New, More Dangerous Mpox Strain Found in 3 Californians

MONDAY, Oct. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A more dangerous strain of mpox, a virus that causes painful lesions and flulike symptoms, has been detected in three California residents who had not traveled internationally.

Officials said this is the first known local spread of the severe form in the United States.

The strain, called...

Trump Announces Lower-Cost Fertility Drug Deal With EMD Serono

MONDAY, Oct. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The Trump administration announced that Boston-based drugmaker EMD Serono will lower the price of one of its leading fertility drugs as part of push to make in vitro fertilization (IVF) more affordable.

The company’s drug GONAL-F, which helps stimulate ovulation, will soon be available a...

California To Launch Insulin for Just $11 a Pen

MONDAY, Oct. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — California will start selling low-cost insulin Jan. 1, nearly three years after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a plan to make lifesaving medications more affordable for folks with diabetes.

The state’s insulin — sold under the brand name CalRx — will be available at a recommende...

Deadly Diarrhea Germ Targets White Patients, Study Says

MONDAY, Oct. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — An opportunistic bacterial infection that causes deadly diarrhea is more likely to kill white patients than Black or Hispanic people, a new study says.

About 84% of deaths caused by Clostridioides difficile infections occur among white people, researchers reported in Atlanta Sunday at...

RSV Antibody Shot Safe For Infants Even If Mom Was Vaccinated During Pregnancy, Experts Say

MONDAY, Oct. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Babies can be safely administered antibody protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) after birth even if their moms had RSV vaccination while pregnant, a new study says.

An antibody shot called nirsevimab (Beyfortus) is available after delivery to provide babies with protection agai...

1 In 10 Kids Rarely Venture Outside To Play, Poll Finds

MONDAY, Oct. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Some young children are virtual shut-ins, rarely leaving their homes to play, a new poll shows.

About 1 in 10 preschoolers and toddlers go outside to play once a week or less, according to results from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Child...

Shingles Vax Protects Against Heart Disease, Dementia, Death

MONDAY, Oct. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The shingles vaccine does more than just protect middle-aged folks and seniors against maddening rashes, a new study says.

The vaccine also lowers their risk of heart disease, dementia and death, researchers reported in Atlanta Sunday at IDWeek, the joint annual meeting of America’s top ...

AI Counts Kids' Bites In Fight Against Obesity

MONDAY, Oct. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A new AI-driven bite counter is in development to help counter childhood obesity – potentially even tracking kids while they eat and urging them to slow down.

The faster a child takes bites during a meal or snack, the greater their risk for developing obesity, researchers say.

But ...

Mental Health Distress Increasing Among LGBTQ+ Youth

MONDAY, Oct. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Mental health distress is rising among America’s LGBTQ+ teenagers and young adults as they’ve increasingly become targets of discrimination and cruelty, a new report says.

Anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts all rose among young LGBTQ+ people between September 2023 and March ...

Why Lending a Hand Can Boost Happiness as You Age

SUNDAY, Oct. 19, 2025 (HealthDay News) — For older adults, friendship might be the best medicine. Researchers say that doing small favors for close friends — like offering a ride or lending a hand — can boost happiness and give people a greater sense of purpose.

A University of Michigan study found that older adults who p...

Halloween Fun Can Turn Dangerous Fast — Here’s How to Stay Safe

SATURDAY, Oct. 18, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Trick-or-treating is one of Halloween’s favorite traditions, but the excitement of the night can quickly lead to injuries if families aren’t careful.

Each year, about 3,200 Halloween-related injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safe...

Florida Confirms Second Case of ‘Zombie Deer Disease’

FRIDAY, Oct. 17, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Florida wildlife officials have confirmed the state’s second case of a deadly and highly contagious infection known as “zombie deer disease” in a wild deer.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected in a young white-tailed doe found dead after being hit by a vehicle in Holme...

Young Adults Are Using Cannabis to Sleep — Here’s Why That’s Risky

FRIDAY, Oct. 17, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A growing number of young adults use cannabis and alcohol as sleep aids, but experts warn the habit could make catching zzz's harder, not easier.

A new study from the University of Michigan, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that 22% of U.S. adults ages 19 to 30 reported using eithe...

U.S. Drug Supply Deeply Dependent on Chinese Ingredients

FRIDAY, Oct. 17, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A new analysis reveals how deeply the U.S. drug supply chain depends on China, and experts warn that a trade war could leave American patients at risk.

Nearly 700 medicines used in the U.S. contain at least one chemical sourced only in China, according to U.S. Pharmacopeia, a nonprofit that mo...

Oscar-Winning Icon Diane Keaton Died From Bacterial Pneumonia

FRIDAY, Oct. 17, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton, whose decades-long career made her one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars, died from primary bacterial pneumonia, according to a death certificate made public Thursday.

The certificate listed no underlying causes of death, and said no autopsy was perfor...

Moving From Home Might Foreshadow Better Health In Old Age, Experts Say

FRIDAY, Oct. 17, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Moving away from a hometown can be a bittersweet experience, as people leave behind familiar comforts for a fresh start.

It also might be a sign of better future health, a new study says.

Americans who migrate within the United States have significantly better health than those who remai...

Pickleball Eye Injuries Surge In U.S.

FRIDAY, Oct. 17, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The surging popularity of pickleball has brought with it a concerning increase in eye injuries among players.

Pickleball-related eye injuries rose by more than 400 cases a year from 2021 to 2024, up from around 200 annually during the prior decade, researchers reported Oct. 16 in JAMA Opht...