Health News
2/1/2026

Confused by the new COVID vaccine guidelines? Here's what you need to know.



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



Poll: Only 15% of Americans agree with the unproven claim that Tylenol causes autism



Trump promotes unproven theory about Tylenol and autism. What does the science say?



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.

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.

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.

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.

Your guide to finding the right Theragun massage gun for you



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.

Paper airplane breaks a world distance record


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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Feeling anxious? Take five minutes to do this


Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo suggests taking micro-moments to calm yourself.

What does it take to be a prison officer?


In a recent survey, 72% of prison officers say they are frequently stressed at work, 45% say they have been assaulted at least once.

Are there 'forever chemicals' in your floor cleaner?


Some floor cleaners contain PFAS - chemicals that never break down. Here’s how to spot them - and what you can use as alternative.

Inside Health


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

Ipswich Town stars inspire pupils to be healthier


Two Tractor Boys join a project that is tackling oral health and healthy diets among children.

Inside Health


James is joined by an expert panel to discuss NHS plans.

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.

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.

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.

NHS funds football pitch to help boost island health


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

Mum with cervical cancer begged for scan after years of being 'fobbed off'


Jessica finally received a diagnosis after "begging" for an MRI scan revealing she needed urgent treatment.

Abortion at 15 'changed my life', says Senedd candidate


Tessa Marshall has shared the experience to highlight issues such as women's rights and sex education.

Mum, 26, 'wants to be sterilised' due to problems accessing sickness drug


Chloe booked an abortion because her sickness was so severe she could not look after herself.

'I was diagnosed with OCD at 10'. Here's how to spot the signs


Most of us will have intrusive thoughts at some point. Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney explains when you should seek help.

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.

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?

'I needed a coil to ease the bleeding but I just sat on a waiting list'


Elaine Gracey was in a lot of pain but says she was expected to just put up with her menopausal symptoms.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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

'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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

'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.

How do cold weather health alerts work?


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

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.

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.

NHS hours from PPE running out in Covid - Hancock


Former health secretary tells inquiry some healthcare settings did run out - "and it was awful".

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

The Covid Inquiry Podcast


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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Streeting says NHS 'falling short' on autism and ADHD


Wes Streeting said he was "very worried" about the issue of rising demand for services.

How the NHS became the battleground in the trans debate facing workplaces


What's next for employers and their staff in the aftermath of the Darlington nurses ruling?

Families 'failed' by trust meet ahead of inquiry


Families and patients will discuss what want raised by an inquiry into the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Trust.

Maternity services rated inadequate at two hospitals


The CQC finds that only minimal improvements have been made at two NHS hospitals.

Cosmetic doctor sorry for picking apart singer Troye Sivan's looks on TikTok


The singer hit out at Dr Zayn Khalid Majeed - who says he will try to have a positive impact with his content.

US officially leaves World Health Organization


Trump ordered the withdrawal a year ago, accusing the UN agency of failing to adopt reforms and mishandling the pandemic.

Five ways weight-loss jabs are changing spending habits


With GLP-1 drugs rising in popularity, how are businesses adapting to a new type of consumer?

Thousands of children facing 'catastrophic' waits for NHS community care


A quarter of the 300,000 children waiting for community NHS care have spent more than a year waiting.

Newborn baby dies after mum not woken for heart rate check


Sonny Taylor was "left distressed for a significant amount of time" before his birth, a report says.

The clock is ticking for my five-year-old son with dementia


Tammy McDaid describes how she had a panic attack after waking up on Tate's birthday.

'I spent £2,000 on one event': Why Gen Z is obsessed with Hyrox


How young millennials and Generation Z - people in their twenties to early forties - have become obsessed with this fitness craze.

Weight loss jab users warned over rare but serious pancreas issue


Symptoms to look out for include severe pain in the stomach and back which does not go away.

Millionaire GP behind asylum seeker hotels


A firm founded by a GP tried to evict 100 people from flats while planning to move asylum seekers in.

'I was diagnosed with OCD at 10'. Here's how to spot the signs


Most of us will have intrusive thoughts at some point. Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney explains when you should seek help.

Menopause linked to Alzheimer's-like brain changes


Menopause is linked to a loss of grey matter in regions involved with memory and emotion, study suggests.

'Hospital's neglect in my son's death has ripped our hearts out'


Peter Dervin says he warned Broomfield Hospital staff not to leave his son alone before fatal fall.

'You don't feel judged': Why we buy more at self-service terminals


How restaurants and retailers use behavioural science to get us to increase our spending.

Woman took her own life after benefits cut in error


A coroner wrote to the DWP to express her concerns after the death of Tamara Logan in Tameside.

Hampstead ponds trans access challenge dismissed


The current policy is that trans men and trans women are entitled to use the pond of their choice.

AI model from Google's DeepMind reads recipe for life in DNA


It could transform our understanding of why diseases develop and the medicines needed to treat them, says researchers.

Assisted dying bill 'no hope' of passing unless Lords change approach, warns peer


Lord Falconer said the bill has "absolutely no hope" of passing without a "fundamental change" in approach.

'We weren't perfect', says bogus Covid lab accused


Evidence in pharmacist Faisal Shoukat's defence continues to be heard at Bradford Crown Court.

Could weight-loss jabs be behind rising gallbladder removals?


Last year, there was a 15% annual increase in the operations and surgeons want more research.

Trust's maternity care 'exemplary', say inspectors


Maternity services at Lancaster Royal Infirmary are rated "good", but improvements must be made in A&E.

Hospital disruption continues after fire


Southampton General Hospital limits A&E admissions and cancels operations following blaze.

'Damning' evidence of political pressure to open scandal-hit hospital - Sarwar


The Scottish Labour leader says documents prove ministers pushed for the country's largest hospital to open early.

'I get nightmares': Child tells BBC of botched surgery by disgraced GOSH surgeon


12-year-old Vivaan Sharma was one of 94 patients harmed by surgeon Yaser Jabbar

Life Alert® is a registered trademark of Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc.
© Copyright 1987 - 2013, Life Alert, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.