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Health

Vox’s coverage of all things health, including personal health, public health, mental health, and more.

More than 1 million people die of tuberculosis every year. They don’t have to.
Future Perfect

The author John Green on how Trump cuts to aid will kill TB patients — and what we can do about it.

By Dylan Scott
More than 1 million people die of tuberculosis every year. They don’t have to.
Future Perfect

The author John Green on how Trump cuts to aid will kill TB patients — and what we can do about it.

By Dylan Scott
Measles is back — and more dangerous than you think. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself.Measles is back — and more dangerous than you think. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself.
Health

The troubling ripple effects of more measles outbreaks, explained.

By Dylan Scott
The devastating impact of Trump’s slashing foreign aid, in 3 chartsThe devastating impact of Trump’s slashing foreign aid, in 3 charts
Future Perfect

From HIV to malnutrition, here’s what the loss of 83 percent of USAID programs looks like.

By Jess Craig
The Covid pandemic was catastrophic. But don’t overlook what went right.The Covid pandemic was catastrophic. But don’t overlook what went right.
Future Perfect

From mRNA vaccines to remote work, the technologies that blunted the worst of the pandemic.

By Bryan Walsh

The latest in Health

Is “moderate” drinking really that bad for you?Is “moderate” drinking really that bad for you?
Health

The confusing guidance about alcohol, simplified.

By Dylan Scott
Introverts should (sometimes) act like extrovertsIntroverts should (sometimes) act like extroverts
Advice

Trust me: I tried it.

By Olga Khazan
Trump is running from his biggest health care successTrump is running from his biggest health care success
Health

Five years later, the Covid-19 pandemic has turned people against a cutting-edge medical technology.

By Dylan Scott
We got rid of acid rain. Now something scarier is falling from the sky.
Climate

Here’s why you should never, ever drink the rain.

By Benji Jones
Killing PEPFAR means killing millions of peopleKilling PEPFAR means killing millions of people
Future Perfect

All to save 0.08 percent of the budget.

By Kelsey Piper
Screen time reports won’t help you put your phone down. Here’s what can.Screen time reports won’t help you put your phone down. Here’s what can.
Even Better

Why you should make your phone boring.

By Adam Clark Estes
Republicans have a sneaky plan to cut Medicaid. Here’s what Americans actually want.Republicans have a sneaky plan to cut Medicaid. Here’s what Americans actually want.
Health

The rising popularity of this major healthcare program, briefly explained.

By Dylan Scott
Are vitamins a scam?Are vitamins a scam?
Explain It to MeThe Highlight

The unregulated morass of vitamins and supplements makes it hard to know what’s legitimate. We can help.

By Dylan Scott
What was childhood like before vaccines?What was childhood like before vaccines?
Health

The anti-vax movement has gone mainstream, but before these shots, grief and loss marked the lives of children.

By Anna North
Will warning labels on ultra-processed foods make America healthy again?Will warning labels on ultra-processed foods make America healthy again?
Future Perfect

They’re a step in the right direction.

By Jess Craig
What RFK Jr. has said about the ongoing measles outbreakWhat RFK Jr. has said about the ongoing measles outbreak
Health

The new Health and Human Services secretary is facing one of his first public health crises. Will he blow up the typical protocol?

By Dylan Scott
Can you still get measles even if you’ve been vaccinated?Can you still get measles even if you’ve been vaccinated?
Health

Some vaccinated people got measles in Texas. Here’s how to check your immunity.

By Dylan Scott
How to dread winter a little lessHow to dread winter a little less
Even Better

Winter lovers share their tips for making the most of the season.

By Lilly Milman
You need to start taking airborne fungal outbreaks seriouslyYou need to start taking airborne fungal outbreaks seriously
Future Perfect

The neglected ways climate change is affecting our health, explained by Valley fever.

By Sam Delgado
Validate me, please!Validate me, please!
Even Better

Why other people’s approval is so intoxicating.

By Allie Volpe
What happens to our bodies without light?What happens to our bodies without light?
Even Better

One scientist tried to find out.

By Allie Volpe
Elon Musk is trying to make sleep deprivation cool againElon Musk is trying to make sleep deprivation cool again
Health

DOGE, please go to sleep. For your health.

By Dylan Scott
I work in global health. Trump ditching the World Health Organization might be the wake-up call it needs.I work in global health. Trump ditching the World Health Organization might be the wake-up call it needs.
Future Perfect

Here’s what Trump gets right — and wrong — about the WHO.

By Jess Craig
Is it time to worry about bird flu?Is it time to worry about bird flu?
Explainers

There’s more to bird flu than expensive eggs.

By Kim Mas and Sean Collins
Trump’s shocking purge of public health data, explainedTrump’s shocking purge of public health data, explained
Future Perfect

All of us will be collateral damage in MAGA’s war on “DEI.”

By Dylan Scott
AI is impersonating human therapists. Can it be stopped?AI is impersonating human therapists. Can it be stopped?
Future Perfect

Exclusive: California has a new plan to put chatbots in their place.

By Sigal Samuel
How safe is donating your eggs?How safe is donating your eggs?
Health

Egg donation is common. How well do we understand the risks?

By Anna North
The transformative power of journalingThe transformative power of journaling
Life

Writing down your thoughts can be good for your mental health. Here’s how to start — and keep at it.

By Jillian Anthony
The future of vaccines is needle-freeThe future of vaccines is needle-free
Future Perfect

Nasal vaccines are more effective and easier to get to the people who need it most.

By Sam Delgado
The Doomsday Clock is running out of timeThe Doomsday Clock is running out of time
Future Perfect

Are we really 89 seconds away from annihilation?

By Bryan Walsh
Eggs are pricey again. What’s the government doing about it?Eggs are pricey again. What’s the government doing about it?
Future Perfect

And four other burning bird flu questions, answered.

By Jess Craig
Can RFK Jr. remake school lunch?Can RFK Jr. remake school lunch?
Podcast
Today, Explained podcast

RFK Jr. wants to get ultra-processed foods out of school lunch. It’s harder than it sounds.

By Miles Bryan and Noel King
Have we cured AIDS?Have we cured AIDS?
Explain It to Me

The global fight against HIV is at a perilous tipping point.

By Jess Craig
How weight-loss drugs ended the era of “lifestyle changes”How weight-loss drugs ended the era of “lifestyle changes”
Podcast
Health

Ozempic is changing the way we think about diet and exercise.

By Jolie Myers
Your brain is lying to you about the “good old days”Your brain is lying to you about the “good old days”
Explain It to Me

The science behind why we think the past was better than the present.

By Bryan Walsh
How long should you meditate?How long should you meditate?
Future Perfect

And other practical meditation questions, answered.

By Oshan Jarow
How meditation deconstructs your mind
Future Perfect

Want to learn how to meditate? Scientists have a new theory that might change how you practice.

By Oshan Jarow
Why everyone has a gnarly stomach bug right now, explained in one chartWhy everyone has a gnarly stomach bug right now, explained in one chart
Even Better

This year’s no good, very bad norovirus season.

By Keren Landman, MD
Does my health insurance cover therapy?Does my health insurance cover therapy?
The Vox guide to using your benefits

How to decode your mental heath benefits.

By Keren Landman, MD
A whole new thing that could end the worldA whole new thing that could end the world
Future Perfect

Why we won’t cause a mirror bacteria apocalypse — thanks to science.

By Kelsey Piper
Wait, should I bother using antibacterial soap?Wait, should I bother using antibacterial soap?
Health

It turns out cleaning your hands is more complicated than killing germs.

By Keren Landman, MD
The high-tech future of assisted suicide is here. The world isn’t ready.
Politics

A “suicide pod” in Switzerland roils the right-to-die debate.

By Marin Cogan
Giving healthy kids antibiotics saves lives. There’s a catch.Giving healthy kids antibiotics saves lives. There’s a catch.
Features

An intervention to reduce child mortality may accelerate drug resistance.

By Jess Craig
9 actually good things that happened in 20249 actually good things that happened in 2024
Future Perfect

It wasn’t the easiest year, but 2024 was not without its bright spots.

By Bryan Walsh
The 10(ish) most read Future Perfect stories of 2024The 10(ish) most read Future Perfect stories of 2024
Future Perfect

Why young people are getting cancer, problems with OpenAI, and the little intelligence agency that could.

By Bryan Walsh