Health

Three years of fighting in Sudan have produced very high death and displacement figures and a widespread hunger crisis, according to data analyses and UN reports.

The Duke of Sussex met Movember staff at the Whitten Oval in Melbourne and spoke with the charity's global director of men's health research about how social media is reshaping family life.

About two-thirds of U.S. adults drink at least one cup of coffee daily; experts note coffee contains plant compounds like chlorogenic acid and caffeine that are linked to reduced inflammation and some long-term neurological and metabolic associations, while the FDA says three to four cups a day is safe for most adults.

Actor Bob Odenkirk, 63, experienced a 'widowmaker' heart attack on the Better Call Saul set in 2021 and was hospitalized and treated; he has since recovered and is promoting a new film.

Prince Harry visited Movember in Melbourne during a solo stop on his Australia trip and was presented with two child-sized Western Bulldogs jerseys bearing the names Archie and Lilibet.

A study estimates a sustained drop in childhood MMR vaccination could cost the U.S. about $7.8 billion in measles outbreak-related expenses over five years; officials report more than 1,700 measles cases this year.

A 2025 law that reduced ACA premium subsidies beginning in 2026 and the rise of high-deductible plans have increased out-of-pocket costs for many Americans; cost conversations are reported to occur in about 30% of medical visits.

Medical sources describe 'sleep inertia' as grogginess after repeated awakenings and report that using the snooze button can make that effect worse; specialists mention steady wake times, gradual alarm sounds and light exposure as measures people use to ease waking.

A survey of 1,001 people in England with past disordered eating found about a quarter viewed menu calorie labels positively, while around half said the labels made symptoms worse; people who regularly binge ate were more likely to report the labels as helpful.

A BMJ Open study found that five popular AI chatbots produced problematic medical advice in roughly 50% of responses, with nearly 20% judged highly problematic.

A Florida grand jury indicted Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky on second-degree manslaughter after officials reported that, during an August 2024 operation, a patient's liver was removed instead of his spleen; he was arrested, released on bond, and is scheduled to be arraigned on May 19.

A prolonged dry spell and unseasonably warm early spring have brought an early and stronger pollen season in parts of North Carolina, and nearly 90% of the state was reported in severe drought last week.

A Florida surgeon was indicted on second-degree manslaughter after prosecutors say he removed a patient's liver instead of the spleen and the patient died; he is in custody and awaiting his first court appearance.

A Danish nationwide cohort study published in JAMA Pediatrics found no significant association between maternal acetaminophen prescription during pregnancy and autism in offspring, with adjusted hazard ratios near 1 in both population and sibling analyses.

A retrospective cohort study of over 510,000 vaccinated and 510,000 unvaccinated males ages 9–26 found vaccinated males had about half the risk of HPV-related cancers (HR 0.54); similar reductions were observed for those vaccinated at ages 9–14 and 15–26.

Statistics Canada reports per capita alcohol sales fell from 8.3 litres of ethanol in 2020–21 to 6.8 litres in 2024–25, an 18% decline, and similar declines have been observed in the United States.

A Norwegian patient known as the "Oslo patient" received a stem cell transplant from his brother and, after five years of testing, shows no detectable functioning HIV while off medication.

Aurora Fire Rescue is piloting a Leave-Behind Narcan program that allows first responders to leave naloxone nasal spray with people who have experienced or witnessed an opioid overdose. The pilot has access to 950 kits provided through Colorado’s Naloxone Bulk Purchase Fund.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex landed in Australia on April 14 for a four-day visit and visited Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital; Meghan will later host a paid wellness retreat in Sydney at a luxury beach hotel.

Spring environmental allergens commonly cause itching, rashes, and ear problems in dogs, and a veterinarian outlines five management steps including flea control, rinsing paws, regular grooming, washing bedding at 140°F, and air filtration.

The Global Fund and the U.S. are expanding supply of Gilead’s HIV prevention drug lenacapavir with a goal of reaching 3 million people by 2028; initial deliveries have reached nine African countries and the program will extend to 12 more countries.

A federal grand jury on April 13 indicted Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother on charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse; he will be tried as an adult in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced several 2026 initiatives to improve veterans' access to care and services, including Electronic Health Record modernization deployments beginning in Michigan and new grant funding for transportation, adaptive sports, and community suicide-prevention programs.

A University of Edinburgh study published in Nature Sustainability reports that engineered E. coli converted PET plastic into levodopa, a treatment for Parkinson's disease; the work was done at laboratory scale and will require further development for industrial production and regulatory review.

A long-term Harvard study of more than 131,000 health professionals found that higher regular consumption of coffee or tea was associated with lower rates of dementia and slower cognitive decline, with the lowest risk estimated around 2–3 cups of coffee or 1–2 cups of tea daily; the authors and outside experts note this is an association, not proof of protection.

CAR‑T cell therapy, developed for some blood cancers, is being tested for severe B‑cell‑driven autoimmune diseases and has produced lasting remissions in early cases; researchers say larger controlled trials are still needed.

Reports say Britney Spears has entered an out-of-state treatment facility after a recent drink-driving arrest; media accounts describe routine first-day activities in rehab. She is reported to have a court appearance scheduled for May 4.

Medical nutritionist Dr. María José Crispín identifies five common diet mistakes—relying on restrictive diets, neglecting exercise, cutting out fats, avoiding eggs, and overusing 'light' products—that the article reports can hinder sustained weight loss.

Police say new DNA testing identified Robert McCaffrey in connection with the 1990 death of Lisa Marie McBride; he was arrested in North Carolina and is being held pending extradition to New Jersey.

Bill 29, tabled in Alberta's legislature, would let people self-refer and pay privately for certain diagnostic screening and testing without a provider's referral; officials say details on which tests and reimbursement rules will be set in upcoming regulations.