Health
Top FDA drug official is trying to hire a friend who’s seeking a bold new warning on antidepressants
The antidepressant review is the latest in a series of controversial topics taken up by...
Experts talk how to navigate distressing news stories and finding coping mechanisms
Medical experts say it is important for people to have coping mechanisms.
State lawmakers seek restraints on wage garnishment for medical debt
The legislation builds on efforts made in other states in past years.
Penguins in party hats? Birthday cards cheer families of babies treated for botulism
California’s program is the sole source of BabyBIG worldwide.
Minnesota sues to block Trump administration’s withholding of Medicaid funds
The threatened cuts amount to roughly 7% of Minnesota’s quarterly Medicaid funding.
Helen Dennis, Successful Aging: Falling for snake oil pitches
The first step is to determine whether your father’s physician has addressed the two issues...
Clinics sour on CMS after agency scraps 10-year program only months in
Making Care Primary’s elimination has created skepticism among doctors.
Red and blue states alike want to limit AI in insurance. Trump wants to limit the states
Regulating artificial intelligence is becoming a politically divisive topic.
Trump required hospitals to post their prices for patients. Mostly it’s the industry using the data
The data often is presented in a way that’s not useful for patients.
Social media can be addictive even for adults, but there are ways to cut back
Some users swear by turning their phones to gray-scale.
More organs are being donated after the heart stops, not brain death. Policies are changing too
The major shift can boost transplants but also raises public confusion, researchers reported.
Women suffer heart attacks too. Understanding risks, symptoms and how to save yourself
More than 60 million women in the U.S. live with cardiovascular disease.
More states are requiring insurers to cover non-opioid pain meds
Advocates, providers, medical associations and lawmakers are pushing for parity in coverage.
Surgeon general nominee faces sharp questions about vaccines, birth control and qualifications
The wellness influencer and entrepreneur is an ally of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: The skinny on fat
While no one argues about the incredible health benefits of vegetables and fruit, there’s been...
New Medicaid work rules likely to hit middle-aged adults hard
Adults ages 50 to 64, particularly women, are likely to be hit hard.
Helen Dennis, Successful Aging: A crisis looms on Caregivers Day
Caregiving affects an increasing number of us. And many are currently feeling the impact, or...
As the US population ages, more employees are seeking caregiver benefits at work
The average caregiver spends about six hours a day caring for aging loved ones.
End of enhanced Obamacare subsidies puts tribal health lifeline at risk
Native Americans as a group continue to face disproportionately high rates of chronic diseases.
What you think about your attachment style might be completely wrong
The theory says people seek safety in a relationship in a particular way.
If exercise can make you feel good, why do so many people hate doing it?
Nationwide, only about 30% of people meet the federal guidelines for physical activity.
Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: Real cowboys eat vegetables
Why popcorn? It’s light and extremely satisfying. Popcorn popped in oil has only 35 calories...
US Cancer Institute studying ivermectin’s ‘ability to kill cancer cells’
“I am shocked and appalled,” one NCI scientist said.
Helen Dennis, Successful Aging: New doctor search can bring good partnership
Choosing a physician is key, particularly in later life when we often are confronted with...
Indian Health Service to phase out use of dental fillings containing mercury by 2027
Native American rights and industry advocates have called for an end to the practice.
With ICE using Medicaid data, hospitals and states are in a bind over warning immigrant patients
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services agreed to give direct access to a Medicaid...
What is atrial fibrillation and how is it treated?
Experts say more than 10 million Americans have it, mostly older adults.
Colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults. Here’s who is most at risk and symptoms to watch for
It is now the top cancer killer of Americans under 50.
How to avoid the ‘ick’ factor when choosing a nursing home or assisted living facility
Experts say knowing what to look for can make a critical difference.
Studies test whether gene-editing can fix high cholesterol. For now, take your medicine
Scientists are testing an entirely new way to fight heart disease.
RFK Jr. pledged more transparency. Here’s what the public doesn’t know anymore
Health information has been delayed, deleted and in some cases stopped all together.
Democratic-led states sue to stop Trump from withholding $600M in health grants
Several of the largest cuts are to HIV programs.
RFK Jr. promised to restore trust in US health agencies. One year later, it’s eroding
Survey results show Americans' confidence keeps sliding, not rising.
When health insurance costs more than the mortgage
More middle-income people face tough decisions about their health coverage this year.
If you’re pregnant and uninsured, Medicaid might be your answer
Here are three things to know about signing up for Medicaid when pregnant.
Rep. Panetta-authored REAL Health Providers Act signed into law
The Requiring Enhanced and Accurate Lists Health Providers Act, which better empowers patients with up-to-date...
It’s 2026 and you’re uninsured. Now what?
Millions of Americans are facing enormous increases in their out-of-pocket costs for ACA coverage.
Helen Dennis, Successful Aging: Judgments around age fade but persist
For many, it has been the age to receive full Social Security benefits; for those...
Doctors increasingly see AI scribes in a positive light. But hiccups persist
AI's potential to transform the health care system is an area of intense focus.
‘I can’t tell you’: Attorneys, relatives struggle to find hospitalized ICE detainees
Many hospitals refuse to provide information or allow contact with these patients.
Sick of fighting insurers, hospitals offer their own Medicare Advantage plans
Hospital-owned plans continues to grow, reflecting the overall increase in Advantage members.
Santa Cruz County LGBTQ+ panel explains ‘why you should care about gender-affirming care’
The nearly two-hour convening featured testimony from legal experts, health care professionals and local youth...
Trump policies at odds with emerging understanding of COVID’s long-term harm
The federal government is curtailing such efforts just as researchers call for more funding.
Demand grows for doulas who can help moms with addiction
Many doulas who help moms with substance use disorder are themselves recovering.
Trump administration launches TrumpRx website for discounted drugs
The actual savings for consumers remain unclear.
Protein is all the rage. But how much do you really need?
The right amount of protein for any individual will depend on many factors.
‘These kids are invisible’: Child abuse deaths spur clash over homeschool regulation
As homeschool enrollment has risen in recent years, so have concerns about oversight.
Do you need to control your cortisol? Probably not, doctors say
Cortisol, what is known as the stress hormone, is the talk of the internet.
CHOMP in Monterey responds to nurse contentions about staffing, meals
“We are committed to supporting our clinical teams with the resources they need to provide...
Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: Feeding kids with Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in young people. It happens...
Doctors share the best ways to get the most from a bidet
They're becoming increasingly common as people seek a hygienic and sustainable alternative to toilet paper.
Planned Parenthood drops lawsuit against Trump administration’s Medicaid cuts
Funding cuts have already forced 23 clinics to close since Trump's tax bill took effect.
Llamas are big pharma’s secret weapon to find new drugs
Scientists discovered the potential of the animals’ antibodies to thwart diseases.
Boston University researchers say CTE is a cause of dementia
Boston University researchers say CTE is a cause of dementia: 'Evidence of a robust association...
Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula RNs vote to join California Nurses Association
California Nurses Association is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest and fastest-growing registered...
Farmers now owe a lot more for health insurance
Last year was a tough one for farmers.
AI therapy chatbots draw new oversight as suicides raise alarm
States have enacted laws to regulate the types of interactions chatbots can have with users.
Medicare proposes new transplant system rules that might spur use of less-than-perfect organs
Wednesday’s move is part of an ongoing overhaul of the complex transplant system.
Gen Z hates diet sodas, but loves them with ‘Zero Sugar’ branding
Both Diet and Zero Sugar are calorie free, artificially sweetened imitations of their sugary brethren.
Sleep-tracking devices have limits. Experts want users to know what they are
Your watch says you had three hours of deep sleep. Should you believe it?
Montage Health, Anthem avoid service disruption with new contract
The agreement provides Anthem health plan members with continued in-network access to care at Community...
Kaiser workers strike again in Bay Area, with no end in sight
Kaiser health professionals took to picket lines again Monday for an open-ended strike.
What to know about breast self-awareness and how it fits into cancer prevention
Breast self-awareness is a more flexible approach to preventing breast cancer.
Addicted to your phone? Don’t break up with it entirely. Do this instead
It's that time of year again: detox season.
Native Americans are dying from pregnancy. They want a voice to stop the trend
Native American and Alaska Native people had the highest pregnancy-related mortality ratio.
Florida deregulated nursing schools. Scam colleges and failing students followed
The 2009 deregulation allowed hundreds of new nursing schools, many for-profit institutions.
New study assesses health priorities in Monterey County
“It really helps us coordinate and communicate around what we're doing and measure what's working...
Trump administration halts use of human fetal tissue in NIH-funded research
The tissue has been critical for research involving HIV, cancer and other diseases.
States race to launch rural health transformation plans
Many state legislatures must pass laws to distribute the funding to their state offices.
States go their own way as RFK Jr. shifts federal vaccine policy
Many states have created formal alliances to share health information.
Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: The ‘new’ food pyramid
The goal — to “shift our food system away from chronic disease and toward nutrient...
New diet guidelines say to double up on protein, but nutrition experts are wary
Nutrition say most Americans already consume more protein than they need.
RFK Jr.’s MAHA movement has picked up steam in statehouses. Here’s what to expect in 2026
Food additives are among the most common targets.
Vaccines are helping older people more than we knew
Other reasons for older people to be vaccinated are emerging.
Helen Dennis, Successful Aging: What to consider when helping an older person to age in place
Sara Zeff Geber, an expert on solo aging, reframes the notion of aging in place...
Solving the home care quandary
Paid home care represents an especially strained sector of the long-term care system.
How Olympians think about success and failure and what we can learn from them
If it were only about winning gold medals, most Olympians would be seen as failures.
Food companies are targeting users of weight-loss drugs with ‘GLP-1 Friendly’ labels
Some products marketed to GLP-1 users contain high amounts of saturated fat and sodium.
Homeless shelters for seniors pop up, catering to older adults’ medical needs
Most homeless shelters aren’t equipped to help seniors, especially those 65 and older.
New research bolsters evidence that Tylenol doesn’t raise the risk of autism despite Trump’s claims
Tylenol during pregnancy doesn’t increase the risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disabilities.
Inside the battle for the future of addiction medicine
More than 80% of Americans who need substance use treatment don’t receive it.
Legal questions swirl around FDA’s new expedited drug program, including who should sign off
Experts worry the program runs afoul of legal, ethical and scientific standards.
Trump announces outlines of health care plan he wants Congress to consider
The cornerstone is his proposal to send money directly to Americans for health savings accounts.
Final day to select ACA health plans arrives in most states, with no subsidy deal yet
The expiration of certain federal subsidies made most enrollees' monthly premium fees more expensive.
To knock down health-system hurdles between you and HIV prevention, try these 6 things
Many queer people have had negative experiences during health care visits.
Democrat blasts HHS for creating confusion in cutting, then reinstating SAMHSA grants
Organizations said they had already been forced to cut staff and cancel trainings.
Trump signs a law returning whole milk to school lunches
Nondairy drinks such as fortified soy milk may also be on the menu in the...
Trump administration restores federal funding for family planning after ACLU lawsuit
The ACLU called it a victory but emphasized the ongoing fight for reproductive freedom.
Strength training is crucial after menopause. How to make the most of your workouts
Experts say women can do strength training with dumbbells, free weights, bands or machines.
Popular weight-loss drugs shouldn’t carry suicide warnings, FDA says
A review 'found no increased' risk among users of the GLP-1 drugs for obesity.
Fewer Americans sign up for Affordable Care Act health insurance as costs spike
Many Americans are considering alternatives or going without insurance.
Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: Keys to surviving winter
Bundle up to get some exercise when you can.
EPA says it will stop calculating health care savings from key air pollution rules
Experts called the agency’s action a dangerous abdication of one of its core missions.
At-home STD tests offer new options for screening and treatment
New options for testing and treating some of the most common STDs are becoming available.
A taste of nature can provide balance and calm during the workday
Many professions allow little time for the outdoors. But there are ways.
Medical bills can be vexing and perplexing. Here’s important advice for patients
The information needed to understand, manage and fight medical bills.
Judge orders HHS to restore funding for children’s health programs as lawsuit continues
The judge said HHS was likely retaliating against the group when it terminated the grants.
‘Memory manipulation is inevitable’: How rewriting memory in the lab might one day heal humans
Research suggests memories are more like well-thumbed library books than museums.
Advertisements promising patients a ‘dream body’ with minimal risk get little scrutiny
State and federal authorities have the power to prohibit false or misleading medical advertising.
Mobility exercises are an important part of fitness as we age. Here are some tips
Mobility exercises strengthen your muscles while increasing your range of motion.