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Health

Vox’s coverage of all things health, including personal health, public health, mental health, and more.

The self-inflicted death of American science has already begun
Future Perfect

Trump’s crackdown on foreign students and scientists will do irreparable harm to the country.

By Bryan Walsh
The self-inflicted death of American science has already begun
Future Perfect

Trump’s crackdown on foreign students and scientists will do irreparable harm to the country.

By Bryan Walsh
Political news is making me miserable. Is it wrong to tune out?Political news is making me miserable. Is it wrong to tune out?
Future Perfect

It feels very tempting to cocoon myself in relaxing hobbies to spare my mental health.

By Sigal Samuel
We’re on the verge of a universal allergy cureWe’re on the verge of a universal allergy cure
Health

The one allergy treatment to rule them all, explained.

By Dylan Scott
The freaky part of allergy season that no one warned you aboutThe freaky part of allergy season that no one warned you about
Climate

If you dislike insects, you’ll hate this.

By Umair Irfan

The latest in Health

Why RFK Jr. wants to ban fluoride in waterWhy RFK Jr. wants to ban fluoride in water
Health

Kennedy is targeting our best defense against the dentist.

By Dylan Scott
Could an inexpensive vaccine help stave off dementia?Could an inexpensive vaccine help stave off dementia?
Future Perfect

Dementia has long resisted treatment. But one answer could be surprisingly simple.

By Bryan Walsh
A catastrophe is unfolding at the top US health agency — and it will put American lives at riskA catastrophe is unfolding at the top US health agency — and it will put American lives at risk
Health

US health care is never going to be the same.

By Dylan Scott
When your garden fails, the magic happens
Even BetterThe Highlight

Nothing will cure you of perfectionism faster than trying to grow living things.

By Natalie Pattillo
Yes, your allergies are getting worseYes, your allergies are getting worse
Climate

It’s the worst allergy season ever. Again. Just like last year.

By Umair Irfan
Get ahead of allergy season this yearGet ahead of allergy season this year
Even Better

The best regimen starts before you start sneezing.

By Allie Volpe
How to buy a year of happiness, explained in one chartHow to buy a year of happiness, explained in one chart
Future Perfect

Want to improve someone’s well-being? These are the “best buys” identified so far.

By Sigal Samuel
Are vitamins a scam?Are vitamins a scam?
Explain It to Me

The unregulated morass of vitamins and supplements makes it hard to know what’s legitimate. We can help.

By Dylan Scott
Don’t get surgery on a FridayDon’t get surgery on a Friday
Health

Surgery before or after the weekend? Here’s what science says.

By Dylan Scott
America — and the media — needs a Covid reckoningAmerica — and the media — needs a Covid reckoning
Future Perfect

Our Covid mistakes did lasting damage. No one wants to talk about it.

By Kelsey Piper
More than 1 million people die of tuberculosis every year. They don’t have to.More than 1 million people die of tuberculosis every year. They don’t have to.
Future Perfect

The author John Green on how Trump cuts to aid will kill TB patients — and what we can do about it.

By Dylan Scott
Measles is back — and more dangerous than you think. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself.Measles is back — and more dangerous than you think. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself.
Health

The troubling ripple effects of more measles outbreaks, explained.

By Dylan Scott
The devastating impact of Trump’s slashing foreign aid, in 3 chartsThe devastating impact of Trump’s slashing foreign aid, in 3 charts
Future Perfect

From HIV to malnutrition, here’s what the loss of 83 percent of USAID programs looks like.

By Jess Craig
The Covid pandemic was catastrophic. But don’t overlook what went right.The Covid pandemic was catastrophic. But don’t overlook what went right.
Future Perfect

From mRNA vaccines to remote work, the technologies that blunted the worst of the pandemic.

By Bryan Walsh
Is “moderate” drinking really that bad for you?Is “moderate” drinking really that bad for you?
Health

The confusing guidance about alcohol, simplified.

By Dylan Scott
Introverts should (sometimes) act like extrovertsIntroverts should (sometimes) act like extroverts
Advice

Trust me: I tried it.

By Olga Khazan
Trump is running from his biggest health care successTrump is running from his biggest health care success
Health

Five years later, the Covid-19 pandemic has turned people against a cutting-edge medical technology.

By Dylan Scott
We got rid of acid rain. Now something scarier is falling from the sky.
Climate

Here’s why you should never, ever drink the rain.

By Benji Jones
Killing PEPFAR means killing millions of peopleKilling PEPFAR means killing millions of people
Future Perfect

All to save 0.08 percent of the budget.

By Kelsey Piper
Screen time reports won’t help you put your phone down. Here’s what can.Screen time reports won’t help you put your phone down. Here’s what can.
Even Better

Why you should make your phone boring.

By Adam Clark Estes
Republicans have a sneaky plan to cut Medicaid. Here’s what Americans actually want.Republicans have a sneaky plan to cut Medicaid. Here’s what Americans actually want.
Health

The rising popularity of this major healthcare program, briefly explained.

By Dylan Scott
What was childhood like before vaccines?What was childhood like before vaccines?
Health

The anti-vax movement has gone mainstream, but before these shots, grief and loss marked the lives of children.

By Anna North
Will warning labels on ultra-processed foods make America healthy again?Will warning labels on ultra-processed foods make America healthy again?
Future Perfect

They’re a step in the right direction.

By Jess Craig
What RFK Jr. has said about the ongoing measles outbreakWhat RFK Jr. has said about the ongoing measles outbreak
Health

The new Health and Human Services secretary is facing one of his first public health crises. Will he blow up the typical protocol?

By Dylan Scott
Can you still get measles even if you’ve been vaccinated?Can you still get measles even if you’ve been vaccinated?
Health

Some vaccinated people got measles in Texas. Here’s how to check your immunity.

By Dylan Scott
How to dread winter a little lessHow to dread winter a little less
Even Better

Winter lovers share their tips for making the most of the season.

By Lilly Milman
You need to start taking airborne fungal outbreaks seriouslyYou need to start taking airborne fungal outbreaks seriously
Future Perfect

The neglected ways climate change is affecting our health, explained by Valley fever.

By Sam Delgado
Validate me, please!Validate me, please!
Even Better

Why other people’s approval is so intoxicating.

By Allie Volpe
What happens to our bodies without light?What happens to our bodies without light?
Even Better

One scientist tried to find out.

By Allie Volpe
Elon Musk is trying to make sleep deprivation cool againElon Musk is trying to make sleep deprivation cool again
Health

DOGE, please go to sleep. For your health.

By Dylan Scott
I work in global health. Trump ditching the World Health Organization might be the wake-up call it needs.I work in global health. Trump ditching the World Health Organization might be the wake-up call it needs.
Future Perfect

Here’s what Trump gets right — and wrong — about the WHO.

By Jess Craig
Is it time to worry about bird flu?Is it time to worry about bird flu?
Explainers

There’s more to bird flu than expensive eggs.

By Kim Mas and Sean Collins
Trump’s shocking purge of public health data, explainedTrump’s shocking purge of public health data, explained
Future Perfect

All of us will be collateral damage in MAGA’s war on “DEI.”

By Dylan Scott
AI is impersonating human therapists. Can it be stopped?AI is impersonating human therapists. Can it be stopped?
Future Perfect

Exclusive: California has a new plan to put chatbots in their place.

By Sigal Samuel
How safe is donating your eggs?How safe is donating your eggs?
Health

Egg donation is common. How well do we understand the risks?

By Anna North
The transformative power of journalingThe transformative power of journaling
Life

Writing down your thoughts can be good for your mental health. Here’s how to start — and keep at it.

By Jillian Anthony
The future of vaccines is needle-freeThe future of vaccines is needle-free
Future Perfect

Nasal vaccines are more effective and easier to get to the people who need it most.

By Sam Delgado
The Doomsday Clock is running out of timeThe Doomsday Clock is running out of time
Future Perfect

Are we really 89 seconds away from annihilation?

By Bryan Walsh
Eggs are pricey again. What’s the government doing about it?Eggs are pricey again. What’s the government doing about it?
Future Perfect

And four other burning bird flu questions, answered.

By Jess Craig
Can RFK Jr. remake school lunch?Can RFK Jr. remake school lunch?
Podcast
Today, Explained podcast

RFK Jr. wants to get ultra-processed foods out of school lunch. It’s harder than it sounds.

By Miles Bryan and Noel King