A good shower is a simple shower, no matter what influencers recommend

More employees are applying for disability benefits due to severe mental health conditions like depression and PTSD, but they’re hitting a wall—approval rates for these claims remain stubbornly low compared to physical ailments. Data reveals a persistent gap in how the system treats invisible illnesses versus visible ones, leaving many workers without crucial support.

Editor’s Note: Mental health is just as debilitating as physical injuries, but outdated biases and murky evaluation standards mean people in crisis often can’t access the safety net they’ve paid into. This isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about whether we value mental health equally when it comes to survival. And right now, the system’s failing.

A new study in The Lancet Microbe warns that fungal infections are becoming tougher to fight as they develop resistance to the drugs we rely on. This isn’t just a niche medical issue—it could mean longer, more complicated illnesses for patients and fewer treatment options down the line.

Editor’s Note: Fungi are evolving faster than our medicines can keep up, and that’s bad news for everyone. From stubborn yeast infections to life-threatening invasive diseases, harder-to-treat fungi could strain healthcare systems and put vulnerable people at greater risk. It’s a quiet crisis that deserves more attention.

The U.S. is seeing the highest number of measles cases since the disease was officially declared eliminated in 2000. Health experts are sounding the alarm, warning that declining vaccination rates could turn these outbreaks into a recurring—and dangerous—trend.

Turns out, animals like hyenas that clean up dead carcasses aren’t just nature’s garbage crew—they might actually be protecting us from diseases. A new study highlights how these scavengers help keep ecosystems (and us) healthy by preventing the spread of pathogens. But here’s the problem: their numbers are dropping, and that could leave humans more vulnerable to illnesses we’d rather avoid.

Editor’s Note: We don’t often think about hyenas or vultures as our allies, but they play a silent, critical role in breaking down dead animals that could otherwise become breeding grounds for diseases. If scavengers disappear, we might see more outbreaks spilling over into human populations. It’s a weird but important reminder that even the creatures we overlook are part of our safety net.

There's finally a new non-opioid painkiller for severe pain—a big deal in the fight against addiction—but there's a catch. It's pricey, and insurance companies aren't consistently covering it, leaving many patients stuck without access.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just another medical breakthrough story—it's about how hard it is to actually get breakthroughs to the people who need them. Opioid alternatives could save lives, but if cost and insurance roadblocks keep them out of reach, we're only solving half the problem.