A recent study has highlighted a significant health risk associated with two common conditions in older adults: excess abdominal fat and low vitamin D levels. Conducted with over 5,500 participants aged 50 and above, the research indicates a severe increase in mortality risk when these conditions occur together. The study, published in Diabetes, Obesity and...
The Senate confirmed Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with a vote of 51-44. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia was the sole Democrat to vote in favor alongside Republicans. This decision closes a period of leadership ambiguity at the nation’s leading public health agency. Schwartz’s confirmation, debated for months,...
A drug-resistant fungus, identified as an urgent antimicrobial resistance threat by health officials, has been found in almost two dozen states across the U.S. this year, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of the week ending July 25, 2026, the CDC reported Candida auris screenings in multiple...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted permission for Zyn nicotine pouches to be marketed as a ‘lower risk’ alternative to cigarettes. These pouches, resembling a small paperclip filled with nicotine crystals and bleach-white fibers, can be placed discreetly between the lip and gum. This design allows the user’s bloodstream to absorb nicotine and...
Recent cyclospora outbreaks have highlighted foodborne illnesses, but experts are concerned about other pathogens. Dr. Jill Roberts, a public health professor at the University of South Florida, emphasizes the growing impact of listeria, shigella, enterohemorrhagic E. coli, vibrio, and yersinia in the U.S. Improved lab detection has brought these issues to light, yet they cause...
A recently introduced House bill seeks to assist veterans in avoiding costly Medicare errors. The proposed legislation requires the federal government to offer clearer information on how Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care interacts with Medicare coverage and premiums. Lawmakers assert that many veterans face permanent Medicare penalties due to a lack of understanding...
Recent research from Texas A&M University indicates that polyethylene, a common type of plastic used in food packaging, could contribute to and exacerbate fatty liver disease, particularly when paired with an unhealthy diet. Polyethylene is among the most widely used plastics globally. Despite its prevalence, it has been considered relatively inert compared to other microplastics....
The Senate is set to confirm Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday. This will mark the first permanent director in nearly a year. Senate Majority Leader John Thune scheduled the vote, marking a significant step for the agency. Schwartz will be the first CDC...
The Wilmette Police Department welcomed a new team member with unique skills: Gizmo, a Golden Retriever-Labrador mix trained to detect electronics during criminal investigations. Gizmo, who is two years old, joined the department in June. He stands out as one of four K-9s in Illinois and approximately 100 in the nation with this specialized ability....
In November 2020, a woman known as Lupe reached the last weeks of her pregnancy. She began noticing dark spots affecting her vision. Lupe was part of a study focusing on emotional distress and maternal health in El Paso, Texas. She shared her childbirth experience during a postpartum interview. Names, including Lupe’s, are pseudonyms to...