Latest articles in Health
The World Health Organization declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius officially over on July 2, ending a three-month saga that killed three people, quarantined passengers on a luxury liner, and triggered a global health alert. The rodent-borne Andes virus (ANDV) infected 13 people across multiple locations, with cases confirmed in passengers who had disembarked before symptoms appeared.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the first blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, marking a turning point in dementia care. The Lumipulse G pTau217/β-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio, developed by Roche and Eli Lilly, measures tau protein fragments that signal amyloid buildup in the brain. The test achieved 97.3% negative predictive value, meaning it can reliably rule out Alzheimer's without expensive PET scans or invasive spinal taps.
A new study has found that breaking up prolonged sitting time with short movement breaks may lower the risk of dying from cancer by 22%. The research adds to mounting evidence that sedentary behavior carries health risks independent of exercise levels. Meanwhile, vitamin A and D supplements may improve lung health in asthma patients, a green Mediterranean diet may offer more health benefits than the traditional version, and semaglutide shows promise in reducing complications for diabetes patients with peripheral artery disease.
Medicare's new GLP-1 Bridge program began July 1, offering eligible beneficiaries access to blockbuster weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound for $50 per month. The two-year pilot program marks the first time Medicare has covered obesity medications, potentially expanding access to millions of seniors.
Researchers at Guangzhou Medical University tracked nearly 88,000 people for over eight years and found a significant link between higher levels of daytime light exposure and reduced dementia rates. The study, published in GPS Journal, suggests that getting enough bright light during the day may help protect against the neurodegenerative disease. Participants with consistently high daytime light exposure had a substantially lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with low exposure, even after adjusting for age, sex, lifestyle, and medical factors.
A panel of FDA advisers on June 18 voted to recommend Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine, mFlusvia, for adults aged 50 and older. If approved by the full FDA, it would become the first mRNA-based seasonal flu shot on the market. The vote came after a highly unusual public dispute in which a top FDA official initially blocked the company's application due to heightened vaccine scrutiny under Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. The shot targets the 2026-27 flu season.
A study of over 463,000 adolescents found that teens who use cannabis face up to double the risk of developing serious mental health conditions including psychotic disorders and bipolar disorder. The research, published in the journal Addiction, is one of the largest ever conducted on adolescent cannabis use and mental health outcomes.
A study of over 463,000 adolescents published in JAMA Health Forum found that teenagers who use cannabis face roughly double the risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders by young adulthood. The research is among the largest to date examining the link between adolescent cannabis use and serious mental illness.
A new 15-year study published in JAMA Network Open found that people who followed an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and tea or coffee had a 21% to 31% lower risk of developing dementia — even among those with blood-based Alzheimer's biomarkers. Mediterranean diet adherence was separately linked to 18% lower stroke risk in women. The findings add to evidence that diet can protect brain health.
A large-scale study published in JAMA Cardiology found that people who regularly monitor their blood pressure at home have a 28% lower risk of heart attack and a 22% lower risk of stroke compared to those who only get readings at doctor visits. The study followed 48,000 adults over five years and suggests that consistent self-monitoring leads to better medication adherence and earlier detection of hypertension.