Health Headlines
With premiums on the rise, what to know as ACA coverage open enrollment begins
The healthcare.gov website on a laptop arranged in Norfolk, Virginia, on Nov. 1, 2025. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)Over the weekend, open enrollment began in most states for those who buy their health insurance though the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace.This year saw the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits and further changes are expected in 2027.Here's what to know about open enrollment for the upcoming year:How long does open enrollment last?Open enrollment typically runs from Nov. 1, 2026 through Jan. 15, 2027. Three states -- Connecticut, Idaho and Massachusetts -- saw their open enrollment period begin last month.Massachusetts residents will have until Jan. 23 to shop for coverage while residents of Virginia will have until Jan. 29. Those ... Read More
New York state reports 1st measles-associated death in over 30 years
The measles virus, transmission microscopy view. (BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)New York state health officials reported a measles-associated death in a child on Monday amid an ongoing outbreak.It's the first known measles-associated death in the state in over 30 years, health officials said."We are deeply saddened by the death of a child in Lewis County associated with the ongoing measles outbreak," the New York State Department of Health and Lewis County Public Health said in a joint statement on Monday. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the child's family and loved ones and ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time."No additional information on the case was released.The development comes a month after New York Gov. Kathy ... Read More
Louisiana health officials warn about rare amoeba infections after certain tap water use
Acanthamoeba castellanii amoeba, computer illustration. (Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images)The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is warning residents about the risks of using tap water to rinse nasal passages and clean contact lenses after several rare amoeba infections.Health officials said on Thursday that there have been 10 cases of Acanthamoeba infections in the state since 2024.Of those cases, eight were cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is an eye infection that can cause permanent vision loss. Seven occurred among people who wore contact lens, and five suffered permanent vision loss, according to the LDH.Two infections occurred this year, one affecting the sinuses and the other affecting the brain, the latter of which was fatal. The LDH said both patients ... Read More
FDA proposes rule updating nutrient requirements for infant formula
Stock photo of an infant receiving formula. (Oscar Wong/STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images)The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Thursday it is proposing a new rule that will update the nutrient requirements for infant formula.The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the FDA, said in a press release that it would be the first major update to infant formula standards in nearly 30 years. The proposed rule would update requirements for vitamin A, vitamin D, iodine and manganese as well as reaffirm existing requirements for chloride, potassium, selenium and sodium, the agencies said.It would also change the units of measure for two nutrients and request public input on possible requirements for ingredients not currently required in infant formula but sometimes ... Read More
Arizona reports 1st animal case of New World screwworm after canine found to be infected
Cochliomyia hominivorax, the New World screwworm fly, is a species of parasitic fly that is well known for the way in which its larvae (maggots) eat the living tissue. (Ramdan Fatoni/Getty Images)Arizona officials confirmed the state's first case of an animal diagnosed with New World screwworm (NWS).This is the third state in the U.S. to report an animal case of the flesh-eating parasite. Previously, only Texas and New Mexico had reported infections among animals, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Officials note that the risk to public health is low. No human cases have been reported this year. Last year, a Maryland resident who recently returned from travel to El Salvador was found to be infected with ... Read More
Some wellness peptides will become widely available, HHS says
Getty Images / Stock ImageThe Health and Human Service said Wednesday it will temporarily allow compounding pharmacies to make six peptides available by prescription.The peptides include BPC-157, TB-500, epitalon, MOTS-c, KPV and semax. The substances have been promoted online for anything from tissue repair to better skin. Some also promote longevity, though scientific evidence on these claims remains unclear. The HHS announcement cites safety and freedom as reasons for the decision."Under President Trump’s leadership, HHS is working to put prevention and patient safety at the center of health care—and that includes confronting the risks of black-market peptides," the federal health agency said in a statement. "The policy does not grant FDA approval or establish clinical safety and effectiveness. It requires ... Read More
5 cases of E. coli confirmed in San Luis Obispo, possibly linked to local farm: Health officials
Escherichia Coli (E. Coli.) bacteria under a microscope (Getty Images stock photo)Health officials in central California are reporting cases of E. coli possibly linked to a local farm.The County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department (SLOPHD) said on Monday it has confirmed five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection.The five cases are among two adults and three children, Tom Cuddy, public information officer for SLOPHD, told ABC News. The children are "seriously ill and in ... pediatric intensive care," Cuddy said.The health department said it is investigating a potential link to Brookshire Farms, known for having a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides and other activities during the fall. Cuddy confirmed that all five patients had visited Brookshire Farms.Anyone ... Read More
Plant-based butter recalled over yeast, mold and E.coli concerns receives FDA risk classification
Stock image of sliced butter (Getty Images stock photo)A plant-based butter that was recently recalled has received a risk classification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).More than 1,300 cases of Miyoko's Creamery European Style Salted Plant Milk Butter had been recalled due to concerns over yeast, mold and E. coli, according to an FDA report.The FDA on Friday classified the recall as a Class II risk level, assigned when use of or exposure to a product "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."The voluntary recall, which was initiated on Sept. 11, affected 10 states including Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire ... Read More
Breast cancer diagnosis brings cousins who never knew each other together
Sarah Sanders speaks with ABC News. (ABC News)At just 34 years old, New York resident Sarah Sanders thought she was in her prime."I was in peak health. I mean, I worked out five days a week, super active, ready and willing to go do everything," Sanders told ABC News.Although she felt her best, her annual gynecology visit in 2020 proved otherwise when Sanders' doctor found a lump in her breast. Over a dozen scans later came the news she never wanted to hear."My diagnosis was triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma. And it's unfortunately one of the more aggressive types of cancer. And at that moment, my whole world just stopped," she said.Breast cancer in women under 50 is considered rare, ... Read More
CDC’s deputy director resigns after being hired in April
Close up of entrance sign for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Getty Images stock image)Dr. Jennifer Shuford, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's deputy director, has resigned, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.Shuford, who also served as chief medical officer, was hired for the role in April. Her last day will be Nov. 12, the CDC said."I am leaving to spend more time with my family," Shuford said in a statement. "I am so thankful to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy for giving me the opportunity to help lead CDC. It has been an amazing experience and I will be forever grateful for it."In a separate statement, Dr. Erica Schwartz, the CDC's director, thanked Shuford for ... Read More
Drug-resistant germs are ‘growing threat’ to US, causing more than 50,000 deaths annually: CDC
Medical illustration depicting Clostridioides difficile bacteria, formerly known as Clostridium difficile, 2019. (Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images)Antibiotics have long been used to treat common bacterial infections from strep throat to pneumonia.But some germs develop the ability to survive the medications designed to kill them, and they're an increasing risk to public health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned.In a report published Tuesday, the federal health agency said drug-resistant germs are a "growing threat to Americans."Drug-resistant germs, including bacteria and fungi, cause an estimated 9.7 million infections and 50,800 deaths each year in the U.S., the CDC's report said."Antimicrobial resistance threatens modern medicine and puts millions of Americans at risk every year," Dr. Erica Schwartz, director of the ... Read More
Abortion is on the ballot in Missouri again. Here’s what to know about Amendment 3
ABC NewsJust two years after Missouri voters approved an amendment enshrining the right to reproductive freedom in the state constitution, abortion, which was also protected by the measure, is on the ballot there again.On Nov. 3, Missouri residents will be voting on Amendment 3, only this time it would prohibit abortion, except in cases of medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape or incest. If the abortion is due to rape or incest, the procedure must occur no later than 12 weeks' gestation.Since Roe v. Wade was overruled by the Supreme Court in June 2022, 13 states have ceased nearly all abortion services while four states have a six-week ban on books, according to an ABC News tally.Following the Supreme Court decision, ... Read More
Changes to hepatitis B vaccine recommendations could leave millions of children vulnerable: Study
Hepatitis B being ready to be administered at the city's immunization and travel clinic in San Francisco, Calif., September 28, 2009. (Liz Hafalia/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)Changes to federal hepatitis B vaccination recommendations could lead to more childhood infections and leave up to 1.8 million young adults vulnerable to the virus, a new study finds.It comes as health experts raise concerns about the potential long-term impact of changing childhood vaccination recommendations.In late 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed the universal hepatitis B vaccination recommendation for newborns. That decision, as well as other vaccine changes by the CDC under the Trump administration, have since been placed on pause following legal action. "These findings show why policy makers should re-implement recommendations ... Read More
Nigeria confirms its 1st Ebola case as Kenya reports 9th infection: Health officials
Blood samples from Ebola patient. (Getty Images stock photo)Nigeria is confirming its first Ebola case as an outbreak continues to spread in the nearby Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).According to Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the patient is a woman who arrived on an international flight from Uganda. She was admitted to a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory, where the capital city of Abuja is located.The woman received care for several days before a diagnosis was confirmed through laboratory testing on Tuesday. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, according to the ministry.The ministry said that 44 close contacts of the patient have been identified and public health teams are working to ... Read More
Why MS can be hard to diagnose, after Christina Applegate reveals misdiagnosis
Five years after revealing she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder multiple sclerosis (MS), actress Christina Applegate has announced that she was misdiagnosed.Speaking on Tuesday's episode of her MeSsy podcast, which she co-hosts with actress Jamie Lynn Sigler, Applegate said she wasn't happy to learn of the misdiagnosis, revealing that she has "gotten worse in some ways" and is "back at square one that I don't know what's going on with me."Doctors say there's no single test that can diagnose MS. That determination depends upon multiple factors, including a patient's symptoms and various test results, all of which can change over time. Additionally, improper application of diagnostic criteria, and that fact that MS symptoms can resemble those of other conditions, ... Read MoreWhat to know about changes to Medicare plans as open enrollment begins
An aerial of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services building on March 19, 2025 in Woodlawn, Maryland. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)Open enrollment for Medicare, the nationwide federal health insurance program primarily for those aged 65 and older, has started.Many enrollees in privately run Medicare Advantage plans may need to find new plans as insurers scale back their offerings.Additionally, costs may increase for prescription drugs after the Trump administration ended a temporary subsidy program.Here's what you need to know about some of the biggest changes coming this year before open enrollment ends on Dec. 7.Fewer Medicare Advantage optionsDuring Medicare's open enrollment period, enrollees can choose between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans for the upcoming year.As the Trump administration vows to ... Read More
More than 4,400 measles cases reported in US as CDC plans to send ‘disease detective’ to Pennsylvania
(Getty Images stock photo/DigitalVision)More than 4,400 measles cases have been reported in the U.S., according to an update on Friday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).A total of 4,410 cases have been confirmed, with most reported by 45 states and Washington, D.C. Eighteen of this year's total have been among international visitors to the U.S., according to the CDC.At least 1,200 of those cases have been reported in Pennsylvania alone by local health officials, as have six measles-related deaths.It comes as the CDC is planning to send a "disease detective" to Pennsylvania in response to the outbreak. "Pennsylvania has formally requested CDC assistance through the Epi-Aid program. In response, CDC will support the state's identified needs and strengthen ... Read More
2 West Nile virus deaths reported in North Carolina: Officials
A female Culex tarsalis mosquito is shown in a close right anterior-oblique view, Aug, 28, 2017. (CDC/Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images)North Carolina health officials are warning that West Nile virus is spreading after two deaths were linked to the disease.The two deaths were adults from central North Carolina, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.Currently, 2026 is on pace to be the second-highest year on record for West Nile virus cases, after 2024, according to local ABC News affiliate WTVD.Transmission levels are higher because of warm weather lasting longer, continuing into mid-October."As long as the weather stays warm and what I mean by warm is over 50s during the day, then the mosquito that carries it will ... Read More
GLP-1s may help boost fertility outcomes for hopeful mothers, some women find
Weight loss injection pen medications. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)After years of fertility treatments to become pregnant with her first two children, 30-year-old Ashlee Amborn was shocked to learn she was pregnant with her third child just four months after her second was born. The solution, she said: a GLP-1. Amborn had struggled for years with several conditions that made it difficult to become pregnant, including polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) (formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome), a single functioning fallopian tube instead of two, one half of a uterus and only two functioning ovaries, she told ABC News. When her PMOS symptoms flared up after her second child, including severe inflammation and hormone imbalance, Amborn said she felt she ... Read More
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