A CDC advisory committee recommended Wednesday the use of two respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for older adults.
Why it matters: An RSV vaccine could become available for the first time in the U.S. this fall, as up to 10,000 people 65 and older die from the disease each year.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America announced Wednesday it is suing the Biden administration over its signature measure to lower drug prices, calling it unconstitutional.
Why it matters: The move is an escalation in the pharmaceutical industry's battle against the law, which allows Medicare to negotiate prices on some drugs, and could be a hurdle for the provisions implementing lower drug prices from going into effect.
The nation's top health official plans to visit two Planned Parenthood clinics on opposite sides of the Missouri-Illinois border Friday morning to highlight the differences that have occurred in each state since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, an HHS spokesperson tells Axios.
Driving the news: HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra will first visit the Planned Parenthood clinic in Fairview Heights, Illinois, where abortions are still legal.
Abortion restrictions are forcing some medical residents to travel out-of-state to learn how to perform an abortion as a part of their medical training.
Why it matters: Some states tightened abortion restrictions and banned the procedure in response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, forcing both providers and patients to travel further distances for care and training.
If you're feeling stressed but can't fit in a stress-relieving workout today, you may literally need a hug.
Why it matters: Americans are stressed out. While exercise is a proven way to support mental health — which made evolutionary sense for our ancestors — it's not the only way to de-stress. There are other options we often overlook.
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Julie Rikelman, a renowned abortion rights lawyer, to serve as a judge in the Boston-based U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in a 51-43 vote.
Why it matters: Rikelman represented the abortion clinic in the Supreme Court's Dobbs case, which resulted in the overturning of Roe v. Wade nearly a year ago.
The New York State Legislature passed a bill Tuesday to protect abortion providers against litigation from states where the practice is banned.
Why it matters: The measure is in response to laws in Republican-led states like Texas, which bans most abortions early on in pregnancy and encourages private citizens to sue those believed to be involved in obtaining an abortion, per Axios' Oriana González.
Driving the news: Arkansas was the first state to prohibit doctors from providing gender-affirming treatments to transgender youth after overriding then- Gov. Asa Hutchinson's veto of the ban in 2021.
Most adults in the U.S. should be routinely screened for anxiety even if they don’t have symptoms, a national task force recommended Tuesday.
Why it matters: This is the first time the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a powerful group of health experts, issues a final recommendation for anxiety disorder screenings in adults ages 19 to 64.
A feud broke out on Twitter over the weekend between popular podcaster Joe Rogan and prominent vaccine researcher Peter Hotez, with the podcaster challenging the scientist to a debate about vaccinesin an online skirmish that drew fire from a few billionaires.
Why it matters: The incident — which ultimately resulted in individuals approaching the scientist outside his home — highlighted the potential risks for researchers and medical professionals using the platform, which saw a rise in hate speech after its acquisition by billionaire Elon Musk.
