health experts

Stroke rates among younger adults have nearly doubled, according to a report highlighted by University of Cincinnati researchers. The increase in adults under around 55 marks a shift from stroke's traditional reputation as an older person's illness, and is drawing attention to rising rates of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes as likely contributing factors. Health experts are urging younger people to monitor blood pressure and adopt healthier lifestyles to reduce their risk.

A new study finds that mental health problems in adults are more likely to persist today than they were ten years ago. The research suggests conditions such as anxiety and depression are lasting longer rather than resolving, pointing to a shift in the nature of adult mental ill health. The findings add to ongoing concern among health experts about rising and increasingly chronic psychological distress across the adult population.

A major new study reported by the Guardian finds that high screen usage in children is linked to poorer developmental outcomes. Researchers suggest the effect of elevated screen exposure could be as significant as parental behaviour and premature birth. The findings add weight to ongoing concerns among parents, educators and health experts about how much time children spend on phones, tablets and other devices.

Child malnutrition remains one of Africa's most serious health challenges, and experts argue that food aid is only part of the answer. Lasting progress is said to require broader measures addressing the underlying causes of poor nutrition, such as poverty, disease and lack of access to diverse diets, rather than emergency food supplies alone.

A large global study has examined how screen time affects children's wellbeing, according to reporting carried by Yahoo News New Zealand. The findings address an ongoing debate among parents, educators and health researchers over how digital device use shapes children's mental and physical health. Details of the study's size, methodology and conclusions were not included in the available report.

A health expert is warning that artificial intelligence chatbots cannot replace doctors, as more people turn to tools like ChatGPT for medical advice. The caution comes amid growing use of AI for health questions, with experts stressing that chatbots can mislead, miss serious conditions and should complement rather than substitute professional medical care.

A measles outbreak in Pennsylvania is expanding, with new cases reported and health officials working to trace contacts and urge vaccination. The state joins a wider rise in measles activity across the United States, prompting concern from public health experts about declining immunisation rates and the disease's high contagiousness.

Future Health convened global health leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss transforming health systems at scale. The gathering focused on how countries can restructure and strengthen health care delivery to meet growing demands, bringing together policymakers and health experts to align on priorities for large-scale reform.

A growing number of people addicted to vaping are trying an unconventional method to break the habit: going back to traditional cigarettes. The approach, reported by Bloomberg, reflects frustration among users who struggle to stop using e-cigarettes despite nicotine replacement tools and cessation aids. Health experts have long warned that swapping one nicotine delivery method for another carries serious risks, since cigarettes remain far more harmful than vaping and can re-establish smoking addiction.

Health experts say weight loss drugs such as GLP-1 medications could offer benefits beyond slimming, potentially helping treat women's reproductive health issues. The suggestion points to a possible new use for a class of medicines already in high demand, and it is drawing attention to how obesity-related treatments might intersect with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome and fertility problems.

Health and wildlife experts are warning that rabies has re-emerged in mainland Europe, raising concerns about how the virus spread and what measures can stop it. Commentary focuses on the causes of the return and the steps needed to contain outbreaks and protect both people and animals.

A global health summit is being held in Saranac Lake, New York, focused on dengue fever and how the threat it poses is changing. The gathering brings attention to the mosquito-borne disease's shifting spread, a growing concern for health experts as cases expand into new regions.

Wired reports that nicotine, long tied to smoking and health warnings, is being rebranded by parts of the wellness movement. Advocates promote nicotine pouches and low-dose products for focus and cognitive benefits, while health experts warn the substance remains addictive and carries cardiovascular risks. The piece has sparked debate online about whether wellness culture is downplaying proven harms in pursuit of new performance-enhancing trends.

Federal agencies have opened an investigation into an E. coli outbreak believed to be linked to cheese. Health officials are working to trace the contaminated product and determine the scope of the outbreak, while consumers are being advised to watch for recalls and symptoms. Food safety experts stress the importance of identifying the source quickly to prevent further illness.

Health experts are weighing in on the growing number of people turning to artificial intelligence chatbots for medical guidance. As AI tools become embedded in everyday life, questions are mounting about their accuracy, safety and whether users can distinguish reliable information from harmful advice. The debate highlights the gap between AI's convenience and the need for professional medical consultation.

WIRED reports that nicotine, long associated with smoking and health harm, is being rebranded and repositioned within the wellness movement. Wellness circles and product makers are promoting forms like pouches and low-dose products as cognitive enhancers or alternatives to cigarettes. The trend is drawing attention and skepticism, since nicotine remains addictive and its purported health benefits are debated by medical experts.

Clark County has confirmed its first flu-related death of the season, prompting local health officials to renew calls for vaccination. Health experts recommend that everyone aged six months and older get a flu shot, warning that the virus is already circulating. Commenters are sharing the news as a timely reminder to get vaccinated ahead of the peak of flu season.

Health experts in Pakistan say as many as 20 million Pakistani women may be living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition affecting women's fertility and overall health. The estimate highlights the scale of the condition in Pakistan and renewed calls for awareness, early diagnosis and better access to treatment for women's hormonal health.

Insurers are offering wellness rewards to customers who share data from fitness trackers, but privacy experts warn the practice carries risks. Data shared in exchange for premium discounts or rewards could be used to adjust pricing, assess claims, or be exposed in breaches. The report urges policyholders to read consent terms carefully and weigh financial benefits against how their health information may be stored, shared or sold.

A psychiatrist argues that parents should reconsider sending children away to boarding school, saying it puts 'underdeveloped brains together' without the guidance they need at a formative age. The comments have sparked debate among parents and educators about the emotional and developmental impact of boarding schools versus family life at home.

The fibermaxxing trend, which encourages people to load up on as much dietary fiber as possible, is facing pushback from nutrition experts who point out that quantity alone doesn't equal quality. According to Fortune, simply maximizing fiber intake overlooks the type of fiber consumed and whether it actually fits an individual's digestive needs. Commenters are debating whether the viral trend promotes genuinely healthy habits or encourages excessive consumption without nuance.

Florida has introduced new restrictions on SNAP, the federal food assistance program, prompting concern from those who work closest to the issue. Food banks say they are preparing for greater demand as benefit rules tighten, while dietitians are questioning how the restrictions will affect the diets and health of low-income residents. The debate is unfolding as hunger-relief organizations brace for the practical consequences of the policy change.

UNC Health infectious disease specialist Dr. David Wohl is speaking out about the respiratory virus season, offering expert perspective on the spread of illnesses such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV. In remarks reported by NC Newsline, he addresses what residents should expect and how to protect themselves as cases circulate in North Carolina and beyond.

Stony Brook University hosted its Food as Medicine Symposium, bringing together experts to examine how nutrition shapes health and community wellbeing. The event highlighted growing interest in using dietary interventions alongside medical care, with discussions on food access, preventive health, and the role of community programs in improving outcomes through better eating.

The Guardian examines whether magnesium supplements live up to claims that they improve digestion, muscle pain, anxiety and sleep. Experts say evidence is inconsistent and warn that taking magnesium without a diagnosed deficiency may not help and could carry risks. The piece reflects growing public interest in the mineral as a remedy for everyday complaints.

A mental health expert is calling on Hispanic families to talk openly about mental health and challenge stigma within their communities. The appeal comes during Hispanic Heritage Month, a period celebrating Hispanic culture and history. The message emphasizes that cultural taboos around discussing emotional struggles can prevent people from seeking help, and encourages families to treat mental health as openly as physical health.