President Joe Biden's administration is expected to propose legislation limiting nicotine levels in cigarettes, excluding e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement products, in a last-minute effort to combat tobacco use. The proposal may aim to reduce nicotine levels by up to 95% to make cigarettes less addictive, potentially saving millions of lives.

Pet dogs can be a significant but overlooked source of salmonella infection in humans, according to a study from Penn State University. Researchers found 87 cases of salmonella in dogs from 2017 to 2023, with most strains also capable of infecting humans and possessing antimicrobial resistance genes. The study emphasizes the importance of hygiene practices, dog food safety and responsible antibiotic use to mitigate risk.

There is increasing public concern about the respiratory illness human metapneumovirus in the Northern Hemisphere, including in China, but officials in China and the US say they are not overly concerned. US experts say the virus is well known, and cases occur every year without developing into a pandemic. It can be difficult to distinguish human metapneumovirus from other respiratory viruses, and the risk of severe illness is higher for children younger than 6 months, older adults and people who have weakened immune systems or are immunocompromised.

Public policies that are not directly aimed at suicide prevention, such as increasing the minimum wage and reducing alcohol consumption, may help lower suicide rates, according to a study in the Annual Review of Public Health. Researchers said these policies improve economic security and well-being and potentially could be more effective than traditional approaches, such as expanding mental health care access. "This research highlights the importance of considering social determinants in suicide prevention," said researcher Michael Lindsey.

The American Diabetes Association's updated Standards of Care in Diabetes for 2025 emphasize antibody-based screening for type 1 diabetes and recommend discussions about teplizumab to delay symptom onset. The guidelines also advise against recreational cannabis use for patients at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis.

Medical practices are increasingly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats as they embrace digital transformation, with certain types of practices particularly targeted by ransomware. Jaime Cifuentes of PPM/Ambulatory advises offices to conduct asset-based risk analyses and continuous monitoring to identify and address vulnerabilities. Cifuentes also emphasizes the importance of employee training to combat phishing and social engineering.

An AARP report highlights the 25 drugs on which Medicare has spent the most, costing the program $50 billion in 2022 as average list prices have nearly doubled since market entry. The medications, which include Ozempic and Trulicity, have not been selected for price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act despite their high costs, although Leigh Purvis, prescription drug policy principal at AARP's public policy institute, notes that some will likely be part of the next round of negotiations.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to the Affordable Care Act's mandate for preventive services coverage, potentially affecting tens of millions who receive health insurance through employers or the ACA marketplace. The case, brought by Texas employers, argues that the panels advising HHS on required services are unconstitutional. Lower courts have partially sided with the challengers.

The FDA has mandated that respiratory syncytial virus vaccines from GSK and Pfizer include a warning about Guillain-Barre syndrome after data indicated a potential link. The FDA emphasized that the benefits of the vaccines still outweigh the risks, noting that the vaccines are a major tool against RSV, especially for adults older than 75.

Health care workers in Los Angeles are facing significant challenges due to wildfires, with many losing homes or being evacuated. Despite personal losses, staff at hospitals like Providence St. John's and City of Hope remain dedicated to patient care. Staffing shortages arise as workers are unable to reach facilities, and some hospitals are operating with limited resources, relying on backup power and canceling elective surgeries.