Health

Colorectal cancer rates have risen among Americans under 50 and now account for more cancer deaths in that age group than breast or brain cancers; updated guidance recommends average‑risk screening begin at 45, with earlier surveillance for those with a family history or inherited conditions.

The American Heart Association projects the share of women with at least one cardiovascular condition to rise from 10.7% in 2020 to 14.4% in 2050, with aging and increases in diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure cited as key drivers.

Dr. Casey Means will appear before a Senate committee Wednesday after being nominated by President Trump to be surgeon general; she has criticized conventional medicine and does not currently hold an active clinical license.

More than 1,000 U.S.-trained nurses were approved to work in British Columbia after the province streamlined licensing, and many who moved say political concerns under President Trump influenced their decision.

The Royal House says King Harald, 89, was admitted to Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur in Tenerife for treatment of an infection and dehydration and was reported to be in good condition. His personal physician will travel to Tenerife to assess him and an update will be provided after that assessment.

The U.S. is winding down health aid in Zimbabwe after Harare withdrew from negotiations on a proposed $367 million, five-year agreement; the U.S. ambassador said Zimbabwe has assured continued efforts against HIV/AIDS.

AARP's December 2025 Top 100 Places list ranked Boulder, Colorado, among the top six large communities for 2026 and gave it the highest community engagement score; the city also offers extensive outdoor access and local services for older residents.

Researchers report that gut microbial balance is linked to colorectal cancer risk and can influence how cancers develop and respond to treatment. Experts say the microbiome can be changed by factors such as diet, physical activity, probiotics, and other interventions, though more intervention studies are needed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will spend two days in Amman to meet medical evacuees from Gaza and to visit humanitarian and mental health initiatives, hosted by WHO director-general Dr Tedros.

A study published in Circulation and statements from the American Heart Association report that gum disease, which affects nearly half of U.S. adults, is linked to inflammation and may be associated with higher cardiovascular risk.

Sophia, born with trisomy 18 in 2022, survived despite a 5% chance at birth and now requires continuous medical support while her parents navigate hospital and insurance challenges.

Keke Palmer unveiled a 17-piece Fabletics collection tied to her fitness routine, highlighting Pilates as a daily practice; the line launched Feb. 19 online and in stores.

Novo Nordisk said it will halve Wegovy's U.S. list price starting January 1, 2027, and set Ozempic and Wegovy at $675 per month.

Two Tennessee Republican lawmakers have proposed an amendment that would apply homicide laws to people who end pregnancies; the amendment has not been formally filed and sponsors say it currently lacks clear Senate support.

A University of Colorado vascular surgeon said he feared Deion Sanders might need a leg amputation after a game last October; Sanders later had surgery to remove blood clots and has returned to activity.

Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes report that in low-oxygen conditions red blood cells absorb large amounts of glucose, lowering circulating blood sugar and offering a possible explanation for lower diabetes rates seen at higher elevations.

Amazon reviewers report higher wearable sleep scores after using the KillSwitch sugar-free cocoa blend, which contains magnesium and L‑theanine; a 2022 animal-model study is cited that found the two ingredients together improved sleep measures.

The article reports that falling estrogen in perimenopause and menopause shifts fat toward the abdomen and that a 2024 study found women on both semaglutide and hormone therapy lost more weight than those on semaglutide alone; it also notes common GLP‑1 side effects and concerns about muscle loss.

An NIH-funded trial pairing digital tools with community health workers and tailored HIV services reported a 70% reduction in new HIV cases over two years in rural Kenya and Uganda.

Gastroenterologists say elevating the head and upper torso with a wedge pillow can reduce nighttime acid reflux; experts recommend wedges at least 6–8 inches high and medium‑to‑firm support with memory or high‑density foam.

The NHS will pay GPs £3,000 a year for prescribing the weight‑loss jab Mounjaro and about £1,000 extra for referrals to weight‑loss programmes; current eligibility remains limited, with wider criteria expected next year.

Actor Robert Carradine died at 71; his family said he took his own life after a long struggle with bipolar disorder, which affects millions of Americans.

PGA Tour winner Max Homa says he has dealt with seborrheic dermatitis since high school and now uses Zoryve (reflumilast) 0.3% once-daily foam to manage symptoms.

Max Homa is partnering with Arcutis' Free to Be Me Campaign to raise awareness of seborrheic dermatitis and says he uses ZORYVE (roflumilast) foam; he also discussed enjoying faster formats like TGL while keeping four-day PGA Tour events as his core focus for 2026.

Amazon shoppers left more than 53,700 reviews praising the Eva Naturals Vitamin C Serum, and the article reports it is currently 43% off and priced at about $16.

President Trump said a hospital ship was "on the way" to Greenland after Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said a Greenlandic bricklayer raised healthcare concerns; Pentagon officials say no orders have been given to deploy the Navy's hospital ships.

Novo Nordisk will set a $675 monthly US list price for its semaglutide medicines, cutting some list prices by up to 50%, and said the change takes effect on Jan. 1 to give payers time to prepare.

The article reports that headphone-related headaches often arise from pressure, weight, heat, glasses and high volume, and it lists six adjustments — such as changing earcup type or pads, adjusting fit, lowering volume, dimming screens and disabling active noise cancellation — that the author found helpful.

Animal blood, long used in many global cuisines, is appearing more often on U.S. menus and in cookbooks, and the USDA relaxed rules in 2021 that had limited the sale of coagulated blood.

U.S. measles cases have topped about 900, and experts say declining vaccination coverage raises the risk that nine other vaccine-preventable diseases could increase.