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Health

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

The world’s emotional status is actually pretty good, a new global report finds
Future Perfect

But which country comes first in happiness completely changes depending on how you measure.

By Oshan Jarow
The world’s emotional status is actually pretty good, a new global report finds
Future Perfect

But which country comes first in happiness completely changes depending on how you measure.

By Oshan Jarow
Will AI ever become conscious? It depends on how you think about biology.Will AI ever become conscious? It depends on how you think about biology.
Future Perfect

The debate that will steer the future of consciousness — and us.

By Oshan Jarow
MDMA’s federal approval drama, briefly explainedMDMA’s federal approval drama, briefly explained
Future Perfect

MDMA looked like it was on a fast track for PTSD treatment. Now, an FDA committee is advising otherwise.

By Oshan Jarow
The huge stakes in a Supreme Court case about vapingThe huge stakes in a Supreme Court case about vaping
Supreme Court

The justices face the awkward task of reviewing some very shoddy work by Judge Andy Oldham, a potential future colleague.

By Ian Millhiser

The latest in Health

John Green’s crusade to make the world “suck less”
Future Perfect

Tuberculosis is still the world’s top killer. The author has a plan to fight back.

By Dylan Scott
The stunning success of vaccines in America, in one chartThe stunning success of vaccines in America, in one chart
Future Perfect

America, before and after vaccines.

By Dylan Scott
Trump didn’t gut foreign aid last time. This time could be different.Trump didn’t gut foreign aid last time. This time could be different.
Trump 2.0, explained

What Trump’s return could mean for the global poor.

By Dylan Matthews
I give 10 percent of my income to charity. You should, too.I give 10 percent of my income to charity. You should, too.
Future Perfect

Regular giving, even in small amounts, can save lives.

By Dylan Matthews
I saw the Hurricane Helene response up close. This is how disaster relief actually works.
Future Perfect

Volunteers, not FEMA, are the bedrock of disaster response. How do we best support them?

By Jess Craig
What RFK Jr. can — and can’t — actually do as Trump’s health secretaryWhat RFK Jr. can — and can’t — actually do as Trump’s health secretary
Trump 2.0, explained

Kennedy has promised to overhaul American health care. How much can he actually change?

By Keren Landman, MD
Why everyone you know is running a marathonWhy everyone you know is running a marathon
Even Better

For 20-somethings like me, it can bring order, and friendship, into our lives when we need it most.

By Amanda Lewellyn
The system failed us. We’ll still miss it when it’s gone.The system failed us. We’ll still miss it when it’s gone.
Future Perfect

America voted for chaos — but we don’t know what real chaos is. Yet.

By Bryan Walsh
Safe sex doesn’t just mean condoms anymoreSafe sex doesn’t just mean condoms anymore
Even Better

We’re living in a golden age of STI prevention.

By Keren Landman, MD
How to get through thisHow to get through this
Even Better

Coping strategies for the next few days — and the next four years.

By Allie Volpe
Trump proposed big Medicaid and food stamp cuts. Can he pass them?Trump proposed big Medicaid and food stamp cuts. Can he pass them?
Trump 2.0, explained

What Trump’s return means for America’s poor people.

By Dylan Matthews
What happens if another pandemic strikes while Trump is president?What happens if another pandemic strikes while Trump is president?
Trump 2.0, explained

Donald Trump undermined public health measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. What would he do in a future health emergency?

By Dylan Scott
Mixael Laufer on DIY health care
The HighlightMember Exclusive

Medicine shouldn’t be so hard to access — so the Four Thieves Vinegar Collective is helping people make their own.

By Jorge Just
The world’s most mysterious psychedelic is already inside your brain
The HighlightMember Exclusive

DMT, “the nuclear bomb of the psychedelic family,” explained.

By Oshan Jarow
Are drug expiration dates meaningless?
The HighlightMember Exclusive

That Tylenol’s shelf life is longer than you think.

By Keren Landman, MD
What in the world is pink cocaine?
The HighlightMember Exclusive

It’s not cocaine, but it can be just about anything else — except a good idea.

By Celia Ford
Republicans are serious about cutting people’s health careRepublicans are serious about cutting people’s health care
2024 Elections

Donald Trump’s election could allow the GOP to gut Medicaid and protections for preexisting conditions.

By Dylan Scott
Why Red 3 is still in your candyWhy Red 3 is still in your candy
Play
Video

Red 3 has been banned for use in cosmetics and topical drugs since 1990. Why is it still in our food?

By Kim Mas
Your guide to coping with election anxietyYour guide to coping with election anxiety
Even Better

Nervous about the election? Try these tips to stay calm.

By Allie Volpe
Zika is still spreading. Why don’t we have a vaccine yet?Zika is still spreading. Why don’t we have a vaccine yet?
Future Perfect

Preventing the disease can improve the quality of life for thousands.

By Jess Craig
There’s no such thing as healthy lunchmeatThere’s no such thing as healthy lunchmeat
Even Better

But you don’t have to go cold turkey on your cold turkey. We can help.

By Keren Landman, MD
Why food recalls are everywhere right nowWhy food recalls are everywhere right now
Food

Contaminated food from McDonald’s, Boar’s Head, and more is making Americans sick.

By Ellen Ioanes and Li Zhou
Why is everyone wearing the Oura Ring?Why is everyone wearing the Oura Ring?
TechnologyMember Exclusive

The wearable device looks great but, unfortunately, it won’t solve all of your health problems.

By Adam Clark Estes
Miscarriages are incredibly common. Abortion bans have made them less safe.
Life

Since care for abortion and pregnancy loss is the same, restrictions on one have had disastrous impacts on the other.

By Aubrey Hirsch
Your mind needs chaosYour mind needs chaos
Audio
The Gray Area

The human mind is designed to predict, but uncertainty helps us thrive.

By Oshan Jarow
The itchy, not-too-terrifying truth about head liceThe itchy, not-too-terrifying truth about head lice
Life

The myths and realities about the itchiest childhood tradition.

By Anna North
Why don’t your psychiatric drugs work better?Why don’t your psychiatric drugs work better?
Future Perfect

Billions of dollars later, neuroscientists are still struggling to address the mental health crisis.

By Celia Ford
An Ebola-like virus is spreading in Rwanda. Why isn’t there an approved vaccine for Marburg?An Ebola-like virus is spreading in Rwanda. Why isn’t there an approved vaccine for Marburg?
Future Perfect

Rwandan public health officials have a strategy that could help prevent further outbreaks.

By Jess Craig
This popular sex trend is far more dangerous than you think
Even BetterMember Exclusive

Sexual choking is astonishingly common among young people.

By Keren Landman, MD
Nitrous, one of the oldest mind-altering drugs, is backNitrous, one of the oldest mind-altering drugs, is back
Future Perfect

Whippets on TikTok are just a re-run of inhaling nitrous on stage in the 1800s.

By Oshan Jarow
The profit-obsessed monster destroying American emergency rooms
Health Care

Private equity decimated emergency care in the United States — without you even noticing.

By Keren Landman, MD
How zapping the brain can supercharge meditationHow zapping the brain can supercharge meditation
Future Perfect

New brain stimulation techniques could help scientists understand how meditation changes the mind.

By Oshan Jarow
Why is US health care like this?Why is US health care like this?
Explain It to Me

America unintentionally built a health care system that is hard to fix.

By Dylan Scott
The world’s spending to fight global lead poisoning just doubledThe world’s spending to fight global lead poisoning just doubled
Future Perfect

1.5 million people die from lead exposure a year. This new global partnership could change that.

By Dylan Matthews
An alternative to antibiotics could work wonders in Africa. It isn’t being used.
The Highlight

Bacteria-eating viruses might be able to fight antibiotic resistance where new treatments are most needed.

By Jess Craig
A big fire at a lab near Atlanta spewed chemicals into the air. Here’s what we know.A big fire at a lab near Atlanta spewed chemicals into the air. Here’s what we know.
Climate

The Georgia chemical plant fire, explained.

By Jess Craig and Sam Delgado
How bad is inflammation really?How bad is inflammation really?
Even Better

Doctors explain how to tell the truth from social media BS.

By Keren Landman, MD
Chronic diseases cause 75 percent of all deaths globally. The toll is likely to rise.Chronic diseases cause 75 percent of all deaths globally. The toll is likely to rise.
Future Perfect

How diseases like cancer and diabetes are growing, explained in four charts.

By Jess Craig
Kamala Harris and Oprah humanized the consequences of state abortion bansKamala Harris and Oprah humanized the consequences of state abortion bans
Abortion

Harris and Winfrey spoke to the family of Amber Thurman, who died after doctors delayed abortion-related care.

By Ellen Ioanes
What if the panic over teens and tech is totally wrong?What if the panic over teens and tech is totally wrong?
Technology

The collective freakout about the youth mental health crisis has reached a tipping point.

By Adam Clark Estes