Diseases(Page 12)

Groundbreaking research on COVID-19, cancer, diabetes, and other health concerns.

Latest in Diseases

sick little boy with thermometer in his mouth

The surprising ways your immune system adapts to the flu virus you got as a kid The surprising ways your immune system adapts to the flu virus you got as a kid

By Philip Kiefer

a person who is pregnant

What pregnant, breastfeeding, and prospective parents should know about the COVID-19 vaccines What pregnant, breastfeeding, and prospective parents should know about the COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccine vials

Why COVID cases are falling around the world Why COVID cases are falling around the world

pfizer biontech covid vaccine

Storing the Pfizer vaccine could get a lot simpler in coming weeks Storing the Pfizer vaccine could get a lot simpler in coming weeks

By Philip Kiefer

someone getting a COVID-19 vaccine with a mask on.

Ramping up COVID-19 vaccine production is harder than it seems Ramping up COVID-19 vaccine production is harder than it seems

Doctor administering COVID-19 vaccine to masked patient in medical office.

COVID-19 is shortening US life expectancy—especially for people of color COVID-19 is shortening US life expectancy—especially for people of color

By Sara Kiley Watson

Prison cell with a sink and toilet behind bars

Solitary confinement can’t stop COVID-19 from spreading through prisons Solitary confinement can’t stop COVID-19 from spreading through prisons

By Robin Blades/Undark

vials of covid-19 vaccines

We’ve barely made a dent in vaccinating the world against COVID-19 We’ve barely made a dent in vaccinating the world against COVID-19

a vial of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Facing COVID-19 variants, vaccine makers are weighing how to tweak their designs Facing COVID-19 variants, vaccine makers are weighing how to tweak their designs

Bearded man wearing a surgical mask on the street

5 must-know tips for safely wearing a mask over facial hair 5 must-know tips for safely wearing a mask over facial hair

By Sandra Gutierrez G.

Masha Krasnova-Shavaeva illustration

Neanderthal genes are still helping humans today Neanderthal genes are still helping humans today

By Claire Maldarelli

young girl wearing covid-19 mask

The CDC says COVID-19 is no match for two masks The CDC says COVID-19 is no match for two masks

By Sara Chodosh

mardi gras decorations in new orleans

Can Louisiana’s COVID surge trace back to one Mardi Gras reveler? Can Louisiana’s COVID surge trace back to one Mardi Gras reveler?

By Philip Kiefer

A man in a gray t-shirt removing or putting on a surgical face mask by only touching the ear loops.

Why you shouldn’t ever wear your mask around your neck Why you shouldn’t ever wear your mask around your neck

By Erin Fennessy

Couple drinking milkshakes with COVID-19 face masks on.

How to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a pandemic How to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a pandemic

By Sara Kiley Watson

A Black middle-aged individual talking on a smartphone in a cafe

One big hiccup in US efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines? Poor internet access. One big hiccup in US efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines? Poor internet access.

By Tamra Burns Loeb, Et Al./The Conversation

Person receiving a shot from a healthcare worker.

How to prepare for getting the COVID-19 vaccine How to prepare for getting the COVID-19 vaccine

By Tyler Santora

A woman in mask, head scarf and yellow rain jacket stands along the water

Women are more likely to take COVID-19 guidelines seriously Women are more likely to take COVID-19 guidelines seriously

By Disha Shetty/Undark

two footballs used in the NFL

Even at half capacity, the Super Bowl could cause COVID-19 outbreaks Even at half capacity, the Super Bowl could cause COVID-19 outbreaks

By Kate Baggaley

vaccine medical supplies

The CDC declares Super Bowl parties a no-go The CDC declares Super Bowl parties a no-go

By Claire Maldarelli

The visitor entrance of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center

How US veterans can get COVID-19 vaccines How US veterans can get COVID-19 vaccines

By James Clark/Task & Purpose

Pregnant woman checking phone notifications.

Pregnant people can—and should—get vaccinated against COVID-19 Pregnant people can—and should—get vaccinated against COVID-19

By Sara Kiley Watson

Two people wearing cloth face masks with their arms around each other on a New York City sidewalk on a sunny day.

How to wear a face mask for maximum protection How to wear a face mask for maximum protection

By Erin Fennessy

woman wearing mask in subway station

The US finally has a national mask mandate The US finally has a national mask mandate

The new COVID-19 team has a lot of work to do. Here’s how they should start. The new COVID-19 team has a lot of work to do. Here’s how they should start.

By Erin Fennessy

a healthcare worker wearing a surgical mask

What you can do right now to protect yourself from the new COVID-19 variants What you can do right now to protect yourself from the new COVID-19 variants

By Claire Maldarelli

A person with dark brown skin tanning on a dock on a lake

The heated debate over skin cancer screenings, explained The heated debate over skin cancer screenings, explained

By Teresa Carr/Undark

vials of COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines could end the pandemic by eliminating severe cases COVID-19 vaccines could end the pandemic by eliminating severe cases

By Kate Baggaley

covid-19 vaccine vials

There’s a new COVID-19 vaccine in the running—but variants could pose a problem There’s a new COVID-19 vaccine in the running—but variants could pose a problem

By Sara Chodosh

Gloved hands testing a COVID-19 sample in a lab

The US is way behind on tracking COVID-19 variants The US is way behind on tracking COVID-19 variants

By Tyler Santora

people wearing masks walking their dogs

The places where Americans aren’t wearing masks The places where Americans aren’t wearing masks

bar graph of covid-19 mortality rates in LA county by ethnicity and poverty level

5 graphs that show how bad COVID-19 is in LA County 5 graphs that show how bad COVID-19 is in LA County

By Sara Chodosh

Three people in prison jumpsuits behind orange bars and the SARS-CoV-2 virus illustrations superimposed in four spots

On surviving—and leaving—prison during a pandemic On surviving—and leaving—prison during a pandemic

By Sarah Scoles

a person putting a vaccine into a syringe.

To get vaccines to more people, the priority system needs to loosen up To get vaccines to more people, the priority system needs to loosen up

A beach rock painted with the phrase vax and relax for the COVID-19 pandemic

What does it take to convince people to get vaccinated? What does it take to convince people to get vaccinated?

By Matt Motta/The Conversation

Blood vials at a bank or testing lab

We may have grossly underestimated COVID-19 infection rates We may have grossly underestimated COVID-19 infection rates

By Nathaniel Scharping/Undark

person wearing a mask and looking at the departures board at an airport

What to know about new COVID-related travel restrictions in the US What to know about new COVID-related travel restrictions in the US

vaccine syringe held out by a gloved hand

How does an mRNA vaccine work? How does an mRNA vaccine work?

By Maddie Bender

president joe biden looking solemn

What you need to know about Biden’s 5-point COVID-19 relief plan What you need to know about Biden’s 5-point COVID-19 relief plan

By Sara Chodosh

Close up of influenza vaccine shot being prepared.

Flu cases have been shockingly low during the pandemic. Here why. Flu cases have been shockingly low during the pandemic. Here why.

By Sara Kiley Watson

a kid sick in bed having his temperature taken

What COVID-19 will look like once the pandemic ends What COVID-19 will look like once the pandemic ends

By Claire Maldarelli

woman with a mask on gets a vaccine

More evidence points to long-lasting COVID-19 immunity More evidence points to long-lasting COVID-19 immunity

By Sara Chodosh

Hawaiian National Guard member gets a COVID-19 vaccine from a health care worker in scrubs

Hawaii managed COVID-19 better than any other state, but its residents are still at risk Hawaii managed COVID-19 better than any other state, but its residents are still at risk

By Tyler Santora

United States capitol building at night.

The attack on the Capitol had all the ingredients of a COVID-19 superspreader event The attack on the Capitol had all the ingredients of a COVID-19 superspreader event

By Sara Kiley Watson

Is one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine enough? Is one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine enough?

A person in glasses and a buttoned shirt tossing a handful of colorful confetti in the air

A psychologist explains how hope can make a difference in impossible times A psychologist explains how hope can make a difference in impossible times

By Jacqueline S. Mattis/The Conversation

a medical syringe

COVID vaccines are getting thrown out thanks to strict distribution rules COVID vaccines are getting thrown out thanks to strict distribution rules

By Claire Maldarelli

When it comes to COVID-19 risk, what counts as ‘outdoor’ dining? When it comes to COVID-19 risk, what counts as ‘outdoor’ dining?

By Sara Kiley Watson

A US sailor at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California, prepares Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for rollout

Vaccines conquered smallpox and polio, but COVID-19 looks like a tougher battle Vaccines conquered smallpox and polio, but COVID-19 looks like a tougher battle

By Tyler Santora

aid workers in Africa go door-to-door to deliver accurate information about Covid-19

COVID-19 could make malaria surge, but African aid workers are fighting back COVID-19 could make malaria surge, but African aid workers are fighting back

By Ashley Stumvoll/Undark

People wearing masks looking out the window of a diner during the COVID-19 pandemic

Is indoor dining safe? Five health experts weigh in. Is indoor dining safe? Five health experts weigh in.

By Laurie Archbald-Pannone Et Al./The Conversation

In 2021, a new wave of evictions could also fuel a rise in COVID cases In 2021, a new wave of evictions could also fuel a rise in COVID cases

a healthcare worker with PPE on

The world may be at risk of a new COVID-19 surge The world may be at risk of a new COVID-19 surge

By Claire Maldarelli

people getting rapid covid testing outside

The new, more-contagious UK COVID-19 strain is officially in the US The new, more-contagious UK COVID-19 strain is officially in the US

By Sara Chodosh

a syringe with a needle attached

Ending the pandemic means vaccinating the whole world—but the US is focusing on itself Ending the pandemic means vaccinating the whole world—but the US is focusing on itself

Mask and thermometer

The ‘darkest days’ of COVID-19 are still to come The ‘darkest days’ of COVID-19 are still to come

By Sara Kiley Watson

two women wearing masks outside

Can you spread COVID-19 after vaccination? Here’s what we know. Can you spread COVID-19 after vaccination? Here’s what we know.

By Kate Baggaley

Why two doses of the new COVID-19 vaccines are better than one Why two doses of the new COVID-19 vaccines are better than one

By Tyler Santora

woman sitting on a suitcase in an airport wearing a face mask

With two COVID-19 vaccines available, the CDC updates its guidance on who gets them first With two COVID-19 vaccines available, the CDC updates its guidance on who gets them first

By Sara Chodosh

person getting vaccinated

Rural America may miss out on early COVID-19 vaccines Rural America may miss out on early COVID-19 vaccines

By Tyler Santora

person preparing a vaccine

What you should know about allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine What you should know about allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine

By Kate Baggaley

novel coronavirus

There’s a new coronavirus strain in the UK, but don’t panic There’s a new coronavirus strain in the UK, but don’t panic

three vaccine bottles with "RX" on their labels, filled with small frozen beads of ice cream

What the Dippin’ Dots ‘cold chain’ can teach us about COVID-19 vaccines What the Dippin’ Dots ‘cold chain’ can teach us about COVID-19 vaccines

By Maddie Bender

What to know about Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine before it reaches you What to know about Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine before it reaches you

By Claire Maldarelli