fiance Dillon Lewis.

Boy learns to walk again after life-saving brain tumour surgery


Chace, 11, from Warwickshire, has been supported by Shine a Light, a childhood cancer charity.

'I didn't tell anyone about my medical cannabis prescription'


More than 50,000 people in the UK each month get a private prescription for medical cannabis.

Our third date was at a fertility clinic - finding love with endometriosis


For Sophie Richards those early conversations were just part of the daunting prospect of finding love when you have endometriosis.

Inside Health


Shingles vaccine to reduce dementia risk? Antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea & tech trousers

Inside Health


We investigate the safety of melatonin as a sleep aid, and should you eat your placenta?

Inside Health


We try to figure out why drug deaths are at an all-time high - and what can be done.

Fishing group 'devastated' after container fire


Craig Parkins says years of hard work has "just gone up in smoke".

Inside Health


Cystic fibrosis care, AI in cancer screening & science of run clubs.

Councils should not cut 'vital' physical activity - former Olympian


The Accounts Commission says the amount councils are spending on culture and leisure services is not keeping up with rising costs.

Community health centre to open after £2.2m revamp


The Grade-II listed St Dunstan's House has been converted into a health and wellbeing.

Our third date was at a fertility clinic - finding love with endometriosis


For Sophie Richards those early conversations were just part of the daunting prospect of finding love when you have endometriosis.

Wellbeing support for terminally-ill islanders


A hospice offers a free programme for those with life-limiting or serious progressive illnesses.

At 21, I was crushed by a stranger's joke about going bald. Then the way I looked at myself changed


There are multiple ways for men to combat hair loss now, but should they have to?

Advice for PCOS has not changed for 30 years, says patient


Alex Allan says she feels "sad" that treatment for the condition has not moved forward in that time.

Premature birth can be incredibly lonely, says Beatrice


The princess appeared on a podcast ahead of World Prematurity Day for premature birth research charity Borne.

'Price of sports bras shouldn't stop us competing'


A former Team GB athlete is calling for free sports bras and fittings for secondary school girls.

Mother had 'agonising' health test without consent


Dawn Lord says she had no idea what was happening to her during her "traumatic" hysteroscopy.

Covid inquiry told top NHS doctor was terrified


Sir Stephen Powis says points-based tool was drawn up should need to prioritise patients have arisen.

How close were hospitals to collapse in Covid?


The Covid inquiry restarts its live hearings this week, after senior staff in the NHS revealed just how close some hospitals were to collapse

Covid inquiry told of trust do-not-resuscitate rule


Patients' families were “horrified but not surprised” when told the blanket policy had been in place.

We were not treated as parents, Covid inquiry told


Mum of premature twins says rigid restrictions on birthing wards during Covid were traumatic.

NHS hours from PPE running out in Covid - Hancock


Former health secretary tells inquiry some healthcare settings did run out - "and it was awful".

Covid inquiry told Treasury blocked NHS bed request


NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard says the decision, in July 2020, was very disappointing.

Michelle Mone-linked PPE firm evidence to be heard in private


Covid inquiry says hearings into the firm, led by Michelle Mone's husband, must be held in closed session.

Large UK-wide pandemic preparedness tests planned this year


The stress test will involve thousands of people to help the UK prepare for potential future threats.

Families failed by Covid jabs tell inquiry of pain


They said there was no support after the death and harm suffered by their loved ones.

Mone accuses Covid inquiry of 'cover-up'


She says husband Doug Barrowman and her are targets of a "politically motivated witch hunt".

Michael Gove denies trying to circumvent Dyson ventilator checks


Former cabinet minister says it would be ludicrous to suggest he tried to shortcut safety checks in the pandemic.

Cash to isolate 'would have cut Covid deaths'


Baroness Dido Harding tells Covid inquiry Rishi Sunak blocked higher support payments.

Johnson wanted tighter Covid rules, inquiry hears


In his diaries, Lord Vallance wrote that ex-PM thought rules were not ruthless enough.

Hancock criticises 'wholly naive' Covid inquiry


The former health secretary was giving evidence about medical equipment deals during the pandemic.

Covid inquiry to look at impact on care services


The Covid inquiry will examine the impact of the pandemic on care services, starting on Monday.

The Covid Inquiry Podcast: 'I wasn't the decision maker'


The Inquiry hears from the lead of the test and trace unit

Covid inquiry hears of 'generational slaughter'


Relatives of care home residents tell the Covid inquiry they will never get over how their loved ones died.

The doctor strike has ended - what comes next?


With doctors returning to work after five-day walkout, is there an opportunity for talks to re-start?

Covid care home policy was 'least worst decision' - Hancock


Former health secretary Matt Hancock denied claims the government's attempt to throw a protective ring around care homes in early 2020 was empty rhetoric.

Union and government to restart talks on ending doctor dispute


BMA says there is window of opportunity in coming weeks to reach a settlement after 12 strikes.

Doctors' union agrees to resume talks with Streeting


But the health secretary says he will not negotiate on pay, adding that the union has lost goodwill with their five-day walkout.

NHS needs better plan around weight loss jabs, warn experts


Experts call for an urgent review of obesity treatment services amid booming demand for weight loss jabs.

How many of us will end up being diagnosed with ADHD?


Experts suggest that the number of people with ADHD is actually going to remain steady.

The junior doctors' strikes may be over. But is trouble ahead?


The end of the pay dispute sounded too good to be true. And now some are wondering if it might be.

Why are resident doctors striking and how much are they paid?


Resident doctors in England are striking between 14 and 19 November, in their 13th walkout since 2023.

Is the system letting down people who were harmed by Covid vaccines?


People affected by rare blood clots say they feel they have been airbrushed out of the pandemic.

How will weight-loss drugs change our relationship with food?


The rise of these treatments has major implications for how we think about obesity, says James Gallagher.

Assisted dying bill: What is in proposed law?


The proposed law would allow some terminally ill adults to end their own lives. But there are requirements.

'My first cervical screening was over before I knew it'


The BBC speaks to six people about their first cervical screening, and what they wish they'd known beforehand.

Labour's plan for benefits throws up a bigger dilemma


The debate has sparked a wider dilemma about the broader purpose of welfare

First place in British Isles set to approve right to die


Laws in the Isle of Man to let terminally ill adults end their own lives are in the last stages of debate.

Generation K: The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young people


Increasing numbers of young people are using the drug, experts say. The health impacts can be catastrophic.

Ketamine helped me escape my negative thoughts - then it nearly killed me


Young people are taking dangerous amounts of ket because it's cheap, easily available and helps them "disconnect", experts say.

The English neighbourhood that claims to hold the secret to fixing the NHS


With public satisfaction in the NHS just 21%, one area has a plan to shake up its services that could reduce GP waiting lists, as well as unblock hospital beds - but can it really work nationwide?

How does the disposable vape ban work, and how harmful is vaping?


The disposable vape ban is designed to reduce environmental damage and protect children's health.

Is the most expensive lip balm always the best?


Do you need to spend more to get the best for your chapped lips?

The teenage caffeine pouch trend troubling US experts


Some social media influencers are pushing products to young gym-goers and students, health experts warn.

Sleep, exercise, hydrate - do we really need to stick to recommended daily doses?


As a study casts doubt on the daily steps maxim, we take a look at some other health benchmarks we’re often told to strive for.

What exactly is freshers' flu - and why do so many get it?


It's not an actual flu, and it's rarely serious, but when thousands of students arrive on campus they bring a cocktail of viruses.

What is chickenpox and how can I get my child vaccinated?


The NHS in England and Wales will start offering the MMRV vaccine to young children from January 2026.

My late husband's organs transformed the lives of four people


Mark Hutchinson was only 52 when he died unexpectedly last year after suffering two strokes "out of the blue".

'I missed a £100 council tax bill while in hospital – the debt ballooned to £6k'


The government says it is taking action to protect people from “aggressive collection practices”.

EastEnders' Kellie Bright on the challenges of being parent of an autistic child


The soap actor meets families fighting for their children’s education for BBC Panorama.

A facelift at 28? Why young people are turning to plastic surgery


Gone are the days when facelifts were for the ageing wealthy. Now younger people are going under the knife.

Your nose gets colder when you're stressed. These thermal images show the change


Psychologists subjected a BBC reporter to a carefully designed thermal camera stress test.

My eating disorder made me good at lying, says Victoria Beckham


The former Spice Girl's new Netflix documentary has landed - under the shadow of a reported family feud.

'Getting financial help through my GP has improved my health'


How linked are financial worries and health? GPs in London are trialling a financial support scheme.

Prostate cancer symptoms and treatment: What to check for


One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

'I have a sweating problem': What Alan Carr's Traitors admission tells us about how social taboos changed


Let's talk about sweat... From contestants on The Celebrity Traitors and scores of celebrities openly discussing it, to the trend of professionals using saunas for business meetings

I wanted ChatGPT to help me. So why did it advise me how to kill myself?


ChatGPT wrote a woman a suicide note and another AI chatbot role-played sexual acts with children, BBC finds.

Illegal teeth-whitening industry exposed by BBC


A BBC investigation finds kits on sale containing more than 500 times the legal limit of bleach.

What is Mpox and why are cases rising in Europe?


UK health officials are encouraging gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men to be vaccinated.

Magnesium: Can this 'miracle mineral' really help us sleep?


The global market in this supplement is worth almost £3bn - a figure set to nearly double over the next decade.

DNA pioneer James Watson dies at 97


Watson co-discover the double-helix structure of DNA, but his reputation was later damaged by his comments on race and sex.

You can now book online to see your GP. But is it any easier to get an appointment?


A month since GPs in England started offering online appointment bookings, patients recount their experiences.

ADHD services shutting door to new NHS patients as demand soars, BBC finds


A BBC investigation finds that a host of areas in England are closing waiting lists and others are rationing care.

NHS tracker - are hospital waiting times improving near you?


Use our interactive tracker to see if treatment waits are getting better at your local hospital.

Ever feel the need to switch off? Your vagus nerve might hold the key


You might not have heard of it, but can training your vagus nerve give you a moment or two of peace?

'A predator in your home': Mothers say chatbots encouraged their sons to kill themselves


In her first UK interview Megan Garcia speaks to Laura Kuenssberg about the death of her teenage son.

Menopause screening to be included in NHS health checks from next year


Despite the change - which will happen in 2026 - campaigners warn some women will lose out because the number who attend is too low.

Life-changing eye implant helps blind patients read again


The results are astounding and a major advance, say surgeons involved in international research using the pioneering technology.

Reports of OCD among under-25s triple in 10 years


More 16-24 year olds in England say they have symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder - BBC analysis finds.

We will not 'be held to ransom' by striking doctors, says minister


The health secretary is refusing to make concessions on pay after the BMA announced a further walkout.

'New birth advice change is our girl's lasting legacy'


A mum says she was not warned of the potentially life-threatening risks of a uterine rupture.

'My wife died in childbirth but wasn't told she'd been given labour drug overdose'


Jacqui Hunter died less than 24 hours after being told that her daughter had died in the womb.

LED mask ads banned over acne and rosacea claims


Adverts for cosmetic devices not registered with the medicines regulator must not make medical claims.

Skip short strolls – a longer daily walk is better for your heart, says study


Walking for at least 15 minutes without stopping is ideal, according to new research.

Vapers overtake smokers for first time in Britain


Some 5.4 million adults use vapes daily or occasionally compared with 4.9 million using cigarettes, figures show.

BMA rejects fresh offer to end doctor strikes


An offer was made to avert the resident doctors' strike but the union said it did not go far enough.

German nurse gets life in jail after murdering 10 to reduce workload


The palliative care nurse was convicted of the murder of 10 patients, and the attempted murder of 27 others.

How caffeine can help you manage headaches and other tips


If you're getting a pattern of milder, recurring headaches here are four things you can do to help manage it.

New flu virus mutation could see 'worst season in a decade'


Leading flu experts say they will not be surprised if this year's is the worst flu season for a decade.

Botox was like going for coffee - but I had no idea if it was genuine


Rules about administering drugs such as Botox and Mounjaro have not kept up, says Wales' regulator.

Surgical menopause like a 'hormonal cliff edge'


Surgical menopause is the immediate onset of menopause caused by the removal of both ovaries.

Nearly all NHS trusts failing to hit cancer target


Experts say patients are being harmed by cancer diagnosis and treatment delays.

Pharmacist suspended after BBC Botox sting


Cornelius Agoye was filmed supplying Botox to an undercover BBC researcher in a breach of the rules.

Three easy ways to help you beat the winter blues


It's easy to feel gloomy in winter, but here are three ways to help you manage the darker days and even embrace them.

Nurses penalised for trans complaint, says lawyer


Closing submissions are being made in an employment tribunal brought by eight female nurses.

TikTok creator 'so sorry' over cancer diagnosis lie


Brittany Miller is known for posting food and lifestyle content to her three-and-a-half million followers.

NHS waiting list down - how is your hospital doing?


At the end of September, the backlog stood at 7.39 million in England.

'I could hardly walk' - the issue that affects one in five mums


Two mothers who experienced pelvic girdle pain say being aware of the risk will help people seek treatment.

Hospitals knew a heart device led to more patients' deaths - but they kept using it


Almost half of patients given a heart pump, after the NHS had raised concerns about it, died soon after.

Doctor strike inflicting pain and misery on patients, says health secretary


Health Secretary Wes Streeting says the five-day strike by resident doctors is "completely irresponsible".

Resident doctors in Scotland begin ballot for strike action


BMA Scotland says ministers went back on a pay agreement but Health Secretary Neil Gray says it is a "fair, affordable, equitable pay offer".

Scottish abortion law 'not fit for purpose', says expert group


Currently, an abortion is only legal before 24 weeks when two doctors agree that certain grounds have been met.

Children may be hit harder by flu, say officials


Health bosses says the UK often mirrors Australia a few months later.

Life Alert® is a registered trademark of Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc.
© Copyright 1987 - 2013, Life Alert, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.