Newsletters

Close-up view of a person's hand holding a blue-colored pencil, beginning to write in a journal.

Gratitude comes with benefits − a social psychologist explains how to practice it when times are stressful

Monica Y. Bartlett, Gonzaga University

Pope Francis pushed in a wheelchair past cardinals in red, hand raised in greeting

Pope Francis’ death right after Easter sounds miraculous – but patients and caregivers often work together to delay dying

Michelle Riba, University of Michigan

As views on spanking shift worldwide, most US adults support it, and 19 states allow physical punishment in schools

Christina Erickson, University of North Dakota

Father raising his hand as if to spank a child that is laid over his lap.
The sudden dismissal of public records staff at health agencies threatens government accountability

Reshma Ramachandran, Yale University

A blue book with a cover that says FOIA Freedom of Information Act lying on a desk
How bird flu differs from seasonal flu − an infectious disease researcher explains

Hanna D. Paton, University of Iowa

a green glove holds a plastic petri dish labeled AVIAN FLU
Preventive care may no longer be free in 2026 because of HIV stigma − unless the Trump administration successfully defends the ACA

Kristefer Stojanovski, Tulane University and Paul Shafer, Boston University

Over-the-shoulder shot of patient having blood pressure measured by a clinician

News in context

Read the latest Health + Medicine articles

How the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service protects public health at home and abroad

Mark Dworkin, University of Illinois Chicago and Casey Luc, University of Illinois Chicago

Coronavirus particles spreading in a crowd of people.
Colorado’s early childhood education workers face burnout and health disparities, but a wellness campaign could help

Jini Puma, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Charlotte Farewell, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Woman sits with two small children at a table to do an activity.
23andMe is potentially selling more than just genetic data – the personal survey info it collected is just as much a privacy problem

Kayte Spector-Bagdady, University of Michigan

Genetric sequence map, resembilng expanding circles of colorful barcodes radiating from a black circle
Susan Monarez, Trump’s nominee for CDC director, faces an unprecedented and tumultuous era at the agency

Jordan Miller, Arizona State University

Outside view of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters with sign in foreground and building in background.

Healthy lifestyles

Pornography may be commonplace, but a growing body of research shows it causes lasting harm to the brain and relationships

Danielle Sukenik, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Diagram of a crossed-out eye and the words 'Sensitive Content'
Social media before bedtime wreaks havoc on our sleep − a sleep researcher explains why screens alone aren’t the main culprit

Brian N. Chin, Trinity College

Side view of a woman staring at her phone in the dark.
Vitamin D builds your bones and keeps your gut sealed, among many other essential functions − but many children are deficient

Jacqueline Hernandez, Florida International University and Cristina Palacios, Florida International University

Smiling children in swim clothes on a beach, running toward the camera
Massive cuts to Health and Human Services’ workforce signal a dramatic shift in US health policy

Simon F. Haeder, Texas A&M University

A grey big building housing the Department of Health and Human Services
Read more about healthy lifestyles

Reproductive health

Older women in an exercise class

Hormone therapy may cut cardiovascular risk in younger menopausal women

Matthew Nudy, Penn State

Colorado and other states have expanded access to abortion, but not for adolescents

Kate Coleman-Minahan, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

An abortion clinic with an ultrasound machine and an empty clinic bed.
Prenatal supplements largely lack the recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids to help prevent preterm birth − new research

Mary J. Scourboutakos, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Pregnant woman sitting on couch with a plate of healthy food on her pregnant belly.
10 states had abortion measures on the ballot – where they passed, where they failed, and what it all means

Katherine Drabiak, University of South Florida

We have a birds eye view of two long tables where 14 people are seated and reviewing ballots
Doctors are preoccupied with threats of criminal charges in states with abortion bans, putting patients’ lives at risk

Sophie Bjork-James, Vanderbilt University; Anna-Grace Lilly, University of Toledo, and Isabelle Perry Newman, University of Virginia

Female nurse taking notes and talking to a pregnant woman in a hospital bed.
Read more about reproductive health care

COVID-19

A wall painted with hearts of varying sizes, with a person leaning against it, looking forlorn.

5 years on, true counts of COVID-19 deaths remain elusive − and research is hobbled by lack of data

Dylan Thomas Doyle, University of Colorado Boulder

5 years of COVID-19 underscore value of coordinated efforts to manage disease – while CDC, NIH and WHO face threats to their ability to respond to a crisis

Katherine A. Foss, Middle Tennessee State University

Inside a white tent, doctors wearing masks test a patient for COVID-19.
5 ways schools have shifted in 5 years since COVID-19

Rachel Besharat Mann, Wesleyan University and Gravity Goldberg, Wesleyan University

Four green pop up tents are arranged in a classroom with students seated inside them.
COVID-19 is the latest epidemic to show biomedical breakthroughs aren’t enough to eliminate a disease

Powel H. Kazanjian, University of Michigan

person enters city pharmacy advertising COVID-19 vaccinations
Is it COVID-19? Flu? At-home rapid tests could help you and your doctor decide on a treatment plan

Julie Sullivan, Emory University and Wilbur Lam, Georgia Institute of Technology

Plastic rapid test with COVID-19 and Flu A+B testing strips
Read more about COVID-19

Caregiving

Medicare Advantage is covering more and more Americans − some because they don’t get to choose

Grace McCormack, University of Southern California and Victoria Shier, University of Southern California

A domed building topped with a gold figure. Flags fly at half staff on pole near the dome.
Shaken baby syndrome can cause permanent brain damage, long-term disabilities or death – a pediatrician examines the preventable tragedy

Lori Frasier, Penn State

A brown-eyed infant with a downturned mouth and a sad look.
How the hidden epidemic of violence against nurses affects health care

Jason Blomquist, Boise State University

Health care worker in blue scrubs standing by the window, arms crossed, rubbing their eyes
Stroke survivors may be saddled with an invisible disability known as spatial neglect – but a simple treatment offers significant improvement

A.M. Barrett, UMass Chan Medical School and Kevin Houston, UMass Chan Medical School

An elderly woman holding on to a cane looks out a window.

Mental health

Girl clutches teddy bear at school desk

Schools and communities can help children bounce back after distressing disasters like the LA wildfires

Rita V. Burke, University of Southern California and Santina Contreras, University of Southern California

Being alone has its benefits − a psychologist flips the script on the ‘loneliness epidemic’

Virginia Thomas, Middlebury

With his back to the camera, a young man sits on a wooden bench looking at trees and greenery.
Just having a pet doesn’t help mental health – but pet-owners with secure relationships with their pets are less depressed

Brian N. Chin, Trinity College

Person holding cat tucked against chest and chin
Decluttering can be stressful − a clinical psychologist explains how personal values can make it easier

Mary E. Dozier, Mississippi State University

Senior couple organizing items in home attic
Happiness in poorer countries does not follow the typical U-shaped curve − people are often happiest in middle age

Michael Gurven, University of California, Santa Barbara

yellow cushions with smiley faces are stacked on top of each other, with a few kiss faces on top
Read more about mental health

Mind and body

Close-up of hand holding glass of whiskey against black background

Alcohol causes cancer, and less than 1 drink can increase your risk − a cancer biologist explains how

Pranoti Mandrekar, UMass Chan Medical School

Measles cases are on the rise − here’s how to make sure you’re protected

Daniel Pastula, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Green glove holding a vial of MMR vaccine and syringe
Doctor shortages have hobbled health care for decades − and the trend could be worsening

Rochelle Walensky, Harvard Kennedy School and Nicole McCann, Boston University

Computer monitor displaying vital signs and other patient information.
Simple strategies can boost vaccination rates for adults over 65 − new study

Laurie Archbald-Pannone, University of Virginia

Cropped image of health care worker in white gloves administering a COVID vaccine into the arm of an older adult
Why does it hurt when you get a scrape? A neuroscientist explains the science of pain

Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, University of Florida

Girl holds her knee and cries after falling off bike.
Read more about the mind and body connection

Technology in health care

Are you one of the millions about to have cataract surgery? Here’s what ophthalmologists say you need to know

Allan Steigleman, University of Florida and Elizabeth M. Hofmeister, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

A close-up photograph of a green eye.
Several companies are testing brain implants – why is there so much attention swirling around Neuralink? Two professors unpack the ethical issues

Nancy S. Jecker, University of Washington and Andrew Ko, University of Washington

Brightly colored threads in the outline of a brain shape float against a dark background with constellation-like patterns.
A blood test that screens for multiple cancers at once promises to boost early detection

Colin Pritchard, University of Washington

Gloved hand holding a tube of blood
For millions of Americans, high-speed internet is unavailable or unaffordable − a telecommunications expert explains how to bring broadband to the places that need it the most

Christopher Ali, Penn State

A truck moves past a farm as it drives down a gravel road in a rural area.
Read more about technology in health care

Research insights

Americans die earlier at all wealth levels, even if wealth buys more years of life in the US than in Europe

Sara Machado, Brown University and Irene N. Papanicolas, Brown University

A glass of green juice sitting on a napkin that reads 'The greatest wealth is health.'
Providing farmworkers with health insurance is worth it for their employers − new research

John Lowrey, Northeastern University; Timothy Richards, Arizona State University, and Zachariah Rutledge, Michigan State University

Farmworkers pick crops in a field on a sunny day.
Animal tranquilizers found in illegal opioids may suppress the lifesaving medication naloxone − and cause more overdose deaths

C. Michael White, University of Connecticut

A billboard depicting a naloxone nasal spray device.
‘Everyday discrimination’ linked to increased anxiety and depression across all groups of Americans

Monica Wang, Boston University

With a group of people in the background, a worried-looking, dejected man faces the camera.
Read more health research