Health News

• The FDA has granted a new indication for the drug Tzield, expanding its use to patients who have already progressed to Stage 3 type 1 diabetes. • This latest approval aims to preserve residual beta cell function, building on previous expansions in April 2026 that extended the drug's use to children as young as one year old. • The decision was based on the PROTECT trial, which demonstrated a statistically significant effect on C-peptide, a surrogate endpoint used to predict clinical benefit.

• The FDA approved a third over-the-counter version of naloxone nasal spray on Tuesday, June 16, to increase accessibility and reduce costs for overdose reversal. • Separately, a reported disruption in breast biopsy services is expected to impact patient care and may necessitate adjustments to clinical management. • These developments highlight critical shifts in public health accessibility and the operational challenges facing diagnostic medical services.

• Philips CEO Roy Jakobs appeared on ‘Varney & Co.’ to discuss how AI integration is improving patient care and mitigating critical staffing shortages for clinicians. • Regulators issued a recall for nearly 13,000 toddler tower stools across three different brands following reports of collapsing and tipping that caused dozens of injuries. • Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers detailed the implications of the Trump administration's decision to reclassify state-licensed medical cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3.

• Indian startups across deeptech, space, AI, healthtech, and consumer brands experienced a surge in funding and strategic partnerships. • Bengaluru-based Biodimension secured ₹8 crore in a funding round led by the IAN Angel Fund to advance healthcare and life sciences. • New developments in the space sector aim to strengthen India's launch vehicle ecosystem and reduce strategic reliance on imported propulsion technologies.

• The Vanderbilt Report's weekly briefing for June 1–8, 2026, highlights several major medical breakthroughs, including new findings regarding GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. • Key developments include the discovery of a "striking new cancer signal" associated with GLP-1 medications and the emergence of a one-shot gene editing infusion. • These advancements are significant as they potentially expand the therapeutic use of weight-loss drugs and simplify the delivery of genetic treatments.

• The Pharmaceutical Journal has released a detailed analysis of the new community pharmacy contract. • The report examines whether the new framework will stabilize medicines funding and evaluates its promises regarding long-term systemic reform. • A key focus is placed on how new national prescribing services will integrate with existing local commissioning structures.

• An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sickened over 1,000 people and resulted in nearly 250 deaths. • A new study clarifies that while parental depression is strongly linked to child neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, the use of antidepressant medications is not a cause. • These findings directly challenge claims made by RFK Jr. regarding the impact of antidepressants on child development.

• In the phase III INDIGO trial, the investigational monoclonal antibody obexelimab substantially outperformed a placebo in treating immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease. • This development positions obexelimab to compete with the only drug currently approved for the condition, potentially offering patients a new therapeutic option. • Separately, the CDC and state partners published a report in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report urging clinicians to increase screening for brucellosis.

• New research on mice suggests that a common anti-aging drug combination may cause brain damage, specifically severe myelin loss and symptoms similar to "chemo brain." • A review of 17 studies indicates that guava juice can significantly improve anemia in women and teenage girls by enhancing the body's iron absorption. • These findings highlight critical risks associated with longevity treatments and offer a dietary alternative for managing iron deficiency.

• Uganda ordered the closure of its border with Congo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, following a surge of suspected Ebola cases in the neighboring country. • The decision follows the confirmation of Ebola cases within Uganda after local health workers were exposed to infected Congolese patients. • This outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola that currently lacks approved vaccines or medicines, increasing the risk of contagion in East Africa.

• The acting director of the U.S. NIH’s infectious disease institute has resigned amidst concurrent outbreaks of hantavirus and Ebola. • Political tension has risen over the Affordable Medicine Act, with critics arguing the legislation failed to provide sufficient relief to Virginians outside of Medicare or hold pharmaceutical companies accountable. • In a separate legislative move, lawmakers in Illinois are currently considering the introduction of Prescription Drug Affordability Board legislation.

• UAE health authorities have confirmed that the country's public health situation remains stable while they actively monitor developments regarding the Ebola virus. • To ensure national safety, the government is currently reviewing the virus's spread and reinforcing its medical preparedness and response protocols. • Simultaneously, a World Health Organization (WHO) delegation visited the UAE field hospital in Rafah to evaluate medical and humanitarian services provided in the southern Gaza Strip.

• A study by researchers from University College London, King’s College London, and the University of Oxford found that younger UK generations are becoming sicker earlier than previous ones. • The research analyzed health trends across cohorts born between 1946 and 2000–02, identifying a rise in early-onset illness. • This trend is primarily attributed to increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and mental health issues among younger populations.

• Researchers are testing a novel approach to treating depression by using anti-inflammatory drugs to calm the immune system rather than targeting brain chemicals. • In a small clinical trial conducted around May 28, 2026, early results indicate that reducing systemic inflammation may alleviate depressive symptoms. • This discovery is significant because it suggests a biological link between the immune system and mental health, potentially offering an alternative for patients who do not respond to traditional antidepressants.

• Two women have accused the Channel 4 reality show *Married at First Sight UK* of fostering a "toxic" culture after alleging they were raped during filming. • Participant Soraya Spiers, who spoke publicly, described the production environment as being "toxic from the top down" with an unhealthy focus on sex. • These revelations highlight serious concerns regarding the duty of care and safety protocols for contestants on high-pressure reality television sets.

• KFF Health News’ May 14, 2026 morning roundup flags multiple U.S. health-policy stories, including reporting that the Trump administration is demanding Medicaid data for deportation-related use. • The roundup also points readers to coverage of “License To Deliver,” which examines how some midwives are assisting home births while operating outside state law. • The digest matters because it aggregates fast-moving issues at the intersection of public health, immigration enforcement and maternal care, all of which could affect patients and providers nationwide.

• U.S. News & World Report published its fourth annual Best OTC Medicine & Health Products rankings on May 12, 2026, evaluating brands in categories from supplements to skincare and menopause products. • Nature Made topped the list with 12 No. 1 products, followed by CeraVe with 6 and La Roche-Posay with 4; companies like Haleon, Pharmavite, Kenvue, L'Oreal, and Prestige Consumer Healthcare led in top rankings. • The rankings provide consumer guidance on over-the-counter health products amid rising demand for specialized supplements like collagen and menopause aids.

Governments spending $2.13bn annually on low quality food in public settings, report saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastReptile remains, believed to be from a crocodile, have been found dumped on the side of the road in Adelaide.A spokesperson for the state’s environment and water department confirmed in a statement that department staff had “collected the remains of a reptile at Waterloo Corner.” They said:The remains, which were dumped on the side of the road at Coleman Road, will be analysed in an effort to confirm the species and any other information.“It is not currently known how the remains came to be located at the site.A different approach can increase the use of fresh, local produce, redirect spending to Australian farmers and producers, support the people working in public food service kitchens, and generate real benefits for Australia.Better public food procurement is not about spending more, it’s about spending smarter. The evidence is clear, public support is strong, and the solutions exist. Given the threat to our food system caused by the global fuel and fertiliser crisis, now is the moment for leadership. Continue reading...