"Should society bear the cost of health care for Americans who knowingly engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking or excessive junk food consumption?"

In a recent interview with CBS News, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised this provocative question. Kennedy used examples like eating doughnuts or smoking three packs of cigarettes a day to illustrate his point, asking whether individuals should expect the same level of public support as those with congenital or unavoidable health conditions.

“I’m not going to take those choices away,” Kennedy emphasized, stressing that people should be free to eat and drink what they like. But he questioned whether society should be expected to fund the consequences of such choices, suggesting that incentives — both for individuals and industries — should be realigned to better support desired public health outcomes.

Public Health Experts Raise Concerns

Kennedy's remarks quickly drew criticism from health experts and advocates. Many viewed the statements as a slippery slope toward policies that could limit access to care based on personal behavior. Joan Alker of Georgetown University noted that this echoes past attempts, like West Virginia’s 2007 Medicaid plan that restricted benefits for patients who failed to follow health guidelines. That plan was eventually scrapped.

Critics warn that Kennedy’s comments hint at a punitive approach rather than one grounded in support, education, or evidence-based policy. Regina LaBelle, a former drug policy adviser, said the remarks marked a return to a time when public health relied more on “shame and stigma” than on science and support.

Cuts to Health Programs Add to Concerns

The timing of Kennedy’s statements is especially significant. They come amid major layoffs in his department, including at the CDC and FDA offices responsible for smoking cessation and tobacco regulation. Ironically, these are the very programs designed to prevent chronic illnesses before they start — illnesses often linked to smoking and poor nutrition.

Though Kennedy has pledged to focus on personal empowerment, the downsizing of health programs and public messaging campaigns raises doubts about how effectively the administration can support Americans in making healthier choices.

Mixed Reactions From Policy Circles

Not everyone disagrees with Kennedy’s stance. Michael Cannon of the Cato Institute welcomed the idea of holding individuals accountable for their choices, arguing that people are less likely to make harmful decisions when they must bear the consequences themselves. He said, “The Constitution doesn’t say anything about health, much less doughnuts and cigarettes.”

On the other hand, watchdog groups like Public Citizen pointed out the inconsistency in Kennedy’s health agenda. While he has criticized the role of corporations in promoting obesity, he has also expressed reluctance to expand access to costly weight-loss drugs, raising questions about how the government plans to tackle chronic health issues.

The Larger Debate

Kennedy’s comments open up a broader national debate: Where should the line be drawn between personal responsibility and public support in healthcare? As the U.S. grapples with rising health costs and growing chronic illness, this question is likely to resurface — with no easy answers in sight.

It is common to run into health problems as you age. Your bodily functions become slow, so does your mobility as well as your immunity. However, with the right healthy choices, you can also age gracefully and avoid any big health issues. This 74-year-old also had the same idea, exercising regularly and keeping his health in check.

On the surface, he's a picture of perfect health. He has never had a heart attack or a stroke, and he doesn't have common health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure. He's also very dedicated to his well-being, exercising regularly, keeping a normal weight, and avoiding smoking and alcohol. His family also has a clean bill of health when it comes to heart problems.

Highlighting this interesting case Neurologist Sudhir Kumar MD, shared the details on his X social media.

Can You Have High Cholesterol With Healthy Habits?

Despite all his good habits, a routine blood test told a different story. His blood fats, or lipid profile, showed some concerning numbers that have been high for the last 10 years. His total cholesterol, "bad" LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were all higher than they should be, while his "good" HDL cholesterol was too low.

• Total Cholesterol: 219
• LDL ("Bad") Cholesterol: 159
• Triglycerides: 319
• HDL ("Good") Cholesterol: 32

This specific combination is known as atherogenic dyslipidemia. It's a medical term for a pattern of unhealthy fats in the blood. Even though he feels great, this condition, combined with his age, puts him at a much higher risk for serious issues down the road, like a heart attack, stroke, or a type of memory loss called vascular dementia.

How Can You Lower Cholesterol Of a Healthy Patient?

Faced with this situation, the doctor and the patient discussed two possible paths.

Option 1:

The first option was to continue his healthy lifestyle and work with a nutritionist to make his diet even better. This would be a non-medicated approach to see if his numbers could improve naturally.

Option 2:

The second option was to start taking a statin, a type of drug that lowers cholesterol. The doctor would then recheck his lipid profile after a few months. If his triglycerides were still too high, another medication, such as fenofibrate, might be added. The doctor also explained the potential side effects of statins so the patient could make an informed decision.

After hearing both options, the patient felt more comfortable with Option 1, preferring to avoid medication for now. Dr Sudhir ended the post explaining he will follow up in three months to see how the patient's health is progressing.

What Are Some Unexpected Causes Of High Cholesterol?

Beyond daily habits, some life events and medications can also cause a temporary rise in cholesterol.

Stress

When you're stressed, your body produces the hormone cortisol, which can raise cholesterol. Managing stress through exercise, meditation, or breathing exercises can help lower this risk.

Smoking

Nicotine in cigarettes lowers your HDL ("good") cholesterol, which is responsible for removing "bad" cholesterol from your blood. The best way to reduce this risk is to quit smoking.

Medications

Certain prescription drugs, including some for high blood pressure, inflammation, and infections, can raise cholesterol levels. If you're concerned about your medication, talk to your doctor about alternatives or dosage adjustments.

Pregnancy

It's normal for a pregnant person's cholesterol to increase by 30-40% to support fetal development. However, a doctor may intervene if the levels get too high.

Rapid Weight Loss

Losing weight very quickly, especially on diets like the ketogenic diet, can cause a temporary spike in cholesterol. If you're planning to lose weight, it's a good idea to work with a healthcare professional to do it safely.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued its 2025-26 outlook, predicting a respiratory virus season with similar peak hospitalizations from COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as last year. The agency also warns that COVID-19 hospitalization rates could rise if a variant with moderate immune-escape properties emerges.

While avoiding sick individuals is the first line of defense against the flu, cleaning and disinfecting your home after someone recovers is equally important to prevent the virus from spreading to others.

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting: Understanding the Difference

Before tackling flu germs, it’s crucial to understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning removes visible dirt, dust, and germs using soap and water, while disinfecting targets remaining germs with products like sprays, wipes, or bleach. Experts recommend cleaning first, then disinfecting, for maximum effectiveness.

Focus on High-Traffic Surfaces

Viruses can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours and on unwashed hands for about an hour. High-traffic areas in your home are most likely to harbor germs. Prioritize disinfecting:

• Doorknobs and drawer handles
• Light switches
• Stair rails

If someone was sick in a vehicle, disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as steering wheels, door handles, seats, and seat belts. Disinfecting wipes are convenient, but always follow manufacturer instructions and wash your hands afterward.

Kitchen and Bathroom Cleaning

In the kitchen, wash all utensils, dishes, and glasses in hot, soapy water or a dishwasher. Then disinfect:

• Countertops and cabinets
• Refrigerator handles
• Sinks and faucets
• Coffee makers, microwaves, and ovens
• Garbage cans

For bathrooms, disinfect:

• Toilets, sinks, and faucets
• Doorknobs and light switches
• Shower and bathtub surfaces
• Soap dispensers and toilet paper holders
• Floors and overlooked areas like toothbrush holders
• Consider replacing toothbrushes to prevent lingering germs
• Laundry and Bedroom Surfaces

Flu viruses can survive on soft surfaces like clothing, bedding, and towels. Wash all laundry in the hottest water recommended on care labels and dry thoroughly. Also, disinfect laundry baskets or hampers.

In bedrooms, disinfect doorknobs, bedside tables, bed frames, and drawer handles. Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors. For children, machine-wash soft toys and clean hard toys with soap and disinfectant.

Electronics Are Germ Hotspots

Mobile phones, keyboards, tablets, and remote controls can carry harmful microorganisms. Clean screens with a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with soapy water, or use disinfecting wipes carefully, avoiding alcohol-based products that may damage electronics. Consider wipeable covers for easier disinfecting.

Ventilate Your Home

Open windows if outdoor temperatures are comfortable. Fresh air reduces airborne germs and helps when using disinfecting products. Proper ventilation ensures that lingering viruses don’t continue to spread indoors.

Recovery First, Deep Cleaning Later

If you are still recovering from the flu, wait until you feel well before doing intensive cleaning. Recovery typically takes a week, but may take longer for those with underlying conditions or complications. Enlist help from family, friends, or professionals to avoid overexertion.

Flu is highly contagious, particularly when people spend more time indoors. Cleaning and disinfecting your home after recovery is vital to prevent spreading the virus. Start with high-traffic areas, then move to kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and electronics. Always wear gloves and a mask when using disinfectants and follow instructions carefully.

By taking these precautions, you help protect your household and visitors from catching the flu, ensuring a safer and healthier home this season.

A disease that slowly creeps in and affects one of the vital organs, may sound terrifying and rare, but it is more common than we realize. Fatty liver diseases are one of the most common form of liver diseases in children, and this number has doubled in the past 20 years.

According to the American Liver Foundation. About 100 million people in the US have MASLD, or Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, which was previously known as NAFLD. This happens when the percentage of fat in the liver is more than 5%-10% of the liver’s weight. While you may think that it doesn’t affect your health as much, but it can actually cause you a lot of issues.

How Does Fatty Liver Affect Your Health?

Your liver is a vital organ that processes food and waste in your body. A healthy liver should contain very little fat. Over time, too much fat can lead to scarring of the liver, a serious condition called cirrhosis. Fatty liver is common, affecting about one in three adults, according to Australian Healthdirect.

Fatty liver disease often has no symptoms. However, if symptoms do appear, they may include feeling tired or unwell, having pain in the upper right part of your stomach, or losing weight without trying. More serious signs that the disease has progressed and caused liver damage include:

• Jaundice: When your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow.
• Bruising easily.
• Dark-colored urine.
• A swollen stomach.
• Vomiting blood or having black stools.
• Itchy skin.

What Should We Avoid To Make Our Liver Healthy?

Cases of fatty liver disease are on the rise, largely due to poor dietary habits and a reliance on processed foods. While this condition can lead to serious health issues over time, making a few simple changes to what you eat can significantly reduce fat buildup in the liver and lower your risk of liver disease. Gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi, who is trained at top universities, recently shared his top three food choices that can harm your liver. According to Dr. Sethi, you should avoid the following three common foods to protect your liver:

Sugary Drinks

Dr. Sethi calls sugary drinks like sodas and juices "liquid poison" because they are full of empty calories. Drinks that contain high-fructose corn syrup can overwhelm the liver, causing it to turn the extra sugar into fat. This process contributes directly to fatty liver disease. Instead, Dr. Sethi recommends sticking to water, tea, or coffee.

Deep-Fried Foods

Foods that are deep-fried, especially in unhealthy oils, should be avoided. They contain high amounts of unhealthy fats that can lead to fat buildup and inflammation in the liver. This can cause liver damage and contribute to obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Ultra-Processed Foods

Items like chips, candies, hot dogs, and instant noodles are highly processed and harmful to your liver. These foods are full of unhealthy fats, added sugars, and artificial ingredients that put a strain on your liver, leading to inflammation and an unhealthy gut.

Dr. Sethi stresses that making these simple dietary changes can make a big difference in protecting your liver's health.