Local Health Alerts
This Is Why Prescription Drugs Are So Expensive
High U.S. prescription drug costs are driven by a lack of price regulation, patent monopolies, and complex supply chain mechanics involving pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that incentivize high list prices. Infographics highlight that these factors, combined with extensive marketing spend over R&D, lead…
What to Ask Your Dentist About Gum Disease and Whole-Body Health
Bleeding gums are not something to ignore, even when they seem minor. Gum disease is common, and it can affect your mouth first — but it may also connect with other health conditions in ways worth discussing with your dentist. Here’s a plain-language…
FDA recalls magnesium sulfate after IV bag mix-up
A nationwide hospital-level recall is underway for one lot of magnesium sulfate after FDA said a pouch was found to contain tranexamic acid instead. The issue matters because both drugs are used in urgent care, but FDA said it had not received adverse-event…
Measles Is Surging in 2026: What Parents Need to Know
Measles is back on parents’ radar in 2026 because it spreads easily and can become serious, especially for young children and babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated. The good news is that the routine MMR vaccine schedule still offers strong…
CMS’s new rural health fund could change care in 2026
CMS has launched a $50 billion rural health program that will send money to all 50 states, but how much patients feel the benefit will depend on what states choose to fund. The first-year awards vary widely, and the dollars are meant to…
FDA proposes ending compounding flexibility for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs
The FDA has proposed removing semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide from a key bulk-substance list used by outsourcing compounding facilities. The move follows the agency’s view that national GLP-1 supply has stabilized and that the shortage-driven flexibility is no longer needed.
FDA Flags Neurosurgical Sponge Shortage, B. Braun Recalls IV Fluid
The FDA has issued two separate safety notices that may affect hospitals and patients: a nationwide recall of certain B. Braun Lactated Ringer’s Injection 1L lots because of particulate matter, and a shortage notice for neurosurgical patties, sponges and strips. The actions are…
CDC’s newest measles data shows U.S. risk stays elevated
CDC’s latest surveillance update shows measles is still spreading in the United States through multiple outbreaks, not fading into the background. The data do not mean most Americans are at immediate risk, but they do show why vaccination status, quick reporting, and early…
Measles Is Spreading Again: What Parents Should Know
Measles cases and outbreaks have continued in the U.S. in 2026. For parents of young children, the most practical steps are to know the early symptoms, check MMR vaccination status, and act quickly after any exposure.
CMS’s new hospital price-transparency rules take effect April 1
CMS began enforcing updated hospital price-transparency rules on April 1, 2026. The changes are meant to make hospital pricing data more usable and comparable, but the files can still be hard to interpret and transparency does not guarantee lower bills.
CDC’s latest RSV shot guidance for older adults, explained
CDC now recommends one RSV dose for adults 75 and older, and for adults 50 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV illness. Here’s what changed, who may qualify, when vaccination makes the most sense, and what has not changed.
FDA’s Real-Time Clinical Trial Push: What It Could Mean for Patients
The FDA took two April 2026 steps that could matter to patients: it advanced early real-time clinical trial work and reminded more than 2,200 sponsors and researchers to report overdue results. The changes may improve transparency and speed up research, but they do…
