Health News
1/20/2026

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.

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."

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 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.

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.

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.

Your guide to finding the right Theragun massage gun for you



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.

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.

Paper airplane breaks a world distance record


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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'It's life-changing. I can see my child grow up'


Doctors say they have achieved the previously impossible - restoring sight and preventing blindness in people with a rare but dangerous eye conditon called hypotony.

Lacking willpower this January? Here's how to reframe your mind


Complex podcast host and chartered psychologist Kimberley Wilson joins What's Up Docs? to talk about how we think about willpower.

ADHD diagnosis 'changed' Love Island star's life


Dr Alex George wants better assessment waiting times after paying for expensive private tests.

Gastric sleeve surgery was 'life-changing'


Steph Hoy dropped from 25 stone to eight stone after surgery.

Why 'Blue Monday' isn't real


How the third Monday of January came to be known as the most depressing day of the year.

Inside Health


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

Inside Health


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

Inside Health


James inhales a lungful of fumes to see if he can see air pollution moving inside him

Inside Health


Should we be having regular saunas? Plus, a breakthrough result for Huntington’s disease.

NHS funds football pitch to help boost island health


Carloway Football Club in Lewis has received a grant of £22,000.

Libraries to host community events over winter


The sessions in December and January aim to bring people in Wolverhampton together during the colder months.

'It sounds dramatic but singing class saved my life'


Hundreds of peopling attending singing groups are being taught songs and breathing techniques.

Wellbeing support for terminally-ill islanders


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

Woman planning 115km walk after two heart attacks


Cathy Read will walk across Spain to support the charity that helped her recover.

Trial launched to 'help spot health risks early'


A pilot scheme is rolled out in the north of the Isle of Man by the public health directorate.

The rugby mum looking to get others to play


Annette Bevan and friends set up the Maa Maas club for mums who want to play rugby.

'My endometriosis pain is excruciating but I'm still waiting for surgery'


According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 59,733 women in NI are now on waiting lists.

I stopped paying for food and heating to spend it gambling - my period made it worse


Researchers are looking to see if there is a link between hormonal fluctuations and gambling addiction.

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?

Why more women are going to rage rooms


Some rage rooms say most of their customers are female - we talk to women about why they pay to smash up old TVs.

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


Resident doctors in England are striking between 17 and 22 December, the 14th walkout since 2023.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is the most expensive lip balm always the best?


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

What is chickenpox and who can get an NHS vaccine?


The standard NHS childhood vaccination programme will include chickenpox from 2 January 2026.

The teenage caffeine pouch trend troubling US experts


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

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.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer and what should you 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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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?

How do cold weather health alerts work?


The weather alert service warns the public when high or low temperatures could damage their health.

How I proved hair loss and dizziness aren't just symptoms of 'being a mum'


Iron deficiency is a relatively common problem, especially in women. Here's how to spot the symptoms.

Prostate cancer screening: What you need to know


Everything you need to know about the decision on who should be screened for prostate cancer.

Sugar tax extended to milk-based drinks: What you need to know


Milkshakes and lattes to be included in UK sugar tax scheme for the first time.

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.

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 hears of 'generational slaughter'


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

Hancock ignored call to test all NHS staff, Covid inquiry hears


Two Nobel prize-winning scientists worried about "asymptomatic transmission" between staff and patients.

Boris Johnson left Inquiry in a hurry - he'll be pleased not to come back


School closures seemed the only option but lockdowns probably went "too far" , former PM tells Covid Inquiry.

One day of planning went into Covid school closures, inquiry hears


This part of the inquiry is looking at the impact the pandemic had on children and young people.

Gove apologises after Covid report alleges 'toxic' culture


The ex-senior minister apologises for mistakes in the pandemic, but defends some of the previous government's actions.

Delayed action before 2020 Christmas lockdown 'inexcusable'


Baroness Hallet says ministers failed to take "decisive action" against an "entirely foreseeable" variant.

'Since having Covid my life has completely changed'


A teenager has told the Covid-19 inquiry she often feels "left out" after missing so much school.

What's in the Covid inquiry report... in 68 seconds


The report looks at whether lockdowns were timely and reasonable, and what impact rule-breaking at the heart of government had on public confidence.

What is the UK Covid inquiry and how does it work?


The inquiry into the government's handling of the pandemic has heard from politicians, civil servants, experts and bereaved families.

Covid inquiry hears impact on firms and staff


Business owners describe breaking into tears as they were forced to lay off staff, while workers feared for their jobs

UK did 'too little, too late', leading to thousands more Covid deaths - inquiry


Report on government decision-making says delays cost 23,000 lives in the first wave in England.

The Covid Inquiry Podcast


Baroness Hallett makes her second report into the UK's pandemic response. With Jim Reed.

The private notes and secret documents that tell the inside story of the UK's Covid response


The Covid inquiry is set to publish its second set of findings looking in detail at the huge political decisions that had to be made in 2020.

'Toxic' No 10 culture harmed Covid response, inquiry finds


Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings and Matt Hanock are all criticised for contributing to poor Covid decision-making.

Government racks up £100m bill responding to Covid inquiry


BBC analysis shows cost to taxpayer is 50% higher than thought, with inquiry's own costs at £192m.

Lockdown could have been avoided - key findings from Covid inquiry


The long-awaited report is published into how well or badly the government handled the Covid pandemic.

Much of £11bn Covid scheme fraud 'beyond recovery', report says


The response to the pandemic led to "enormous outlays of public money which exposed it to the risk of fraud and error", a report says.

Private flu vaccine stocks running low as cases rise


Those eligible for a vaccine can access jabs from the NHS, but experts say that people have turned to pharmacies for convenience.

Ambulance demand spikes as flu season worsens


The service says calls increased by 20% in the past week, fuelled by illnesses such as the flu.

Some schools disrupted amid rise in flu cases


Flu is on the rise, but ministers say schools should only close in extreme circumstances.

Flu jabs offered in pub in vaccination drive


Regular pop-up vaccination clinics are available at The Bevy community pub in Brighton.

What's really going on with flu this winter?


We've been told we're facing an unprecedented superflu. Is it?

Has flu peaked? What the figures tell us


NHS remains on high alert over flu, health bosses say, but there are signs infections are levelling off.

Flu wave hits England's busiest A&E - hundreds of patients are arriving a day


The BBC visits Leicester Royal Infirmary to witness first-hand how it's coping with an early surge in cases of winter bugs.

What is happening to flu this winter - and should you buy a vaccine?


Flu has come early this year with a new mutated version of the virus circulating.

Toddler finally home from hospital for Christmas


Bertie Melly was in hospital for 18 months after his premature birth in May 2024.

Is it a cold, 'super flu' or Covid? How to tell the difference


How to identify whether you have cold, flu or Covid and how to look after yourself.

Flu: How are hospitals in your area affected?


Use our interactive tool to explore the latest flu numbers in your area

Critical incidents declared at two hospital trusts


NHS bosses are urging people to only come to A&E if it is an emergency.

Flu on the rise again after Christmas mixing, says NHS


Cases up after two weeks of decline, as hospitals report rise in slips and falls because of cold snap.

Doctors strike called off as union backs latest pay deal


Medics had been set to go on the first national walkout staged by NHS workers on Tuesday in a dispute over pay.

Plastic surgeon who fled from inspectors suspended


Dr Sayed Mia tried to flee when inspectors arrived at the central London clinic where he worked.

Eye surgeon's advice after his own sight-saving op


Dr Amir Hamid said his sight was saved by quick treatment when he had symptoms of a detached retina.

People who come off slimming jabs regain weight four times faster than dieters


Overweight people shed large amounts on jabs but gain 0.8 kg a month on average once off them, study shows.

Babies in Midlands and North 'more likely to die around birth'


A study found the 10 consistently worst-performing centres were all in the Midlands and North of England.

Why the NHS still wastes billions on patients who don't need to be in hospital


The delayed discharge challenge throws up deeper questions about the care system, co-ordination - and whether some patients are over-treated

I didn't give up, I let go. How I came to terms with not having children


After a decade of trying for a baby, Caroline and her husband decided they needed to build a different future.

I spent months trying to find out if boosting my gut health could help me age better


Health editor Hugh Pym revamped his diet after a test suggested his gut health appeared to look five years older than he was

Revolutionary eye injection saved my sight, says first-ever patient


Nicki's eye had collapsed in on itself, but a new gel injection method has saved her vision.

Letby trust pays £1.4m damages to ex CEO


Dr Susan Gilby told the BBC she was relieved the case was over and that it "was never about the money."

Safe spaces needed for drug-addicted children, say grieving mums


More children in England are in drug and alcohol treatment, but families say many cannot get help.

Hospital alert after fake doctor-endorsed videos


Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust says online videos falsely show clinicians promoting weight loss patches.

First leukaemia patient to get new form of treatment on NHS says it is 'very sci-fi'


Oscar Murphy has an aggressive form of the blood cancer and is the first to get CAR-T therapy in the UK.

Hospitals with unsafe concrete expected to miss rebuild deadline


Seven hospitals with Raac that were prioritised last year are not expected to be completed on time - some not until 2032/33.

Hospital violated trans complaint nurses' dignity, tribunal rules


A judge says the hospital chiefs' changing room policy created a "hostile" environment for women.

I'm allergic to cold - anything below 12C and I break out in hives


Amber breaks out in hives if the temperature goes below 12C (53F) and wishes for a "normal life".

Life-extending prostate cancer drug to be offered to thousands in England


Abiraterone will be available in a matter of weeks and will be offered to 7,000 men a year.

NHS trust used charity funds for leaving party


Bosses, in a post to staff, say in hindsight, it was not a good use of charitable funds.

Paracetamol is safe in pregnancy, says study refuting Trump autism claims


Researchers say their gold-standard review should put an end to the debate over use of the common painkiller during pregnancy.

Is fibre the new protein? The surprising health benefits of the latest wellness trend


It was once seen as an "unsexy nutrient" but its health benefits beyond the bowel are now in the spotlight.

Alzheimer's finger-prick test could help diagnosis


An international trial involving 1,000 volunteers will aim to detect biomarkers associated with the condition.

Cancer patients 'warned for years' about hospital water infections


John Cuddihy told BBC Scotland News his late daughter's experiences "must continue to echo beyond her lifetime".

Doctor accused of sex assaults on 38 patients


The charges relate to alleged offences against patients, including children, in the West Midlands.

Finger-prick blood test could be early warning for children with type 1 diabetes


A simple finger-prick blood test can find those at risk so they can get the right treatment.

The hospitals where waiting times are getting worse. Is yours one of them?


Nearly a quarter of hospital trusts in England have seen waiting times deteriorate in the past year.

Why doing a mix of exercise could be the key to longer life


Don't just focus on one activity - doing a variety every week gives you more health benefits, a study suggests.

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