Bird flu is declared a State of Emergency in California On Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency to streamline the state's response to avian flu. More than half of the human cases in the U.S. so far have been in California. Kerry Klein
Great global photos from 2024: These images delighted us, touched us, dazzled us People love looking at photos. (Just ask Instagram.) This year, we published a number of photo-driven posts that resonated deeply with our audience. Here are some of our favorites. Marc Silver
Saturday is the winter solstice. Make the most of the shortest day of the year Saturday marks the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. NPR has compiled plenty of expert tips for celebrating the solstice and weathering winter. Rachel Treisman
Louisiana forbids public health workers from promoting COVID, flu and mpox shots An NPR investigation found Louisiana health officials told staff to stop promoting vaccines for COVID, flu and mpox, holding flu shot events or otherwise encouraging the public to get those vaccines. Rosemary Westwood
Big Health Care is ending a terrible year. Is anyone happy with this business? Patients are protesting, bipartisan lawmakers are threatening regulation – and investors are selling their shares. Maria Aspan
Who can say it's healthy? The FDA has a new definition for food labels At a time when more than half the American diet comes from processed, packaged foods, the FDA has new rules aimed at helping people make healthier choices in the grocery store. Allison Aubrey
The popular 'hospital-at-home' effort is at stake in the federal spending battle Started during the pandemic, hundreds of hospitals in 39 states deliver acute inpatient care in people's homes. The popular program had a five-year extension in a stopgap spending agreement that is now in doubt. Craig LeMoult
HIV is spiking in new hot spots. Here's what's being done to control it As the new cases and related deaths fall in sub-Saharan Africa, the virus is rearing its head elsewhere. What's the cause? And the solution? Gabrielle Emanuel
Think you can't dance? Get up and try these tips in our comic. We dare you! Anyone can dance. As you read this comic, follow each step — and you'll be moving and grooving in no time. Connie Hanzhang Jin
With RFK nomination, Washington state health leaders brace for local impacts President-elect Donald Trump has named Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, a choice that worries some Washington state leaders, largely because of his position on vaccines. Eilís O'Neill