Whooping cough cases soar as vaccination rates drop

U.S. officials, under the Trump administration, are proposing new regulations that would effectively ban gender-affirming care for minors, including prohibiting Medicaid funding for treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapies. This move has sparked significant concern among healthcare professionals and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights.

Flu cases in the United States have surged to nearly three million this season, prompting the CDC to issue warnings as families prepare for holiday gatherings. Hospitals are tightening visitor policies, and some schools are temporarily closing classrooms to mitigate the spread of the virus. NBC's Emilie Ikeda and Dr. Natalie Azar provide insights on how to stay healthy during this critical time.

U.S. President Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order that will reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III substance, facilitating medical research and easing federal restrictions on cannabis. This significant change is expected to allow for the exploration of marijuana's potential medical benefits more freely.

The U.S. has seen over half a million clinical trials since 2000, highlighting the growing landscape of human medical experimentation. A recent narrative explores the experience of a volunteer who chose to be infected with dengue fever, shedding light on the motivations and ethical considerations surrounding such trials.

The CDC has officially ceased recommending the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns, advising instead that parents consult healthcare providers regarding the birth dose. This marks a significant shift in vaccination policy following extensive discussions among CDC vaccine advisers.