Health News
7/18/2025

Abortion in America: 3 years after Roe’s repeal, in 7 charts



The GOP wants work requirements for Medicaid. Here's what those rules do (and don't) accomplish.



Making sense of the GOP's proposed Medicaid cuts, which could leave 8.6 million people uninsured



Here’s how — and when — Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ might start affecting your wallet



Dangerous ‘Botox dupes’ reportedly linked to botulism cases. Here’s what to look out for.



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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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



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.

Paper airplane breaks a world distance record


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

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.

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.

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.

The Documentary Podcast


How male friendships and support groups improve relationships and mental health

Can (and should) we cure blindness?


Recent years have seen incredible advances in eyesight restoration. But should we approach blindness as something that needs to be 'cured'? Comedian Tom Skelton, who started losing his sight at 21, explores. Made in partnership with UKRI (UK Research and Innovation).

'Parents should be told about their child's mental health'


Jessica Glasser's parents say families should be told if their child is struggling with their mental health.

Inside Health


James explores the science of a sweet tooth and then gets tips on how to brush like a pro.

Is there a healthy way to tan?


Chris and Xand van Tulleken weigh up the pros and cons of being in direct sunshine.

When a kiss can kill you…


The challenges of dating when you have a serious allergy.

Inside Health


The PM says it's 'reform or die' for the NHS, we discuss ambitious plans to restructure it

Inside Health


James Gallagher looks at the evidence for claims the benefits of sun could outweigh risks.

Schools recognised for emotional wellbeing skills


Seven schools receive awards for changes they have made to help pupils and staff.

Stop telling me to lower my cortisol - it's making me stressed!


Can social media hacks really help bring down your cortisol levels?

New nature health scheme aims to boost well-being


The RSPB, which helped draw up the scheme, says it has been a success in other parts of the UK.

Inside Health


How does female physiology affect sporting performance?

Cornwall theatre company awarded nearly £20,000


The company is getting the funding to collect local stories of experiences of menopause.

Support group for mums from different ethnicities


The group hopes to help women with newborn care, maternal health, and mental wellbeing.

Premises plea as wellbeing charity told to move


Simply Limitless must leave its base in Kidderminster in weeks after the landlord found new tenants.

'Don't tell me my baby wasn't meant to be'


Siobhan Gorman was 16 weeks pregnant and home alone when she gave birth to baby Archie.

'It's heartbreaking leaving women sleeping rough'


An outreach worker helping homeless women at risk of violence in a Somerset town.

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.

'Unfair' NHS wait lists revealed in official report


Data for the NHS in England shows the waiting list for gynaecology is one of the largest.

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.

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.

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.

Hancock criticises 'wholly naive' Covid inquiry


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

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.

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.

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


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

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.

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.

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.

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 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 we might never know the truth about ultra-processed foods


Experts can’t agree how exactly they affect us and it’s not clear that science will give us an answer.

Are weight-loss injections the answer to obesity?


The appeal is clear - but should we be turning to appetite-suppressing injections?

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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?

Why are disposable vapes being banned and how harmful is vaping?


It will be illegal to sell or supply disposable vapes from 1 June 2025.

Handwritten notes reveal Churchill's penicillin concern ahead of D-Day


Handwritten notes show the wartime prime minister's frustration over slow penicillin production.

Is the most expensive lip balm always the best?


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

I'm an NHS leader - but mum still suffered at hands of health service because she was black


NHS Confederation chair Lord Adebowale says his mother's death illustrates inequalities in the system.

Why are pollen levels making hay fever so bad this year?


As pollen levels rise, what are the best ways to treat hay fever symptoms, and other useful advice.

We always joked dad looked nothing like his parents - then we found out why


Matthew's father died late last year - before learning the truth about his family history.

World-first blood cancer therapy to be given on NHS


It sneaks toxic drugs inside cancer cells to hit them hard while minimising side-effects.

How does a £1.6m fine affect an NHS trust?


How will the largest fine over maternity deaths impact the NHS and the families it failed?

My dad gave me a kidney - now I can have my dream wedding


Kieran Innes was worried he would have to curtail his future plans when his kidneys failed.

Mood swings fuelled Heston Blumenthal's genius. But the highs got higher and the lows got darker


A new BBC documentary looks at how a diagnosis of bipolar disorder at 57 changed the celebrity chef's life.

Stop telling me to lower my cortisol - it's making me stressed!


Can social media hacks really help bring down your cortisol levels?

'Our sister died of cancer because of our mum's conspiracy theories'


Paloma Shemirani’s brothers say she refused chemotherapy because of their mother’s beliefs.

How is your hospital doing as NHS battles to bring down waiting times?


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

Emma is doing something she swore she never would - buying her kids vapes


One month on from the disposable vape ban, one mum says it has had little impact on her children's nicotine consumption.

I lost £15,000 after going to an IVF middleman


Companies that act as "middlemen" between patients and doctors are not regulated by the fertility watchdog.

How to stay safe at festivals this summer


The UKHSA and Somerset Council have put together a list on how to stay safe at festivals this summer.

Vaccine roll-outs cut deaths by 60% - study


The study looked at vaccines deployed during outbreaks of five deadly diseases.

South Africans fear spike in HIV infections as US aid cuts bite


South Africa has been at the forefront of the successful battle to halt the spread of HIV/Aids - until now.

Is RFK Jr's divisive plan to Make America Healthy Again fearmongering - or revolutionary?


The most powerful public health official in the US is reviled by some medics - but even some of his critics accept that he is bringing drive to healthcare areas that have long been neglected

Why are measles cases rising in the UK?


What are the symptoms of measles and how dangerous is the disease?

Alzheimer's has isolated us, says Fiona Phillips' husband


Martin Frizell has spoken of the social isolation faced by the couple since the former GMTV presenter was diagnosed.

How do heat health alerts work?


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

Why today's sunshine is more dangerous than normal


The UK could experience some of the highest UV levels ever recorded, on Thursday.

Hot weather: How to sleep in the heat


Simple tips to help you get a good night's sleep during hot weather.

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.

What does hot weather do to the body?


Hot weather during the summer can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk of serious harm.

Why are pollen levels making hay fever so bad this year?


As pollen levels rise, what are the best ways to treat hay fever symptoms, and other useful advice.

What to do if you think someone has heat exhaustion or heatstroke


Know the signs and what to do if someone is unwell in hot weather.

What are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?


How dangerous is UV radiation and how can you protect yourself when levels are high?

What should you look for when choosing sunscreen?


What to look for when choosing sunscreen and how to apply it to get the maximum protection.

New science centre aims to help fight pandemics


The government wants to invest billions to make the National Biosecurity Centre the largest in Europe.

Physician associates need new job title, says review


It also recommends PAs and AAs wear standardised clothing and badges to distinguish them from doctors.

Biggest human imaging study scans 100,000th person


UK Biobank scientists say the human body can be studied in greater detail than ever thanks to people like Steve.

Doctors strikes: BMA and Streeting talks 'constructive'


Resident doctors will walk out for five consecutive days from 25 July over a dispute about pay.

'Unfair' NHS wait lists revealed in official report


Data for the NHS in England shows the waiting list for gynaecology is one of the largest.

Babies made using three people's DNA are born free of hereditary disease


The method was pioneered by UK scientists to overcome devastating, often fatal inherited diseases.

More than 30 poisoned after suspected fake Botox


Health security body UKSHA urges vigilance after 38 cases of botulism recorded in the east and north-east of England.

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