The Senate paved the way for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, voting 53-47 along party lines to advance his nomination.
Why it matters: Kennedy now has a clear path to confirmation later this week, despite bipartisan concerns about his record as a vaccine skeptic and other questions about past stances.
More than half of U.S. employees have chronic health conditions, and three-quarters of those workers have had to spend time managing their health on the job in the past year, a new Harvard poll found.
Why it matters: As policymakers focus more on chronic disease, employers can improve how they help employees who have chronic health issues like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and asthma — and there's a business case for doing so.
A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to restore scores of health agency webpages and datasets that went dark to comply with executive orders on diversity, equity and inclusion and gender identity.
The big picture: District Court Judge John Bates granted a request from Doctors for America for a temporary restraining order, saying the physicians' group showed "substantial likelihood of success" on its claims that Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration acted arbitrarily and capriciously in removing the webpages.
Some hospitals are bracing to be caught up in the Trump administration's DEI executive order, which could upend their efforts to recruit a health workforce reflective of the communities they serve.
Why it matters: Hospitals — and most of the health care sector writ large — have leaned into the belief that embracing diversity and inclusion can improve patient care, lead to better employee retention and ultimately make the health care system more equitable.
Select canned tuna products from grocers including Costco, Walmart, and Trader Joe's are being recalled due to potential botulism risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Monday.
Why it matters: Tri-Union Seafoods issued a voluntary recall on its canned tuna sold in multiple states, the FDA said, though no illnesses have been linked to the products thus far.
A New York City academic medical center is drawing unexpected fire from doctors, patients and others in health care for buying a pricey Super Bowl ad touting its services.
Why it matters: NYU Langone's ad comes amid heightened scrutiny of nonprofit hospitals, which don't pay federal income taxes, and as Americans' frustration with the broader health care system is cresting.
The luster is starting to wear off GLP-1 weight-loss drugs including Wegovy and Ozempic as more clinicians warn patients about side effects and other potential risks stemming from their surging demand.
Why it matters: Research showing the drugs not only work for obesity but could lower the risk of heart attacks, stroke, some cancers and even Alzheimer's disease has overshadowed the substantial cost and the fact that many patients can't stay on them.
American students are half a grade level behind pre-pandemic achievement levels in math and reading, according to an Education Recovery Scorecard report released on Tuesday.
Why it matters: No state showed improvements in both math and reading from 2019 to 2024, according to the Nation's Report Card — a national assessment of math and reading achievement.
