As per the latest American Lung Association report, nearly half of Americans, around 156 million people live in areas that received a failing grade in air quality.

The East Coast has seen a rise in air pollution that came after wildfires and heatwaves, breaking through West Coast city domination of the most annual exposure to fine particulate matter. These were based on the association's "State of the State" report based on 2021 to 2023 data. Most of this is to be attributed to the 2023 Canadian wildfires and the extreme heatwaves.

How Was Air Quality Measured?

Three indicators were used to measure air quality, namely: ozone air pollution, short-term particle pollution and long-term particle pollution.

Exposure to unhealthy air can cause many health risks to a person and could increase the chance of stroke, ischemic heart disease, severity in asthma attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and pneumonia. Air pollution is also linked with increased fetal and infant mortality and pregnancy complication, along with cognitive decline.

Here Are The Top 10 US Cities With Worst Air Pollution:

10. Fairbanks-College, Alaska

This region continues to perform poorly on particulate matter pollution. The area has also been prone to wildfire smoke, use of wood-burning stoves, aggressive heating methods, and large vehicles.

9. Cleveland-Akon-Canton, Ohio

This region experienced a dramatic fall that placed it from 54th to ninth rank in highest exposure of annual particulate matter.

8. Houston-Pasadena, Texas

It is on the list due to the ozone pollution.

7. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, California

The Bay Area is one of six regions in California that rank among the top 10 in the country for annual particle pollution exposure. Frequent wildfires driven by dry conditions contribute to poor air quality across all three pollution measures in the report. The region also ranks 11th for short-term particle pollution and 14th for ozone pollution. These environmental hazards impact a population of 9 million people, nearly 6 million of whom are people of color.

6. Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Detroit metro area is a latest addition in the long-term air pollution list, the region was impacted by the Canadian wildfires.

5. Lod Angeles-Long Beach, California

This is the worst rank for ozone pollution in the 25th time in the 26-year history of the 'State of the Air' report.

4. Eugene-Springfield, Oregon

This has ranked third for short-term air quality. The pollution has affected 381,000 people.

3. Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, California

This region scored firth for both short-term and long-term air pollution and ozone pollution, and has slightly improved from precious years.

2. Visalia, California

This city experienced the highest-ever spike in particulate pollution since the start of the report.

1. Bakersfield-Delano, California

This region top the worst air pollution list for the sixth consecutive year, affection a population of 914,000 people.

Air Pollution And Its Impact

Previously, residents of the US, Canada, and UK also reported mysterious, dense fog. Many residents posted videos that claimed the fog smelled like "burning chemical".

Many on TikTok shared the video of the dense fog, calling it "toxic". The people also shared: "The weirdest part is the taste and smell. It smells like after you set off a bunch of fireworks, and the air tastes toxic. It is super weird". Someone else on X, previously Twitter claimed that the air smells like burning plastic.

Pollution is related with many health risks, a thick fog during winter may not be a reason for concern. However, the residents claiming it to be toxic due to the smell or the adverse affects on their health may lead to it being a cause of concerns. Also, new research highlights a disturbing connection between long-term exposure to air pollution and a heightened danger of deadly blood clots, a condition which is underappreciated but also poses significant health risks. A study, published in Blood, examined how long-term exposure to some pollutants, including fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and nitric oxide, may heighten the chances of VTE hospitalizations.

The outcomes showed that the individuals who had exposure to pollutants in the higher quartile had:

• 43% increased risk of hospitalization for VTE associated with fine particulate matter.
• 2.8 times increased risk from nitrogen dioxide exposure.
• 2.3 times increased risk due to nitric oxide.

Another 2021 study titled Effect of Air Pollution on Obesity in Children: A systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, there is a connection between air pollution and weight gain through biological behavioral mechanism. The major pollutants causing obesity are nitrous oxides, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter. These could lead to systematic inflammation and metabolic disturbances, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. The study mentions that fine particulate matter [PM2.5], when it enters our body, it influences the metabolism rates.

A different study published in the JAMA Network Open, stated that higher levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure can increase the risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Colleen Hoover, the best-selling author of 'Regretting You' and 'Verity', has revealed that she has undergone treatment for cancer.

On January 12, Hoover announced via her Instagram Stories that she has one more day of radiation left at Texas Oncology.

"Second to last day of radiation," she captioned the post on her Instagram Stories. "I wish I could blame my hair and facial expressions on @Texas.Oncology, but they've been great. Hope you never need them, but highly recommend them."

In December 2025, the 46-year-old writer wrote on her Facebook page that she had been diagnosed with cancer and had undergone surgery. The film producer also noted that she would only need radiation, but not chemotherapy as a treatment plan.

Hoover said she had been in Canada filming Reminds of Him when she noticed she “had recurring health issues that I continued to put off until the movie was finished" and a check-up revealed that she had developed cancer.

What Kind Of Cancer Does She Have?

While she is yet to reveal which kind of cancer she is receiving treatment for, Hoover has confirmed it was not caused by family genes, HPV or excessive hormones.

In a Facebook post from January 9, she noted that the reason for her illness is 'more than likely' to be environmental/lifestyle, which can be credited to a lack of exercise, poor diet and stress.

"I’m happy and grateful to be alive but I hate vegetables. I hate when I have to get off the couch. I hate sweating. I hate when science is right. If you see me at the gym, don’t even tell me good job. If you see me at a restaurant eating grilled chicken and drinking water, I’m probably real mad about it," she wrote in a heartfelt moment.

Why Has Hoover Been Missing From Public Eye?

Hoover's health updates and cancer treatment come amid a series of cancelled public events. In October 2025, she announced she would not attend the premiere of Regretting You, her latest movie adaptation.

In a sentimental Instagram post, she told her fans: "I’m super bummed, but am having an unavoidable surgery and can’t travel for a while,” Hoover wrote in her Instagram post at the time. I’ll live vicariously through you guys. So sad to miss this movie release and premiere, but so grateful to all the actors and the team who put this together.”

Woman Down is Hoover’s next book release set for January 13. However, the author has had to tell fans that a book-signing tour has not been set up yet and she will not be meeting with the public for now.

“I wanted to make this post and be transparent about why that is. I’m not saying I won’t be up to doing at least one signing, but I just won’t know until I know," she said.

Meanwhile, throughout 2025, production on her hit novel, Verity, has begun in 2025, with Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett, being photographed during scenes last February. Additionally, her third movie adaptation, Reminders of Him, is also set to hit theaters on March 13, 2026.

It remains unknown if she will be attending the premiere for Reminders of Him.

Barbie. A name too familiar for everyone growing up, now Mattel Studio has launched its first autistic Barbie. This is after Greta Gerwig's 2023 blockbuster movie that introduced the concept of diverse characters of Barbie, that Mattel launched its first Barbie with type 1 diabetes. The studio is definite about creating a diverse range of Barbie character, as an animated Barbie film too is in the development.

Why Is The Launch Of Autistic Barbie Important?

Autistic Barbie is the latest addition to Barbie's Fashionistas range, which is designed so more children can "see themselves in Barbie". The Barbie is created in collaboration with the US charity the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. The Barbie is designed to represent the ways autistic children may have experienced, including the way they communicate.

Barbie With Autism: What Are Her Features?

The Barbie's eyes gaze slightly to one side, which could represent how some autistic people avoid direct eye contact. The Barbie also comes with completely bendable elbows and wrists, which enables her repetitive physical movements such as stimming and hand-flapping that help people with autism to process sensory information, or even express excitement.

She also holds a pink fidget spinner on her finger, which helps her reduce her stress, wears noise-cancelling headphones, also in pink, to reduce sensory overload, and carries a pink tablet with symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication buttons on its screen that helps with her everyday communication.

Barbies earlier came in one-size-fit-all, often lacking the diversity and representation, this Barbie, however, wears a loose-fitting purple pinstripe A-line dress. This has minimized fabric to skin contact, and her shoes have flat soles that promotes stability and ease of movements.

Read: Hundreds Of US Children Have Type 1 Diabetes, Now Their Barbie Has It Too

Barbie's Representation Matters

The first Barbie came in 1959, and until 2019, there were no dolls with disabilities. Now, there are Barbies with diabetes, blind dolls, and Barbies with wheelchairs, Down syndrome, prosthetic limb, vitiligo, and hearing aids. There is also a Ken doll with a prosthetic leg, and another one who uses a wheelchair with a ramp, and one with hearing aids.

Jamie Cygielman, the global head of dolls at Mattel while announcing the autistic Barbie said, "Barbie has always strived to reflect the world kids see and the possibilities they imagine, and we’re proud to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of that ongoing work. The doll helps to expand what inclusion looks like in the toy aisle and beyond because every child deserves to see themselves in Barbie."

She also added: “We engaged with the autistic community throughout the design process, always mindful that autism is experienced differently by every individual and is not always visible. The elements of this doll reflect how some people on the spectrum may experience and express the world, and we hope that by partnering with influential voices within the community, Barbie can continue to showcase a broader range of authentic experiences.”

What Is Autism?

As per the American Psychiatric Association, ASD is a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior. While autism is considered a lifelong condition, the need for services and supports because of these challenges varies among individuals with autism.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated one in 36 children have been identified with ASD.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported 411 measles infections in Philippines' Northern Mindanao in 2025, which was a 11% increase from 371 cases in 2024. Health officials are now warning people that the situation may get worse in 2026, as rate of unvaccinated children in the region also rise.

In 2025, 75% of the patients were unvaccinated.

In order to prevent outbreaks, DOH-Northern Mindanao and local health offices said that they will be deploying teams to administer Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccines to children and people aged six to 59.

“There are (measles) outbreaks in various parts of the country because of low (immunization) coverage and that includes our region,” said Germaine Labadan, head of the DOH-X Family Health Cluster.

In 2025, only 56.7% of Northern Mindanao's eligible population received MR shots, which led to a herd immunity well below the target of 95%.

Cagayan de Oro, a highly urbanized city, recorded the region’s highest measles-rubella (MR) coverage at 87.21%, while Bukidnon lagged at 49.71%. Coverage in other areas remained low, with Misamis Oriental at 51.87%, Misamis Occidental at 52.05%, Iligan at 52.55%, and Camiguin at 53.73%.

As part of this year’s Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA), children will be given booster MR vaccines along with Vitamin A supplements. The 21-day campaign will run from January 19 to February 13.

“This is open to all eligible, regardless of the immunization status of the child because the vaccine serves as a booster,” Labadan said. This also includes children who completed the first and second doses. “Parents may present the immunization booklet, but it is not necessary because all will be given a new one,” she said.

What Is Measles?

Measles, also known as rubeola, is a highly contagious viral illness that typically causes fever, cough, a runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a distinctive red, blotchy rash that usually begins on the face and spreads downward. The virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or brain inflammation. Despite its severity, measles is preventable through a safe and effective vaccine, as per the Mayo Clinic.

How Contagious Is Measles?

Measles is among the most contagious diseases in the world. The virus spreads through airborne droplets that can linger in the air or on surfaces for hours. Up to 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become infected. A single infected person can pass the virus to an estimated 12 to 18 others through close contact or shared spaces. People can transmit the virus days before symptoms become obvious and continue spreading it after the rash appears, according to the World Health Organization.

How Long Is Someone Contagious With Measles?

Someone infected with measles can spread the virus from four days before the rash develops to four days after it appears. The virus spreads so efficiently that about 90% of people who are unvaccinated or have never had measles will become infected after being exposed.

In November, Canada lost its measles elimination status following a significant outbreak, according to the Pan American Health Organization, which works closely with the World Health Organization.

“It’s important to say that all the other 34 countries in the region, they keep their certification as measles-free,” said PAHO/WHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa at the time, as per NPR News.

U.S. health officials have also warned that genetic links between outbreaks in different states suggest continued spread.

“The trajectory that we’re looking at now is that we do anticipate more cases well into January,” Bell said. “What that means for us nationally in terms of how they are defining our designation in this country as having eliminated measles is unclear.”