Health

Helen Dennis, Successful Aging: New doctor search can bring good partnership
Choosing a physician is key, particularly in later life when we often are confronted with...

Indian Health Service to phase out use of dental fillings containing mercury by 2027
Native American rights and industry advocates have called for an end to the practice.

With ICE using Medicaid data, hospitals and states are in a bind over warning immigrant patients
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services agreed to give direct access to a Medicaid...

What is atrial fibrillation and how is it treated?
Experts say more than 10 million Americans have it, mostly older adults.

Colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults. Here’s who is most at risk and symptoms to watch for
It is now the top cancer killer of Americans under 50.

How to avoid the ‘ick’ factor when choosing a nursing home or assisted living facility
Experts say knowing what to look for can make a critical difference.

Studies test whether gene-editing can fix high cholesterol. For now, take your medicine
Scientists are testing an entirely new way to fight heart disease.

RFK Jr. pledged more transparency. Here’s what the public doesn’t know anymore
Health information has been delayed, deleted and in some cases stopped all together.

Democratic-led states sue to stop Trump from withholding $600M in health grants
Several of the largest cuts are to HIV programs.

RFK Jr. promised to restore trust in US health agencies. One year later, it’s eroding
Survey results show Americans' confidence keeps sliding, not rising.

When health insurance costs more than the mortgage
More middle-income people face tough decisions about their health coverage this year.

If you’re pregnant and uninsured, Medicaid might be your answer
Here are three things to know about signing up for Medicaid when pregnant.

Rep. Panetta-authored REAL Health Providers Act signed into law
The Requiring Enhanced and Accurate Lists Health Providers Act, which better empowers patients with up-to-date...

It’s 2026 and you’re uninsured. Now what?
Millions of Americans are facing enormous increases in their out-of-pocket costs for ACA coverage.

Helen Dennis, Successful Aging: Judgments around age fade but persist
For many, it has been the age to receive full Social Security benefits; for those...

Doctors increasingly see AI scribes in a positive light. But hiccups persist
AI's potential to transform the health care system is an area of intense focus.

‘I can’t tell you’: Attorneys, relatives struggle to find hospitalized ICE detainees
Many hospitals refuse to provide information or allow contact with these patients.

Sick of fighting insurers, hospitals offer their own Medicare Advantage plans
Hospital-owned plans continues to grow, reflecting the overall increase in Advantage members.

Santa Cruz County LGBTQ+ panel explains ‘why you should care about gender-affirming care’
The nearly two-hour convening featured testimony from legal experts, health care professionals and local youth...

Trump policies at odds with emerging understanding of COVID’s long-term harm
The federal government is curtailing such efforts just as researchers call for more funding.

Demand grows for doulas who can help moms with addiction
Many doulas who help moms with substance use disorder are themselves recovering.

Trump administration launches TrumpRx website for discounted drugs
The actual savings for consumers remain unclear.

Protein is all the rage. But how much do you really need?
The right amount of protein for any individual will depend on many factors.

‘These kids are invisible’: Child abuse deaths spur clash over homeschool regulation
As homeschool enrollment has risen in recent years, so have concerns about oversight.

Do you need to control your cortisol? Probably not, doctors say
Cortisol, what is known as the stress hormone, is the talk of the internet.

CHOMP in Monterey responds to nurse contentions about staffing, meals
“We are committed to supporting our clinical teams with the resources they need to provide...

Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: Feeding kids with Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in young people. It happens...

Doctors share the best ways to get the most from a bidet
They're becoming increasingly common as people seek a hygienic and sustainable alternative to toilet paper.

Planned Parenthood drops lawsuit against Trump administration’s Medicaid cuts
Funding cuts have already forced 23 clinics to close since Trump's tax bill took effect.

Llamas are big pharma’s secret weapon to find new drugs
Scientists discovered the potential of the animals’ antibodies to thwart diseases.

Boston University researchers say CTE is a cause of dementia
Boston University researchers say CTE is a cause of dementia: 'Evidence of a robust association...

Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula RNs vote to join California Nurses Association
California Nurses Association is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest and fastest-growing registered...

Farmers now owe a lot more for health insurance
Last year was a tough one for farmers.

AI therapy chatbots draw new oversight as suicides raise alarm
States have enacted laws to regulate the types of interactions chatbots can have with users.

Medicare proposes new transplant system rules that might spur use of less-than-perfect organs
Wednesday’s move is part of an ongoing overhaul of the complex transplant system.

Gen Z hates diet sodas, but loves them with ‘Zero Sugar’ branding
Both Diet and Zero Sugar are calorie free, artificially sweetened imitations of their sugary brethren.

Sleep-tracking devices have limits. Experts want users to know what they are
Your watch says you had three hours of deep sleep. Should you believe it?

Montage Health, Anthem avoid service disruption with new contract
The agreement provides Anthem health plan members with continued in-network access to care at Community...

Kaiser workers strike again in Bay Area, with no end in sight
Kaiser health professionals took to picket lines again Monday for an open-ended strike.

What to know about breast self-awareness and how it fits into cancer prevention
Breast self-awareness is a more flexible approach to preventing breast cancer.

Addicted to your phone? Don’t break up with it entirely. Do this instead
It's that time of year again: detox season.

Native Americans are dying from pregnancy. They want a voice to stop the trend
Native American and Alaska Native people had the highest pregnancy-related mortality ratio.

Florida deregulated nursing schools. Scam colleges and failing students followed
The 2009 deregulation allowed hundreds of new nursing schools, many for-profit institutions.

New study assesses health priorities in Monterey County
“It really helps us coordinate and communicate around what we're doing and measure what's working...

Trump administration halts use of human fetal tissue in NIH-funded research
The tissue has been critical for research involving HIV, cancer and other diseases.

States race to launch rural health transformation plans
Many state legislatures must pass laws to distribute the funding to their state offices.

States go their own way as RFK Jr. shifts federal vaccine policy
Many states have created formal alliances to share health information.

Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: The ‘new’ food pyramid
The goal — to “shift our food system away from chronic disease and toward nutrient...

New diet guidelines say to double up on protein, but nutrition experts are wary
Nutrition say most Americans already consume more protein than they need.

RFK Jr.’s MAHA movement has picked up steam in statehouses. Here’s what to expect in 2026
Food additives are among the most common targets.

Vaccines are helping older people more than we knew
Other reasons for older people to be vaccinated are emerging.

Helen Dennis, Successful Aging: What to consider when helping an older person to age in place
Sara Zeff Geber, an expert on solo aging, reframes the notion of aging in place...

Solving the home care quandary
Paid home care represents an especially strained sector of the long-term care system.

How Olympians think about success and failure and what we can learn from them
If it were only about winning gold medals, most Olympians would be seen as failures.

Food companies are targeting users of weight-loss drugs with ‘GLP-1 Friendly’ labels
Some products marketed to GLP-1 users contain high amounts of saturated fat and sodium.

Homeless shelters for seniors pop up, catering to older adults’ medical needs
Most homeless shelters aren’t equipped to help seniors, especially those 65 and older.

New research bolsters evidence that Tylenol doesn’t raise the risk of autism despite Trump’s claims
Tylenol during pregnancy doesn’t increase the risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disabilities.

Inside the battle for the future of addiction medicine
More than 80% of Americans who need substance use treatment don’t receive it.

Legal questions swirl around FDA’s new expedited drug program, including who should sign off
Experts worry the program runs afoul of legal, ethical and scientific standards.

Trump announces outlines of health care plan he wants Congress to consider
The cornerstone is his proposal to send money directly to Americans for health savings accounts.

Final day to select ACA health plans arrives in most states, with no subsidy deal yet
The expiration of certain federal subsidies made most enrollees' monthly premium fees more expensive.

To knock down health-system hurdles between you and HIV prevention, try these 6 things
Many queer people have had negative experiences during health care visits.

Democrat blasts HHS for creating confusion in cutting, then reinstating SAMHSA grants
Organizations said they had already been forced to cut staff and cancel trainings.

Trump signs a law returning whole milk to school lunches
Nondairy drinks such as fortified soy milk may also be on the menu in the...

Trump administration restores federal funding for family planning after ACLU lawsuit
The ACLU called it a victory but emphasized the ongoing fight for reproductive freedom.

Strength training is crucial after menopause. How to make the most of your workouts
Experts say women can do strength training with dumbbells, free weights, bands or machines.

Popular weight-loss drugs shouldn’t carry suicide warnings, FDA says
A review 'found no increased' risk among users of the GLP-1 drugs for obesity.

Fewer Americans sign up for Affordable Care Act health insurance as costs spike
Many Americans are considering alternatives or going without insurance.

Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: Keys to surviving winter
Bundle up to get some exercise when you can.

EPA says it will stop calculating health care savings from key air pollution rules
Experts called the agency’s action a dangerous abdication of one of its core missions.

At-home STD tests offer new options for screening and treatment
New options for testing and treating some of the most common STDs are becoming available.

A taste of nature can provide balance and calm during the workday
Many professions allow little time for the outdoors. But there are ways.

Medical bills can be vexing and perplexing. Here’s important advice for patients
The information needed to understand, manage and fight medical bills.

Judge orders HHS to restore funding for children’s health programs as lawsuit continues
The judge said HHS was likely retaliating against the group when it terminated the grants.

‘Memory manipulation is inevitable’: How rewriting memory in the lab might one day heal humans
Research suggests memories are more like well-thumbed library books than museums.

Advertisements promising patients a ‘dream body’ with minimal risk get little scrutiny
State and federal authorities have the power to prohibit false or misleading medical advertising.

Mobility exercises are an important part of fitness as we age. Here are some tips
Mobility exercises strengthen your muscles while increasing your range of motion.

New physical therapy location opens in Carmel
All staff members from Peninsula Sport Physical Therapy were offered positions with Montage Orthopedics and...

Screaming + vomiting: ‘Scromiting’ is the mysterious cannabis syndrome becoming more common
The condition is rare but a study found the number of diagnosed cases is increasing.

It’s the ‘gold standard’ in autism care. Why are states reining it in?
ABA therapy helps people diagnosed with autism improve social interactions and communication.

Trail running legend Kilian Jornet advises beginners to enjoy the view and go easy
Trail running has exploded in popularity in recent years.

Abortion stays legal in Wyoming as its top court strikes down laws, including first US pill ban
The justices sided with the state’s only abortion clinic.

Why ordering takeout or calling the dog walker might lead to a happier relationship
Outsourcing chores can boost well-being by giving people a sense of control.

If someone’s always late, is it time blindness, or are they just being rude?
Time blindness is a common characteristic in people with ADHD.

Guns marketed for personal safety fuel public health crisis in Black communities
During the pandemic, gun marketers told many Americans they needed firearms to defend against criminals...

Being a night owl may not be great for your heart but you can do something about it
Being a night owl can be bad for your heart.

Incarcerated women often don’t have enough period products
Access has also been a persistent issue in immigration detention centers.

Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple
As 2026 arrives, here’s what you can skip — and what you should pay attention...

A family is trying to raise millions to test gene therapy that could help kids trapped in bodies they can’t move
Producing a treatment for 8-year-old Everly Green’s ultra-rare genetic condition isn’t profitable for drugmakers.

Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: Out with the old
That stroke of midnight that begins each new year seems to ignite something in us.

Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: Recipe for healing
Besides key nutrients, my physical therapist also reminded me that my body really needs rest....

SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1
SNAP recipients in five states will see new limits starting Thursday.

In a tumultuous year, US health policy has been dramatically reshaped under RFK Jr.
RFK Jr. reshaped the HHS, cutting research funding and promoting discredited views on vaccines.

Foods with healthy-sounding buzzwords could be hiding added sugar in plain sight
Here’s how to spot hidden sugars and what to do about it.

FDA panelists questioned antidepressants in pregnancy. But doctors call them a lifeline
Medical experts are concerned that a July panel discussion convened by the FDA could lead...

Power Over Parkinson’s: Learning to overcome
“We want to provide support for people in Monterey County who are on the journey...

Americans face growing loneliness and social disconnection
Small groups are working to restore community connections.

California Sen. John Laird appointed chair of influential budget committee
California Senate leadership has appointed Sen. John Laird chair of the influential Senate Budget and...

You finally got a doctor’s appointment. Here’s how to get the most out of it
Getting the most out of a doctor’s visit requires some advance preparation.

Doctor’s orders? ‘Belly laugh at least two to five days a week’
Why is laughter good for you?
