The FDA has finalized guidance to improve how pregnancy safety data are collected after a drug or biologic is approved. The agency says the goal is to fill evidence gaps left by preapproval studies, where pregnant people are often underrepresented or excluded.
Many people shopping for 2026 coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace will see higher premiums because enhanced federal premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. The size of the increase depends on income, age, household size, state, and the plan you choose.
Two recent FDA notices involving injectable medicines are a reminder that hospital IV recalls are usually specific, lot-based safety actions — not a signal that every product in a category is unsafe. The latest alerts involve a magnesium sulfate mix-up and lactated Ringer’s solution with particulate matter.
A May 2 FDA recall of a2 Platinum Premium infant formula gives parents a practical reason to check cans at home. The concern is a heat-stable toxin linked to Bacillus cereus in three specific batches, which can cause vomiting and raise dehydration risk in infants. Here’s how to tell whether a can is affected, what symptoms to watch for, and how to keep preparing formula safely while the recall is in the news.
2026 ACA Marketplace premiums are still affecting monthly budgets for people who renew coverage, switch plans, or enroll after a life change. The amount many families pay can differ a lot from the insurer’s posted premium, especially when premium tax credits are involved.
The FDA says a shortage of neurosurgical patties, sponges, and strips may continue through the end of 2026. The agency is asking hospitals and surgical teams to conserve supplies, prioritize essential cases, and plan for alternatives when appropriate.
CDC says emergency room visits for tick bites are running higher than usual in many parts of the country, a reminder to use repellent, check for ticks after time outdoors, and remove attached ticks quickly. The agency says people should watch for rash or fever in the days and weeks after a bite.
The FDA is highlighting its updated “healthy” food claim during National Women’s Health Week. The label can be a quick shopping cue, but it is not a full nutrition grade. For shoppers, the main takeaway is simple: use the claim as one tool, then check the Nutrition Facts label for sodium, added sugars, saturated fat, and serving size.
Average-risk adults in the United States should start colorectal cancer screening at 45, not 50. The test may be a stool test, a colonoscopy, or another approved option — but any abnormal stool or imaging result still needs a colonoscopy to finish the screening process.
A new randomized trial suggests that a more proactive care-coordination outreach strategy did not reduce emergency department visits or hospitalizations for older adults with cardiovascular disease or risk factors. The findings do not mean care coordination is useless, but they do show that not every outreach model works the same way.
CMS has proposed new rules aimed at speeding up prior authorization for prescription drugs and making the process more transparent for patients and clinicians. The changes are not final yet, but they could affect several major coverage groups if adopted.
Many ACA shoppers are seeing higher 2026 costs after enhanced premium tax credits expired. CMS says enrollment remains strong, but KFF found many returning enrollees are paying more, switching plans, or cutting other household spending to keep coverage.
The FDA is warning patients and clinicians about two separate device-safety issues: a Class I recall for certain Omnipod 5 pods and a safety communication about Boston Scientific Accolade pacemakers that may need earlier replacement in some patients. The main takeaway is to verify whether your specific device is affected and follow the official instructions and your care team’s guidance.
CDC data show measles is still spreading in the U.S. this year, with many cases tied to outbreaks and travel. For families, schools, and workplaces, the most useful steps are knowing the symptoms, checking vaccination status, and acting quickly if exposure is possible.
Measles is back in the U.S. news, and parents should know the basics: how it spreads, what early symptoms can look like, and why the MMR vaccine matters. If a child may have been exposed, local public-health guidance and a quick call to a clinician can help limit spread and protect infants and other high-risk people.
CMS’s 2026 Medicaid and CHIP roadmap could affect eligibility checks, renewals, and state systems at different times in different states. Families, children, caregivers, and providers may want to watch notices closely and keep contact information up to date to reduce the risk of coverage interruptions.
The FDA is moving toward clearer labeling for AI-enabled medical devices, especially in cardiology. The goal is simple: help patients and clinicians understand what the software does, who is overseeing it, and what is known about its performance before they decide how much to trust it.
The FDA is proposing new limits on compounded versions of semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide as national supply conditions improve. The change would not take effect immediately, and access could still vary by pharmacy, state rules, and insurance coverage.
CDC says U.S. measles cases in 2026 have already reached a new high, and most confirmed infections are tied to outbreaks. Here’s how measles spreads, what early symptoms look like, how long exposure can matter, and what MMR vaccination and post-exposure steps can do.
The federal government’s new Dietary Guidelines for Americans keep the basic message familiar: build meals around nutrient-dense foods and scale back added sugars, sodium, and heavily processed choices. For most readers, this is less a nutrition overhaul than a clearer push to make ordinary meals a little more whole-food focused.
The current U.S. recommendation for many average-risk women is a mammogram every two years from ages 40 to 74. People at higher risk may need a different plan, so it is worth checking your own risk factors and asking a clinician if your screening schedule should be adjusted.
CDC says a multistate Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak is linked to backyard poultry, including chickens and ducks. The agency says healthy-looking birds can still spread germs, especially to young children and others at higher risk.
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