CNN – Health

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Drinking any amount of alcohol increases your risk of dementia later in life, according to a new study that challenges prior research findings. Some research has suggested light drinking — such as fewer than seven drinks a week — may be more neuroprotective than no alcohol at all. Those

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN (CNN) — Resistance training could help me sleep better. Building incentives will help me exercise more. Good friendships will help me live longer. As a wellness writer, I spend a lot of my days reporting on new research findings in the health and wellness field, vetted by outside experts, usually including

By Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — Pregnant people should not be afraid to take Tylenol, experts say, rebuking unproven claims made by the Trump administration that it can cause autism. At a news briefing Monday, President Donald Trump repeatedly issued a broad warning: “If you’re pregnant, don’t take Tylenol. When you have your baby, don’t

CNN By Alexandra Banner, CNN Should older pilots be allowed to keep flying passenger planes? The mandatory retirement age of 65 has sparked ongoing debate, with some arguing that experienced pilots should be allowed to stay in the cockpit — while others warn that age-related declines could jeopardize safety. Here’s what else you need to

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Nutrition scientist Dr. Kevin Hall may not be a household name, but he’s famous. He’s one of the only researchers in the world to conduct not one, but two gold-standard clinical trials on the impact of ultraprocessed foods on the growing obesity crisis. During Hall’s first clinical trial at

By Brenda Goodman, Katherine Dillinger, Kevin Liptak, CNN (CNN) — President Donald Trump’s speech at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service on Sunday took a detour into previewing an announcement he plans to make from the Oval Office on Monday about autism. “I think you’re going to find it to be amazing,” he said. “I think we

By Kristen Rogers, CNN (CNN) — Cycling isn’t just good for the planet, your wallet and your fitness. Choosing this form of transportation for your errands instead of driving or taking the train may also help you prevent cognitive decline, a recent study found. Riding a bike is associated with a 19% lower risk of

CNN By Brenda Goodman, Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN (CNN) — Vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted unanimously on Friday to shift away from a broad recommendation for Covid-19 vaccines to say that people who want one must consult with a health care provider, a process known as shared clinical decision-making.

By Brenda Goodman, Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN (CNN) — Vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted unanimously on Friday to shift away from a broad recommendation for Covid-19 vaccines to say that people who want one must consult with a health care provider, a process known as shared clinical decision-making. However,

CNN By Alexandra Banner, CNN Astronomers are studying an exoplanet about 40 light-years away from Earth that could be habitable. With the help of the James Webb Space Telescope, some researchers are close to confirming if it has an Earth-like atmosphere and the potential to sustain liquid water. Here’s what else you need to know

By Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — New guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises that people abstain from cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation and recommends that providers ask all of their patients about cannabis use before, during and after pregnancy to help avoid potential risks. Cannabis use has increased among pregnant

By Jacqueline Howard, Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — As part of its efforts to strengthen the country’s organ transplant system, the US Department of Health and Human Services says it is moving to decertify a major organ procurement organization – essentially shutting it down and removing it from the nation’s network of organ donation groups.

By Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — As a group of advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention met this week to discuss recommendations on who should get the updated Covid-19 shot this season, a newly published analysis from dozens of researchers emphasizes the “substantial” benefits of broad vaccine recommendations. The US Food

By Katia Hetter, CNN (CNN) — While human cases of rabies in the United States are rare, it’s still a deadly disease: six people have died from rabies nationwide since September 2024, a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokesperson confirmed to CNN. In addition, the CDC is tracking 14 potential outbreaks in 20

By Brenda Goodman, CNN (CNN) — A meeting of advisers chosen by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to guide US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine recommendations ended abruptly Thursday with a delayed vote on one vaccine, a vote against a vaccine used for young children and confusion around

By Brenda Goodman, CNN (CNN) — A group of advisers selected by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to make recommendations on the use of vaccines in the United States will meet Thursday and Friday, and they are expected to make changes to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s

By Dana Santas (CNN) — If you want a resilient core, strengthening your six-pack is just the start. Your obliques — the muscles that run along the sides of your waist — may not get the same attention as your front-and-center abdominal muscles, but they shouldn’t be viewed as secondary. Your side abs play an

By Jacqueline Howard, Jamie Gumbrecht, Sarah Owermohle, CNN (CNN) — Dr. Susan Monarez, former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday that US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. put politics before public health when he required that all CDC policy

By Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — Chagas disease, a potentially deadly condition caused by a parasite carried by insects called kissing bugs, should now be considered endemic in the United States, experts say – and without recognition that it’s a constant presence in some parts of the country, more people will suffer unnecessarily. A report

By Katherine Dillinger, Brenda Goodman, CNN (CNN) — Five new members have been named to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee, the US Department of Health and Human Services said Monday, just days ahead of a key meeting about vaccines for Covid-19 and other diseases. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy

By Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN (CNN) — The day after I had kidney stone surgery, I suddenly couldn’t pee. My bladder felt full, but nothing was coming out. I’m a urologist and even I was freaking out: I felt stuck, panicked and helpless. After what felt like five hours — but was really only five

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Following the Mediterranean diet reduces your risk of gum disease, which reduces your risk for inflammation that leads to chronic disease and dementia, a new study found. While that may seem like an odd combination, it actually makes scientific sense, said Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and

CBC-NEWS, CNN By Asuka Koda, CNN (CNN) — When Brent Chapman was 13, he took ibuprofen during a Christmas basketball game. It was a drug he had taken before, but what happened next was anything but routine: He had a severe reaction that caused burns all over his body, including on the surface of his

By Asuka Koda, CNN (CNN) — When Brent Chapman was 13, he took ibuprofen during a Christmas basketball game. It was a drug he had taken before, but what happened next was anything but routine: He had a severe reaction that caused burns all over his body, including on the surface of his eyes. Chapman

By Don Riddell, CNN (CNN) — I’ve loved every second of being a dad to twin boys, but parenting is a responsibility that comes with multiple challenges. Since my sons have just left for college, I’m now reflecting on the job my wife and I have done and how much more work might still be

By Meg Tirrell, Brenda Goodman, CNN (CNN) — Health officials under US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are preparing analyses that may tie safety risks in pregnant women and children to the Covid-19 vaccine, while considering whether to narrow recommendations for elderly people to receive the shot, according to a person

By Jacqueline Howard, Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — The interim CEO and director of drugmaker Kenvue, which makes the common pain reliever Tylenol, met with US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. privately this week in an attempt to dissuade him from including the drug as a potential cause of autism in

By Katia Hetter, CNN (CNN) — Amid the uncertainty surrounding eligibility for and access to the latest Covid-19 vaccine, a new study has found that a common nasal spray could help prevent infection. This randomized placebo-controlled trial examined the effectiveness of the nasal spray azelastine in preventing Covid-19 infection, as published in the journal JAMA

By Jeffrey Kopp, CNN (CNN) — US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disparaged the department he’s been tasked with running in his appearances on Fox News this week, describing HHS as “on a 30- or 40-year decline” and calling the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “a broken agency.” “When

By Jacqueline Howard, CNN (CNN) — There’s one buzz word that you might be hearing a lot lately: protein. Whether it’s Starbucks testing a protein-packed cold foam or reality TV star Khloé Kardashian launching her own brand of protein popcorn, the macronutrient is having a cultural moment – and rightfully so. Protein is an important

CNN By Jacqueline Howard, CNN (CNN) — There’s one buzz word that you might be hearing a lot lately: protein. Whether it’s Starbucks testing a protein-packed cold foam or reality TV star Khloé Kardashian launching her own brand of protein popcorn, the macronutrient is having a cultural moment – and rightfully so. Protein is an

By Katherine Dillinger, CNN (CNN) — A school-age child in Los Angeles County who had measles as an infant has died of a rare complication, the county health department said Thursday. The child was infected before they were eligible to receive the measles vaccine, the agency says; the first vaccination is recommended between 12 months

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN (CNN) — Addressing insomnia isn’t just a fight against tomorrow’s midafternoon fatigue –– it could help protect against brain aging in the future, new research suggests. Sleep difficulties are common, with 12% of Americans saying they have been diagnosed with chronic insomnia, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Unlike

By Dana Santas, CNN (CNN) — If you live with recurring aches and pains, it can seem safer to limit movement — especially lifting or doing anything that feels strenuous. Many people avoid strength training for this reason, fearing it will only make their pain worse. But when approached strategically, building muscle strength can be

By Jacqueline Howard, CNN (CNN) — Among all high-income Western countries, the United States has shown the worst performance in reducing the probability of dying from chronic diseases, a new study finds. From 2010 to 2019, deaths due to chronic diseases declined in most age groups in the US but increased among adults 20 to

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — The average American’s diet is nutritionally disastrous and hurting children’s health, according to the Make America Healthy Again Commission’s latest action plan released Tuesday by the White House. Exposure to dangerous chemicals, overmedication, a lack of physical activity, poor sleep, too much screen time and stress are the other

By Amy Woodyatt, CNN (CNN) — More school-age children and adolescents are now obese than underweight, a new report from the United Nations’ children’s agency, UNICEF, has revealed, with 188 million young people affected. Obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions of the world except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, researchers found, having studied data

By Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — The death rate in the United States returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2024 as Covid-19 fell out of the top 10 leading causes of death, according to a report published Wednesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Covid-19 quickly rose to the third leading cause of

By Sarah Owermohle, Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — President Donald Trump’s strategy to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ includes investigating vaccine injuries and pharmaceutical practices but stops short of new regulatory action, for now. US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled the MAHA strategy on Tuesday, joined by Agriculture Department Secretary Brooke

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN (CNN) — Children ages 6 to 12 are experiencing a dramatic increase in instances of self-harm –– and they are using common items available around the house, according to a new study. The rate of instances reported to poison control centers of children being exposed to substances has risen by more

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Marijuana may damage oocytes — unfertilized eggs in female ovaries — in ways researchers worry may lead to infertility, miscarriage and possible genetic defects in babies, new research has found. Higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — a chemical in marijuana that produces a euphoric feeling or “high” —

By Brenda Goodman, Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — Florida’s surgeon general said Sunday that he had not weighed the cost – in terms of infections, hospitalizations or deaths – of ending vaccine mandates in his state. But scientists who have done those calculations say those costs may be high. Asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper whether

By Gina Park, CNN (CNN) — When was the last time you had your blood sugar checked? It might be worth looking into, a new study says. Forty-four percent of people age 15 and older living with diabetes are undiagnosed, so they don’t know they have it, according to data analysis published Monday in the

By Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN (CNN) — Parents typically handle every aspect of their kid’s health care, whether it’s booking appointments, talking to the doctor or doling out prescription medications. Maybe this works fine — until that kid leaves home to go to college or work and ends up in an urgent care in the

By Nadia Kounang, CNN (CNN) — Scientists continue to make progress with research on how well pig organs might perform in humans, and now they’re ready for the next step: larger-scale clinical trials. eGenesis, one of the biotech companies developing gene-edited pigs whose organs are transplanted into humans, said Monday that the US Food and

By Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — Edward Mowery lived with excruciating pain for years: Picture being put into a hot frying pan, he said, and then someone holding you down on that pan forever. The fiery, shooting pain got so bad that he quit his job, stopped playing sports and had to abandon his beloved

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN (CNN) — When Taylor Swift marries Travis Kelce, pop culture will get a financial example you don’t see every day. Both are ultra-rich and at the top of their fields, but Kelce, a Kansas City Chiefs football pro, has not made the same amount of money as his billionaire pop-star fiancée.

By Jacqueline Howard, CNN (CNN) — The US Food and Drug Administration is urging nicotine pouch manufacturers to use child-resistant packaging on their products. This comes as a rise in nicotine pouch exposure cases has been reported among young children – with some causing nicotine poisoning. In an announcement Tuesday, the FDA called on manufacturers

CNN By Brenda Goodman, Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — An upcoming report from the US Department of Health and Human services is likely to link the development of autism in children to a common over-the-counter pain reliever, and it will reference a form of the vitamin folic acid as a way to reduce symptoms of

By Brenda Goodman, Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — An upcoming report from the US Department of Health and Human services is likely to link the development of autism in children to a common over-the-counter pain reliever, and it will reference a form of the vitamin folic acid as a way to reduce symptoms of autism

By Jessica DuLong, CNN (CNN) — “Go with your gut” is a decision-making directive taught from an early age. But can intuition provide insights that guide more than just individual “should I, or shouldn’t I?” choices? Might intuition’s wisdom hold secrets on how to navigate the biggest global crises humans have ever faced? Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir

By Starre Vartan, CNN (CNN) — Two-time track and field Olympian Molly Huddle was pregnant past her May due date. Since she’d been running throughout her pregnancy, she turned to what she knew best: “Trying to ‘sprint the baby out,’” she joked on Instagram, tagging it #speedwaddle. Three days later, on May 28, her second

By Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — A class-action lawsuit has been filed against CVS Caremark over its decision to stop covering Zepbound, Eli Lilly’s blockbuster GLP-1 drug to treat obesity. When the major pharmacy benefit manager informed patients about the change this year, it suggested that there was “another covered medication that’s safe and effective

By Brenda Goodman, CNN (CNN) — US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is preparing to appoint as many as seven new members to an influential vaccine advisory panel to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a former federal official who said they had seen a list of

By Katia Hetter, CNN (CNN) — An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease that hospitalized 90 people and killed seven others has ended, according to the New York City Health Department. This recent outbreak raises questions about Legionnaires’ disease. What causes the disease, and how serious is it? What symptoms do infected people exhibit, and who should

By Kristen Rogers, CNN (CNN) — Following the August 27 shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested that antidepressants may be a culprit behind mass shootings and other violence. “We’re launching studies on the potential contribution of some of the SSRI drugs and some

Opinion by Dr. Josh Green (CNN) — As a father, a physician and a governor, it is my responsibility to protect every community in my state – especially the most vulnerable – from threats to their health and safety, and to advocate for the public health of the entire country. That is why I am

By Jacqueline Howard, CNN (CNN) — The European Union is now prohibiting the use of a key chemical ingredient in some gel nail polishes and other cosmetic products. The ban, which went into effect this week, targets the use of trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide or TPO, which was classified as a type of “reproductive toxicant” by

By Sarah Owermohle, CNN (CNN) — US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged in April that there would be answers on the causes of autism this month. Since then, he has ousted public health officials, publicly rebuked studies showing no link between vaccines and autism, and said “interventions” are “almost certainly”

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — People who consumed the highest levels of certain artificial sweeteners — equivalent to just one diet soda a day — saw a significant decline in their ability to remember and recall words when compared to people who consumed the lowest levels, a new study found. “People who consumed the

By Brenda Goodman, CNN (CNN) — Pledging communication about vaccines that will be “grounded in science, not ideology,” the governors of California, Washington and Oregon announced Wednesday they will form a West Coast Health Alliance to begin coordinating public health guidelines separate from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The new alliance represents

By Deidre McPhillips, Shawn Nottingham, CNN (CNN) — Florida will move to end all vaccine mandates in the state, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced Wednesday. The move would make Florida the first state to end a longstanding – and constitutionally upheld – practice of requiring certain vaccines for school students. The state health

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN There’s nothing like shutting the bathroom door, maybe even locking it and hiding away from one’s family, even just for a few minutes. The toilet has long been a sanctuary to catch up on some light reading and, for the harried parent, a spot for some rare “me time.” But the

By Meg Tirrell, CNN (CNN) — In response to a call from President Donald Trump to make the positive impact of Covid-19 vaccines public, drug giant Pfizer posted a collection of more than 200 news releases and statements and 27 peer-reviewed data publications since early 2020. “President Trump’s call for transparency is welcomed, and we

By Meg Tirrell, CNN (CNN) — More than 1,000 current and former employees of the US Department of Health and Human Services wrote a letter to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday, arguing that his leadership has “put the health of all Americans at risk” and demanding his resignation. The letter, which was also

By Katherine Dillinger, Meg Tirrell, CNN (CNN) — Dr. Paul Offit, a frequent critic of US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been blocked from participating in a panel of independent experts who advise the US Food and Drug Administration on vaccines. An HHS spokesperson told CNN that Offit was among

By Kristen Rogers, CNN (CNN) — For Henry Cockburn, the onset of schizophrenia felt like pure common sense. It was February 2002, and the 20-year-old art student had strayed from the University of Brighton to satisfy his desire for a life of magic outside the city. He also wanted to take a 70-mile journey (about

By Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN (CNN) — One day a few years ago, as I stared at all the sophisticated machinery in my operating room — high-tech microscopes, image navigation tools and exquisitely designed instruments — I was struck by the realization that the patient in front of me had pointed to an archaic frowny

CNN By Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN (CNN) — One day a few years ago, as I stared at all the sophisticated machinery in my operating room — high-tech microscopes, image navigation tools and exquisitely designed instruments — I was struck by the realization that the patient in front of me had pointed to an archaic

By Kristen Rogers, CNN (CNN) — When it comes to the discourse over longevity, the “bro scientists” are mostly leading the way. That’s according to longevity specialist Dr. Vonda Wright, whose new book, “Unbreakable: A Woman’s Guide to Aging With Power,” aims to level the playing field. “We have a gamut of people framing men

CNN By Jacqueline Howard, CNN (CNN) — This year’s updated Covid-19 vaccines have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for adults 65 and older and younger people with certain medical conditions that put them at a higher risk of a severe Covid-19 infection. Although federal officials have emphasized that people who want

By Zoe Sottile, Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN (CNN) — Workers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been told to return to the office September 15 – a little over a month after a gunman attacked the agency’s Atlanta campus, firing almost 500 shots and killing a police officer before dying of a

By Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — Doctors may soon have a new way to treat high blood pressure, even among people for whom medicines haven’t worked well in the past. Baxdrostat, an experimental medicine made by AstraZeneca, showed promise in treating people with uncontrolled or resistant high blood pressure in a recent trial. If the

By Jacqueline Howard, CNN (CNN) — This year’s updated Covid-19 vaccines have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for adults 65 and older and younger people with certain medical conditions that put them at a higher risk of a severe Covid-19 infection. Although federal officials have emphasized that people who want a

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — A class of drugs called beta-blockers — used for decades as a first-line treatment after a heart attack— doesn’t benefit the vast majority of patients and may contribute to a higher risk of hospitalization and death in some women but not in men, according to groundbreaking new research. “These