Health news and trends

Magnesium is trending, offers many health benefits.

Experts say if you're considering a supplement, talk with your doctor and choose a trusted brand that's been third-party tested.

Teen saves grandma with CPR over FaceTime

A middle schooler saved his grandma's life by learning CPR over FaceTime with nurses.

Tracking your sleep: Here's what tech can and can't tell you about getting better rest

Good sleep habits are more helpful than data tracking to see real improvements in your rest.

700+ cases, 500 in quarantine as measles spreads in South Carolina

An outbreak of measles which has sickened almost 800 people is the largest cluster of the disease in the United States in decades.

Measles cases surging nationwide

As measles cases surge nationwide, South Carolina health officials are reporting more than 100 new cases since Friday.

Starter dose of Wegovy now available as a daily pill instead of weekly injection

Americans can now purchase the starter dose of blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy as a pill, drug maker Novo Nordisk announced Monday. Other strengths will be available as pills by the end of the week.

WRAL Health reporter Grace Hayba and CNN's Tami Luhby, Meg Tirrell

Tested positive for flu this holiday season? Here’s what you should do

(CNN) — As millions of Americans hit the road or took to the skies for the holidays, another seasonal traveler is picking up speed: influenza.

By Jacqueline Howard, CNN

WakeMed breaks ground on Garner Health campus

WakeMed broke ground Thursday on a new mental health campus in Garner. Physicians say it will help them transform behavioral health care.

Getting daily exercise improves sleep quality, study finds

Exercising every day could improve sleep quality, according to a new study from the University of Texas at Austin.

WakeMed breaks ground on new mental health care facility in Garner

WakeMed broke ground Thursday on a new mental health campus in Garner. Physicians say it will help them transform behavioral health care.

Duke study reveals alarming effects of flavored e-cigarettes on pregnancy and fetal health

A recent Duke study uncovers the startling risks associated with flavored e-cigarettes during pregnancy, highlighting potential dangers to fetal development and maternal health.

Flavored vapes not safe during pregnancy

Even without nicotine, vaping brings a risk of miscarriage a Duke study shows.

A look at how daylight saving time can impact your health

The clock turned back an hour early Sunday morning, but for many the body didn't get the memo. Experts explain how long it really takes to reset the body's internal clock and ways to make the transition easier.

Cancer patients under 40 get different supports, different care

Research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer are different when patients are younger. A new Duke program is bringing those things together to offer a different kind of support.

Cleveland player continues rehab from cardiac arrest; could play football again this season

Krisjon Clark returned to school and to practice about a week after a cardiac arrest, and he is wearing a heart monitor

Nearly 1 million North Carolinians will pay more for Affordable Care Act plans

The looming expiration of COVID-era enhanced premium tax credits for the Affordable Care Act in 2026 is set to cause nearly 1 million North Carolinians to pay more for health care.

Partisan turmoil heats up as North Carolinians face Affordable Care Act rate increases in 2026

The looming expiration of COVID-era enhanced premium tax credits for the Affordable Care Act in 2026 is set to cause nearly 1 million North Carolinians to pay more for health care.

North Carolina educators deal with invisible sticker shock and confusion

Millions of people are signing up for their 2026 health care plan, and the price just went way up for state employees in North Carolina. WRAL News spoke with some public school teachers who said their premiums have tripled.

New website shows where Naloxone access falls short

Narcan has reversed countless overdoses. WRAL News looks at a new tool helping connect more people to the spray.

WakeMed gets OK for new emergency center in Rolesville

WakeMed has received approval to construct a new healthplex in Rolesville, featuring a 24/7 emergency department. The facility is expected to open in 2027 and serve nearly 8,000 patients in its first year, located across from Rolesville Middle School.

NC teachers deal with insurance sticker shock, confusion during open enrollment

As State Health Plan premiums rise, North Carolina teachers face steep cost increases, with some seeing their premiums nearly triple. Confusion over salary calculations adds to the chaos, as the deadline for open enrollment looms without extension.

"Every life is worth saving": How a UNC researcher's website is connecting communities to naloxone

Delesha Carpenter's personal tragedy has fueled her mission to combat opioid overdoses through increased naloxone access. Her new website with UNC maps naloxone availability across NC's 100 counties.

Vision Restored Using Prosthetic Retinal Implant

For the first time, researchers have restored some vision to people with a common type of eye disease by using a prosthetic retinal implant. If approved for broader use in the future, the treatment could improve the lives of an estimated 1 million, mostly older, people in the United States who lose their vision to the condition.

Gina Kolata, New York Times

Meta's AI glasses helps a blind woman

AI glasses let users take videos, stream music and capture everyday moments. For people who are blind and visually impaired, they can be a lifeline.

UNC Rex Mobile Mammography brings life-saving screenings to Louisburg residents

This initiative aims to enhance community health and make early detection more accessible.