Diseases

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

Latest in Diseases

A pregnant patient gets a blood pressure reading in a medical setting.

Health

Scheduled childbirth might reduce preeclampsia risk by half Scheduled childbirth might reduce preeclampsia risk by half

By Laura Baisas

Why fatigue is so common in older adults

Health

Why fatigue is so common in older adults Why fatigue is so common in older adults

By Judith Graham / KFF Health News

A woman holds an ultrasound photo of a baby.

Health

Nearly 18 percent of the global population struggles with infertility Nearly 18 percent of the global population struggles with infertility

By Laura Baisas

Japanese beekeepers holding honeycomb up at the top of a Tokyo skyscraper

Environment

Beehives are the honeypot for a city’s microbial secrets Beehives are the honeypot for a city’s microbial secrets

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Health

Healthy adults don’t need to keep getting COVID-19 boosters, says WHO Healthy adults don’t need to keep getting COVID-19 boosters, says WHO

By Laura Baisas

Two surgeons operating in an operating room.

Health

The White House has a plan to overhaul the organ transplant network The White House has a plan to overhaul the organ transplant network

By Laura Baisas

Social relationships are important to the health of aging adults

Health

Social relationships are important to the health of aging adults Social relationships are important to the health of aging adults

By Judith Graham / KFF Health News

Two members of a medical team work on a diagnosis.

Health

Weight might not be the best way to detect diabetes early Weight might not be the best way to detect diabetes early

By Laura Baisas

A curled lock of composer Ludwig van Beethoven's hair with an inscription from the hair's former owner, Ignaz Moscheles.

Science

We now have a full composition of Beethoven’s DNA We now have a full composition of Beethoven’s DNA

By Laura Baisas

A woman holes a pack of birth control pills in one hand, with a single pill in the other.

Health

What we know about hormonal birth control and breast cancer risk What we know about hormonal birth control and breast cancer risk

By Laura Baisas

Candida auris in a petri dish taken in a laboratory of Wuerzburg University in Wuerzburg, Germany, January 23, 2018.

Health

A drug-resistant fungus is spreading in US hospitals—here’s what you need to know A drug-resistant fungus is spreading in US hospitals—here’s what you need to know

By Laura Baisas

The US might finally regulate toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

Environment

The US might finally regulate toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water The US might finally regulate toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

By Sara Kiley Watson

Colon cancer shown in abdominal X-ray in red, blue, and green

Health

Colon cancer cases in younger generations are rising. When should you get screened? Colon cancer cases in younger generations are rising. When should you get screened?

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

PEP Buddy breathing aid on lanyard for COPD patietns

Technology

A $25 whistle-like tool could be a game changer for COPD patients A $25 whistle-like tool could be a game changer for COPD patients

Yellow, red, and white roses left at a memorial for the victims of the Half Moon Bay mass shooting. A white sign behind the bouquets says "as a community we grieve."

Health

How to cope with collective grief—and even turn it into action How to cope with collective grief—and even turn it into action

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A printout cholesterol screening results.

Health

Safer statin alternative could be a better way to lower ‘bad’ cholesterol levels Safer statin alternative could be a better way to lower ‘bad’ cholesterol levels

By Laura Baisas

A drawing made by a five year-old child in Sweden with the description, “A boy coughed and put his hands over there (on the house) and someone came and touched it, then they got sick. X means that you shouldn't go outside and catch bacteria. The bacteria are underground. Blue faces mean you feel sick.”

Health

Little kids drew their grim—and hopeful—reality of COVID Little kids drew their grim—and hopeful—reality of COVID

By Laura Baisas

Medtronic's headquarters.

Health

A little-known form of medical pollution is costing Puerto Ricans their health A little-known form of medical pollution is costing Puerto Ricans their health

Crane loading cargo onto ship at sunset

Technology

Pandemic shipping took a heavy toll on the climate Pandemic shipping took a heavy toll on the climate

Dementia care programs are not just for the patient

Health

Dementia care programs are not just for the patient Dementia care programs are not just for the patient

By Judith Graham / KFF Health News

Diabetes medicines and injectables on a plain blue background

Health

Eli Lilly commits to cap insulin prices at $35 per month Eli Lilly commits to cap insulin prices at $35 per month

By Laura Baisas

Sugar on a wooden spoon.

Health

Popular artificial sweetener associated with risk of heart attack and stroke Popular artificial sweetener associated with risk of heart attack and stroke

By Laura Baisas

An at-home COVID-19 and flu test box.

Health

An at-home test for both COVID-19 and the flu gains approval An at-home test for both COVID-19 and the flu gains approval

By Laura Baisas

Camels and sharks have small, sneaky antibodies that can help fight human diseases

Health

Camels and sharks have small, sneaky antibodies that can help fight human diseases Camels and sharks have small, sneaky antibodies that can help fight human diseases

By Christina Szalinski / Knowable Magazine

A scientist holds up a tooth recovered from an archaeological dig in Denmark.

Health

Scientists tracked the plague’s journey through Denmark using really old teeth Scientists tracked the plague’s journey through Denmark using really old teeth

By Laura Baisas

A commercial airplane at taxxing at an airport in soft sunlight.

Health

Airplane toilets are a surprisingly good place to track COVID outbreaks Airplane toilets are a surprisingly good place to track COVID outbreaks

By Laura Baisas

Why scientists are still on the quest to build an artificial heart

Health

Why scientists are still on the quest to build an artificial heart Why scientists are still on the quest to build an artificial heart

By Sian E. Harding / MIT Press Reader

Norovirus under a microscope. The virus is a gastrointestinal illness that causes vomiting, diarrhea, and is highly contagious.

Health

Norovirus is spiking across the United States Norovirus is spiking across the United States

By Laura Baisas

Syringes with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on a table with bandaids and a fan.

Health

Moderna says it will keep its COVID-19 vaccine free (for now) Moderna says it will keep its COVID-19 vaccine free (for now)

By Laura Baisas

Singapore’s new plan to fight mosquito-borne diseases: bug-infecting bacteria

Science

Singapore’s new plan to fight mosquito-borne diseases: bug-infecting bacteria Singapore’s new plan to fight mosquito-borne diseases: bug-infecting bacteria

By Marta Zaraska / Undark

A Marburg virus as it appears under a microscope.

Health

Rare, Ebola-related Marburg virus spreads in Equatorial Guinea Rare, Ebola-related Marburg virus spreads in Equatorial Guinea

By Laura Baisas

A scientist working at a microscope with a pipette.

Health

A vaccine trial targeting the most lethal breast cancer just took its next step A vaccine trial targeting the most lethal breast cancer just took its next step

By Laura Baisas

In the latest State of the Union, Biden highlights infrastructure, chips, and healthcare

Science

In the latest State of the Union, Biden highlights infrastructure, chips, and healthcare In the latest State of the Union, Biden highlights infrastructure, chips, and healthcare

By Laura Baisas

The secrets to fighting the next pandemic could be in fruit bats

Environment

The secrets to fighting the next pandemic could be in fruit bats The secrets to fighting the next pandemic could be in fruit bats

By Jim Robbins / KHN

Two dialysis machine set-ups in a medical center.

Health

Dialysis is riskier for Black and Latino patients, CDC says Dialysis is riskier for Black and Latino patients, CDC says

By Laura Baisas

Many children are affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder—but few get access to support

Health

Many children are affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder—but few get access to support Many children are affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder—but few get access to support

By Emma Yasinski / Undark

Fly with cordyceps zombie fungus growing out of its head on black background

Environment

Nightmare-fuel fungi exist in real life Nightmare-fuel fungi exist in real life

President Joe Biden gesturing and speaking at the Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) Tunnel North Portal on January 30, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Health

Biden will end COVID-19 national emergencies in May. Here’s what that means. Biden will end COVID-19 national emergencies in May. Here’s what that means.

By Laura Baisas

Viagra blue pills next to a felt red heart to show cardiac health benefits from erectile dysfunction drugs

Health

Viagra shows promise in extending men’s lives, among other areas Viagra shows promise in extending men’s lives, among other areas

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A male barista pours milk into coffee.

Health

Taking milk with your coffee could be good for your health Taking milk with your coffee could be good for your health

By Laura Baisas

A doctor in a surgical mask holding a vial of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine.

Health

The FDA says get used to COVID-19 vaccine boosters The FDA says get used to COVID-19 vaccine boosters

By Laura Baisas

British navy boarding a ship where many sailors are sickened by scurvy from vitamin deficiency. Black and white illustration.

Health

It took centuries (and vitamins) for doctors to finally stop scurvy It took centuries (and vitamins) for doctors to finally stop scurvy

Myocarditis after COVID vaccines seen in MRI of heart

Health

What’s really going on with myocarditis and COVID vaccines What’s really going on with myocarditis and COVID vaccines

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A vaccine pharmacist prepares blind samples as part of an HIV vaccine trial on March 16, 2022 in Masaka, Uganda.

Health

Another HIV vaccine candidate fails in clinical trial Another HIV vaccine candidate fails in clinical trial

By Laura Baisas

A woman with a bandage after receiving a vaccine.

Health

Late-stage trials show efficacy of Moderna’s RSV vaccine in older adults Late-stage trials show efficacy of Moderna’s RSV vaccine in older adults

By Laura Baisas

Older, rural populations enjoy—and benefit from—online workout classes

Health

Older, rural populations enjoy—and benefit from—online workout classes Older, rural populations enjoy—and benefit from—online workout classes

By Christina Saint Louis / KHN

A doctor using a stethoscope to listen to a pregnant person's stomach.

Health

Pregnant people with COVID-19 are 7 times more likely to die in childbirth Pregnant people with COVID-19 are 7 times more likely to die in childbirth

By Laura Baisas

A woman walking into the sunset

Health

You should take a 5-minute walk for every 30 minutes of sitting You should take a 5-minute walk for every 30 minutes of sitting

By Laura Baisas

WHO announces that Uganda’s months-long Ebola outbreak is over

Health

WHO announces that Uganda’s months-long Ebola outbreak is over WHO announces that Uganda’s months-long Ebola outbreak is over

By Laura Baisas

Why mimicking human organs on ‘chips’ could be a gamechanger for drug research

Health

Why mimicking human organs on ‘chips’ could be a gamechanger for drug research Why mimicking human organs on ‘chips’ could be a gamechanger for drug research

By Chengpeng Chen / The Conversation

A look at how cancer cells move and metastatize could help doctors stop them from spreading

Health

A look at how cancer cells move and metastatize could help doctors stop them from spreading A look at how cancer cells move and metastatize could help doctors stop them from spreading

By Yizeng Li / The Conversation

White salt on a brown cutting board.

Health

Reducing sodium in packaged foods could reduce disease and save lives Reducing sodium in packaged foods could reduce disease and save lives

By Laura Baisas

Ozempic diabetes drug pen being taken out of package following TikTok weight loss trend

Health

TikTokers are taking a diabetes drug to lose weight. Now it’s in short supply. TikTokers are taking a diabetes drug to lose weight. Now it’s in short supply.

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Polio survivors in the US still struggle with the aftershocks of the disease decades later

Health

Polio survivors in the US still struggle with the aftershocks of the disease decades later Polio survivors in the US still struggle with the aftershocks of the disease decades later

By Frieda Klotz / Undark

Blue flames from multiple burners on a gas stove.

Health

Gas stoves could be making thousands of children in America sick Gas stoves could be making thousands of children in America sick

By Laura Baisas

Close up iv tube on hand

Health

What older adults need to ask before surgery What older adults need to ask before surgery

By Judith Graham / KFF Health News

Gloved hand holding iKnife cancer detecting surgical tool

Technology

This surgical smart knife can detect endometrial cancer cells in seconds This surgical smart knife can detect endometrial cancer cells in seconds

A scientist testing samples in a lab.

Health

The new Omicron subvariant XXB.1.5 may the next big COVID strain The new Omicron subvariant XXB.1.5 may the next big COVID strain

By Laura Baisas

A crowded airport ticket line

Health

China is facing a COVID-19 surge—and that could mean complications for travel China is facing a COVID-19 surge—and that could mean complications for travel

By Laura Baisas

A woman drinking water after a work out.

Health

Hydration seems to be the key to aging better and living longer Hydration seems to be the key to aging better and living longer

By Laura Baisas

SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus cell modeled in purple on an orange background

Health

How our pandemic toolkit fought the many viruses of 2022 How our pandemic toolkit fought the many viruses of 2022

It’s easier than ever to make DNA from scratch—but what are the risks?

Health

It’s easier than ever to make DNA from scratch—but what are the risks? It’s easier than ever to make DNA from scratch—but what are the risks?

By Michael Schulson/Undark

A sleeping baby with an adult holding a thermometer.

Health

Demand for children’s medications during ‘tripledemic’ forces pharmacies to limit purchases Demand for children’s medications during ‘tripledemic’ forces pharmacies to limit purchases

By Laura Baisas

Holiday cake filled with chocolate stars, icing, and orange slices poses a sugary nightmare to people with diabetes

Health

A diabetes-friendly guide to holiday parties A diabetes-friendly guide to holiday parties

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira