L.A. Times - Health

'People are getting hurt': OpenAI sued by Florida over alleged safety risks

Queenie Wong — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The lawsuit alleges the San Francisco company prioritized speed and commercial gain over safety concerns, including the use of AI for self-harm and violence.

More middle-class Californians cancel health coverage after losing federal aid

Melody Petersen — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Facing higher premiums and the loss of federal subsidies, 374,000 Californians canceled their health insurance coverage in the first three months of the year.

Want to feel more loved? You're probably going about it the wrong way

Todd Martens — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In "How to Feel Loved," Sonja Lyubomirsky and Harry Reis reveal the differences between being in love and truly feeling love. The latter, they argue, is the key to happiness.

Hot on the Erewhon Trail: Seeking high-end smoothies while my novel sits cold

Swan Huntley — Mon, 25 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Yes, I have a book to write. But I'm walking an 80-plus-mile walk to all the Erewhons in L.A. to question privilege, including my own, and search for levity.

California, other states sue over new Trump limits on loans for nurses, PAs, therapists

Kevin Rector — Tue, 19 May 2026 21:54:08 GMT

California and other Democratic-led states are suing the Trump administration over new limits on federal borrowing by students in healthcare fields.

Sniff and find connection? These hip fragrance gatherings tantalize L.A.'s 'smellers'

Martine Thompson — Tue, 19 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Across Los Angeles, groups like the Smellers Club, Reverie of Scent and Silverlake Scent Club are transforming what was once a solo ritual into something communal.

How Formula One problem-solving tactics are being used in fight against dementia

Kevin Baxter — Mon, 18 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Doctors and dementia researchers with ties to Formula One are embracing the high-pressure and experimental lessons from the sport to fight the neurological condition.

L.A. County health officials confirm fifth measles case this year

Caroline Petrow-Cohen — Sun, 17 May 2026 03:39:34 GMT

Officials have confirmed a measles case in a Los Angeles County resident who recently traveled internationally.

Two chemicals in everyday California air may pose 'unacceptable' cancer risk, findings suggest

Hayley Smith — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:00:55 GMT

California health officials have released new scientific findings that suggest the health risks from exposure to two chemicals present in ambient air, acrolein and ethylene oxide, are worse than previously known.

Tax windfall may rescue Newsom's final budget as governor

Taryn Luna — Thu, 14 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The unusual early preview of his final budget comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom begins to wind down his time at the state Capitol and considers a run for president in 2028.

Vance says $1.3 billion in Medicaid payments to California will be deferred over fraud concerns

Kevin Rector — Wed, 13 May 2026 22:29:26 GMT

Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that the Trump administration is deferring $1.3 billion in Medicaid reimbursements to California over concerns the state is allowing "fraudsters" to drive up costs to taxpayers by pushing unnecessary medications on unsuspecting patients.

Contributor: 'Super meth' isn't exactly real, but the drug is a real factor in L.A. homelessness

Sam Quinones — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:01:00 GMT

Hyper-pure methamphetamine is a major driver of mental illness in Los Angeles and many other parts of the country.

L.A. quietly fires its first chief heat officer

Hayley Smith — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:38:26 GMT

Marta Segura stepped into the new role in 2022 amid a dramatic increase in climate-fueled heat events.

Contributor: Fuel drug development, not Big Pharma's profits

Kevin J. Morrison — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:17:00 GMT

More than 200 drugs in the pipeline for ALS are stuck in a system that favors big, slow-moving pharmaceutical companies.

Contributor: Therapy isn't the only help. Peers offer a different kind of support.

Bo Lopker — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:16:00 GMT

Counseling can be prohibitively expensive and sometimes is not even what's needed most. Sometimes people just need to feel heard and less alone.

California abortion pill suppliers ready with workaround in case of Supreme Court ban

Sonja Sharp — Sat, 9 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing whether to restrict access to the country's most popular abortion method, but California's network of online providers and pharmaceutical suppliers already has an alternative in mind.

These famous potato chips may contain salmonella. What you need to know

Jasmine Mendez — Tue, 5 May 2026 22:49:12 GMT

Nine varieties of potato chips seasoned in dry milk powder may contain salmonella, the FDA warns.

This Koreatown spa is upping its game with a head spa, AI robot masseuse and more

Deborah Vankin — Tue, 5 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Koreatown's iconic 24-hour sanctuary is doubling down on self-care with the upcoming launch of Root Head Spa, a Japanese-style scalp treatment, alongside new high-tech wellness upgrades.

Your guide to free self-care: 8 L.A. wellness events you can't miss in May

Deborah Vankin — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

From soundbaths in Leimert Park to sunset yoga in the park, here are the best ways to prioritize your mental and physical health in Los Angeles this month without spending a dime.

Angels say rodent infestation at one offending stadium concession stand has been cleaned

Steve Henson — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:52:34 GMT

One concession stand out of about 160 at Angel Stadium was flagged by Orange County health inspectors for rodent infestation. The team says the stand has been cleaned.

Yes, goth yoga is a thing — and it's thriving in an L.A. occult shop

Rebecca Leib — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Forget the typical "namaste" — this class explores the intersection of shadow work and vinyasa in a setting complete with deep stretches and dark sounds.

Naked and unafraid at 73, she's challenging ideas about aging women on a Hollywood stage

Deborah Vankin — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

After watching AI threaten her livelihood and creative future, 'Younger' author Pamela Redmond turned to the most human medium she could find: her body. Her one-woman show 'Old Woman Naked' premieres in L.A. on April 29.

Contributor: Regulate the 'Enhanced Games' as a medical experiment and a marketing stunt

Fabricio Ramos dos Santos — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:18:00 GMT

An event celebrating performance-enhancing drugs is dangerous, and children in particular should not be exposed to it.

She's the so-called Womb Witch of L.A. Here's why her clients keep returning

Maddie Connors — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In a bright Glendale studio, Leigh McDaniel is challenging traditional healthcare norms with holistic pelvic care, offering sanctuary and healing for those navigating trauma, chronic pain and the complexities of sexual health.

Contributor: Focus on the real causes of the shortage in hormone treatments

Jennifer Weiss-Wolf and Suzanne Gilberg — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:02:00 GMT

Don't blame a menopause fad. There is little incentive for pharmacy companies to ensure smooth, consistent access.

California sees the most measles cases in 7 years as disease resurges nationwide

Rong-Gong Lin II — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

California in 2026 has already seen its highest number of annual measles cases in seven years. The looming new domestic beachhead comes as vaccination rates have fallen.

She's rich, self-made and wants women to boldly talk about money (and make more)

Deborah Vankin — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In her new book, 'Start With Yourself,' fashion mogul Emma Grede offers a blueprint for ambition that focuses on grounding your vision and saying 'no' to distractions.

Some of the best sound baths in L.A. are happening in mattress stores

Rebecca Leib — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Inside L.A.'s new wellness trend of super restful sound baths, where the beds are plush and the snoring is a compliment.

Contributor: Vaccine confusion sets up U.S. for a resurgence of hepatitis B in babies

Joshua Rothman — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 10:18:00 GMT

The lesson from the past is simple. When we stop using vaccines that work, the diseases they prevent come back.

Near the shrinking Salton Sea, children's lungs may pay a price

Ian James — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Scientists find that children who live near California's Salton Sea, where dust is a problem, suffer from diminished lung development.

Exercise is vital to your health, but so are the arts. Here's how to reap the benefits

Keith Wagstaff — Wed, 8 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Regular participation in the arts improves cognition, lowers blood pressure and reduces stress, according to "Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives."

Tiger Woods is back in the rough. How a dependence on painkillers took down a golf great

Steve Henson — Wed, 8 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Tiger Woods was arrested for DUI and headed for rehab after another car accident. How his dependence on painkillers toppled the golf great.

What is an eye massage? We tried it at this under-the-radar L.A. spot

Deborah Vankin — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

New Vogue Spa's $125 eye treatment targets digital eyestrain and dry eyes with a blend of TCM acupressure and 'cold mist atomization.' We trekked to City of Industry to see if it delivers.

Microplastics are everywhere — even in the labs studying them. That's a problem for research

Susanne Rust — Sun, 5 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Microplastics scientists are finding the tiny particles everywhere, even in their own research laboratories. So how do they know if what they're finding is in the sample or contamination from plastic fibers floating in the air?

California kids are going without vision care, and the problem is getting worse

Kristen Hwang — Sat, 4 Apr 2026 16:24:03 GMT

In California, only 16% of school-age kids on Medi-Cal received first-time eye exams between 2022 and 2024.

Contributor: For water and mining policy near Salton Sea, keep in mind local children's health

Jill Johnston and Shohreh Farzan — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 16:28:13 GMT

For years, community members have raised concerns about the high rates of asthma. New evidence bolsters their case.

SoCal hospice owners bilked taxpayers for millions in false claims, federal officials say

Salvador Hernandez, Richard Winton — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 21:26:15 GMT

Federal authorities announced arrests in a hospice fraud crackdown in Southern California. Eight people were arrested and 15 were charged.

Microplastics and pharmaceuticals named a priority threat in drinking water by health, environment officials

Susanne Rust, Ian James — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 19:40:21 GMT

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said they plan to study microplastics and pharmaceuticals in U.S. drinking water.

Track your steps? Here's a less obvious way to improve your health

Keith Wagstaff — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

A health metric we don't pay enough attention to is social interaction. In 'It's Not You, It's the World: A Mental Health Survival Guide for Us All,' psychiatrist Joanna Cheek reframes self-care.

Column: 8 hot new wellness trends just in time for April 1

Rebecca Leib — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Yoga with goats and protein-maxxing is out. Cabbage core, hot line dancing and amino acid trips are totally in (wink, wink).

Tiger Woods pleads not guilty to DUI, says he will 'seek treatment and focus on my health'

Steve Henson — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 15:32:59 GMT

Tiger Woods pleaded not guilty to charges of suspicion of DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a urinalysis stemming from a rollover crash in Florida.

Autistic people are more likely to experience suicidal crisis. 988 is changing to serve them better

Corinne Purtill — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Shifts in 988 hotline volunteer behavior can have a major impact for autistic callers, a population more likely to experience suicidal crisis.

MAHA says red meat and beef tallow will make you healthy. The American Heart Assn. isn't buying it

Corinne Purtill — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:15:12 GMT

The American Heart Assn. is the latest medical association to issue guidelines that conflict with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s MAHA-friendly guidelines.

New York City Marathon winner Albert Korir banned 5 years for doping

Steve Henson — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:24:45 GMT

Kenyan distance runner Albert Korir, long a fixture at the New York Marathon, has admitted to doping after testing positive for a blood-boosting substance.

Gen Z is the loneliest generation. Here's what can help

Deborah Vankin — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Loneliness is hitting Gen Z hard, but it's not too late to reverse the trend. From active listening to "third spaces," here are three ways to help your kids reconnect.

Freaked out by the news? Tips for staying calm from ex-refugees, hostages and 'uncertainty experts'

Deborah Vankin — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Practical advice from neuroscientists and 'uncertainty experts' on how you can reduce anxiety and build resilience.

Taco Bell wants to help with your under-eye circles and wrinkles — no, really

Deborah Vankin — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The fast-food giant is trading hot sauce for hydration with its announcement of Baja Blast-infused eye patches — but dermatologists warn that glowing skin requires more than just a "Live Más" lifestyle.

I had to man up and get a mammogram

Zachary Bernstein — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Breast cancer isn't just a 'pink' disease; for men with a family history or genetic predisposition, a mammogram can be a lifesaving tool that overrides social stigma.

Long COVID leaves thousands of L.A. County residents sick, broke and ignored

Corinne Purtill — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 20:04:19 GMT

Six years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, doctors are still treating long COVID patients with complex symptoms and unknown futures.

Federal EPA moves to roll back recent limits on ethylene oxide, a carcinogen

Hayley Smith — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 20:15:48 GMT

An estimated 50% of sterile medical devices in the U.S. are treated with ethylene oxide. It is also a known carcinogen.

Nearly 40% of California produce contains PFAS pesticides, report finds

Susanne Rust — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Using state data, an environmental group found PFAS residue on more than 40 different kinds of fruits and vegetables grown in California. The state has approved 53 PFAS pesticide ingredients, while other states, such as Maine, are throttling back.

Newsom's fight with Trump and RFK Jr. on public health

Angela Hart — Mon, 9 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has positioned himself as a national public health leader by staking out science-backed policies in contrast with the Trump administration.

Lawsuit alleges Google chatbot was behind a user's delusions and death

Queenie Wong — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Google is the latest tech company facing safety concerns over its AI chatbot.

L.A. Marathon won't give trans runners prize money. This past champion wants to change the game

Deborah Vankin — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Cal Calamia is a transgender marathoner and activist helping to make the world's races more equitable and inclusive.

The neuro disease rat lungworm has reached California

Susanne Rust — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

A neurological disease spread by rats and other animals may have become established in San Diego County.

Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman retires at 27, much the way his father did 26 years ago

Steve Henson — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 18:49:13 GMT

Chicago Bears Pro Bowl Drew Dalman shocked the NFL by retiring at age 27 with two years left on a lucrative contract. His father also retired prematurely from the NFL.

After rash of overdose deaths, L.A. halted sales of kratom. Some say they lost lifeline for pain and opioid withdrawal

Karen Garcia — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

L.A. County halted sales of kratom products over concern about potential overdoses. Some say officials aren't considering how the decision affects those using it for pain and to avoid opioids.