Author: healthadmin

Digital health has become an integral part of most Americans’ daily lives, with 71% of American adults using a health-related app and 64% using a health-related device, according to a new report from Reach3 Insights. The Digital Health Trends 2026 report surveyed 1,043 people in the U.S. over the age of 18 who use the company’s platform. Christine Nguyen, vice president of Reach3 Insights, which conducted the study, said in a statement that digital health tools are “becoming deeply integrated into the way people manage their daily lives.” “Consumers increasingly describe these tools as part of their daily lives, motivation,…

Healthcare AI company Commure has raised $70 million in new funding, reaching a valuation of $7 billion. General Catalyst led the funding round, with participation from Sequoia Capital, Morgan Stanley, and Kirkland & Ellis, according to the announcement. Commure said it will use the funding to expand its platform and build out its technology. The company provides AI tools and agents that are integrated into the workflows of health systems and providers. The company’s technology is primarily focused on simplifying administrative tasks, which Comure says are used around $1 trillion annually across the country. The company’s revenue cycle management tools…

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, even though cigarette smoking rates will fall to an all-time low of about 10% by 2024. Some research suggests that electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) can help people quit smoking and reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, but products are changing rapidly and it’s unclear whether these benefits still apply. A new study led by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that switching to pod-based salt nicotine e-cigarettes, one of the most popular types of e-cigarettes on the market, may improve chances of quitting smoking while significantly reducing…

Tirzepatide GLP-1 The drug is known to improve sleep apnea in people with both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity, but not all patients benefit equally. Now, new research presented at the 2026 ATS International Congress narrows down which patients are likely to have the best treatment outcomes. Patients in this “strong response” subtype experienced nearly twice as much improvement in sleep apnea as other patients. The findings could help doctors provide more personalized treatment and give patients clearer expectations for their sleep health. This is the first time that a subgroup has been identified that has a strong response…

The causes of male infertility can be difficult to diagnose, and many tests cannot detect genetic abnormalities. In some cases, infertility may not be caused by the genes themselves. This can occur due to improper folding of the father’s DNA within the sperm. When a couple becomes pregnant, this incorrectly packaged DNA can compromise the child’s lifelong health. Father’s health is very important for sperm quality and child’s health. Understanding DNA packing and folding in sperm cells is a fundamental problem in modern biology. ” Tetsu Namekawa, Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis Mr.…

A meta-analysis of studies on internet gaming disorder found that the condition was present in an average of 6.1% of young adults. The prevalence was higher in the gamer-only sample (8.1%) compared to the sample that included both gamers and non-gamers. The paper was published in addictive behavior. Internet gaming disorder is a pattern of excessive or inappropriately controlled video game playing that causes serious problems in one’s life. There’s more to this than just enjoying the game and playing it often. People with this disorder are constantly thinking about games, feel restless or irritated when they can’t play, and…

A large new study presented at the 2026 ATS International Conference shows that patients treated for COPD or pneumonia experience worse outcomes across several key measures if they are treated at a hospital acquired by a private equity firm. Notably, patients with pneumonia were more likely to die during hospitalization at hospitals acquired by private equity than at other hospitals. At the same time, COPD patients are more likely to return within the first 30 days compared to patients at other hospitals. This is the first study to show that private equity acquisitions are associated with worse outcomes for patients…

An estimated 15.8 million people in the United States live in pharmacy deserts. With limited access to health services such as hospitals and pharmacies, these people are at increased risk of death and higher rates of progression of preventable diseases. New research published in risk analysisan individual’s choice of pharmacy was found to be influenced not only by proximity but also by the sociodemographic characteristics of the area in which the pharmacy is located. Cal Poly researchers conducted a case study that combined mobility data from cell phone usage and pharmacy footfall patterns with demographic and socio-economic census data to…

A smart technology wearable wristband device could automatically detect cardiac arrest, potentially leading to faster medical assistance and improved chances of survival if it occurs outside of a hospital, according to new research published today. Circulation: Arrhythmia and electrophysiologya peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Heart Association. The DETECT‑1b study analyzed data from 49 Dutch adults with heart rhythm abnormalities who underwent medical procedures that temporarily induced life-threatening heart rhythms during routine procedures to correct arrhythmias. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) was induced during treatment. Ventricular fibrillation is considered the most serious heart rhythm abnormality and is…

A years-long legal battle over 21.7 million tons of coal ash in one of Alabama’s most environmentally sensitive regions will continue after an appeals court ruling handed down Monday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has ruled that a lawsuit by Alabama-based environmental group Mobile Baykeeper challenging Alabama Power Co.’s plan to dump coal ash can proceed, overturning a lower court’s decision to dismiss the complaint. Mobile Baykeeper’s lawsuit alleges that the approximately 600-acre coal ash pond at Alabama Power’s James M. Barry Generating Station near Mobile violates the Environmental Protection Agency’s coal ash regulations, primarily because…