It’s feeding time for the animals on this property outside Nashville, Tennessee. An albino raccoon named Cricket reaches through the wires of its cage to grab an animal cracker, an appetizer treat right before the evening meal.

“Cricket is blind,” said Robert Sory, who is trying to open a nonprofit animal sanctuary along with his wife, ...Read more

NEW ORLEANS — From the outside, the abandoned Family Dollar store in the Lower 9th Ward looks intimidating. It’s covered in graffiti, with aluminum cans and trash dotting the parking lot. It sits on a street with other empty lots and decayed buildings — symbols of the lasting devastation this neighborhood, one of the city’s poorest, has ...Read more

When one of Adam Burkhammer’s foster children struggled with hyperactivity, the West Virginia legislator and his wife decided to alter their diet and remove any foods that contained synthetic dyes.

“We saw a turnaround in his behavior, and our other children,” said Burkhammer, who has adopted or fostered 10 kids with his wife. “There ...Read more

ROCHESTER, Minn. — To help meet the potentially complex needs of patients after prostate cancer treatment and offer the precision and care necessary in the follow-up journey, Mayo Clinic’s Department of Radiation Oncology developed the PSA Control Tower. This is an intelligent monitoring tool designed to support clinicians in keeping a close...Read more

The U.S. measles outbreak that drove cases to a 34-year high in 2025 shows no signs of slowing, as 168 more people have become infected since the start of the new year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday that a total of 171 cases have been confirmed this year in nine states. On Tuesday, South Carolina reported ...Read more

The number of people who have died from complications of the flu in North Carolina more than doubled in the last two weeks to 134, according to state health officials.

Another 26 people died in the state last week, according to the latest data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency also revised figures it released for...Read more

A total of 35 children and adults have fallen ill in California in the largest outbreak of mushroom poisonings in years, according to the California Poison Control Service.

The sickened Californians apparently ate foraged poisonous death cap mushrooms — scientific name Amanita phalloides — after mistaking them for “familiar edible ...Read more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — At least 10,000 Floridians could lose access to life-saving HIV medication because Congress didn’t extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits last fall, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration.

The Florida Department of Health is justifying deep cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which provides medication...Read more

Metabolism can be a tricky concept to understand: Some people are born with a fast-acting system, while others struggle with a slower one. “Metabolism is the sum of all biochemical reactions taking place in our body,” explains clinical research scientist Momo Vuyisich, Ph.D.

“These include muscle contraction, food digestion, nutrient ...Read more

Health-conscious folks have long sprinkled nutritional yeast flakes — a vegan version of parmesan cheese — on popcorn, pasta, salad, and more to provide an umami-rich (savory) flair. But you should know that this condiment sometimes functions like a supplement.

What is nutritional yeast?

Nutritional yeast is an inactivated strain of the ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Our daughter was recently diagnosed with cancer. She's interested in participating in a clinical trial but doesn't really know what that means or how to get involved. Can you help?

ANSWER: A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming and often comes with a long list of decisions to make.

Many people are surprised to learn that ...Read more

This season’s flu is lurking right around the corner. Even if you’ve done the right thing and had the flu shot. Even if you haven’t had the flu for years.

Don’t make the mistake of taking this virus lightly. The main strain making the rounds is virulent and hard to shake.

By the end of December, the Centers for Disease Control ...Read more

After a few weeks of holiday eating and social gatherings, you may be ready to get back to your normal routine. Cookies, processed foods, and extra cocktails are a delicious way to enjoy the season. Unfortunately, they are also foods that can increase inflammation when consumed regularly. While a few extra Christmas cookies aren’t going to ...Read more

Q: How can I make my diet less inflammatory?

A: While there isn’t one specific anti-inflammatory diet, experts say overall healthy eating patterns may reduce inflammation. To make your diet less inflammatory, focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods and reduce pro-inflammatory foods. Here are a few steps to try.

More anti-inflammatory foods

1. ...Read more

WASHINGTON — About 1.4 million fewer people have signed up for Obamacare plans so far compared to last year as a federal tax credit expires and consumers confront significantly higher premiums.

While the dropoff is less severe than projections by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and others, experts warn more attrition is likely in...Read more

LODGE GRASS, Mont. — Brothers Lonny and Teyon Fritzler walked amid the tall grass and cottonwood trees surrounding their boarded-up childhood home near the Little Bighorn River and daydreamed about ways to rebuild.

The rolling prairie outside the single-story clapboard home is where Lonny learned from their grandfather how to break horses. It...Read more

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Many low-income Californians prescribed wildly popular weight loss drugs lost their coverage for the medications at the start of the new year.

Health officials are recommending diet and exercise as alternatives to heavily advertised weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, advice experts say is unrealistic.

“Of ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Heart disease runs in my family, and I really want to avoid developing it myself if I can. What heart-health habits should I consider starting in the new year?

ANSWER: When it comes to heart health, prevention still delivers the greatest return. Taking steps now — no matter how small — provides far greater benefits than ...Read more

DETROIT — Flu cases are surging in Michigan, state health experts say, as the flu season has hit harder and earlier than it typically does, according to several local health systems.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has recorded 2,110 influenza-related hospitalizations this flu season, including 306 among children ages 4 ...Read more

NEW ORLEANS — Elyse Stevens had a reputation for taking on complex medical cases. People who’d been battling addiction for decades. Chronic-pain patients on high doses of opioids. Sex workers and people living on the street.

“Many of my patients are messy, the ones that don’t know if they want to stop using drugs or not,” said Stevens...Read more