The American Heart Association’s March 31, 2026 update is not a rigid meal plan. Here’s what its nine diet steps mean in plain English and what you can realistically try this week.
Self-collected HPV testing is now an option in U.S. guidance for some average-risk adults ages 30 to 65, but it is not a universal replacement for Pap tests or follow-up care.
A new JAMA study found suicide deaths among adolescents and young adults were lower than projected after 988 launched in July 2022. That is an important signal, but the study cannot prove the crisis line alone caused the decline.
Usually no: adults with 2 documented MMR doses generally do not need another shot. The main reasons to check now are travel, missing records, higher-risk settings, or local outbreak guidance.
Wildfire smoke can make asthma harder to control, even for people who usually feel well. Here’s what to do before smoke arrives, how to protect indoor air during an event, and when symptoms need medical attention.
CMS issued guidance on April 8 that will limit federal Medicaid and CHIP matching funds for certain noncitizens starting October 1, 2026. Emergency medical conditions remain covered, and states must update applications, verification systems, and notices before the change takes effect.
CMS has proposed new electronic prior-authorization rules for some drug coverage in Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CHIP, and certain ACA marketplace plans, but nothing changes yet because the rule is still only a proposal.
A nationwide recall of one Children’s Advil bottle is a reminder to check the lot number before giving any medicine to a child. The FDA said the risk was remote, but families should stop using a suspected bottle and confirm the package details before assuming it is safe.
South Carolina says its measles outbreak has ended, but the bigger lesson is about vulnerability. Here’s what that means for families, schools, and travelers.
The FDA has updated the rules for the voluntary “healthy” claim on food packages. Some foods may newly qualify, while others that used to carry the claim may no longer do so. The label can be a useful shortcut, but shoppers still need to check serving size, added sugars, sodium, saturated fat, and the ingredient list on the Nutrition Facts panel.
ACOG has updated its cervical cancer screening guidance to include a patient-collected sample option for high-risk HPV testing in some average-risk adults ages 30 to 65. The change may help people who have had trouble getting screened, but it does not replace follow-up care or every other screening approach.
The FDA is using Early Alerts to warn the public faster about some potentially serious medical device problems. If a device, kit, or lot you use is named in a notice, the safest next step is to read the FDA and manufacturer instructions closely and follow the device-specific guidance.
CDC says some older adults and higher-risk adults should get a one-time RSV shot, COVID-19 vaccination for 2025–2026 is based on age and shared decision-making, and flu planning is already underway for the 2026–2027 season. For families, caregivers, schools, and workplaces, the practical message is simple: stay current, think about timing, and ask a trusted clinician what fits your age and risk.
The American Heart Association’s new dyslipidemia guidance puts lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), on more clinicians’ radar. For many adults, the test is meant to refine heart-risk assessment — not replace a standard cholesterol panel or by itself tell you whether you need treatment. That matters because Lp(a) is usually inherited, often does not cause symptoms, and is not checked on routine cholesterol tests. The new guidance says a one-time measurement may help identify people whose risk is higher than their usual LDL cholesterol result suggests.
More than 23 million people selected or were automatically re-enrolled in ACA Marketplace coverage for 2026, according to CMS. But for many households, the end of enhanced pandemic-era savings on December 31, 2025, may mean higher monthly premiums even while enrollment remains strong.
The Bicillin L-A shortage is still ongoing, and CDC says limited supplies should be preserved for pregnant patients whenever possible. Here’s what that means for syphilis treatment access, temporary alternatives, and what to do if a pharmacy cannot fill a prescription.
A multistate E. coli outbreak tied to raw cheddar cheese is a reminder that unpasteurized dairy can carry harmful germs. Families should check their refrigerators, follow recall guidance, and watch for warning signs of foodborne illness.
The FDA has updated when food packages can use the word “healthy.” That does not mean the claim tells the whole nutrition story — shoppers still need to check serving size, sodium, added sugars, and the full Nutrition Facts panel.
CMS has proposed a rule that would extend electronic prior authorization to certain drugs covered under a medical benefit. It would not take effect right away, and most patients would not feel the change until at least 2027 if the rule is finalized.
The FDA’s March 13 update added two device categories, removed one, and extended several shortage timelines. Most patients will not be affected, but hospitals, clinics, and surgeons may need to adjust planning when a device on the list is part of a scheduled procedure.
CDC’s 2026 measles surveillance shows the disease is still spreading in U.S. outbreaks, not just isolated cases. That matters for families, schools, and workplaces because measles spreads very easily indoors, and even small gaps in vaccination coverage can leave communities vulnerable. The latest national count is still changing as health departments investigate and report new cases. Here’s what the numbers show, why school vaccination levels matter, and what readers can do after a possible exposure.
Diabetes can develop quietly, and prediabetes is common enough that many people may be at risk without realizing it. New CDC guidance also emphasizes earlier type 1 diabetes screening for some people with higher risk, including children.
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