In the last few months, schools all over the country have closed because of outbreaks of norovirus. Also known as stomach flu, norovirus infections cause watery diarrhea, low-grade fever and, most alarming of all, projectile vomiting, which is an extremely effective way of spreading the virus.

Norovirus is very infectious and spreads ...Read more

For decades, the United States has held considerable power in determining the direction of global health policies and programs. President Donald Trump issued three executive orders on his first day in office that may signal the end of that era, health policy experts said.

Trump’s order to withdraw from the World Health Organization means the ...Read more

Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, has hit a record 1.8 million enrollees and the number could climb higher ahead of a Jan. 31 open enrollment deadline, due in large part to enhanced subsidies that have made plans more affordable.

But the state’s progress in extending health coverage to all residents could come to...Read more

President Donald Trump’s early action on health care reversed some of his predecessor’s policies, but former President Joe Biden’s most defining initiatives were left intact.

Signature Biden achievements, such as the $35-per-month cap on insulin, the $2,000 annual cap on prescription drugs and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices ...Read more

California is advising health care providers not to write down patients’ immigration status on bills and medical records and telling them they don’t have to assist federal agents in arrests. Some Massachusetts hospitals and clinics are posting privacy rights in emergency and waiting rooms in Spanish and other languages.

Meanwhile, Florida ...Read more

Red light therapy is increasingly viewed as a promising treatment for wrinkles, acne, psoriasis, scars and sun-damaged skin, and as a supportive therapy for some kinds of cancer. But does red light therapy live up to the hype that it’s practically a panacea for all sorts of ailments?

Praveen Arany is a professor of oral biology, ...Read more

Until Jio Rodriguez was wheeled into the operating room for open-heart surgery last Valentine's Day, he'd never seen his brother Brian Rodriguez cry.

But February was a month of exploring the heretofore unknown for Jio, who until then never gave his health – and especially not his heart health – much thought.

Why should he? He was 21, a ...Read more

Vaccines are helpful in protecting against the flu and COVID-19, but could they also play a role in the fight against cancer? Imagine a future where every cancer treatment is personalized to each patient, precisely targeting their unique cancer cells.

Dr. Keith Knutson, a cancer vaccine researcher at Mayo Clinic, explains how the development of...Read more

CHICAGO — Illinois had at least 103 outbreaks of the stomach bug norovirus in November and December — a dramatic increase from previous years, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

During the same time last winter, there were 22 reported outbreaks. This year’s numbers are also significantly higher than in winters before ...Read more

The secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, plays a significant role in every American’s access to health care and in the nation’s overall well-being.

Under the secretary’s leadership, the multiple agencies that constitute HHS oversee the financing of Medicare and Medicaid, conduct research to improve ...Read more

President Donald Trump’s early actions on health care signal his likely intention to wipe away some Biden-era programs to lower drug costs and expand coverage under public insurance programs.

The orders he issued soon after reentering the White House have policymakers, health care executives, and patient advocates trying to read the tea ...Read more

Breakups hurt. For confirmation of this fact, just check the lyrics of that song you listened to on repeat the last time somebody looked into your eyes and sadly said, "It's not you, it's me."

But while the feelings that accompany such moments have been a boon to Taylor Swift and the rest of the music industry, a breakup can also have ...Read more

Russell Wooten of Hendersonville, North Carolina, has spent much of his life struggling with obesity, often carrying 260 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame. He repeatedly starved himself to lose weight, then gained it back by binge eating comfort foods. The cycle left him feeling “depressed and distraught.”

In February 2023, Wooten began taking ...Read more

Several years ago, a little-known drug named Ozempic – previously used only to treat diabetes – emerged as a promising new drug for weight management.

The Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Ozempic in 2021 for weight loss treatment ushered in a new era for the class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, or ...Read more

A body part from a deceased animal being tested for rabies caused deep concern at the highest level of the state Department of Public Health last year after the improperly sealed package leaked and potentially exposed swathes of the public health workforce to the disease last year.

The animal was a raccoon, DPH spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said.

�...Read more

Q: What is kefir and does it provide any health benefits?

A: Kefir is a fermented dairy drink made by adding kefir grains — cultures of yeast and lactic acid bacteria — to milk. These grains ferment the milk, resulting in a tangy, slightly fizzy beverage with a texture similar to yogurt. Kefir can also be made from non-dairy alternatives ...Read more

When it comes to cold and flu season, it’s a good idea to be prepared for what to do if you get sick. When you’re feeling unwell, nutrition plays a significant role in your recovery from an illness. Nourishing foods that are easily digestible, hydrating and anti-inflammatory can be especially beneficial in supporting your immune system when ...Read more

If you’re struggling with depression, the most important question about taking an antidepressant is whether it will work. But another question on your mind may be whether it will fuel weight gain.

A recent study provides some context by suggesting how much weight, on average, people taking one of eight commonly used antidepressants might ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was recently prescribed high blood pressure medication. My routine was to take the pills before bed, but I’m finding when I do, I’m up all night using the bathroom. Does it really matter when I take the medication? Also, will I likely have to take this medication for life?

ANSWER: The most important thing about blood ...Read more