Health News

(LOUISIANA) -- The first person has died of bird flu in the United States, the Louisiana Department of Health confirmed on Monday.The patient, who was exposed to non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds, was over age 65 and had underlying medical conditions, officials said.Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the patient was experiencing the first case of severe bird flu in the U.S.At the time, a […]

(CHINA) -- Chinese health officials are reportedly monitoring an increase in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV).There is currently no evidence that the outbreak is out of the ordinary or that a new respiratory virus or illness has emerged in China.A spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO) said data from China indicates "there has been a recent rise in acute respiratory infections" but that "the overall scale and intensity of […]

Westend61/Getty Images (NEW YORK) -- The U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on Friday warning of a link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk.Alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, after tobacco and obesity, according to the Surgeon General's advisory.For some cancers, including breast, mouth, and throat cancers, the risk of developing cancer may increase with one or fewer drinks per day, the […]

(NEW YORK) -- The Mediterranean diet -- which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains -- has once again topped U.S. News and World Report's annual ranking of best diets.The publication on Friday named the diet the best overall diet for the eighth year in a row.The Mediterranean diet scored a 4.8 out of 5 based on an evaluation of several factors, including nutritional completeness, health risks and benefits, […]

(NEW YORK) --  If you’re feeling hungover from New Year’s Eve champagne or had one too many boozy eggnogs over the holidays, let January be a fresh start.Taking the challenge of going dry in January, or Dry January, i.e. having no alcohol for the entire month, is one resolution that might actually make you healthier.The Dry January campaign was started in 2013 by Alcohol Change U.K., a charity focused on […]