Most American parents hardly give thought to polio beyond the instant their child is immunized against the disease. But there was a time in this country when polio paralyzed 20,000 people in a year, killing many of them. Vaccines turned the tide against the virus. Over the past decade, there has been only one…
Obesity should be assessed in a way that goes beyond the standard measure of body mass index, or B.M.I., according to a new definition of the condition released by an international commission. Its report, published Tuesday in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, makes the case for focusing on how much body fat and…
Childhood obesity is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing public health issues around the globe. With rates soaring in many countries, it has become clear that childhood obesity not only affects children’s physical health but also their mental well-being and overall quality of life. Obese children are at an increased risk of developing serious…
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald J. Trump’s choice to lead the nation’s health agencies, formally asked the Food and Drug Administration to revoke the authorization of all Covid vaccines during a deadly phase of the pandemic when thousands of Americans were still dying every week. Mr. Kennedy filed a petition with the F.D.A. in…
Maricruz Salgado was bringing her diabetes under control. Thanks to a federal program that allowed health clinics that serve poor people to buy drugs at steeply discounted prices, she was able to pay less than $75 for all five of her diabetes medications every three months. But in July, the cost of three of those…
Vitamin D isn’t just a nutrient – it’s like the multitasking hero your body relies on to stay strong and healthy. Often nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin,” it stands out from other vitamins because your body can actually produce it when your skin is exposed to sunlight. But here’s the catch: modern lifestyles, dietary gaps, and…