U.S. Overdose Deaths Linked to Fentanyl May Be Declining

Deaths from fentanyl-linked drug overdoses have begun to decline in the United States, but the crisis is far from over and those numbers could easily rise again, a new government report shows.

About 70% of fatal drug overdoses recorded in 2023 involved fentanyl, the research showed. The number of these deaths dropped 7.8% nationwide in the...

Prenatal Blood Tests for Baby Are Spotting Cancers in Moms-to-Be

Could a prenatal blood test designed to find abnormalities in a fetus also detect hidden cancer in the mom-to-be?

A new study says yes: Scientists report they discovered cancer in nearly half (48%) of expecting mothers with abnormal results on the blood test, known as a prenatal cell-free DNA test.

The cancers included colon, breast,...

Weight Loss Brings Americans Big Health Care Savings

The advent of GLP-1 weight-loss medications such as Wegovy and Zepbound has spurred debate as to whether the drugs' cost should be covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers.

Late last month, the Biden administration proposed that the drugs be covered by Medicare and Medicaid, a move that would have to be approved by the incoming ...

Prevention Outpaced Treatment Advances in Saving Lives From Major Cancers

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” founding father Benjamin Franklin once said.

That’s definitely true of cancer, a new study has found.

Cancer prevention and screening has saved more people from five types of cancer during the past 45 years than advances in treatment, researchers report.

More ...

California Farm Expands Raw Milk Recall After Bird Flu Virus Found in More Samples

A California dairy farm has expanded a recall of its raw milk and cream after state health officials discovered bird flu virus in more milk samples.

In a notice posted Tuesday, Fresno-based Raw Farm LLC said it has now recalled all whole milk and cream products with "use by" dates of Nov. 27 to Dec. 13.

Meanwhile, California health o...

Mystery Illness Kills Dozens in Congo

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo are racing to try to identify the cause of a mysterious, flu-like illness that has sickened 376 people and left 79 dead in that country.

In a alert posted on the social media platform X on Tuesday, the Congo's Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security said the origin of the ...