Smoking is really bad for you. Most people know that. Even smokers think smoking is bad for one’s health. But most people don’t know just how bad it is.

More people in the United States die every year from smoking than from alcohol, illegal drug use, car accidents, suicides and murders combined. Cigarette smoking costs an ...Read more

As the risk of measles remains an ongoing concern, herd immunity in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, is already slipping. According to data obtained via The Washington Post in January 2026, 1 in 3 Allegheny County kindergartners were in a classroom too far below adequate vaccination coverage to stop a measles outbreak during the 2023-24 school...Read more

An increasing number of U.S. states have passed laws that allow health care providers – including doctors, nurses and pharmacists – to refuse to treat patients based on their personal or religious beliefs. While these conscientious objection laws have long existed for issues such as abortion, their effects on LGBTQ+ people have not been ...Read more

In between patients at my oncology clinic, I couldn’t catch my breath. I asked my nurse to check my oxygen level and pulse. My chest felt heavy, as if something were pressing on it.

I sat in the same examination chair my patients use, watching the monitor and running through possible diagnoses. But I knew what this was.

A panic attack.

My ...Read more

U.S. regulators have withdrawn their approval of a GSK Plc drug that the Trump administration had promoted as a treatment for autism, adding another twist to the unusual story of a decades-old drug.

The Food and Drug Administration is pulling its approval of Wellcovorin, a branded version of leucovorin from GSK Plc, according to a post Thursday...Read more

Amid a renaissance in the science of psychedelics, public interest in psilocybin – or magic mushrooms, as they’ve long been known – is surging.

One study found that rates of psilocybin use increased 44% among adults ages 18-29 from 2019 to 2023, and 188% among those over age 30. This amounts to more than 5 million adults using ...Read more

OAKLAND, Calif. — Rosa María Carranza leaned forward to hold a 3-year-old’s back as the girl climbed a rock in the forested hills of northeast Oakland.

Dressed in hiking gear and beaded necklaces, Carranza, 67, maneuvered between trees and children on a sunny morning in December. “Hold on to that branch,” she said in Spanish. “You ...Read more

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. One in 5 patients is diagnosed with metastatic disease, meaning the colorectal cancer has spread beyond the colon, often to the liver.

When surgery isn't an option, a liver transplant may be a lifesaving alternative. Mayo Clinic leads in this approach, combining ...Read more

As golf season approaches, preparation should start before your first tee time. Building strength off the course can improve performance and help reduce injury risk.

"Play the long game by building strength off the course," says John Zajac, D.P.T., a physical therapist certified in golf-specific rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine. "...Read more

Cases of flea-borne typhus have hit an “all-time high” in a California county, according to public health officials.

A record 220 cases of the disease were identified in 2025 in Los Angeles County, the county public health agency reported April 2.

“Alarmingly, nearly 9 out of 10 people identified as infected with typhus required ...Read more

The Trump administration is quietly seeking unprecedented access to medical records for millions of federal workers and retirees, and their families.

A brief notice from the Office of Personnel Management could dramatically change which personally identifiable medical information the agency obtains, giving it the power to see prescriptions ...Read more

Public health institutions are under threat by populist governments across the globe.

From Budapest to Jakarta, Indonesia, public health agencies are being stripped of funding and independence. Meanwhile, disinformation has sown distrust in scientific experts. The results are already visible through the return of diseases once thought...Read more

The BRAT diet — which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast — has long been recommended for people coping with diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These bland, low-fiber foods are easy to digest. But is this the best diet to help you recover from digestive woes?

There aren’t any studies comparing the BRAT diet with other options. �...Read more

The leap into April is a sign that crisp mornings are making way for sun-kissed evening skies. This change in weather also brings a shift in the produce selection available at the market. When you’re out shopping, snag these five seasonal selections and pantry staples that can help you create convenient, healthy meals that celebrate spring.

1...Read more

While vacation is supposed to be a time of fun and relaxation, accidents do happen. Planning ensures you have the protection you need in case you’re sick or injured during your trip.

Depending on where you are and what your primary health insurance policy covers, you might be stuck with the bill if you do end up in the hospital. For this ...Read more

Farro is an ancient grain that’s been cultivated for thousands of years. Delicious and nutritious (rich in protein, fiber, and nutrients like iron and magnesium), farro is enjoying a resurgence among gourmets and the health conscious alike.

The folklore

Legend has it that Julius Caesar himself brought it to Italy after invading Egypt in 30 B...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: We’re living in an area that’s seeing increasing episodes of wildfire smoke. I’m concerned about how it could be affecting our health. Should we be concerned?

ANSWER: As wildfires become increasingly common throughout the U.S. and neighboring Canadian provinces, the smoke from these fires should be taken seriously. Air ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My brother was experiencing severe back pain last year and decided to see a neurosurgeon for treatment. Now he is experiencing little to no discomfort. When I think about seeing a neurosurgeon, I picture major spine surgery and a long, difficult recovery. Seeing that he is doing better made me reflect on my own situation. I ...Read more

BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Legislature have passed and signed another supplemental budget, this time appropriating $300 million to fund health insurance for public employees as health care costs continue to burden the state budget.

The House and Senate both passed the emergency legislation (H. 5348) during informal ...Read more