Until law, GLP-1 drugs were used to treat diabetes, obesity and even the recent evidences suggest that it could as well be used to treat chronic kidney problems. There is yet another research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on February 25, titled Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial that explores if GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder.

What Do Studies Say?

The research was conducted over a period of 9 weeks, where in the randomized clinical trial, the participants who were administered semaglutide, it led to reductions in some but not all measures of weekly consumptions. It also reduced weekly alcohol and craving related to placebo, and also led to a greater relative reduction in cigarettes per day.

The research also found that weekly injections of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Wegovy also helped reduce cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.

The lead author Christian Hendershot said that these findings will help in developing new approaches to treat alcoholism. "Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren't widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder," said Hendershot in news release by the University of Southern California's Institute for Addiction Research, where he is the director.

The study is government-funded research and was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was small, and took in account for only 48 adults over two months, thus experts say that it is not yet clear how safe these drugs are for people who do not need to lose weight. Though the results do add up with the evidence form animal studies on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on how it helps manage cravings, not just for food, but also for tobacco and alcohol. Scientists are also studying these drugs on smokers, people with opioid addiction and cocaine users.

Co-author Dr Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who treats people with obesity and diabetes said, "This is such promising data. And we need more of it. We frequently will hear that once people start these medications that their desire to drink is very reduced, if not completely abolished."

Why Does It Work So Well Against Alcoholism?

The GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking hormones GLP-1 in the gut and brain that regulates appetite and feelings of fullness. This response is what helps one lose weight, and what helps one curb their craving for alcohol. These drugs that mimic the functioning of your brain, which is responsible to tell your body when to stop consuming, are the same hormones that tell your body about other kinds of consumptions, including alcohol. Therefore by consuming the weight loss drugs one can treat alcohol use disorder.

However, the researchers have pointed out on the limited data on the research and have suggested to continue using the three approved drugs by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, namely, Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate to treat alcohol use disorder until large studies confirm these findings.

Vitiligo, an autoimmune condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigment, can be difficult to treat. Repigmentation often takes months, and results vary.

Now, two Phase 3 clinical trials, led by an international team of scientists from France, the US and Canada, found that an experimental oral drug, povorcitinib, improved skin pigmentation in adults with moderate-to-severe nonsegmental vitiligo.

What Did The Study Find?

Published in Nature Medicine, the trials STOP-V1 and STOP-V2 involved 916 adults and evaluated once-daily povorcitinib, which blocks JAK1, a protein involved in immune signalling. Key findings include:

• Facial repigmentation: After 52 weeks, 18.9% of patients receiving povorcitinib in both trials achieved at least 75% improvement, compared with 6.8% and 3.1% in the placebo groups.
• Whole-body repigmentation: At least 50% improvement was reported in 18.4% and 12.9% of treated patients, compared with 6.5% and 4.8% in the placebo groups. Only 2.6% and 2.3% achieved at least 75% improvement.
• Disease stabilisation: Exploratory analyses found that 94.3% and 87.6% of treated patients had no increase in disease severity at week 52, compared with 71.8% and 69.2% in the placebo groups.

Are Their Any Safety Concerns?

Overall adverse event rates were broadly similar between the treatment and placebo groups. However, four patients receiving povorcitinib developed basal cell carcinoma, with one case considered treatment-related. One patient experienced blood-clotting complications, including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, also considered treatment-related.

Although the findings are encouraging, most patients did not achieve at least 75% facial improvement, and substantial whole-body repigmentation remained uncommon. Longer-term safety data are also needed. Povorcitinib remains investigational and is not yet an established vitiligo treatment.

What Is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo occurs when the immune system attacks melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment. Although it is not life-threatening, it can significantly affect emotional and psychological well-being.

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr Hetanshu Parekh, Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgeon, Bhailal Amin General Hospital, said vitiligo is more complex than a skin condition alone.

He explained that stress, sleep, diet and skin trauma may influence the disease.

Stress: Stress can disrupt immune balance and increase inflammation, potentially worsening vitiligo. New or expanding patches may appear following major life events, including illness, work pressure or bereavement.

Sleep: Chronic sleep deprivation and irregular sleep schedules may affect immune regulation and potentially worsen autoimmune conditions.

Diet: There is no specific vitiligo diet or food that can cure the condition. Deficiencies in vitamin B12, vitamin D, folate and copper may affect immune and skin health. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and omega-3 fatty acids is recommended. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided.

Skin Protection: Friction, cuts, burns and other skin injuries may trigger new patches through a phenomenon known as the Koebner phenomenon. Regular sunscreen use, protective clothing and avoiding repeated skin trauma can help protect the skin.

Is Vitiligo Treatable?

Treatment depends on the extent and stability of the condition.

• Topical medications: Corticosteroid creams and tacrolimus ointment for limited patches.
• Phototherapy: Narrowband UVB and excimer laser to encourage repigmentation.
• Oral medications: Corticosteroids and selected JAK inhibitors for extensive or rapidly spreading disease.
• Surgery: Skin grafting and melanocyte transplantation for selected patients with stable vitiligo.
• Camouflage: Medical tattooing and cosmetic products to conceal patches.

Healthcare has emerged as a major concern in US midterm elections. Voters have been actively weighing surging medical costs, quality and access to reproductive healthcare, Medicaid funding and vaccination policies.

While the elections will determine control of Congress and several state legislatures, their outcome could also influence how Americans navigate healthcare, what treatments insurance plans cover and how public health programmes are funded.

Healthcare costs are particularly pressing for majority of Americans. An October KFF poll found that 25% of voters were very worried about affording healthcare, while another 35% were somewhat worried.

According to ABC News, rising insurance premiums, prescription drug costs and the growing use of expensive weight-loss GLP-1 medications are adding to these concerns.

Here are all the major healthcare issues at stake.

Rising Healthcare Costs And Insurance Premiums

Also read: US Midterms 2026: 125 Doctors, Nurses And Health Experts Join Election Battle

Affordability is one of the biggest healthcare concerns for voters. The enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, increasing what many people pay for health insurance.

According to KFF, the average monthly benchmark premium for ACA coverage rose from $497 in 2025 to $625 in 2026. The benchmark silver premiums are projected to increase by an average of 13% in 2027.

The rising cost of insurance sponsored by employers, deductibles and prescription medicines has contributed to the burden. Experts are examining the contribution of healthcare AI tools, tariffs on medical supplies and increased spending on GLP-1 medications.

The debate centres on how to make healthcare more affordable. Democrats have been emphasising the restoration of ACA subsidies and Republicans highlighting alternative insurance policies and drug-pricing initiatives.

Medicaid Funding And Work Requirements

Also read: Spanish Striker Jesus De Miguel Dies After On-Field Collision: Can A Blow To The Chest Trigger Cardiac Arrest?

Medicaid, the government health insurance programme for Americans with low income, is another major election issue.

Changes introduced under the 2025 budget reconciliation law will bring new eligibility and work requirements. Starting January 1, 2027, most states will be required to implement work requirements for certain adults enrolled through Medicaid expansion.

Supporters argue that the requirements will encourage employment and protect public resources. Critics warn that administrative red tape, reporting requirements and difficulties documenting eligibility could cause people who qualify to lose coverage.

According to KFF, Congressional Budget Office projections cited in its analysis estimate that the Medicaid provisions could leave 7.5 million more people uninsured by 2034.

Abortion Rights And Reproductive Healthcare

Also read: Trump Signs Women’s Health Order: Melania’s 5 Pillars of Innovation Explained

Abortion remains a major issue in several state-level elections, particularly after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, which put an end to the constitutional protection for abortion access.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, voters in four states will consider ballot measures related to abortion.

Idaho, Nevada and Virginia have measures seeking to protect reproductive freedom, while Missouri voters will decide whether to repeal established abortion protections.

Virginia’s measure includes protections related to contraception, fertility care, pregnancy and childbirth, while Nevada’s proposal seeks constitutional protection for abortion access. Idaho’s initiative would challenge the state’s abortion ban.

Missouri’s Amendment 3, meanwhile, seeks to reverse the reproductive freedom protections approved by voters in 2024.

The results could shape access to abortion and other reproductive healthcare services.

Measles Outbreaks And Vaccination Policies

Also read: 'It’s The Best-Studied Vaccine In Human History': Former CDC Adviser Busts Common Myths About COVID Vaccines

Vaccination and public health debates have also become politically inflammatory, especially amid the resurgence of measles in the United States.

The CDC reported 4,852 confirmed measles cases across 47 jurisdictions as of October 29, 2026. This compares with 2,289 cases reported during the whole of 2025. Nearly 96% of this year’s confirmed cases were linked with outbreaks.

Declining childhood vaccination coverage has contributed to the concerns. CDC data shows that MMR vaccination coverage among kindergarten children fell from 95.2% in the 2019–2020 school year to 92.4% in 2025–2026, below the 95% level that is generally needed to maintain community protection.

Federal vaccine policy has also become a subject of debate as changes to childhood vaccine recommendations and emphasis on individual decision making has drawn scrutiny from public health experts.

Prescription Drug Prices And Access To Medicines

The cost of prescription medicines is another issue. Democrats have emphasised Medicare’s ability to negotiate prices for selected prescription drugs under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Republicans have highlighted the administration’s most-favoured-nation drug-pricing agreements, which seek to link US medicine prices to those paid in other developed countries.

The growing use of GLP-1 medications has also intensified the debate over prescription spending and insurance coverage.

A recent report stated that spending on GLP-1 medicines increased from $13.7 billion in 2018 to $71.7 billion in 2023. These medicines accounted for approximately 14% of US prescription drug spending in 2025, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

The primary question for voters is whether proposed pricing measures will translate into lower costs and better access to essential medicines.

With all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 Senate seats up for election, the midterm elections will determine the composition of the next Congress. Although healthcare is not the only issue for voters, rising medical costs, insurance affordability, reproductive rights and public health policies have become an important part of the debate.

Spanish striker Jesus de Miguel, who played for Tenerife, died on Tuesday at the age of 30, a day after suffering a cardiac arrest following a collision during a match, the Spanish second-tier club said.

His death has brought attention to commotio cordis, a rare condition in which a sudden, blunt impact to the chest disrupts the heart's electrical rhythm and triggers cardiac arrest.

What Happened To Jesus De Miguel?

De Miguel collapsed following a clash with visiting goalkeeper Jesus Owono. Owono had rushed out of his area to clear a long ball and struck the forward with his knee.

De Miguel lay motionless as players from both teams signalled for medical assistance. Owono was shown a straight red card.

Also read: American Pro Football Players 4 Times More Likely To Die From Diseases Like ALS, Dementia & Parkinson's: Study

Medical staff treated De Miguel on the pitch for more than five minutes before he was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Police in Spain have opened proceedings for possible involuntary manslaughter following De Miguel's death, a source from the National Police said. The investigation is a routine procedure under Spanish law when a death is deemed non-natural.

"Racked with pain, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe that this is true, from CD Tenerife we communicate the tragic passing of Jesus de Miguel Alameda," the club said.

"There are no words of comfort; there is absolutely nothing that can alleviate this feeling overflowing with sadness."

De Miguel was born in Madrid in 1996 and joined Tenerife from Castellon ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, scoring 11 goals last season.

Tenerife confirmed that De Miguel died at 8 am local time on Tuesday. Spanish media subsequently reported that emergency-services specialist Javier G. Rendo had raised the possibility of commotio cordis, suggesting that the impact to the chest may have triggered an electrical disturbance in the heart. This has not been established as the confirmed cause of death.

What Is Commotio Cordis?

Read More: FIFA World Cup 2026: What Keeps Messi and Ronaldo Biologically Younger Than Their Age? Experts Explain

According to Cleveland Clinic, commotio cordis occurs when a blow directly over the heart strikes at a particularly vulnerable moment in the heartbeat, triggering an abnormal rhythm called ventricular fibrillation.

It is most commonly associated with sports in which hard objects, such as baseballs, hockey pucks or lacrosse balls, hit the chest. A punch or other blunt impact can also trigger the condition under specific circumstances.

Commotio cordis is most common among young male athletes, particularly those under 20, with cases often reported around the age of 15.

Symptoms may include:

• Sudden collapse after a blow to the chest.
• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness.
• Abnormal heart rhythm, particularly ventricular fibrillation.
• Cardiac arrest.

Can Commotio Cordis Be Fatal?

READ: Why Sleeping Pill Addiction Is Common Among Football Players

Yes. Commotio cordis can cause sudden cardiac arrest and can be fatal without immediate treatment.

The US National Commotio Cordis Registry documented 224 cases between 1996 and 2010, although its records have not been publicly updated since 2013. A 2026 review identified 434 reported cases worldwide. These figures refer to reported cases, not deaths.

However, prompt CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can improve the chances of survival.

What Should Be Done Immediately After Suspected Commotio Cordis?

Commotio cordis is a medical emergency. If someone collapses after a blow to the chest and is unresponsive or not breathing normally, immediate action is critical.

• Call emergency services: Seek immediate medical help.
• Start CPR: Begin chest compressions at 100–120 per minute.
• Use an automated external defibrillator (AED): Switch it on and follow the voice instructions.
• Continue CPR: Resume chest compressions immediately after the AED analysis or shock and continue until medical help arrives.