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Morning Briefing

Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

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Monday, Jun 29 2026

Full Issue

Shingles Vaccine May Help Protect Against Dementia

Experts think the reduction in brain inflammation, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in the body, might help protect against dementia. Patients in nursing facilities showed a 5.8% lower risk of developing dementia over the next four years after receiving at least one shot of the shingles vaccine, NBC News reports.

The shingles vaccine may significantly help protect older adults against dementia, a growing body of evidence shows. Exactly how is unclear. The nervous system, however, likely holds clues. Shingles, a condition triggered by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in the body, can cause a 鈥渨ar zone鈥 of inflammation in the brain, said Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, the medical director of the Inova Brain Health and Memory Disorders Program in Northern Virginia. (Leake, 6/28)

More pharmaceutical developments 鈥

Patients taking the oral GLP-1 drug aleniglipron saw up to a 12 percent reduction in body weight after 36 weeks, according to researchers. The study, conducted at Northwestern University, found the drug stimulates insulin secretion, suppresses appetite and increases satiety to promote weight loss. 鈥淭he difference with aleniglipron is it鈥檚 a small molecule, meaning it鈥檚 chemically made and can be taken with or without food,鈥 said Dr. Robert Kushner, a co-author of the study and a professor at Northwestern. (Taub, 6/28)

Use of GLP-1 receptor agonists was associated with a higher risk of smell and taste disturbances among adults with type 2 diabetes, an analysis of electronic health record (EHR) data suggested. (Monaco, 6/26)

People who feel extra rotten in the days leading up to their period say they're finding relief from a new TikTok trend. It's a combination of two over-the-counter drugs: An allergy pill, like Claritin or Zyrtec, along with Pepcid AC, the heartburn medication. It might sound unbelievable, but after dealing with years of unexplained symptoms, Terese Hansen of Omaha, Nebraska was willing to try almost anything. (Boden, 6/29)

吃瓜不打烊: Reporters Talk Through FDA Sunscreen Move And Closure Of Rural Dialysis Clinics

吃瓜不打烊 freelance contributor Michael Scaturro discussed the FDA鈥檚 new approval of a sunscreen chemical on Science Friday on June 19. (6/27)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
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