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.

Kenya recently approved seven semaglutide-based drugs, expanding access to a class of drugs that has rapidly moved from diabetes treatment to one of the most talked-about weight-management therapies.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) said the medicines were assessed by regulatory authorities for quality, safety, and effectiveness. The move adds new options as demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to rise in the country.

Kenya Approves New Semaglutide-Based Medicines

Kenya already had Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy in the market. The five newly registered generic semaglutide products have been approved for treating and managing type 2 diabetes. A generic product called Truglyx was also launched in Nairobi in July.

An important thing to remember considering using these drugs is that even though they have the same active ingredient, it does not mean these medicines can be used interchangeably.

“While these products contain the same active ingredient, their approved uses are not necessarily interchangeable and must be understood with reference to the indication approved for each product,” PPB Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed Mohamed said.

Ozempic And Wegovy Cannot Be Used Interchangeably

Also read: GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro Tied To Over 60 Reported Deaths In Australia

Although Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient, they are not simply two names for the same treatment.

Ozempic is approved for adults with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar is not adequately controlled, alongside diet and physical activity.

Wegovy is intended to be used for weight management in adults with a high BMI, alongside diet and exercise.

That is why the PPB has warned patients against assuming that all semaglutide products can be substituted for one another.

“While these products contain the same active ingredient, their approved uses are not necessarily interchangeable,” PPB Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed Mohamed said.

The regulator has also stressed that semaglutide medicines are prescription-only drugs and should be used only after assessment and prescription by a qualified healthcare professional.

Semaglutide Drugs Have Become Increasingly Popular

Also read: UK Woman Dies After Sudden Abdominal Pain Following Increase In Her Mounjaro Dose

The drugs have become popular for their ability to reduce appetite and help lose weight. But the effects of these drugs extend way beyond the weighing scale.

A 2026 analysis of the SELECT trial found semaglutide was associated with fewer hospital admissions and shorter hospital stays among people with overweight or obesity and cardiovascular disease who did not have diabetes.

At the same time, the rapid expansion of the market means there will be more competition. South Africa’s regulator was reviewing 12 generic semaglutide applications in July after patent expiry opened the door to generic competition.

Brazil also approved five new injectable semaglutide medicines last month, showing that manufacturers are rapidly responding to growing demand of GLP-1 drugs.

Are GLP-1 Drugs Completely Safe?

Just as GLP-1 medicines are steadily gaining popularity, reports emerged stating that semaglutide had the highest number of reported deaths with suspected associations, followed by Tirzepatide, Liraglutide and Dulaglutide.

62 deaths in Australia have been reported to the medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), with suspected associations with GLP-1 medicines, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.

The TGA has also received reports of nearly 3,000 serious adverse events involving these medicines, which are used by hundreds of thousands of Australians, The Herald Sun reported.

Reported adverse reactions include nausea, pancreatitis, suicidal thoughts and a rare eye condition that can cause blindness.

One of the most debated claims that sunscreen may significantly increase the risk of skin cancer is putting an old study back in focus. We took a closer look at the research and it shows a far more complicated picture than social media noise.

Study On 470,000 Participants

The controversy stems from a 2023 study based on data from more than 470,000 UK Biobank participants.

The research studied how genetic and environmental factors interact to impact the risk of skin cancer. It found that people who used sunscreen frequently had higher observed rates of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Compared to people who rarely or never reported using sunscreen, those who always used it had an observed relative risk of about 3.92 for invasive melanoma, 2.40 for basal cell carcinoma, and 2.26 for squamous cell carcinoma.

Can Sunscreen Use Contribute To Risk Of Skin Cancer?

The the crucial part of the study is that it did not establish that sunscreen directly causes skin cancer.

The observational research was primarily designed to investigate gene-environment interactions, not to test whether sunscreen causes skin cancer.

The authors themselves described the sunscreen association as surprising and discussed several possible explanations. One of them is “sunscreen paradox.”

Also read: Scientists Find Rare Contagious Skin Cancer In Fish From US, Canada: Should Humans Worry?

What Is The 'Sunscreen Paradox'?

People who spend more time outdoors, have accumulated more UV exposure, or already have a higher risk of skin cancer may be more likely to use sunscreen in the first place. Sunscreen use can therefore become a marker of higher sun exposure rather than the cause of the cancer.

Lead author Ivan Litvinov told AAP FactCheck that the viral interpretation had misrepresented the findings. “The post misinterpreted the results of our study,” he said.

Litvinov also explained that sunscreen can create a false sense of security when people use too little, fail to reapply it or treat it as permission to stay in the sun longer. This indirectly contributes to the risk of skin cancer. “When sunscreen is used as a ‘permission to tan’, problems arise,” he said.

Should You Stop Using Sunscreen?

Current evidence does not support the conclusion that one must stop using sunscreen to avoid skin cancer.

A randomized trial based on 1,621 adults in Australia found that regular sunscreen use was linked with fewer melanomas over long-term follow-up. Invasive melanoma was substantially lower among those assigned to daily sunscreen use.

More recently, a 2026 review of photoprotection concluded that daily sunscreen use reduces actinic keratoses and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in high-risk people, although evidence for basal cell carcinoma and melanoma prevention is more heterogeneous.

Also read: How Vitamin D Helps Protect Your Skin And Lower Cancer Risks Naturally

How Can You Protect Your Skin Without Using Sunscreen?

While sunscreen is important, one must follow some other steps to ensure complete protection. Here are some tips you should remember according to American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Find Your Shade

The sun's rays are most powerful between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. During these hours, it's best to seek shade. A good rule of thumb: if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun is very strong, and you should definitely look for some cover.

Dress For Sun Protection

Whenever you can, wear sun-protective clothing. This means choosing things like a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection.

For even better defense, look for clothing labels that have an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) number, which tells you how much UV radiation the fabric blocks.

Say No To Tanning Beds

Both the sun and tanning beds give off harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, which can cause skin cancer and wrinkles. It's best to avoid tanning beds completely.

If you want to have a tanned look, consider using a self-tanning product instead, but remember to still use sunscreen along with it for actual sun protection.

Be Extra Careful Near Reflective Surfaces

You need to be especially cautious when you're near water, snow, or sand. These surfaces are highly reflective, meaning they bounce back the sun's damaging rays, which can significantly increase your chance of getting a sunburn.

COVID-19 is surging in some parts of California as wastewater surveillance showing a sharp rise in the amount of virus circulating in the surrounding communities.

The latest data comes as California health officials warn that the state’s COVID-19 pattern appears to be shifting, with summer outbreaks becoming more prominent than winter ones.

According to the California Department of Public Health data cited by the San Francisco Chronicle, COVID-19 outbreak expanded in June, rose through July and continued rising in August. Hospital admissions are also increasing, although they remain relatively low compared to previous outbreaks.

WastewaterSCAN data showed that COVID-19 concentrations across monitored Bay Area sites were 136% higher in July than in June. By early August, nearly 54% of monitored sites were classified as having “high” levels, with San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale, San Rafael, Vallejo and Napa among the communities reporting high levels of cases.

“Monitoring wastewater can act as an early warning system for health officials and the public,” said Amanda Bidwell, WastewaterSCAN’s scientific program manager.

Wastewater Surveillance Reveals COVID-19 Resurgence

Wastewater surveillance looks for traces of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage. Because infected people can shed the virus even when they have mild or no symptoms, wastewater can provide an early picture of infections spreading through a community.

The CDC says wastewater trends can detect viruses earlier than clinical testing and can also capture infections that never result in a doctor's visit. An increase in wastewater viral activity may therefore signal a higher risk of infection in the community.

California is currently one of only four U.S. states where COVID-19 wastewater activity is classified as moderate or high by the CDC, according to the Los Angeles Times. The CDC also says COVID-19 is growing or likely growing in 43 states.

Also read: BMJ Public Health Retracts Controversial COVID Vaccine Study Cited In US Senate Hearing

Is A Dangerous New COVID Variant Causing The Surge?

Wastewater monitoring suggests several variants are circulating rather than one strain. In the Bay Area, XFG, also known as “Stratus,” remains prominent, while NB.1.8.1, or “Nimbus,” is also circulating.

Stanford infectious disease expert Dr. Abraar Karan said there is currently no evidence suggesting a dangerous or different virus or a variant that is expected to cause a major increase in hospitalizations or causalties.

Experts say the current wave should not be confused with the severe COVID-19 surges of the pandemic's early years. According to recent data and reports, hospitalizations remain comparatively low compared to previous outbreaks.

However, California health officials are urging people who have not received the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine to consider getting it now rather than waiting for the updated vaccine expected later this year.

“Summer is really the bigger peak,” California Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan said. “Go ahead and get it now, given the surge.”

The timing could become important as schools reopen and people spend more time in crowded indoor settings. In 2025, California's summer COVID-19 wave peaked later in the season, meaning the current increase may not be over yet.