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ABC Health News

Why you may want to think twice before throwing out those old at-home COVID tests
SONGPHOL THESAKIT/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — With COVID-19 cases rising across the country, you may be inclined to pull out one of those leftover at-home rapid tests received months ago from the Biden administration. Even [Read More…]

New data shows increase in abortions in states near bans compared to 2020 data
The Good Brigade/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Newly released data from the Guttmacher Institute shows a sharp increase in the first six months of 2023 in estimated abortions performed in states bordering those with abortion [Read More…]

COVID hospitalizations increase for 7th consecutive week but new boosters could help
Allison Dinner/Bloomberg via Getty Images (NEW YORK) — COVID-19 hospitalizations are continuing to rise in the United States but there is hope that the uptick could be stemmed with the new boosters. Hospitalizations increased 15.7% for [Read More…]

COVID-19 booster shots expected as early as next week
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images (WASHINGTON) — The upcoming COVID-19 booster is expected as early as next week — potentially as soon as Sept. 13 — and is expected to protect against severe [Read More…]

6 die from ‘flesh-eating’ bacteria in 3 East Coast states. Here’s what to know about Vibrio vulnificus
Callista Images/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — At least six people have died on the East Coast this summer after being infected with “flesh-eating” bacteria in warming waters. Health officials say two people in Connecticut, one person [Read More…]

Teen opens up about gambling addiction as legalized sports betting sweeps the nation
ABC News (NEW YORK) — In an age of proliferated and accessible mobile gambling, a 19-year-old, who first spoke with ABC News’ Good Morning America last year, said he is still struggling with a gambling [Read More…]

What to know about Merkel cell carcinoma, the rare skin cancer that led to the death of Jimmy Buffett
Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty Images (NEW YORK) — “Margaritaville” singer Jimmy Buffett died on Sept. 1 after a four-year battle with a rare skin cancer. Buffet’s website revealed he had been diagnosed with [Read More…]

Nurse saves young boy’s life by donating part of her liver
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (NEW YORK) — A 20-month-old boy with a rare genetic mutation was saved earlier this summer by a stranger who donated part of her liver to him. Logan Salva was [Read More…]

New COVID variant BA.2.86 is now in five states. Here’s what to know
Spencer Platt/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — More health officials across the U.S. are reporting new cases of the COVID variant BA.2.86. On Thursday, a genome sequencing team at Houston Methodist Hospital said it had identified the [Read More…]

Nursing homes must boost staffing levels under new Biden plan
Maskot/Getty Images (WASHINGTON) — Nursing homes that accept Medicaid and Medicare must adhere to new federally required staffing levels in order to keep receiving taxpayer money, according to a rule announced Friday by the Biden [Read More…]

Parents honor late son by promoting improved football safety equipment
Courtesy of the Haugen Family (NEW YORK) — Fifteen years ago, Brian and Kathy Haugen lost their son Taylor while he was playing football for his high school team. The wide receiver took a hit [Read More…]

Should you be shopping for talc-free beauty products?
Glowimages/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Cosmetics are a part of a daily routine for many people, but how often are you actually looking at the ingredients? “Talc is used in a range of beauty products,” [Read More…]

Drinking borax is a trend on social media, but doctors say it isn’t safe
kickers/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Borax, a white, powdery substance, has long been a staple in many households as a cleaning agent and laundry detergent booster. Now, the substance is making the rounds on social [Read More…]

FDA sends warning letter to three major formula makers over quality control concerns
Vera Vita/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — The FDA has sent warning letters to three formula companies, red-flagging concerns about serious quality control issues at some manufacturing facilities. The warning letters were all sent Wednesday to [Read More…]

Virginia experiencing statewide outbreak of serious meningococcal disease: Officials
File photo — KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images (RICHMOND, Va.) — Health officials in Virginia have announced the state is experiencing an outbreak of rare, but serious meningococcal disease. Twenty-seven cases have been identified since [Read More…]

Medicare recipients say new drug price negotiations will save them thousands
Mint Images/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Every month, Dawn LaGuerre has to decide which bills she’s going to pay or if she needs to cut back on groceries to be able to afford her monthly [Read More…]

Overdose reversal drug Narcan will be available to buy over-the-counter starting in September
Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images (NEW YORK) — The overdose reversal drug Narcan will be available for over-the-counter purchase starting in September, its manufacturer announced Wednesday. Biotech company Emergent BioSolutions Inc. said [Read More…]

Former Trump health adviser believes current COVID response is falling behind
Jackyenjoyphotography/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Late last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signaled it expects to have the updated COVID vaccine available by mid-September, along with a likely recommendation that everyone should [Read More…]

COVID hospitalizations increase for 6th consecutive week but still at historic lows
Allison Dinner/Bloomberg via Getty Images (NEW YORK) — COVID hospitalizations are continuing to increase in the United States, according to data updated Monday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hospitalizations rose for the sixth [Read More…]

Eighteen-year-old donates kidney to mom, encourages others to ‘be a donor’
Courtesy Brooke Lyle and Jessica Jordan (NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas) — For years, Jessica Jordan of North Richland Hills, Texas, lived with debilitating pain. Her daughter, 18-year-old Brooke Lyle, remembers her mom tried to “hide [Read More…]