Health News Digest, September 2025 | | We're Speaking Out For You | | We tell Congress that these 2 bills need improvements | | |
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are enthusiastic about two bills that would require Medicare to pay for certain new cancer tests and medical devices. In her invited testimony at a Congressional hearing in September, NCHR President Dr. Diana Zuckerman cautioned that many "Breakthrough medical devices" are not proven safe or effective for Medicare-age patients, and that the multi-cancer blood tests are promising "...but they're not quite ready for prime time yet."
She was quoted in MedPage Today noting that our concerns are consistent with the American Cancer Society's web article expressing concerns about accuracy, since recent studies show that the cancer tests often miss early cancers or erroneously indicate that a patient has cancer. She pointed out that these "false positives" can cause stress, unnecessary procedures, and that either false positives or false negatives can cause harmful delays when treatment is needed later.
Read her oral statement here and the MedPage Today article here
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Pets can improve your health!
Animal shelters can only house so many pets, so adoption and fostering are key to giving animals a chance at a better life. In Alabama, our web article on the health benefits of pets is being used to encourage families to take the plunge.
An article in the DeKalb County Times-Journal quoted Dr. Zuckerman said "Animals play an important role in many people's lives; they are valued companions. Some research studies have found that people who have a pet have healthier hearts, stay home sick less often, make fewer visits to the doctor, get more exercise, and are less depressed. The simple act of stroking a pet can help lower blood pressure,”
Read the news article here and our web article explaining all the benefits of pets here.
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New FDA meetings lack your voices
The FDA recently launched new "expert panels" instead of Advisory Committee meetings to review drug safety, but their balance is being questioned. The panel on antidepressants (SSRIs) barely discussed the dangers of untreated depression for pregnant women. A separate panel on hormone therapy for menopause opposed current safety warnings, ignored studies showing cancer risks, and instead claimed benefits that research results have not supported. Critics say these meetings lacked diversity of views and offered no opportunity for any public comments, which FDA Advisory Committees always have.
Dr. Zuckerman told BioSpace, "For SSRIs and for hormone therapy... you could have panelists who have a diversity of opinion. What I was most surprised by is how they didn't do that. They didn't want any nuance. It seemed they didn't want any real difference of opinion." Instead, the expert panels seem to be designed both to influence public opinion on the topic and also to send a message to industry: “This is the direction we’re going in. Feel free to push us in that direction.” She also raised concerns that meetings were held with limited public access and shorter registration times than traditional FDA advisory committees.
Read more here
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Can you still get the COVID shot?
Covid can be similar to a mild flu, or can be much more dangerous, but getting a vaccine this fall may be harder than ever. The FDA recently limited updated shots to people 65 and older or those with certain health conditions, leaving millions unsure if they qualify. A CDC panel then refused to recommend the vaccine, instead urging patients to talk to their doctor or pharmacist to decide. Unfortunately, rules about access and costs vary from state to state, and even from one pharmacy to another, creating confusion.
Medical experts warn that even though hospitalizations are lower than in past years, Covid is still spreading and can be dangerous for anyone. Many major pharmacies like CVS say they will provide vaccines without requiring proof of a condition, but access may still depend on local laws and individual providers. Doctors stress that vaccines remain an important tool to prevent severe illness. Many recommend getting the shot in late September or October to be protected before the winter season.
Read the New York Times article here.
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Rise in poison center calls among school-aged children
A new study has found a sharp rise in poison control center calls involving children ages 6-12. Between 2000 and 2023, these calls increased by more than 50%. While most exposures were accidental, researchers found a troubling increase in suspected self-harm. For 11-year-olds, incidents jumped nearly 400%, and among 12-year-olds, rates climbed almost 350%.
The most common substances involved were pain relievers, allergy and cold medicines, and stimulants, with most cases happening at home. Experts say this highlights the need for parents to store medications safely and to pay close attention to warning signs of distress. The study, published in Pediatrics, recommends ways to help protect children and support families.
Read the JAMA summary here.
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