Resources & Information

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AP News
July 10, 2026
Scores of people in the United States have been sickened by a parasite commonly linked to contaminated fresh produce that can cause weeks of watery diarrhea. But there are ways to protect yourself and still enjoy summer’s bounty of fruits and vegetables. The exact source of one of the nation’s largest outbreaks in years of cyclospora infections is still not known. And it can be hard to figure out what food sick people had in common because sometimes it’s a single ingredient that might be common in multiple recipes — like basil or cilantro. Luckily cyclospora infections are generally treatable with antibiotics and rarely cause serious complications. And there are ways to avoid getting it altogether. Click to learn tips for reducing the risk.

Medical News Today
July 8, 2026
A new study suggests that older adults with a quicker natural walking pace showed better cognitive function and healthier brain measures than those who walked more slowly. A declining walking speed may serve as an early warning sign of cognitive decline, making gait a potential tool for tracking brain health. The researchers note that walking requires complex coordination among the brain, nerves, and muscles, making it a strong overall indicator of healthy aging. However, while the findings suggest walking speed may help identify those at higher risk of cognitive decline, they do not prove that intentionally walking faster prevents dementia.