Laura Kelly

WHO: Drug-resistant gonorrhea on the rise as ‘smart’ bacteria outpaces treatments

Gonorrhea is becoming more difficult to treat around the globe, with health officials describing the sexuality transmitted infection as "smart" and resistant to new antibiotics, according to data released Friday by the World Health Organization.

July 7, 2017

Suicide rate increase due in part to lack of follow-up visits

More efforts need to be made for follow-up with patients at risk of suicide immediately following their discharge from inpatient treatment and many years after, researchers concluded based on a wide ranging study on suicide that spanned patient data from 1948 until 2016.

July 6, 2017

Edible vaginal glitter criticized for negative health effects

Dr. Jen Gunter, the blogging gynecologist who warned women off of putting wasps nests in their vagina, is back with more sage advice: "Don't glitter bomb your vagina."

July 6, 2017

Abuse of marijuana increases risk of psychosis up to 159 percent: Study

Using marijuana between once a week and every day increases the risk of a psychosis-like experience by 159 percent, the U.K. Daily Mail reported, citing a new study.

July 5, 2017

Heartburn medications linked to increased risk of early death: Study

Popular Fourth of July foods such as hamburgers and hot dogs may trigger heartburn for some, but sufferers may want to rethink the use of popular over-the-counter remedies, which a new study links to early death.

July 4, 2017

U.S. sees record low in teen birthrates: Study

The amount of teen pregnancies reached an all time low in 2016, from 20.3 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19, down 9 percent from the year before and down 51 percent since 2007.

July 3, 2017

Black infant mortality rates are increasing compared to whites, other racial groups: Study

The death rate for black infants is increasing in the U.S. despite progress in reducing infant deaths in general, according to a study published Monday in a scholarly journal.

July 3, 2017

Placenta ingestion not advised, says CDC

A new mother's ingestion of her own placenta led to a bacterial infection in her newborn, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a newly published report, providing a closer look at dangers associated with holistic treatments not fully examined by scientific study.

June 30, 2017

U.S. air quality, while meeting standards, still puts elderly, vulnerable minorities at risk: Study

Air pollution levels even below the acceptable national standard are contributing to early deaths among the elderly and vulnerable minority populations, according to a study published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine. Journal editors blasted President Donald Trump's environmental policies in an accompanying editorial.

June 29, 2017

HIV cases in D.C. are curbing downward: Report

The District, which leads the nation in the rate of HIV infection, has seen modest gains over the past year in its fight against HIV/AIDS, according to an annual report published Tuesday.

June 27, 2017

Donald Trump encourages HIV awareness on National Testing Day

Despite resignations by six members of the White House Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS earlier this month, President Trump reaffirmed his administration's commitment to fighting the disease and encouraged the public to be diligent in taking care of their own health.

June 27, 2017

One in three dogs and cats in U.S. overweight: Study

Americans aren't just making themselves fat, they're making their pets obese as well, according to a new study.

June 27, 2017

New Mexico confirms two new cases of plague

The New Mexico Department of Health announced on Monday at least two confirmed cases of the plague.

June 27, 2017

D.C. has worst record for number of HIV infections

D.C. officials are aiming to focus public attention on the ongoing HIV crisis with events around the city on Tuesday, which is National HIV Testing Day.

June 26, 2017

Former Al Jazeera journalists say network and Qatar ‘conspire’ with terrorists

Former Al Jazeera journalists suing the network say it's not a surprise Qatar has found itself isolated by Gulf and Arab countries for supporting terrorism, adding that under the direction of the Qatari government, Al Jazeera has operated unethically and with bias in neighboring countries for its own agenda.

June 23, 2017

Teenage sexual activity is down, but contraception is up: Study

New federal data show that fewer teens are having sex, but those who do are using contraception more often to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

June 21, 2017

14 food companies issue recall for possible contamination with listeria

At least 14 U.S. food companies this month have issued voluntary recalls for products vulnerable to listeria, a bacterial infection that poses dangers to pregnant women, infants, the elderly and anyone with a weakened immune system.

June 20, 2017

Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman says Iranian-backed Shia militias undermine Kurdish region

The top Iraqi-Kurdish representative to the U.S. said Iranian-backed Shi'a militias could undermine the security and stability of the Kurdish region once the Islamic State threat to the country is defeated.

June 19, 2017

D.C. police announce 12 arrest warrants for Turkish security officers

Metropolitan Police announced Thursday they had arrested four individuals and issued warrants for the arrest of 14 others in connection to violent attacks by Turkish security personnel on peaceful, American protesters, that occurred in the capital last month in view of the visiting Turkish president.

June 15, 2017

Ed Royce praises arrest warrants for Turkish security forces, urges U.S. to remain tough

The leading House Republican on foreign policy said Thursday he's encouraged by reports of arrest warrants for Turkish security officials who attacked U.S. citizens in D.C. last month, but that the federal government should do more to make clear such acts aren't tolerated nor rewarded.

June 15, 2017