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Reading Room

The reading room includes articles and videos of potential interest to consumers and medical professionals. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the NC Medical Board, its members, and staff. Note: Some links may require registration or subscription.

Climbing stairs linked to 39% lower risk of heart disease death

Medical News Today
August 14, 2026
Climbing stairs regularly was associated with reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and stroke, a new review has found. Those who frequently took the stairs were less likely to die from cardiovascular disease and all causes than those who climbed stairs less often. As physical inactivity can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stair-climbing, for as little as 6 flights of stairs, could be a simple and accessible way for people to add more exercise to their routines.

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Is your cholesterol too high per the new ACC/AHA guideline? 5 things to know

Medical News Today
July 28, 2026
The 2026 ACC/AHA Dyslipidemia Guideline introduced significant changes in how cardiovascular risk will be assessed and lipid (cholesterol) levels will be managed. Among the key updates are a new risk calculator, the introduction of lipoprotein (A) testing, lower cholesterol targets, and calcium testing. A recent study found that 1 in 3 Americans without heart disease have higher LDL cholesterol levels than the 2026 guideline now recommends. Medical News Today spoke to three experts to discuss what this means for cholesterol management and how people should approach taking medications such as statins.

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A difficult-to-trace parasite, messaging missteps contribute to summer of overwhelming Cyclospora outbreaks

Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy
July 28, 2026
Ten days ago, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that a sample of iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico tested positive for Cyclospora, the microscopic parasite responsible for a nine-state outbreak of foodborne illness. The next day, the agency noted it was a false-positive test result. Some people thought this meant that iceberg lettuce did not contribute to the thousands of cases of cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by Cyclospora. A day later, the FDA held a media briefing to explain that the false-positive was from lettuce that underwent regular screening at the border—not of the lettuce connected to the outbreak. Taylors Farms lettuce was still suspected, however.

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140,000 physicians short by 2036: 10 things to know about the specialty care gap

Becker’s ASC Review
July 27th, 2026
Specialty care access is growing more strained across the U.S. — and nowhere is that more visible than in rural America, where a shrinking physician workforce, hospital closures and transportation barriers are colliding at once. Here are 10 things to know, according to a July 23 AAMCNews feature examining the crisis through the lens of one West Virginia clinic.

1. The shortage is already large — and getting worse. Workforce data, including from the AAMC, project a shortage of up to 140,000 physicians in the next decade. The Health Resources and Services Administration, or HRSA, projects a shortfall of almost 70,000 primary care physicians by 2036, and an equal shortage of specialists.

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No, you shouldn’t avoid fruits and vegetables due to Cyclospora

Consumer Reports
July 22, 2026
The word on everyone’s lips this summer is cyclospora. The microscopic parasite, best known for causing bouts of “explosive” diarrhea, has sickened at least 11,000 people in the U.S. so far this year and generated a spate of panic-inducing headlines that have caused some consumers to eye the entire produce aisle with suspicion. But food safety experts say that’s not the right approach. “You can and should continue to eat fruits and vegetables, but you might want to take additional precautions depending on where you live,” says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety at Consumer Reports.

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New study maps how 12 modifiable dementia risks differ around the world

Medical News Today
July 15, 2026
The latest research has identified 14 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia, including diabetes, obesity, physical activity levels, and social isolation. A new study has found differences in dementia risk factors across regions of the world. Researchers also found global similarities in certain risk factors that tend to cluster in similar patterns.

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