ABC Health

Nearly 5 million flu illnesses reported so far nationally, latest CDC data shows

Saturday, December 20 by ABC News

(NEW YORK) -- Flu activity is increasing across the country, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.New York City is seeing some of the highest levels of flu-like activity across the country. States including Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut,... Read More.

HHS proposes actions to limit access to gender-affirming care for minors

Saturday, December 20 by ABC News

(WASHINGTON) -- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Thursday a series of proposed actions to limit access to gender-affirming care for minors.It comes after HHS released a final version of its report on pediatric gender-affirming care last month, claiming... Read More.

Flu concerns grow in US as UK sees more cases among kids

Monday, December 8 by ABC News

(NEW YORK) -- Concerns about the flu spreading in the U.S. are growing as the U.K. continues to see a spike in cases among children and young adults.The increased number of cases in the U.K., could be a predictor for the flu season in... Read More.

14 cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported in Florida, may be linked to gym

Sunday, December 7 by ABC News

(NEW YORK) -- At least 14 cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported in central Florida.In an email to state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, the Florida Department of Health revealed the outbreak is linked to a gym, reported ABC News affiliate WFTV.The letter from... Read More.

CDC vaccine advisory committee votes to remove universal recommendation for hepatitis B shot at birth

Saturday, December 6 by ABC News

(ATLANTA) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory committee voted 8-3 on Friday to remove the universal recommendation for the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to make vaccine recommendations based on the mother's testing... Read More.

1 in 4 Affordable Care Act enrollees would ‘very likely’ forego health insurance if premiums double: Poll

Thursday, December 4 by ABC News

(NEW YORK) -- One in four Americans covered by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are considering going without health insurance if their monthly premiums double next year, a new KFF poll published Thursday finds.Open enrollment for the ACA began last month, and many Americans... Read More.

CDC vaccine advisory committee meets to discuss hepatitis B shot, childhood immunization schedule

Thursday, December 4 by ABC News

(NEW YORK) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory committee is set to meet Thursday and Friday to discuss the childhood vaccine schedule, adjuvants and contaminants, and the hepatitis B vaccine.It marks the third meeting this year of the Advisory Committee... Read More.

Kids who have smartphones by age 12 have higher risk of depression, obesity: Study

Tuesday, December 2 by ABC News

(NEW YORK) -- Children who have smartphones by age 12 are at higher risk of lack of sleep, obesity and depression, according to a new study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.What's more, researchers found that the earlier a child received a smartphone, the... Read More.

US cases of norovirus on the rise with double the rate of positive tests since August

Tuesday, November 25 by ABC News

(WASHINGTON) -- Cases of norovirus are rising across the United States, doubling over the last few months, according to updated data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Nearly 14% of tests came back positive for norovirus during the most recent week... Read More.

Is the US at risk of losing its measles elimination status?

Saturday, November 22 by ABC News

(NEW YORK) -- As measles continues to spread across the United States, questions have emerged about whether the country will retain its measles elimination status.The U.S. is currently experiencing the highest number of measles cases reported in more than three decades, in large part... Read More.