Health news today centers on how systems and habits shape care, from the forces influencing doctors’ prescribing and Medicare choices to the limits of artificial intelligence in clinical decisions. At the same time, new research and guidance touch everyday behaviors such as when...
Health news today centers on how systems and habits shape care, from the forces influencing doctors’ prescribing and Medicare choices to the limits of artificial intelligence in clinical decisions. At the same time, new research and guidance touch everyday behaviors such as when people eat, while schools and drugmakers highlight longer-term support needs and treatment data.
A new Cochrane review finds that pharmaceutical industry perks, including free meals and other incentives, can affect how doctors prescribe medicines. The evidence shows a dose-response pattern: higher levels or frequency of perks are associated with more prescribing of the promoted drugs, reinforcing concerns about conflicts of interest in clinical decision-making.
Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are seeing fewer options as insurers pull back from more counties ahead of open enrollment. The average beneficiary is projected to have 28 prescription drug plan choices in 2027, down from 32 in 2026, as major insurers retreat from markets that are proving less profitable.
Researchers warn that AI tools for medical imaging still need human oversight rather than acting as stand-alone decision-makers. In tests of four AI models reading chest X-rays, the study examines how the systems identify image regions tied to diagnosis, underscoring the risk of relying on automated outputs without clinical judgment.
A new study links late-night eating with a higher risk of liver disease, suggesting meal timing may matter alongside how much people eat. The findings point to snacking after dinner or eating close to bedtime as a possible factor in liver health, adding to evidence that metabolism is influenced by the body clock.
Education and health experts say U.S. schools need better support for children from military families, who can face challenges that standard classroom approaches may miss. More than 1.4 million children had a parent or caregiver who served in the armed forces in 2024, highlighting the scale of the issue.
Johnson & Johnson reports two-year phase 3 data for ICOTYDE, or icotrokinra, in plaque psoriasis, saying the treatment maintains effectiveness over time with a favorable safety profile. The update adds longer-term evidence for the drug candidate as the company seeks to strengthen its position in the psoriasis treatment market.
Nutrition coverage today looks at whether protein or fiber keeps people fuller for longer, with both shown to support satiety. Protein appears to influence appetite-related hormones and metabolic processes tied to hunger, while fiber helps slow digestion and prolong fullness, suggesting each can play a useful role in meal planning.
A sleep expert says there is no solid evidence that eating cheese before bed causes nightmares. The longstanding claim persists in popular culture, but current evidence does not support cheese as a distinct trigger for vivid or disturbing dreams, even if late eating can affect sleep for some people.
Top Health stories
- Medicare Advantage options shrink as insurers exit more counties during open enrollment (3 sources)
- Hamilton MSP visits optometry practice to discuss Scotland’s future eye care (2 sources)
- Man says routine after age 50 helps him lose 15 pounds while keeping favorite foods (2 sources)
- Lagos State AIDS Control Agency tells food sector to end HIV discrimination (2 sources)
- Protein or fiber: which keeps people fuller for longer? (2 sources)
- Study warns against relying entirely on AI for medical imaging decisions (2 sources)
- Researchers Trace Rare Cancer Spread Between Identical Twins Before Birth Using DNA Analysis (2 sources)
- Late-night eating linked to higher liver disease risk, study finds (2 sources)
Archie Vance
Author at IfHighLow
