Gaza is vaccinating against polio. Is the virus a threat to the U.S.?

A campaign is ongoing to vaccinate children in Gaza after its first polio case in 25 years. The threat to the United States is only in communities with low vaccination levels.

By Mark JohnsonSeptember 12, 2024

Trump struggles to embrace ‘lousy’ Obamacare, calling again to replace it

The former president admits he has only “concepts of a plan” to replace the health law, after years of trying to do away with it.

By Dan DiamondSeptember 11, 2024

What Kamala Harris learned from embracing, abandoning Medicare-for-all

The vice president now believes that incremental change, not a sweeping overhaul, is the best path to improving U.S. health care.

By Dan DiamondSeptember 11, 2024

9/11 responders are getting dementia. They want the government to help.

Research shows 9/11 responders face higher rates of dementia and cognitive impairment.

By Dan HurleySeptember 11, 2024
Health BriefAnalysis

Abortion takes center stage at debate; déjà vu on Obamacare

The Washington Post’s essential guide to health policy news.

By Rachel RoubeinSeptember 11, 2024

Boar’s Head plant posed an ‘imminent threat’ years before listeria outbreak

Inspectors discovered rusted equipment, condensation dripping on the floor and green mold on the wall two years before a deadly nationwide listeria outbreak.

By Rachel RoubeinSeptember 10, 2024

Andrew Cuomo, once a covid star, grilled by Congress over pandemic missteps

Lawmakers berated the former New York governor over his 2020 order that forced the state’s nursing homes to readmit more than 9,000 covid-positive patients.

By Dan DiamondSeptember 10, 2024
Health BriefAnalysis

Harris and Trump are ready to take on Big Pharma

The track records of Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump on drug pricing suggest either ticket would take an aggressive approach to try to curb prescription drug costs.

By Stephanie Armour and Sabrina MalhiSeptember 10, 2024

Trump signals support for Biden plan to loosen marijuana restrictions

The former president suggests he wants to see marijuana reclassified as a Schedule III drug, the first time Trump has endorsed the easing of federal restrictions.

By David Ovalle and Patrick SvitekSeptember 9, 2024

Babesiosis, another disease spread by ticks, is on the rise

Babesiosis is on the rise and can be serious, especially for people who are immunocompromised.

By Kevin LoriaSeptember 9, 2024
Health BriefAnalysis

Mpox vaccines arrive in Congo

The Washington Post’s essential guide to health policy news.

By Fenit Nirappil and Sabrina MalhiSeptember 9, 2024
Well+BeingGuest column

For caregivers, a friend who ‘gets it’ can be a lifeline

Illness can be isolating, making caregiving that much harder. Just one person can change everything.

By Abby Alten SchwartzSeptember 8, 2024

Lecture playlist delves into the wide world of medical history

The National Library of Medicine offers a wide-ranging series of online lectures on the history of medicine as seen through the lens of the world’s largest biomedical library.

By Erin BlakemoreSeptember 8, 2024

Medical Mysteries: Her runny nose signaled something more serious

Doctors thought her constantly running nose was due to allergies or a virus. Eight years earlier, a relative had a similar problem that had an unfortunate ending.

By Sandra G. BoodmanSeptember 7, 2024

Only 61 percent of teens have been fully vaccinated against HPV

If used before HPV exposure, the completed vaccination series can protect against 92 percent of cancers associated with the virus.

By Ian McMahanSeptember 7, 2024

Bird flu explained: How it spreads, milk and egg safety and more

Here’s what to know about avian influenza, its symptoms and treatment, and its risk to humans and pets.

By Lindsey Bever, Annabelle Timsit, Rachel Roubein, Lena H. Sun and Victoria BissetSeptember 7, 2024

Bird flu detected in Missouri individual who is not a farm worker

This is the 14th human case of bird flu reported this year in the United States and the first without a known occupational exposure to infected animals.

By Lena H. SunSeptember 6, 2024

Scientists use food dye found in Doritos to make see-through mice

Food dye transformed the skin of mice into a living window revealing blood vessels, muscle fibers and gut contractions, according to a new study.

By Carolyn Y. JohnsonSeptember 5, 2024

Youth vaping on the decline, federal survey shows

Nearly 6 percent of U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes this year compared to last year’s 7.7 percent.

By Rachel Roubein and David OvalleSeptember 5, 2024
Health BriefAnalysis

FDA gives an early nod to psychedelic research

The Washington Post’s essential guide to health policy news.

By David Ovalle and McKenzie BeardSeptember 5, 2024