California will start selling low-cost insulin Jan. 1, nearly three years after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a plan to make lifesaving medications more affordable for folks with diabetes. The state’s insulin — sold under the brand name CalRx — will be available at a recommended price of $11 per pen, or $55 for a five-pack.… read on > read on >
An opportunistic bacterial infection that causes deadly diarrhea is more likely to kill white patients than Black or Hispanic people, a new study says. About 84% of deaths caused by Clostridioides difficile infections occur among white people, researchers reported in Atlanta Sunday at IDWeek, the joint annual meeting of America’s top infectious disease professional societies.… read on > read on >
Babies can be safely administered antibody protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) after birth even if their moms had RSV vaccination while pregnant, a new study says. An antibody shot called nirsevimab (Beyfortus) is available after delivery to provide babies with protection against RSV, a respiratory infection that is the most common cause of hospitalization… read on > read on >
Some young children are virtual shut-ins, rarely leaving their homes to play, a new poll shows. About 1 in 10 preschoolers and toddlers go outside to play once a week or less, according to results from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. Playing outside has been shown… read on > read on >
The shingles vaccine does more than just protect middle-aged folks and seniors against maddening rashes, a new study says. The vaccine also lowers their risk of heart disease, dementia and death, researchers reported in Atlanta Sunday at IDWeek, the joint annual meeting of America’s top infectious disease professional societies. According to the new study, adults… read on > read on >
A new AI-driven bite counter is in development to help counter childhood obesity – potentially even tracking kids while they eat and urging them to slow down. The faster a child takes bites during a meal or snack, the greater their risk for developing obesity, researchers say. But studying different ways to help kids slow… read on > read on >
Mental health distress is rising among America’s LGBTQ+ teenagers and young adults as they’ve increasingly become targets of discrimination and cruelty, a new report says. Anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts all rose among young LGBTQ+ people between September 2023 and March 2025, according to data gathered by The Trevor Project, a leading suicide prevention and… read on > read on >
For older adults, friendship might be the best medicine. Researchers say that doing small favors for close friends — like offering a ride or lending a hand — can boost happiness and give people a greater sense of purpose. A University of Michigan study found that older adults who provide practical help to close friends… read on > read on >
Trick-or-treating is one of Halloween’s favorite traditions, but the excitement of the night can quickly lead to injuries if families aren’t careful. Each year, about 3,200 Halloween-related injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. And research in JAMA Pediatrics shows that children are more likely to be… read on > read on >
Florida wildlife officials have confirmed the state’s second case of a deadly and highly contagious infection known as “zombie deer disease” in a wild deer. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected in a young white-tailed doe found dead after being hit by a vehicle in Holmes County, near the Alabama border, state officials said. Florida’s… read on > read on >
