Latest articles in Health
A study of over 463,000 adolescents published in JAMA Health Forum found that teenagers who use cannabis face roughly double the risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders by young adulthood. The research is among the largest to date examining the link between adolescent cannabis use and serious mental illness.
A new 15-year study published in JAMA Network Open found that people who followed an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and tea or coffee had a 21% to 31% lower risk of developing dementia — even among those with blood-based Alzheimer's biomarkers. Mediterranean diet adherence was separately linked to 18% lower stroke risk in women. The findings add to evidence that diet can protect brain health.
A large-scale study published in JAMA Cardiology found that people who regularly monitor their blood pressure at home have a 28% lower risk of heart attack and a 22% lower risk of stroke compared to those who only get readings at doctor visits. The study followed 48,000 adults over five years and suggests that consistent self-monitoring leads to better medication adherence and earlier detection of hypertension.
Researchers in Spain and Switzerland have identified a molecule called OLE that reprograms the brain's immune cells — microglia — to resume their protective role against Alzheimer's disease. In animal models, the treatment reduced toxic beta-amyloid plaque buildup by 42% and improved memory function. The findings, published in Cell Death and Disease, offer a new approach that targets immune cells rather than plaques directly.
A new study published in medical journals finds that people who regularly monitor their blood pressure at home have significantly fewer heart attacks and strokes compared to those who rely only on clinic measurements. The research tracked thousands of patients over several years and found that home monitoring, combined with timely medication adjustments, reduced major cardiovascular events by roughly 20%. The findings support broader adoption of home blood pressure monitoring as a low-cost intervention.
A new study presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference found that older adults who walk fast and maintain strong mobility in their 80s show a 40% lower risk of cognitive decline over seven years. Researchers tracked 2,400 participants and found that gait speed was a stronger predictor of brain health than many traditional risk factors. The findings suggest mobility-focused interventions could play a role in dementia prevention.
A new study led by Brown University researchers found that older adults who received the Shingrix shingles vaccine had a 24% lower risk of developing dementia over four years compared to unvaccinated peers. Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the study examined elderly nursing home residents who received at least one dose of the vaccine after entering a skilled nursing facility. The research adds to a growing body of evidence connecting viral infection prevention with cognitive decline, offering a potential low-cost intervention for reducing dementia risk in vulnerable populations.
The CDC is tapping $107 million in emergency funding for Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda after at least 30 people died in a displaced persons camp in northeastern Congo since May. Camp officials called the death rate unprecedented. Separately, a new GLP-1 pill for diabetes was presented at ADA 2026, and Baylor researchers found a promising new approach to combat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
An FDA advisory panel endorsed a new mRNA-based influenza vaccine, despite HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s public skepticism of the technology. The endorsement could lead to the first mRNA flu shot on the US market. Separately, more than 770,000 children nationwide have lost access to SNAP food benefits following Trump administration changes to eligibility rules, with Arizona seeing the largest percentage decline. Research also showed that the shingles vaccine is linked to lower dementia risk in older adults, and a study found Nordic walking reduces depression symptoms in as little as five weeks.
Two patients with a severe autoimmune disease called neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have remained in remission for more than 15 years after receiving a donor stem cell transplant, according to a study published in Nature. Researchers at IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Milan used allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplants—using stem cells from a donor—to treat the condition for the first time. The results suggest the therapy may offer a durable, one-time treatment option for certain autoimmune diseases where existing therapies require lifelong immunosuppression.