Health

By Nadia Kounang, CNN (CNN) — For the first time, the national Organ Procurement and Transplant Network may be opened up to organizations other than the nonprofit United Network for Organ Sharing. The system has only ever been managed by UNOS, which has drawn criticism for its handling of organs, long waitlists for transplants and

By Jacqueline Howard, CNN (CNN) — A new office has been formed within the US Department of Health and Human Services to lead the nation’s response to the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. On Monday, HHS announced the formation of the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice to lead the federal government’s response to long

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Are you waking up in a puddle of sweat — if you can sleep at all? That’s the grim reality for millions of people around the globe suffering through severe, unbearable heat waves. July is the hottest month on record for the planet and very likely the hottest period

By Jessica DuLong, CNN (CNN) — Sign up for CNN’s Stress, But Less newsletter. Our six-part mindfulness guide will inform and inspire you to reduce stress while learning how to harness it. In an age when technology allows for easy communication between people far and wide, why do so many of us feel so disconnected? Teacher,

By Brenda Goodman and Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — It’s time to stock up on tissues, bingeable TV options and Covid-19 tests. Yes, many signs are pointing to a Covid-19 summer surge – although one that’s far less intense than what emerged the past few summers. Experts say they do not expect that cases will be

By Giri Viswanathan, CNN (CNN) — The World Health Organization updated its guidelines for essential medicines Wednesday to include drugs to treat multiple sclerosis, heart conditions, cancer and more. But obesity medications were not added to the list, despite requests this year from researchers in the United States. During its meeting in April, WHO’s review

By Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — At least 20 states have enacted policies restricting health care for transgender youth, and the loss of gender-affirming care clinics in those states has dramatically increased the average travel time to a provider, according to a new study. About half of adolescents now live more than an hour away

By Giri Viswanathan, CNN (CNN) — Health officials in Western Washington are investigating a lethal outbreak of listeria, a pathogen often transmitted by eating contaminated food. Five patients have been hospitalized for listeriosis so far — all individuals in their 60s and 70s with already-weakened immune systems, according to a news release from the Tacoma-Pierce

By Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — As heat waves and wildfire smoke continue to affect parts of the United States, doctors are warning that people need to watch their heart health — particularly if they live in areas with high pollution levels. The risk of a deadly heart attack may double when people are exposed

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Want to live up to an additional 24 years? Just add eight healthy lifestyle choices to your life at age 40 and that could happen, according to a new unpublished study analyzing data on US veterans. Starting at age 50 instead? No problem, you could prolong your life by

By Kate Golembiewski, CNN (CNN) — Editor’s note: Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN’s Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being. Maybe you spotted one crawling up your leg after a hike through tall grass or felt one on your dog’s back

By Meg Tirrell, Kevin Conlon and Brenda Goodman, CNN (CNN) — Most of the damage from Wednesday’s tornado to a major Pfizer plant in North Carolina was to a warehouse facility, rather than areas that produce medicines, the drug giant said Friday. The plant remains closed while damage is assessed, and Pfizer Chief Executive Officer

By Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — As temperatures hit extreme levels across the United States, emergency room doctors have had to get creative to try to save people who are dangerously sick from the heat. “The last heatstroke patient I had, we sent our security guard across the street to the gas station because we

By Amanda Musa, CNN (CNN) — The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the oral contraceptive Opill for over-the-counter use, making it the first nonprescription birth control pill in the United States, but it will be months before it’s available. The pill is expected to be on shelves in early 2024. The American College

By Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — The United States is in the midst of some of the worst cancer drug shortages in history, affecting thousands of patients across the country who face delayed or cancelled chemotherapy appointments. But these shortages aren’t just bad for current patients, experts say; their effects on cancer research may be

By Katia Hetter, CNN (CNN) — On Monday, the US Food and Drug Administration approved an antibody injection to protect newborn babies from respiratory syncytial virus, better known as RSV. Nirsevimab, also known by its brand name Beyfortus, is expected to be available this fall, as long as the US Centers for Disease Control and

By Isabelle Chapman (CNN) — Texas’ abortion restrictions – some of the strictest in the country – may be fueling a sudden spike in infant mortality as women are forced to carry nonviable pregnancies to term. Some 2,200 infants died in Texas in 2022 – an increase of 227 deaths, or 11.5%, over the previous

By Kristen Rogers, CNN (CNN) — Schuyler Bailar was assigned female at birth. But as a child, he couldn’t shake the sense that he wouldn’t grow up to be a woman. “One of my earliest gender memories was that I was going to grow up to be a dad,” Bailar said. “I was going to

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — People over 65 with dementia were four times more likely to die within the first six months after starting to take an opioid for pain, and six times more likely to die If the opioid was a strong one, such as morphine, oxycodone or fentanyl, according to a new

By Justin Gamble, CNN (CNN) — Black adults living in zip codes historically impacted by redlining have an 8% higher risk of developing heart failure than Black adults in non-redlined areas, a study published Monday in the American Heart Association’s scientific journal Circulation says. During the early 20th century, US banks routinely engaged in a

By Ian Kerner, CNN (CNN) — A lot of heterosexual male clients are coming into my practice admitting they picked their partner without considering sexual attraction. During couples therapy sessions with his partner in the room, the man will claim that he doesn’t know why he isn’t experiencing desire. Maybe it’s stress, low testosterone or

By Brenda Goodman, CNN (CNN) — Remember these words: Rose, Chair, Hand, Blue, Spoon. Draw a clock. Name as many animals as you can in one minute. What’s the date today? List words that start with the letter F. Recall the first five words. Since the 1980s, memory tests like these, often taken with a paper and pencil

By Zoe Sottile, CNN (CNN) — The Houston Health Department has reported a syphilis outbreak, with an increase of 128% among women in the city, and a ninefold increase in congenital cases in Houston and the surrounding Harris County area since 2019. Health officials announced the outbreak in a Thursday news release. According to the