CDC’s latest respiratory dashboard shows a quiet late-season national picture: COVID-19 is low, flu is declining, and overall respiratory illness activity is very low. RSV is the main exception, because it started later than expected and may still linger in some regions into May.
CDC recommends a one-time hepatitis B screening for all adults age 18 and older, using three blood tests together. The goal is to find hidden infection early, identify who is immune, and connect people to vaccination or care when needed.
CMS has proposed shorter deadlines and more electronic processing for prescription-drug prior authorizations in several federal health coverage programs. The plan would not end prior authorization, but it could reduce delays and improve transparency around denials and appeals.
The FDA says certain Omnipod 5 pods are part of a Class I recall because a manufacturing defect may let insulin leak inside the pod. The notice says affected users should stop using impacted pods, check lot numbers, and switch to unaffected pods or contact Insulet for replacements.
Measles is climbing again in 2026, and the most useful response for families is simple: know the signs, check vaccination status, and follow local public-health guidance after exposure. The outbreak is active, but it remains preventable with timely vaccination and fast action when symptoms appear.
Worry is common, but anxiety can cross the line when it lasts, feels hard to control, and starts disrupting daily life. Here’s how to spot the difference, what short-term self-care may help, and when to reach out for professional care.
CMS has proposed a new rule that would expand electronic prior authorization to drugs and add faster decision timelines for some plans. The change is not final yet, and the details could still change after public comment closes on June 15, 2026.
The FDA has proposed removing semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide from the 503B bulks list, a move that could affect some compounded GLP-1 products. Patients using compounded versions should not make changes on their own; they should check with the prescriber or pharmacist about supply, cost, and next steps.
Falls remain the leading cause of injury death for adults 65 and older, and recent CDC data show the death rate is still rising. The good news: many falls can be prevented with a mix of eye care, home changes, safer medicine use, and strength-and-balance work.
The FDA has updated when food packages can use the word “healthy.” The claim now better reflects current nutrition guidance, but it is still only a shortcut. Shoppers should keep checking the Nutrition Facts label for serving size, sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says clinicians should screen women of reproductive age, including pregnant and postpartum patients, for intimate partner violence. The same update says evidence is still insufficient to recommend routine screening for caregiver abuse in older or vulnerable adults.
An NIH-funded study suggests a symptom-based approach may help newborns with opioid withdrawal recover sooner and spend less time on medicine. The findings are promising, but the approach was tested in a specific hospital setting and is not yet universal practice.
CMS has proposed changes that could make prior authorization for certain drugs faster and more electronic for people in Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care, CHIP, and Marketplace plans. The rule is still only proposed, and details can change after public comment closes on June 15, 2026.
The FDA is moving to narrow when compounders can make semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide as national shortages improve. For people using compounded GLP-1 medicines, the practical next step is to check exactly what product they have and confirm any changes with a clinician or pharmacist.
CMS has started rolling out the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion effort meant to help states strengthen rural care. The first-year awards are in place, but patients should expect changes to arrive unevenly and gradually, not all at once.
B. Braun has recalled two lots of Lactated Ringer’s Injection, 1L, after FDA-posted company testing found particulate matter in the solution. The recall applies to hospitals and healthcare facilities, so patients, caregivers, pharmacists, and clinicians should check lot numbers and follow recall instructions rather than making treatment changes on their own.
CDC says U.S. measles activity is still ongoing, and the main risk is not random exposure but close contact in places where vaccination rates are low. Families, schools, child care sites, shelters, and workplaces can reduce risk by checking immunity, acting quickly after exposure, and watching for early symptoms.
CDC’s updated adult RSV guidance says many older adults should get one RSV vaccine dose before fall respiratory season. For people 75 and older, and for adults 50 to 74 at higher risk, the key questions are when to plan vaccination and what to expect afterward.
CMS began enforcing updated hospital price-transparency requirements on April 1, 2026. Hospitals still must post machine-readable files and consumer-friendly prices, but the new rule is meant to make the data more complete and easier to compare. The catch: patients may still find the information uneven and hard to use.
Federal health agencies are embracing artificial intelligence, but they are pairing that adoption with caution. The practical message for patients and caregivers is simple: AI may be part of care, but the safety and usefulness of any tool depend on the specific device, setting, and oversight behind it.
A short outage can be more than an inconvenience for households that depend on electricity for medical devices, refrigerated medicines, cooling, or food safety. The safest time to prepare is before the lights go out, especially before hot weather and storm season.
Usually not. CDC says antibiotics do not work for seasonal allergies, and many sinus infections get better without them too. Here is how to spot a likely allergy pattern, what may help more, and when fever, severe pain, or breathing symptoms should be checked by a clinician.
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