In over a decade, for the first time, obesity rates in the United States is declining. As per a recent study published last Friday in the journal JAMA Health Forum, it was found that the obesity numbers in the United States have gone down slightly from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023. While it is only a slight decline, it is also important to note that it is the first drop recorded in almost a decade.

"What we're seeing for the first time is that curve is bending and shows a sign of hope for something that was really a threat to American public health for so many years," said John Brownstein, co-author of the study, who is also the chief innovation officer at Boston Children's Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical School.

How was the study conducted?

The study reviewed the body mass index (BMIs), a measure of obesity of 16.7 million US adults over a 10-year period. The average BMI rose annually to 30.25, which is considered obese, however, after 2022, a different trend was noticed. It plateaued in 2022, and then dropped to 30.21 in 2023.

Weight Loss Drugs

Brownstein and his team also noted that women and adults aged 66 to 75 saw the greatest drop in obesity rates. Whereas people who live in the South, where there was the highest dispensing rate of weight loss drugs, also known as the GLP-1 receptor agonist, also so a sharp decline in obesity.

Semaglutide is also one of the drugs in the class of the GLP-1 agonists, and also an active agent found in the popular drug like Ozempic and Wegovy. The United States also saw a 700% increase in the use of weight loss drugs, and not as a side-product for diabetes, but specifically for weight loss from 2019 to 2023, mentions a 2024 study titled Shifting Trends in the Indication of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Prescriptions: A Nationwide Analysis, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. However, these medicines are also used to mainly treat type 2 diabetes or combination of diabetes and obesity.

This is, what Brownstein thinks, has helped a slight decline in the obesity rates in the United States.

ALSO READ: When Ozempic And Wegovy Fail To Work- Why GLP-1 Drugs Aren’t The Magic Bullet For Everyone

What are the other reasons?

Brownstein mentions that there are other reasons too for this slight decline. For instance, looking at the pharmacy prescription, it was seen that while South had the highest dispensing rate of weight loss medication, this area also saw a disproportionately high number of COVID-19 deaths, especially among its obese population.

Another reason, mentions Benjamin Reader, paper's co-author and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, is the change in lifestyle. "You have this emergence from COVID, of which people are potentially starting to be more active again, stopping the sedentary habits that they picked up during COVID," said Reader. "All of these forces are at play, and I don't think we can disentangle them from this data."

However, obesity still remains a critical public health issue. Other experts have pointed out that there is a need to look at this positive indicator in a specific database. While this could mean that people are doing better, however, it is also important to see if these factors last long and how the rats play out over time. As of now, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 60% of the adults in the United States are obese, and have high blood pressure, while 23% have diabetes.

ALSO CHECK OUT: These Are The Most 10 Obese States In the US

As harmless as it may seem, flu has been classified as high severity in 2024-25 across all ages, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). Amidst the rising number of cases, we may have an easy at-home way to deal with it.

AstraZeneca has launched FluMist Home, a new service that delivers the FLUMIST nasal spray flu vaccine right to your house. This is a game-changer, as it's the first time an influenza vaccine can be sent directly to customers for at-home use.

FLUMIST, a needle-free nasal spray, has been approved by the FDA since 2003. Now, it is also the first flu vaccine approved for people ages 18-49 to give to themselves, or for parents and caregivers to give to children ages 2-17. This new service aims to make it easier for people to get vaccinated and stay protected, especially after the last flu season was one of the worst in years.

Will This At-Home Service Help Lower Flu Cases?

According to NFID, 47 million flu related, 21 million medical visits, 610,000 hospitalizations and 27,000 deaths, which include 266 pediatric deaths happened during the flu season of 2024-25.

AstraZeneca and healthcare experts believe this new service will help more people get vaccinated. It makes flu shots more convenient and removes the need to go to a doctor's office or pharmacy.

Who Should Not Take the Flu Nasal Spray?

According to the FluMist Safety Information available on their site, you should not get the FLUMIST vaccine if any of the following apply to you:

• You have a severe allergy to the vaccine's ingredients, to eggs, or to other flu vaccines.
• You are a child or adolescent between 2 and 17 years old and are currently taking aspirin or aspirin-containing medicines. Children in this age group should not be given aspirin for four weeks after getting FLUMIST unless a doctor says it's okay.
• You are under 2 years old, as there's a higher risk of wheezing (trouble breathing) in this age group after getting the vaccine.

What Precautions Do You Need For the Flu Nasal Spray?

For the 2025-26 flu season, FluMist Home is available in 34 states. AstraZeneca plans to expand the service to all 48 states in the future. FLUMIST will still be available at doctors' offices and pharmacies. Before getting FLUMIST, it's crucial to tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions. This includes if you:

• Are currently wheezing or have a history of wheezing (especially if you're under 5 years old).
• Have asthma.
• Have a weakened immune system or live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system.
• Have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (a condition that causes severe muscle weakness).
• Have problems with your heart, kidneys, or lungs.
• Have diabetes.
• Are pregnant or nursing.
• Are taking antiviral drugs to treat the flu.

What Are The Side-Effects of The Flu Nasal Spray?

While most side effects are mild, FLUMIST can cause rare but serious reactions. The most common side effects are a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and a fever over 100°F.

Rare, serious side effects can include allergic reactions. If you experience hives, swelling of your face, lips, eyes, tongue, or throat, or have trouble breathing, seek medical help immediately.

Almost half of U.S. adults are now recommended to get earlier therapy for high blood pressure, with a more precise emphasis on prevention and customized care, under new guidelines released by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC).

The 2025 joint guideline revises the 2017 landmark advice and seeks to stem the broad burden of hypertension, the most prevalent—and most preventable—risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and even dementia.

One of the major causes of mortality in the United States and globally is high blood pressure. Almost 47% of American adults, that is, almost 120 million individuals, suffer from hypertension, with blood pressure at or above 130/80 mmHg. Most are not aware until complications arise that are fatal in nature.

"High blood pressure is the most prevalent and most treatable risk factor for heart disease," said Dr. Daniel Jones, chair of the writing committee and dean emeritus of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. "By identifying individual risks earlier and providing more individualized approaches throughout a lifetime, the 2025 guideline can help more individuals control their blood pressure and decrease the burden of heart disease, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia."

Prevention First With Lifestyle Modifications

Although medications will still be necessary for many patients, the new guidelines put heavy emphasis on lifestyle as the foundation for prevention. AHA specialists reaffirmed the "Life's Essential 8" measures as the backbone of heart and vascular well-being. Recommendations include:

• Reducing daily sodium consumption to below 2,300 mg, ideally 1,500 mg, through cutting packaged and restaurant foods.
• Reducing alcohol or abstaining from it; those who consume alcohol should drink no more than one daily drink for women and two for men.
• Stress reduction by exercise, meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises.
• Healthy weight, with at least 5% weight loss for individuals with overweight or obesity.
• Following a heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH eating plan, containing vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy.
• Physical exercise of 75–150 minutes weekly, with both aerobic activity and strength training.

Notably, the guideline also suggests home blood pressure monitoring as a way for patients and doctors to more closely monitor and customize treatment.

Earlier and More Individualized Treatment

The 2017 guideline reduced the threshold for hypertension from 140/90 mmHg to 130/80. The 2025 update goes a step further in that it recommends treatment earlier—lifestyle change and, if needed, drugs—for those at risk of cardiovascular complications, even in stage 1 hypertension.

This strategy acknowledges that blood pressure control is not "one-size-fits-all." Treatment, instead, is now anticipated to be customized according to unique risk profiles, such as comorbid conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, and sleep apnea.

What Is The PREVENT Risk Calculator?

A core addition to the guideline is the inclusion of the PREVENT™ risk calculator, introduced by the AHA in 2023. Unlike previous tools, PREVENT projects not only 10-year cardiovascular risk, but 30-year risk, providing clinicians with a lifetime perspective on a patient's trajectory.

The calculator combines cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health markers—along with more classic considerations such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and smoking status—to predict the risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. Social determinants, including zip code, are also included as a surrogate for healthcare access and environmental factors.

The more sophisticated tool allows clinicians to make earlier, more individualized treatment choices, transcending a one-size-fits-all approach to hypertension treatment.

What Is The Brain-Heart Connection?

Perhaps the most dramatic revision in the 2025 guideline is the clear identification of high blood pressure as a risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline. Evidence indicates that chronic hypertension injures small cerebral vessels, affecting memory and increasing risk for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

The guideline calls for more stringent control of blood pressure—preferably under 130 systolic—in adults with hypertension, not just to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke but also to safeguard long-term brain health.

Blood Pressure and Pregnancy

New recommendations also deal with hypertension preceding, during, and following pregnancy. Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure can cause serious complications like preeclampsia, stroke, premature birth, and later cardiovascular risk for the mother.

The guideline now suggests treating at 140/90 mmHg during pregnancy, a more stringent threshold than previously, and emphasizes postpartum follow-up since preeclampsia risk often continues after delivery. Low-dose aspirin may also be recommended to lower the risk of preeclampsia in women with chronic hypertension.

For most patients, particularly those with comorbid conditions like diabetes, obesity, or kidney disease, a single drug may not suffice. The guideline suggests initiating with a combination pill for stage 2 hypertension (140/90 mmHg or above).

Preferred first-line therapies are ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, and thiazide-diuretics. The recommendation also recognizes the possibility of the use of GLP-1 drugs, mainly for diabetes and weight management, in the control of blood pressure in some patients with obesity.

Hypertension is not an American issue. Globally, it has been estimated that 1.28 billion adults have high blood pressure, and fewer than one in five have it under control. The American guidelines, although specific to American populations, will probably affect international practice.

By emphasizing prevention, early detection, and personalized care, the 2025 guideline aims to decrease not only cardiovascular mortality, but also the ripple impact of hypertension on kidney failure, diabetes, pregnancy complications, and dementia.

How New BP Guidelines Assist Patients?

Patients benefit from the new guidelines by being more proactive:

• Learning your blood pressure values early and monitoring them at home.
• Developing sustainable changes in lifestyle, especially with diet and exercise.
• Discussing individualized risks with your physician using resources such as PREVENT.

Comprehending that medication, when necessary, is not a failure of one's lifestyle but a necessary instrument for long-term health. Dr. Jones put it concisely, "Prevention, early detection and management of high blood pressure are critical to long-term heart and brain health, which means longer, healthier lives."

As of August 14, 2025, health officials confirmed that the fourth person has died during an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem, a somber landmark in a crisis that has afflicted dozens of people in recent weeks. At least 17 individuals have been hospitalized, and the source has been traced by investigators to dirty cooling towers on several buildings, including facilities owned by the city itself.

The epidemic, which was first reported in late July, has attracted national concern not just due to its impact but also due to the fact that it demonstrates how contemporary urban infrastructure can serve as a hotbed for public health crises.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said Legionella bacteria were found in 12 cooling towers on 10 buildings in Central Harlem. They included a city-owned hospital and a sexual health clinic. Although remediation work—chemical cleanings and disinfections—has been done in 11 towers, work is ongoing at one location, with completion by Friday anticipated.

Acting city health commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse stated that cases in the outbreak have started to decrease, an indication that the interventions are effective. Nevertheless, she advised residents and employees in the neighborhood to be cautious. "If you work or live in the area and have flu-like symptoms, don't dismiss them. Get medical care right away," Morse reiterated.

Legionnaires' disease is not new, but outbreaks can be fatal when detection and treatment are slow. It is a serious type of pneumonia produced by Legionella bacteria, which multiply in warm, moving water. People become infected after breathing in tiny water droplets that contain the bacteria. Typical sources include:

• Air-conditioning cooling towers in big buildings
• Hot tubs or spas
• Decorative water fountains or water features
• Shower heads and stagnant warm water plumbing systems

Unlike COVID-19 or the flu, Legionnaires' disease is not transmitted between people. Exposure is solely through environmental sources. Two to 14 days after exposure, symptoms typically manifest and consist of cough, fever, chills, headache, muscle pains, and shortness of breath. More severe forms may result in respiratory failure or death if not addressed in time.

Why Cooling Towers Are at the Center of This Outbreak?

Cooling towers are tall, open-air buildings utilized in HVAC systems to control building temperatures. They operate by evaporating water into the air, which is a possible highway for the spread of Legionella bacteria if the system is not kept well maintained.

During the Harlem outbreak, cases were traced to positive test results from cooling towers, including some in city-owned facilities. Though cleanup has been rapid, the fact that contaminated systems were present in public facilities called into question maintenance monitoring and whether preventive inspections were adequate.

The city has emphasized that Harlem's tap water is still safe. The residents can drink, cook, bathe, and run their home air conditioners without fear, as the outbreak is not related to the municipal water supply but building cooling towers.

While anyone technically can contract Legionnaires' disease after exposure, the CDC recognizes the following groups of people as being especially susceptible:

• Adults over the age of 50
• Individuals with chronic lung disease, diabetes, kidney or liver failure
• People with compromised immune systems from cancer or immunosuppressive treatment
• Former and active smokers

For these populations, infection can rapidly become life-threatening. In Harlem, officials did not provide personal information on the four who have died, but in the past, death has been more likely in patients with underlying disease.

Although this outbreak has grabbed headlines, Legionnaires' disease is not unusual in America. Nationwide, an estimated 6,000 cases are reported annually, although experts suspect the true number is probably higher because underdiagnosis or mistaken identification with other forms of pneumonia tends to happen.

In New York State alone, 200 to 800 cases are reported each year. Outbreaks occur more frequently during the summer months, when air-conditioning systems of buildings are operating at their peak. This seasonal pattern is reflected in the clustering of Harlem cases.

Legionnaires' disease can be treated with antibiotics, but timing is everything. Complications are much less likely when treatment is initiated early. Delayed diagnosis, on the other hand, may cause hospitalization, respiratory failure, or death.

Since symptoms look like flu or COVID-19—cough, fever, tiredness—there's a risk of misdiagnosis, especially in a busy emergency department or in patients with delayed seeking of care. This is why city officials are asking anyone in Harlem who has respiratory symptoms to call a doctor right away.

Public Health Lessons from the New York City-Harlem Outbreak

This epidemic highlights how even properly developed cities are susceptible to waterborne disease pathogens. Most building managers must keep an eye on and care for cooling towers, and the diligence can lapse. Public health professionals say that regular surveillance and more frequent testing would help stop outbreaks from running out of control into death.

The circumstance that several of the city-owned facilities were positive for tests brings questions of responsibility. If city-run cooling towers are not properly serviced, citizens can reasonably ask how well private facilities are being checked.

With remediation all but finished, health officials are guardedly hopeful that the outbreak is fading. Yet for Harlem residents, the cost is already apparent: dozens of people made ill, at least four dead, and fresh apprehension about the unseen dangers that can hide in common infrastructure.

Are NYC's Cooling Towers Actually the Issue?

The outbreak has been linked to infected cooling towers in Central Harlem, but the experts warn that cooling towers are just one source of the Legionella bacteria. Water systems like hot tubs, fountains, and even low-maintenance plumbing can spread the bacteria under favorable conditions.

Nonetheless, cooling towers have been associated in the past with some of the city's biggest outbreaks due to the way they work: vast amounts of hot water are brought into contact with air, producing mist that can travel and transfer bacteria across whole neighborhoods. As maintenance failures occur, the bacteria grow quickly, transforming these buildings into potent amplifiers of infection.

New York City has stringent measures mandating periodic testing and cleaning of cooling towers, enacted following the large 2015 outbreak in the Bronx. But enforcing them is the problem, especially with tens of thousands of towers throughout the five boroughs. The discovery that multiple city-owned buildings came back positive in this outbreak reveals not just private gaps in oversight but also gaps in municipal compliance.

So yes, cooling towers look at the center of this epidemic, but they are most accurately described as part of a larger issue: any untreated water system can become a Legionella breeding ground.