Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seems to be leaning on the ancient "miasma theory"—the idea that diseases spread through bad air or vague environmental influences—rather than modern germ theory, which links illnesses to specific pathogens. This old-school thinking might be shaping his controversial stances on vaccines and public health policies.

Editor’s Note: If a top health official is making decisions based on centuries-debunked science, it raises serious concerns about the direction of public health policy. This isn’t just an academic debate—it could have real consequences for how diseases are managed and how much trust people place in health leadership.

A pastor in a resource-strapped community is racing against time to find life-saving HIV medication for a 9-year-old orphan, Diana, after U.S. aid cuts disrupted supply chains. Haunted by the loss of his own sister to AIDS years ago, he’s determined not to let history repeat itself—but the clock is ticking.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reshaped the CDC's vaccine advisory panel, a group that wields significant influence over which vaccines are recommended for routine use, covered by insurance, or provided free to low-income families. This move could signal shifts in vaccination policies affecting millions of Americans.

RFK Jr. reportedly sent a document to Congress that scientists are calling "medical disinformation," misrepresenting studies and citing debunked research to argue against COVID vaccine schedules. Experts warn this could skew lawmakers' views on vaccine safety.

Turns out, your nose might be as unique as your fingerprint—and it could reveal clues about your health. A new study in Current Biology suggests that the way we breathe (yes, even the rhythm of your inhales and exhales) is controlled by a distinct brain "signature" that varies from person to person. Researchers think these nasal quirks might someday help diagnose neurological conditions or track health changes.

A Vox reporter went all-in on wearable health trackers for half a year, strapping on multiple devices to monitor everything from sleep to heart rate. But instead of feeling empowered, he found the constant data stream overwhelming—even life-disrupting. NPR’s interview with him digs into why these gadgets, despite their promises, might not be the wellness panacea they’re marketed as.

Hundreds of CDC employees who were laid off in April are now being told their job cuts have been reversed—but no one’s really explaining why. The workers received notices saying their layoffs were "revoked," leaving them in limbo after the government initially claimed their roles were redundant.

RFK Jr. is shaking things up at the CDC—just two days after dismissing a group of vaccine policy experts, he’s named eight new advisers to fill their spots. It’s a swift overhaul of the panel that helps shape the country’s immunization guidelines.

More than 20 states are pushing to restrict what people can buy with food assistance (SNAP), banning items like candy and soda. Now, RFK Jr. has floated expanding those restrictions even further—and some beneficiaries are anxious the rules could get so tight they lose access to benefits entirely.