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.

Barbecues, parades, and extravagant fireworks displays mark the Fourth of July weekend in the US each year. However, weather experts have issued a warning that a heat dome could result in increased temperatures across several parts of the country. Rise in mercury teamed with the nature of festivities is expected to pave the way for several health risks.

What Is A Heat Dome?

Heat domes, a severe weather pattern, refer to the phenomenon when a strong high-pressure traps hot air over a particular region, acting like a huge lid. It causes temperatures to soar for a specific period of time.

This can lead to extremely high daytime temperatures, hotter nights, droughts, higher risks of forest fires, and heat-related illnesses.

Heat Dome Looms Over Fourth Of July

According to meteorologists, several parts of the United States could experience extreme heat conditions during the Fourth of July holiday. On Sunday, the National Weather Service said that the record-shattering heat would grip the eastern part of the country.

The heat dome is expected to send the temperatures soaring into triple digits. Parts of Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas are among the most affected. States like Ohio, parts of North Carolina, and Washington, D.C will also see hotter days ahead.

Biggest Heat-Related Risks During Fourth of July

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, especially during outdoor celebrations, can increase health risks like dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heatstroke.

Fireworks and Heat

An extravagant display of fireworks is one of the important traditions of the holiday. However, extreme heat significantly increases the risk of accidental fires and other dangers of fireworks.

Heat Exhaustion And Heatstroke

Several traditional Fourth of July activities entail spending long hours outdoors, often during the daytime. This could pose risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Symptoms typically include excessive sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, and weakness.

Dehydration

Hot weather combined with strenuous outdoor activities can cause the body to lose significant amounts of fluids through sweat. This could increase the risk of dehydration. Additionally, Fourth of July celebrations may include consuming alcoholic beverages, which can further contribute to dehydration.

Sunburn

Sunburn is also one of the significant health risks. Spending hours outdoors can also increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to painful burns and increase long-term health risks like skin cancer.

How To Celebrate Safely

Health experts recommend a few simple precautions to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday safely:

Staying hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration. Limit alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which can contribute to fluid loss.

Do not skip sunscreen: Ensure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating and on days with continued sun exposure.

Plan activities according to the weather: Schedule outdoor activities during the morning or evening when temperatures are lower.

Take breaks to cool down: Take frequent breaks indoors or in shaded areas. If possible, spend time in air-conditioned spaces.

Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing that could keep you comfortable and cool throughout the day

More than one million children in England had active referrals to mental health services last year, with anxiety remaining the leading reason for seeking support, according to a new report.

The annual report by Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza warns that England is facing a growing children's mental health crisis.

New data for 2024-25 shows that 1,048,965 children had an active referral to Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) — nearly double the number recorded in 2018-19 and almost 10 per cent higher than the previous year.

"The report clearly demonstrates the sheer scale of distress young people are facing today," de Souza said.

What Did The Report Find?

Also read: Europe's Heatwave Turns Deadly As It Claims Over 1,300 In A Week, Says WHO

• Record demand: More than 1.04 million children had active referrals to Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) in 2024-25, nearly double the number recorded in 2018-19 and almost 10 per cent higher than the previous year.

• Anxiety remains the top concern: Anxiety accounted for 16 per cent of all referrals, making it the most common reason children were referred. Referrals for suspected autism rose by nearly 50 per cent in a year (65,530 to 96,393), while referrals for other neurodevelopmental conditions increased 24 per cent.

• Growing treatment backlog: Despite more children receiving treatment, 35 per cent of referred children were still waiting for care by March 2025, up from 33 per cent the previous year and 29 per cent in 2022-23.

• Long waits for support: More than 60,000 children had been waiting for treatment for over two years, compared with 44,000 the previous year. Those still waiting had an average wait of 224 days.

• Poor access for autism support: Fewer than one in five children with suspected autism or neurodevelopmental conditions received treatment. For suspected autism alone, only 13 per cent accessed care by March 2025, with an average wait of about one year.

• Ethnic disparities: Black and Asian children were less likely to be referred but more likely to reach services only in crisis. One in four Black children were referred in crisis, compared with 16 per cent of Asian and 7.4 per cent of White children.

• Age differences: Adolescents aged 13-15 accounted for 35 per cent of children receiving treatment, while younger children were more likely to face longer waits or have referrals closed before treatment.

• Socioeconomic inequality: Children from the poorest 10 per cent of areas made up 15 per cent of referrals, compared with 7.6 per cent from the least deprived areas.

• Gender gap: Boys were slightly less likely than girls to be referred and to receive treatment after referral.

The Need to Improve Children's Mental Health

"These are not just numbers, but children whose lives have been put on hold for months and, in some cases, years waiting for support they urgently need," de Souza said.

She urged greater investment in children's mental health and called for stronger support across schools, healthcare and social care.

de Souza stressed the need for "greater focus on services across health, education and social care to ensure children are getting the help they need in schools and the community".

A stifling heatwave that has several European nations in its chokehold has turned deadly, with more than 1,300 deaths reported within a week by the World Health Organization (WHO). The recent casualties have compelled authorities to adopt emergency measures as temperatures continue to soar to record-breaking levels.

Europe’s Heatwave Claims 1,300 Lives

According to the WHO, the deaths were recorded between June 21 and June 28, making it one of the deadliest early Europe has witnessed in recent years. Government and health authorities fear that the toll could surge further as temperatures continue to increase.

In a post on X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO attributed the uncontrolled heatwave to climate change, saying, “We were warned.”

He also said, “Heat stress is often called the ‘silent killer’ – and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures.”

The Director-General also said that the WHO is working with its member states to address the emerging health threats posed by extreme heat.

The WHO has repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events globally. Europe, which is warming at nearly twice the global average rate, has become particularly vulnerable to prolonged and severe heatwaves.

Countries like Germany and the Czech Republic recorded nearly 42 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Among the nations in crisis, France has emerged as the worst-hit, as approximately 1,000 excess deaths due to extreme heat were recorded.

Poland and Hungary have also experienced record-breaking heat, with meteorological agencies reporting unusually high temperatures for this time of year.

Elderly Individuals Are The Most Vulnerable

Public health experts have repeatedly warned that older adults are especially vulnerable during prolonged periods of intense heat.

Officials said many of those who died were elderly individuals, particularly those living by themselves or suffering from chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes.

Age-related changes in the body's ability to regulate temperature, combined with pre-existing medical conditions, significantly increase the risk of death due to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration, and other life-threatening complications.

Experts caution that heat-related deaths are often underreported because extreme heat can worsen existing medical conditions rather than being listed as the direct cause of death. Due to this, the real cost of human life due to the heatwave may go underreported.

With meteorologists predicting that hot conditions could persist in several parts of Europe, health authorities remain on high alert. According to the WHO, the recent climate crisis is no longer a seasonal inconvenience, but a growing public health emergency warranting urgent preparedness, appropriate measures, and long-term climate action.

Tips to Beat the Heat:

To reduce the health risks associated with extreme temperatures, the WHO suggested to:

Stay hydrated - Drink enough water throughout the day. Bring a refillable water bottle. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol.

Watch your urine color - Dark yellow may indicate you are not drinking enough water.

Wear light clothing – Opt for breathable, loose-fitting light-colored clothes and a hat to shield yourself from the sun.

Use sunscreen – Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen regularly to protect your skin

Seek shade – Take breaks in shaded areas or air-conditioned spaces when possible.

Know the signs of heat illness – Watch for dizziness, nausea, or confusion. Seek medical help if needed.

Cool down – Use wet towels, misting fans, or splash water on your face and arms to enhance thermal comfort.

Stay well – if you have a medical condition or take medicines regularly, check with your doctor.