Health

By Karla Walsh, CNN (CNN) — Whether it’s stems and skins or past-their-prime protein and produce, you’re probably throwing a lot of perfectly good food in the trash. Such waste doesn’t come cheap. The average American throws away $728 worth of food per year, which adds up to nearly $3,000 for a family of four,

By Kristen Rogers, CNN (CNN) — In the crusade to reduce chronic disease and neurobehavioral issues in the United States, synthetic food dyes are a hot target. California began paving the way for legislation against petroleum-based synthetic dyes a few years ago, based on health concerns including a potentially increased risk of cancer and neurobehavioral

By Brenda Goodman, CNN (CNN) — At the start of an unprecedented meeting of vaccine committee of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the agency scientists who normally generate and interpret data to inform this group’s votes were in an unusual position: answering questions and countering statements that cast doubt on the safety

By Brenda Goodman, Meg Tirrell, CNN (CNN) — A new slate of vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted Thursday to recommend that Americans receive influenza vaccines that are free of thimerosal even though there is no evidence of harm from the preservative. The closely watched vote was among the

By Meg Tirrell, CNN (CNN) — A century ago, one of the biggest safety concerns about vaccines involved bacterial contamination. In 1916, four young children died in South Carolina after receiving typhoid vaccine that had been contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Twelve years later, 12 children in Queensland, Australia, died from tainted immunizations against diphtheria.

By Kameryn Griesser, CNN (CNN) — Sophia Kokolakis doesn’t always know what she’s having for dinner, even after she’s been to the store. A large paper bag brimming with food rides shotgun on the way home, but she has no clue what’s inside. The Toronto resident ordered the bag on Too Good To Go, an

By Meg Tirrell, Brenda Goodman, Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — At the first meeting of a controversial new group of vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the committee announced new plans to study established vaccine guidelines. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will create new work groups to study the

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Heart disease is the leading cause of death around the world. However, overall heart disease death rates over the past five decades dropped by 66% in American adults age 25 and older, according to a new study. Even better, deaths from heart attacks dropped by nearly 90%. “Over the

By Meg Tirrell, CNN (CNN) — A presentation slated to be shared at this week’s meeting of vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claimed that a study in animals suggested that use of the vaccine preservative thimerosal can have “long-term consequences in the brain.” But the study doesn’t appear to

By Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — Routine vaccines have prevented the deaths of about 154 million children around the world over the past 50 years, a new study shows, but efforts have been slowing recently, allowing for the growth of some vaccine-preventable diseases. This backslide could lead to many more unnecessary illnesses and deaths without

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — When it comes to measuring weight, BMI is the acronym everyone loves to hate. Health professionals have long used body mass index as a quick screening tool to fast-track certain patients into a “code red” management plan — people whose weight puts them in danger of future health problems.

By Sarah Owermohle, Meg Tirrell, CNN (CNN) — Ahead of the first meeting of newly appointed vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lawmakers are sharing fresh concerns about the panel’s membership and last-minute actions that could see Covid-19 and influenza vaccines thrown into question. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat,

By Lisa Drayer, CNN (CNN) — When you’re thirsty and in need of a drink, which beverages are best at keeping you hydrated? Sure, you can always reach for a glass of water — but plain H20 isn’t the most hydrating beverage around, according to a study from Scotland’s St. Andrews University that compared the

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Ripping the plastic wrap from the meat or prepackaged fruit and veggies you purchased at the grocery store may contaminate your food with micro- and nanoplastics, according to new research. Plastic contamination may also occur when you’re unwrapping deli meat and cheese, steeping a tea bag in hot water,

By Sarah Owermohle, CNN (CNN) — Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy on Monday night called for federal health officials to postpone this week’s meetings of outside vaccine advisers, citing a small, newly appointed panel and concerns about biases against vaccines. Cassidy’s push to delay the meeting comes after multiple efforts from the Louisiana doctor to ensure

By Brenda Goodman, Meg Tirrell, CNN (CNN) — A former leader of the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense will present this week on thimerosal in flu vaccines at a meeting of the newly appointed vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a CDC official with knowledge of the decision

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN’s Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being. Hiding deep inside the body, a dangerous type of fat wraps itself around vital organs such as the kidneys, liver and

By Meg Tirrell, CNN (CNN) — Angelina Brown passed out while she was exercising one day, a scary experience that led her to a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. It’s a condition in which the heart’s upper chambers beat irregularly, and it’s the most common heart rhythm abnormality in adults, affecting about 10 million Americans. Because

By Tami Luhby, CNN (CNN) — Months after the killing of a top health insurance executive unleashed Americans’ pent-up anger over denials of medical care, the industry announced Monday that it will take action to “streamline, simplify and reduce” the preapproval process. Dozens of health insurers covering 257 million people committed to six steps to