Doctor shortages have hobbled health care for decades − and the trend could be worsening

Americans are increasingly waiting weeks or even months to get an appointment to see a health care specialist. This delay comes at a time when the population of aging adults…

Massive cuts to Health and Human Services’ workforce signal a dramatic shift in US health policy

On March 27, 2025, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced plans to dramatically transform the department. HHS is the umbrella agency responsible for pandemic…

Measles can ravage the immune system and brain, causing long-term damage – a virologist explains

The measles outbreak that began in west Texas in late January 2025 continues to grow, with 400 confirmed cases in Texas and more than 50 in New Mexico and Oklahoma…

Bird flu could be on the cusp of transmitting between humans − but there are ways to slow down viral evolution

Disease forecasts are like weather forecasts: We cannot predict the finer details of a particular outbreak or a particular storm, but we can often identify when these threats are emerging…

Pediatrician offers advice on what to do if a child catches norovirus

Credit: cottonbro studio from Pexels Norovirus is a common illness that spreads quickly—especially during winter—but it can make people sick anytime. Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea…

One hour’s screen use after going to bed increases your risk of insomnia by 59%, scientists find

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Scientists have found another reason to put the phone down: a survey of 45,202 young adults in Norway has discovered that using a screen in bed…

Traveling overseas? You could be at risk of measles. Here’s how to ensure you’re protected

Credit: Josh Willink from Pexels On March 26, NSW Health issued an alert advising people to be vigilant for signs of measles after an infectious person visited Sydney Airport and…

Angola’s cholera outbreak has claimed more than 300 lives: WHO

Scanning electron microscope image of Vibrio cholerae bacteria, which infect the digestive system. Credit: Ronald Taylor, Tom Kirn, Louisa Howard/Wikipedia Angola’s cholera outbreak has now claimed 329 lives, the World…

What makes the human brain unique? We compared it with monkeys and apes to find out

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Scientists have long tried to understand the human brain by comparing it to other primates. Researchers are still trying to understand what makes our brain different…

The Colorado psychedelic mushroom experiment has arrived

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Colorado regulators are issuing licenses for providing psychedelic mushrooms and are planning to authorize the state’s first “healing centers,” where the mushrooms can be ingested under…