CDC ENTEBBE

Infants fed formula, introduced to other foods before 4 months, on a schedule, or with TV watching during feeding, are at risk for rapid weight gain, linked to childhood obesity. Reducing obesogenic feeding practices may aid in obesity prevention.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is named to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, bringing his motto 'Make America Healthy Again' and controversial views on vaccines and nutrition. His potential impact includes reshaping vaccine policies, influencing food safety standards, and potentially altering abortion access policies, though his effectiveness within the government bureaucracy is questioned.

Concussions in high school football players slow aperiodic brain activity, affecting cortical excitability and linked to concussion symptoms like impaired concentration and memory, according to a study presented at RSNA. The study used pre- and post-season MEG data from 91 players, 10 of whom had concussions, to correlate symptoms with brain activity changes.

Negotiations for FY 2025 appropriations are ongoing, impacting NIH funding; President-elect Trump's nominees for HHS, CMS, CDC, FDA, and Surgeon General spark concern in the medical research community; House Appropriations Subcommittee reviews NIH budget for FY 2025; AACR and FDA host workshops on DPD deficiency and clinical trials; U.S. Surgeon General highlights tobacco use disparities; FDA approves new drugs and updates product labeling.

The Biden administration proposed a rule allowing Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs for patients with obesity, potentially costing $40 billion over a decade. This move aims to address the chronic nature of obesity, which affects over 40% of Americans and is expected to reach 50% by 2030. The proposal, if approved by the incoming Trump administration, would expand access to GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, which have shown efficacy in weight loss, but are currently expensive and covered by few insurance plans. The rule would benefit drugmakers and chronic care management companies, but its fate depends on the incoming administration's stance on GLP-1s.

Study finds states with higher economic vulnerability and minoritized populations have fewer gynecological cancer trials per 100,000 persons, highlighting the need for efforts to address these disparities.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to overhaul HHS agencies, including FDA, CDC, and NIH, focusing on ending FDA's 'war on public health,' reversing CDC's fluoride recommendations, and shifting NIH's budget to 'preventive, alternative and holistic approaches.' He also advocates for Medicare and Medicaid to cover gym memberships and healthier foods instead of expensive weight-loss drugs.

Erica Hayes, a long COVID patient, highlights the lack of FDA-approved treatments despite $1.15 billion in NIH funding. The NIH's RECOVER initiative, criticized for insufficient clinical trials, is now allocating $515 million more with a focus on trials. Patient advocates urge for trials on prescription-only interventions, not over-the-counter supplements or therapies. The NIH's RECOVER has funded over 200 observational studies and 40 pathobiology studies, but clinical trial results have been limited. The initiative aims to advance treatments for long COVID through rapid, collaborative, and transparent research.

Seoul National University scientists developed an AI-based diagnostic test for sepsis, reducing AST time by 30-40 hours, potentially preventing antimicrobial resistance and saving lives.