Utah & U.S. Health News
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'Passionate and loving': North Ogden choir instructor leads final concert as cancer fight intensifies
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Dec. 4 - 10:00 a.m. | Save Story
A North Ogden choir instructor led her final concert at a Christmas program on Wednesday as her battle with cancer intensifies.
Child deaths projected to rise for first time this century, as aid cuts reverse decades of progress
Lauren Kent, CNN | Updated Dec. 4 - 9:04 a.m. | Save Story
The number of children who die before age 5 is expected to rise for the first time this century, amid sweeping cuts to global health funding by high-income countries, according to a new report from the Gates Foundation.
Obamacare subsidies are about to expire. Congress doesn't have a plan yet
Cami Mondeaux, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 4 - 7:15 a.m. | Save Story
Lawmakers in both the House and Senate met behind closed doors on Tuesday to discuss how to avoid a surge in health care premium costs at the end of this year when a slate of COVID-era Obamacare subsidies expire.
Nearly 40 babies sickened in infant botulism outbreak tied to contaminated formula
Jonel Aleccia, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 3 - 10:03 p.m. | Save Story
Nearly 40 babies have been sickened in an infant botulism outbreak tied to contaminated formula, federal health officials say.
Shredded cheese sold in dozens of states recalled due to potential metal fragment contamination
Michelle Chapman, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 3 - 9:31 p.m. | Save Story
There is a recall for more than 260,000 cases of shredded cheese sold in 31 states and Puerto Rico because of the potential for metal fragment contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Her cancer treatment failed. Now, she is the face of this year's Festival of Trees
Caitlin Keith, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 3 - 9:04 p.m. | Save Story
Livie Smart, a bone marrow transplant recipient, is serving as the patient champion for the Festival of Trees, which will take place Wednesday through Friday at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy.
San Francisco sues Kraft, Mondelez over ultra-processed foods
Diana Novak Jones, Reuters | Posted Dec. 2 - 5:01 p.m. | Save Story
The city of San Francisco sued Kraft, Mondelez, Coca-Cola and other makers of ultra-processed foods on Tuesday, accusing them of knowingly sickening California residents with addictive and harmful products.
US vaccine committee to vote this week on delay of hepatitis B shots
Michael Erman, Reuters | Posted Dec. 2 - 4:02 p.m. | Save Story
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s handpicked vaccine advisory committee will vote later this week on whether to delay hepatitis B shots for most American children.
35 million tons of food go to waste yearly in the US. Experts share tips to help stop it
Francesca Giuliani Hoffman, CNN | Posted Dec. 2 - 12:46 p.m. | Save Story
Millions of tons of food are wasted each year in the United States alone. About 35 million tons, to be specific, according to the latest ReFED report.
Davis County reports its first case of measles; state's total remains at 102
Curtis Booker, KSL.com | Posted Dec. 1 - 6:20 p.m. | Save Story
Davis County health officials report its first measles case, and department urges residents to get vaccinated.
Chairman of vaccine committee leaves for new HHS job
Mike Stobbe, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 1 - 12:08 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial vaccine advisory committee will be meeting later this week under a new chairperson, federal officials announced Monday.
Keeping Team USA healthy at Italy's 2026 Winter Games
Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 1 - 12:01 p.m. | Save Story
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is serious about reminding Team USA athletes to protect their health ahead of the 2026 Winter Games.
Cardio drumming class in St. George offers unique form of exercise
Arianne Brown for KSL.com | Posted Nov. 30 - 7:00 p.m. | Save Story
It's rare to find a studio that offers cardio drumming, but St. George seems to be a hot spot for the rare group exercise opportunity.
Clearfield police begin new mental health officer program to help people in crisis
Alex Cabrero, KSL-TV | Posted Nov. 30 - 8:06 a.m. | Save Story
The Clearfield Police Department is launching a new mental health officer program aimed at giving people in crisis the kind of help that goes beyond a single 911 call.
FDA memo links 10 child deaths to COVID vaccines
Lucia Mutikani, Julie Steenhuysen, Rajveer Singh Pardesi and Bhargav Acharya, Reuters | Posted Nov. 29 - 3:14 p.m. | Save Story
COVID-19 vaccinations probably contributed to the deaths of at least 10 children who died of heart inflammation, Food and Drug Administration chief medical and scientific officer Vinay Prasad told staffers.
Teen who survived shark attack on finding strength, becoming a champion for amputees
Brittany Decker, CNN | Posted Nov. 29 - 11:23 a.m. | Save Story
Lulu Gribbin, a teen from Alabama, is known around the country for surviving a shark attack. She has spent every day since then proving her resilience and using her story to advocate for others.
How running with a purpose has transformed lives behind bars
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 29 - 7:16 a.m. | Save Story
Dozens of men incarcerated at the Utah State Correctional Facility ran 26.2 miles — not for medals, but for mental health and human connection.
Gift giving for someone with dementia or their caregivers
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 28 - 9:01 a.m. | Save Story
If someone you love has Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia — and 7.4 million Americans including 38,300 Utahns do — gift giving can be a bit tricky.
Utah Red Cross opens donation centers on Thanksgiving to meet lifesaving platelet needs
Par Kermani, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 26 - 6:27 p.m. | Save Story
The American Red Cross of Utah is urgently calling for platelet donations, opening select donation centers on Thanksgiving Day to meet a critical, constant need for patients battling cancer, chronic illnesses and trauma.
Measles confirmed in 8 students at Wasatch High; Utah's total eclipses 100 infections
Curtis Booker, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 25 - 7:05 p.m. | Save Story
Measles cases are on the rise at Wasatch High School as eight students have been infected. The state's total cases now exceed 100.
Global funding cuts devastating HIV prevention programmes, UNAIDS says
Olivia Le Poidevin, Reuters | Posted Nov. 25 - 2:12 p.m. | Save Story
People living with HIV have died due to service disruptions caused by major funding cuts, while millions of people at risk of contracting HIV have lost access to prevention tools, a new report from UNAIDS said.
Trump expected to propose Obamacare subsidy extension, report says
Jarrett Renshaw, Reuters | Posted Nov. 24 - 1:39 p.m. | Save Story
The White House is preparing to unveil a health-policy framework that would extend Affordable Care Act insurance premium subsidies for two years, Politico reported on Monday.
Will US keep or lose its status as country that 'eradicated' measles?
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 23 - 10:30 p.m. | Save Story
Health officials this week said ongoing measles outbreaks could remove the status of the U.S. as a country that has "eliminated measles."
Utah lawmaker argues for kratom ban to protect public health against 'gas station heroin'
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 22 - 12:05 p.m. | Save Story
A Utah legislator just introduced a bill that would put a state ban on the controversial — and somewhat obscure — drug kratom. If passed, Utah would join at least seven other states in banning its sale altogether.
Hearing aids may reduce dementia risk by 61%, study says
Emma Benson, KSL-TV | Posted Nov. 22 - 11:22 a.m. | Save Story
Only about one in five adults who could benefit from hearing aids actually uses them. But new research shows that treating hearing loss early may do more than improve hearing — it could also protect your brain.
Kennedy says he told CDC to change website's language on autism and vaccines
Sriparna Roy and Michael Erman, Reuters | Posted Nov. 21 - 9:46 p.m. | Save Story
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told The New York Times he instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to change its long-standing position that vaccines do not cause autism.
Idaho's mental health services slashed, prompting Saturday march and fast-growing petition
Lisa Lete, EastIdahoNews.com | Posted Nov. 21 - 8:36 p.m. | Save Story
Mental health providers across eastern Idaho are sounding the alarm over sweeping cuts to Idaho's behavioral health system, and they're urging the public to take action.
Will the flu shot work and when should you take it?
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 21 - 9:22 a.m. | Save Story
When it comes to the upcoming influenza season, there's a potential mismatch between the vaccine and what might circulate, raising the risk that the flu season could be severe. And that risk could be even higher because of low uptake of the influenza vaccine so far.
Mom and son diagnosed with cancer just 1 hour apart
Shelby Lofton, KSL-TV | Posted Nov. 21 - 6:15 a.m. | Save Story
A Utah native and her 4-year-old son are facing the unimaginable: They were both diagnosed with cancer on the same day, just one hour apart.
US CDC adopts Kennedy's anti-vaccine views on recast website
Michael Erman, Reuters | Updated Nov. 20 - 1:45 p.m. | Save Story
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recast the vaccine safety section of its website to align with the view of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that childhood vaccines cause autism.
As infant botulism cases climb to 31, recalled ByHeart baby formula is still on some store shelves
Jonel Aleccia, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 20 - 11:23 a.m. | Save Story
Health officials say at least 31 babies in 15 states have been treated for botulism as an outbreak tied to ByHeart formula continues to grow.
Utah softball community rallies for former Snow College player diagnosed with leukemia
Arianne Brown for KSL.com | Posted Nov. 20 - 7:17 a.m. | Save Story
The Utah softball community is rallying together after Hallie Young, a former Snow College softball player, was suddenly diagnosed with leukemia.
'A bummer': Ogden raw milk store faces graffiti attack; owner touts oversight the locale faces
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 19 - 7:11 p.m. | Save Story
A new Ogden store that sells raw milk, the Milk Barn Creamery, faced a graffiti attack this week while one of the locale's operators defended the business, noting the oversight it faces.
Former Marine helps other veterans cope with mental health struggles
Emma Benson, KSL-TV | Posted Nov. 19 - 7:17 a.m. | Save Story
Veterans can experience PTSD, anxiety and depression long after leaving the service — even if those struggles aren't visible. A former Marine is helping to break the stigma surrounding that.
Audit: Utah's cannabis licensing body operates as 'a rubber stamp' on oversight
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 18 - 7:11 p.m. | Save Story
Auditors say Utah's cannabis licensing body operates as "a rubber stamp" on oversight and call for new steps on handling inspections and categorizing infractions.
Trump plans more steps to cut health care costs in coming weeks
Andrea Shalal, Reuters | Posted Nov. 18 - 4:32 p.m. | Save Story
President Donald Trump will travel domestically before year-end to tout his economic agenda and highlight efforts to improve affordability, and he could make new announcements on lowering health costs.
First measles cases found in central Utah; state's total infections surpass 80
Curtis Booker, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 18 - 6:51 a.m. | Save Story
Two cases of measles have been detected in central Utah, and the state now has over 80 cases of the virus.
About a quarter of U.S. pregnant women don't get prenatal care in their first trimester, report says
Jacqueline Howard, Asuka Koda, CNN | Posted Nov. 17 - 9:32 a.m. | Save Story
Some women rush to their doctor just days after getting a positive pregnant test, but Dr. L. Joy Baker said she often sees patients for the first time just weeks or even days before they give birth.
US appeals court to weigh reviving cases over Tylenol and autism
Diana Novak Jones, Reuters | Posted Nov. 17 - 9:16 a.m. | Save Story
A U.S. appeals court is expected to hear arguments on Monday from families seeking to revive their lawsuits over Tylenol, after the Trump administration publicly promoted its claims that the popular painkiller is linked to autism in children.
Utah woman turns pain into purpose through newly released memoir
Curtis Booker, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 16 - 6:00 p.m. | Save Story
A Utah County woman's new memoir recounts her experience of past childhood sexual abuse, and her journey to healing and advocacy
2 new malaria treatments show promise as drug resistance grows
Mike Stobbe, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 15 - 12:13 p.m. | Save Story
Researchers on Wednesday reported two promising new approaches to counteract malaria's growing resistance to medication — one involving a new class of drugs.
Judge says he'll approve opioid settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue and Sackler family
Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 14 - 1:30 p.m. | Save Story
A federal bankruptcy judge on Friday said he will approve OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma's latest deal to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of opioids that includes some money for thousands of victims of the epidemic.
Salt Lake County confirms its first case of measles amid nationwide outbreak
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 14 - 1:15 p.m. | Save Story
Health officials on Friday confirmed a measles infection in an adult resident — the first lab-confirmed case identified in Salt Lake County amid a current nationwide outbreak of the disease.
'Every moment is a fight': After surviving paralysis twice, Idaho 4-year-old faces another hurdle
Kaitlyn Hart, EastIdahoNews.com | Posted Nov. 12 - 3:08 p.m. | Save Story
An Idaho 4-year-old, Carter Grover, who was paralyzed for the second time in his life after a crash in September, continues to persevere. Now, he needs a pacemaker.
Huntsman Cancer Institute introduces first Angio-CT in the Mountain West
Emma Benson, KSL-TV | Posted Nov. 11 - 8:39 a.m. | Save Story
A new piece of technology at Huntsman Cancer Institute is changing the way doctors diagnose and treat cancer — combining two procedures into one.
FDA to drop black box warnings from menopause hormone therapies
Christy Santhosh and Ahmed Aboulenein, Reuters | Updated Nov. 10 - 4:36 p.m. | Save Story
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Monday it would remove the strictest "black box" warnings from hormone therapies used to treat menopause symptoms, a move that may boost access to treatments long shunned by patients and doctors over safety fears.
Pill may lower cholesterol in those who don't see benefit with statins alone
Jacqueline Howard, CNN | Updated Nov. 10 - 2:35 p.m. | Save Story
For some people with high cholesterol, making lifestyle changes and taking routine statin medications may not be sufficient to help them reach their target cholesterol levels.
Utah barbershop donates day's earnings to support veterans' healing
Alex Cabrero, KSL-TV | Posted Nov. 9 - 8:30 p.m. | Save Story
Every dollar from every haircut one day this week at both Branded Barbers locations was donated to a nonprofit called "High Flight Heroes."
Trump takes aim at Obamacare as historic federal shutdown hits 40th day
Nathan Layne, Reuters | Posted Nov. 9 - 4:44 p.m. | Save Story
President Donald Trump doubled down on Sunday on his push to gut Obamacare health care subsidies, which his Democratic opponents have insisted on preserving as a condition for ending the 40-day government shutdown.
Infant botulism in 10 US states linked to formula being recalled
Associated Press | Posted Nov. 9 - 2:05 p.m. | Save Story
Federal and state health officials are investigating 13 cases in 10 states of infant botulism linked to baby formula that was being recalled, authorities said Saturday.
How a cornea transplant brought 2 families together for first time in Philadelphia
Stephanie Stahl, KYW via CNN | Posted Nov. 9 - 10:36 a.m. | Save Story
Debbie Krigstein's vision was restored following a cornea transplant, and she got a chance to meet the donor family, the Cowans, for the first time Friday.
Trump urges lawmakers to give health care money 'directly to the people'
Susan Heavey, Reuters | Posted Nov. 8 - 5:44 p.m. | Save Story
President Donald Trump on Saturday floated a potential compromise amid the impasse over the U.S. government shutdown, urging Republicans to redirect federal money that goes to health insurance companies and give it to individuals.
US to announce new dietary guidelines in December, Kennedy says
Steve Holland, Reuters | Updated Nov. 8 - 12:57 p.m. | Save Story
President Donald Trump's administration will release new dietary guidelines in December aimed at reducing high rates of obesity and changing the country's food culture.
How this tennis program is changing lives for Utah children with autism
Holly Richardson, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 8 - 12:01 p.m. | Save Story
Program directors report a 92% improvement in social skills, a 90% improvement in tennis skills and motor skills, an 82% improvement in on-task engagement, and a 78% improvement in both mood and general behavior.
Government launches program to lower Medicaid drug prices
Reuters | Updated Nov. 8 - 8:29 a.m. | Save Story
The government on Thursday unveiled a new program to cut prescription drug costs for Medicaid patients by tying prices to those paid in other countries.
'Perfect storm of ugly': Democrats warn of impacts to Utahns if premium subsidies expire
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 5 - 5:03 p.m. | Save Story
A pair of national Democrats warned of impacts to Utahns if COVID-era tax credits for insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act are allowed to expire at the end of the year in a call with local reporters Wednesday.
Lilly, Novo near deals to cut obesity drug prices, gain Medicare access
Reuters | Posted Nov. 4 - 7:33 p.m. | Save Story
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are expected to announce deals with the White House to offer the lowest dose of their weight-loss drugs at $149 per month, in exchange for Medicare coverage.
Trump administration injects more temporary funding for child nutrition program
Leah Douglas, Reuters | Updated Nov. 4 - 12:46 p.m. | Save Story
The administration of President Donald Trump has made $450 million in tariff revenue available for a childhood nutrition program imperiled by the federal government shutdown.
