RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers meeting wraps up

Rod Nordland, a fearless war correspondent who cheated death countless times in conflict zones, faced his final battle with a terminal brain tumor diagnosed in 2019. Before his passing in June 2024, he shared poignant reflections in an interview about confronting mortality—a subject he’d brushed against for decades in war zones but now faced intimately.

Editor’s Note: War reporting isn’t just about dispatches from the front lines—it’s about the people who risk everything to tell those stories. Nordland’s life (and death) forces us to reckon with the physical and emotional toll of bearing witness. His honesty about mortality, shaped by both war and illness, adds a raw, human layer to the legacy of conflict journalism.

A brain health expert, Dr. Annie Fenn, recently shared insights on TODAY about five foods that can boost cognitive function and potentially stave off diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Think small fish (hello, sardines!), mushrooms, and even your morning coffee—turns out they’re not just tasty but brain-friendly too.

Editor’s Note: With cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases on many people’s radars, this isn’t just another "eat your veggies" story. It’s a practical, science-backed look at how everyday foods can act as a kind of dietary armor for your brain—something that’s especially relevant as more people seek ways to age healthily. Plus, who doesn’t love hearing that coffee might be doing more than just waking you up?

The Supreme Court just ruled in favor of keeping a major part of Obamacare intact—specifically, the provision that lets a federal task force decide which preventive health services (like cancer screenings or vaccines) must be covered at no extra cost for millions of Americans. This means insurers can’t start charging for things like mammograms or cholesterol checks, at least for now.

Editor’s Note: This decision is a big deal because it keeps preventive care affordable for a huge chunk of the country. Without it, insurers could’ve tacked on co-pays or deductibles for routine tests, making it harder for people to catch health issues early. It’s also a win for the Biden administration, which has been fighting to protect Obamacare from legal challenges. For now, the law’s backbone stays strong—but with more lawsuits likely, the fight’s far from over.

Ever heard of a "margarita burn"? It’s not just a catchy name—it’s a real (and painful) skin reaction that happens when lime juice on your skin meets sunlight, causing a nasty rash or even blisters. Dr. David Kim, a dermatologist, dropped by TODAY to explain how to avoid this summer mishap, along with other skin-saving tips like handling sunburns and clogged pores. Basically, if you’re mixing cocktails or slicing limes by the pool, wash your hands before soaking up the rays.

Editor’s Note: Most of us know sunburns are bad, but fewer realize something as simple as lime juice can turn a sunny day into a skin disaster. This isn’t just trivia—it’s a heads-up for anyone who loves outdoor drinks or cooking in the sun. Dr. Kim’s advice bridges the gap between fun-in-the-sun habits and practical health smarts, so you don’t end up with an unexpected souvenir from your summer BBQ.

RFK Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic, has reportedly had some of his new advisers walk back their previous recommendations against certain flu vaccines. While the details are still emerging, it seems like there’s internal disagreement or reconsideration among his team about the stance on vaccination—a topic that’s been central to his public advocacy.

Editor’s Note: RFK Jr. has been a polarizing figure in the vaccine debate, so any shift—even if it’s just among his advisers—could signal a notable moment in the broader conversation about public health and misinformation. Whether this leads to a real change in his messaging or just more confusion, it’s a reminder of how influential (and contentious) vaccine discourse remains, especially heading into flu season.