The recent death of Elijah Cummings at age 68 underscores a disturbing statistic: black men die, on average, five years younger than white men. A study shows racism's effects on gene activity.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Racial gaps in health care
Analysis and Comment
Students looking to gain an academic edge by taking stimulants such as Adderall fail to do better on tests and also mess up their sleep. A neuroscientist explains why.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens in America. But there may be ways to study the stress response and figure out who is most at risk.
People who are blind have made great strides in the workplace in the 55 years since the US first observed White Cane Day. Yet discrimination in employment still remains, two experts explain.
A new study looks at whether deaths by suicide could be lowered with mental health care. To a small degree, yes. But a look at the costs suggests there may be better ways to prevent shooting deaths.
The teen years are filled with fun for some, but many youth begin to experience serious depression, which can set them up for recurring bouts. A new study offers hope: Support and understanding help.
Researchers are looking for ways to determine who's most at risk for dementia and also ways to detect it early. A scientist who has studied low blood pressure makes a case for a link between the two.
There's a new therapy for treating peanut allergy that is showing promise in phase 3 trials.
Politicians and even HHS are now discussing ways to allow US consumers to buy drugs from Canada. Here's why it's not as simple as it seems.
California has limited medical exemptions for vaccinating children. A new law places final authority with the state public health department, but does that shift the balance of power?
As vaping-related illnesses increase and deaths reported, an inhalation toxicologist explains why comparing the dangers of vaping to the dangers from cigarettes doesn't make sense.
When people get sick, they often suspect bacteria and viruses as the cause. But now the CDC is asking physicians and patients to consider another culprit: fungi.
After a long prohibition, France is permitting medical cannabis trials. This isn't the first time that France is testing medicinal marijuana – in the 19th century it led the world in this research.
Lack of good toothbrushing and dental care in nursing homes is a serious problem that will only get worse as more boomers enter such places. Here's why it's time to think about it.
Fat-shaming is as ineffective as it is cruel. The bullying tactic also ignores the biological factors underlying obesity, which are not always under a person's control.
E-cigarettes are taking a growing toll on health, but they are only the most recent in centuries of harm. Are lungs are made for the most essential function of life, how did humans come to abuse them?
Studies suggest that marriage improves your health. But bisexuals don't seem to reap those benefits.
A national trial that looked at whether brain stimulation could restore memory had a surprise finding. Deep brain stimulation brought back vivid memories temporarily.
It's not just that e-cigarettes have fruity, fun-evoking flavors added to them. There's danger in the mere fact that the flavors lead kids to dismiss risk.
Health and politics
Some cite mental illness, or at least instability, as a basis to remove Pres. Trump from office. A doctor and a lawyer use a 1965 novel, 'Night of Camp David,' to explain why that's unlikely.
Vaccines
In 18 states, parents can choose to exempt their children from vaccines for nonmedical 'philosophical' or 'personal belief' reasons.
Minority groups
Approximately 25% of women – representing all races and backgrounds – will undergo an abortion before the age of 45.
Around the world
Alarm arose when news spread that Ebola cases had been found in Uganda. Here are the real reasons for concern.
Research and Expert Database
Editors’ Picks
'Why is nutrition so confusing?' is a common lament, but the truth is out there. Forget fad diets and media hype. It's time to harness the power of science to create a healthy and sustainable diet.
You want to encourage the growth of good bacteria in your gut to improve health. But which foods should you eat to do that? It turns out that nutritional labels aren't much help figuring that out.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15; were you aware? Not many people are, yet abuse is growing. Two experts explain the trend and offer possible solutions.
Two experts ask whether dads are making their health a priority. Evidence suggests not. Pressures to provide income often hold fathers back.
E-cigarettes are unsafe for children, but some e-cig companies are using cartoons, which have been shown to appeal to youth. Should restrictions be in place, as they are for traditional cigarettes?
Childhood trauma is far more pervasive and injurious than many people know. Its effects last long into adulthood, if left untreated. A trauma psychiatrist unpacks its effects on the developing brain.
A ban on clinical trials involving gene editing rules out the controversial procedure done in China. But it also prevents procedures that could offer couples a chance for healthy children without genetic disorders.
Most Read past week
- Blue light isn’t the main source of eye fatigue and sleep loss – it’s your computer
- Why the flu shot cannot give you the flu (and why you should get one now)
- Why do some people hurt more than others?
- Study: Racism shortens lives and hurts health of blacks by promoting genes that lead to inflammation and illness
- Vaping likely has dangers that could take years for scientists to even know about
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