Health & Safety

The CDC may soon drop its isolation guidance for people with COVID-19

4:40pm February 13, 2024

by Pien Huang

The CDC is reportedly planning to drop the isolation guidance for those who test positive for COVID-19. Experts say this may align with the current how people are behaving but may not bode well.

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Health & Safety

Shots can be scary and painful for kids. One doctor has a plan to end needle phobia

4:40pm February 13, 2024

by April Dembosky

Research suggests the biggest source of pain for children in the health care system is needles. One California doctor says the fear of needles is a serious problem, but proposes some simple solutions.

Health & Safety

How Portugal got the number of fatal overdoses in the country to drop 80%

5:13am February 13, 2024

by Brian Mann

Portugal has emerged as a promising international model for tackling a deadly drug and addiction crisis. The country has used a focus on health care and community support to save lives.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who's in the hospital, cancels trip to Brussels

5:13am February 13, 2024

Austin canceled the trip which was set up to meet with international leaders about the war in Ukraine. Austin returned to the hospital on Sunday with a bladder issue.

A House-passed bill would equalize what Medicare pays when certain infusions are given in a hospital with what it pays when they're given in other health care settings. The hospital lobby is fighting it ferociously in the Senate.

Hospitals are fighting a Medicare payment fix that would save tax dollars

5:00am February 13, 2024

Medicare pays hospitals about double what it pays other providers for the same services. The hospital lobby is fighting hard to make sure a switch to "site-neutral payments" doesn't become law.

Aging, memory and the presidency

4:43pm February 12, 2024

by Jon Hamilton

Both President Biden and former President Trump have experienced public memory lapses. Experts say that's common for people of their age and not necessarily a sign of cognitive impairment or dementia.

Melody and her daughter Angeleena O'Connor, 16, at their home in Las Vegas. Angeleena has autism in addition to anxiety, bipolar disorder and intermittent explosive disorder, among other diagnoses that can cause violent outbursts.

Youth with autism are more likely to be arrested. A Nevada judge wants to remedy that

12:39pm February 12, 2024

by Jaclyn Diaz

Judge Sunny Bailey started a specialty court program in 2018 called DAAY Court or the detention alternative for autistic youth treatment. "It'll help other people like me," says one autistic teen."

Health & Safety

Influencers are asked to help stop the spread of mental health misinformation

5:05am February 12, 2024

by Andrea Muraskin

Harvard public health researchers recruited social media influencers who discuss mental health issues, and trained them to present better information to audiences.

Lifestyle medicine includes helping people eat a healthier diet.

Health & Safety

Weight-loss drugs aren't a magic bullet. Lifestyle changes are key to lasting health

5:01am February 12, 2024

by Lisa Doggett

A doctor argues that the current focus on fighting obesity with drugs like Ozempic ignores the bigger picture: We need a medical system and society that support healthy life habits.

When can a person be declared dead? The question can be hard to answer.

Health & Safety

Debate simmers over when doctors should declare brain death

7:01am February 11, 2024

by Rob Stein

Bioethicists, doctors and lawyers are weighing whether to redefine how someone should be declared dead. A change in criteria for brain death could have wide-ranging implications for patients' care.