The Guardian Health

Frequent AI chatbot use linked to belief in anti-vaccine myths, poll finds

Poll finds use of AI tools for health advice is correlated with belief in vaccine falsehoods, such as shots causing autismAdults in the US who frequently seek out health advice from artificial intelligence chatbots are more likely to believe myths about vaccines, according to a poll released on Tuesday by health research firm KFF.The survey, which was conducted in May and polled a representative sample of 2,480 US adults, found that use of AI tools and chatbots correlated with belief in falsehoo

health  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Health

What does the Amos report reveal about maternity and neonatal care in England?

Amos review confirms patients received unacceptable care that led to stillbirths, serious injuries and maternal deathsDamning report on maternity care in England is a ‘watershed moment’Valerie Amos, a Labour peer and former diplomat, has published her long-awaited review into maternity and neonatal care across England. This is what we know: Continue reading...

health  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Health

I pushed myself too hard at the gym – and ended up in the hospital

Reckless exercise can lead to exertional rhabdomyolysis, a condition that has risen due to the popularity of high-intensity workoutsIn January 2025, I attended my first bootcamp class.I had spent the day hunched over my laptop, anxious and craving an intense workout that would dispel my worries. I booked the class at a nearby gym, and the five-star reviews promised the all-consuming exercise I wanted: “Militant style instructor, but very motivating,” read one. Another: “Hardest workout of my lif

health  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Health

England maternity commissioner role would be ‘fundamentally dangerous’, says campaigner

Founder of Maternity Safety Alliance says recommendation in Amos report will not solve wider cultural problemsThe appointment of a national maternity commissioner would be “fundamentally dangerous”, a bereaved mother who founded a maternity safety campaign group has warned.Emily Barley, whose daughter Beatrice died because of failings at Barnsley hospital in 2022, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the recommendation for a maternity commissioner in England in the Amos review was “not going

health  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Health

A US champion of ‘freebirthing’ always claimed there had been no maternal deaths linked to the movement. Is Stacey Warnecke the first?

Guardian investigation exposes full links between a US business linked to baby deaths around the world and Australian ‘birth keeper’ Emily Lal, the central witness at the inquest into the death of a Melbourne wellness influencerHow a Melbourne woman’s death is shining light on the dangers of non-medical births – Full Story podcastFind more from The birth keepers series hereDuring her time at the helm of a multimillion-dollar organisation linked to baby deaths around the world, Emilee Saldaya has

health  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Health

Transparency, standards and a new commissioner – but does the maternity review go far enough?

Amos review sets out recommendations for government, but falls short on systemic racism and traumatic birthsEngland to get powerful maternity commissioner after ‘shocking’ failingsThe findings of Lady Amos’ review into maternity and neonatal services across England, which state the system is ultimately no longer fit for purpose, are unsurprising. The systemic failures and inadequacies of these services have been uncovered in several reports already, including Donna Ockenden’s review of the “toxi

health  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Health

England to get powerful maternity commissioner after ‘shocking’ failings

Health secretary announces move after Amos review finds childbirth and neonatal care in need of ‘urgent reform’Analysis: Transparency, standards and a new commissioner – but does maternity review go far enough?A powerful maternity commissioner will be appointed to push through an urgent transformation of childbirth care in England after a major review concluded that it had multiple failings.Ministers have bowed to growing pressure by agreeing to recruit the UK’s first commissioner for maternity

health  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Health

Prejudice and misogyny are impacting maternity care | Letters

Readers respond to the findings of the Ockenden inquiry, which revealed that more than 500 mothers and babies came to harm or died as a result of inadequate care in NottinghamRhiannon Lucy Cosslett asks why women are so routinely ignored in their maternity care (Belittled, ignored or gaslit – now we know the true cost of not listening to pregnant women, 25 June). Our research on formal reports about women’s poor maternity care identifies various reasons why women are not listened to, and they al

health  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Health

Resident doctors in England accept government offer on pay and jobs

British Medical Association called off a strike at the last minute earlier this month to put the offer to membersResident doctors in England have voted to accept a new government deal on pay and jobs.It comes after the British Medical Association called off a strike at the last minute earlier this month to put the offer to members. Continue reading...

health  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Health

No doctor wants to have this conversation with a patient. For everyone’s sake, we must | Ranjana Srivastava

Holistic care for incurably ill people has to include discussions about death and dying – but getting there is hardIt could be her usual generosity or disquiet, subtly disguised, but she leads by asking about “the kids”. Mine, not hers.The question from a patient who has known me for years is a reminder that goodwill in medicine goes both ways. I scroll to a photo of my daughter, flanked by her brothers. Continue reading...

health  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Health

Five Americans die every hour from toxic vehicle emissions, study finds

Research suggests 41,800 premature US deaths in 2024 were attributable to road pollutionRoughly five Americans die every hour due to exposure to toxic road vehicle pollution, a new study has found.It’s the latest warning showing fossil-fueled transit is a major driver of mortality. Continue reading...

health  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Health

One person a week in England dies with undiagnosed TB, study finds

British-born, older men among those most likely to have disease found only postmortem, say researchersOne person a week dies with undiagnosed and therefore untreated tuberculosis in England, a study has found.British-born, older men were among those most likely to have TB diagnosed only after death, researchers said, suggesting healthcare workers could be overlooking the possibility of the disease in these patients. Continue reading...

health  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Health

A new start after 60: I spent eight years thinking I had Parkinson’s. Then doctors ‘de-diagnosed’ me

Mike Bell was 53 when he got the diagnosis that changed his life – and 61 when he learned it was wrong. He felt relieved, but also totally adriftWhen he was 61, Mike Bell, who had spent eight years living with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, saw a new consultant. Though he still had pains, tingling, tremors and skin problems, Bell had stopped taking his prescribed medication and his symptoms had not worsened. Further brain scans were arranged – “everything, in every possible position” – after which Bel

health  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Health

About 170,000 people in England expected to die from obesity-linked heart conditions by 2035

British Heart Foundation expects about 45 people a day to die over next decade if current trends continueAbout 170,000 people are expected to die from heart-related conditions linked to obesity – one of the leading causes of preventable illnesses – by 2035, according to a leading charity.The analysis, conducted by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), found that about 45 people a day are expected to die from cardiovascular disease linked to excess weight and obesity in England over the next decade

health  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Health

England facing children’s mental health ‘crisis’ as referrals hit 1m

Commissioner calls for overhaul of state support after reporting 10% rise in young patient referrals last yearMore than 1 million children were referred to mental health services across England last year, with referrals up 10% from the year previous, according to a report by the children’s commissioner, Rachel de Souza. She said the country faced a “crisis” in young people’s mental health.The number of patients who had an active referral to children and young people’s mental health services acro

health  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Health

Kate completes Three Peaks challenge to raise money for cancer charity

Princess of Wales becomes first royal to climb Scotland, England and Wales’s highest mountains, 18 months after cancer remissionThe Princess of Wales has completed the Three Peaks challenge to raise money for a cancer charity, becoming the first member of the royal family to achieve the feat.Catherine Middleton, 44, revealed in a message on social media she had successfully taken on the trek not only as a physical endeavour but “to give something back” and raise awareness of the wider impact of

health  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Health

How a Romford maternity ward was able to turn the tide after a ‘requires improvement’ rating

Hiring more staff and providing interpreters are just some of the actions taken by Queen’s hospital to tackle core problems• Risk of serious birth injuries is rising for women in England, data suggestsTwo days after giving birth, Juliana Nascimento Barbosa is still ecstatic about becoming a mother. “I’m so happy to have my baby,” she says from her bed in Queen’s hospital in Romford, Essex, smiling broadly.To her left, her husband, Emerson, sits on a chair. To her right, their newborn son Dominic

health  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Health

Risk of serious birth injuries is rising for women in England, data suggests

About 31 in every 1,000 facing haemorrhage or severe tears, NHS figures show, in trend described as ‘national crisis’How a Romford maternity ward was able to turn the tide after a ‘requires improvement’ ratingWomen in England are at their highest risk of suffering a serious injury while giving birth since records began in 2020, NHS figures show.The rate of women sustaining the most serious type of tear during childbirth rose to 31.1 in every 1,000 in January, February and March – the highest sin

health  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Health

Fall in NHS waiting lists is not a Labour win | Letter

Priscilla Alderson asks how long the NHS will survive under a Burnham-Streeting governmentA fall in NHS waiting lists is presented as a government success (From the NHS to new homes, Starmer’s successes and setbacks, 23 June). NHS authorities have paid providers £33 per patient to remove thousands of them from the lists, many still in great need, and a survey of nearly 2,600 people in England found 16% had used the private sector in the past year.Fewer names on the lists help the government to s

health  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Health

‘Treating children like cattle’: what happens when private equity takes over a UK care home?

Experts raise alarm as firms aiming to maximise assets and sell for profit become more involved in vital public services‘Financial pandemic’: £1 in every £11 spent on UK public contractors goes to private equityNurseries, vets and shops: the sectors where private equity plays a big rolePrivate equity companies have slowly and invisibly increased their involvement in public services – from elderly care homes to fostering placements for vulnerable children – with some unintended consequences.Take

health  Jun 28, 2026