Only a Third of U.S. Kids Have Gotten Flu Shots

Despite a record number of American children dying from the flu last year, the percentage of kids getting their flu shots keeps falling.

In new data posted this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 37% of kids had received the vaccine as of Nov. 30 -- down from 43% at the same time last year.

This decline...

Mystery Illness Outbreak in Congo May Be Malaria

There's early evidence that a mysterious flu-like illness that has sickened 416 people and left 75 dead in the Democratic Republic of Congo over recent weeks may be malaria.

Laboratory samples taken from infected people are suggestive of malaria, although more research is needed to confirm that, health officials said.

“Of the 1...

FDA Asks Biden Administration to Limit Nicotine in Tobacco Products

In what appears to be a last-ditch effort to limit the harms of smoking before its term ends, the Biden administration has proposed a rule that would significantly lower the amount of nicotine in tobacco products.

The agency's efforts to counter the dangers of the addictive chemical stretch back to 2018, when it first proposed the idea. T...

Blood Test Might Help Doctors Spot Multiple Diseases

A blood draw is a typical part of a person's regular check-up.

But that blood sample might hold a lot more useful information about a person’s health than doctors are currently getting.

A new study shows that a routine part of a blood test called the complete blood count (CBC) could be used to help doctors identify or predict m...

Blood Pressure Ups & Downs May Harm Seniors' Thinking

Keeping your blood pressure in check is important for more than just heart health -- it can also keep your brain sharp as you age.

A new study published Dec. 11 in the journal Neurology shows that seniors whose blood pressure spikes and drops over time might be more likely to suffer a decline in their thinking and memory skills.

Unhealthy, Ultra-processed Foods Now Half of Calories Americans Eat at Home

Unhealthy ultra-processed foods have wormed their way into American kitchens, likely harming people's health for decades, a new study warns.

More than half of the calories adults eat at home now come from ultra-processed foods, which contain high levels of sugar, salt, fat and other additives, and have been linked to heart disease, obesity...