Judge Blocks Cuts to $11 Billion in Public Health Funding

A federal judge has stopped the Trump administration from cutting $11 billion in public health funding -- at least for now.

U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy, who was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019, said Thursday that she would grant a temporary restraining order. The request came from 23 states and the District of Columbia, wh...

Common Chemicals in Plastics May Harm Baby Brain Development

Common chemicals used in plastic and personal care products may interfere with brain development in babies, a new study says.

Phthalates are found in many everyday items, like food packaging, shampoo, toys and vinyl flooring.

They help make plastics soft and carry scents in products. But they may also harm unborn babies’ brains...

Trump Administration Orders More Cuts to CDC Budget

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not only lost nearly a fifth of its workforce, it has also been directed to slash $2.9 billion in contract spending.

That’s about 35% of its total contract budget. The agency has been ordered to comply by April 18.

These cuts come on top of the loss of 2,400 employee...

FDA Delays Final Approval of Novavax COVID Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has delayed the full approval of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine. 

The decision had been expected by April 1, but the agency now says it needs more information before moving forward.

The Novavax shot is already available under emergency use. But full FDA approval would allow the vacci...

Medicaid Expansion Protected Americans During COVID-19 Pandemic

Americans received some protection against death during the COVID-19 pandemic if they lived in a state that had expanded its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a new study says.

Even though death rates rose nationwide during the pandemic, Medicaid expansion states experienced a slower increase in deaths compared to state...

Antidepressants Linked To Sudden Cardiac Death

Antidepressants appear to increase people’s risk of sudden cardiac death, a new study says.

People taking the mood meds are more likely to die suddenly from heart problems, and their risk rises the longer they’re on the drugs, according to findings presented Monday in Vienna at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology.