Former Tobacco Executive Takes CDC Role

A new hire at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is drawing backlash from public health experts who worry about his influence in the industry.

Stephen Sayle, named last month as the CDC’s deputy director for legislative affairs, previously worked for Fontem Ventures, a British tobacco company subsidiary. <...

New Plan Could Speed Medicare Coverage for Innovative Devices

A new proposal could make it easier for patients to access breakthrough medical devices through Medicare.

On Thursday, federal regulators announced a plan they’re calling RAPID. 

The goal? To better coordinate how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Medicare review these new innovative devices. FDA determines w...

Heated Socks Sold at Costco Recalled After Burn Reports

More than 207,000 pairs of 32 Degrees heated socks are being pulled from shelves after users reported burns linked to the product, according to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The socks can become a hazard during high-intensity activity, when heat, friction, moisture and pressure build up, the CPSC said.

First Measles Case of the Year Reported in New Jersey

Health officials in New Jersey are warning people of possible measles exposure after confirming the state’s first case of the year.

The infection was found in a Hudson County resident who recently traveled abroad, NJ.com reported.

People who were at certain locations in mid-April may have been exposed. These include:

New Guidelines Highlight Behavioral Therapy For Insomnia

Combining medications with behavioral therapy to treat chronic insomnia might not be best for all patients, a new practice guideline says.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) works best on its own, but can be combined with sleep meds for some patients, according to the guideline published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep ...