Life Expectancy in California Has Not Recovered From COVID Drop

Even four years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, California residents aren’t living as long as they used to.

New research published July 9 in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that though the state’s life expectancy is improving, it hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, the...

Susan Monarez Advances in Process to Lead CDC

Susan Monarez is one step closer to becoming the next director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate’s health committee voted 12-11 to move her nomination forward. The vote was along party lines, with all Democrats voting no, The Associated Press reported.

If confir...

Experts Say There’s No Safe Amount of Processed Meat

A new study finds that eating even a little processed meat, drinking soda or consuming trans fats puts you at risk for serious health problems.

The research, published recently in the journal Nature Medicine, looked at more than 60 earlier studies on how diet affects the risk of type 2 diabetes, colon cancer and heart disease.&nbs...

Lyme Disease Patients Aren't Getting Proper Follow-Up Care

Most folks diagnosed with Lyme disease aren’t getting the follow-up care they need, a new study says.

Only one-third of people (35%) with ongoing early-stage Lyme disease symptoms checked back in with their doctor, researchers reported today in the journal Frontiers in Medicine.

Further, evidence shows the U.S. Centers...

'Old' Brains Increase Risk Of Death, Alzheimer's

They say age is all in your mind — and that might literally be true, a new study reveals.

People with “young” brains — brains aging more slowly than their actual age — are much less likely to die or develop Alzheimer’s disease than those with “old” brains suffering from accelerated aging, res...

Air Pollution Linked To Common Brain Tumors

Folks who breathe in more air pollution have a higher risk of developing a common non-cancerous brain tumor, a new study says.

Several different types of air pollutants, including particle pollution and nitrogen dioxide, appear to increase risk of meningiomas — tumors that form in the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal ...

Lead Exposure Can Harm Kids' Memory, Study Says

Even low levels of lead exposure can harm kids' working memory, potentially affecting their education and development, according to a new study.

Exposure to lead in the womb or during early childhood appears to increase kids' risk of memory decay, accelerating the rate at which they forget information, researchers reported July 9 in the jo...

Loneliness Preys On Mental, Physical Health

Loneliness dramatically increases a person’s risk of depression and poor health, a new study says.

Half of folks who say they always feel lonely (50%) have clinical depression, compared with just 10% of those who report never feeling lonely, researchers reported July 9 in the journal PLOS One.

They also have many more ...

Trying to Quit Smoking? These Expert-Backed Tips Can Help

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, the majority of the 28.8 million U.S. adults who smoked cigarettes wanted to quit; approximately half had tried to quit, but fewer than 10% were successful.

Many folks say quitting smoking was the hardest thing they have ever done. This includes pe...

Barbie's Latest Look? It Includes an Insulin Pump and Glucose Monitor

Barbie’s latest look includes a polka-dot crop top, chunky heels — and an insulin pump.

Mattel has released its first-ever Barbie with type 1 diabetes, complete with a glucose monitor, phone app and a purse packed with supplies. The goal? To help kids with diabetes feel seen — and to show that managing a health condition ...

RFK Jr. Praises Meal Program Critics Say Is Ultra-Processed

A government-backed meal delivery service for people on Medicaid and Medicare is getting national attention — but not all of it is positive.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently praised Mom’s Meals, a company that sends prepackaged meals to people who are older or living with illnesses like cancer or diabetes, Th...