David Olson

State fines Long Island neurosurgeon Dr. Salvatore Palumbo for falsely claiming to vaccinate his child In an interview, the doctor said he administered the vaccines to his son. "I'm pro vax."

State health department fines LI neurosurgeon for falsely claiming to vaccinate his son. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Stony Brook employee with long COVID wins $1M over work from home denial After contracting COVID-19 in December 2021, a Roslyn woman was allowed to work remotely but in-person work would be phased in.

Stony Brook Blood Center employee with long COVID gets $954K jury award after work-from-home denial. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

What Long Islanders should know about Trump Rx and drug prices New Yorkers without insurance, or those with very high deductibles, would benefit most from TrumpRx.

What to know about TrumpRx. Even though it may save some consumers money, experts warn that it's often cheaper using your insurance or buying generics, or using other online discount sites. via @celiayoung.bsky.social & me www.newsday.com/news/health/...

These Long Island brothers came to the U.S. as kids. ICE deported them to a country they hardly know. With no criminal records, they went for a routine check-in. Sent to El Salvador, they're desperate to return to their American lives.

Josue & Jose Trejo Lopez came to the US at ages 10 & 11. They have no criminal record. ICE deported the Long Island brothers to El Salvador, where they have no family. "My brother and I are alone in this country." www.newsday.com/long-island/...

Babies born to white mothers now minority, Hofstra study finds The change reflects "who we are as a nation," said one demographer.

Babies born to white, non-Hispanic moms are now a minority, new study by Hofstra/Northwell med school researchers finds.
www.newsday.com/news/health/...

COVID deaths drop by half on Long Island, in U.S. On Long Island, the number of people who died of COVID-19-related causes fell from about 410 in 2024 to about 220 in 2025

COVID deaths nationwide in 2025 were 23 times lower than in 2021. Long Island saw a similar decline. Experts say our bodies’ strengthened immune systems from previous infections & vaccines, a less virulent virus & better treatments are the key reasons. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Teen birth rates have fallen on LI and in U.S. Here's why. Increased access to and use of contraception is the biggest reason, experts say, along with other key factors.

The number of teen pregnancies has fallen sharply on Long Island and nationwide. The birth rate for LI girls 15-17 is 4 times lower than in 1997. Experts say increased use and access to effective contraceptives is the biggest reason. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

How to avoid $1,000-plus Paxlovid bills if you get COVID Consumers must be proactive in asking about eligibility to avoid bills that could exceed $1,000 for a five-day supply, pharmacists say.

How to avoid a $1,000-plus bill for Paxlovid if you get COVID. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

New Hyde Park Thanksgiving tradition marks 60 years of friends, family and football A Thanksgiving flag football game in New Hyde Park featured three generations of friends and family taking the field for the 60th annual matchup.

For the 60th straight year, a group of New Hyde Park guys -- now joined by their families -- played football on Thanksgiving: "It’s definitely tough. Last year I hurt my shoulder. This year my knee’s killing me. But I’m still playing." www.newsday.com/long-island/...

CDC on vaccines and autism: What to know Long Island pediatricians and other experts weigh in on the CDC's new statement.

Long Island pediatricians on how the CDC's new statement on autism and vaccines -- posted at the request of RFK Jr. & strongly criticized by the nation's top medical groups -- could cause confusion with parents and lead to fewer kids getting vaccinated. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

New Northwell facility to study good and bad of cannabis and psychedelics There are only about 10 labs nationwide in which cannabis can be legally dispensed on-site to subjects.

New Northwell lab to study potential medical benefits and potential harms of marijuana, psychedelic drugs & alcohol. It is applying to be among the nation's first to get a federal OK to dispense cannabis to study subjects & observe them while they're high. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

What Trump's GLP-1 weight-loss drug deal means for Long Island consumers The discounts in some cases will be modest.

Long Island obesity doctors say the Trump administration's deal with weight-loss drug manufacturers will allow some people to finally afford the medications -- but with some monthly charges still at $449 a month, "that is still a very high price to ask." www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Why health care costs are rising in NY and nationwide Long Island workers and employers are seeing premium increases, some in double digits.

Long Islanders will see increases in their health insurance premiums during open enrollment — some in the double digits. Find out what types of increases to expect — and why health care costs keep rising. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Medicare and Medicaid telehealth appointments canceled over federal government shutdown Limiting access to telehealth could lead to more serious complications for patients, and hospitalizations, experts said.

Some doctors, hospitals refusing to treat Medicare & Medicaid patients via telehealth because of concerns about reimbursement. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Health care sticker shock as Affordable Care Act enrollment begins The average premium increase for Long Islanders with subsidized plans would be 32%, the state estimates.

As open enrollment begins today, Long Islanders signing up for Obamacare may suffer sticker shock, with no agreement on extending federal subsidies in sight: “The choice people will be making is between health insurance and groceries." www.newsday.com/news/health/...

New Long Island recovery residence aims to help young adults, who are most in need of alcohol and drug treatment The Brentwood residence will exclusively be for 18- to 25-year-olds with drug and alcohol addictions.

Young adults are most likely to have problems with drugs & alcohol but least likely to receive treatment. A new recovery residence in Brentwood is only the second in NYS with services tailored especially to them. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

The Long Islanders whose health insurance increases are central to the shutdown debate Newsday talked with those who would see premiums increase if the enhanced subsidies aren't extended.

I talked with a tutor, a trombonist and house cleaner who are among the millions of Americans whose health care premiums would on average more than double if subsidies that are a key issue in the federal shutdown aren't extended. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Federal shutdown: Nearly 100,000 Long Islanders' health care costs impacted by debate On Long Island, the average increase for about 28,000 people with subsidized ACA plans would be 32%.

Hanging in the balance in the government shutdown are nearly 100,000 Long Islanders' health insurance premiums, some of which would rise by thousands of dollars if federal subsidies that are a key sticking point in the shutdown aren't extended. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Nasal spray effective in preventing COVID and the common cold, study shows Scientists believe that medication given through the nose has the potential to be more effective because it attacks or blocks the virus at the source.

Early research shows that some nasal sprays may be effective in blocking or attacking respiratory viruses in the nose -- and preventing COVID and the common cold. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

LI's Latino delis struggle amid ICE arrests Business owners reported sales drops as high as 50% since President Trump took office in January.

Long Island delis that cater largely to immigrants have seen business plummet amid stepped-up Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests: “People are afraid. They don’t want to leave home.”
www.newsday.com/long-island/...

New Northwell Health CEO: Dr. John D'Angelo's plans Newsday interviewed D'Angelo about Northwell's plans.

Northwell's new CEO Dr. John D'Angelo on health care costs, the future of the state's largest private health care system & cuts in federal funds for medical research. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

ICE says 42-year-old immigrant who died in Nassau jail had 'liver failure' that may have led to death Several local and state agencies are investigating the death of Santos Banegas Reyes.

Family of immigrant who died in Nassau jail after his ICE arrest disputes ICE claim he died of liver failure. Liver expert said he almost surely would have had signs of severe liver disease many hours before his death.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...

Getting updated COVID-19 shots still a challenge, despite governor's executive order As of Monday afternoon, online scheduling for the nation's largest pharmacies, CVS and Walgreens, did not allow people under the age of 65 without underlying health conditions to make appointments.

New Yorkers continue to face obstacles to obtaining COVID vaccines, even after NY reduced limitations imposed by the Trump administration.
www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Hochul signs order easing COVID shot access at pharmacies The order will be in effect for 30 days and can be renewed, the governor said.

Hochul signs executive order allowing pharmacists to administer COVID vaccines after she criticized "reckless" federal health decisions.
www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Hochul to allow COVID shots at pharmacies without doctors' prescriptions The two largest pharmacy chains in the nation, CVS and Walgreens, had said anyone seeking an updated COVID-19 vaccination needs a prescription.

Hochul to issue an executive order allowing pharmacists to administer COVID vaccines "to New Yorkers who request them," a sharp divergence from the Trump administration's limits on vaccinations.
www.newsday.com/news/health/...

C-section rates remain higher at Long Island hospitals despite risks Despite more attention in recent years to reducing C-section rates, they have barely budged nationwide, statewide or on Long Island.

Experts agree that many C-sections are unnecessary and increase health risks. But rates of low-risk pregnancies that end in cesareans remain high, especially on Long Island. newsday.com/news/health/... Here's how 3 LI hospitals lowered their cesarean rates. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Leading pediatricians group advises COVID-19 shots for young children The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation is at odds with new Trump administration guidelines.

Nation's leading pediatrics group issues COVID-19 vaccine recommendations at odds with Trump administration's new guidelines. Expert says they are based on "real data, not hypotheses or suggestions."

www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Yeztugo approval: A new era in HIV prevention Yeztugo, a twice yearly injection, offers a promising advancement in HIV prevention, but high costs and insurance uncertainties may limit its accessibility.

Health experts are excited about a new twice-yearly injection that in studies blocked almost all HIV transmission -- but with a $28K annual price tag & insurance coverage uncertain, will people who need it most be able to get it? www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Decline in U.S. kids' health seen by LI families, docs Children have poorer sleep and feel lonelier compared to the past, and are more likely to die than kids in other high-income countries.

Rates of childhood anxiety, depression, obesity & other conditions are rising, indicating a broad deterioration of children's health, a new study finds. Long Island pediatricians say they've been seeing the trend in their patients for years. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

Experts suspect new COVID-19 strain on Long Island, though they're skeptical of 'razor blade throat' symptom The state health department said that "there are a few documented cases of this variant strain in New York."

New COVID variant suspected on Long Island though experts downplay 'razor blade throat' symptom. www.newsday.com/news/health/...