Adults

Gaming company says it looks for signs a user may be younger than they appear in the age check process introduced in DecemberGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastParents have been caught helping their children bypass age checks and play as adults on Roblox, the gaming company has said, forcing rechecks on accounts deemed younger than they appeared.In December last year, Roblox rolled out new features to prevent children from chatting with adults they do not know, by making users who wish to use the chat function pass through facial age assurance that then groups them in similar age group cohorts until they turn 21. Continue reading...

• The FDA granted approval on April 7, 2026, to Moderna's mRESVIA vaccine, an mRNA-based shot targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for adults aged 60 and older. • Clinical trials showed 83.7% efficacy against RSV lower respiratory tract disease in the first season, with data from over 37,000 participants across 22 countries including US sites. • This marks the second mRNA RSV vaccine approved after GSK's Arexvy, aiming to reduce 140,000-160,000 annual US hospitalizations among seniors; CDC review expected soon.

• Rates of US adults skipping needed care due to unaffordable costs rose to 12.4% in 2024, up from declines seen 2019-2021. • Forgone care varies by state, insurance type, and chronic disease status, exacerbating health disparities nationwide. • Gallup polls identify healthcare costs as the top health issue, surpassing access and obesity concerns for Americans.

Councils urged to crack down on misuse of parking permits that help people with disabilities and health conditionsCouncils in England have been urged to crack down on the misuse of blue badge parking permits – legitimate and counterfeit – as the proportion of people holding them has reached one in 15.The AA called for more to be done to detect offences such as people using fake or stolen badges. Continue reading...

• Pfizer and BioNTech stopped a large US trial of their updated COVID-19 vaccine targeting healthy adults aged 50-64 due to inability to recruit 25,000-30,000 participants without conditions like hypertension or diabetes. • The halt highlights recruitment challenges amid low interest in trials for healthy populations. • This occurs against a backdrop of shifting vaccine policies under the Trump administration, prioritizing chronic disease over broad COVID efforts.

Figures shows 42% of callers to Refuge identify former partner as abuser, but only 12% of adults recognise this possibilityThe risk posed to women by ex-partners in cases of abuse is underestimated by large swathes of the British public, according to the charity Refuge.Data from the charity’s helpline found that 42% of people who call Refuge for help identify a former partner as their abuser, a statistic which underlines how common it is for an ex to be a cause of harm after a relationship has ended. Continue reading...

• A new report reveals that rising healthcare costs are forcing approximately 1 in 3 US adults to reduce basic spending on essentials like utilities, transportation, and prescription medications. • The financial strain is most severe among uninsured Americans, with about 62% reporting they have made trade-offs to afford medical costs, while nearly 3 in 10 insured Americans also report cutting back. • The impact spans income levels: approximately half of households earning $48,000 to $180,000 have delayed major life decisions because of healthcare costs, and one-third of those earning $180,000 to $240,000 report similar delays.

Charity Commission appoints interim manager at William Blake House in Northamptonshire, under investigation after families raised alarmA charity watchdog has taken control of a learning disability care home in Northamptonshire that is under investigation after residents’ families raised concerns over its management, including payments of £1m to a trustee.The Charity Commission has appointed an interim manager to run William Blake House, which faces potential insolvency in three weeks’ time if it cannot head off a winding-up order brought by the tax authorities over £1.6m in unpaid tax bills. Continue reading...

• The FDA on March 13 expanded approval of GSK's Arexvy RSV vaccine to adults aged 18-49 at increased risk of lower respiratory tract disease. • Phase 3b trial data showed non-inferior immune response in younger adults compared to those 60+, targeting 21 million U.S. adults under 50 with conditions like diabetes or obesity. • RSV causes 17,000 hospitalizations, 277,000 emergency visits, and 2 million outpatient visits yearly in this group, highlighting need for broader protection amid rising cases.

Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for adults under 50 in the United States, yet a national survey by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance reveals only half of Americans know about convenient at-home screening options available to them. The survey found that nearly one-third of all Americans and almost half of adults under 45 reported doctors dismissing their stomach or bowel symptoms, indicating potential gaps in clinical recognition of warning signs in younger populations. More than one-quarter of adults don't follow through with recommended screening, with cost, fear, and lack of knowledge cited as primary barriers, though over 60 percent of respondents indicated they would pursue screening with better understanding of personal risk factors. March has been designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to address these critical knowledge gaps and encourage adoption of accessible screening methods.

A Colorectal Cancer Alliance survey finds only 50% of US adults know about at-home colorectal cancer screenings, contributing to it becoming the leading cancer killer for those under 50 with rising death rates. One-third of Americans, and nearly half under 45, report doctors dismissing stomach or bowel symptoms, while over 25% skip recommended screenings due to cost, fear, or lack of knowledge. More than 60% would screen if better informed of personal risk, prompting calls for awareness during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The nonprofit urges action to reverse trends where colorectal cancer deaths climb unlike most others.