

The Latest
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Allergies 101: An Expert Answers Your Questions
The watery, itchy, burning eyes, runny nose, constant sneezing. Allergy symptoms are no fun. Allergies make us uncomfortable, irritated and downright miserable.
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Woman Recovering After Rare Windpipe Transplant From Donor
Doctors say a woman is breathing freely again after undergoing a windpipe transplant from a donor.
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FDA OKs First New ADHD Drug in Over a Decade for Children
U.S. regulators have approved the first new drug in over a decade for children with ADHD, which causes inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity
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For Mothers With Mental Illnesses, Breaking the Myth of a Perfect Parent Is the First Step to Wellness
The decision to start a family is always very personal and multi-faceted, but it becomes even more complex for those who have a history of mental health illness.
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Exposure to Pesticides During Pregnancy Can Lead to Childhood Tumors, Study Says
Pesticide exposure during pregnancy might lead to the development of central nervous system tumors during childhood, according to a study involving researchers from UCLA, USC and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
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Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson: How Effective Are They and How Do They Compare?
Despite a U.S. factory mixup, more Johnson & Johnson doses are becoming available in the U.S., marking the only single-shot vaccine option. So how effective is it and how does it compare to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines?
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Superhero Dad and Son With Autism Develop Inspiring Comic Book Series
Led Bradshaw’s son Jake was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with autism. Art therapy for Jake led to inspiration for Bradshaw, a professional comic book artist. In a new episodes of Craig Melvin’s “Dads Got This,” Bradshaw told Craig about how his son’s passion led to the development of a comic book series, “Ja... -
What Is ‘California Sober'? Demi Lovato's Recovery Prompts Curiosity, Criticism
Her approach has caused a stir, but what do experts think about it?
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2 More Nationals Players Test Positive for Coronavirus
Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo says the team has three players who have tested positive for the coronavirus and a fourth considered a “likely positive.”
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The Power of Touch: Boutique Stretching Thrives Amid COVID
Pandemic-weary Americans starved for human interaction and physical touch are taking advantage of a growing wellness option once reserved for Hollywood actors and elite athletes: boutique stretching.
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MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center to Undergo Extensive Renovations
Health care improvements are set to arrive at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center.
The hospital is set to open a new, expanded emergency room on April 8 with 41 beds compared to 28 previously. -
AARP: Virginia Has Country's Second Highest COVID-19 Nursing Home Death Rate
New numbers from AARP show Virginia is struggling to control the coronavirus in nursing homes with the second highest COVID-19 death rate in the country.
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Bethesda Mom Is Among First in US to Pass COVID-19 Antibodies to Baby
A doctor in Bethesda, Maryland, is among the first mothers in the country to give birth to a baby with COVID-19 antibodies.
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Scientist Behind Coronavirus Shot Says Next Target Is Cancer
The scientist who won the race to deliver the first widely used coronavirus vaccine says people can rest assured the shots are safe. BioNTech co-founder Ozlem Tureci said she and her colleagues have all received the vaccine the German company developed together with Pfizer. Tureci told The Associated Press that the mRNA technology behind the shot w... -
‘I Don't Want To Go Back to Normal': As Pandemic Fades, Some Find Anxiety Grows
Before the pandemic, Kelsey Darragh, a filmmaker and comedian in Los Angeles, dedicated an hour each morning to showering, applying makeup, doing her hair and finding the right outfit. Now, she just rolls out of bed and puts on something comfortable. “Having that brain space back in the morning has been so soothing,” the 30-year-old tol... -
New Diabetes Guidelines Lower Screening Age to 35 for Some Adults
At least 31 million adults in the U.S. have Type 2 diabetes.
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Help Arrives for COVID-19 Long-Haulers as New Trends Emerge
A group of physicians at George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates has launched a COVID-19 recovery clinic for those with long-lasting symptoms.
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Yes, You Can Cook a Juicy Steak in Your Air Fryer — Here's How
I’ve always been a fan of air fryers, but after recently upgrading the air fryer in our kitchen to a dual-sided Ninja model that cooks at two different temperatures and looks gorgeous sitting on my kitchen counter, my husband and I have found ourselves air-frying meals now more than ever. We roast potatoes and sausage for dinner, we... -
Amazon Jumping Into Health Care With Expansion of Telemedicine App
Amazon is making its first foray into providing health care services
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Mental Health at Work: How to Tell Your Boss When You Need Help
How do you even begin to have a conversation with your boss about your mental health struggles when there’s still a very real fear of repercussions that could derail your career?
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News4 Viewer Says Story Helped Flag Health Issue Tied to Working From Home
A man in the D.C. area was having difficulty breathing and pain in his legs. As his symptoms worsened, he remembered a story he saw days earlier on News4 and went to the emergency room. The News4 viewer, Kevin Blackburn, turned out to have deep vein thrombosis and a pulmonary embolism — just like the News4 employee who shared...
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Fibroids Are 3x More Likely to Affect Black Women, and Research Funding Is Low
Uterine fibroids that can cause chronic pain and disrupt pregnancy plans disproportionately affect Black women, and research that would help women and girls is underfunded, experts say.
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Official: Virginia Will Meet Biden's May 1 Vaccine Goal
Virginia officials say the state expects to meet or possibly exceed President Joe Biden’s commitment to make all adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccines by May 1
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Pandemic Brings Dramatic Drop in Asthma Hospitalizations, Study Finds
The pandemic kept many local children with asthma out of hospitals, according to a study by Children’s National Hospital in D.C.
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Colon Cancer Disproportionately Affects Black Americans; Craig Melvin Shares Story
Black Americans are more likely to get colon cancer than most other groups, and even more likely to die from it. The American Cancer Society says Black Americans are 20% more likely to get the disease and 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups. In another disturbing trend, rates of the onset of the disease in…... -
‘Inequality in America' Special Examines Health Care Disparities
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare racial and ethnic inequalities in health care that have been built into policies and practices over generations. For COVID-19, there is hope in the form of a vaccine. But as News4 prepares for our annual Health & Fitness Expo this month, we’re taking a look at issues that a shot can’t make go... -
Grace, Grit, Gratitude and Loss: DC Area Marks 1 Year With COVID-19
This is the story of the past year — what we’ve lost and what we’ve found.
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COVID-19 Bill Gives States Pathway to Reduce Maternal Deaths
Labor and delivery are thought of as the riskiest times for new mothers, but many women die in the weeks and months after giving birth
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Here Are the States With the Longest and Shortest Life Expectancies, According to the CDC
People born in Southern U.S. states had a lower life expectancy when compared with people in other parts of the country, the CDC found.
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I Flew Last Month. Here Are 4 Things I Wish I Knew Beforehand
Flying in the 21st century was tricky to navigate even before a global pandemic. Now it’s even more complicated. Once the vaccine started becoming more available, some have warmed to the idea of traveling again, and I was one of them. Before booking anything, it’s wise to consider that the Centers for Disease Control and Preve... -
Toys Can Help Build Emotional Health in Children During the Pandemic, Experts Say
Pediatricians have seen the mental health impact firsthand and are saying that cases of anxiety and depression among kids are on the rise
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Health Panel Expands Lung Cancer Screening for More Smokers
More Americans now qualify for yearly scans to detect lung cancer under new guidelines.
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Daylight Saving Time Begins on Sunday. Here Are 4 Ways to Help Your Body Adjust
The clocks change twice a year, but somehow we’re never fully prepared for the way it affects our sleep pattern. As we prepare to “spring forward” on March 14, TODAY Health quizzed a few sleep specialists to discover the best ways to prep for — and cope with — that pesky time change.
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Gabrielle Union Opens Up About Suicide Ideation and Perimenopause
Gabrielle Union has never been one to shy away from a candid conversation, especially when the topic at hand affects so much of the population.
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CDC Study Finds About 78% of People Hospitalized for Covid Were Overweight Or Obese
An overwhelming majority of people who have been hospitalized, needed a ventilator or died from Covid-19 have been overweight or obese, the CDC said.
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University of Virginia Cancels May Graduation Amid Pandemic
The University of Virginia has decided to forgo in-person graduation exercises for the class of 2021 because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
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Virginia Reports First COVID-19-Related Death of Child Under 10
Virginia health officials say a child under 10 has died of complications from COVID-19 and a chronic health condition
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Maryland to Distribute Vaccines More Equitably
Gov. Larry Hogan has released further plans to distribute COVID-19 vaccines more equitably to underserved parts of Maryland, after leaders of the state’s largest Black populations criticized major disparities in the rollout of vaccinations to minorities
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Pandemic Shines Light on Racial Inequities in Mental Health Care
As the pandemic continues, it’s shining a light on racial disparities across the country, including the barriers that keep some Black men and women from accessing quality mental health care. Dr. Erica Richards at Sibley Memorial Hospital said stigma and a fear of being seen as weak are keeping many from seeking treatment. For communities of color,... -
Should You Turn Your Hobby Into a Career? What I've Learned So Far
Like any good millennial, I’ve spent time trying out a lot of jobs. In college, I majored in psychology and planned to become a therapist. After graduation, I moved abroad to teach and returned to the states to work for the NYC Department of Education. I changed course again and went to work for a startup, first in customer...
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Pregnant Woman Blocked From Getting COVID-19 Vaccine Despite Eligibility
A major retailer apologized to a pregnant Alexandria woman after a Virginia pharmacy erroneously denied her the COVID-19 vaccine this week. The apology comes after News4 reported Tiffany Del Rio was able to book a vaccination appointment at a Kroger pharmacy in Salem, near Roanoke, only for the pharmacy to cancel it days ahead of rolling up her sle... -
Eating 2 Fruits and 3 Vegetables Per Day Is the Right Mix for Longevity: Harvard Study
Eating more than that was not associated with additional benefits, said the study conducted by the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and released by the American Health Association.
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Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Flu Has Disappeared in the US
February is usually the peak of flu season, but not this year.
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Virginia Repeals Ban on Abortion Coverage Through Exchange Plans
The Virginia General Assembly passed two bills that repeal the ban keeping some health insurance plans sold in the state from covering abortions
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Maryland Gov. Hogan Announces Expansion of Virus Variant Surveillance
Gov. Larry Hogan has announced expanded surveillance of COVID-19 variants in Maryland
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Volunteers Make Vaccination Clinics Possible
Many COVID-19 vaccine clinics would not be possible without hundreds of volunteers who are staffing them. Some are retired medical professionals who’ve returned to give shots while others are members of the community who want to do their part. Carol Hare retired from nursing in 2018, but for weeks now she’s been back at it, volunteering to give sho... -
10 Cheap and Healthy Foods to Stock Up on When Money Is Tight
As people continue to struggle with job loss and budgets get tighter, a lot of Americans are really concerned about putting food on the table. Grocery prices across the country have risen since the start of the pandemic — and with many of us still homebound due to COVID-19 and cooking more often, many Americans are spending more on groceries...... -
US Life Expectancy Drops a Year in Pandemic, Most Since WWII
A new report finds that life expectancy in the United States dropped a staggering one year during the first half of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic caused its first wave of deaths
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Maryland Bill Allows for Tighter Local Restrictions on Tobacco Products
Maryland legislators introduced a bill that would allow localities throughout the state to place more stringent restrictions on the sale and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products
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Transplant Recipient Beats Odds, Celebrates 32 Years With New Heart
A man is celebrating 32 years of life after having a heart transplant — beating the typical post-transplant life expectancy by decades. “I’ve had a complete life,” Tom Cook said. “A complete second chance at life. It still goes on and hopefully for a longtime more.” In 1989, a congenital heart condition called Marfan syndrome hospitalized Cook at j... -
Rare Condition in People Who Recover From COVID-19 Can Be Difficult to Identify
A rare and mysterious illness first reported in children who have recovered from COVID-19 is appearing in adults but can be hard to recognize. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says multisystem inflammatory syndrome is similar to something first seen in kids and develops weeks after recovering from the coronavirus. Tammy Holland though... -
New Enrollment Window Now Open for Health Insurance Shoppers
Health insurance shoppers stuck in a bad plan or unable to find coverage have a new option for help
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Guinea Declares Ebola Epidemic; At Least 3 Dead in Outbreak
Health officials in Guinea on Sunday confirmed that at least three people have died from Ebola there, the first cases declared since it was one of three West African nations to fight the world’s deadliest Ebola epidemic that ended five years ago.
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Biden Administration to Undo Medicaid Work Requirements
The Biden administration is moving to roll back Medicaid work requirements in its latest effort to undo a controversial Trump-era policy
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After Doctors Ignored Her Symptoms, Woman Suffers ‘Widow Maker' Heart Attack at 46
In 2015, when Denise Castille experienced swollen feet and then heart palpitations, she visited her doctor and a cardiologist. Both said she was fine. She wasn’t. Soon after, the then 46-year-old had a “widow-maker” heart attack, a term used to refer to a serious heart attack occurring when a major artery in the heart is blocked. I... -
DC Health to Launch New Program to Build Trust in Vaccine
The D.C. Health Department is starting a new program to use faith-based groups to build trust in the vaccine. The program is called “Faith in Vaccines,” and churches like Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church are doing their part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The church has set up a small shipping container outside where senior citizens can ... -
Biden Administration Asks Supreme Court to Uphold Affordable Care Act
The Biden administration has told the Supreme Court that it believes the entire Affordable Care Act should be upheld
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Nearly Half of U.S. Workers Suffer From Mental Health Issues Since Covid-19 Pandemic Hit, Report Finds
There’s been a jump in worker mental health issues in the last 12 months, according to a report. Companies large and small are starting to offer help.
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Dr. Laura Berman Warns About Drug Dealers on Snapchat After Son Dies From Overdose
Dr. Laura Berman, a relationship therapist who has appeared on TODAY, is sharing a warning to parents after announcing the overdose death of her son.
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Nothing to Sneeze at: Global Warming Triggers Earlier Pollen
A new study finds that pollen season and its awful nasal drips is coming earlier and hitting harder — and that’s because of global warming.
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Working From Home Can Lead to Hidden Health Risks
As the pandemic continues, millions of Americans are working from home and adapting to the remote lifestyle. What many may not realize are the long-term effects of sitting at a computer for countless hours and having little to no physical activities in between. News4 editor and married father of two Karl Whichard has been working from h... -
Antibody Infusions May Speed Up Recovery, Help Keep Patients Out of Hospital
Northern Virginia’s biggest medical provider is putting a spotlight on the only known outpatient treatment for COVID -19. Doctors believe a type of antibody infusion can help patients recover quicker. Inside Inova’s emergency room, Dr. Chris Sponaugle had been treating COVID-19 patients for 10 months when he contracted the illness himsel... -
Congressional Report Finds Toxic Metals in Baby Food Brands
A congressional investigation has found levels of arsenic, lead and other toxic metals in many popular baby foods, including organic brands.
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Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on COVID-19 Vaccines, Masks
Washington, D.C., has now administered more than 62,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and thousands more people have been added to the list of eligibility. But there’s still some confusion in our region and beyond about how effective the vaccines are. Take the quiz below to test your knowledge and separate fact from fiction. This is our thir... -
‘New Chance at Life': Man Gets Face, Hands in Rare Surgery
Doctors say a 22-year-old man from New Jersey is recovering after receiving a rare face and hands transplant.
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Biden Could Change Course in High Court Health Care Case
The pending Supreme Court case on the fate of the Affordable Care Act could give the Biden administration its first opportunity to chart a new course in front of the justices
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As New COVID Vaccines Near US Debut, Here's What You Need to Know About the Shots
The potential debut of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, which could happen as soon as next month, would help ramp up supply in the U.S.
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What Is Jackfruit? Benefits, How to Cook and Eat Jackfruit Recipes
Even meat lovers can’t get enough of this deliciously healthy food.
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Nearly Half of DC's Vaccine Doses Have Gone to Non-Residents
As the region scrambles to vaccinate as many people as possible, the District, Virginia and Maryland have each agreed to vaccinate people who work in essential roles, no matter where they live. But an analysis by the News4 I-Team finds that, as a result, the District is vaccinating a far larger share of non-residents than its counterparts in ... -
Who Goes First? Vaccine Rollout Forces Stark Moral Choices
Oregon teachers are eligible for COVID-19 shots before senior citizens after Democratic Gov. Kate Brown decided to prioritize reopening schools
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Virginia Parents of Child With Special Needs Plead for Vaccine Priority
Even though Gabriel is high-risk, he is not eligible to receive the vaccine because of his age. That’s why his parents are pushing for priority to receive the vaccine themselves, so that they can protect their children.
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Do You Need to Wear Two Masks? Experts Weigh In
Earlier in the coronavirus pandemic, PPE shortages meant that many people were making cloth face coverings out of available fabrics, like T-shirts and bedsheets, or wearing bandanas. Not only are there now plenty of mask options out there, we have data on what materials and designs are most effective at blocking droplets and aerosolized particles.... -
Insurers Add Food to Coverage Menu as Way to Improve Health
Food is a growing focus for insurers as they look to improve the health of the people they cover and cut costs
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Virginia Hospital Center Cancels 10,000 First-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
One of the main COVID-19 vaccine providers in Arlington, Virginia had to cancel about 10,000 appointments for people scheduled to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine because there wasn’t enough supply. Virginia Hospital Center was operating a vaccine clinic at the Walter Reed Community Center for residents 75 and older, but Friday the ... -
Just Got an Air Fryer? Here's How to Use it to Get the Best Results
Frozen foods like mozzarella sticks, fries, chicken nuggets and vegetables are transformed in the air fryer.
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How Actor Ethan Suplee Has Maintained His Nearly 300-Pound Weight Loss
The “My Name Is Earl” alum has shredded down to just 11% body fat.
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FDA Approves 1st Long-Acting HIV Drug Combo, Monthly Shots
U.S. regulators have approved the first long-acting drug combo for HIV, monthly shots that can replace daily pills.
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DC Addresses Apparent Disparity in Vaccine Availability
Some D.C. residents are frustrated with the city’s vaccine portal, saying it’s been tough to make appointments, while leaders say they are trying to make sure residents of all wards have an equal chance at getting the shot. On Saturday, Miguel Ramos tried to make an appointment for his wife’s uncle, a senior citizen in Shepherd Park. Ramos said...... -
Lack of Data About COVID-19 Vaccine Poses Agonizing Choice for Pregnant Women
As a maternal-fetal medicine physician at UTHealth in Houston, Dr. Jackie Parchem has seen the toll coronavirus infections can take on her pregnant patients. While routine testing has revealed many are asymptomatic, she said others have become critically ill and even died. She signed up for the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it became available to her... -
Justices Say Women Must Obtain Abortion Pill in Person
The Supreme Court has ordered that women must visit a doctor’s office, hospital or clinic in person to obtain an abortion pill during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Another Record Decline Reported in US Cancer Death Rate
Researchers are reporting another record one-year decline in the U.S. cancer death rate, a drop they continue to attribute to success against lung cancer
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2 Cases of UK Variant of COVID-19 Reported in Maryland
The Maryland Public Health Laboratory confirmed the state’s first two reported cases of the highly contagious U.K. variant of the coronavirus, Gov. Larry Hogan said Tuesday afternoon. The patients live in Anne Arundel County. One recently returned from travel abroad, and the other is that patient’s spouse, Hogan said. Both are under age 65, a... -
Combination Tests Screen for Multiple Respiratory Illnesses, Including COVID-19, with One Sample
Combination tests could be a real game changer this winter, if with a single nasal swab, doctors are able to test patients for several different respiratory viruses at once.
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Doctor Wipes Out $650,000 in Bills for Cancer Patients, Feels ‘Blessed' to Do it
Dr. Omar Atiq made the announcement in holiday cards mailed to his patients in December.
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Biden Win Confirmed After Pro-Trump Mob Storms US Capitol
Congress has confirmed Democrat Joe Biden as the presidential election winner, hours after violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol
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Wong Questioned, US Lawyer Released in Hong Kong Crackdown
Jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been arrested under a new national security law while an American rights lawyer who was detained in a sweeping crackdown one day earlier was granted bail
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Tanya Roberts' Death Was Caused by a UTI: Here's How That Can Happen
Bond girl and “That ’70s Show” star Tanya Roberts died Monday night at age 65 after being hospitalized for a non-COVID-19 related illness, TODAY previously confirmed. On Tuesday, Roberts’ longtime partner, Lance O’Brien, told TODAY that she had been hospitalized for a urinary tract infection that spread to her kidneys ... -
Trump Widens US Ban on Chinese Apps as His Term Nears End
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese apps including Alipay and WeChat Pay in an escalation of a trade war he has been waging through most of his term.
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Hong Kong Arrests 53 Activists Under National Security Law
Hong Kong police have arrested 53 former lawmakers and activists in the largest move against the city’s pro-democracy movement since a national security law was imposed last June
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Gov. Hogan Announces Steps to Speed Up Maryland Vaccinations
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has announced steps to speed up vaccinations against the coronavirus
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Reported Virus Issues at Ohio State Raise Specter of CFP Delay
College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock says the national championship game between Alabama and Ohio State is still a go for Monday night.
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Fauci Says US Could Soon Give 1 Million Vaccinations a Day
The nation’s top infectious disease expert says the U.S. could soon be doing a million COVID-19 vaccinations a day despite the sluggish start.
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DC Man Vaccinated for COVID-19 After Getting on Pharmacy Waitlist for No-Shows
A healthy, 36-year-old Washington, D.C., resident says he was able to get vaccinated against COVID-19 this week by getting on a pharmacy waitlist used when people fail to show up to their vaccination appointments.
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Quiz: Test Your COVID-19 Vaccine Knowledge
More than 4 million people have now received a coronavirus vaccine and millions more doses will go into the arms of Americans in the coming months. But there’s still some confusion about how the shots work and who’s in line to get them. Take the quiz below to test your knowledge and separate fact from fiction. This is our...
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Grammy Awards Shift to March Due to Pandemic Conditions
The 2021 Grammy Awards will no longer take place this month in Los Angeles and will broadcast in March due to a recent surge in coronavirus cases and deaths
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COVID-19 Rapid At-Home Test Kits Coming Soon
It will soon be easier to find out whether you have COVID-19 without ever leaving the comfort of your home or sending a swab specimen to a lab. The first at-home COVID-19 test kit is expected to be available in stores and online this month, and two others are close behind. The Food and Drug Administration gave an Emergency Use…
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Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Won't Attend Biden's Inauguration
Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter will not attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration