patients

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the United Nations General Assembly, calling Russian leader Vladimir Putin the 'patient zero' of global instability over the ongoing war in Ukraine. He also urged firmer international resolve and touched on the role of former US president Donald Trump, warning that the war remains the central threat to world security.

A new Ebola emergency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is prompting calls from the United Nations and humanitarian organisations for urgent access to affected communities. Aid agencies say rapid, unimpeded access is essential to contain the outbreak, treat patients and deliver supplies, amid concerns that access restrictions could allow the virus to spread further.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has introduced legislation that would prohibit private equity firms from owning medical practices. The bill targets concerns that investor ownership drives up healthcare costs, cuts staffing, and prioritizes profits over patient care. Supporters see it as a push to keep medicine in the hands of clinicians, while critics are expected to argue it limits capital investment in healthcare practices.

American doctors are working inside Gaza, providing medical care amid the territory's ongoing humanitarian and health crisis. Reports highlight the role of US medical volunteers treating wounded patients in hospitals that are short on supplies and staff. The presence of American physicians has drawn attention to the scale of medical need in the enclave and the conditions under which local and foreign health workers operate.

Pope Leo XIV said on Sunday that assisted dying was not "normal", speaking during his landmark visit to France. His comments come as the French parliament has legalised the practice for certain patients, placing the pontiff in direct tension with French law. The remarks drew attention as the visit highlighted the clash between Catholic teaching and France's secular legislation on end-of-life care.

A new study suggests that COVID-19 may worsen pre-existing health problems over the long term, adding to concerns about the lasting effects of infection. The finding points to a broader long-term health burden beyond long COVID itself, with implications for patients managing chronic conditions and for health systems assessing ongoing care needs.

Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy were originally developed and described as obesity treatments for patients with medical need, but they are increasingly marketed and used as lifestyle drugs for customers seeking cosmetic or wellness benefits. Commentators note this reframing raises questions about access for people with genuine medical need, pricing, and how the pharmaceutical industry positions these medicines.

A new study finds that people who stop taking GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, may face an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The findings suggest the cardiovascular benefits of these medications depend on continued use, raising questions about how patients should manage long-term treatment.

A blood pressure medication has been recalled across the United States, with the FDA classifying the action as a Class II risk level, meaning exposure could cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. News outlets including WPRI and The Hill reported the nationwide recall, prompting patients taking blood pressure drugs to check whether their prescription is affected.

Doctors are warning that people taking GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs such as Ozempic may face heightened health risks during the current heat wave. Concerns center on dehydration, as the medications can suppress thirst and appetite, potentially leaving users vulnerable to heat exhaustion and related complications. Patients are being advised to drink water regularly and take precautions in high temperatures as extreme heat persists across many regions.

New research suggests donor hearts may take on the biological age of their recipients after transplantation, rather than retaining the age of the original donor. Reported by Scientific American, the finding could reshape how doctors think about organ aging, rejection risk and long-term outcomes for transplant patients.

Japan is considering stricter regulations on regenerative medicine as treatments in the field proliferate across the country. The move follows growing concern that clinics are offering unproven therapies under looser rules than those governing conventional drugs. Officials are debating how to balance patient access to innovative treatments with safety oversight, and medical groups are watching closely for what the revised framework could mean for practice.

New research into diabetes suggests that keeping blood sugar levels extremely stable may come at a cost, challenging the assumption that tighter control is always better for patients. The findings are drawing attention among clinicians and people managing diabetes, who are weighing what the results could mean for treatment targets and everyday glucose management advice.

A new study reported by ScienceDaily suggests glucosamine, a widely used joint supplement taken by millions for arthritis and cartilage pain, may be associated with faster progression of Alzheimer's disease. The findings challenge the supplement's generally assumed safety benefits and are prompting discussion among researchers, patients and caregivers about whether people with cognitive decline should reconsider taking it.

Taylor Swift has released a music video for 'Patient Zero' that ends with a horror movie-style twist, according to TODAY.com. The ending has prompted discussion among fans about its meaning and how it ties into the song. Details of the twist and the video's storyline have not been widely reported beyond the initial coverage.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists have published new clinical standards for managing high-risk pregnancies in states with abortion bans. The guidelines aim to clarify when interventions are legally permissible and medically necessary, addressing confusion among physicians treating endangered patients. The move responds to reports of delayed or denied care, and is likely to fuel ongoing debate over how restrictive abortion laws affect pregnancy treatment.

A growing debate is unfolding over legal responsibility when artificial intelligence systems used in healthcare make errors. As AI tools move into diagnosis and treatment decisions, questions are mounting over whether doctors, hospitals, drugmakers or software developers should be held accountable when a wrong recommendation harms a patient, and regulators have yet to offer clear answers.