Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Most American Kids Are Consuming Caffeine, CDC Study Finds
CBS News: Nearly Two-Thirds Of Kids Have Caffeine In Their Diet, The CDC Says. It's Not All Coming From Soda
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly two-thirds of American children aged 2-19 have caffeine in their diet. On any given day, kids consume an average of 19.4 milligrams of caffeine, which is about two-thirds of what's in a can of Coke, according to the report released Thursday. (Sundby, 7/30)
NBC News: Army Food Is Getting An RFK Jr.-Approved Revamp. Will Soldiers Eat It?
At the soft opening of a shiny new dining hall on the Fort Drum Army base, soldiers placed orders for grilled salmon, steak and flatbreads on touchscreen kiosks. Blenders whirred in the background, mixing protein shakes in flavors like “Apple Pie” and “Cookies and Cream.” Sides of red potatoes and cauliflower sat in sleek black pots. (Bendix, 7/30)
In other wellness and lifestyle news —
Newsweek: Dementia Can Strike Before 65—One Group May Be More Affected Than Thought
A type of dementia that often affects younger people is more prevalent in one group than originally thought, a new study has suggested. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of rare and progressive brain diseases which damage the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, usually affecting people between the ages of 45 and 64. (O'Connor, 7/30)
Fox News: 'Polypharmacy' Linked To 38% Higher Mortality Risk For Older Adults
Older adults who take five or more prescription medications face a significantly higher risk of death compared to those taking fewer drugs, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The research highlights the growing concern over polypharmacy, the medical term for taking five or more daily prescriptions, and its long-term effects on aging populations. (Quill, 7/30)
ABC News: Women Say They Got Pregnant After Taking GLP-1 Drugs
Women on social media are sharing stories of becoming pregnant after taking GLP-1 medications, saying the drugs helped them conceive after struggling with infertility. Many of the videos have garnered millions of views on TikTok. Molly Orr is among the women documenting her experience online. In an interview that aired on "Good Morning America" on Thursday, Orr said she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, a common hormonal disorder that can make it harder to become pregnant. (Najib and Battu, 7/30)
AP: What Teens And Parents Should Know As Tanning Gets Hot Again
Nichole Sims started using a tanning bed at 15 because she said everyone around her was doing it, especially before events like homecoming dances and prom. Eight years later, she was diagnosed with melanoma — a potentially life-threatening skin cancer. During that time, Sims has seen tanning become even more popular among young people online. She tries to counter the misinformation on social media that touts tanning as a mood booster and beauty requirement by sharing her own experience. (Ding, 7/30)
CNN: Here’s What To Know Before You Upload Your Medical Data To An AI Program
When your side hurts or your child’s big toe is throbbing and you don’t know why – or what to do about it – do you call a doctor, or do you ask your favorite AI for a diagnosis and plan of action? (Christensen, 7/30)
