L.A. Times - Health

Bass administration quietly replaced chief heat officer a month ago

Noah Haggerty — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:05:13 GMT

After L.A. City Council rejected Mayor Bass' proposal to eliminate the city's climate emergency office, her administration quietly replaced its inaugural director with a senior Bass advisor.

Why public health officials are 'cautiously optimistic' about Trump's CDC pick

Corinne Purtill — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:01:15 GMT

Dr. Erica Schwartz has the skills for the job running the CDC, doctors say. They just hope she'll be allowed to do it.

After her son's death, she found a new purpose. 'He's whispering: Mom, this is your path'

Lisa Boone — Thu, 9 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

After suffering the loss of her child, journalist Esme Saleh leaned into her creative side, painting folk art-inspired taper candles as a way to move forward.

What's the deal with ... coffee enemas?

Shelby Hartman — Wed, 8 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Are coffee enemas actually good for you? We look into the buzz and examine the science, risks and benefits behind the controversial gut-health trend.

Contributor: The crucial medical question that AI can't ever answer

James N. Weinstein and Ogan Gurel — Wed, 8 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

AI can be very knowledgeable. Doctors can have excellent judgment. But ultimately the patient's own priorities often determine which treatment approach is best.

Environmental justice group sues California over carbon market overhaul

Hayley Smith — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 21:56:16 GMT

The lawsuit claims that California's air regulator rushed changes to its signature cap-and-invest program without proper environmental review.

Fans slam FIFA's cooling breaks. Why the U.S. World Cup team doctor disagrees

Corinne Purtill — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 21:22:03 GMT

This year's World Cup, hosted across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, is the hottest played since the tournament began in 1930. If venues are air conditioned, are FIFA's hydration breaks necessary?

Contributor: Alcohol should be marginalized like smoking

Emma Fenske — Thu, 2 Jul 2026 19:28:00 GMT

Drinking causes 1 in every 20 deaths worldwide. Perversely, because its harms are so widespread and longstanding and well known, many people accept them.

Boyle Heights blaze choked parts of L.A. with astronomical soot pollution

Tony Briscoe, Hayley Smith — Thu, 2 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The warehouse fire exposed residents to smoke and soot that was worse than the 2025 Los Angeles County fires.

At Mindful Archery, L.A. women take aim at their exes, toxic jobs and Donald Trump

Deborah Vankin — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:51:36 GMT

At Angie Fadel's Mindful Archery workshops in Los Angeles, women and nonbinary attendees use bow and arrow instruction, somatic breathwork and nature therapy to release stress and find inner strength.

Contributor: Mental health care isn't ready for psychedelic side effects

Laura Zam — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:01:00 GMT

Accelerated FDA approval will invite recklessness. But don't block these important medications. Take steps to prepare.

After bold pledge, EPA shelves microplastics testing in U.S. drinking water

Susanne Rust — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In April, EPA Chief Lee Zeldin and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. held a news conference declaring their dedication to studying microplastics, in the human body and in drinking water. But a new EPA drinking water testing rule leaves them out.

ER visits spiked during toxic Boyle Heights warehouse fire

Hayley Smith — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The weeklong Lineage warehouse fire coincided with a surge in hospital visits from Angelenos concerned about throat pain and breathing problems, The Times has learned.

They started playing L.A. Municipal softball 50 years ago. They're still at it

Christopher Buchanan — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

As the original Doc Feeney's All Stars roster crosses into their 70s, a new generation is stepping up to the plate to keep a half-century of brotherhood — and the memory of a fallen teammate — alive.

As Trump pulls funding for HIV healthcare, Latino and queer communities suffer

Katerina Portela — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 21:52:24 GMT

In his 2019 State of the Union address, President Trump promised to "defeat HIV in America." But L.A. nonprofits say his recent budget cuts have led to a rise in HIV spread among Latinos and little funding for lifesaving tests and medicine in L.A. County.

Health concerns mount as Boyle Heights warehouse fire stretches into a week

Tony Briscoe, Kori McNair, Mack Baysinger — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Toxic air has covered the San Gabriel Valley and beyond at times, as the fire continues to burn and the wind shifts the pall in different directions.

What's the deal with ... microdosing Ozempic?

Shelby Hartman — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Can a smaller dose of GLP-1s cut side effects and costs? Experts weigh in on the rising trend of microdosing Ozempic and Wegovy.

Dads are swapping kid chaos for golf at this L.A. wellness club

Maddie Connors — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Led by a wellness coach, Dad's Link Golf Club blends community, fatherhood and fellowship to help dads focus on mental health.

Pilates on a floating mat? This beachfront pool workout in L.A. will challenge your core

Deborah Vankin — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Part yoga, part Pilates and entirely unstable: Inside the high-intensity, low-impact pool workout making waves at the Annenberg Community Beach House.

Yoko Ono's popular 'Wish Trees' at the Broad offers hope to Angelenos in unsettling times

Deborah Vankin — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Angelenos are flocking to the Broad to tie their personal hopes to Yoko Ono's 'Wish Trees for Los Angeles' — creating a powerful, moving snapshot of the city's collective mood.

Why new dads shouldn't panic about low testosterone

Keith Wagstaff — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

While a plummeting hormone level can trigger depression and irritability, experts say a modest decline can make men more invested, less stressed co-parents.

Bacteria found in Target baby wipes could be life-threatening to infants; recall underway

Seamus Bozeman — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 21:35:43 GMT

The discovery of bacteria in baby wipes sold at Target stores has prompted a nationwide recall, the FDA announced.

One label, many risks: how grouping Asian Americans hides deadly cancer patterns

Meg Tanaka — Sat, 6 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

A nationwide effort that includes many California researchers seeks to find out why some Asian American communities have high rates of certain cancers.

Emergency room visits during heat waves available to the public in 'near-real time' in L.A. County

Blanca Begert — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

A new dashboard makes public for the first time heat-related deaths and emergency room visits in near-real time.

Nearly 400,000 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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.