Latest in Health
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Health
- Yahoo
8 Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Buy in July, According to Dietitians
Medically reviewed by Katey Davidson, RD, CPTIncorporating seasonal food in July can help increase your antioxidant intake. Anti-inflammatory foods can help decrease your risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease. Seasonal produce like avocados, blueberries and beets are rich in anti-inflammatory you see farmers' market stalls brimming with juicy blueberries, bouquets of mint and crisp cucumbers, you know summer is really here. And these summer staples don't just taste like summer—they're packed with nutrition too. In fact, they're rich in antioxidants, fiber and healthy fats that can dial down the chronic inflammation to reduce your risk of health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even depression. This month, the best anti-inflammatory foods also happen to be the ones at their flavorful peak—fresh, vibrant and easy to enjoy. We asked registered dietitians what they're stocking up on this summer and how they're serving them for maximum benefit. Here are their top picks and the tastiest ways to make the most of them while they're in season. With its high water content and vibrant red color, watermelon is a refreshing way to beat the heat—and sneak in some powerful anti-inflammatory nutrients. 'Watermelon contains vitamin C and lycopene to support cellular health,' says registered dietitian nutritionist Yvette Hill, RDN, IBCLC. Lycopene, in particular, has been shown to help reduce inflammation by neutralizing free radicals in the body. How to enjoy: Hill recommends blending frozen watermelon cubes with lime juice and a touch of sweetener to make a simple sorbet. Whether you eat it by the slice or whirl it into a smoothie, watermelon is a sweet and soothing way to stay cool and nourished. Beets bring more to the table than just bold color—they're loaded with compounds that may help your health in several ways. 'Beets have anti-inflammatory properties partly due to a phytonutrient that gives beets their red color, betalains,' says Hill. 'They may also help support heart health and improve athletic performance due to their nitrate content.' How to enjoy: July is an ideal time to enjoy beet salad or roasted beets. Hill suggests tossing beets with arugula and goat cheese for a quick, nutrient-packed side dish. With a water content of around 95%, cucumbers are an excellent choice for cooling down. 'Not only are they hydrating and cooling, but they also contain flavonoids to lessen inflammation,' Hill explains. How to enjoy: Slice cucumbers for cucumber salad, press them into fresh juices or enjoy them pickled for a tangy snack. Their crisp texture and refreshing flavor make them a perfect addition to any summer meal. Blueberries are well-known for being high in health-promoting compounds called anthocyanins. 'Blueberries are chock-full of antioxidants that help to fight free radicals in the body, which in turn can reduce your risk of chronic disease over time,' says Staci Gulbin, M.S., RDN. They're also high in fiber (about 3.5 grams per cup) to support gut health, which plays a key role in inflammation regulation. How to enjoy: Add them to iced tea, toss them in fruit salad or enjoy them on their own while they're at peak ripeness this month. Fatty fish like salmon are among the best-known anti-inflammatory foods, thanks to their high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. 'Research shows that eating fatty fish like salmon on a regular basis can help reduce one's risk of heart disease over time,' Gulbin says. July is the peak season for wild salmon in many parts of the U.S., so now is a great time to enjoy it fresh. How to enjoy: Gulbin recommends brushing salmon fillets with olive oil, seasoning with garlic powder and salt and grilling them until they reach 145°F internally for a savory, nutrient-dense entree. Avocados deliver inflammation-fighting fats and fiber in every creamy bite. One avocado packs an impressive 13.5 grams of fiber, along with heart-healthy unsaturated fats. How to enjoy: Gulbin suggests making a quick guacamole with mashed avocado, lime juice, diced tomato and red onion—perfect as a dip or a topping for grilled proteins. Mint is more than a garnish—it's a culinary herb with anti-inflammatory power. 'Mint contains compounds such as menthol and rosmarinic acid,' Hill says. These compounds may help soothe digestion and calm the body's inflammatory response. How to enjoy: Try mint chopped into salads, stirred into lemonade or blitzed into a sorbet. You can even pair it with watermelon for a refreshing, cooling treat. Leafy greens are anti-inflammatory powerhouses, and spinach is one of the most versatile. It's low in calories and packed with antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which are especially beneficial for eye health. Spinach also contains alpha-lipoic acid, a compound studied for its potential brain-supporting properties. How to enjoy: Toss fresh baby spinach with olive oil and herbs for a simple side dish, or mix it into smoothies or chilled soups. July is bursting with antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory foods that make healthy eating easy and enjoyable. 'When you focus on eating fresh, seasonal foods that help reduce inflammation, you're supporting your body on multiple levels—from hydration to heart health to digestion,' says Hill. Gulbin adds that incorporating these foods doesn't have to be complicated. 'Choose colorful, whole foods that are in season and use simple preparations that highlight their natural flavor,' she says. 'That's the best way to eat well this summer.' Read the original article on EATINGWELL


Fox News
5 minutes ago
- Health
- Fox News
How Florida became America's leading religious-freedom defender under DeSantis: report
The Sunshine State ranks as the nation's number one defender of religious liberty out of all 50 states, according to the First Liberty Institute's fourth annual Religious Liberty in the States (RLS) index. For the first time, Florida tops the national rankings, followed by Montana, Illinois, Ohio and Mississippi. Illinois and Mississippi have garnered a spot in the top five every year since the index was first released by the First Liberty Institute's Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy (CRCD) in 2022. The index uses a detailed scoring system measuring legal protections and ranking states based on the percentage of possible safeguards they have adopted. This year, with 2025's rankings, nearly 55 percentage points separates Florida from the last-place state, West Virginia, which has been last on the index for three years in a row. "We find that the states are laboratories of religious liberty where different protections for free exercise can be implemented and tested," CRCD Executive Director Jordan Ballor wrote in an introduction for the 2025 index. "One of the major goals of the RLS project is to raise awareness of what different states are doing. There are positive lessons to be learned from this experimentation, as states that have been at the vanguard of protecting religious liberty can serve as exemplars for states that have lagged behind." The index's accompanying report points out that Florida "is an exemplar" for how state lawmakers can improve their protections around religious freedom. According to the report, the Sunshine State has improved nearly 20 percentage points since the first RLS index was released in 2022. Much of this improvement came from legislation passed in 2023 strengthening religious protections that allow healthcare providers to refuse to participate in medical procedures or services, such as abortion or sterilization, based on their religious or moral beliefs. The report also pointed to Florida's passage of legislation in 2022 protecting houses of worship from discriminatory treatment during pandemics and other emergencies. "Florida holds several #1 rankings, leading the nation in education, economy, and tourism – and now, Florida is #1 in religious liberty," said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. "We're grateful for this recognition from the First Liberty Institute, which has just named Florida the number one state in the nation for protecting religious liberty." "This year's findings show clearly that states taking legislative action are pulling ahead," added Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO and chief counsel at First Liberty. "Under the leadership of Gov. DeSantis, Florida passed real laws that protect real people, and now the Sunshine State is the national leader in protecting religious liberty. It's time for more states to follow Gov. DeSantis's example and adopt strong religious liberty laws." While Florida was pointed to in the RLS index as an "exemplar," the report stated that religious freedom was becoming increasingly "tenuous" in the blue state of Illinois. The move downward for the Land of Lincoln was not because the state repealed protections, but mainly because it has not implemented new protections that other states, like Florida, have, the report noted. Per the 2025 RLS report, almost all of Illinois' protections came when the state was more conservative between 1934 and 1998. In an effort to demonstrate the dangers of "complacency," the report also pointed to Colorado when Republicans "routinely" had control of both houses of the state legislature. The environment was friendly toward religious liberty, but lawmakers did not pass much in the way of protections, according to the report. It said the state's complacency contributed to Colorado's "abysmal" 43rd-place finish in the 2024 RLS rankings and 34th finish in the 2025 rankings released Monday. The First Liberty Institute said the results of the 2024 election may give some people the idea that passing laws protecting religious liberty is not as important, but the conservative Christian legal group warned this is "emphatically not the case," noting that data shows passing such laws is just as critical amid a "favorable" political climate.


Health Line
6 minutes ago
- Health
- Health Line
WHO Recommends 'Breakthrough' Twice-Yearly Shot for HIV Prevention
The WHO issued a global recommendation for lenacapavir, a highly effective, twice-yearly injection to prevent HIV infection. The recommendation follows a recent FDA approval for the drug, which will be sold in the U.S. under the brand name Yeztugo. The twice-yearly shot showed near total effectiveness in clinical trials and could improve adherence rates compared to other PrEP medications. Experts are excited about using lenacapvir for HIV prevention, but remain cautious about the drug's affordability and accessibility. A drug used to treat some HIV infections can now be used to help prevent HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global recommendation for lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection to help prevent HIV infections, particularly for higher-risk groups and in regions where HIV transmission remains high. The recommendation, issued on July 14 at the International AIDS Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, follows a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for lenacapavir to prevent human immunodeficiency virus or HIV in adults and adolescents. Lenacapavir (Yeztugo) from Gilead Sciences has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of HIV infection in two phase 3 clinical trials that were funded by the company. The PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2 trials, which were highly inclusive by design, showed that 99.9% of participants who received lenacapavir remained HIV negative. The side effects were also minimal, mostly pain or swelling at the injection site. Additionally, when compared to current preexposure prophylaxis or PrEP therapies, lenacapavir offered superior protection against the HIV virus. In 2024, Science magazine named the drug its 'Breakthrough of the Year.' PrEP treatments have been used in the United States to prevent HIV since 2012. These therapies generally involve daily oral medication (Truvada) or injections every two months (Apretude). The new biannual injection option offers an effective and appealing alternative for HIV prevention with less commitment. Yeztugo is the first and only twice-yearly option for HIV prevention available in the United States for those who may need or want PrEP. The FDA approval of this prevention therapy marks a silver lining amid uncertainty in HIV treatment and research. The Trump administration had recently announced federal cuts to funding for an HIV vaccine program and the elimination of federal support for clinical practice guidelines that advise doctors on how to diagnose and treat HIV. 'Yeztugo could be the transformative PrEP option we've been waiting for — offering the potential to boost PrEP uptake and persistence and adding a powerful new tool in our mission to end the HIV epidemic,' Carlos del Rio, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University School of Medicine and co-director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research in Atlanta, said in a news release on June 18. 'A twice-yearly injection could greatly address key barriers like adherence and stigma, which individuals on more frequent PrEP dosing regimens, especially daily oral PrEP, can face. We also know that, in research, many people who need or want PrEP preferred less frequent dosing,' del Rio continued. Twice-yearly shot could improve PrEP adherence rates Despite advancements in HIV treatment and prevention, in 2023, more than 100 people were diagnosed with HIV every day in the United States. A recent CDC analysis shows that up to 2.5 million U.S. adults need PrEP to prevent HIV infection. However, just over one-third of those who would benefit from the medication are prescribed it. PrEP therapies are widely available in the United States, but the medication remains underutilized due to stigma or lack of affordability, insurance, and access. Black people, African Americans, and Latin or Hispanic populations are most impacted by this disparity, as are those who reside in the Southern U.S. Experts say having a highly effective, twice-yearly PrEP option for HIV prevention could improve access for people with and without insurance and bolster adherence rates. 'Providers are excited about the approval of long-acting lenacapavir for HIV prevention since this once-every-six-month injection has been shown to have high efficacy in preventing HIV in both women and men in two large trials,' said Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Gandhi wasn't involved in the clinical trials. 'Data from our clinic in San Francisco, which serves low income people with or at risk of HIV, and others have shown that long-acting PrEP works well for people living with HIV who have high rates of concomitant challenges such as housing insecurity and substance use where it can be difficult to take a daily oral pill for PrEP,' Gandhi told Healthline. Gandhi further noted that higher retention rates have been observed among those on long-acting PrEP with another long-acting agent, Apretude (cabotegravir), compared to oral PrEP alone. She anticipates similar improved adherence rates for those on long-acting Yeztugo (lenacapavir), both for those who have difficulty taking an oral pill or those who might prefer the convenience of a twice-yearly injection. Twice-yearly PrEP could be a 'game-changer' Within the United States, men who have sex with men, as well as heterosexual individuals with multiple partners, are considered high risk for HIV transmission. But the need for accessible HIV prevention therapies like PrEP spans the globe. According to Gilead, regulators around the world are reviewing Yeztugo for HIV prevention. For now, the United States is the only country to approve the drug. 'It's very exciting and we have a great deal of confidence in it,' William Schaffner, MD, professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases in the Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, said of the drug. Schaffner wasn't involved in the clinical trials. 'It could be a game-changer,' he told Healthline. 'Short of a vaccine, this is a way to efficiently prevent HIV infection in large populations that are at high risk, not only in the developed world, but potentially in the developing world also. If we have the determination, followed by the allocation of resources to reach out to populations at high risk, we can make this available,' Schaffer noted. A promising option with obstacles ahead It's unclear when Yeztugo will become available to the general U.S. population and how much it might cost out of pocket, particularly for those without health insurance. 'I don't know how quickly the company can make this available and educate practitioners about its utility, but certainly both in the public health sector — and we'll see where the resources extend to — and in private medical circumstances, we may have to wait a little while before medical insurance programs include Yeztugo in their benefits packages,' Schaffer said. Gandhi expressed concern over the drug's high cost and whether it would be covered by large health insurance companies. A corporate spokesperson for Gilead said lenacapavir could cost around $28,218 annually per person in the United States. 'We are working to make Yeztugo accessible for anyone who needs or wants it and expect to see broad insurance coverage,' the spokesperson said by email. 'We've seen high insurance coverage for existing prevention options — for example, the vast majority of consumers have a $0 copay for Descovy for PrEP in the U.S. — and we are working to ensure broad coverage for lenacapavir.' Gandhi agreed that the estimated total cost per year is similar to the total cost of other long-acting PrEP therapies, such as Apretude (cabotegravir), but noted the medication may still be out of reach for those with low socioeconomic status who rely on federal subsidies. 'These are days of austerity in healthcare, including the concerning possibility of a $700 billion cut to Medicaid which will be determined in an upcoming Senate vote, leaving the health insurance program for low-income individuals in the U.S. severely underfunded. I urge the company to reconsider their price to improve access for Americans,' Gandhi said.


Daily Maverick
6 minutes ago
- Health
- Daily Maverick
When lies Trump truth — debunking the migrant myth in South Africa's healthcare crisis
Blaming migrants for South Africa's ailing healthcare system is a dangerous and politically convenient fiction. Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, this narrative persists, deflecting attention from the real source of collapse: State failure. There is no question that South Africa's public health system is in crisis. Healthcare professionals, policy analysts and political parties highlight systemic dysfunction, characterised by chronic underfunding, collapsing infrastructure, staff shortages and weak governance. ActionSA itself has admitted that Gauteng's health crisis stems from ' inadequate project management, lack of accountability and consequence management, coupled with a lack of skilled personnel and inefficient supply chain processes '. Few would dispute that the state, across all spheres, has failed to deliver quality, accessible healthcare to all. Yet, the claims that foreign nationals are 'overburdening' hospitals or 'abusing' the system continue to dominate the discourse. So widespread is this scapegoating that it has taken on the illusion of truth. But there is no credible evidence to support such claims. On the contrary, multiple studies, including government-commissioned reports, show that many migrants – especially those who are undocumented – actively avoid healthcare facilities due to fear of arrest, discrimination and outright denial of care. When they do seek help, many pay out of pocket, often at higher rates than South African citizens. Scapegoating is not a solution. It's a distraction – and not a new one. There is a deep irony in a nation forged through the struggle against racial oppression now deploying the same exclusionary logic against 'outsiders'. The parallels with Trump-era politics are disturbing. Just as the US president weaponised the myth of white victimhood to slash aid to South Africa and promote a whites-only refugee policy, local politicians have embraced the same playbook – fear-driven, fact-free and designed to divide. Figures like Gayton McKenzie and Herman Mashaba, and movements such as Operation Dudula have built platforms on xenophobic conspiracy theories, and revived colonial-era stereotypes. Their messages, amplified through social media, reach millions, spreading fear and misinformation. Trump would be proud. We may not be exporting white refugees, but we are certainly importing white nationalist logic. 'How can we improve access to quality healthcare?' asks ActionSA. Well, take a look: they don't know. Their solution? ActionSA asserts: ' No South African can enter another country legally without providing proof of medical insurance.' This statement isn't just factually flawed, it reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of both international mobility and health equity. Many South Africans can and do travel without medical insurance, and many countries do not require it for entry. But more importantly, health access should not be framed as a zero-sum, transactional privilege – it is a human right Debunking the 'healthcare rescue' myth South Africa's healthcare system is not collapsing under the weight of so-called medical tourism. It is crumbling under decades of budget cuts, poor planning and political neglect. The South African Human Rights Commission has warned that denying foreign nationals access will not alleviate pressure on the system. The government's own data shows that migrants constitute just 4% of South Africa's population. They are not responsible for drug shortages, collapsing infrastructure or staff vacancies. Yet, the fearmongering has deeply distorted public perception. The Human Sciences Research Council's South African Social Attitudes Survey found that most South Africans believe there are more than 25 million foreign nationals in the country, with more than 20 million assumed to be 'illegal'. This is not just incorrect, it is the result of sustained political misinformation. Until evidence replaces ideology, this 'alternative truth' will continue to thrive – and 'trump' truth. Scapegoating isn't policy, structural reform is South Africa's crises – whether in healthcare, housing or public safety – are not demographic pressures. They are the result of structural failures. Blaming the marginalised is easier than confronting the uncomfortable truths about misgovernance. In provinces like the Eastern Cape per capita health spending has declined even as patient numbers continue to grow. Experts have consistently pointed to institutional neglect, not migrants, as the root cause. The Life Esidimeni tragedy, in which 144 mental health patients died due to state negligence, had nothing to do with foreign nationals. And yet the migrant 'burden' myth endures – because it serves a purpose: it redirects public anger away from those in power and towards those with the least power. We must hold all political rhetoric to the same standard. Just as we rightly demand evidence when Trump claims white victimhood, we must also demand it when Mashaba, McKenzie or Dudula blame migrants for systemic failures. We cannot selectively suspend our commitment to truth. The real crisis is not migration. It is misgovernance. And the sooner we name it, the sooner we can begin to rebuild what has been broken. DM Associate Professor Jo Vearey is director of the African Centre for Migration & Society at Wits University and vice-chair of the international Migration Health and Development Initiative. Dr Rebecca Walker is an independent researcher and associate of the African Centre for Migration & Society at Wits University. Diego Iturralde is chief director for demography and population statistics at Statistics South Africa, co-chair of the South African Migration and Urbanisation Forum and former chair of the UN expert group on international migration statistics.


Times
8 minutes ago
- Health
- Times
Wes Streeting says junior doctors' strike action is ‘unconscionable'
The health secretary has said that junior doctors' actions are 'unconscionable', as a member of his own family is waiting for an 'inevitable' call to tell them their procedure has been cancelled due to the impending strikes. Wes Streeting, speaking at the health and care select committee, said that he 'cannot fathom' why 'any doctor in good conscience would make it harder for managers to make sure we have safe staffing levels'. The comments come after resident doctors, as junior doctors are now known, who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) voted to strike for five days from July 25. They have demanded a 29 per cent pay rise, which they have said would bring them back to 2008 pay levels. He said: 'We can mitigate against the impact of strikes, and we will, but what we cannot do is promise that there will be no consequence and no delay, no further suffering, because there are lots of people whose procedures are scheduled over that weekend period and in the period subsequently. 'The NHS has to recover from the industrial action, who will see their operations and appointments delayed,' Streeting told the House of Commons' committee. 'I have a relative in that position,' he added. 'My family are currently dreading what I fear is an inevitable phone call saying that there is going to be a delay to this procedure. And I just think this is an unconscionable thing to do to the public, not least given the 28.9 per cent pay rise.' BMA representatives and the health secretary are due to meet this week, 'to see if we can avert strike action', Streeting said. He added that the doctors had 'chosen confrontation' and that he did not see 'a reasonable trade union partner in the RDC section of the BMA at this time'. Streeting added: 'The other thing that I have found actually shockingly irresponsible about the BMA's position is their leaders seem to be telling their members not to inform their trusts or their employers if they're going out on strike. 'Now, I might not agree with the BMA strike action, but I do accept they have a right to strike. I do accept that they follow the rules in order to go on strike. 'What I cannot fathom is how any doctor in good conscience would make it harder for managers to make sure we have safe staffing levels. So I just think the sort of the BMA's approach to this from start to finish has been completely wrong.' Sir Jim Mackey, the NHS England chief, told the committee that the action would be 'hugely disruptive'. In September, junior doctors voted to accept a government pay deal of 22.3 per cent on average over two years. In the most recent pay award, for 2025-2026, junior doctors were given a four per cent uplift, plus £750 — giving an average rise of 5.4 per cent. There aren't many people who would volunteer to be the public face of the most unpopular junior doctor strikes to date. The task has fallen to 'unashamedly socialist' Emma Runswick, the current deputy chairwoman of the council, and one of the highest-ranking junior doctors in the BMA. The daughter of Jeremy Corbyn-backing trade unionists, Runswick has described herself as 'very left wing'. Runwick's mother, Kathy Runswick, is the former chairwoman of the Wallasey Constituency Labour Party. In an interview on the BBC's Today programme on Monday morning, Runswick was asked if she was a 'militant lefty'. In response, she said: 'Oh yeah, I'm left wing. But that doesn't reflect necessarily the whole variety of views that doctors have. And actually it is our aim: if you are on the left, you want the NHS to be an excellent service, you want patients to get good care. I stand by that.' Writing on an online forum under the pseudonym RedRunswick, she wrote before the 2023 strikes: 'This change in attitude has happened because of a concerted organising effort among lefties, and we have pushed the BMA to a slightly more militant position.' When asked if the strikes would 'bring the NHS to its knees', she said: 'We never bring the NHS to its knees, we always leave safe care, emergency critical care is always provided.' She added: 'Our […] repeated overwhelming mandates for strike action show that doctors are fed up of receiving repeated real terms pay cuts. 'Doctors are still starting on less than £18 an hour. I've been qualified over six years, I'm regularly looking after seven or eight wards overnight by myself. I will be the only person with any degree of advanced life support training. I'm earning less than £24 an hour. 'The people who are doing brain surgery at 3am, covering the most critically unwell people, less than £34 an hour. You would pay a plumber more. It is not unreasonable for us to ask for our pay cuts to be reversed.' Runswick's father, Alan, was a member of the Public and Commercial Services Union and also vice-chairman of the Wallasey constituency Labour Party's membership team.