Health

Only about 3% of sickle cell patients in the US receive red blood cell exchange, despite it being a standard treatment for the disease. Researchers found the procedure is drastically underused across the country. The findings highlight a major gap in care for people with the inherited blood disorder.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has proposed a free-at-point-of-use national care service to fix England's "threadbare" social care, warning that "broken social care will in the end break the NHS." He said he will develop a clear plan and put it to the public at the next general election. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp warned the scheme will likely mean "more tax rises," which he called a "red line" for the Conservatives.

Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has grown by 55 cases since Wednesday, continuing to spread across the state. Health officials are urging residents to ensure they are vaccinated as the outbreak expands.

New research identified at least 485 chemicals used in US pesticide products that are linked to breast cancer, including hundreds of "inert" ingredients that typically escape thorough safety review. The findings raise concerns about the safety of food and other products as early onset breast cancer rates rise worldwide, with incidence increasing about 1% per year. Scientists say the EPA's practice of assessing only individual ingredients, rather than full formulas or cumulative exposures, leaves a regulatory blind spot.