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Health
Pediatrician Williamson Advises Treating Heat As Childhood Injury Risk
Dr. Williamson advises parents to treat extreme heat as a common childhood injury risk. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows 31 children died of heat stroke in vehicles in 2025.
Latest in Health
Health Department Charter Broadens Vaccine Committee Scope Beyond Immunizations
The Department of Health and Human Services issued a charter for the National Vaccine Advisory Committee on July 7, 2026. The charter directs evaluation of non-vaccine interventions and limits industry-funded members.
USDA Builds Sterile Fly Plant in Texas
USDA confirmed New World screwworm cases in Texas livestock and began construction on a sterile fly facility. The facility will produce 50 million flies weekly to protect the cattle herd at a 75-year low.
New York City Health Department Reports Two Deaths in Manhattan Legionnaires' Outbreak
The New York City Health Department announced a second death linked to the Legionnaires' disease outbreak on July 19, 2026. Officials ordered 76 buildings to clean cooling towers after bacteria were detected in the area.
U.S. Hospitals Report 27% Lower Infection Rates in 2023 Versus 2011 Survey
A 2023 survey of 218 U.S. hospitals found 27% lower healthcare-associated infection rates compared to 2011. The national burden still exceeds 500,000 infections despite reductions in Clostridioides difficile cases.
Boston University School of Public Health Study Finds Republicans Sponsor Most Antivaccine Bills
Researchers analyzed 1,513 state-level vaccine-related bills introduced between 2019 and 2023. Republican lawmakers sponsored 86 percent of antivaccine bills, and 24 percent became law.
Novartis Iptacopan Receives Traditional FDA Approval for IgAN Disease
The FDA granted traditional approval to Novartis iptacopan for adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy. The decision converts accelerated status after trial data showed a 48% reduction in kidney function decline rates.
Health Experts Refute Ivermectin Claims As CDC Reports 1,645 Cyclosporiasis Cases
Health experts refute lawmaker claims ivermectin treats cyclosporiasis as the CDC reports 1,645 cases across 34 states. Officials state the drug is ineffective for this parasite and recommend antibiotics instead.
Weill Cornell Medicine Receives $2.5 Million Defense Grant for Treating Breast Cancer
Weill Cornell Medicine received a $2.5 million, three-year grant from the Department of Defense. Researchers are developing first-in-class drugs targeting the UBR5 protein to treat triple-negative breast cancer with fewer side effects, including designing small molecule inhibitors and protein degraders, and will evaluate their effectiveness in laboratory models.
CDC Cuts Cyclospora Lab Staff to Three During Multistate Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reduced cyclospora lab staff from 11 to three. Nearly 7,000 people are potentially sick across the United States, including more than 4,300 cases in Michigan.
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Announces Avexitide Phase 3 Trial Results For 2026
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals will report avexitide phase 3 trial results in the third quarter of 2026. The drug addresses severe hypoglycemia occurring in patients after bariatric surgery.
Marshall Project Finds Black Newborns Referred to Law Enforcement Without Findings
Child welfare agencies in eight states referred Black newborns to law enforcement without findings. The analysis found agencies 25% more likely to dismiss allegations against Black families.
CDC Reports 27% Decline In U.S. Hospital Infections From 2015 To 2023
CDC found healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals dropped 27% from 2015 to 2023. The New England Journal of Medicine study estimates 471,555 patients were affected in 2023.
Defense Secretary Hegseth Mandates Testosterone Screenings for U.S. Troops Aged 30
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for U.S. service members aged 30 and older, effective January 2025. Annual tests will occur during health assessments, with medically supervised testosterone replacement therapy available to those diagnosed, though participation in treatment remains voluntary. Hegseth stated he is authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency to ensure service members have the right testosterone levels to operate at their absolute best.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Researchers Reverse Fragile X Symptoms In Mouse Models
Cincinnati Children's Hospital researchers published a study showing gene therapy restored FMRP protein in mice. The study tested adeno-associated viral vectors carrying the human FMR1 gene, improved multiple phenotypes in Fmr1 knockout mice, normalized elevated low-gamma EEG power, and showed benefits when delivered at different age points. Therapy reduced seizures and normalized EEG power, but human trials need more safety research.
University of Cincinnati Study Identifies AI Clinical Speech Risks
Associate professor Nelly Elsayed at the University of Cincinnati published a peer-reviewed study. The study calls for stronger governance frameworks and clearer protocols to address accountability gaps.
Study Finds Bacteroides Uniformis Metabolites Enhance Melanoma Immunity
Cell Reports Medicine study identified Bacteroides uniformis metabolites as contributors to anti-tumor immunity in melanoma. Findings suggest microbiome interventions could enhance responses to immunotherapy treatment.
2026 NCCN Guidelines Add MSI-H Biomarker Test for Esophageal Cancer
The 2026 NCCN guidelines recommend microsatellite instability-high testing for esophageal cancer. Zev Wainberg said MSI-H status identifies patients benefiting from immune checkpoint inhibitors instead of chemotherapy.
Former FDA Toxicologist Alleges FDA Authorizes Zyn Without Proper Assessment
FDA authorized Philip Morris International to market Zyn pouches with reduced risk claims in 2026. Former FDA toxicologist Leppanen alleges the agency skipped health and environmental assessments.
Health Secretary Kennedy Develops Guidance For Antidepressant Discontinuation
Health Secretary Kennedy advanced an effort in July 2026 to draft antidepressant discontinuation guidance. Officials reviewed European strategies and research gaps to support safer medication tapering for patients.
HER2CLIMB-05 Finds Tucatinib Improves Progression-Free Survival in Breast Cancer
DESTINY-Breast09 results leave maintenance therapy questions for HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2CLIMB-05 data showed tucatinib improved progression-free survival to 24.9 months. The HER2CLIMB trial showed that adding tucatinib to trastuzumab and capecitabine improved both progression-free and overall survival in heavily pretreated patients, including those with brain metastases.
American Red Cross Declares National Blood Emergency After 25% Drop
The American Red Cross declared a national blood emergency on July 13, 2026, after a June supply drop. The organization reported a weekly deficit of 3,500 units and offers movie tickets to donors through July.
Chicago Trial Finds Consultations Do Not Reduce Kidney Injury
A randomized University of Chicago trial found that early nephrology consultations did not reduce acute kidney injury. Jay Koyner, MD stated low recommendation uptake contributed to the trial outcome.
FDA Approves Bladder Cancer Treatment Combination
The United States Food and Drug Administration approved the combination cancer regimen. Trial data from 808 patients documented improved survival compared to standard chemotherapy.