OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Health in a Push to Become a Hub for Personal Health Data
OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Health, a dedicated platform allowing users to securely connect medical records and wellness apps to personalize health conversations. Designed to enhance patient engagement and decision-making, the tool flags potential medication risks by integrating user data without training its AI on personal medical information.
Early examples highlight its potential to help p…
RFK Jr.'s New Dietary Guidelines Go All in on Meat and Dairy
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled new U.S. dietary guidelines emphasizing whole foods, proteins, and healthy fats, while reducing added sugars and highly processed foods. The updated food pyramid places red meat, cheese, vegetables, and fruits at the top, marking a significant shift from previous recommendations that limited saturated fat.
Experts highlight the potential public…
President May Veto Extension of Obamacare Subsidies
President Trump indicated he may veto legislation to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, creating uncertainty for millions of Americans relying on these federal health insurance tax credits. Without the extension, premiums could rise significantly after subsidies expired at the end of 2025.
The House recently passed a Democratic-backed bill restoring the subsidies, with some Republica…
CDC MMWR: Zika Virus Outbreak
A new CDC MMWR reports a Zika virus outbreak in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from September–December 2024, with 10 locally acquired cases detected in patients with no travel history. Most cases were initially suspected to be dengue or chikungunya and were identified through multiplex RT-PCR testing. No patients were pregnant or hospitalized, and all recovered.
Entomological testing confirmed Zika virus…
California Schools’ Anti-Tobacco Programs Reduce Student Smoking and Vaping
A recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health highlights the impact of California’s school-based Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program. Analyzing 2019–2020 survey data from over 160,000 students, researchers found that students at TUPE-funded schools had lower rates of tobacco use (6.5% vs. 8.1%) and vaping (5.4% vs. 7%) compared to peers at non-TUPE schools.
While exposure to…
Flu Cases are Surging and Rates Will Likely Get Worse, New CDC Data Shows
New CDC data show the U.S. flu season is off to an unusually fast and severe start, with hospitalizations rising sharply and millions already infected. The surge is being driven largely by a new influenza A(H3N2) subclade with lower population immunity, allowing the virus to spread quickly across multiple regions.
While the current flu vaccine may not be a perfect match, early data suggest it…
US Measles Cases Surpass 2,000 in 2025
U.S. measles cases surpassed 2,000 in 2025, marking the most significant spread of the disease in decades and signaling a growing public health concern. As of late December 2025, more than 2,000 cases were reported nationwide, a sharp increase from fewer than 300 cases the year before. Most cases were domestically acquired, with large outbreaks concentrated in Texas, including communities with…