New Flu Variant Could Bring Another Severe U.S. Season

A new flu variant spreading overseas may set the stage for another tough winter in the United States, experts warn.

The strain, called subclade K, has caused a rise in flu cases in the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan. And now signs suggest it is beginning to take hold across the United States as flu activity rises.

According to the ...

Nearly Half of Americans Fear They Can’t Afford Care in 2026, Poll Finds

Many Americans are bracing for higher medical costs in the new year and a growing number say those expenses are already shaping their decisions for care, according to a new survey.

The latest West Health–Gallup poll, shows that 47% of adults are worried they won’t be able to afford health care in 2026, the highest level since t...

Whooping Cough Surges Nationwide as Vaccinations Fall

Whooping cough is making a major comeback in the United States, with sharp increases now seen in Texas, Florida, California, Oregon and many other places.

Health officials say the latest rise in pertussis cases is being driven by falling vaccination rates, waning immunity and slower public health tracking systems.

What's more, offi...

Scientists Say Kissing Began Long Before Humans Existed

Kissing may feel like a very human habit, but new research suggests it has much deeper roots. A team of scientists says the behavior likely began more than 20 million years ago, long before modern humans existed.

Researchers from Oxford University in England reviewed decades of studies on primates to understand how kissing may have evolved...

Want A Happier Hospital? Hire More Nurses, Study Says

Adding even a few extra nurses can dramatically reduce burnout and improve morale among hospital medical staff, a new study says.

Increasing nurse staffing by as little as 10% improved attitudes among both physicians and nurses working in hospitals, researchers reported Nov. 17 in JAMA Network Open.

“Physician burnout ...

Buprenorphine Lowers Opioid OD Risk, But Only If Taken As Directed Long-Term

The opioid addiction medication buprenorphine can dramatically lower risk of overdose among teenagers and young adults — but only if taken long-term, a new study says.

Those who kept taking buprenorphine as prescribed for at least a year were much less likely to suffer an overdose or require hospitalization due to opioid use, researc...