The state of the CDC After losing thousands of staffers and facing attacks this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is hampered in its ability to protect the public from health problems and emergencies. Pien Huang
For the first time since 1988, the U.S. is not officially commemorating World AIDS Day Noting the decision not to mark the day, the State Department stated: "An awareness day is not a strategy." Activists in the fight to end the ongoing AIDS epidemic disagree. Gabrielle Emanuel
Thousands of Washington state Medicare users could soon have claims denied by AI Starting Jan. 1, traditional Medicare recipients in Washington state will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered — private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny. Stephen Howie
From ChatGPT to strength training: Here's how 100-year-olds are thriving A new survey of centenarians finds a growing number of people living to 100 have prioritized healthy habits. Here's how exercise, social connection and positivity play a role in aging well. Allison Aubrey
FDA to raise hurdles for vaccines, faulting COVID shots for 10 kids' deaths Food and Drug Administration officials say they will ratchet up requirements for vaccine studies, citing concerns about COVID shots for kids. But public health experts question the agency's analysis. Sydney Lupkin
These Zika mothers went to battle — and their cry was heard After the Zika outbreak ended in Brazil, many families faced a new reality: a child whose life was irrevocably altered after the mother contracted the virus while pregnant. Here's what happened next. Ari Daniel
A breast cancer researcher at Harvard loses 1/3 of her staff amid NIH funding cuts Amid NIH funding delays, clawbacks and uncertainty, a scientist at Harvard who studies breast cancer has lost one third of her lab employees and wonders if she can continue her research experiments. Martha Bebinger
Medicare negotiated lower prices for 15 drugs, including 71% off Ozempic and Wegovy Medicare announced 15 lower drugs after a second round of negotiations with pharmaceutical companies. The drugs include Ozempic and also drugs to treat asthma, breast cancer and leukemia. Sydney Lupkin
Our readers' tales of kindness will surprise you, warm your heart and make you smile We invited you to share acts of kindness. The topics include new shoes, a basket of berries that aren't very tasty and an unexpected twist for someone treating the person behind them in line. Laurel Dalrymple
Hitting the road this Thanksgiving? Here are some ways to prevent car sickness Millions of Americans are driving to their Thanksgiving feast, which could mean a lot of car sickness. If you're one of those people, NPR's How To Do Everything podcast is here to help. A Martínez