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Latest Health Headlines

2 hours ago

The realities of living with OCD

Often misunderstood and misrepresented, obsessive-compulsive disorder affects millions of people in deeply personal and sometimes invisible ways. ABC News' Phil Lipof reports.
2 hours ago
VIDEO: The realities of living with OCD
4 hours ago

What we know about the safety, efficacy of mRNA vaccines

Vaccines using mRNA technology have been studied for decades, experts say.
4 hours ago
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration campus in Silver Spring, Md., is photographed on Oct. 14, 2015.
May 22

Reproductive rights advocates sue Arizona over laws regulating abortion

Reproductive rights advocates are suing Arizona to unravel several laws regulating abortion access in the state
May 22
FILE - Arizona abortion-rights supporters gather for a news conference prior to delivering more than 800,000 petition signatures to the state Capitol to get abortion rights on the November general election ballot, July 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
May 22

Work requirements could transform Medicaid and food aid under US budget bill

Work requirements for Medicaid recipients, hospitals checking citizenship status, food assistance cuts and other measures in the budget passed by the U.S. House would rearrange the U.S. social safety net
May 22
FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2018, file photo, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, center, talks at a news conference at the State Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., about the state's work requirement for its expanded Medicaid program. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo, File)
May 22

FDA panel debates COVID vaccine recipe as questions swirl about fall shots

Government vaccine advisers are meeting to decide if the recipe for COVID-19 vaccines needs updating for this fall and winter
May 22
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Marty Makary speaks during a news conference on the FDA's intent to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the nation's food supply at the Hubert Humphrey Building Auditorium in Washington, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
May 21

RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' report worries farmers, Republicans ahead of release

A much-anticipated White House report about childhood diseases has provoked a tug-of-war that’s pitted farmers and some prominent Republican lawmakers against health secretary Robert F
May 21
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., testifies before a Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Health and Human Services, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
May 21

Measles is very contagious. Here's how to avoid it

A person attended a Shakira concert at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey while infectious with measles
May 21
FILE - Shakira performs at MetLife Stadium on Friday, May 16, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
May 21

What to know about the FDA plan to restrict COVID vaccines

Some say annual booster shots are not worth the risk for healthy people.
May 21
Registered Nurse Mariam Salaam administers the Pfizer booster shot at a Covid vaccination and testing site decorated for Cinco de Mayo at Ted Watkins Park in Los Angeles on May 5, 2022.
May 21

Trump administration policy on COVID vaccine ‘concerning’: Health expert

Dr. Raynard Washington, epidemiologist and health director in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, discusses new guidelines from the FDA.
May 21
VIDEO: Trump administration policy on COVID vaccine ‘concerning’: Health expert
May 21
Whitney Chapman, right, conducts a chair yoga class at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, in New York, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
May 21

For kids with autism, swim classes can be lifesaving

Some studies have shown that children with autism are more at risk of drowning
May 21
In this handout photo provided by Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County, instructor Dottie Diedrick guides a student in the water during an autism-specific swim class at Small Fish Big Fish, in West Palm Beach, Fla., Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Ben Rusnak /Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County via AP)
May 20

Biden last had a prostate cancer blood test in 2014, spokesperson says

A spokesperson for the former president addressed Joe Biden's history with PSA tests and revealed he received his last blood test in 2014.
May 20
VIDEO: Biden last had a prostate cancer blood test in 2014, spokesperson says
May 20

FDA sets new requirements for COVID vaccines in healthy adults and children

Federal health officials will no longer routinely approve annual COVID-19 shots for younger adults and children who are healthy
May 20
FILE - A vial of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine rests on a table at an inoculation station in Jackson, Miss., on July 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
May 20

New salmonella outbreak tied to same Florida grower with tainted cucumbers last year

U.S. health officials are investigating a new outbreak of salmonella illnesses tied to a Florida grower whose tainted cucumbers were linked to more than 500 illnesses last year
May 20
FILE - This undated photo provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows cucumbers recalled for salmonella. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration via AP)
May 19

Police identify victim and gunman in Las Vegas gym shooting

Las Vegas police have identified the two people killed in a shooting at a Las Vegas athletic club, including the suspected shooter
May 19
May 19

Prostate cancer specialist on what we know about President Biden’s diagnosis

ABC News’ Linsey Davis speaks with Sloan Kettering’s prostate cancer section head, Dr. Michael J. Morris, on what former President Biden’s cancer diagnosis means and what treatment may look like.
May 19
VIDEO: Prostate cancer specialist on what we know about President Biden’s diagnosis 
May 19

By the Numbers: Prostate cancer cases among American men

ABC News Live Prime looks at the prevalence of prostate cancer among men, who is most likely to be diagnosed and the chances of survival.
May 19
VIDEO:  By the Numbers: Prostate cancer cases among American men
May 19

'Dilbert' cartoon creator says he has same prostate cancer as Joe Biden

The creator of the “Dilbert” comic strip, which was canceled by most newspapers two years ago over the creator's racist comments, says he has been diagnosed with the same aggressive prostate cancer as former President Joe Biden
May 19
FLE - Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip Dilbert, poses for a portrait with the Dilbert character in his studio in Dublin, Calif., Oct. 26, 2006. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
May 19

Nebraska to ban soda and energy drinks from SNAP under first USDA waiver

Nebraska is the first state to receive a federal waiver to ban the purchase of soda and energy drinks under the food benefit program for low-income Americans long known as food stamps
May 19
FILE - Soft drink and soda bottles are on display in a refrigerator at El Ahorro market in San Francisco, Sept. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
May 19

Why Biden may not have known about his 'aggressive' prostate cancer until recently

Prostate cancer can be found and diagnosed in its later stages, experts said.
May 19
President Joe Biden speaks to the media in North Charleston, S.C., Jan. 19, 2025.
May 19

Authorities analyzing nihilistic writings of suspect in California fertility clinic bombing

Investigators are combing through the writings of a 25-year-old man believed responsible for an explosion that ripped through a Southern California fertility clinic over the weekend
May 19
This image released by the Federal Bureau of Investigations shows Guy Edward Bartkus. (FBI via AP)
May 19

After a political career shaped by cancer, Biden faces his own grim diagnosis

The announcement that Joe Biden has prostate cancer is the latest example of how the final chapters of his political career have been shaped by the disease
May 19
FILE - President Joe Biden speaks from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
May 19

Everything to know about prostate cancer screening, treatment amid Biden diagnosis

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men.
May 19
President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Nov. 7, 2024.
May 19

Expert on treatment options for Biden following prostate cancer diagnosis

Arif Kamal, chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society, discusses former President Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis.
May 19
VIDEO: Expert on treatment options for Biden following prostate cancer diagnosis
May 19

WHO opens annual assembly as UN health agency faces 'existential crisis'

The World Health Organization is opening its annual meeting of government ministers and other top envoys facing one of the most serious crises of its 77-year history in the wake of Trump administration funding cuts and plans to withdraw the United States
May 19
Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivers his statement, during the opening of the 78th World Health Assembly at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, May 19, 2025. (Magali Girardin/Keystone via AP)
May 18

Doctors saved baby's life with gene fix for deadly rare disease

Dr. Jessica Shepherd, chief medical officer for Hers, joins ABC News Live to discuss the first-of-its-kind approach to gene-editing.
May 18
VIDEO: Doctors saved baby's life with gene fix for deadly rare disease
May 17

Mother-daughter duo team up as fitness icons

Fitness and health expert Denise Austin and her daughter Katie Austin join ABC News Live to spread a message about staying fit no matter your age.
May 17
Fitness and health expert Denise Smith and her daughter Katie Austin join ABC News Live to spread a message about staying fit no matter your age.
May 17

Early-onset cancer rising in younger Americans

The American Cancer Society’s Dr. Arif Kamal joins ABC News Live to discuss the findings of an alarming new study that shows that early-onset cancer rates are rising in younger Americans.
May 17
Early-onset cancer rising in younger Americans
May 16

Medical rundown: This week's top headlines

ABC News medical contributor Alok Patel discuses the gene-editing treatment that could help those with rare genetic diseases.
May 16
VIDEO: Medical rundown: This week's top headlines
May 16

There is now a blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer's disease

The test is for older Americans already exhibiting signs of Alzheimer's.
May 16
May 16

Easily distracted? How to improve your attention span

Attention spans are shrinking, with research showing the average person's has declined from 2.5 minutes in 2004 to 47 seconds now
May 16
FILE - A woman looks at her phone while watching the sun set in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
May 16

These are the Americans at risk of losing coverage due to proposed Medicaid cuts

Cuts to Medicaid could increase the number of uninsured.
May 16
Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to reporters as he leaves the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol, May 15, 2025 in Washington.
May 16

The US hasn't seen a human bird flu case in 3 months. Experts are wondering why

Health officials are urging vigilance as reports of bird flu cases in humans appear to have stopped
May 16
This undated electron microscopic image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows two Influenza A (H5N1) virions, a type of bird flu virus. (Cynthia Goldsmith, Jackie Katz/CDC via AP)
May 16

Measles cases reach 1,024 in the US as infections confirmed in 30 states: CDC

The majority of cases are among those unvaccinated or with unknown status.
May 16
A sign is seen outside a clinic with the South Plains Public Health District, on Feb. 23, 2025, in Brownfield, Texas.
May 16

Trump administration must resume $11 billion in funding for public health departments, judge rules

A federal judge says the government must stop slashing billions in money for public health departments
May 16
FILE - People rally at Health and Human Services headquarters to protest the polices of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell, file)
May 16

Doctors save baby's life with first-ever gene fix for deadly rare disease

The goal is to reuse key parts of the treatment and simply swap in a custom set of instructions for each patient's specific gene mutation, doctors say.
May 16
The goal is to reuse key parts of the treatment and simply swap in a custom set of instructions for each patient's specific gene mutation, doctors say.
May 16

Children die as USAID aid cuts snap a lifeline for the world's most malnourished

Infant twins suffered from malnutrition in Nigeria
May 16
A sick child cries at the Intersos facility, an Italian humanitarian organization, the only remaining facility providing in-patient services for malnutrition in Dikwa, northeastern, Nigeria, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
May 15

Colton Underwood and Ex-Miss Teen SC find healing with free mental health app

ABC News’ Steve Osunsami spoke with the founder of free mental health app WhiteFlag, which is helping connect users like ex-Miss Teen SC Caitlin Upton and former “Bachelor” star Colton Underwood.
May 15
VIDEO: Colton Underwood and ex-Miss Teen SC find healing with free mental health app
May 15

2nd state bans fluoride from public drinking water

The law is set to go into effect on July 1.
May 15
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a public event where he announced he would sign a bill banning the use of fluoride in public water systems, on May 6, 2025, in Miami.
May 15

Doctors save baby's life with first-ever gene fix for deadly rare disease

The rare genetic disease kills 50% of babies diagnosed with it by early infancy.
May 15
Dr. Musunuru and Dr. Ahrens-Nicklas hold KJ post infusion.
May 15

Swim safety tips from an Olympic gold medalist

World champion swimmer Ryan Murphy is on a mission to raise awareness about water safety.
May 15
VIDEO: Swim safety tips from an Olympic gold medalist
May 15

Missouri lawmakers move to repeal abortion protections enacted by voters

For now, the referendum is set to appear on a ballot in 2026.
May 15
People in support of abortion rights protest outside the Missouri Senate chamber after the Senate voted to approve a referendum seeking to repeal an abortion-rights amendment, May 14, 2025, in Jefferson City, Mo.
May 15

Workers are saying 'no' to toxic environments. Here's how to set limits or know it's time to leave

As mental health awareness increases, so are conversations about about what constitutes toxic behavior at work and the kinds of treatment people won't tolerate for a steady paycheck
May 15
(AP Illustration / Peter Hamlin)
May 14

Missouri lawmakers approve referendum to repeal abortion-rights amendment

Missouri lawmakers have approved a referendum seeking to repeal an abortion-rights amendment passed by voters six months ago
May 14
Participants in the Midwest March for Life walk past the Missouri Capitol on May 1, 2025, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)
May 14

What the EPA's partial rollback of the 'forever chemical' drinking water rule means

The Environmental Protection Agency says it will roll back limits on several types of what are known as forever chemicals in drinking water
May 14
FILE - Vials containing samples of forever chemicals, known as PFAS, sit in a tray, April 10, 2024, at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lab in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel, File)
May 14

RFK Jr. says people should not take medical advice from him during House hearing

Kennedy said his "opinions about vaccines are irrelevant."
May 14
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before a House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 14, 2025.
May 14

RFK Jr. says people should not take medical advice from him during House hearing

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the massive cuts to the department's workforce and laid out his priorities for the Trump administration's proposed budget.
May 14
RFK Jr. says people should not take medical advice from him during House hearing
May 14

GOP's plans for Medicaid cuts haven't changed much since 2017

Republicans again have their eyes on Medicaid, the government health program.
May 14
President Donald Trump listens to questions as he speaks to members of the press on Air Force One while flying over Saudi Arabia on his way to Qatar on May 14, 2025.
May 14

Allergies hitting earlier and worse

Allergy sufferers say their conditions have gotten worse. Human-amplified climate change may be playing a part.
May 14
VIDEO: Allergies hitting earlier and worse
May 14

US drug overdose deaths fell by nearly 27% in 2024, CDC report finds

Drug overdose deaths dropped in the United States in 2024 to the lowest levels seen in five years, according to a new CDC report published Wednesday morning.
May 14
US drug overdose deaths fell by nearly 27% in 2024, CDC report finds