Have you seen examples of health care fraud, waste or abuse? Tell us about it.

New York Times reporters are looking into cases of unnecessary and wasteful spending in government health programs.

‘The Pitt’ Captures the Real Overcrowding Crisis in E.R.s

From the “chairs” to the hallway medicine, the show’s depiction of an emergency medicine system that is beyond capacity rings true for medical experts.

Kennedy Offers Qualified Support for Measles Vaccination

In an interview with CBS, the health secretary also suggested he wasn’t familiar with massive cuts to state funding for public health.

As His Chronic Disease Tour Wraps, Kennedy Hits His Stride

The health secretary seemed stoic — maybe nervous, even — at the start of his first major trip. But on a hike with Navajo Nation leaders, he was finally in his element.

One-Third of Maternal Deaths Occur Long After Delivery, Study Finds

Pregnancy-related mortality has risen sharply, and doctors have overlooked a particularly dangerous period: from six weeks to one year after the birth.

Amid Tension Around H.H.S. Cuts, Kennedy Meets With Tribal Leaders

The health secretary’s appearance at a tribal self-governance conference brought collegial discussions and a bit of friction.

All Federal Experts on H.I.V. Prevention in Children Overseas Were Dismissed

Mother-to-child H.I.V. transmission takes an enormous toll in low-income countries. The Trump administration has laid off the officials who worked to solve the problem.

Kennedy Calls for States to Ban Fluoridated Drinking Water

The health secretary’s announcement came on the first day of a tour through the Southwest to showcase nutrition legislation and other priorities.

Why Cameras Are Popping Up in Eldercare Facilities

Roughly 20 states now have laws permitting families to place cameras in the rooms of loved ones. Facility operators are often opposed.

As Kennedy Champions Chronic Disease Prevention, Key Research Is Cut

Two significant programs that invested in research on diabetes, dementia, obesity and kidney disease have ended since the start of the Trump administration.

Kennedy Attends Funeral of Texas Girl Who Died of Measles

The health secretary has faced harsh criticism for his handling of the outbreak, embrace of alternative treatments and tepid endorsement of vaccination.

How Measles Attacks an Unvaccinated Child

With falling vaccination rates and outbreaks that have caused more than 580 U.S. cases and at least two deaths, health experts expect hundreds or even thousands more to be infected in the coming months.

Why Measles Outbreaks May Be the New Normal

Recent Trump administration actions are setting the stage for a measles resurgence, experts fear.

A Federal Lab That Tracked Rising S.T.I.s Has Been Shuttered

The United States can no longer keep tabs on drug-resistant gonorrhea, among other infections, scientists said.

Trump Rejects Biden Plan to Expand Medicare Coverage for Obesity Drugs

Administration officials reversed a decision made during the Biden presidency that would have given millions of people access to weight-loss drugs paid for Medicare and Medicaid.

Trump’s Next Tariffs Target Could Be Foreign-Made Medicines

President Trump wants to bring pharmaceutical manufacturing back to the United States. Experts warn that tariffs could result in shortages and higher prices for generic drugs.

Senate Confirms Dr. Oz to Oversee Medicare and Medicaid

The TV celebrity doctor, a cardiothoracic surgeon, will take the reins at a time when the agency is facing cutbacks, especially for the poor, and scrutiny of its missions.

F.D.A. Layoffs Could Raise Drug Costs and Erode Food Safety

Trump cutbacks were supposedly aimed at administrators. But scientists in food and drug-testing labs and policy experts who advance generic drug approvals were also dismissed.

What to Know About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of the retired Yankees player Brett Gardner, died from carbon monoxide poisoning while on vacation in Costa Rica. Here’s why the gas is so dangerous.

Trump Administration Demands Additional Cuts at C.D.C.

In addition to reductions in agency personnel, federal regulators are demanding $2.9 billion in contract cancellations.

C.D.C. Cuts Threaten to Set Back the Nation’s Health, Critics Say

The reorganization that began on Tuesday will scale back an agency that has been a public health model around the world.

Inside the C.D.C., a Final ‘Love Letter’ Before Mass Layoffs

The agency’s injury center was among the departments that were largely gutted in Tuesday’s wave of dismissals. Read a staff member’s letter to colleagues while they awaited their fates.

Shingles Vaccine Can Decrease Risk of Dementia, Study Finds

A growing body of research suggests that preventing the viral infection can help stave off cognitive decline.

More Americans Can’t Afford Medical Care, Poll Finds

A new survey found that 11 percent of Americans said they could not pay for medication and medical treatments.

Federal Health Work Force Makes Up Less Than 1% of Agency Spending

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggests that laying off thousands of federal workers would tame a massive budget. But nearly all of the agency’s money goes to hospitals, doctors and nursing homes.

Dr. Oz ‘Disavows’ Support for Transgender Care, Assuaging a Senator’s Concerns

Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican, pressed Dr. Oz on transgender care and abortion, and now says he will vote for the physician’s confirmation to become head of Medicare and Medicaid.

Millions of Women Will Lose Access to Contraception as a Result of Trump Aid Cuts

The United States was a key supplier of contraceptives in many developing countries. The Trump administration has ended that support.

Read the Letter

Researchers at academic institutions nationwide say that U.S. science is being dismantled.

Drug Reduces Mysterious Particle Involved in Heart Attack Risk

The Eli Lilly drug caused a major drop in the blood levels of Lp(a), but further research is needed to show that it will prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Using a ‘Tiny Bit of Math’ May Improve Your Heart Health, Study Suggests

Your average daily heart rate is a useful metric; so is your daily step count. Combining the two might be even better.

Top F.D.A. Vaccine Official Resigns, Citing Kennedy’s ‘Misinformation and Lies’

Dr. Peter Marks, a veteran of the agency, wrote that undermining confidence in vaccines is irresponsible and a danger to public health.

Under Pressure, Psychology Accreditation Board Suspends Diversity Standards

As the Trump administration threatens to strip accrediting bodies of their power, many are scrambling to purge diversity requirements.

Kennedy Turns to a Discredited Vaccine Skeptic for Autism Study

David Geier has been hired as a senior data analyst at H.H.S. According to several people, he will examine any potential links between vaccines and autism that were debunked long ago.

New York County Clerk Blocks Texas Court Filing Against Doctor Over Abortion Pills

The showdown catapults the interstate abortion wars to a new level.

John Green: ‘We Fell Down the Staircase’

The best-selling author “got a little emotional” while talking with The Times about tuberculosis. Listen to the conversation.

Measles Cases in Kansas May Be Linked to Texas Outbreak

State health officials worry that declining vaccination rates have left many communities vulnerable nationwide.

H.H.S. Scraps Studies of Vaccines and Treatments for Future Pandemics

Federal officials cited the end of the Covid-19 pandemic in halting the research. But much of the work was focused on preventing outbreaks of other pathogens.

Trump Administration Abruptly Cuts Billions From State Health Services

States have been told that they can no longer use grants that were funding infectious disease management and addiction services.

U.S. to End Vaccine Funds for Poor Countries

A 281-page spreadsheet obtained by The Times lists the Trump administration’s plans for thousands of foreign aid programs.

Senate Confirms Bhattacharya and Makary to H.H.S. Posts

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya will direct the N.I.H., and Dr. Martin A. Makary will lead the F.D.A. Both have reputations as medical contrarians.

Remedy Supported by Kennedy Leaves Some Measles Patients More Ill

After the health secretary promoted vitamin A as a cure, parents in West Texas began giving their children high doses, sometimes to prevent infection.

Horace Hale Harvey III, a Pioneer in Providing Abortions, Dies at 93

A religious organization recruited him to help open New York City’s first independent abortion clinic, though it was unaware that Louisiana had taken away his license.

Trump Nominates Susan Monarez to Lead C.D.C.

Currently the agency’s acting director, Dr. Monarez would be the first nonphysician to head the agency in more than 50 years.

F.D.A. Approved Lab-Grown Blood Vessel Despite Warnings

The agency OK’d an artificial vessel to restore blood flow in patients, even though its own scientists flagged questionable study results and potentially fatal ruptures of the product.

‘Chaos and Confusion’ at the Crown Jewel of American Science

Senior scientists at the National Institutes of Health fear that research on conditions like obesity, heart disease and cancer will be undermined by President Trump’s policies.

Kennedy Instructs Anti-Vaccine Group to Remove Fake C.D.C. Page

Children’s Health Defense, founded by the health secretary, had published online a vaccine-safety page that looked like the agency’s but that suggested links to autism.

Dementia May Not Always Be the Threat It Is Now. Here’s Why.

The number of cases will increase, but the rates seem to be declining with every birth cohort that reaches advanced ages, researchers said.

Texas Measles Outbreak May Continue for a Year, Officials Say

Vaccination efforts have faltered, and many residents have turned to alternative treatments endorsed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary.

Trump Administration Postpones Deadline for Companies to Record and Trace Tainted Food

A law passed in 2011 required food companies to track food in the event of contamination and a recall. The administration delayed the move, set to take effect next year, for 30 months.

Trump Administration Dialing Back Support for H.I.V. Prevention

The move follows cuts to prevention and treatment efforts worldwide with the shuttering of U.S.A.I.D.

Food Safety Jeopardized by Onslaught of Funding and Staff Cuts

The Trump administration halted some food testing and shut down a committee studying bacteria in infant formula. Earlier funding cutbacks under the Biden administration now threaten state labs and inspectors.

Kennedy’s Alarming Prescription for Bird Flu on Poultry Farms

The health secretary has suggested allowing the virus to spread, so as to identify birds that may be immune. Such an experiment would be disastrous, scientists say.

Citing Trump’s Order, V.A. Halts Most Transgender Care

Veterans who wish to change their gender “can do so on their own dime,” the V.A. secretary said.

Leading a Movement Away From Psychiatric Medication

Laura Delano walked away from the treatments that defined her teens and 20s. Now, she’s hoping to create a road map for others to follow.

Keeping With Kennedy’s Advice, Measles Patients Turn to Unproven Treatments

In West Texas, some with severe illness have not been taken to a doctor until their conditions worsened, officials said.

Senators Grill Oz on Medicaid Cuts and Medicare Changes

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the TV celebrity, dodged queries about Republican plans to cut health insurance for the poor, and emerged unscathed on his ties to major industries.

Science Amid Chaos: What Worked During the Pandemic? What Failed?

As the coronavirus spread, researchers worldwide scrambled to find ways to keep people safe. Some efforts were misguided. Others saved millions of lives.

Dr. Sheldon Greenfield, Who Exposed Gaps in Health Care, Dies at 86

The author of numerous studies, he urged patients to question their physicians and expressed concern about cancer treatment for older adults.

How Much Should Weight Loss Drugs Cost?

A new study found that fair prices for medications like Wegovy and Zepbound would be hundreds less per month than they are now.

Dr. Oz to Face Pointed Questions on Medicare and Medicaid Before Senate Panel

The Senate Finance Committee holds a confirmation hearing on Friday for Dr. Mehmet Oz, the TV celebrity who is nominated to run major health programs for older Americans and the poor.

Dr. David Weldon on the Withdrawal

The former pick to head the C.D.C. issued a statement following the withdrawal of his nomination.

White House Withdraws Nominee for C.D.C. Director

Dr. Dave Weldon was to have appeared on Thursday in a confirmation hearing before the Senate health committee. He has close ties to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new health secretary.

Federal Agency Dedicated to Mental Illness and Addiction Faces Huge Cuts

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has already closed offices and could see staff numbers reduced by 50 percent.

Tracking U.S. Measles Outbreaks

As new cases are reported, our maps show the spread of the virus.

Kennedy Rattles Food Companies With Vow to Rid Food of Artificial Dyes

Mr. Kennedy told executives of major food companies that he wants synthetic colors removed from their products. “Decision time is imminent,” a trade group warned its members.

Tuberculosis Resurgent as Trump Funding Cut Disrupts Treatment Globally

The United States was the major funder of tuberculosis programs. Now hundreds of thousands of sick patients can’t find tests or drugs, and risk spreading the disease.

What We Know About mRNA Vaccines

On the five-year anniversary of the Covid pandemic, a Times reporter, Apoorva Mandavilli, looks back at the success of, and the backlash to, the mRNA vaccine. There’s no question that this vaccine technology saved millions of lives. But the vaccine couldn’t provide total protection against transmission or infection, and there were rare cases of side effects, leading to confusion among the American public.

History Isn’t Entirely Repeating Itself in Covid’s Aftermath

Five years after the novel coronavirus emerged, historians see echoes of other great illnesses, and legacies that are unlike any of them.

Mutated DNA Restored to Normal in Gene Therapy Advance

The small study in patients with a rare disorder that causes liver and lung damage showed the potential for precisely targeted infusions.

Kennedy Links Measles Outbreak to Poor Diet and Health, Citing Fringe Theories

In a recent interview, the health secretary also suggested that the measles vaccine had harmed children in West Texas, center of an outbreak.

Why Older People May Not Need to Watch Blood Sugar So Closely

Intensive management of diabetes pays fewer dividends as patients age and raises the chances of hypoglycemia. But many people have not gotten the message.

For Patients Needing Transplants, Hope Arrives on Tiny Hooves

Some scientists are confident that organs from genetically modified pigs will one day be routinely transplanted into humans. But substantial ethical questions remain.

C.D.C. Will Investigate Debunked Link Between Vaccines and Autism

Dozens of studies have failed to find evidence of a link. The decision to re-examine the question comes as a measles outbreak, driven by low vaccination rates, widens in Texas.

Trump Administration Sends Politically Charged Survey to Researchers

Scientists on overseas projects must say whether they work with communist governments and help combat “Christian persecution.”

What Is Hantavirus, the Rare Disease That Killed Betsy Arakawa?

Ms. Arakawa, the wife of the actor Gene Hackman, died from the effects of a disease often caused by contact with droppings from infected rodents.

Melody Beattie, Author of a Self-Help Best Seller, Dies at 76

Her “Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself,” a guide to shedding toxic relationships, has sold more than seven million copies.

How Foreign Aid Cuts Are Setting the Stage for Disease Outbreaks

Organizations funded by the United States helped keep dangerous pathogens in check around the world. Now many safeguards are gone, and Americans may pay the price.

As Measles Continues to Spread in Texas, Cases Jump in New Mexico

The outbreak has sickened nearly 200 people in Gaines County, Texas. A neighboring county in New Mexico has seen 21 new cases since Tuesday.

Republican Voters Support Medicaid but Want Work Requirements, Poll Finds

More than 60 percent of all voters — and 47 percent of Democrats — supported a work requirement for Medicaid, the country’s largest health insurance program.

As Ebola Spreads in Uganda, Trump Aid Freeze Hinders Effort to Contain It, U.S. Officials Fear

Two more people are reported dead from the disease, and dozens are in isolation, as the outbreak grows.

Unvaccinated New Mexico Resident Dies of Suspected Measles

The patient tested positive for the infection, but state health officials could not confirm that it was the cause of death.

Defunded Aid Programs Are Asked by Trump Administration to Prove Their Value, on a Scale of 1 to 5

A week after terminating thousands of contracts, the administration has sent questionnaires to those programs asking how their work benefits the U.S. national interest.

Senators Press Makary on Abortion Pills and Vaccines

At a hearing, Dr. Marty Makary, the nominee for F.D.A. commissioner, fielded questions focused on whether he would review or reopen certain policy areas.

F.D.A. Nominee to Face Grilling Over Cutbacks and Policy Shifts

Dr. Marty Makary will testify before the Senate health committee on Thursday. Lawmakers may press him over staff reductions and changes in agency direction on issues like vaccines.

Clearing the Way for Bicyclists, for a Healthier Population and Planet

Jill Warren heads the European Cyclists’ Federation, a Brussels-based nongovernmental organization that advocates cycling to help lower carbon emissions.

Weight Loss Drug Will Be Offered for $499 a Month for Some Patients

Some commercially insured patients stand to save $150 per month on Wegovy, a popular obesity medication. Patients on Medicare and Medicaid are not eligible.

Aging Women’s Brain Mysteries Are Tested in Trio of Studies

Researchers identified a gene that seems to help slow brain aging in women, and studied links between hormone therapy, menopause and Alzheimer’s.

Women With Postpartum Depression Experienced Brain Changes During Pregnancy, Study Finds

The research constitutes some of the first evidence that the condition is associated with modifications in the brain before childbirth.

Florida Seeks Drug Prescription Data With Names of Patients and Doctors

The state’s insurance regulator has demanded detailed information about patients and their medications, raising privacy concerns.

As Measles Spreads, Kennedy Embraces Remedies Like Cod Liver Oil

In an interview, the H.H.S. secretary claimed that unconventional treatments were helping patients but described vaccination as a personal choice.

He Fought Claims of Harm From Infant Formula. Now He Regulates It.

Kyle Diamantas, a former corporate lawyer, is the new director for the F.D.A. food division, which oversees infant formula. He defended a top maker in cases claiming the company had not warned of potential risks to very low-weight babies.

Read the Memo

Nicholas Enrich, acting assistant administrator for global health at U.S.A.I.D., spelled out projections for human health following cuts to foreign aid. Mr. Enrich was placed on administrative leave over the weekend.

U.S.A.I.D. Memos Detail Human Costs of Cuts to Foreign Aid

The world is likely to see millions more malaria infections and 200,000 cases of paralytic polio each year, according to an agency whistle-blower.

Federal Officials Underplaying Measles Vaccination, Experts Say

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has described the outbreak in West Texas last week as a “top priority.” But he has not explicitly encouraged Americans to get vaccinated.

In Texas Measles Outbreak, Signs of a Riskier Future for Children

Vaccine hesitancy has been rising for years in the United States. Doctors and parents in one rural county are confronting the consequences.

A 4-Year-Old Boy Dies of Ebola in Uganda as U.S. Pulls Back on Help

The Trump administration has canceled at least four of the five contracts with organizations that helped manage the outbreak in Uganda.

U.S. Terminates Funding for Polio, H.I.V., Malaria and Nutrition Programs Around the World

Here are some of the 5,800 contracts the Trump administration formally canceled this week in a wave of terse emails.

U.S. Canceled Work to Contain a Serious Ebola Outbreak

The contracts financed Ebola screening at airports and protective gear for health workers, among other measures. Work had been held up for weeks, contrary to Elon Musk’s claim on Wednesday.

The Organ Transplant List Is Being Ignored

Organ transplant waiting lists are designed to fairly distribute organs to the sickest patients in order of priority. Or so we thought. A New York Times investigation shows that the list leaves many patients waiting for organs despite being next in line. Brian Rosenthal, a New York Times reporter, explains how this list became so unreliable.

Trump Administration Ends Global Health Research Program

The Demographic and Health Surveys were the only sources of reliable information in many countries on metrics such as mortality, nutrition and education.

F.D.A. Expands Access to Clozapine, a Key Treatment for Schizophrenia

Federal regulators will no longer require patients to provide blood tests before receiving the drug from pharmacies.

Dr. Oz: How His Millions Collide With Medicare

The TV celebrity and Trump nominee has pledged to divest from most of his financial interests. But they touch nearly every corner of health care, from insurance to blood pressure cuffs and vitamins, leading experts and lawmakers to doubt he could make impartial decisions.

Human Therapists Prepare for Battle Against A.I. Pretenders

Chatbots posing as therapists may encourage users to commit harmful acts, the nation’s largest psychological organization warned federal regulators.

The Teacher in Room 1214

When a gunman killed two of her students, Ivy Schamis was the only adult in the room. Her journey through guilt and healing sheds light on the impossible role of American teachers.

As the U.S. Exits Foreign Aid, Who Will Fill the Gap?

China could reap the soft-power advantage, but like Western governments, the country is cutting back on aid. Philanthropies say they cannot replace the United States.

F.D.A. Firings Decimated Teams Reviewing A.I. and Food Safety

Staff units evaluating high-tech surgical robots and insulin-delivery systems were gutted by Trump layoffs even though industry fees, not taxpayers, financed the employee salaries.

Dairy Workers May Have Passed Bird Flu to Pet Cats, C.D.C. Study Suggests

But the study, whose publication was delayed by a pause in public communications by the agency, leaves key questions unanswered.

Emergency Food, TB Tests and H.I.V. Drugs: Vital Health Aid Remains Frozen Despite Court Ruling

The Trump administration appears to be flouting a judge’s order pausing the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D.

Dr. Oz, Trump’s Medicare Nominee, Pledges to Sell Health Stocks

The celebrity doctor said he would divest from his interests in many drug, medical and insurance companies, worth millions of dollars.

Trump Administration Has Fired Health Inspectors at Some Border Stations

Scientists worry that the losses may open the door to human, plant and animal diseases that would otherwise have been caught.

Scientists Describe Rare Syndrome Following Covid Vaccinations

In a small study, patients with the syndrome were more likely to experience reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus and high levels of a coronavirus protein.

Trillions of Viruses Live in Your Body. A.I. Is Trying to Find Them.

The Human Virome Program will analyze samples from thousands of volunteers in an effort to understand how viruses affect health.

Pope Francis Has Bilateral Pneumonia

The condition, which entails pneumonia in both lungs, is potentially grave, according to health experts.

An Invisible Medical Shortage: Oxygen

Oxygen is vital to many medical procedures. But a safe, affordable supply is severely lacking around the world, according to a new report.

She’s Trying to Stay Ahead of Alzheimer’s, in a Race to the Death

In the Netherlands, doctors and dementia patients must negotiate a fine line: Assisted death for those without capacity is legal, but doctors won’t do it.

New Insights Into Older Hearts

Heart disease is more common in people over 65, but treatments are better than ever. That can complicate decision-making for older heart patients.

Trump Will Withhold Money From Schools That Require Covid Vaccines

An estimated 15 colleges still required Covid vaccines for students as of late last year. No states require K-12 students to get the shots.

N.I.H. Research Grants Lag $1 Billion Behind Last Year’s

After weeks of disruption to scientific federal grants, the National Institutes of Health has fallen behind in funding research into treatments for deadly diseases.

Texas Judge Fines New York Doctor and Orders Her to Stop Sending Abortion Pills to Texas

It is the first ruling in a case challenging “shield laws” intended to protect doctors in states that support abortion rights who send abortion pills to states with bans.

After Abortion Bans, Infant Mortality and Births Increased, Research Finds

The findings showed the highest mortality occurred among infants who were Black, lived in Southern states or had fetal birth defects.

Trump’s W.H.O. Exit Throws Smallpox Defenses Into Upheaval

Health experts see his retreat from international cooperation as disrupting the safe-keepers of one of the world’s deadliest pathogens.

Court Pause on Trump Cuts to Medical Research Funds Is Expanded Nationwide

The federal order temporarily halts the Trump administration’s plans to slash $4 billion in overhead costs for research at universities and medical centers into diseases like cancer.

The Physicians Really Are Healing Themselves, With Ozempic

At cardiology conferences and diabetes meetings, doctors can’t help noticing that thin seems to be very in.

2 Million Baked Goods Are Recalled Over Listeria Risk

The recall, which was initiated on Jan. 7 and upgraded on Wednesday, includes several Dunkin’ products, federal safety officials said.

With Aid Cutoff, Trump Halts Agency’s Legacy of ‘Acting With Humanity’

Shock and grief rippled through the health community as lifelines for care were abruptly severed.

A Sick Inmate in New York Is Freed After Suing Over Parole Delay

Steve Coleman was kept for 21 months after his parole date because the state could not find a nursing home placement.

Surgeons Transplant Engineered Pig Kidney Into Fourth Patient

A 66-year-old man from New Hampshire became the fourth person to receive a pig’s kidney.

C.D.C. Posts, Then Deletes, Data on Bird Flu Spread Between Cats and People

The data, which appeared fleetingly online on Wednesday, confirmed transmission in two households. Scientists called on the agency to release the full report.

Abandoned in the Middle of Clinical Trials, Because of a Trump Order

The stop-work order on U.S.A.I.D.-funded research has left thousands of people with experimental drugs and devices in their bodies, with no access to monitoring or care.

Marijuana Dependence Linked to Higher Risk of Death

Two new Canadian studies are the largest to date looking at death rates and psychosis associated with cannabis use disorder.

Cows Have Been Infected With a Second Form of Bird Flu

A new version of the virus is widespread in wild birds but had not previously been detected in cows.

Foreign Aid Freeze Leaves Millions Without H.I.V. Treatment

President Trump’s pause on aid, and the gutting of the primary aid agency, could jeopardize the health of more than 20 million people worldwide, including 500,000 children, experts say.

Ernest Drucker, Public-Health Advocate for the Scorned, Dies at 84

He marshaled epidemiological research to press for changes in drug policy, alternatives to prison and needle-exchange programs to slow the spread of AIDS.

Drug Similar to Ozempic Failed to Treat Parkinson’s Disease in a Trial

The study may suggest that other researchers should be less optimistic about the prospects for treating a range of other conditions with newer weight-loss drugs.

How a Leftist Activist Group Helped Torpedo a Psychedelic Therapy

The fallout from the F.D.A.’s rejection of MDMA-assisted treatment for PTSD worries researchers and experts who fear other psychedelic drugs in the pipeline could be jeopardized.

F.D.A. Approves Studies of Pig Organ Transplants for Kidney Patients

The research offers hope to tens of thousands of patients with kidney failure who are on a long waiting list for an organ transplant.

C.D.C. Site Restores Some Purged Files After ‘Gender Ideology’ Ban Outcry

Intense backlash prompted the reinstatement of some online resources. But guidelines for safe contraception and information on racial inequities in health care remain missing.

Could the Bird Flu Become Airborne?

Scientists were slow to recognize that Covid spreads through the air. Some are now trying to get ahead of the bird flu.

F.D.A. Upgrades Recall of Some Chocolate Snacks to Highest Risk Level

The agency warned that the products, made by Cal Yee Farm, could have potentially serious or even deadly consequences because the packages were mislabeled. No illnesses have been reported.

Health Programs Shutter Around the World After Trump Pauses Foreign Aid

Lifesaving treatment and prevention programs for tuberculosis, malaria, H.I.V. and other diseases cannot access funds to continue work.

These Settings Aren’t Real. But for Dementia Patients, What Is?

Fake nurseries and town squares seem to comfort patients. But some experts wonder whether they are patronizing, even infantilizing.

New York Doctor Indicted in Louisiana for Sending Abortion Pills There

The case opens a new front in the battle between states that ban abortion and states that support providing abortion anywhere in the country.

Health Resources Vanish Following D.E.I. and Gender Orders

Vague federal directives have led to frantic action, and perhaps overreaction, before a Friday deadline.

Kennedy Says He Will Give HPV Vaccine Lawsuit Proceeds to His Son

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also disclosed that he had reached at least one settlement agreement with a company or individual that has accused him of “misconduct or inappropriate behavior.”

F.D.A. Approves Drug to Treat Pain Without Opioid Effects

The drug, Journavx by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, blocks pain signals to the brain, making it nonaddictive.

Kennedy Says He Will Not Keep Fees From HPV Vaccine Litigation

Senators had objected to the financial conflict posed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to retain a financial stake in lawsuits against a major drug company. It remains unclear whether any proceeds would be redirected.

Loretta Ford, ‘Mother’ of the Nurse Practitioner Field, Dies at 104

She transformed nursing by making it an area of clinical practice and research and recasting nurses as colleagues of doctors, not assistants.

Is the HPV Vaccine Safe? Yes, Despite Kennedy’s Criticisms

During his second day of confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declined to disavow comments he had made disparaging the vaccine as unsafe.

Fact-Checking Kennedy’s Health Claims in His Confirmation Hearing

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, made a number of disputed claims.

What Kennedy has said about weight loss drugs and the obesity epidemic.

N.I.H. Trials and Essential Hiring May Continue, Acting Director Says

The interim leader of the National Institutes of Health gave some clarification tied to Trump administrations restrictions on travel and communications, but questions remain.

Kennedy aims to “Make America Healthy Again.” Historians say Americans’ health was far worse in the past.

R.F.K. Jr. Appears Unfamiliar With Key Elements of Medicare and Medicaid

In testimony to the Senate Finance Committee, Mr. Kennedy seemed to confuse the two government programs that cover more than 150 million Americans.

Kennedy Is Keeping His Stake in Vaccine Litigation

If confirmed as health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would oversee the Food and Drug Administration and other agencies that issue key decisions for drug companies.

R.F.K. Jr Has Spasmodic Dysphonia, a Condition That Makes His Voice Raspy

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. started developing symptoms of the condition in 1996.

Leaving the W.H.O. Could Hurt Americans on a Range of Health Matters

President Trump’s decision to pull out of the international health agency could deprive the United States of crucial scientific data and lessen the country’s influence in setting a global health agenda.

State Department Permits Distribution of H.I.V. Medications to Resume — for Now

Experts fear a resurgence of infections in low-income countries if the ban were to continue. The waiver remains in place, while officials review foreign aid programs.

A Nutrition Program for Low-Income Americans Seeks Clarity on Funding Pause

It was not immediately known how the federal funding freeze would affect W.I.C., which provides vouchers for healthy foods to low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children.

Kennedy, in His Own Words: Flu, Diabetes, Autism and More

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for health secretary, doesn’t just hold fringe views on vaccines. We fact-checked five recent statements.

Caroline Kennedy Urges Senators to Reject Her Cousin’s Nomination

In a scathing letter to lawmakers weighing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for health secretary, Ms. Kennedy called her cousin unfit for the job and a “predator” who led family members to addiction.

The $8 Billion Children’s Vaccine Fund Kennedy Would Oversee

If confirmed by the Senate to be the nation’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would have vast powers over immunization policies for children and adults.

When ‘Cancer’ Gets in the Way of Treatment

Some oncologists suggest that, for certain early cancers not at risk of spreading, the term “cancer” should be avoided.

Saving Children’s Eyesight and Their Future in Mozambique

One doctor is showing nurses, teachers and parents how to spot eye problems, many of which can be easily treated. Surgery, and even just glasses, can be life-changing, and keep kids in school.

Trump Administration Halts H.I.V. Drug Distribution in Poor Countries

PEPFAR’s computer systems also are being taken offline, a sign that the program may not return, as Republican critics had hoped.

‘A Dangerous Virus’: Bird Flu Enters a New Phase

A pandemic is not inevitable, scientists say. But the outbreak has passed worrisome milestones in recent weeks, including cattle that may have been reinfected.

Carol Downer, Feminist Leader in Women’s Health, Dies at 91

She opened clinics, worked to educate women about their reproductive health, and promoted an abortion technique she felt was safe enough for laypeople.

Derek Humphry, Pivotal Figure in Right-to-Die Movement, Dies at 94

His own experience assisting his terminally ill wife in ending her life set him on a path to founding the Hemlock Society and writing a best-selling guide.

Yes, Some Vaccines Contain Aluminum. That’s a Good Thing.

R.F.K. Jr. and others have blamed the ingredient for allergies and other illnesses. Scientists say it actually bolsters the immune response.

New Research Finds Potential Alternative to Abortion Pill Mifepristone

The research could further complicate the polarized politics of abortion because the drug in the study is the key ingredient in a pill used for emergency contraception.

Sacklers Up Their Offer to Settle Purdue Opioids Cases, With a New Condition

A group of 15 states have reached a tentative new deal that would require them to set aside hundreds of millions of dollars from the settlement in a legal-defense fund for the family.

Recalls of Raw Pet Food Expand After More Bird Flu Cases in Cats. Here’s What to Know.

Cats in at least four states have died after eating raw, commercially available pet food.

People With A.D.H.D. Are Likely to Die Significantly Earlier Than Their Peers, Study Finds

A large study found that men lost seven years of life expectancy and women lost nine years, compared with counterparts without the disorder.

Trump Administration Temporarily Mutes Federal Health Officials

Scientific meetings were canceled, and research data on the bird flu outbreak was delayed, amid confusion over the directive.

When the Retirement Community Goes Bankrupt

It doesn’t happen often. But when it does, some residents risk losing everything.

Kennedy’s Plan for the Drug Crisis: A Network of ‘Healing Farms’

The positions of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on vaccines and drug companies are well known. His approach to addiction has been far less scrutinized.

Kennedy Sought to Stop Covid Vaccinations 6 Months After Rollout

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. petitioned the F.D.A. to revoke authorization of the shots at a time when they were in high demand and considered life-saving.

Medicare to Negotiate Lower Prices for Weight-Loss Drugs

The government is expected to pay lower prices for Ozempic and Wegovy starting in 2027. The Trump administration will decide whether to expand coverage for millions of Americans.

Sick Prisoners in New York Were Granted Parole but Remain Behind Bars

Prisons across the country are struggling to find nursing home placements for sick prisoners after granting them parole. In New York, some inmates are suing for release.

UnitedHealth’s Revenues Rise, in First Earnings Report Since C.E.O.’s Killing

But high medical costs contributed to results that disappointed Wall Street, and the company’s stock fell on the news that it had made less than analysts expected.

Cancer’s New Face: Younger and Female

Although long considered a disease of aging, certain cancers are turning up more often in younger women, according to a new report.

Insulin Prices Dropped. But Some Poor Patients Are Paying More.

A law that coaxed companies to lower the price of drugs came with a little-known consequence: smaller discounts for low-income health clinics.

F.D.A. Bans Red Dye 3 in Foods, Linking It to Cancer in Rats

Consumer and food safety groups have long urged the agency to revoke the use of this dye and others. The F.D.A. says studies have shown that it causes cancer in rats, but not in humans.

White House Advances Last-Minute Push to Cut Nicotine in Cigarettes

In the final days of the Biden administration, the F.D.A. is moving ahead with a proposal to require companies to produce a less addictive product for traditional smokers.

Online Therapy Boom Has Mainly Benefited Privileged Groups, Studies Find

Digital mental health platforms were supposed to expand access for the neediest patients. Researchers say that hasn’t happened.

Cancer Remission Like Catherine’s Does Not Always Mean the Illness Is Cured

While the announcement is good news for the Princess of Wales, cancer experts describe the challenges of a life shadowed by an earlier diagnosis.

New Obesity Definition Challenges Current Use of B.M.I.

An international commission made the case for focusing on body fat quantity and the illnesses people experience.

F.D.A. Proposes New Food Labels to Detail Sugar, Fat and Salt Levels

The agency issued designs for front-of-package lists that food companies would be required to include.

Estimated Gaza Toll May Have Missed 25,000 Deaths, Study Says

Analysis found that more than 64,000 Palestinians may have been killed by traumatic injury in the first nine months of the war.

Moderate Drinking Raises Health Risks While Offering Few Benefits

A federal analysis that will shape the influential U.S. Dietary Guidelines questions alcohol’s overall benefits.

Have Americans Ever Really Been Healthy?

Medical historians say that the phrase “Make America Healthy Again” obscures a past during which this country’s people ate, smoked and drank things that mostly left them unwell.

Dementia Cases in the U.S. Will Surge in the Coming Decades, Researchers Say

By 2060, new dementia cases per year could double to one million because of the growing population of older Americans, a study predicts.

How Lagging Vaccination Could Lead to a Polio Resurgence

In its original form, the virus survives in just two countries. But a type linked to an oral vaccine used in other nations has already turned up in the West.

Even Adults May Soon Be Vulnerable to ‘Childhood’ Diseases

Outbreaks among the unvaccinated are a predictable consequence of falling immunization rates. But even vaccinated adults may be vulnerable to some illnesses.

Study Links High Fluoride Exposure to Lower I.Q. in Children

The results of a new federal analysis were drawn from studies conducted in other countries, where drinking water contains more fluoride than in the United States.

Abortion Pills Prescribed by Pharmacists Are Newest Effort in Abortion Fight

Washington State’s program is the first, but other states are expected to try allowing pharmacists to prescribe the pills to counter growing efforts to curtail abortion access.

Drug Company to Share Revenues With Indigenous People Who Donated Their Genes

Variant Bio, a small biotech company based in Seattle, is using genetic information from Indigenous people to develop drugs for obesity and diabetes.

What We Know About HMPV, the Common Virus Spreading in China

While cases are climbing in China, the situation is very different from what it was when Covid-19 emerged five years ago, medical experts say. HMPV has circulated in humans for decades.

First Bird Flu Death in U.S. Reported in Louisiana

The deceased was over 65 and had other medical conditions, state officials said.

Diabetes and Heart Disease Rise Alongside Sugary Drink Consumption

A new study assesses the effects of sugar-laden beverages on global health, with higher rates of consumption found in Latin America and parts of Africa.

In Africa, Danger Slithers Through Homes and Fields

Venomous snakes bite millions of people worldwide each year, killing at least 120,000. Many of them are poor people in rural areas of Africa without easy access to treatment.

Paxlovid Improved Long Covid Symptoms in Some Patients, Researchers Report

But the report, on the experiences of 13 patients, found that the drug had no benefit for some people and that some who benefited said the improvement didn’t last.

Telemedicine for Seniors Gets a Last-Minute Reprieve

Some older Americans have come to depend on virtual consultations with doctors, covered by Medicare. To keep that option in the future, Congress will have to act quickly.

Surgeon General Calls for Cancer Warnings on Alcohol

Dr. Vivek Murthy’s report cites studies linking alcoholic beverages to at least seven malignancies, including breast cancer. But to add warning labels, Congress would have to act.

The Battle Over What to Tell Americans About Drinking

Officials in other countries are warning about the health hazards of alcohol in any amount. Americans are still told that moderate drinking is safe. What gives?

24, and Trying to Outrun Schizophrenia

Early intervention tries to rein in psychotic disorders before they can ruin young lives. For Kevin Lopez, everything is on the line.

Jimmy Carter’s Quiet but Monumental Work in Global Health

In his decades as a former president, he and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, helped bring lifesaving treatments and sanitation to poor people around the world.

Bird Flu Samples From Very Ill Patient Had ‘Concerning’ Mutations

Tiny genetic alterations could help the bird flu virus enter cells in the upper respiratory tract, the C.D.C. said. But there is no sign that mutations are widespread in nature.

In Some Doctors’ Offices, the Weigh-In Is No Longer Required

It may be a longstanding practice, but critics say routine weight measurements are driving some patients away from care.

Research Finds Vaccines Are Not Behind the Rise in Autism. So What Is?

There is no one factor that causes autism — or explains its growing prevalence. Researchers are seeking explanations for the surge. Here are some possibilities.

Mpox Is Spreading in Congo’s Capital, Threatening Global Efforts to Contain the Virus

Our reporter went to Congo, where the mpox epidemic has reached the teeming capital, infecting children and their mothers, who sell sex to survive.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Wants to Ban Drug Ads on TV. It Wouldn’t Be Easy.

Attempts to restrict pharmaceutical advertisements have failed many times over the years, often on First Amendment grounds.

Fighting to Avoid Her Mother’s Fate, for Her Daughters’ Sake

A mutant gene is coming to steal Linde Jacobs’s mind. Can she find a way to stop it?

As Drugstores Close, Older People Are Left in ‘Pharmacy Deserts’

Shuttered drugstores pose a particular threat to older adults, who take more medications than younger people and often rely on pharmacies for advice.

Democrats highlight a casualty of the spending fight: funding to combat pediatric cancer.

What Are ‘Healthy’ Foods? The F.D.A. Updates the Labeling Terms.

The Food and Drug Administration released final rules on labeling foods as “healthy,” tightening limits for sugar, sodium and saturated fat.

Trump’s Return May Worsen Financial Woes for Global Health Institutions

The U.S. provides nearly half of the aid for global health, including childhood vaccination, H.I.V. treatment and disease surveillance.

California Declares an Emergency Over Bird Flu in Cattle

Officials have discovered the virus in 645 dairy herds, more than in any other state so far.

He Built a Wellness Empire While Adventuring With Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Dr. Mark Hyman, a “functional medicine” proponent and longtime friend of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is finding powerful allies in his bid to treat disease with blood tests and supplements.

A Rift in Trump World Over How to Make America Healthier

Statements by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk tap into a dispute over whether lifestyle changes or drugs are a better way to treat obesity.

Tiny Coffins: Measles Is Killing Thousands of Children in Congo

Problems with getting vaccines to families have left many children unvaccinated and in danger of contracting the virus.

What Kennedy Has Said About the Polio Vaccine in Recent Years

President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for health secretary has suggested that the polio vaccine cost more lives than it saved and that the vaccine did not wipe out the disease in the U.S.

Alabama Woman Receives Nation’s Third Pig Kidney Transplant

The patient, Towana Looney, was in better health than previous recipients, and her case could signal progress toward solving the organ-supply shortage.

‘Life-Changing’ Psychedelics, for When Life Is Ending

People are turning to psilocybin, ketamine and other treatments for palliative care.

Are Childhood Vaccines ‘Overloading’ the Immune System? No.

Vaccines today are more efficient and contain far fewer stimulants to the immune system than some used decades ago.

What the Polio Vaccine Has Meant for Public Health

A lawyer working with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has asked the F.D.A. to withdraw approval of the current shot because it hasn’t been tested against a placebo. Scientists say such a test would be unethical.

Health Protections for Migrant Children in Custody Are Set to Expire

A 2022 legal settlement established requirements to protect the health of minors detained at segments of the southern border. It ends nine days after Donald Trump takes office.

Kennedy’s Lawyer Has Asked the F.D.A. to Revoke Approval of the Polio Vaccine

Aaron Siri, who specializes in vaccine lawsuits, has been at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s side reviewing candidates for top jobs at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Six Childhood Scourges We’ve Forgotten About, Thanks to Vaccines

Most Americans, including doctors, have no memory of the devastating diseases that routinely threatened children until the 1960s.

How to Talk to Your Teen About Pornography

Odds are your adolescent has already encountered online pornography. Your role is to openly address it, scholars say.

Could Cats Become a Carrier of Bird Flu?

A new study highlights the need for public health officials to ramp up bird flu surveillance in our feline companions.

F.D.A. Tries Last-Ditch Move to Slash Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes

The agency is asking the White House, in the final days of the Biden era, to move ahead with plans to drastically reduce the addictive substance in traditional tobacco cigarettes.

Health Panel Endorses New Option for Cervical Cancer Screening

Starting at 30, women can collect their own vaginal samples for HPV testing at a doctor’s office.

Read the Letter From Nobel Laureates Urging That Mr. Kennedy Not Be Confirmed

More than 75 laureates have written an open letter describing Mr. Kennedy’s selection for H.H.S. secretary as detrimental to public health.

Nobel Laureates Urge Senate to Turn Down Kennedy’s Nomination

Elevating Mr. Kennedy to secretary of H.H.S. “would put the public’s health in jeopardy,” more than 75 laureates wrote.

Spying on Student Devices, Schools Aim to Intercept Self-Harm Before It Happens

New technology alerts schools when students type words related to suicide. But do the timely interventions balance out the false alarms?

Sex, a Hex and a Sick Child Offer Clues to an Epidemic’s Birth

In a remote Congolese town, a medical mystery led to the discovery of alarming changes in the mpox virus and, eventually, to a global health emergency.

Payments Are Going Digital, but Many Seniors Still Rely on Cash

“We’re putting another burden on the elderly that we don’t have to,” one researcher said.

Fraud and Fakery at the Country’s Largest Chain of Methadone Clinics

Acadia Healthcare falsifies records at its methadone clinics and enrolls patients who aren’t addicted to opioids, a Times investigation found.

In Mexico, Heat Waves Are Even Killing Younger Adults

It’s not just the elderly. More than three-quarters of heat-related deaths in Mexico occurred among people younger than 35, researchers reported.

U.S. Milk to Be Tested for Bird Flu Virus

New federal rules call for testing unpasteurized milk from dairy processors and for farm owners to provide details that would help officials identify and track cases more easily.

Insurer Reverses Policy That Would Have Limited Anesthesia Periods

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield officials had planned to roll out the changes nationwide but said they were misunderstood.

E.P.A. Again Seeks Limits on a Harmful Pesticide

After a court overturned a ban, the agency has proposed restricting chlorpyrifos to 11 food crops, illustrating the limits of federal regulation.

Brian Thompson Was a Veteran Executive at UnitedHealthcare

Mr. Thompson managed a division that employs about 140,000 people and offers insurance plans to employers and individuals.

Most Rural Hospitals Have Closed Their Maternity Wards, Study Finds

Labor and delivery units are losing money and struggling to find staff, in rural areas and large cities alike.

McDonald’s E. Coli Outbreak Declared Over

Federal health agencies closed their investigations into the bacterial outbreak that sickened 104 people and was linked to onions on the fast-food chain’s signature Quarter Pounders.

Five Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Weighing a Hysterectomy

Many patients are confused about what their surgeons are planning. Here’s how to get the details.

You Had a Hysterectomy. What Did the Doctor Leave Behind?

Patients often are in the dark about which organs remain and which were removed — particularly the ovaries, which profoundly influence lifelong health.

Long a ‘Crown Jewel’ of Government, N.I.H. Is Now a Target

The agency long benefited from broad bipartisan support. But Republican criticism has intensified, and new choices for top health posts hope to upend the organization.

Cucumbers Are Recalled After Salmonella Sickens People in 19 States

At least 68 people have fallen ill in the outbreak believed to be linked to cucumbers sold in the United States and Canada, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

A. Cornelius Baker, Champion of H.I.V. Testing, Dies at 63

Working inside the government and out, he lobbied to improve the lives of people with H.I.V. and AIDS, particularly those who belonged to minority groups.

Dr. Dave Weldon, Trump’s C.D.C. Pick, Was Not on Anyone’s Radar

But over the years, the former congressman’s views have often aligned with those of his potential boss, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — particularly on vaccine safety.

Nursing Home Industry Wants Trump to Rescind Staffing Mandate

A Biden administration rule that imposed minimum rules on nursing levels may not survive, even though many homes lack enough workers to maintain residents’ care.

Hoping for Allies Among Trump’s Health Picks, Pharma Faces Hostility

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other candidates for top health posts are at odds with the drug industry, setting the stage for tense battles over regulatory changes.

On Big Pharma, Food and Agriculture, These Are Kennedy’s Unexpected Bedfellows

When it comes to weeding out corporate influence, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s ideas often align best with some of Trump’s loudest critics.

New Drug Causes 20 Percent Weight Loss in Early Amgen Results

The drug, which is named MariTide and delivered in a monthly injection, is some time away from being sold.

Trial of Controversial Alzheimer’s Drug Halted After Disappointing Results

Cassava Sciences said that its drug did not significantly reduce cognitive decline in 1,900 people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Trump’s Choices for Health Agencies Suggest a Shake-Up Is Coming

The picks to oversee public health have all pushed back against Covid policies or supported ideas that are outside the medical mainstream.

So Many Days Lost at the Doctor’s Office

Medical care can be wearying and time-consuming, especially for seniors. Researchers are beginning to quantify the burdens.

Trump Chooses Dr. David Weldon, a Former Congressman, to Lead the C.D.C.

In selecting a doctor who is skeptical of vaccine safety, the president-elect is emphasizing his commitment to reforming the role of federal health agencies in radical ways.

Dr. Martin Makary Chosen to Head the F.D.A.

A frequent Fox News commentator, Dr. Makary has a penchant for challenging the medical establishment, and stirred pandemic concerns with his views on Covid immunity and vaccine mandates.

Kennedy Doesn’t Like Ozempic. Here’s What He Can Do About It.

President-elect Donald J. Trump is set to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department, where he would have limited power over drugs.

Alcohol Deaths Have More Than Doubled in Two Decades, Study Finds

Americans are dying of illnesses related to alcohol at roughly twice the rate seen in 1999.

What’s Behind the Remarkable Drop in U.S. Overdose Deaths

Experts are puzzling over which interventions are saving lives. The evolving illicit supply itself may hold important clues.

Bacteria Found in Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste, Inspectors Say

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter, but not a recall, after microorganisms were found in water samples and finished toothpaste products.

Medicaid May Face Big Cuts and Work Requirements

Republicans in Congress are eyeing cuts to Medicaid, which could threaten health coverage for tens of millions of poor Americans.

Civil War Toll Much Worse in Confederate States, New Estimates Show

An analysis of newly released 19th-century census records offers more insight into the conflict’s costs.

5 Ways R.F.K. Jr. Could Undermine Lifesaving Childhood Vaccines

If he is confirmed as H.H.S. secretary, the longtime vaccine critic would be in a position to change the government’s immunization recommendations and delay the development of new vaccines.

Orders for Morning-After Pills and Abortion Pills Rise After Trump’s Election

Some women are stocking up on the medications, saying they are concerned that the new administration could take steps to restrict access.

Wyoming’s Abortion Bans Are Unconstitutional, Judge Rules

The ruling found that two state laws — one barring use of abortion pills, and one banning all forms of abortion — violated the state Constitution’s “fundamental right to make health care decisions.”

Pancreatic Cancer Surge May Be Less Worrisome Than It Seemed

A rise in the disease in younger people was not followed by an increase in deaths, a study found, and might be a sign of overdiagnosis.

A.I. Chatbots Defeated Doctors at Diagnosing Illness

A small study found ChatGPT outdid human physicians when assessing medical case histories, even when those doctors were using a chatbot.

First U.S. Case of Spreading New Mpox Type Reported in California

The unidentified patient had recently returned from Africa, where the virus has caused a deadly epidemic, health officials said.

Why Kennedy Sees an ‘Epidemic’ of Chronic Disease Among Children

Trends in child health are in fact worrisome, and scientists welcome a renewed focus on foods and environmental toxins. But vaccines and fluoride are not the cause.

Kennedy’s Vow to Take On Big Food Could Alienate His New G.O.P. Allies

Processed foods are in the cross hairs of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but battling major companies could collide with President-elect Donald J. Trump’s corporate-friendly goals.

Americans Have Regained Modest Trust in Scientists, Survey Finds

A sharp partisan divide remains over how involved researchers should be in policy decisions.

U.S. Regulators Seek to Block UnitedHealth’s $3.3 Billion Purchase of Home Care Company

The Justice Department and four Democratic state attorneys general argued that United’s takeover would limit competition and harm consumers needing home or hospice care.

At Long Last, the Surge in S.T.I.s May Be Leveling Off

Rates of gonorrhea declined in 2023, while diagnoses of syphilis and chlamydia held roughly steady, according to new C.D.C. data.

Kennedy’s F.D.A. Wish List: Raw Milk, Stem Cells, Heavy Metals

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s advisers on health, is taking aim at the agency’s oversight on many fronts.

As the Pandemic Deepened, Americans Kept Drinking More

Excessive drinking persisted in the years after Covid arrived, according to new data.

For Older Unmarried Couples, Caregiving Obligations Can Be Murky

What should be expected of an intimate partner when a companion suffers a health crisis? Seniors and their families increasingly confront the question.

Voters in Red and Blue States Repudiate Lenient Drug Policies

Californians voted for tougher penalties for dealers. Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota rejected proposals to legalize marijuana. Massachusetts denied a measure allowing possession of psychedelics.

He’s the F.D.A.’s Cancer Chief, Not a Fortune Teller

Dr. Richard Pazdur for 25 years has overseen innovations in the treatment of deadly diseases at the agency.

F.D.A. Proposes Removing Ineffective Nasal Decongestant From Stores

It was added to cold and flu remedies in the 1990s when another ingredient went behind the counter over illicit meth lab concerns.

Cost of Mpox Shot Deters Americans at Risk, Critics Say

The epidemic in Africa continues to grow, prompting fears of another outbreak in the U.S. But the vaccine is no longer free, and vulnerable people are going without.

From A.I. to Musk’s Brain Chips, the F.D.A.’s Device Unit Faces Rapid Change

The new director overseeing medical devices will confront criticisms about hasty approvals as she ushers in revolutionary technology.

1 in 4 Child Deaths After E.R. Visits Are Preventable, Study Finds

If every emergency room in the United States were fully prepared to treat children, thousands of lives would be saved and the cost would be $11.84 or less per child, researchers found.

Being Sugar-Deprived Had Major Effects on These Children’s Health

British data shows that children conceived and born during a period of sugar rationing were less likely to develop diabetes or high blood pressure later in life.

How Public Health Could Be Recast in a Second Trump Term

Breaking up the C.D.C., moving funds from the N.I.H. — conservatives have floated changes should Mr. Trump regain office.

Obesity Drug Shows Promise in Easing Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

A large trial showed that semaglutide, sold as Ozempic for diabetes and as Wegovy for obesity, was better than any current medications in alleviating symptoms.

Does Kamala Harris Back Free Health Care for Illegal Immigrants?

Donald Trump and other Republicans have said repeatedly that she does. Her history on the issue is complicated.

Heart-Valve Patients Should Have Earlier Surgery, Study Suggests

The results of a new clinical trial have overturned the “wait and see” approach that cardiologists have long favored for symptom-free patients.

Why Is Harris So Passionate About Abortion Rights? Her Past Work Holds Clues.

For a politician who has been criticized for shifting positions on some issues, this is an area where she has shown unwavering conviction.

McDonald’s Says Tests Rule Out Beef Patties as Source of E. Coli Outbreak

The company said it would put Quarter Pounders back on the menu, without the raw onions that were considered the likely source of the bacteria.

A Trans Researcher’s Pursuit of Better Data on Detransition

Kinnon MacKinnon leads the world’s largest study on people who stop or reverse their gender transitions, a group embroiled in intense political fights.

E. Coli Outbreak Tied to McDonald’s Widens to 75 People in 13 States

Health officials say that recalls of onions — the suspected source of the contamination — would help lessen the risk to consumers. Other major fast-food chains have also stopped offering onions.

Why Heat Waves of the Future May Be Even Deadlier Than Feared

The body’s cooling defenses fail at lower “wet bulb” temperatures than scientists had estimated.

Malaria Is Surging in Ethiopia, Reversing a Decade of Progress Against the Disease

Climate change, civil conflict and growing resistance to insecticides and treatments are all contributing to an alarming spread of cases.

As Bird Flu Spreads, Additional Human Infection Is Reported in Missouri

Two people sharing a home caught the virus without known exposure to animals. More than 30 human cases have been reported in the United States.

Onion Recall Linked to E. Coli and McDonald’s Spreads to Other Fast Food Chains

A deadly outbreak spurred removal of onions by a major food supplier in the Mountain West. Taco Bell, KFC, Burger King and Pizza Hut have stopped serving onions at various locations.

What Drugmakers Did Not Tell Volunteers in Alzheimer’s Trials

Genetic tests showed that certain patients were predisposed to brain injuries if they took the drugs. That information remained secret.

E. Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders

Nearly 50 people have become ill and one person has died, amid infections that may have been caused by slivered onions, the C.D.C. reported.

F.D.A. Names a New Chief of Medical Devices

Patient advocates hope Dr. Michelle Tarver will lead the agency to focus more on safety and less on rapid approvals.

New Stroke Recommendations Call Out Risks Unique to Women

In a first, the guidelines link poor pregnancy outcomes to stroke and call on doctors to exercise greater vigilance.

Bruce Ames, 95, Dies; Biochemist Discovered Test for Toxic Chemicals

The Ames Test offered a fast and inexpensive way to identify carcinogens, leading to the banning of chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects.

Life Without Sickle Cell Beckons Boy Who Completed Gene Therapy

After 44 days, Kendric Cromer, 12, left the hospital. While his family feels fortunate that he was the first to receive a treatment, their difficult experiences hint at what others will be up against.

States Revive Lawsuit to Sharply Curb Access to Abortion Pill

The Supreme Court ruled in June that the original plaintiffs, anti-abortion doctors and groups, did not have standing to sue. Now three states are trying to continue the legal fight.

Under an L.A. Freeway, a Psychiatric Rescue Mission

The crisis of homelessness is pushing American psychiatry to places it has not gone before — like sidewalk injections of antipsychotics.

Sammy Basso, Advocate for Progeria Research, Is Dead at 28

One of about 150 people known to have a rare condition that causes rapid aging, he sought to raise awareness and participated in the search for a cure.

Therapeutic Food Shortage Puts African Children at Risk of Starvation, U.N. Agency Says

Supplies of a highly nutritious treatment are running out, according to UNICEF.

What to Know About the Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak

In Rwanda, 11 deaths have been reported from this rare but deadly disease. Two people tested negative in Germany this week.

Bird Flu Has Already Appeared in New York’s Animal Markets. What’s Next?

It’s not just rural farms. Urban animal markets are fertile grounds for viral transmission, experts say.

Dialysis May Prolong Life for Older Patients. But Not by Much.

In one recent study, the challenging regimen added 77 days of life after three years. Often, kidney disease can be managed in other ways.

The Painkiller Used for Just About Anything

In huge numbers, older people are taking gabapentin for a variety of conditions, including itching, alcohol dependence and sciatica. “It’s crazy,” one expert said.

J. Robin Warren, Who Proved That Bacteria Cause Ulcers, Dies at 87

He endured skepticism but won a Nobel Prize for his work upending the conventional wisdom that stress, diet or alcohol caused the painful condition.

Despite Setback, Neuralink’s First Brain-Implant Patient Stays Upbeat

Elon Musk’s first human experiment with a computerized brain device developed significant flaws, but the subject, who is paralyzed, has few regrets.

‘A Chance to Live’: How 2 Families Faced a Catastrophic Birth Defect

Cases of trisomy 18 may rise as many states restrict abortion. But some women choose to have the babies, love them tenderly and care for them devotedly.

The Unbearable Vagueness of Medical ‘Professionalism’

Since its inception, this murky term has straddled the dual role of disciplining and inspiring.

Your Inhalers and EpiPens Aren’t Very Healthy for the Environment

For eco-conscious consumers of personal medical devices, recycling options are limited. Some companies are trying to change that.

Pet Dragons Linked to Rare Salmonella Strain in U.S. and Canada

Dozens of people, including babies, were sickened, according to a C.D.C. study that highlighted the risks of snuggling with the strikingly scaly lizards, many of which carry salmonella bacteria in their gut.

Noise Could Take Years Off Your Life. Here’s How.

We used a professional sound meter to measure the din of daily life and talked to scientists about the health risks it can pose.

How to Use Narcan Nasal Spray

Narcan, a naloxone nasal spray, is now approved for over-the-counter sales and should be widely available by late summer. Experts say that these sprays can swiftly reverse an opioid overdose and are easy to use. Here’s how.

Where can I find help with these decisions?

After I pick a plan, can I switch if I don’t like it?

What should I know about drug plans?

So maybe I should just go with traditional Medicare?

What are the downsides to Medicare Advantage?

Which is better: Medicare or Medicare Advantage?

Why the marketing barrage?

‘Kind of Awkward’: Doctors Find Themselves on a First-Name Basis

While many physicians may avoid discussing the subject, a study showed that who gets addressed with the honorific “Dr.” may depend on gender, degree and specialty.

Geneticist Awarded Nobel Prize for Discoveries in Human Evolution

The Swedish geneticist Svante Pääbo’s work unveiled the Neanderthal genome in 2010, opening the door to investigatory questions about how early humans relate to and differ from modern ones.

C.D.C. Recommends Covid-19 Vaccines for Children Under 5

Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, endorsed the decision after a scientific panel backed the shots despite reservations about a paucity of data.

‘We May Need Even More’: Biden Doubles Pfizer’s Covid Pills Order

President Biden announced that the United States government doubled its order for Pfizer’s Covid pills, bringing the total order to 20 million treatment courses.

New Studies Raise Hopes That Vaccines Prevent Severe Disease From Omicron

In the lab, immune cells put up a strong fight against Omicron, suggesting that vaccines will be able to prevent the worst outcomes of the virus variant.

Young Children Receive First Dose of Covid-19 Vaccine

Across the country, parents and their young children lined up to receive Covid-19 vaccines after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech shot for children aged 5 through 11.

‘I Am Worth It’: Why Thousands of Doctors in America Can’t Get a Job

Medical schools are producing more graduates, but residency programs haven’t kept up, leaving thousands of young doctors “chronically unmatched” and deep in debt.

Coronavirus Cases Surge in Arizona

Arizona has recorded the highest number of new coronavirus cases per capita in the country. A medical official said the hospital systems are under “immense pressure” to keep up with the amount of Covid-19 patients.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women May Opt to Receive the Vaccine

Although no coronavirus vaccine has been studied in these women, many scientists believe the benefits will outweigh any potential risks.

How to Stop the Next Pandemic

It’s not just Covid-19. Pathogens once confined to nature are making their way into humans on a more regular basis. And it’s our fault.

Mel Baggs, Blogger on Autism and Disability, Dies at 39

Candid blog posts and a widely viewed short film sought to expand the very definition of what it means to be human.

Vast Dragnet Targets Theft of Biomedical Secrets for China

Nearly 200 investigations are underway at major academic centers. Critics fear that researchers of Chinese descent are being unfairly targeted.

They Say Sexual Assault, Kavanaugh Says It Never Happened: Sifting Truth From Memory

How trauma and time alter the way we recollect significant events.

Pasta e Fagiole

A classic Italian bean and pasta soup makes a delicious meal.