Brett Wattles
The Latest
-
Health-Care Costs Surge as Employers Brace for Biggest Coverage Hike in 15 Years
U.S. health-care costs are poised for their sharpest increase in more than a decade, with medical inflation driving up prices for patients, employers and insurers ahead of 2026. Medical care costs rose 4.2% in August, outpacing the overall inflation rate of 2.9%, according to the Labor Department's Consumer Price Index. Hospital and outpatient services jumped 5.3%, while doctor visits climbed 3.5%, signaling broad-based price pressure. 
U.S. health-care costs are poised for their sharpest increase in more than a decade, with medical inflation driving up prices for patients, employers and insurers ahead of 2026. Medical care costs rose 4.2% in August, outpacing the overall inflation rate of 2.9%, according to the Labor Department's Consumer Price Index. Hospital and outpatient services jumped 5.3%, while doctor visits climbed 3.5%, signaling broad-based price pressure. -
UNICEF Warns Childhood Obesity Has Surpassed Undernutrition, With 188 Million Youths Affected Globally
Childhood obesity has overtaken undernutrition as the most prevalent form of malnutrition worldwide, according to a new report from UNICEF that highlights the growing health risks facing children and adolescents. The United Nations agency said 188 million youths are now obese, a figure that exceeds the global number of underweight children for the first time. 
Childhood obesity has overtaken undernutrition as the most prevalent form of malnutrition worldwide, according to a new report from UNICEF that highlights the growing health risks facing children and adolescents. The United Nations agency said 188 million youths are now obese, a figure that exceeds the global number of underweight children for the first time. -
New Study Links Smartphone Use on the Toilet to Higher Hemorrhoid Risk
A new study has found that scrolling on a smartphone while using the toilet may significantly increase the risk of hemorrhoids, adding another health concern to the growing list of issues linked to excessive phone use. The research, published Wednesday in PLOS One, suggests prolonged sitting on the toilet while distracted by social media or news feeds may strain the rectal area and worsen pelvic floor pressure. 
A new study has found that scrolling on a smartphone while using the toilet may significantly increase the risk of hemorrhoids, adding another health concern to the growing list of issues linked to excessive phone use. The research, published Wednesday in PLOS One, suggests prolonged sitting on the toilet while distracted by social media or news feeds may strain the rectal area and worsen pelvic floor pressure. -
Contaminated Oysters Linked to Fatal Flesh-Eating Bacteria in Louisiana and Florida
Two people have died after eating oysters harvested from Louisiana waters that were later found to be contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium, according to health officials in Louisiana and Florida. Several other infections have been confirmed in both states. 
Two people have died after eating oysters harvested from Louisiana waters that were later found to be contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium, according to health officials in Louisiana and Florida. Several other infections have been confirmed in both states. -
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to California Egg Recall Sickens 95 Across 14 States
A salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs from a California supplier has sickened at least 95 people across 14 states since January, federal health officials said Thursday, prompting a sweeping recall and suspension of production at the implicated farm. 
A salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs from a California supplier has sickened at least 95 people across 14 states since January, federal health officials said Thursday, prompting a sweeping recall and suspension of production at the implicated farm. -
FDA Expands Shrimp Recall in 9 States Over Cesium-137 Radioactive Contamination Risk
Federal regulators expanded a recall of frozen shrimp over possible radioactive contamination, warning consumers in nine states to avoid products linked to Indonesia-based BMS Foods. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the products may contain Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope associated with an elevated risk of cancer. 
Federal regulators expanded a recall of frozen shrimp over possible radioactive contamination, warning consumers in nine states to avoid products linked to Indonesia-based BMS Foods. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the products may contain Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope associated with an elevated risk of cancer. -
Walmart Recalls Shrimp in 13 States After FDA Detects Radioactive Cesium-137 in Imports
Walmart has recalled several lots of its Great Value frozen shrimp across 13 U.S. states after federal health officials detected traces of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, in imported shipments from Indonesia. The move adds fresh pressure to the nation's largest retailer at a time when food safety and supply-chain oversight are under heightened scrutiny. 
Walmart has recalled several lots of its Great Value frozen shrimp across 13 U.S. states after federal health officials detected traces of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, in imported shipments from Indonesia. The move adds fresh pressure to the nation's largest retailer at a time when food safety and supply-chain oversight are under heightened scrutiny. -
Hurricane Erin Triggers East Coast Evacuations as 20-Foot Waves Threaten Outer Banks
Hurricane Erin, a sprawling Category 2 storm with sustained winds near 110 mph, is generating dangerous surf, rip currents and flooding threats along much of the U.S. East Coast, while prompting evacuation orders in North Carolina's Outer Banks. The storm, which rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane over the weekend before weakening slightly, is not expected to make direct landfall but will continue to send destructive waves and storm surge toward coastal communities. 
Hurricane Erin, a sprawling Category 2 storm with sustained winds near 110 mph, is generating dangerous surf, rip currents and flooding threats along much of the U.S. East Coast, while prompting evacuation orders in North Carolina's Outer Banks. The storm, which rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane over the weekend before weakening slightly, is not expected to make direct landfall but will continue to send destructive waves and storm surge toward coastal communities. -
Fake Labubu Dolls Pose Deadly Choking Risk to Children, CPSC Warns
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an urgent warning about counterfeit Labubu dolls known online as "Lafufus," citing severe risks of choking and death for children. 
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an urgent warning about counterfeit Labubu dolls known online as "Lafufus," citing severe risks of choking and death for children. -
Plastic Treaty Talks Collapse in Geneva as Oil Nations Block Caps on Virgin Production
Negotiations for the world's first legally binding treaty to curb plastic pollution ended in failure in Geneva on Friday, as deep divisions between nations left delegates without a path forward. 
Negotiations for the world's first legally binding treaty to curb plastic pollution ended in failure in Geneva on Friday, as deep divisions between nations left delegates without a path forward.
