Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Report Details Troubling Heart Failure Trends After More Than A Decade Of Progress
MedPage Today: Heart Failure Report: U.S. Headed For Dangerous Territory
In their annual report, heart failure experts pointed to worsening survival and disease trends unless the field is able to change course. (Lou, 10/5)
NBC News: Is ‘Bad’ Cholesterol Actually Good? Cardiologists Set The Record Straight
Heart doctors insist there’s no debate: High levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, in the blood can lead to serious heart attack, stroke or death. (Sudhakar, 10/5)
More health and wellness news —
Stat: New Study Finds Pulse Oximeters Don't Accurately Track Blood Oxygen
Pulse oximeters gained prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic, offering anyone a handheld tool to take stock of their blood oxygen level. But their newfound popularity also brought new attention to their limitations — several studies have shown that pulse oximeters overestimate blood oxygen levels when used on darker skin tones. (Oza, 10/6)
The Washington Post: Scientists Uncover A New Clue That Could Hint At Why We Regain Weight After Diets
Researchers have long puzzled over why people who diet or take weight-loss drugs are quick to regain weight after they stop. A new study has proposed a potential clue: a chemical mechanism that may encourage fat cells to continue making a hormone that makes us hungry and create a “memory” of obesity even after weight loss. Scientists caution that the study’s evidence involves mice and is not proof of the mechanisms that explains weight regain. But it’s a step forward in a growing understanding of the cellular functions and changes underlying obesity, experts said. (Wu, 10/5)
AP: Starbucks Faces A Lawsuit Over Sugar In 'Sugar-Free' Protein Drinks
Starbucks is facing a consumer lawsuit over claims that the protein drinks labeled “sugar-free” on its cafe menus may actually contain more sugar than a Reese’s peanut butter cup. The federal lawsuit filed late Friday in Seattle alleges that eight protein beverages Starbucks sells in the U.S. contain varying amounts of sugar even though the company lists them as sugarless. (Durbin, 10/5)
CIDRAP: Disabled Women More Likely To Skip Cervical Cancer Screening, New Data Show
Disabled women can struggle to find medical care, which means they often miss important health screenings such as those for breast or cervical cancer. A paper published today in JAMA Network Open today shows that women with physical disabilities are less likely to undergo routine cervical cancer screening than women without disabilities. (Holohan, 10/5)
CIDRAP: Public Health Alerts: E-Cigarette And Nicotine Pouch Use Among Youth, United States, 2025
A Public Health Alerts report today reveals that, based on 2025 data, 13.4% of US middle school and high school students had ever used e-cigarettes and 4.1% had ever used nicotine pouches, while 5.2% currently used e-cigarettes and 1.7% currently used nicotine pouches. (Wappes, 10/5)
On maternal health —
MedPage Today: Autism Linked To Maternal Health Factors
Maternal health conditions during pregnancy were consistently associated with autism spectrum disorder but several factors varied across race and ethnic groups, a large retrospective study of U.S. children showed. Autism prevalence differed by race and ethnicity, but most maternal health conditions during the perinatal period had similar relationships with autism, reported Magdalena Janecka, PhD, of NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City, and co-authors. (George, 10/5)
Florida Phoenix: Mothers Face Barriers To Accessing Mental Healthcare, Survey Shows
Having theoretical access to healthcare doesn't mean you can take advantage of it, as underscored by a report examining mothers' experiences for themselves and their children. Released Thursday, Pulse Check 2026: Mothers on Mental Health, Care, and the Systems Around Their Families reports that nearly 48% of Florida mothers surveyed said they had struggled to take care of their own mental health needs during the past month. (Sexton, 10/4)
In recalls —
HealthDay: Frozen Organic Berry Recall Expands To More Walmart And Trader Joe's Products
More frozen organic berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's are being recalled because they could be contaminated with a dangerous strain of E. coli bacteria. The Chilean supplier behind the products, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., widened its recall Friday, according to a company announcement posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (Vohnoutka, 10/5)
The Washington Post: More Than 122,000 Cases Of Gatorade Recalled For Undeclared Food Dyes
More than 122,000 cases of Gatorade have been recalled for failing to declare the presence of synthetic food dyes. The recall affects 28-ounce bottles of Gatorade Lemon Lime, Gatorade Lemon Lime Zero, Gatorade Orange and Gatorade Orange Zero that were distributed to more than three dozen states, according to the Food and Drug Administration. (Jira, 10/5)
