Thyroid Meds Recalled Nationwide; Life Expectancy Rebounds; Cannabis Use Hits Record

Vitruvias Therapeutics is recalling a specific batch of thyroid medication in the United States due to concerns over potential superpotency. This comes after the FDA halted a trial for RGX-121, a gene therapy aimed at treating MPS type II, which is known as Hunter syndrome. The halt was prompted by findings of small, asymptomatic masses on the spines of five patients.

According to new data from the CDC, the life expectancy at birth in the United States has risen to 79 years in 2024, marking an increase from previous pandemic levels. Wendy Weber, a naturopathic doctor with over 15 years of experience working with the NIH, has been appointed as the director of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at the NIH.

As drug dealers capitalize on the availability of cheap, potent synthetic drugs like fentanyl, the risks faced by users have significantly increased. A study in JAMA Network Open suggests that the way patients communicate through patient portals may influence clinician bias in the triage process and lead to disparities in care. Millions of Californians are projected to lose health insurance by 2030 due to budget cuts, a matter that Democrat gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra has pledged to address.

The U.S. has reported 197 new measles cases in the past week, with these cases occurring across various states. In Florida, lawmakers are considering a rule that would permit students to attend school without vaccination for certain diseases, a stance the state's Catholic schools opposes. A third death from the flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus has been recorded in Florida.

According to a recent Gallup poll, marijuana use has reached a record 17% of Americans, with 15% consuming edibles. With the rise of synthetic drugs like fentanyl, the profitability for dealers and the dangers for users have both surged.