Utah & U.S. Health News
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Some drugmakers quietly concerned about legal risk with speedy FDA review program
Maggie Fick and Patrick Wingrove, Reuters | Updated Jan. 17 - 11:23 a.m. | Save Story
More than half a dozen major drugmakers are participating in the Trump administration's speedier review program for new medicines, yet other leading pharmaceutical companies are hesitating over what they see as potential legal risks, six industry sources told Reuters.
A third of Utahns delay care, many incur debt due to medical costs, survey shows
Emily Ashcraft, KSL | Posted Jan. 16 - 11:04 a.m. | Save Story
The One Utah Health Collaborative released findings of a survey of 1,000 Utahns which showed one-third are skipping care and one-fourth have incurred debt due to rising costs.
Health Department to launch study on cellphone radiation, spokesman says
Puyaan Singh, Reuters | Posted Jan. 16 - 8:07 a.m. | Save Story
The Department of Health and Human Services will launch a study on cellphone radiation, a department spokesman said on Thursday, building on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s criticism.
Utah Health Policy Project addresses expected changes to health care in Utah
Tyrese Boone, KSL | Posted Jan. 15 - 4:32 p.m. | Save Story
Officials on Thursday addressed uncertainty within the current health policy landscape and urged lawmakers to find other ways to fund Medicare in Utah.
Trump's health care plan focuses on direct payments over insurance subsidies
Ahmed Aboulenein and Amina Niasse, Reuters | Updated Jan. 15 - 4:01 p.m. | Save Story
President Donald Trump said on Thursday he plans to replace government subsidies for health insurance with direct payments to consumers, an idea that some experts have said would hurt lower-income Americans.
How to cut down on pollution during an inversion
Shelby Lofton, KSL | Posted Jan. 15 - 9:17 a.m. | Save Story
That familiar and unwelcome layer of smog is back. So as air quality plummets in Utah, experts are providing solutions for cutting down on pollutants.
RSV vaccination push made a huge difference for Utah's kids, Intermountain Health says
Emily Ashcraft, KSL | Posted Jan. 15 - 6:15 a.m. | Save Story
Doctors at Intermountain Health are seeing a big difference in infant hospitalizations for RSV after pushing for Utahns to get vaccines in the last two years since they were approved in 2023.
Recalled Super Greens diet supplement powder sickens 45 with salmonella
Jonel Aleccia, Associated Press | Updated Jan. 14 - 10:02 p.m. | Save Story
At least 45 people in nearly two dozen states, including Utah, have been sickened with salmonella tied to the Super Greens brand of diet supplement powder, federal health officials said Wednesday.
Trump signs bill allowing whole milk back in school meals
Leah Douglas, Reuters | Posted Jan. 14 - 7:44 p.m. | Save Story
Children could soon drink whole milk at school for the first time in nearly 15 years after President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a law allowing it to be served alongside low- and fat-free alternatives.
Largest nurses strike in NYC history continues to impact major hospitals
Jenna DeAngelis, CNN | Posted Jan. 14 - 1:05 p.m. | Save Story
Click here for updates on this story
FDA requests removal of suicide warnings from weight-loss drug labels
Mariam Sunny, Reuters | Posted Jan. 13 - 8:02 p.m. | Save Story
The U.S. health regulator asked drugmakers on Tuesday to remove warnings about a potential risk of suicidal thoughts from widely used GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, including Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound.
Measles cases surpass 200 in Utah
Curtis Booker, KSL | Posted Jan. 13 - 6:32 p.m. | Save Story
Utah measles cases have risen to 201, with the southwest portion of the state seeing the majority of the infections.
Health Secretary Kennedy appoints 2 new members to CDC's vaccine advisory panel
Siddhi Mahatole, Reuters | Posted Jan. 13 - 3:34 p.m. | Save Story
The Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday announced the appointment of two new members to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's advisory committee on vaccinations.
Flu cases spike in northern Utah; epidemiologists urge vaccination
Mike Anderson, KSL | Posted Jan. 13 - 3:02 p.m. | Save Story
Flu cases are on the rise across Utah, according to information compiled by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, and experts are urging people to take precautions.
Autism advocates celebrate release of 'magical' first-ever Barbie on the spectrum
Jacqueline Howard, CNN | Updated Jan. 12 - 7:59 p.m. | Save Story
Mattel, Inc. launched the first Barbie doll with autism on Monday.
Thousands of nurses go on strike at several major New York City hospitals
Associated Press | Posted Jan. 12 - 11:33 a.m. | Save Story
Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield breakthroughs in their contract disputes.
AI technology set to transform drug prescription renewals in Utah
Art Raymond, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 10 - 10:34 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy just announced its approval of a pilot effort for an AI-driven platform that provides select prescription renewal services, but medical experts are still wary.
Logan warming center seeks funding for more staff as winter demand increases
Curtis Booker, KSL | Posted Jan. 10 - 6:32 p.m. | Save Story
Leaders of the William A. Burnard Warming Center in Logan say they need $20,000 for additional staff as demand increases.
Summit County reports its first case of measles in elementary school student
Alex Tumalip, KSL | Posted Jan. 10 - 4:17 p.m. | Save Story
The Summit County Health Department confirmed its first case of measles in a student at South Summit Elementary School.
Doctors say changes to US vaccine recommendations are confusing parents, could harm kids
Laura Ungar, Associated Press | Updated Jan. 10 - 1:59 p.m. | Save Story
Doctors fear this week's unprecedented changes to federal vaccine recommendations will stoke vaccine hesitancy even more, pose challenges for pediatricians and parents and ultimately lead to more illness and death among children.
Why so many American men feel lost, and what can be done
Lois M. Collins and Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 10 - 12:04 p.m. | Save Story
A significant number of men say they have no place in society and do not have anyone to discuss their mental health or sense of disconnection. The question is what to do about it.
House passes health subsidy renewal in win for Democrats
Richard Cowan, Reuters | Posted Jan. 8 - 5:30 p.m. | Save Story
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives on Thursday passed Democratic-backed legislation that would restore expired health insurance subsidies.
What does Wyoming's Supreme Court abortion ruling foreshadow for Utah?
Eva Terry, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 8 - 4:13 p.m. | Save Story
In a 4-1 decision announced Tuesday, Wyoming's Supreme Court struck down the state's near-total abortion ban and abortion pill ban. What does that mean for Utah?
Flu hits Utah hard with high hospitalization rates, though doctors believe it's not a 'super flu'
Curtis Booker, KSL | Posted Jan. 7 - 5:08 p.m. | Save Story
It may not be the "super flu," but Utah flu cases have surged, Dr. Andrew Pavia said during a University of Utah Health press conference on Wednesday.
Trump administration advises more protein, less sugar in new dietary guidelines
Leah Douglas, Reuters | Posted Jan. 7 - 12:13 p.m. | Save Story
The administration of President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a new slate of dietary guidelines that recommends Americans eat more protein and less sugar than previously advised.
Trump freezes over $10B in child care, family assistance funds to 5 states
Kanishka Singh, Reuters | Posted Jan. 6 - 10:11 p.m. | Save Story
President Donald Trump's administration is freezing more than $10 billion in federal child care and family assistance funds to California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, the Department of Health and Human Services said.
CDC says 2025-26 flu season 'moderately severe' as cases hit 11 million
Siddhi Mahatole, Reuters | Posted Jan. 5 - 9:01 p.m. | Save Story
Seasonal influenza activity remained elevated and rose in the final week of December, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showed on Monday, as the agency for the first time classified the 2025-26 season as "moderately severe."
Flu season surged in the US over the holiday and already rivals last winter's harsh epidemic
Mike Stobbe, Associated Press | Updated Jan. 5 - 5:44 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. flu infections surged over the holidays, and health officials are calling it a severe season that is likely to get worse.
US revises childhood vaccine schedule to recommend fewer shots
Ahmed Aboulenein and Michael Erman, Reuters | Updated Jan. 5 - 2:37 p.m. | Save Story
The United States on Monday said it was revising its childhood immunization schedule to recommend four fewer vaccines, a move it said aligns the country with other developed nations.
Can a 3-year-old's dilemma save a stranger's life?
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 5 - 8:05 a.m. | Save Story
3-year-old Kiri Duke-Rosati has been hoping this month that Santa Claus would bring him Spider-Man stuff.
'More than a race': Women's Epic Race empowers women to climb mountains
Emma Neff, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 3 - 7:03 p.m. | Save Story
The Women's Epic Race is a mountain-based endurance series built around community, empowerment and experience.
How a rare genetic disease changed all her plans
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 2 - 10:01 a.m. | Save Story
Tiffany Fransen shares what life is like with Friedreich's ataxia, a rare genetic disease.
7 Alzheimer's disease findings in 2025
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 1 - 7:09 p.m. | Save Story
Researchers are slowly tossing much of what we've been told for many years about Alzheimer's disease out the window — and replacing what has been a very dreary tale with new findings.
Utah measles cases rise to 156 amid ongoing national outbreak
Curtis Booker, KSL | Posted Jan. 1 - 4:18 p.m. | Save Story
Utah reported more than 150 cases of measles in 2025, infections surpass 2,000 across the country for the first time in decades.
Trump tells WSJ he is taking more aspirin than doctors recommend
Jasper Ward, Reuters | Posted Jan. 1 - 3:23 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that he is taking a larger daily dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend.
Here are 25 new Utah laws that went into effect on Jan. 1
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Jan. 1 - 10:11 a.m. | Save Story
From SNAP soda restrictions to new alcohol ID requirements, here are 25 new laws that take effect in Utah on Jan. 1.
Sticking to your fitness goals in 2026
Emma Benson, KSL | Posted Dec. 31 - 7:52 p.m. | Save Story
One of the most popular New Year's resolutions is to improve fitness and get into shape, but experts warn that unrealistic expectations can lead to burn out. Here's how to stick with it.
Trump administration freezes child day care payments to Minnesota
Rich McKay, Reuters | Posted Dec. 31 - 12:47 p.m. | Save Story
Republican President Donald Trump's administration has announced a freeze on child day care payments to Democratic-led Minnesota, ramping up what the state's governor had characterized as a political confrontation.
Utah to get $195M to improve rural health care, innovate
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 30 - 7:11 p.m. | Save Story
Utah will get $195 million as its first-year grant from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which is slated to run five years with a total budget of $50 billion.
Idaho company recalls nearly 3,000 pounds of ground beef for E. coli risk
Dee-Ann Durbin, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 30 - 6:48 p.m. | Save Story
An Idaho company is recalling nearly 3,000 pounds of raw ground beef that may have been contaminated with E. coli. The Department of Agriculture said it has no reports of illness due to the contamination yet.
The US has seen nearly 28,000 whooping cough cases this year. Here's what you need to know
Asuka Koda, CNN | Posted Dec. 30 - 9:25 a.m. | Save Story
For the second year in a row, the US has surpassed 25,000 whooping cough cases — another sign of the risks of falling vaccination levels.
Obamacare enrollment declines as US subsidies expire
Ahmed Aboulenein, Reuters | Posted Dec. 27 - 10:02 p.m. | Save Story
Enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act dipped to 15.6 million for 2026, Mehmet Oz, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator, said, from roughly 16 million last year.
Dignity delayed: Family notified over 3 years after patient died at hospital, remains kept in storage
Lysée Mitri, CNN | Posted Dec. 25 - 7:15 p.m. | Save Story
A year into an investigation of a backlog of human remains tied to patient deaths at Dignity Health hospitals in the Sacramento area, a family is saying that they were just recently notified about a loved one who died 3½ years ago.
At 93, Draper man finds health and happiness in giving
Emma Benson, KSL | Posted Dec. 25 - 5:45 p.m. | Save Story
This Christmas, giving back may do more than spread holiday cheer. Experts say volunteering and acts of kindness can enhance your physical and mental well-being. Lowell Baum, 93, has seen those benefits firsthand.
'The best gift ever': Baby is born after the rarest of pregnancies, defying all odds
Laura Ungar, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 24 - 9:40 p.m. | Save Story
Doctors say just one in 30,000 pregnancies occurs in the abdomen instead of the uterus. And Ryu Lopez is among the rare cases. He developed outside his mom's womb, hidden by a basketball-sized ovarian cyst.
Utah mom who survived COVID complications, delivered at 28 weeks gives back to NICU families
Shelby Lofton, KSL | Posted Dec. 24 - 5:00 p.m. | Save Story
Four years after a life-threatening battle with COVID-19 and an emergency delivery at 28 weeks, a Utah mother returned to the hospital where her son was born.
US regulators approve Wegovy pill for weight loss
Jonel Aleccia, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 23 - 9:12 a.m. | Save Story
U.S. regulators on Monday gave the green light to a pill version of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, the first daily oral medication to treat obesity.
6 new measles cases reported in Utah County
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Dec. 22 - 4:04 p.m. | Save Story
Health officials in Utah County say an additional six measles cases have been reported in the county in the past week.
'Stamp Out Suicide': How a Utah man is using a newspaper to save lives
Emma Benson, KSL | Posted Dec. 22 - 6:13 a.m. | Save Story
Through his nonprofit, Stamp Out Suicide, Kris Cottrell helps people experiencing homelessness across Davis and Salt Lake counties.
Former BYU football greats agree to participate in infrared light therapy study
Lee Benson, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 21 - 9:00 p.m. | Save Story
Former BYU linebacker Larry Carr's tireless crusade to save football and football players — and anyone else with a brain injury — received a big shot in the arm last month. Two shots, actually.
Woman shares cancer journey as she warns about radon risk
Andrew Adams, KSL | Posted Dec. 21 - 10:02 a.m. | Save Story
Kerri Robbins is sharing her cancer story in hopes others don't wind up like her, as she draws attention to the radon risk that she says could exist in many Utah homes.
Trump, 9 pharmaceutical companies strike deal to cut prices
Michael Erman, Jarrett Renshaw and Patrick Wingrove, Reuters | Updated Dec. 19 - 2:12 p.m. | Save Story
President Donald Trump and nine major pharmaceutical companies on Friday announced deals that will slash the prices of their medicines for the government's Medicaid program and for cash payers.
RFK Jr proposes rules to cut children's access to gender-related care
Ahmed Aboulenein, Chad Terhune and Daniel Wiessner, Reuters | Updated Dec. 18 - 1:40 p.m. | Save Story
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. moved on Thursday to cut access to gender-related care for children, proposing rules that would bar hospitals that deliver such care from Medicare and Medicaid programs.
House passes Republican health care bill without ACA subsidy renewal
Richard Cowan, Bo Erickson and Nolan D. McCaskill, Reuters | Updated Dec. 17 - 7:30 p.m. | Save Story
A health care subsidy that grew out of the pandemic is all but certain to expire as the House of Representatives advanced a Republican bill on Wednesday that would not renew the tax credit.
Family, friends hold out hope for Washington County girl injured in e-bike collision
Arianne Brown for KSL | Posted Dec. 17 - 2:00 p.m. | Save Story
Family and friends are holding out hope for a 13-year-old girl who was involved in an e-bike crash on Monday evening in Washington.
Utah reaches $1.52M settlement in generic drug antitrust case
Curtis Booker, KSL | Posted Dec. 17 - 8:20 a.m. | Save Story
Utah has secured $1.52 million in efforts to protect consumers from alleged illegal generic drug pricing.
CDC ends guidance that all newborns should get hepatitis B vaccine, in major policy shift
Mariam Sunny and Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters | Updated Dec. 17 - 6:52 a.m. | Save Story
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday ended guidance that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine, leaving it to parents, in consultation with a health care provider, to decide.
Is Miami the key to solving homelessness, criminal justice issues in Salt Lake County?
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Dec. 16 - 12:00 p.m. | Save Story
Salt Lake County leaders hope a former Florida judge who helped turn around Miami-Dade County's criminal justice system can help them address growing public safety issues.
