It's Still Tough to Find a Key Anti-Opioid Treatment at U.S. Pharmacies

One of the most effective medications for treating opioid addiction is still hard to find at U.S. pharmacies, according to a new study.

Only 2 in 5 retail pharmacies carried buprenorphine in 2023, researchers reported Sept. 2 in the journal Health Affairs.

And pharmacies in minority neighborhoods are even less likely to have...

One Dose of RSV Vaccine May Shield Older People for Two Seasons

A single dose of RSV vaccine might protect seniors for two cold and flu seasons in a row, a new study says.

Vaccination reduced seniors’ risk of hospitalization by 58% during two RSV seasons, researchers reported Aug. 30 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“These results clearly demonstrate that t...

Chatbots Give Users 'Inconsistent' Info on Suicide, Study Finds

Many people with suicidal thoughts are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for comfort and advice, and these programs might not be completely up to the challenge, a new study says.

Chatbots respond appropriately when asked questions that reflect a very low or very high risk of suicide, providing factual answers or refusing to ...

Could Diabetes Drug Metformin Change Metal Levels in Your Blood?

The diabetes drug metformin has been a mystery for more than six decades.

The most prescribed diabetes med in the world, metformin is very effective in lowering blood sugar levels.

But no one knows exactly how it works.

But a new study sheds some light on metformin’s magic, potentially opening the door for development of ...

Study Casts Doubt on Use of Beta Blockers Post-Heart Attack, Especially for Women

A drug commonly prescribed to heart attack survivors may not benefit many of them, a new clinical trial has found.

Beta-blockers do not appear to reduce the risk of death, a second heart attack or heart failure in people’s whose hearts weren’t damaged by the life-threatening event, results reveal.

The findings are expecte...

Jim O’Neill Steps in as Acting CDC Chief Amid Firing, Resignations

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is entering a transition period as Jim O’Neill, deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), steps in as acting director. 

The announcement came in a letter to CDC employees from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

O’Neill, who joined...

CVS, Walgreens Limit COVID Vaccines in Some States as Rules Shift

CVS and Walgreens are changing where and how they offer COVID-19 vaccines this season as they work to comply with state laws and current U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Both pharmacy chains say vaccine access will now vary by state. CVS announced that it can only offer COVID-19 shots in the following state...

Gordon Ramsay Reveals Skin Cancer Diagnosis, Urges Folks To Use Sunscreen

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay revealed he had surgery to remove basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, from his jawline.

The 58-year-old announced the news on social media during the Labor Day weekend, sharing photos of stitches and bandages stretching from his earlobe to his neck.

"Grateful and so apprec...

Heart Failure Strikes Black Americans Almost 14 Years Earlier Than White Americans

Disparities in education and access to insurance mean that heart failure hits Black American adults nearly 14 years earlier than it does white Americans, new research shows. 

Among Black patients, heart failure typically sets in at about 60 years of age, compared to 73.6 on average for white patients.

The study, conducted by res...

New Law Curbed 'Surprise' Medical Bills For Patients, Cut Out-Of-Pocket Costs

For years, everyday Americans found themselves blindsided by surprise medical bills that could devastate family finances.

But the bipartisan No Surprises Act passed by Congress in 2022 has slashed both the number of surprise bills and out-of-pocket costs borne by patients, a new study finds.

The bill prohibits unexpected bills after ...

Most Don't Know Prostate Cancer Can Be a Silent Killer, Poll Finds

Too often, American men and their loved ones mistakenly believe that prostate cancers must always present with symptoms, a new poll shows.

Of the people polled, 4 out of 5 people (80%) did not know that the early-stage prostate cancer often arises in the absence of symptoms and is typically only diagnosed with a blood test.

The findi...

ADHD Drugs Often Prescribed Too Early To Preschoolers

Expert consensus on the treatment of preschoolers diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is clear: Try behavioral therapies for six months before prescribing medications.

However, a new study found this guideline was followed in only 14.1% of U.S. cases involving children ages 3 to 5. 

“We ...

Feel the Beat: Music Might Help Regulate Blood Pressure

Everyone probably knows the phrase "music hath charms to soothe the savage breast," and new research suggests it may do the same for heart health.

A small study found that blood pressure appears to "synchronize" to patterns in music. British researchers say that might help boost the body's baroreflex sensitivity — its ability to regu...

'Reborn Again': Blind Bride-To-Be Thriving After Triple-Organ Transplant

Stricken with cancer in infancy, Jessica Lopez endured tumor-fighting treatments that saved her young life but also left her with lasting heart damage.  

By the time she reached her early 30s, Lopez, who was left blind by her cancer, also found herself in triple-organ failure — her heart, liver and kidneys were shutting down. &n...

Toxic Algae in Lakes Can Kill Pets Within Minutes, Expert Warns

As people enjoy the waning days of summer outdoors, a Virginia Tech veterinary expert reminds pet owners about a potentially deadly hazard: Toxic blue-green algae.

“Toxic cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, can be fatal to pets within minutes of exposure,” said Dr. Alexandra Reddy, a veterinarian at the Virginia-...

Labor Day Mission: Build Social Ties Through Live Events

If your social life has been lived out in Zoom calls since the height of the pandemic, Labor Day weekend is prime time for a reboot.

Attending live events builds social connections and helps fight loneliness, just-published research affirms. 

The findings — published online in the journal Social Psychological and Perso...