There's no question that breast milk is the gold standard for infant nutrition, but the pressure to exclusively breastfeed can be crushing for new mothers.
Why it matters: Pediatric nutrition experts are clear that infant formula is safe, and it's essential if breastfeeding comes at the health expense of the mom.
U.S. adults' stance on corporate activism has flip-flopped, according to a Wednesday Bentley University-Gallup report.
Why it matters: After years of decline in support, more Americans across demographics and political affiliations want businesses to take a public stance on hot-button topics including free speech, immigration policy, diversity, climate change and health care issues.
The Trump administration is decreasing funding for the development of mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines, which were crucial in the response to COVID-19.
Why it matters: mRNA vaccines are a public health tool to mitigating future pandemic-like situations, as researchers can move fast at a lower cost than other vaccine systems.
Almost 3 in 4 Americans support government public awareness campaigns to discourage smoking and efforts to track the effectiveness of the messages, according to an Ipsos poll.
Why it matters: This spring's sweeping layoffs at Health and Human Services eliminated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health, which was behind the "Tips From Former Smokers" ad campaign that's been credited with reducing premature deaths and the cost of treating smoking-related illness.
President Trump plans to levy a stepwise series of pharmaceutical tariffs that could reach 150% within a year and a half, then rise to 250%, he said in a wide-ranging interview on CNBC Tuesday.
Why it matters: It's the highest tariff rate the president has threatened the industry with to date while he also presses major manufacturers to commit to a "most-favored nation" pricing policy.
Concerns over Americans turning to AI chatbots to solve mental health problems are prompting new guardrails so people don't become too dependent on unvetted technology.
Why it matters: AI's booming popularity, the bots' reputation for delivering emotionally validating responses and a shortage of therapists are making more people turn to chatbot companions to talk through their problems.
Chikungunya virus outbreaks have prompted the CDC to issue travel alerts warning U.S. travelers of an "elevated risk" of exposure to the mosquito-borne illness in China and several other countries.
The big picture: Some 240,000 chikungunya cases have been reported in parts of Central and South America, Africa, the Indian Ocean region and Asia this year, including 90 deaths. Officials in Guangdong province, South China, have confirmed at least 7,000 illnesses since June.
I got attacked by a psychotic hornet this weekend, and my arm, neck and earlobe look ready to burst.
The backstory: I have, for as long as I can remember, been unusually comfortable with death. (I've got some funny stories about this). What I am not comfortable with — as you may remember from the last Finish Line column I wrote — is the idea of dying in a weird or embarrassing way.
Why it matters: Straws already broke the camel's backin July. "Death by hornet" would just be kicking the camel while it's down.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Tuesday that the government is pulling $500 million in funding to develop new mRNA vaccines in order to focus on "safer, broader vaccine platforms."
Why it matters: Among the 22 contracts the Trump administration said it is winding down is a Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority award to Moderna to develop a new line of defense against H5N1 bird flu.
Three people have died among 67 cases of Legionnaires' disease in a cluster that broke out in the central Harlem area of New York City, officials said Monday.
The big picture: People living and working in the area, which spans five zip codes, who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or having difficulty breathing should immediately contact a health care provider, the city's health department urged.
Justin Timberlake has put a spotlight on Lyme disease after revealing his diagnosis last week.
Why it matters: Especially during the most active tick season (April through October), it's important to be mindful of the tick-borne illness that — if left untreated — can lead to long-term neurological problems and body aches.
Linda Yaccarino has a new job in a vastly different industry weeks after her exit as CEO of X, Elon Musk's social discourse app.
Why it matters: Musk hired the former NBCUniversal ad boss as the first permanent CEO of the platform formerly known as Twitter after he acquired it in 2022.
More adults age 45 to 49 are being diagnosed with early-stage colorectal cancer — and that's actually a good sign, according to new research published in JAMA.
Why it matters: The uptick coincides with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force adopting a recommendation to start screening people with average risk for colorectal cancer at age 45, down from 50.
Divisions between the federal government and the medical establishment are deepening ahead of the respiratory virus season after the Trump administration purged at least 10 professional societies from federal working groups on vaccine policy.
Why it matters: The friction could lead to dueling vaccine recommendations that could add to confusion and distrust surrounding shots for COVID, flu and RSV.
Another reason to make that workout class every week: It could help you feel less lonely.
Why it matters: Routine meetups with others are one of the best ways to create and maintain healthy relationships, says Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a Brigham Young University psychology and neuroscience professor known for her social connection research.
