Dr. Helen Chu gained attention early in the COVID-19 pandemic as her repurposed flu research project identified the first case of coronavirus spreading person-to-person in the United States.
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Guns kill more US children than other causes, but state policies can help, study finds
More American children and teens die from firearms than any other cause, but there are more deaths — and wider racial disparities — in states with more permissive gun policies, according to a new study.
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RFK Jr’s shakeup of vaccine advisory committee raises worries about scientific integrity of health recommendations
Public health experts decried the Kennedy’s action, pointing to his promise not to change the committee and warning that the move politicizes its work and undermines its scientific integrity.
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Wearable fitness trackers can make you seven times more likely to stick to your workouts – new research
Using wearables (such as a smartwatch) not only makes people more likely to start working out, they’re also seven times more likely to still be active after six months compared to those who didn’t use a smartwatch.
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The leading risk factor for cancer isn’t what you think
If you were to ask most people what causes cancer, the answer would probably be smoking, alcohol, the sun, hair dye or some other avoidable element. But the most important risk factor for cancer is something else: aging.
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Washington sees 25-fold increase in whooping cough cases in 2024 compared to previous year
Washington state experienced a dramatic surge in whooping cough cases in 2024, with 2,261 confirmed and probable cases reported – a staggering 25-fold increase from 87 cases recorded in 2023.
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Measles cases are in 34 states with North Dakota now the focus
As super-contagious measles continues to spread and nears a six-year U.S. record, cases in its original epicenter of West Texas may be subsiding as hesitant residents become more concerned and willing to vaccinate, while North Dakota is a new focus with the highest rate of any state.
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‘Expensive and complicated’: Most rural hospitals no longer deliver babies
Nationwide, most rural hospitals no longer offer obstetric services. Since the end of 2020, more than 100 rural hospitals have stopped delivering babies. Fewer than 1,000 rural hospitals nationwide still have labor and delivery services.
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US health care is rife with high costs and deep inequities, and that’s no accident
A public health historian explains how the system was shaped to serve profit and politicians
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Japanese walking: the benefits of this fitness trend
A fitness trend known as Japanese walking is capturing attention online, promising major health benefits with minimal equipment and time.
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Why won’t my cough go away?
Sometimes, a cough that won’t go away could be the sign of a serious condition. Fortunately, these aren’t common.
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Get ready for wildfire smoke season: Smoke Ready Week starts Monday
Forecasts show higher-than-normal wildfire risk across Washington this summer
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Gluten intolerance and coeliac disease can both cause nausea, bloating and pain. What’s the difference?
While gluten intolerance and coeliac disease share many similar symptoms, one can cause intestinal damage and malnutrition. So, what’s the difference?
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‘Big Beautiful Bill’ dings states that offer health care to some immigrants here legally
The Republican budget bill the U.S. House approved last month includes a surprise for the 40 states that have expanded Medicaid: penalties for providing health care to some immigrants who are here legally.
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The Price of Remission
Revlimid is one of the bestselling pharmaceutical products of all time, with total sales of more than $100 billion. It has extended tens of thousands of lives — including my own.
But Revlimid is also, I soon learned, extraordinarily expensive, costing nearly $1,000 for each daily pill. (Although, I later discovered, a capsule costs just 25 cents to make.)
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