SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " doctor " 1,961 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Trump withdraws Casey Means for surgeon general after nomination stalls
Trump also named his third pick for the role. doctor and Fox News contributor Nicole Saphier.
Can AI help doctors avoid missed diagnoses? A new study suggests yes
AI may help doctors avoid missed diagnoses, but it still needs real-world testing and human oversight before it can guide patient care.
States modernize PA practice laws to expand healthcare workforces
Kentucky, South Dakota and Iowa recently passed physician assistant practice and title modernization laws to quickly address rural healthcare shortages. But some doctors are raising patient safety concerns.
Research commissioner pitches EU to US scientists and investors
Research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva is just back from a two-day trip to San Francisco, where she pitched the EU as the place to be for US researchers looking to move and US venture capitalists looking to invest. A Commission spokesperson told Science|Business that Zaharieva used the trip to “promote Europe as a stable, rule-based and vibrant innovation destination.” She emphasised Europe’s excellent infrastructure and predictable funding, particularly through the European Research Council (ERC) and Europe Innovation Council.These are already proving tempting, with applications from US-based researchers to ERC and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) calls increasing substantially over the past few years. According to the Commission, the number of US-based applicants for the annual ERC Consolidator Grant call rose from 19 in 2025 to 64 in 2026, while US bids to the ERC Advanced Grant call rose from 23 in 2024 to 114 in 2025. Meanwhile, US applications to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships scheme rose from 352 in 2024 to 998 in 2025.Pressure on US scientists to seek alternative employment has increased since Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Jobs at federal science agencies have been slashed, funding cut in some research areas and international scientific partnerships turned upside down. He has also made unprecedented attempts to control university affairs.During her trip, Zaharieva made a point of highlighting the protection of academic freedom in Europe, “especially in areas like climate change, renewable energy, and health, where US funding has faced cuts,” the spokesperson said.She also underlined the EU’s “attractive long-term career opportunities and relocation support for top researchers from anywhere in the world,” especially through its new Choose Europe for Science initiative.“Transatlantic cooperation remains essential to tackle global challenges while safeguarding shared values such as academic freedom and openness,” Zaharieva wrote on social media ahead of her visit.Related articlesERC walks back stricter resubmission rules for 2027Don’t feel guilty about poaching scientists fleeing Trump, US science body tells EuropeHer itinerary took in Stanford University’s business school and school of medicine, where topics for discussion included entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary collaboration. She also met with venture capital firms, including Playground Global, Forgepoint Capital and Akkadian Venture Capital, as well as the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the largest public pension fund in the US.Other meetings included Jensen Huang, the chief executive of AI chip manufacturer Nvidia, and local business associations such as the Bay Area Council and EuroCham. European delegations in the area also received visits, including Advantage Austria and France’s La French Tech, and the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco.
Health care remains under attack 10 years after key UN resolution
Attacks on health workers and facilities deprive people of critical medical care.
Healthiest Way To Cook Protein For Your Heart, According To A Cardiologist
In TODAY.com's Expert Tip of the Day, a heart doctor shares how she prepares fish or chicken for the most health benefits.
FAMU doctoral candidate is among record number of public health grads
Sandy Noel-Jones is one of eight public health doctoral candidates making history at FAMU, the largest cohort ever.
Reid Hoffman Thinks Doctors Should Ask AI for a Second Opinion
The LinkedIn cofounder now has an AI drug discovery startup—and thinks not asking chatbots for medical advice is “bordering on committing malpractice.”
Congress must hold RFK Jr. accountable after hearings
Michael Burgess and Larry Bucshon, former Republican congressmen and doctors, weigh in on RFK Jr.’s recent congressional hearings.
Scientists Reveal Why Breast Cancer Risk Rises With Age
"With the most dramatic changes occurring at menopause."
Viewpoint: A career in science is possible, and worth it
Starting a career in science is exciting, but also demanding, with researchers often faced with intense competition, long working hours and high levels of stress. A pioneer in the field of mass spectrometry, Carol Robinson has been there. She speaks with Science|Business on the importance of creating a supportive environment, particularly for women.Robinson did not wake up one day thinking that she would become a scientist. It was only late in school that she developed an interest in chemistry. “The more you work at something, the more you think, actually, this is fascinating. So, I went much further and deeper than I ever needed to pass the exam. And then I loved it,” she says. “I thought, I’m going to give it my all. I’m going to enjoy it while I’m here. But I didn’t think this would be my career for 50 odd years.”She left school at 16 to become a lab technician with the drug company Pfizer, which is where she first worked with mass spectrometry. Fascinated, she was encouraged to take a part-time degree and then a PhD. She went on to do pioneering work in native mass spectrometry, a technique that is used to study protein structures in their natural state, paving the way for breakthroughs in drug discovery. She also broke new ground by becoming the first female professor of chemistry at the University of Cambridge, and then the first female professor of chemistry at the University of Oxford, her current home.She now wants to show young researchers that a career in science is worth it. “Sometimes, I believe the culture isn’t very encouraging, and that’s something I have worked on,” Robinson says.In 2021, she launched the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery at Oxford, whose acronym gives a sense of what she hopes it will achieve. “Maybe it is corny,” she says. “It’s just a reminder that I would like it if we could all be kind to each other and supportive, especially for early-career researchers of either gender, because there’s quite a big attrition rate in science, and maybe it just doesn’t feel like a very friendly place to work.”And yet, a career in science comes with a lot of flexibility. “There are few careers where you have that amount of freedom, to go to conferences, to the library. Just because you didn’t see me didn’t mean I wasn’t working,” she says. “And I’m excited to come in every day. So, I don’t want people to think it’s a terrible place.”Gender equality is also important when it comes to the quality of science as a career. “The more women we have, the better it becomes,” Robinson adds.Imposter syndromeAccording to EU data, women outnumber men in university education but account for just about a third of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem). And while the number of women working as scientists and engineers in the 27-member bloc is on the rise, their representation remains below that of men, at 41%. This discrepancy is even more pronounced in top-tier functions across these fields, where women fill just 20% of positions.Having supervised many young scientists, Robinson sees that women continue to have a greater propensity than men to doubt their abilities, a feeling she once shared. “When I was doing my PhD at the University at Cambridge, I really felt like an imposter,” she says. “I don’t think I ever felt I deserved to be there or owned it and was proud. I just thought I was lucky.” Later on, she adds, “I was always that person who said, I can’t apply yet because my CV is not strong enough.”She has now made it her job to encourage women to break with this imposter syndrome. For example, rather than calling for volunteers to give a lecture in the groups that she mentors or teaches, which nearly always results in men stepping forward, she goes straight to the women, “because I know they won’t push themselves forward.”But the gender gap in science is not just down to imposter syndrome. The “obvious” reason, Robinson says, and the reason that is on everybody’s mind when discussing workplace gender equality, is the balance between work and raising a family. Her own path was to choose between the two, taking an eight-year break after completing a postdoctoral training fellowship to bring up three children. And she continues to advise women not to work part-time while they raise a family. “You’ll just get half the pay and continue to work full-time because you are not able to fit everything in,” she says. “You should be able to have a family and come back to have the career that you want.”The solution is for men to also take career breaks. “That kind of evens it up, so that it’s not such a big thing for women,” Robinson says. “I always encourage men in my groups to do that. I think it’s important to take your share of the duties.”Support produces resultsAccording to the Women in Stem Network, a UK advocacy group, countries with strong childcare systems and equal pay policies retain more women in technical careers. In Europe, these are primarily found in the Nordic region and parts of central Europe.At the EU level, the European Commission asks all Horizon Europe applicant organisations to have a gender action plan in place. Since this criterion was introduced in 2021, the share of women leading consortia has increased to 31%, against 23% in Horizon 2020. Their overall participation, however, has risen just 1%, to 38%. After trying to weaken the requirement for gender action plans in 2025, the Commission now intends to adopt a plan for supporting women in research and innovation.Related articlesCommission scraps plan to water down gender requirements in HorizonHow gender balance can swing who wins Horizon Europe fundingRobinson herself has benefited from three Advanced Grants from the European Research Council. “I was extremely honoured and privileged to get those, because they really allowed me to fuel my passion,” she says. “Without that, it would have been a much harder slog.”Beyond applying gender rules, she says that more work is needed on translational enterprise, where women are, once again, largely underrepresented. The European Patent Office found that only 13.8% of applications were filed by women in 2022. “We have so many more women doing amazing science; why do they feel it’s not a thing to have a company?” she asks.She founded her own spin-out company, OMass Technologies, in 2016, and remains chair of its scientific advisory board now that it trades as OMass Therapeutics. As for research, Robinson is now studying how changes in the brain may be linked to depression, using port-mortem tissue. “We’re hoping to publish soon,” she says. “We had to consult with a lot of people who knew a lot more about the brain than we did. So, we’ve learnt a lot, and that’s always a lot of fun to learn a new thing. That’s what keeps you going.”
They Say Compassion Drains You. Science Disagrees
Research suggests it’s not compassion that wears doctors down but a different emotion — a distinction that may help them recharge more effectively.
SF State business school moves to UC Law’s Tenderloin academic village
The academic village that UC Law San Francisco is building at the edge of the Tenderloin is already home to future lawyers and doctors. Now aspiring business executives will be joining the mix.
7 Supplements You Shouldn't Take Together, According to Doctors
Certain vitamins and minerals don't always mix. Doctors reveal which supplement combinations to avoid and how to take them properly.
Will Doctors Follow the Science on Gender-Confused Kids?
The recent Finnish study is a scientific tour-de-force.
Germany: Merz hails 'historic' health care reform
The Cabinet has greenlit a health care draft law designed to lower insurance rates. The bill heads to parliament next, but doctors' associations and patient protection advocates say it amounts to austerity measures.
10 simple longevity hacks doctors and scientists use to stay healthy
Top longevity doctors, scientists, and investors share the simple, evidence-backed habits they use to stay healthy — from sleep and diet to exercise.
10 simple longevity hacks doctors and scientists use to stay healthy
Top longevity doctors, scientists, and investors share the simple, evidence-backed habits they use to stay healthy — from sleep and diet to exercise.
Australia becomes the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant milestone in the health of indigenous peoples and in global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, no longer represents a public health problem in the country.Australia is among a growing number of countries that have successfully eliminated trachoma, contributing to global progress towards the targets set out in the WHO road map for NTDs 2021–2030.Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and flies that carry eye and nose discharge. Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the eyelids, turning eyelashes inward, and ultimately causing blindness if untreated.“WHO congratulates Australia on this important achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This success reflects sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a focus on reaching populations most affected by health inequities. It brings us closer to a world free from the suffering caused by trachoma.”Australia’s journey to eliminationAustralia’s achievement reflects decades of targeted public health action, particularly in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where trachoma persisted despite its earlier disappearance from the rest of the country.National efforts intensified with the establishment of the National Trachoma Management Programme in 2006, which implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy: surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics to treat infection, promotion of facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement. Regular screening of all communities classified as at-risk of trachoma by teams of qualified health workers formed an important part of the Programme. Interventions were delivered through coordinated partnerships between federal and state governments, Aboriginal community-controlled health services, and local communities.Over time, sustained screening, treatment, and prevention activities, including improvements in housing, water, sanitation and hygiene, led to a steady decline in trachoma prevalence. Australia’s approach included adaptations to reflect its context, such as targeted treatment based on community-level data rather than mass drug administration, and strong integration with environmental health programmes.“Elimination of trachoma is a win for the eye health of communities across Australia, particularly those whose lives have been impacted by a disease that is entirely preventable,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Ageing, Australia. “This major milestone is thanks to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, community commitment and sustained investment over many decades.“The lessons from this work will inform how we approach other preventable health conditions in remote and regional Australia. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and local health workers have been central to this success, delivering culturally safe care and community-led solutions.”“This recognition from the World Health Organization reflects decades of work led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, alongside local health workers in remote First Nations communities,” said Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians. “Their work has been critical to eliminating trachoma as a public health problem in Australia.”Advancing global efforts against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)Trachoma is one of 21 diseases and disease groups that are regarded by WHO as NTDs. Together, NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, primarily in underserved populations with limited access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and health care.Australia’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem highlights the importance of sustained political commitment and cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing the underlying determinants of health. It also underscores the feasibility of eliminating trachoma even in geographically challenging settings.In addition to trachoma, Australia has several endemic NTDs, including Buruli ulcer, leprosy and scabies. Validation of elimination of trachoma as a public health problem marks the first time that WHO has confirmed the elimination of an NTD in Australia, which becomes the 63rd country globally and 16th in the Western Pacific Region to have eliminated at least one NTD.“Tackling neglected tropical diseases in the Western Pacific Region has long been a challenge for countries across the socioeconomic spectrum, given the complexities in reaching the most vulnerable communities, including in remote areas,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “As a doctor from Tonga, I’ve experienced these challenges for myself. But I also know that with strategic commitment underpinned by optimal resources and partnerships in health, success is possible as other countries in our region have also demonstrated. I commend Australia on eliminating trachoma as a public health problem and urge all involved to remain vigilant to ensure this status is maintained.”WHO continues to support countries working to eliminate trachoma and other NTDs, ensuring that progress reaches those most in need and that gains are sustained through strong surveillance, appropriately integrated into national health systems, and mainstreamed within the wider health sector and beyond.Editor’s notesNeglected tropical diseases and trachoma elimination effortsNeglected tropical diseases are associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences. Their burden is mainly felt among impoverished communities in tropical areas.Public health targets for the control, elimination and eradication of these conditions were set in the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240010352).In 1996, WHO launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET2020), creating a network of governments, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions dedicated to the fight against trachoma. WHO continues to support endemic countries to accelerate progress towards the global target of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem worldwide; 2030 is the new target date.Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is defined as: (i) a prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) “unknown to the health system” of < 0.2% in ≥15-year-olds; and (ii) a prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) in children aged 1–9 years of < 5%, in each formerly endemic district, plus (iii) the existence of a system to identify and manage incident cases of TT.Other countries validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem are: Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam.
Florida Delays Children's Health Insurance Expansion as Uninsured Rate Rises
By Daniel Chang and KFF Health News HealthDay ReportersTUESDAY, April 28, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Like many parents, Tatiana Lafortune wants her children to get a good education, eat nutritious food and see a doctor when they’re not feeling well. Public schools and her church’s pantry help Lafortune ...
A woman’s bug bite led to hives and a $6,700 ER bill
A bug bite and an allergic reaction ultimately sent a woman to the emergency room, where she had a couple of brief chats with a doctor and a dose of medicine.
How Northwell Health built a physician-led well-being strategy
Northwell Health has cut doctor burnout by 17% through physician-led change, local well-being efforts and systemwide action.
BlackDoctor Enters A New Era: How Akinwole “Aki” Garrett Is Redefining Digital Health For Black Americans
BlackDoctor’s new CEO, Akinwole 'Aki' Garrett, is transforming digital health media with a bold, 360-degree vision for Black health equity.
Guide to a healthy gut
Test your knowledge by taking our quiz — featuring advice from doctor’s new book.
South Carolina’s measles outbreak is over after sickening nearly 1,000 people
Although measles vaccine uptake was slow at first, public health workers, doctors’ offices and pharmacies administered nearly 82,000 doses from October to March.
Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic First Street welcomes family medicine specialist Dr. Chelsea Crouch
Dr. Chelsea Crouch, a doctor of osteopathic medicine specializing in family medicine, is thrilled to join the Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic First Street.
One Health Microbiome Center names next doctoral interns for industry program
Two Penn State doctoral students will spend eight weeks in Germany at the headquarters of global biotechnology company QIAGEN. This marks the third year of the program, a partnership between the One Health Microbiome Center and QIAGEN.
A doctor shares 5 tips for a healthy gut, including a cheap supplement
A doctor who specializes in gut health said most people can feel better in weeks by making simple diet changes like adding a cheap fiber supplement.
Patients say they want Alzheimer’s blood tests. Doctors aren’t sure they help.
A survey of nearly 600 adults found that 85% would get an Alzheimer's blood test if their doctor recommended it.
Patients taking weight-loss drugs often make 5 critical mistakes, doctor warns
Experts say GLP-1 drugs offer benefits beyond weight loss, but common mistakes like skipped labs and poor nutrition can undermine results or cause harm.
U.S. doctors warn of a potentially bad year for tick-borne diseases
Tick season seems to be off to a fast start, with an unusually high number of bites already reported across the country.
Atrium Health doctor sees increase in respiratory ER visits as Georgia wildfires burn
As wildfires rage across the state, spreading smoke and affecting air quality, a middle Georgia doctor is offering guidance on protecting your lungs.
Jermod McCoy says doctors that did surgery told him knee is healthy for NFL
Jermod McCoy said doctors told him his surgically-repaired knee is healthy and ready for the NFL, but he'll let the Raiders decide what's next.
Health care worker numbers rising in North Dakota
Doctors, physician's assistants and other categories have seen increases. Demand remains high, however.
This common habit could be quietly hurting men’s fertility, experts warn
Experts warn that cannabis use can negatively affect male fertility by lowering sperm count and quality, but the effects may be reversible over time.
AI may be approaching a new phase in healthcare, on two fronts
Artificial intelligence is becoming so user-friendly that doctors can code custom clinical workflow tools. But AI-driven vulnerability discovery is fast reshaping cybersecurity imperatives for IT leaders.
US health insurers advance measures to standardize prior authorization requirements
UnitedHealth and CVS Health said on Friday they have standardized data and submission requirements for more than half of their prior authorizations, as part of an industry effort to reduce delays and paperwork for patients and doctors.
The HPV vaccine isn’t just for women. Why it matters for boys and men, according to a doctor
Men who got the HPV vaccine had a 46% reduction in risk of developing HPV-related cancers, a new study says. Dr. Leana Wen advises boys and men to get the vaccine.
Are You Overdue for a Doctor's Visit? We'll Come to You!
Cone Health’s mobile medicine program brings primary care, heart health, women’s services, and cancer screenings directly to neighborhoods, removing barriers to care.
UT Health San Antonio physician identified as shooting victim
SAN ANTONIO - A doctor who was shot on Wednesday morning while walking his dog has been identified as 30-year-old Jonathan Desposorio.According to the San Anton
How Many Prunes Should I Eat for Constipation? A GI Doctor Explains
Prunes are an age-old remedy for constipation. Is it healthy to eat them every day? Experts discuss the potential benefits.
Doctor: Don't use fitness trackers, is obsessed with 1 health metric
Measuring our health data with wearable tech is more popular than ever. But a doctor said a lot of products make money from out health anxieties.
New issue: Mirrorlife | BBC Science Focus Magazine
Mirror life could end all life on Earth. That sounds dramatic, but senior biologists have raised the alarm about experiments happening all around the world. It sounds like something in a Doctor Who plot, but no – mirror life is a real possibility. So why do scientists want to create something that’s potentially apocalyptic? Well, it could also have huge benefits (think back to splitting the atom). The first thing to say, however, is that mirror organisms are still a little way away yet – but only decades, not centuries. So far, scientists have only made mirror molecules, one of life’s building blocks. What for? Life works because its building blocks fit together. Imagine drilling a screw into a piece of wood. The screw cuts a hole with a thread that snugly matches its own. If, for some reason, the Doctor showed up and handed you a mirror version of the screw, its thread would be in reverse. It wouldn’t twist into the hole you’d just made as the threads wouldn’t match. That said, the mirror screw would still work; you’d just have to create a mirror hole for it. Mirror molecules, including DNA, work a bit like that. They follow the same principles as the biology around us, but they’re entirely incompatible with traditional biological functions. In medical terms, this means they’re effectively invisible to your body’s systems. Our biology doesn’t have the tools to recognise these molecules and break them apart. And if someone took these mirror molecules and put them together to make a cell and then an organism… you’d have mirror life. But we don't have any way of breaking it down. If it escaped the lab, we’d just have to hope it didn’t have an appetite.
Four ECEE students earn major National Science Foundation research fellowships
Four students from the Department of Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering at CU Boulder have been recognized with 2026 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program awards. NSF GRFP recognizes and support outstanding grad students from across the country in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields who are pursuing research-based master’s or doctoral degrees.Awardees receive a $37,000 annual stipend and cost of education allowance for the next three years as well as professional development opportunities.Learn more about their research below
A seminar led to environmental research and dual degree
Julia Froese has spent her time at Carolina in labs, shadowing doctors, promoting health equity, singing and more.
iSchool Doctoral Students and Faculty Team Explore AI Use in Healthcare at KCHC
How does artificial intelligence (AI) impact how people take care of their health? On April 2-4, Florida State University (FSU) School of Information (iSchool) Ph.D. candidate Yuanying Pang addressed this question, representing her research team at the Kentucky Conference on Health Communication (KCHC) in Lexington, Kentucky. Their poster presentation, “Understanding How People Use Generative AI…
AI Startup Has Helped Reverse Thousands of Denied Health Insurance Claims
Americans rarely fight back when insurers reject treatments their doctors have prescribed. Claimable is working to change that, with a little help from Mark Cuban.
Dignity Health doctor addresses vaccine myths on National Infant Immunization Week
This week marks National Infant Immunization Week, a reminder for parents to check their children's shot records.
Public Health Certification: CPH, CDI and the new CPHN
Please join representatives from the National Board of Public Health Examiners as they summarize opportunities for certification in public health.
Wearable health tech might be Tim Cook’s greatest legacy
An Apple (Watch) a day might keep the doctor away.
Wearable health tech might be Tim Cook’s greatest legacy
An Apple (Watch) a day might keep the doctor away.
Black Gunk Found in Man's Lungs Exposes an Even Darker Side of Wildfire Smoke
The strange injury was caused by hours of inhaling thick smoke, his doctors say.
5 ways your doctor may be using AI chatbots — and why it matters
Millions of Americans are turning to AI chatbots for health answers. But are doctors using these tools? And if so, how?
The Death of Public Health
During the recent measles outbreak, the largest in more than 30 years, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. refused to clearly recommend the measles vaccine, saying instead that it was a “personal decision,” and that parents should “do their own research.” Similarly, during her recent confirmation hearing for United States Surgeon General, Casey Means was questioned by Senator William Cassidy (R, La). “You’re the nation’s doctor,” said Cassidy. “Would you encourage [a mother] to have her child vaccinated!” “I’m not an individual’s doctor,” Means said. “And every individual needs to talk to their doctor before putting a medication in their body.” In June 2025, Marty Makary, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said that COVID vaccines for pregnant women should be a “personal choice”, even though every other country in the world recommended the COVID vaccine during pregnancy due to a higher risk for severe disease. It doesn’t end there. On January 5, 2026, RFK Jr. reduced the number of routinely recommended vaccines from 18 to 10. For vaccines that protected against influenza, COVID, and rotavirus, parents were urged to speak with their doctors—to make an individual choice. (On March 16, 2026, in a ruling by a federal court in Boston, RFK Jr.’s revised schedule was invalidated.) What’s happening? Why are public health officials moving away from making recommendations for the public? The origin of this change might be rooted in the first two years of the COVID pandemic. In 2020, during the first year on the pandemic, we didn’t have anything to stop a virus that was killing hundreds of people a day and could be spread asymptomatically. We didn’t have antivirals until October, monoclonal antibodies until November, and vaccines until December. All we could do was restrict travel, close businesses, shutter schools, and mask, isolate, quarantine, test, and social distance. During the second year of the pandemic, when we had vaccines to prevent COVID, people couldn’t go anywhere without their vaccine cards. They couldn’t go to their favorite bar or restaurant or sporting event or place of worship without proof of vaccination. Some people were fired from their jobs for refusing to get vaccinated. For many, this was seen as massive government overreach and energized what has been called the “medical freedom movement.” Indeed, a headline in the New York Times declared, “How Health Freedom Became a Winning Rally Cry.” As expressed in the comments of RFK Jr., Casey Means, and Marty Makary, the medical freedom movement focuses on the individual not the community—the opposite of public health. In an article titled “Ethics and Social Value Judgments in Public Health,” ethicists from Yale University distinguished public health from medical freedom. “Public health policies,” they wrote, “are population oriented. Because individual health affects the health of others, public health measures regulate individual behavior to achieve population health goals. All raise questions about how individual autonomy and freedom should be balanced against public health interests…which respects individuals’ sovereignty over their bodies and actions as long as their actions do not harm others.” The medical freedom movement fails to recognize that it often limits the freedom of others. For example, a parent who is afraid to send a child to school where many of the students are unvaccinated. Or immune compromised children who depend on those around them to for protection. The question then becomes “Freedom for whom?” Is it your right, in the name of medical freedom, to catch and transmit a potentially fatal infection—and in so doing, take away the freedom of others? In Four Essays on Liberty, Isaiah Berlin sums it up best. “Liberty for the wolves,” he wrote, “is death to the lambs.” Thanks for reading Beyond the Noise! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe
New blood test aims to spot liver scarring before it paves the way to cancer
Liver scarring can pave the way to cancer down the line. A new blood test in development might help doctors spot it.
Is a chatbot your doctor? Proceed with caution.
Two studies put ChatGPT, Gemini and others to the test on questions of health. Their assessment? “A bit of a shock.”
Disallowance of COVID-19 Leave Credits: A Review of Substantiation and Trade or Business Requirements — Current Federal Tax Developments
Marie M. Kanda v. Commissioner, T.C. Summary Opinion 2026-3 (Docket No. 3772-24S. Filed April 20, 2026) Between 2015 and 2023, Marie M. Kanda suffered from several serious health conditions, including breast cancer and severe osteoarthritis, which led to her doctor determining she was disabled and
Oregon open for business: Study shows more biz openings than closings
On this edition we talk with OSU Doctor of Applied Economics Richard Acquah-Sarpong about his study which showed that since 2012 more businesses have opening in Oregon than have closed. Then we talk to KLCC's Julia Boboc about her story on the life and lessons of a local sheep farmer.
How AI is becoming a 'game changer' for RI's health care systems
Electronic record keeping is the bane of many a doctor. It’s onerous and leads to physician burnout. Could AI help fix this problem?
Got wearable data? Your doctor can help you connect the dots
The American Academy of Neurology issued guidance on using wearable data devices, like smart watches or Oura rings, to track key health metrics that can help flag serious conditions.
AI shaping our health care decisions, even whether we go to the doctor
For nearly half of Americans, artificial intelligence plays some sort of role in their health care decisions, a new Gallup poll found.
In CT, doctors now sue patients most over medical bills, surpassing hospitals
Physicians, dentists and other non-hospital providers account for more than 80% of health care debt collection cases in Connecticut courts.
Rising health costs push some older adults to skip the doctor
Without federal financial help, some in the 50 through 64 age group say they’re wrestling with whether to delay care until they qualify for Medicare.
San Antonio doctors team up with Fresh Start to deliver life-changing reconstructive surgeries for kids
University Health and UT Health San Antonio will host the Surgery Weekend, offering free procedures for selected patients through an advanced application process.
‘It’s just important to stay healthy’: Dozens of former NFL players attend health screening
Dozens of former professional football players turned out for a health screening on Saturday, encouraging others to get regular doctor checkups and to stay active. Troy Davis is 35 and spent two years in the National Football League playing for the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. “As you age, health things start to pop up.”
What WA doctors think about how ‘The Pitt’ portrays mental health
As the doctors, medical students and nurses on “The Pitt” made their way through the TV show’s second season, mental health has been impossible to ignore.
What WA doctors think about how ‘The Pitt’ portrays mental health
As the doctors, medical students and nurses on “The Pitt” made their way through the TV show’s second season, mental health has been impossible to ignore.
The Doctor Will Seek Your Vote Now
Dozens of Democratic doctors are running for office in the midterms, including some spurred by opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his anti-vaccine stance.
Science history: Doctor autopsies the brain of a man who couldn't speak — and reveals the seat of spoken language
Dr. Paul Broca conducted an autopsy on a patient known as "Tan," who had aphasia, or the inability to speak. Broca's work identified a region of the brain that is key to spoken language.
Bay Area doctor highlights health inequities for Black pregnant women
Friday marks the end of Black Maternal Health Week, and Bay Area doctors are sharing where progress is still needed to help fix disparities in healthcare for Black pregnant women.
Texas Medical Board sanctions three doctors for delayed care that led to the deaths of two pregnant women
The Texas Medical Board has disciplined three doctors ProPublica previously investigated whose patients died after receiving delayed or inappropriate pregnancy care under the state’s strict abortion ban.
Free Healthy Heart Clinic offers screenings at 9 Henry Ford Health locations
Everything from an EKG to blood sugar levels will get checked, plus doctors will be there to talk to you and explain the results.
How today’s AI trainers could be tomorrow’s displaced workers
A fast-growing AI startup is betting it can transform—and potentially replace—large swaths of white-collar work by turning professionals into trainers for the very systems that could one day displace them, Bloomberg writes. Mercor, now valued at $10 billion, recruits doctors, lawyers, consultants and other experts to break down their jobs into step-by-step tasks, feeding that […]
Trump nominates former Coast Guard doctor as CDC chief
The nomination comes after months of interim leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Trump to Nominate Doctor Who Has Publicly Supported Vaccines as C.D.C. Director
Dr. Erica Schwartz is seen as a highly qualified traditional choice and tapping her is the strongest signal yet that the administration is veering away from vaccine skepticism this election year.
Why doctors are applauding this TV show's health plot line for women
Amanda Peet has praised "Your Friends & Neighbors" creator for including this storyline, especially since she’s also in perimenopause.
What is ‘Ozempic personality,’ and why does it make life feel ‘meh’?
Doctors and patients across social media are reporting a kind of emotional flattening while on GLP-1 drugs.
12 Pitt students were named to the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The prestigious program supports outstanding students pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees with an annual stipend of $37,000.
Life-threatening virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea at high levels in the U.S., CDC says
Rotavirus is highly contagious, fast-moving and especially dangerous for babies and young children. Doctors worry declining vaccination rates could lead to more hospitalizations.
'Dr. Pimple Popper' Sandra Lee Recalls 1st Signs of Stroke That She Dismissed
At age 55, Lee had a stroke but initially thought she was tired and stressed from filming her reality show and working as a doctor.
Helene exposed cracks in western NC’s health care safety net
Analyses of emergency room use and a doctor’s scramble to reopen his clinic raise questions ahead of the next big storm.
Why Many Americans Are Turning to AI for Health Advice, According to Recent Polls
NEW YORK (AP) — When Tiffany Davis has a question about a symptom from the weight-loss injections she’s taking, she doesn’t call her doctor. She pulls out her phone and consults ChatGPT. “I’ll just basically let ChatGPT know my status, how I’m feeling,” said the 42-year-old in Mesquite, Texas. “I ...
Primary Care on the Front Lines of Mental Health Care
With a mental health care provider shortage and many patients’ seeking mental health support, primary care doctors have stepped up to the front lines.
Pregnancy is more risky for Black moms. What a doctor says partners can do to help
Locally and nationally, Black women are at a much higher risk than women of other races of dying during pregnancy, or the year after.
Trump deletes Jesus image after backlash
The president claimed he thought the image depicted him as a doctor
Hobbs Named Fellow of Indiana Academy of Science
Huntington University is a private, four-year, Christian school of the liberal arts in Indiana offering more than 70 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
‘I thought it was me as a doctor’: 10 of the best political excuses ever
From Boris Johnson to Rudy Giuliani, top politicians have come up with some imaginative justifications for alleged misbehavior.
Hospitals offer chatbots to fight off ChatGPT
In this edition of STAT Health Tech: Hospitals offer their own chatbots, Medicare's ACCESS pilot, and an update Utah's 'AI doctor' experiment.
30 Under 30 Europe Science & Healthcare 2026: The Founders Using AI To Empower Patients And Unlock Scientific Mysteries
These young entrepreneurs, researchers and doctors are improving healthcare, empowering patients and building the hardware of the future.
20 years later: How Massachusetts health care reform changed access
Nearly everyone in Mass. has health care coverage — but many still can’t afford care.
Trump, 79, Raises Fresh Health Concerns After Unbelievable Mix-Up
Donald Trump’s critics are pointing to one explanation for the president’s apparent mix-up of Jesus Christ and a Red Cross doctor: cognitive decline. After the president, 79, was lambasted—including b...
DoctorGPT: AI’s rising role in Gainesville healthcare
Alachua County Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Taylor said the department uses AI for administrative tasks but remains wary of bringing the technology into patient care.
Community health centers maintained care continuity during COVID-19 pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic upended virtually every aspect of people's lives, one critical question loomed large for millions of low-income and underserved healthcare patients: Would they still be able to see their own doctor?
Woman, 26, Had Excessive Itching but Was Told 'It's Just One of Those Things.' She Then Self-Diagnosed Her Cancer (Exclusive)
A young woman suffered from excessive itching and was dismissed by multiple doctors, before she eventually self-diagnosed herself with cancer. Sumbul Ari recalls her health journey in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE.