National Center for Health Research

01/03/2026

For the fifth year in a row, teen substance use is low compared to 2019 and previous years.

Most students are now choosing to abstain entirely from alcohol, ni****ne, and ma*****na, solidifying a shift that started during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the overall trend is positive, problems remain.

The study found small increases in he**in and co***ne use, alongside growing concerns over less regulated and increasingly popular products like Delta-8 (explain what that is), ni****ne pouches, and energy drinks that can have dangerous levels of caffeine.

Explore HealthDay for comprehensive health topics, latest medical news, and wellness tips. Trusted for accuracy and expertise.

01/01/2026

A miracle surgery saves toddler with broken neck, severed spinal cord.

After a horrific car crash, doctors said 2-year-old Oliver had days to live. His parents kept up hope, though, keeping him stable for months.

His parents then found Dr. Mohamad Bydon at UChicago Medicine, who performed a "miracle surgery" to reattach his skull to his spine.

Today, Oliver is moving his fingers and toes, smiling, and even breathing on his own.

FRIDAY, Dec. 19, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Two-year-old German boy Oliver Staub lay in a Mexico City hospital bed awaiting death.An armored car going 70 mph had s

12/30/2025

Thinking about trying Dry January? About 1 in 5 will.

You will probably be surprised to learn that new research suggests it can have big benefits to your health!

A review of 16 studies found that a month-long break from alcohol can bring improvements in sleep, mood, weight, concentration, blood pressure, blood sugar, and liver function.

Not ready to completely stop drinking? Try "Damp January." Experts say that simply reducing your intake also leads to better physical and mental health.

It’s not just better sleep — cutting back on alcohol may improve your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, insulin resistance and more.

12/30/2025

In a world full of conflicting health headlines and corporate-sponsored studies, how do you know who to trust?

At the National Center for Health Research, we pride ourselves on being truly independent. We don't take money from the companies making the medical products, chemicals, or foods we evaluate.

That means our loyalty is to patients and consumers, not to shareholders or special interests.

Help us keep our voice independent and strong as we continue to work for a better 2026! Every contribution helps us fight for safer and more affordable medical care that you can trust!

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Why become a NCHR Supporter? Your generous support allows us to help medical and consumer products in ways that benefit all of us. No matter the amount, your donation makes a difference if people’s lives. And as a special thanks, all donations made by Friday, December 1 will be doubled by a very l...

12/30/2025

The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles resurgence in more than 30 years.

Yale School of Public Health researchers have tracked nearly 2,000 reported cases for 2025, but not all cases are reported.

Significant outbreaks are occurring among unvaccinated school-age children on the Arizona-Utah border, while South Carolina is seeing exponential growth. Some kids are hospitalized.

Experts warn that if the spread continues, the U.S. will likely lose its measles elimination status in January, a designation Canada lost earlier this year.

Map highlights total U.S. cases in 2025 and past-week increases

12/27/2025

Growing up with a family dog helps boost a teen's mental health. Is it the slobbering affection from a pet and the responsibility of caring for them that is so beneficial, or something else?

CHECK OUT our past story on the benefits of pets for human health: https://www.center4research.org/benefits-pets-human-health/

Studies have found that teens with dogs seem better adjusted and less aggressive, and the unconditional love from a pet is probably a major reason. But new research shows that teens with dogs have different oral bacteria than other teens, and this may also have mental health benefits for humans.

Bacteria can be helpful or harmful. We're learning more about the importance of "gut bacteria" on our health and mental health. This new research suggests dogs might influence human mental health partly by sharing helpful bacteria.



https://www.the-scientist.com/family-dog-may-boost-mental-health-in-teens-via-the-microbiome-73814

Growing up with a family dog during one’s teen years could boost mood and social connection due, in part, to microbiome-driven effects.

12/26/2025

Our President & Founder, Dr. Diana Zuckerman, continues her conversation with Kelli Wright on the Beyond the Spotlight podcast.

She shares the importance of maintaining professional relationships in policy work, even when you disagree.

Watch part 2 now!

FOLLOW FOR PART 3!

12/26/2025

Under current Tennessee law, domestic abusers ordered to surrender fi****ms can give them to a "third party" without telling the court who that person is.

A state bill to close this loophole was blocked by NRA lobbyists. Fortunately, counties across the state are stepping up to do the right thing.

Refusing to wait for the state, judges in nine counties are now requiring signed affidavits detailing exactly who is holding the weapons.

This simple change demands accountability and protects victims from armed abusers.

Judges across the state are demanding more accountability from abusers who have been ordered to give up their guns in an effort to strengthen protections for domestic violence victims.

12/24/2025

The U.S. uses more than 11% of the world’s pesticides despite only 4% of the global population. And a new MAHA report claims 90% of U.S. homes have pesticides on their floors.

Decades of evidence show that children are uniquely vulnerable to pesticides. Congress mandated child-specific safety protections nearly 30 years ago, but the EPA has failed to enforce them.

RFK was an environmental lawyer fighting pesticide contamination for years. But, in the MAGA vs. MAHA fight on pesticides, children's health is losing.

We have laws against pesticides, PFAS, and other toxic chemicals that need to be enforced, not retracted! MAHA voices can help make that happen!

This Viewpoint discusses the lack of action from the US federal government in protecting children from pesticide residues in their diets.

12/23/2025

What happens to your brain when you rely on ChatGPT?

An MIT study of 54 young adults found that users showed a 50% drop in brain activity compared to those writing without assistance. Using Google for assistance only slightly decreased brain activity.

Some researchers warn of what they call “cognitive debt”, where relying on AI for tasks interferes with learning and memory. Others argue that the brain becomes more efficient, similar to experienced surgeons or musicians in a “flow state”.

This very small, preliminary study isn't conclusive so opinions of the results vary greatly. For example, perhaps when students turn to AI before forming their own thoughts, this might weaken critical reasoning skills over time.

If so, perhaps think first, then use the tool.

What a recent MIT study really tells us, and what it doesn't

12/22/2025

How much will we really save on prescriptions this upcoming year? There is some good news, but the devil is in the details, and those are not public.

The Trump Administration announced deals with 9 more pharmaceutical giants to lower prices on several drugs for conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

It’s a step forward, but will it make a difference to you?

The focus is on Medicaid, which is a program that already gets major discounts, and those drugs cost less in some States than the Trump deals.

And some of the soon-to-be "discounted" drugs are about to have cheaper generic versions anyway. Are these "deals" just smoke and mirrors? Time will tell.

Nine more drugmakers cut deals with the Trump administration.

12/20/2025

ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula was recalled due to bacteria causing botulism. The formula is blamed for at least 51 babies with botulism across 19 states.

Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons kept selling the recalled formula weeks after the recall began in early November. The FDA sent warning letters to stop selling the recalled formula and specifically criticized Target for having the recalled formula on shelves with "Sale" signs more than two weeks after the recall began.

Infant botulism can be fatal. If your child has consumed this formula and shows symptoms like poor feeding or a weak cry, seek immediate medical care.

The FDA also said Kroger and Albertsons had failed to comply with a recall of baby formula linked to an ongoing infant botulism outbreak.