Dietary supplement companies are pushing to expand the types of ingredients they can use in their products. The Food and Drug Administration is holding a meeting Friday to discuss the issue. The changes sought by the industry could open the door to more supplements containing peptides, probiotics and other trendy wellness ingredients. Companies want the FDA to broaden its definition of a dietary ingredient to substances that aren't found in foods. The meeting follows vows from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to "end the war at FDA" on dietary supplements and other popular wellness products.
The term “NIMBY” — or not-in-my-backyard — is usually considered a pejorative, but some San Mateo residents embraced the description at a community meeting on Tuesday, making claims that the clients of a proposed treatment facility would ruin the surrounding neighborhood and increase crime.
Use of blockbuster anti-obesity drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound is growing, with about 1 in 8 adults in the U.S. saying they currently take the medications. But experts say the drugs alone aren't the answer. It takes lifestyle changes, too, including a healthy diet, physical exercise, adequate sleep and stress management to reap the biggest benefits from GLP-1s. The clinical trials of the drugs included structured lifestyle changes, which are advised along with every prescription. Experts say users should eat protein, drink water and exercise for about an hour each day.
Allergy season is upon us, bringing with it runny noses, itchy eyes and sneezing. Climate change is leading to longer and more intense allergy seasons. The good news is that treatments for seasonal allergies have become more effective in recent years. Pollen trackers, like the one maintained by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, can help people limit exposure. Experts also recommend masks, over-the-counter medications and talking to a doctor if symptoms start impacting sleep, school or work.
Allergy season is here earlier than expected in the U.S. Keeping track of pollen levels and using nasal sprays and antihistamines can help people manage their symptoms. But if all those things don't work, it's time to get to a doctor who can test what specific type of pollen is causing the issue.
Health care workers at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California and Hawaii voted to ratify a new contract last week, ending a long-running labor dispute at the popular hospital chain.
In the Trump administration's campaign to promote healthy eating, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has not stopped at his slogan urging people to "eat real food" to prevent disease.
A new KFF survey shows many Americans who had Affordable Care Act marketplace health insurance last year are struggling with high health costs. The findings come three months after the expiration of enhanced tax credits that had offset most enrollees' monthly premiums. Thursday's poll of more than 1,000 of last year's ACA enrollees finds that more than half of those who re-enrolled are looking for ways to cut their spending. This includes cutting back on food and other household basics to afford health costs. One enrollee, 48-year-old Priscilla Brown in Florida, says she sometimes doesn't take her medicine for her Type 2 diabetes so that it will last longer. The poll also finds that 1 in 10 of last year's ACA enrollees dropped health insurance entirely.
Just a week after the state awarded $25 million for a new behavioral health facility in San Mateo, some county supervisors are yanking their support after a barrage of resident complaints over potential increases in crime, worsening congestion and a degradation of the neighborhood and downto…
About 2,400 Kaiser Permanente mental health workers are striking in Northern California over fears the company will replace therapists with artificial intelligence. The National Union of Healthcare Workers was joined in its one-day strike Wednesday by 23,000 Kaiser nurses. Oakland-based Kaiser says the AI claim is false and AI will not replace human assessments. Workers say Kaiser does not currently use AI for therapy but fear the technology will become good enough to make it an attractive option. Kaiser says it has hired more mental health staff and sees AI as a way to support patient care.
Climbing stairs has been increasingly ingrained in exercise guidance, but it can sometimes be hard to find a place to do it. Many people who do it regularly say office tower managers commonly cut off stairwell access, sometimes out of fear of being held liable if someone trips or slips on a staircase. But stair enthusiasts find their own ways to take their exercise to another level. Taking the stairs every day can add up, meaning you can improve your health even if you can't go for a run or do a 30-minute workout.
CalMatters reports that California's $6.4 billion mental health bond has not opened any of its first projects, even as Gov. Gavin Newsom says it is beating its goals. The state has missed its target for 10 early projects. Nine are delayed and one was canceled. New completion dates stretch from this summer into 2028. Officials blame tariffs, supply chain strain and labor shortages. The delays mean people with mental illness are still waiting for new inpatient beds, outpatient slots and housing. The bond was a cornerstone of Newsom's plan to help Californians living on the streets with mental illness.
The Food and Drug Administation is approving a generic drug for a very rare genetic disorder, but not for autism. On Tuesday, the U.S. agency said the drug helps children and adults who cannot get enough folate into the brain. That's a major turnaround from announcements made at a White House news conference in September. At that event, President Donald Trump and the FDA commissioner said the drug was under review for approval in patients with autism. FDA officials say they narrowed the review to the strongest evidence. They say that evidence supports use only in patients with a specific genetic mutation.
Doctors often advise exercising your brain to stay sharp but stretching your brain might be the better description. Research increasingly shows a variety of habits and hobbies offer a helpful cognitive workout. One recent study linked lifelong learning — things like reading, learning another language, playing chess — to slower cognitive decline, even postponing Alzheimer's for a few years. It's not proof. But experts say lifestyle changes that also include physical exercise, controlling blood pressure, good sleep and even a shingles vaccination offer a chance at slowing deterioration as we get older.
Serious medical and mental health emergencies have been routine at the nation's largest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility since its opening in August. Data from more than a hundred 911 calls at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, along with interviews and court filings, offer a disturbing portrait of overcrowding, medical neglect, malnutrition and emotional distress. Current and former detainees say they struggle to obtain health care as disease spreads, lose weight because of a lack of food, and fear security guards known to use force to put down disturbances. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson rejected claims of subprime conditions, saying Camp East Montana detainees receive food, water and medical treatment in a facility that is regularly cleaned.
The emergency calls from a Texas immigration detention center included repeated suicide attempts by detainees, seizures, injuries from fights and a pregnant woman in pain. Data from more than a hundred 911 calls, interviews with detainees and court filings offer a portrait of overcrowding, m…
Losing an hour of sleep as daylight saving time kicks in can do more than leave you tired and cranky the next day — it also could harm your health. Darker mornings and more evening sun together knock out of whack a body clock that regulates when we're drowsy and when we're alert. Studies even show an uptick in heart attacks and strokes in the first few days after the spring time change. Getting more morning light can help reset your circadian rhythm and get sleep that's vital for good health.
California street doctors warn that new federal Medi-Cal rules put many unhoused people at risk of losing health coverage. The law starts in 2027 and adds an 80-hour monthly work rule for many adults. It also forces eligibility checks every six months. Meeting those requirements will be particularly challenging for the state's roughly 180,000 homeless people. They often have no phones or internet to complete a job application. State officials estimate up to 2 million people will lose coverage. Exemptions exist for disability, mental illness, and addiction. But patients need doctors to certify them. Many cannot. California plans automated checks, but gaps remain.
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte is set to receive another $500,000 in emergency funds by the Sequoia Healthcare District, bringing a total of $1 million in local support to the Redwood City health center following federal funding cuts.
The five cities across the world where residents live the longest, healthiest lives share several common denominators — most importantly, the ease with which residents are able to make health-conscious decisions.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened to take mental health funding from counties he says are falling short on CARE Court. On Monday, Newsom named 10 counties he called underperformers, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orange. He says he can shift money to counties he believes use the program better. CARE Court started in 2023 and uses judges to push people with severe mental illness into treatment. CalMatters reports the program serves far fewer people than expected. The state has received 3,817 petitions and judges have approved 893 agreements. Some counties dispute Newsom's claims and have asked for clearer measures.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Social media is filled with influencers rating electrolyte supplements or even telling followers how to make their own. But experts say many of the claims about the health benefits of these drinks need to be taken with a grain of salt.
California health departments are fighting to contain measles outbreaks as cases rise and resources shrink. Investigating communicable diseases is time-intensive and expensive. Officials say teams have about 72 hours after a positive case to find exposed people and stop spread. Nurses trace contacts, order quarantine, or give post-exposure medicine. They then monitor people for 21 days. Experts say measles spreads fast and hangs in the air for hours. California has high vaccination rates overall, but unvaccinated pockets drive outbreaks. The outbreaks are occurring as local health departments also face major funding cuts and staffing losses.
Tech companies are pushing new health chatbots, but experts say you still need to talk to your doctor. OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Health, and Anthropic has added similar health features for some Claude users. The companies say the bots can review health records and app data to explain medical results and trends. Doctors say they can beat a basic Google search — if users provide more context. But experts warn you should skip AI for emergency symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or severe headaches. Experts also warn about privacy. Anything shared with an AI company isn't protected by the privacy laws that normally governs sensitive medical information.
A new dental clinic improving access to dental care for residents who are uninsured or underinsured opened in Redwood City through a collaboration of the Ravenswood Family Health Network and the Sequoia Healthcare District.
Instagram will start alerting parents if their kids repeatedly search for terms clearly associated with suicide or self-harm. The alerts will only go to parents who are enrolled in Instagram's parental supervision program. Instagram says it already blocks such content from showing up in teen accounts' search results and directs people to helplines instead. The announcement Thursday comes as Meta faces two trials over harms to children. A trial underway in Los Angeles questions whether Meta's platforms deliberately addict and harm children. Another, in New Mexico, seeks to determine whether Meta failed to protect children from sexual exploitation on its platforms.
Wellness influencer and entrepreneur Dr. Casey Means shared a vision for addressing the root causes of chronic disease instead of what she calls "reactive sick care" during her confirmation hearing to become the next surgeon general. Wednesday's hearing in the Senate health committee was rescheduled from October, when Means went into labor the day she was set to appear. Means' message that dietary and lifestyle changes are needed to heal an ill and struggling nation aligns closely with that of her ally Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. But she also faced tough questions about topics that have become divisive in recent years, such as vaccines and hormonal birth control, as well as about her qualifications for the job.
Watch live as Wellness influencer and entrepreneur Dr. Casey Means is set to appear before the Senate health committee as she seeks approval to be U.S. surgeon general.
Vice President JD Vance has announced that the Trump administration would "temporarily halt" some Medicaid funding to the state of Minnesota over fraud concerns, as part of what he described as an aggressive crackdown on misuse of public funds. Vance, who made the announcement Wednesday with Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the administration was taking the action "in order to ensure that the state of Minnesota takes its obligations seriously to be good stewards of the American people's tax money." Wednesday's move is part of a larger Trump administration effort to spotlight fraud around the country.
Vice President JD Vance announces Wednesday that the Trump administration will “temporarily halt” some Medicaid funding to the state of Minnesota over fraud concerns, as part of what he described as an aggressive crackdown on misuse of public funds.
As federal nutrition guidance shifts, American kitchens are changing with it. Home cooks are relying less on strict food rules and more on familiar meals they know will work, repeating dishes instead of chasing idealized eating plans.
NEW YORK — Once considered an oddity in American homes, bidets are becoming increasingly common as more people seek a hygienic and sustainable alternative to toilet paper or a hand managing certain physical conditions.
The Food and Drug Administration is proposing a system for approving customized drugs and medical treatments for patients with rare or hard-to-treat diseases. The pathway laid out Monday is aimed to approving one-of-a-kind therapies, including those using emerging gene-editing technology. It's a shift long sought by patients, advocates and researchers focused on rare diseases, which often do not fit within the pharmaceutical industry's business model. For many rare diseases, drug companies have had little financial incentive to develop new treatments. The FDA proposal, if finalized, would codify a path for drugmakers and researchers to study and commercialize treatments without conducting large, expensive clinical trials.
More than 60 million women in the U.S. live with cardiovascular disease. And despite the myth that heart attacks mostly strike men, women are vulnerable too. About 37,000 women die from heart attacks each year. Doctors say there are ways to reduce your risk such as eating right, exercising and controlling blood pressure. And they urge women to learn the symptoms of heart attacks, which can be more subtle for them and go beyond chest pain or pressure. If these symptoms strike, call an ambulance. Doctors say any delays in getting the right care could be harmful.
An estimated 31,000 registered nurses and other front-line Kaiser Permanente health care workers will return to work on Tuesday after a four-week strike in California and Hawaii to demand better wages and staffing. The union said in a statement Monday that "significant movement at the bargaining table" prompted an end to the walkout. There are no details about what progress was made during negotiations or what a potential deal might look like. Kaiser Permanente officials didn't immediately comment on the union's announcement.
For years, social media companies have disputed allegations that they harm children's mental health through the way they design their platforms, deliberately addicting kids and failing to protect them from sexual predators and dangerous content. Now, these tech giants are getting a chance to make their case in courtrooms around the country, including before a jury for the first time. Some of the biggest players from Meta to TikTok are facing federal and state trials that seek to hold them responsible for harming children's mental health
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved funding to support eight new public safety positions focused on domestic violence, human trafficking and survivor support.
Here’s a puzzle: A 2024 study found nearly 70% of Americans say they’ve reduced their red meat consumption in the past year, but only 11% qualify as flexitarian, per a December 2024 survey. So what’s going on? Are Americans eating less meat or not?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reshaping U.S. health policy as HHS secretary, and doctors say his changes are eroding trust. Survey results show Americans' confidence keeps sliding, not rising. Kennedy has cut vaccine guidance, dismissed advisers and pushed claims medical groups call unverified. Doctors warn this confusion leads people to skip shots. They say that raises the risk of outbreaks. Polls from KFF and Gallup show trust in the CDC falling across groups. HHS says Kennedy is adding transparency and accountability. Critics say he is doing the opposite.
The need to move a loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility often comes suddenly — after a fall, a medical crisis or the loss of a caregiver. Experts say knowing what to look for can make a critical difference. Federal data and star ratings can help rule out the worst nursing homes, but they shouldn't be the only guide. Experts on long-term care say staffing levels are the most important factor. They say visiting facilities at night or on weekends is key to getting a complete picture. They recommend looking beyond a nice lobby to see if there are odors, call bells ringing nonstop or employees speaking disrepecfully to residents.
California is updating CalEnviroScreen, the tool used to allocate cleanup funds to polluted communities. The update adds indicators like diabetes prevalence and small air toxic sites. Officials say they're listening more to communities, but critics argue the tool still misses some areas. The update involves collaboration with eight community organizations. Officials plan to gather feedback through public meetings this month and expect a final version in the summer. Critics want more indicators and question the tool's design. Advocates emphasize the need for the tool to drive real change, not just funding.
U.S. births slightly decreased in 2025. That's according to new provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It reports just over 3.6 million births, about 24,000 fewer than in 2024. This decline aligns with expert predictions that the 2024 increase wouldn't start an upward trend. The CDC updated its data last week, covering nearly all of the babies born in 2025. Final numbers may add only a few thousand more. Despite efforts to encourage births, like expanding in vitro fertilization access, the fertility rate has been declining. Economic conditions and uncertainty continue to impact childbearing decisions.
The Trump administration is set to launch TrumpRx, a website to help patients buy prescription drugs directly from manufacturers at discounted rates. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday's expected unveiling in a social media post. The website is not a purchasing platform but directs users to drugmakers' own sites. President Trump first mentioned TrumpRx in September, highlighting deals with pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices. The website's release faced delays, but it now showcases efforts to reduce costs through agreements with major companies like Pfizer and AstraZeneca. However, the actual savings for consumers remain unclear.
Watch live as President Donald Trump’s administration launches TrumpRx, a website it says will help patients buy prescription drugs directly from manufacturers at a discounted rate.
The roughly 40 million Americans who get drinking water from wells are at particular risk when harmful forever chemicals contaminate the supply. Odorless and colorless, the chemicals known collectively as PFAS are linked to increased risk of certain cancers. While water from a utility will be forced to meet federal PFAS limits, those limits won't apply to private wells. And well owners are often the last to learn about contamination. At least 20 states don't test private wells beyond areas where PFAS problems are suspected. When a well is tainted, it can take homeowners years to find a new source of clean water.
The county is bracing for significant financial strain on its safety net programs over the next few years, as federal cuts and more administrative requirements begin to take effect.
Meals and snacks with "GLP-1 Friendly" labels on the packaging are becoming more common as a growing number of Americans try obesity drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound to lose weight. Nestle and Conagra have put the labels on some of their frozen meals. Food chains like Smoothie King and Chipotle are introducing menu items targeting GLP-1 users. Dietitians say the nutritional needs of people taking the medications aren't that different from the general population's. They need to get enough protein to maintain muscle mass as they lose weight. Fiber is important to prevent constipation. Dietitians recommend reading food labels carefully. Some products marketed to GLP-1 users contain high amounts of saturated fat and sodium.
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