Health News

(WASHINGTON) -- The Trump administration is ending a key health insurance subsidy program that aimed to keep premiums for seniors' prescription drug plans in check, claiming that it benefits corporate insurance companies, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz.Medicare Part D -- the government health insurance program's prescription drug benefit -- is used by tens of millions of older or disabled beneficiaries.The program's subsidies are set to expire […]

(WASHINGTON) -- Cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by a parasite, have topped 18,000 in 45 states, according to updated data Wednesday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Since May 1, at least 6,707 cases have been laboratory-confirmed, including 423 hospitalizations, the CDC noted.Additionally, the agency said it is "aware" of more than 11,500 additional cases that are not laboratory confirmed or require further investigation and analysis. Many of these additional cases have been reported by […]

(NEW YORK) -- Cervical cancer deaths are 49% higher for women living in poverty, a major report released on Thursday finds.Women living in poverty were also 23% more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to those living in higher-income areas, according to the report from the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR)."The disparities in this situation arise from an access to care issue," Dr. Paul DiSilvestro, division director of gynecologic […]

(NEW YORK) -- Kenya's Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has halted construction of the U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base after being found in contempt of court for allowing work to continue despite a court order.Duale appeared before the High Court in Nairobi on Tuesday and said he directed "the immediate and complete cessation of any intended construction, site preparations or related activities" concerning the facility."It was never […]

(NEW YORK) -- The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has surpassed 1,000 Ebola cases as the country's deadly outbreak continues.The DRC Ministry of Health reported 1,003 confirmed cases and 254 confirmed deaths as of Sunday evening. There are 365 patients either hospitalized or in isolation, according to the ministry.Contact tracing remains a concern, officials said. The Ministry of Health said only 58% of identified contacts have been followed up with, […]

(SAN ANTONIO) -- The basic training facility for the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, is experiencing a flu outbreak following the end of mandatory vaccination for all service members.As of Wednesday, there are at least 159 known cases among recruits and two hospitalizations at Joint Base San Antonio, two sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. One source told ABC News the number of cases and hospitalizations may […]

(NEW YORK) -- Fewer than 49% of Americans can afford healthcare, the lowest rate since tracking began in 2021, according to Gallup data released Thursday.In a single year, roughly 2.8 million people no longer identified as being “Cost Secure” meaning they could no longer afford access to quality care or pay for visits and prescriptions, according to the data. Worry about future healthcare costs, including visits and prescriptions, amongst Americans […]

Serge, an international Christian missions organization, has confirmed that American medical missionary Dr. Peter Stafford, his wife, Dr. Rebekah Stafford, and their four children have arrived safely in the United States. (Courtesy of Serge) (NEW YORK) -- The American doctor who contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has returned to the United States.Dr. Peter Stafford; his wife, Dr. Rebekah Stafford; and their four children arrived safely on […]

(WASHINGTON) -- Federal health officials have been investigating five different clusters of cyclosporiasis cases since the start of parasite season in May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said during a press conference on Monday.Three of those clusters are considered over, acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas said. Meanwhile, the largest cluster, linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in five states, has seen cases as recently as last week.The […]