Millions Of Americans Making Financial Sacrifices To Afford Health Care, Survey Finds

THURSDAY, March 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Borrowing money. Skipping meals. Driving less. Cutting back on utilities. Taking meds less frequently than prescribed.

One-third of Americans — an estimated 82 million people — have to make these sorts of financial sacrifices on a daily basis so they can pay their health care bi...

More Concussions Linked To Worse Brain Health Among Recent College Grads

THURSDAY, March 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Former college athletes can show signs of concussion-related brain decline as early as five years after graduation, a new study says.

Athletes who had three or more concussions during college play had worse scores on tests measuring anxiety, depression, distress and sleep quality compared t...

Switching GLP-1 Medications Is Common, Can Help People Stick With Weight-Loss Treatment

THURSDAY, March 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — People frequently switch between different weight-loss drugs, swapping Ozempic for Zepbound and vice versa within the first year of treatment, a new study reports.

What’s more, those patients who do swap GLP-1 drugs are more likely to stick with the drugs, researchers reported March 1...

Electrodes Partially Restore Movement, Sensation In Spinal Cord Patients

THURSDAY, March 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — People lose two main things in a spinal cord injury: The ability to control the movement of their limbs, as well as the ability to receive sensory feedback from them.

This two-way communication is crucial for a person to be able to move their legs or arms properly.

Now, a team of rese...

Years of Specialized Support Essential with Rare Heart Defects

THURSDAY, March 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — For children born with a single-ventricle heart — a rare defect in which the heart has only one functional pumping chamber — the first few years of life are often defined by a series of high-stakes surgeries.

However, a landmark 16-year study reveals that these operations are on...

Genetic Test May Predict Leukemia Relapse Risk

THURSDAY, March 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is among the most aggressive forms of blood cancer, and while modern medicine can often push it into remission, the threat of a relapse remains a constant fear for patients.

Now, a step forward in genetic testing could help doctors look deeper than ever before t...

Study Links State Taxes to COVID Lockdown Decisions

WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, states that rely heavily on sales tax revenue were more likely to end stay-at-home orders sooner, a new study finds.

Researchers say the findings hint that financial pressures may have played a role in how long some states kept strict rules...

FDA May Allow Some Flavored Vapes Aimed at Adults

WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may allow some flavored e-cigarettes back on the market, but there’s a catch.

They would be marketed to adults, not teens.

Under guidance released Monday, the FDA said it may consider approving vape flavors such as mint, coffee, tea a...

FDA Approves Drug for Rare Brain Disorder, Not Autism

WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a generic drug for a very rare brain disorder, but said it should not be considered a treatment for autism.

On Tuesday, the agency cleared leucovorin for people with a genetic condition that prevents enough folate, a form of vitamin ...

Dark Sweet Cherries May Help Slow Aggressive Breast Cancer, Mouse Study Suggests

WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — From cobblers to smoothies, dark sweet cherries show up in plenty of recipes, and scientists say the crimson-colored fruit may contain compounds that could help fight an aggressive type of breast cancer.

A team at Texas A&M University studied natural plant compounds called anthocyanins...

Multilingualism Might Not Aid Brain Aging, Researcher Argues

WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A researcher is disputing a recent high-profile study claiming that people who live in multilingual countries show healthier brain aging.

The study, published in Nature Aging last year, found that knowing more than one language reduced odds of brain aging by 54%.

But Univers...

Repealing Motorcycle Helmet Laws Leads to More Severe Crashes, Millions in Added Treatment Costs

WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Letting folks ride motorcycles without helmets can lead to worse injuries from crashes that are more expensive to treat, a new study says.

Repealing a Michigan law that required motorcycle riders to wear helmets resulted in a 26% average increase in hospital costs per crash patient, resear...

Physical Therapy Costs Vary Widely In U.S., Study Finds

WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Physical therapy (PT) is important in helping people heal after surgery, manage chronic pain and recover from injuries.

But PT is likely to take a bigger bite out of your wallet depending on where you live, preventing some from partaking in its benefits, researchers recently reported in

Lowering Parents' Stress Can Reduce Risk Of Childhood Obesity

WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Providing support to stressed-out parents might help their children avoid obesity, a new study says.

Children were more likely to eat healthy and not gain weight if their parents participated in training to help manage stress, researchers reported March 6 in the journal Pediatrics...

Why Childhood Cavities May Predict Adult Heart Disease

WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — The secret to a healthy heart in your 50s might actually be found in the dental records of your 10-year-old self.

A massive study from the University of Copenhagen found that poor oral health during childhood is a significant predictor of cardiovascular issues later in life.

By track...

15-Year Study Shows Sharp Rise in Depression Among U.S. College Students

WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — For nearly two decades, the mental health of American college students has been on a downward slide. 

A massive new analysis — to be published April 1 in the Journal of Affective Disorders — found that depression is not only becoming more common but is also hittin...

Mammograms May Also Reveal Hidden Heart Disease Risk, Study Finds

TUESDAY, March 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A routine mammogram may reveal more than just signs of breast cancer.

New research suggests the scans could also help docs spot early warning signs of heart disease, the leading cause of death in women.

In the study, published March 9 in the European Heart Journal, scientists ...

Going Abroad? CDC Warns Travelers About Polio Risk in Several Countries

TUESDAY, March 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Travelers heading overseas may want to check their vaccination records first.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges people to make sure their polio vaccines are up to date before traveling internationally.

The warning comes after the virus has been detected in...

Raw Oysters and Clams Recalled After Norovirus-Like Illness Outbreak in Washington

TUESDAY, March 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Health officials in Washington state have temporarily shut down shellfish harvesting in Drayton Harbor after several folks became sick from eating raw oysters.

The Washington State Department of Health announced the emergency closure for clams, oysters and mussels after illnesses were linked...

Chile Becomes First Country in the Americas To Eliminate Leprosy

TUESDAY, March 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Chile has officially eliminated leprosy, becoming the first country in the Americas and only the second in the world to reach that milestone, health officials announced.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) verified the achievement after confirm...