Health

WHO urges governments to significantly raise taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol after reports found many levies remain low and these products have become broadly affordable in many countries.

Former Robb Elementary teacher Arnulfo Reyes testified that his classroom door was not locked when a gunman entered in May 2022, and he was called to testify in the trial of former school district officer Adrian Gonzales.

Two transgender students from West Virginia and Idaho challenged state laws that would bar transgender females from girls' and women's sports, and the Supreme Court heard the cases; the court deferred deciding whether one student's withdrawal makes her case moot.

Oprah Winfrey discussed her new book Enough and described how recent weight loss and lifestyle changes gave her a sense of freedom; her co-author Dr. Ania M. Jastreboff also spoke about how GLP-1s work during a Jan. 13, 2026 interview on TODAY.

Dr. Ania Jastreboff told TODAY that several common beliefs are myths, including that weight loss continues indefinitely, that these drugs cure obesity, and that microdosing is effective for people without obesity.

Novo Nordisk has gained U.S. approval for an oral version of Wegovy and is positioning the pill as a lower-cost, easier-to-use option. Eli Lilly’s oral candidate, orforglipron, completed phase 3 trials and has an accelerated FDA review that could lead to a decision soon.

Cartoonist Scott Adams is receiving hospice care at his Northern California home, and his ex-wife told TMZ that his health is declining rapidly amid a battle with prostate cancer.

The American Cancer Society reports five-year relative survival for all cancers has reached 70%, while incidence of several common cancers including breast, endometrial, prostate and pancreatic cancers is rising.

A 2026 republication of a Cochrane review analyzed 73 randomized trials with nearly 5,000 adults and found that exercise can reduce depressive symptoms and may show similar effects to psychological or pharmacological treatments in some small trials.

Start TODAY trainer Stephanie Mansour says the best choice depends on personal needs, and the key is exercising consistently; gyms offer equipment and social motivation while home workouts offer convenience, privacy and lower cost.

The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in two cases about whether states may bar males from competing in women's school sports; the decision will determine how federal law treats sex-based distinctions in school athletics.

Experts cited research linking high-sugar diets to increased dementia risk and noted that sugary snacks eaten in the afternoon can cause larger blood sugar spikes and may disturb sleep.

Stanford researchers trained an AI called SleepFM on nearly 600,000 hours of polysomnography from over 60,000 participants and reported it could predict risk for more than 100 health conditions, including dementia, cancer and stroke; the team says the tool is experimental and not yet validated for clinical use.

Nearly 15,000 nurses began a citywide strike at five privately run hospitals after contract talks stalled; the New York State Nurses Association says its main demands include pay raises, full health benefits, safe staffing levels and protections from workplace violence.

The article reports that open earbuds sit on the ear cartilage instead of sealing the ear canal, and it cites ENThealth.org saying typical in-ear earbuds can be up to 9 decibels louder than over-ear headphones and may carry more bacteria into the ear.

Officials report a worse-than-usual flu season linked to an H3N2 subgroup called subclade K, and about 44 percent of U.S. adults have received the flu vaccine so far.

A dietitian-researcher outlined three simple food swaps—using olive or avocado oil instead of butter, choosing poultry or fish over red and processed meats, and preferring whole grains over refined grains—to support heart health; he cited research linking Mediterranean-style diets, higher fiber, and lower LDL cholesterol with reduced cardiovascular risk.

Forbes Vetted reviewed moisturizers for aging skin and highlighted SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 as a top pick while noting CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for affordability; experts cited hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, vitamin C and niacinamide as key ingredients.

A group of Buddhist monks is walking roughly 2,300 miles from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. as a months-long moving meditation called the Walk for Peace, and their Facebook following has recently passed one million.

Amgen said patients on its experimental drug MariTide maintained weight loss for two years, reporting topline results from a phase 2 study at the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference; the company did not release detailed data.

A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction restoring nearly $12 million in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics and blocking cuts while the lawsuit proceeds; the judge said the Department of Health and Human Services likely acted with a retaliatory motive.

A journalist had their gut microbiome tested and found broadly healthy but with some bacteria linked to risk; the report reviews studies that link greater gut diversity to longer, healthier lives while noting research is still emerging.

Mattel released a Barbie designed to represent autism, featuring a functional fidget spinner, noise‑reducing headphones and a tablet meant to represent an AAC device; the company worked with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and families said the doll helped some people on the spectrum feel seen.

Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said the newly launched GLP-1 pill will broaden access by removing barriers tied to injections; the company launched the first FDA‑approved oral GLP‑1 in the U.S. last week.

The USDA posted an edited image of President Trump with a milk mustache on Jan. 11 to promote new dietary guidelines that emphasize whole-fat dairy; the post drew mixed reactions online.

Nearly 15,000 nurses at several major New York City hospitals are authorized to strike early Monday if no agreement is reached; union leaders said bargaining had made little progress as of Sunday.

Both are contagious respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. Flu is caused only by influenza viruses while colds can be caused by rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, or seasonal coronaviruses, and symptoms often overlap so special tests are used to confirm flu.

Jenna Fischer, who was diagnosed with stage 1 triple-positive breast cancer in October 2024, posted that her hair has grown back enough to style into a bob and thanked her hairstylist for supporting her through treatment.

CNN Underscored compiled a list of 10 shoes recommended by health care workers and podiatrists for people who stand long shifts, naming models such as the Asics Gel‑Nimbus 27, Hoka Arahi 8 and several Skechers and Dansko options.

The B.C. Supreme Court has begun hearing a Charter challenge by patients, advocacy groups and a physician who say faith-based hospitals denied in-facility access to medical assistance in dying and forced transfers. Providence Health Care says its religious beliefs allow it to opt out of providing MAID and defends its actions.