Health News
4/1/2025

Toilet paper, Tom Hanks and Tiger King: Here's what we were Googling at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic



How COVID changed America, in 12 charts



5 years after the pandemic started, COVID-19 is still around. Masks? Not so much.



Most Americans aren’t worried about measles, despite the ongoing outbreak, according to a new poll



Measles outbreak FAQ: Do I need a vaccine booster? What do I do if I've been exposed? And what are the symptoms?



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 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."

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.

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



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



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.

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.

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.

Can health secretary name NHS trusts performing well?


Victoria Atkins is challenged to name some health trusts meeting their targets to cut waiting lists.

'I embrace my alopecia, but I’d love my old hair back’


People living with alopecia could have access to treatment on the NHS in Scotland for the first time.

Paris: Grassroots to Glory


The Rugby 7s player has struggled with body image in the past, but says sport has helped

Paris: Grassroots to Glory


The Paralympic Rowing Cox will compete a year after getting the all clear from cancer.

How Dame Deborah James helped save a mum's life


A mother-of-three shared her story with Dame Deborah's mother Heather on BBC Breakfast.

Are weight-loss injections the answer to obesity?


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

What is assisted dying and how could the law change?


MPs backed a proposal to let terminally ill people in England and Wales choose to end their life.

Chris Hoy says men should talk about health issues more


Six-time Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy calls for more openness on health matters

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

How are the vaping rules changing?


Marketing rules will be stricter, nicotine vapes will be taxed and disposable vapes will be banned.

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.

Warning tax rises could force care homes to close


Social care providers say the sector is in "unprecedented danger" without more funding.

High-grade masks evidence weak, Covid inquiry told


UKHSA's Prof Susan Hopkins said respirator masks may have worked no better than thin surgical masks.

Nurses bore the brunt of Covid, ex-chief nurse says


Dame Ruth May tells the Covid inquiry nurses struggled with low staffing levels and difficulties accessing protective equipment.

We were not treated as parents, Covid inquiry told


Mum of premature twins says rigid restrictions on birthing wards during Covid were traumatic.

Covid ambulance crews faced 'crucial PPE delays'


Crews say they faced crucial delays trying to save dying patients because of the time it took to put on equipment.

Covid was like a daily terror attack, doctor tells inquiry


Covid inquiry hears harrowing testimony from ex-adviser in emergency preparedness at NHS England.

Covid inquiry rejects clinicians’ anonymity plea


The UK Health Security Agency argued naming the junior officials could put them at risk of abuse.

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.

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.

How does the Covid inquiry work?


The inquiry has heard from politicians, civil servants, public health experts and bereaved families.

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.

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.

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.

What does NHS England do? Your questions answered on health reforms


As part of Your Voice, Your BBC, we answer questions from you on government plans to scrap NHS England.

Men denied life-extending prostate cancer drug


NHS England says it cannot afford to offer abiraterone, which is available in Scotland and Wales.

Hancock criticises 'wholly naive' Covid inquiry


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

What is assisted dying and how could the law change?


MPs backed a proposal to let terminally ill people in England and Wales choose to end their life.

DNA testing site 23andMe files for bankruptcy protection


The company said that it will now attempt to sell itself under the supervision of a court.

'It's unforgivable': The problem at the heart of the NHS's maternity care failures


An inquest into the death of Ida Lock has shone light on repeat mistakes - and wider failures in certain hospitals across England

At-a-glance: Key changes to benefits in welfare shake-up


How Personal Independence Payments (Pip) and other health-related benefits could change under government plans.

Scans in shopping centres and AI - can ideas like these help save the NHS?


Government says more NHS funds in England will go to social care as we look at how it can deliver change.

First case of bird flu in sheep found on UK farm


The UK's chief veterinary officer confirms the case was discovered on a farm in Yorkshire.

What are the Pip and universal credit changes and who is affected?


The government has set out more details about its proposed cuts to disability benefits.

Who are the millions of Britons not working?


About a quarter of the working age population - those aged 16 to 64 - do not currently have a job.

Who can get an NHS Covid booster this spring?


The spring booster campaign starts in England on 1 April, but vaccines are also available privately.

Fake £4m Xanax drug gang boss jailed


The gang, managed from Thailand, produced 11 million pills in the West Midlands to be sold online.

Baby deaths trust claimed £2m 'good care' payments


An NHS trust criticised over a baby's death claimed money for providing good care, the BBC can reveal.

Fertility patients sold unproven add-ons, HFEA says


Despite little proof add-ons help, many IVF clinics offer them, the UK's fertility regulator warns.

UK draws up new disease-threat watch list


Some are viruses with global pandemic potential - like Covid - others infectious illnesses with no treatments.

Doctor 'betrayed' over son's death at her hospital


Deborah Burns says she is unable to return to work at the hospital after the death of her son, William Hewes.

Baby slings unsafe for hands-free feeding, charities warn


Parenting charities, including the NCT, have updated their advice saying slings and carriers are unsafe for feeding.

'I had to use a goods lift to go for an abortion'


Dani Czernuszka-Watt was told the clinic she went to had never treated a person in a wheelchair before.

Are my braids doing more harm than good?


Research suggests the synthetic hair used for braiding could be bad for you - but will that stop women using it?

'I fear I'll be dead before I get justice for my son'


Tony Summers' son Paul was diagnosed with HIV and Hepatitis C and died in 2008 aged 44.

Protests postponed after pharmacy funding boost


Community pharmacies have delayed protest action after the government agreed a new funding package.

Alarms, overdoses and saving lives: Two days in UK's first drug injection room


The BBC was given exclusive access to the controversial facility in the east end of Glasgow.

Morning-after pill to be made free at pharmacies in England


The government hopes the move will end the "unfair postcode lottery" some women face.

Public satisfaction with NHS hits record low


A fifth 21% happy with NHS in Britain, finds long-running poll, with waits and staffing of major concern.

NHS billions wasted as bipolar patients left 'forgotten and failed'


Exclusive data shows how neglect of this common mental health condition costs the UK nearly £10bn a year.

Don't deport us over health issue, say British couple in Australia


A Macclesfield woman fears she will have to leave Australia due to her medical condition.

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