Under federal law, companies are not allowed to use your genetic information against you for things like health insurance or a job. But that protection does not apply to things like life insurance or long-term care insurance, and the laws are constantly changing.

Determined to take control of her health, a local mom read medical journals and dug into the science of the chemicals in our cosmetics, personal care products and food.

A Virginia mother says she got pregnant after years of infertility once she switched to organic beauty products and food. News4’s Doreen Gentzler has her story. 

Some experts say what you should consider is not the tiny amount of chemicals that you may encounter daily, but rather the cumulative “body burden” they have.

Many teenagers use a ton of beauty products. And researchers say they’re among the most vulnerable when it comes to exposure to certain chemicals. That’s because their bodies are still developing.

A number of beauty products tout being paraben-free and sulfate-free. But what’s the science behind it all. News4’s Doreen Gentzler digs in. 

Two million people go to the doctor each year because of rotator cuff pain. Many need surgery to repair it, but the recovery can be long and painful. Doreen Gentzler reports on a new option using an implant the size of a postage stamp that tricks the body into healing itself.

Dave Johnson is the unmistakable voice behind some of D.C.’s biggest sports teams and a beloved member of the NBC4 family, but of all the stories he has covered, perhaps the most personal is his own. He sat down with Doreen Gentzler to talk about his battle with an unpredictable disease.

The National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, is testing an experimental drug that could save lives in the fight against the opioid epidemic.

Researchers think the nicotine patch might help people stay mentally sharp, and a clinical study is now underway to test it. Doreen Gentzler reports.

Groundbreaking technology being tested at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center allows amputees to feel things through their artificial limbs.

Cutting-edge technology is giving amputees the chance to do things they never thought possible. News4’s Doreen Gentzler went to Walter Reed to learn how this futuristic concept is helping wounded veterans from all over the world.

A local surgeon is warning people about the dangers of vaping and the damage he’s seen firsthand. News4’s Doreen Gentzler reports.

A D.C. woman gave up dancing because of a rare heart condition. Doreen Gentzler reports ARVD is one of the leading causes of sudden death in young athletes.

Dr. Marina Protopapas says she sees more patients complaining of neck and back pain around Labor Day weekend, when many families are traveling. Lifting heavy luggage the wrong way and sitting for long periods without stretching can cause various back injuries, Protopapas says. News4’s Doreen Gentzler reports.

Advocates at odds with President Donald Trump as he doubles down on comments blaming mental illness for the recent mass shootings in Texas and Ohio and calling for involuntary confinement to stop the deadly cycle of violence in this country say hate is not a mental illness. News4’s Doreen Gentzler reports people with serious mental illness commit a very small...

Author, speaker and tutor Ann Dolin helps families get organized and ready to send kids back to school, with helpful tips like scheduling time for homework, using white boards to prioritize assignments and taking advantage of extra pockets of time. News4’s Doreen Gentzler reports.

The Summer Brain Drain series continues with information on how apps and technology can help foster your child’s interest in new subjects over the summer. News4’s Doreen Gentzler has the story.

Many parents will soon be setting those alarm clocks for the first day. That early wake-up call can be a real shock to the system after summer vacation. News4’s Doreen Gentzler is Working 4 You to help parents prepare.