Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other health officials have repeatedly announced major changes before any new rules have been drafted. While it's true that writing new health regulations is a notoriously slow process, former health officials say the Trump administration's approach is good for driving headlines but not for making permanent changes. That was the case with last year's public announcement that the Food and Drug Administration would phase out all synthetic food dyes. A year later, no formal regulation for accomplishing the change has appeared. Instead, the FDA has pressured companies to voluntarily drop the colors.

Technological advancements have made cosmetic procedures more accessible but have also lead many to grapple with the philosophical and ethical implications. Some religious views discourage vanity while others see cosmetic surgery as a personal choice. Women are often faced with these conversations although they are not the only demographic considering personal autonomy, social pressures and the medical profession’s role. There has been little in the way of official guidance or explicit prohibitions from major religions. But a growing chorus of theologians, philosophers and bioethicists from all backgrounds are calling for more thoughtful discourse surrounding these procedures and treatments.

Zambia accuses the U.S. of linking a $2 billion health assistance deal to access to its rich mineral resources. Zambia’s foreign affairs minister calls the outgoing U.S. ambassador’s corruption allegations “mischievous” and “undiplomatic.” The U.S. aims to reshape aid to Africa into transactional agreements, while challenging China’s influence. Talks have stalled in Zambia over U.S. demands for data-sharing and preferential treatment for U.S. companies. Critics warn this approach risks creating a parallel global health system and using health as a bargaining chip. The U.S. says its strategy reduces donor dependency and promotes local ownership.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday restored broad access to the abortion pill mifepristone, blocking a lower-court ruling that had …

A federal appeals court has restricted access to one of the most common means of abortion in the U.S. by blocking the mailing of mifepristone. A panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is requiring that the abortion pill be distributed only in-person at clinics. Since the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed enforcement of abortion bans, prescriptions by mail has become a major way that abortions are provided — including to states where bans are in place. The decision sets up a likely appeal to the Supreme Court.

President Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Nicole Saphier as his third pick for U.S. surgeon general. Saphier is a radiologist and ex-Fox News Channel contributor who's been a vocal advocate for vaccination and has criticized the Trump administration's handling of health issues. Still, Saphier supports Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s agenda, including removing food additives and cutting ultraprocessed foods. Saphier's nomination follows the failed campaign of Dr. Casey Means, who faced scrutiny over her experience and vaccination stance. Means says her failed nomination was the result of a “smear campaign.” The nomination of the Republican president's first surgeon general pick, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, fell apart after questions about her academic credentials.

President Donald Trump says he's nominating former Fox News Channel contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier for surgeon general after Dr. Casey Means’ path forward stalled in the Senate. In a social media post Thursday, Trump said Saphier is “a STAR physician who has spent her career guiding women facing breast cancer through their diagnosis and treatment.” Senators of both major political parties grilled Means on her vaccine stance and other health topics during a tense confirmation hearing. Means told The Associated Press her nomination fell apart after a “smear campaign." Saphier has aligned with many of Trump's positions but in at least one case pushed back on his messaging around Tylenol during pregnancy.