Health & Safety

Health & Safety

North Carolina state workers' health plan ending coverage for certain weight-loss drugs

2:14pm January 26, 2024

by Associated Press

The health insurance program for North Carolina government workers, teachers, retirees and their families soon won’t cover popular but expensive anti-obesity drugs, the result of a price fight with the manufacturer of two brand-name medications.

A student named Royce closes his eyes during a mindfulness session in class at Patricia J. Sullivan Partnership School in Tampa, Fla. Students say the daily lessons help them cope with their feelings.

To help these school kids deal with trauma, mindfulness lessons over the loudspeaker

6:00am January 26, 2024

by Pien Huang

An elementary school in Florida, credits daily mindfulness lessons with helping students cope with stress — and turning the school around academically. The lessons are delivered through an app.

Queue Listen Now

Health officials at Sarasota County Mosquito Management Services study specimens of anopheles mosquitoes that cause malaria, in Sarasota, Fla. on June 30, 2023. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert after five cases of malaria were confirmed, the first locally acquired cases of the disease in the United States in 20 years.

New gene-editing tools may help wipe out mosquito-borne diseases

5:01am January 26, 2024

by Greg Allen

Scientists say gene-editing technology may eradicate a mosquito in the U.S. that spreads dengue and other diseases. Concerns remain about the possible environmental impact of bioengineered mosquitoes.

Federal lawsuit is aimed at $320M Novant Health acquisition deal

5:31pm January 25, 2024

by Eddie Garcia

The Federal Trade Commission is suing to block Winston-Salem-based Novant Health from acquiring two regional hospitals. The complaint says that if the deal were to proceed, prices for medical services could rise.

A Kansas woman's death reignited concerns about domestic violence during pregnancy

4:21pm January 25, 2024

by Rose Conlon

The death of a Kansas woman last summer has brought attention to the higher rates of domestic violence during pregnancy. It comes as shelters say they're seeing a rise in requests for help.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that up to 86% of new COVID-19 cases stem from the latest mutation, JN.1. The most recent COVID vaccines are expected to help lower chances of serious illness or hospitalization from JN.1.

JN.1 takes over as the most prevalent COVID-19 variant. Here's what you need to know

3:00pm January 25, 2024

by Vanessa Romo

The CDC estimates that up to 86% of new COVID-19 cases stem from the latest mutation. The virus continues to evolve so rapidly that "our immune systems have not been able to keep up," an expert says.

This photo provided by U.S. Food & Drug Administration shows the location of a lot number of recalled Robitussin cough syrup. The maker is recalling several lots of its medicine Thursday, due to contamination that could pose a serious risk to people with weakened immune systems.

Health & Safety

Robitussin's maker recalls cough syrup for possible high levels of yeast

1:39pm January 25, 2024

by The Associated Press

The contamination, found in some eight lots of syrup that contain honey, could pose a serious risk to people with weakened immune systems.

Chantal Panozzo and her husband, who live in the Chicago suburbs, expected their first routine colonoscopies would be free — fully covered by insurance as preventive care under federal law.

Health & Safety

The colonoscopies were free but the 'surgical trays' came with $600 price tags

6:59am January 25, 2024

Health providers may bill however they choose, including in ways that could leave patients with unexpected bills for "free" care. Preventive care left an Illinois couple with "surgical tray" charges.

An experimental gene therapy tested in young children with an inherited form of deafness restored some hearing for most of them.

Health & Safety

Gene therapy shows promise for an inherited form of deafness

8:07pm January 24, 2024

by Rob Stein

Scientists report that gene therapy restored at least some hearing and speech for five out of six children with a rare form of genetic deafness.

A nurse prepares to administer a newly approved malaria vaccine, RTS,S, to an infant at the health center in Datcheka, Cameroon, on Jan. 22. Cameroon is the first country in the vaccine campaign. Plans are to introduce the vaccine in 20 additional countries by 2025.

Health & Safety

The malaria vaccine that just rolled out has a surprise benefit for kids

6:02pm January 24, 2024

by Simar Bajaj

A new malaria vaccine came to Cameroon this week and will be introduced in 20 additional countries. Experts stress that it's not a magic bullet. But they say it's a game-changer — with a bonus.