WWL - Health

Drugmaker settles with Henrietta Lacks' estate over use of her 'stolen' cells to advance medicine

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:54:15 GMT

Lack’s story was captured in “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack” by Rebecca Skloot. Oprah Winfrey later portrayed her daughter in the film adaptation.

CDC reports increase in late or missed prenatal care for pregnant women

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:21:05 GMT

WWL Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Corey Hebert speaks about why this is a big issue.

Life-threatening recall issued on 55,000 pounds of blueberries

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:06:19 GMT

The FDA classified the recall at "Class I" severity, meaning there's a potential of serious health consequences or death.

Louisiana challenges FDA over mail order abortion pills

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:54:34 GMT

AG Liz Murrill argues in federal court that ending in-person rules for Mifepristone harms the state; judge takes arguments under advisement.

Are social media algorithms fueling a youth mental health crisis?

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:37:48 GMT

A trial is probing the impact of the platform's design on young users as a pediatrician and local parents warn of rising anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.

Potential 'holy grail' nasal spray that may protect against COVID-19, flu and pneumonia aims for human trials

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:08:22 GMT

The tool may be the next step in the once-mythical idea of a universal vaccine, researchers said.

Efforts continue to extinguish woods fire along I-12 in Lacombe

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:14:36 GMT

Crews are working to contain hot spots as smoke impacts nearby homes, businesses, and highway visibility.

Blue Cross Blue Shield to begin paying $2.6B after class-action lawsuit: Are you eligible?

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:56:13 GMT

The money stems from a settlement reached with the health insurance giant nearly six years ago.

Dr. Ralph Abraham says he's leaving CDC to attend to family matters

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:43:30 GMT

Abraham was named the CDC’s principal deputy director last November, and was sworn into the role the following month.

CDC: Nearly 1,000 US measles cases confirmed in first two months of 2026

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:01:45 GMT

The number of confirmed cases so far this year are already nearing the total number of cases identified in 2025, according to the U.S. CDC.

CVS to pay $45M to resolve three lawsuits, AG says

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 20:44:00 GMT

Attorney General Liz Murrill's office announced Friday that CVS has settled a series of lawsuits over patient text messages, pricing and pharmacy fees.

Feeling sick after Mardi Gras? Doctors warn of spike in flu cases due to large crowds

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 04:42:19 GMT

According to the CDC, Louisiana has been one of the states with the highest flu activity since November.

Candy, soda, energy drinks off limits: How New Orleans is responding to SNAP changes

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:08:03 GMT

Limits on what Louisiana residents can buy with SNAP benefits are intended to promote healthier choices, but critics say nutritious options are not accessible.

Louisiana residents can’t use SNAP for soda, energy drinks, candy

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:55:37 GMT

The move aligns with broader efforts to promote Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative.

Cancer victims to get $7.25 billion from Bayer under proposed Roundup settlement

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:31:49 GMT

Thousands of lawsuits alleging the company failed to warn Roundup users that the product causes cancer would be settled by the payments.

Raw sewage discharge blamed for foul odor in New Orleans East canal

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 23:53:34 GMT

The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans said it became aware of sewage complaints near the Castle Manor pumping station in December.

Winter Olympics: Chinese snowboarder taken off on stretcher after scary fall trying to qualify for women's halfpipe

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:55:13 GMT

There was no immediate word from the Chinese team on Liu's status, but she was taken off the course on a stretcher after the fall.

Record call volume this Carnival season, New Orleans EMS says

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 02:19:46 GMT

New Orleans first responders saw a 20% spike in emergency calls during the first major weekend of parades.

TrumpRx launches in an effort to lower drug prices

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:14:54 GMT

The site offers manufacturer discounts on 43 medications, but critics say it mirrors GoodRx and lacks generic options.

Mikaela Shiffrin is back at the Winter Olympics: When and how to watch her compete

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:14:38 GMT

After her 2022 Olympic setback, Mikaela Shiffrin is scaling back the number of events she is competing in for the 2026 Winter Games.

Repackaged M&M’s distributed in 20 states recalled by promotion company

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:54:27 GMT

The recall covers promotional packages of M&M's distributed in 20 states that contain undeclared milk, soy and peanut ingredients.

Trump administration launches TrumpRx website for discounted drugs

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:47:38 GMT

President Trump first mentioned TrumpRx in September, highlighting deals with pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices.

Louisiana plans to sue California and New York over abortion pill cases

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:14:39 GMT

The move stems from two cases in which doctors are accused of mailing abortion-inducing drugs to Louisiana residents, violating state law.

Ochsner researching whether a blood test can find hidden cancers

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:17:33 GMT

A Northshore man says joining the free clinical trial uncovered a life‑threatening tumor.

'All hands on deck' | US prepares for possible infestations of flesh-eating fly as Texas issues disaster declaration

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:52:55 GMT

Numerous federal agencies recently conducted a simulation exercise in preparation for the pest's possible U.S. arrival.

What is the Nipah virus? What to know as India confirms 2 cases

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 04:54:05 GMT

Two confirmed cases of the rare virus prompted the WHO and other health officials to activate their outbreak responses.

AI avatars will soon help doctors sharpen their communication skills

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 03:12:10 GMT

LSU Health is one of the first medical schools to use an AI avatar to improve doctor-patient communication.

Salmonella outbreak linked to supplements sickens people in over half of US states

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 20:38:33 GMT

A leaf used in multiple "superfood" products is, instead, causing illnesses in people across the country, Food and Drug Administration Officials said.

In Louisiana, death toll from dangerous winter weather rises to 9

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 20:16:09 GMT

Officials continue to warn residents to take precautions against hypothermia, frostbite, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Over 80K decaf Keurig pods may contain caffeine, FDA recall warns

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:05:23 GMT

The FDA has issued a Class II recall for over 80,000 McCafe coffee pods labeled as decaf that may contain caffeine. Sold in three states, they pose health risks.

Consumer Reports finds lower lead levels in popular chocolate protein powders

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:55:29 GMT

New testing found five popular protein powders contain less lead and arsenic than other products flagged in an earlier Consumer Reports investigation.

What’s in the water? Wastewater gives an early warning on community health

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 01:49:58 GMT

Researchers say sewage testing in New Orleans and across the country tracks viruses, often before people feel sick.

New Orleans workers bundle up and brave the cold

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:24:22 GMT

From Café Du Monde workers to dermatologists, locals share the surprising tricks that keep them warm amid the bitter cold.

Pediatricians reject CDC vaccine changes, back routine childhood shots

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:12:18 GMT

The American Academy of Pediatrics says it will continue recommending routine vaccines against 18 diseases despite a revised CDC schedule.

Snow may look clean, but it can contain pollutants

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:37:51 GMT

Forget yellow snow, here's why you really shouldn't eat any snow on the ground.

Shoveling snow and snowblower safety: How high is your heart attack risk?

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 17:45:47 GMT

Freezing air, constricted blood vessels and the sudden strain of lifting heavy, wet snow can seriously increase your heart attack risk in a short amount of time.

How to reduce carbon monoxide exposure as temperatures drop

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 22:40:32 GMT

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause sudden sickness and even death if large amounts are inhaled. Here are some tips to stay safe.

Ochsner to open first-of-its-kind neuroscience institute by year’s end

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 02:37:50 GMT

The four-story center will bring together brain, neurological, mental, and behavioral health specialists.

Red Cross warns of 'severe blood shortage' as flu, winter storms impact donations: How to help

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 22:03:17 GMT

The national blood supply has dropped about 35% in a month, forcing the American Red Cross to issue a severe blood shortage.

Gluten warnings may be coming to US foods soon, FDA says

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 16:06:33 GMT

There are currently "several serious data gaps" limiting the FDA's ability to know the adverse reactions to gluten in products, health officials said.