Health

Paul Yeung/Bloomberg via Getty Images (HONG KONG) — Hong Kong is ending its mask mandate Wednesday, becoming one of the world’s last cities to drop rules demanding face coverings. In a press conference Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee said residents and tourists will not be required to wear masks indoors, outdoors or on public transportation for […]

Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Dr. Deborah Horn wants to give her patients with obesity the best possible care. But too often, the conversation in appointments isn’t focused on picking the best treatment options, which sometimes includes anti-obesity medication. Instead, the conversations are focused on cost and insurance coverage. “When we’re sitting […]

LWA/Dann Tardif/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Growing rates of obesity are contributing to more heart disease risks during and after pregnancy, experts warn. People with obesity are more at risk of potentially lethal pregnancy complications like diabetes, hypertension, and pre-eclampsia. Those conditions increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a recent report […]

Sharon Pruitt / EyeEm/ Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Zero-calorie sweetener erythritol, widely used in sugar replacement or reduced-sugar products, has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes for older adults consuming high amounts and already at risk of heart disease, according to a new study published Monday. […]

SONGPHOL THESAKIT/Getty Images (WASHINGTON) — While no firm conclusion has yet been made among health and government officials as to where COVID-19 came from, the U.S. Energy Department has now reportedly indicated it believes the virus was most likely the result of a lab leak in China — one of two prevailing theories under investigation […]

Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images (WASHINGTON) — While no firm conclusion has yet been made among health and government officials as to where COVID-19 came from, the U.S. Energy Department has now reportedly indicated it believes the virus was most likely the result of a lab leak in China — one of two prevailing theories under investigation […]

Southern Kindred Studios (PLEASANTON, Texas) — A Texas woman who nearly lost her life after giving birth was reunited at home this month with her now-4-month-old daughter and 2-year-old son. Krystina Pacheco, 29, of Pleasanton, Texas, gave birth to her daughter Amelia on Oct. 24, 2022, in what she described as an uneventful C-section delivery. […]

Jonathan Kitchen/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., is raising awareness for heart health two months after the signing of a new law named for his late wife, who died in June 2020 from a rare condition. Barr appeared on GMA3 on Wednesday to mark Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day and to discuss […]

Ceirra Zeager, now 23, survived a heart attack at age 14 and open heart surgery at age 21. — Courtesy Ceirra Zeager (NEW YORK) — By the time Ceirra Zeager graduated from college last year, she had already survived a heart attack and open-heart surgery. Now, the 23-year-old is sharing her story to help other […]

DIGICOMPHOTO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images (COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The measles outbreak in central Ohio that left 85 children infected has officially been declared over, Columbus Public Health announced Thursday. “CPH has received the last pending test result, which was negative for suspected measles cases,” the agency tweeted. “We have surpassed 42 days, or two incubation periods, […]