CDC site scrubs HIV content following Trump DEI policies
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday is scrubbing a swath of HIV-related content from the agency’s website as a part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to wipe out diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the federal government. The CDC’s main HIV page was down temporarily but has been restored. The CDC began removing all content related to gender identity on Friday, according to one government staffer. HIV-related pages were apparently caught up in that action. CDC employees were told in a Jan 29. email from Charles Ezell, the acting director of the U.S. office of personnel management, titled “Defending Women,” that they’re not to make references or promote “gender ideology” — a term often used by conservative groups to describe what they consider “woke” views on sex and gender — and that they are to recognize only two sexes, male and female, according to a memo obtained by NBC News.
Some federal websites temporarily go dark after order to comply with Trump DEI directive
Some government webpages briefly went dark Friday after federal agencies were told to comply with a White House order on removing certain language pertaining to diversity, equity and inclusion. Pages for the Federal Aviation Administration, the Census Bureau and the Justice Department were among those that went blank. The FAA and Justice Department later came back online. President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week that stated only the genders male and female are to be recognized by the federal government. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) distributed a memo, obtained by NBC News, ordering that all federal government references to “gender ideology” be removed by 5 p.m. Friday. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the duration of any website changes.
FDA approves new type of nonopioid painkiller for acute pain
The drug, Journavx, from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, reduced pain after surgery in clinical trials. Experts hope it can lead to fewer opioid prescriptions.
About half of Americans approve of using weight-loss drugs to treat obesity, AP-NORC poll finds
More U.S. adults believe it is a good thing than a bad thing for adults to use weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and other brands if they are struggling with obesity or have a health condition tied to weight, but they are not broadly supportive of teens who have obesity using the medications, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. When it comes to ages 12 to 18 who are dealing with obesity, Americans are divided: About one-third say the use of weight-loss drugs in this context is a “very” or “somewhat” good thing, a similar share say it’s a bad thing and about 3 in 10 say it isn’t good or bad. For adults, about half think it’s a good thing, and about 2 in 10 think it’s a bad thing.
Dwyane Wade reveals he was diagnosed with cancer at 41: 'Thank God that I did do the surgery'
Dwyane Wade is recalling how a routine checkup turned into a life-changing cancer diagnosis that forced him to confront his own mortality and ultimately led to the removal of 40% of his kidney. The 43-year-old basketball player opened up about his health ordeal on the Jan. 30 episode of his podcast, “The Why With Dwyane Wade,” sharing that what started as a desire to check on minor health concerns — including stomach discomfort and a weaker urine stream — led doctors to discover a tumor on his right kidney.
Some hospitals pause gender-affirming care to evaluate Trump's executive order
Hospitals in Colorado, Virginia and the nation’s capital said Thursday they have paused gender-affirming care for young people as they evaluate President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at cutting federal support for such care. Denver Health in Colorado has stopped providing gender-affirming surgeries for people under age 19, a spokesperson confirmed Thursday, in order to comply with the executive order and continue receiving federal funding. It is unclear whether the hospital will continue providing other gender-affirming care for youth, including hormone therapy and puberty blockers.
WWE star ‘feeling in danger’ after scary ‘romantic’ advances during fan interactions
WWE superstar Asuka, the four-time world champion, said she has recently felt in danger and has contacted the police regarding fan interactions that have had "romantic" advances involved. Asuka, whose real name is Kanako Urai, is a Japanese professional wrestler who sent out multiple posts on her X account Wednesday, when she expressed her feelings about recent fan interactions that had been taken too far in her eyes.
Weight loss may be helped by drinking this, study suggests
Water is known to be a great resource for good health — but sparkling water could also offer unique benefits. A new report published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health suggests that carbonated water may support weight loss by enhancing glucose uptake and metabolismin red blood cells.The researchers aimed to analyze the physiological effects of carbonated water, as it has been found to induce satiety (feelings of fullness) and gastric motility (movement of food through the body), both of which could reduce hunger.
UnitedHealth shares dive after report of US investigation into Medicare billing
UnitedHealth Group shares tumbled Friday on a report that the U.S. Department of Justice has started an investigation into the health care giant’s Medicare billing practices. The Wall Street Journal said federal officials have launched a civil fraud investigation into how the company records diagnoses that lead to extra payments for its Medicare Advantage, or MA, plans. Those are privately run versions of the government’s Medicare coverage program mostly for people ages 65 and over.
Ozempic’s health benefits keep growing, but are the risks worth it?
Major new study reveals health outcomes for 2 million GLP-1 users