United States

Latest

Gender
Kristia Rumbley of Birmingham, Alabama used in vitro fertilization to have three children, and has kept two embryos on ice for eight years. Photo taken February 23, 2024.

The Money and Risks Behind Human Egg Donation

by Ferrukh Faruqui

U.S. egg donation is a $400 million sector, but a dearth of federal oversight means some health risks go unmeasured

Aging
Line chart titled “Aging Populations on the Rise Worldwide” showing the percentage of people age 60 and older in six WHO regions from 1950 to 2100. Solid lines represent 1950–2025 and dotted lines show projections (2025–2100). Europe has consistently had the highest proportion of older adults, rising from 11% in 1950 to 25% in 2025, and surpassing 35% by 2100. The Americas and Western Pacific have steady increases. Africa remains lowest, rising from 5% in 1950 to 10% in 2025—and reaching 20% by 2100.

Going Gray: National Aging Plans Gain Global Traction

by Peter Rundlet, Vijeth Iyengar, Sabine Henning, Lisa Warth, Isabel Schmidt

Expanding plans on aging create avenues for understanding the most effective policies while identifying future obstacles

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. leaves the stage at the Department of Health and Human Services, in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2025.
Governance

Transparency Misinterpreted: CDC Vaccine Policy and Conflicts of Interest

by Tom Frieden, Yuexuan Chen

A former CDC director says the idea that the agency's vaccine advisors profited from their recommendations is a fallacy

U.S. Air Force servicemen unload humanitarian aid from a U.S. military cargo plane at Tbilisi airport, in Tbilisi, Georgia, on August 14, 2008.
Governance

U.S. Soft Power: Next Steps After the Foreign Aid Withdrawal

by Stephanie Psaki

A former White House official on the future of advancing strategic interests while saving lives and growing economies

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC, on May 20, 2025.
Governance

Tracking the Progress of "Make America Healthy Again"

by Anya Hirschfeld

A report card for the Trump administration's health agenda based on confirmation hearings and actions taken to date

A mother holds her child, at the Fort Wagner Casino and Hotel, on the Yankton Indian Reservation, in South Dakota, on September 9, 2021.
Poverty

American Indian Vaccination Gaps Amid Measles Outbreak

A Pascua Yaqui-Yavapai Apache physician explains what vaccination gaps mean for American Indians during the outbreak

Ranking of seafood exporters to the United States
Trade

The Hidden Health Penalty of Seafood Tariffs

by Martin D. Smith

President Donald Trump's tariffs will raise seafood prices, which could undermine cardiovascular health

Dr. Stuebing examining a patient who came in for vomiting blood. 
Poverty

Why the World Needs Africa to Be Healthy

by Beth Stuebing

A firsthand account of HIV exposure explains how gutting aid to Africa will create global ripple effects

A horizontal bar chart titled "Chinese Development Assistance to Gavi Transition Countries." The chart lists twelve countries with corresponding aid amounts in descending order: Bangladesh ($19.6B), Lao People's Democratic Republic ($18.2B), Kenya ($11B), Nigeria ($10.5B), Ghana ($7.3B), Papua New Guinea ($6.9B), Congo ($6.8B), Ivory Coast ($6.8B), Djibouti ($1.9B), Solomon Islands ($99M), and Sao Tome and Principe ($37M). Country flags are shown next to each name. The source is Think Global Health.
Trade

U.S. Retreat from Gavi Cedes Influence to China's Vaccine Suppliers

by Prashant Yadav, Chloe Searchinger

The loss of U.S. funding could leave Gavi with three options to downsize its operations

Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi arrives for the inauguration of Namibia's first female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in Windhoek, Namibia, on March 21, 2025.
Governance

Africa's Quiet Response to U.S. Realignment of Foreign Aid

by Michelle D. Gavin

Characterizing the end of U.S. aid as a catalyst allows African politicians to emphasize their readiness for a new era

A red ribbon is put on the sleeves of a man by his friend to show support for people living with HIV, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on December 1, 2013.
Governance

PEPFAR Misses Reauthorization Deadline: What's Next for Global HIV Fight?

by Jirair Ratevosian

The expiration of PEPFAR's authorization could mark a pivotal shift in the HIV/AIDS response

A technician loads a robotic DNA sample automation machine, at a Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. Laboratory, in Tarrytown, New York, on March 24, 2015.
Governance

The United States Risks Losing Its Edge in Life Sciences Innovation

by Snehal A. Patel

China's life sciences sector benefits from streamlined regulations, proactive government policies, and strategic focus

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy sits as U.S. President Donald Trump hosts his first cabinet meeting, in Washington, DC, on February 26, 2025.
Governance

RFK Could Prevent a Bird Flu Pandemic—By Embracing His Environmentalist Roots

by Neil M. Vora

Three steps Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. could take to strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recent bird flu plan

Cage free hens are gathered at an egg farm, in San Diego, California, on July 29, 2008.
Governance

H5N1 Demands Coordination, Not Confusion

by Amanda McClelland

Public health and politics should work together to restore trust and ensure a cohesive response to bird flu