Researchers analysed more than 600,000 traditional Medicare hospitalisations around the suspension and reinstatement of the Medicare 'three‑day rule' and found the policy’s return on May 12, 2023 increased the share of stays lasting at least three nights without improving outcomes or lowering spending. Using a regression‑discontinuity design comparing hospitalisations in the 28 days before and after reinstatement, the JAMA Internal Medicine study (published Feb. 9, 2026) found a 1.13 percentage‑point overall rise (60.4% to 62.0%) in stays of three or more nights and a 5.57‑point rise among patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities. There were no significant changes in SNF use, total SNF days, 30‑day readmissions, 30‑day mortality or Medicare spending. Subgroups with dementia and hip fractures saw larger increases. Authors say the rule appears to have driven longer inpatient stays—adding at least 2,000 hospital days in the first month—and recommend reconsideration of the policy while noting limits to generalisability and potential confounding.

Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) on Feb. 10 introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at dismantling vertically integrated healthcare conglomerates they say drive up costs and stifle competition. The bill would bar a parent company from owning both a medical provider or management services organization and a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) or insurer, and would also restrict wholesalers from owning provider organizations. It targets firms such as UnitedHealthcare (Optum), CVS Health (Caremark/Aetna) and other companies whose PBMs process the majority of U.S. prescriptions. Supporters call the measure a “Glass-Steagall” for health care and would empower the FTC, HHS and DOJ to enforce penalties and bring suits against noncompliant firms. The move follows bipartisan scrutiny of PBMs, recent provisions in a federal appropriations package and White House executive actions on drug prices. Industry leaders have pushed back, saying integrated models benefit consumers. The bill’s unveiling ahead of U.S. midterm elections highlights political pressure to address affordability and market concentration in the health sector.

UK newspapers on Feb. 10, 2026 highlighted evidence that smoking may accelerate hair thinning and premature greying. Hair specialists and a UK clinic cited research showing men who smoke are about 1.8 times more likely to have male pattern baldness (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology) and smokers were 2.5 times more likely to develop early grey hair (Indian Dermatology Online Journal). Experts say tobacco use can impair circulation and reduce oxygen and nutrient delivery to hair follicles, disrupting the hair growth cycle and contributing to increased shedding, dryness, breakage and earlier greying. UK Hair Transplants urged quitting smoking as a tangible way to protect scalp health and slow thinning, while advising those with sudden or patchy loss to consult a GP to rule out other causes. The coverage frames hair effects as another potential short- and long-term harm of smoking, adding cosmetic concerns to established cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular risks.

Co-op has recalled its Irresistible Triple Cook Thick Cut Chunky Chips after a packaging error led 360g packs labelled as chips to be filled with Dauphinoise potatoes that contain milk not declared on the label. The affected packs carry a use-by date of 14 February 2026. The Food Standards Agency issued an allergy alert and Co-op has notified relevant allergy support organisations while displaying point-of-sale notices in stores. Customers with a milk allergy or intolerance are advised not to eat the product and to return affected packs to any Co-op for a full refund; online purchasers may obtain refunds by calling 0330 041 7737. For further enquiries Co-op has provided a customer service line on 0800 0686 727. The retailer apologised for the inconvenience. Health bodies warn milk allergy can cause symptoms ranging from mild rash and vomiting to severe anaphylaxis, and anyone concerned should seek medical advice.

British consumer watchdog Which? has uncovered prescription-only melatonin products being advertised and sold on major online marketplaces, including AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Superdrug Marketplace and Temu, in an investigation covering October 2025 to January 2026. Which? found products with doses far above typical NHS starting guidance — often listed at 10mg and, in one case, a product claiming 30mg — and noted sellers hiding melatonin in ingredient lists or disguising names (eg. 'melat onin') to evade detection. The watchdog flagged items marketed as 'night-time fat burners', patches and teas that contained melatonin or listed it only in descriptions. Platforms said they removed flagged listings and were taking enforcement action; Superdrug said it has approached the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for clarity on topical products containing melatonin. In the UK melatonin is a prescription medicine because it can interact with common drugs such as antidepressants and hormonal contraception and cause side effects including dizziness and mood changes. Which? warned that unchecked online sales pose health risks and called for stronger oversight and enforcement.

A multinational multicohort study published in The Lancet on Feb. 9, 2026 found that adults with obesity face markedly higher risks of severe infectious disease outcomes. Pooling data from two Finnish cohorts and the UK Biobank — more than 540,000 people followed for about 13 years on average — researchers report that obesity (BMI ≥30) is associated with a 70% higher risk of hospitalisation or death from a broad set of 925 bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal infections. People with the most severe obesity had around three times the risk. Using global mortality and obesity prevalence data, the authors estimate obesity may have contributed to roughly 0.6 million of 5.4 million infection-related deaths worldwide in 2023 (about 11%), with higher proportions in some countries (around one in six in the UK and one in four in the US). The association persisted after accounting for common chronic conditions and did not appear to extend to severe HIV or tuberculosis. Study limitations include observational design that cannot prove causality. Authors and commentators point to immunological mechanisms and suggest weight-management policies, vaccination and equitable access to effective weight-loss therapies could reduce this burden.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust this week advertised a fixed-term neonatal nurse role to provide culturally sensitive reproductive and genetic support to families practising close-relative (including first-cousin) marriage. The full-time post, now closed to applications, sought a candidate fluent in Urdu and offered a salary of £37,338–£44,962 for a 12-month contract. NHS guidance cited by media this year acknowledges increased genetic risks in some cousin unions but stresses most such couples do not have affected children and recommends balancing risks with social and economic considerations. Similar posts have been advertised elsewhere in England, including Frimley, Bradford and Bedfordshire, as trusts seek to improve engagement with genetic services for affected communities. The recruitment prompted criticism from campaigners who say the practice carries serious child-health and social-care costs; bereaved relatives and activists have urged stronger prevention and education. The story has reignited debate on how the NHS should combine culturally sensitive care with public-health messaging on inherited disorders.

Actress Christina Applegate has launched an online community called Next in MS for people living with multiple sclerosis, the star announced on Feb. 9, 2026. Applegate, who revealed her MS diagnosis in 2021 and co-hosts the MeSsy podcast with fellow MS patient Jamie-Lynn Sigler, said the site is meant to let users share “the good, the bad, the ugly, the in-betweens, the diapers” of life with MS. The initiative is being promoted with a Super Bowl advertisement in which Applegate bluntly described the disease as “zero stars,” and she said she will contribute her own experiences and resources. The platform is launched in partnership with pharmaceutical company TG Therapeutics. Applegate’s new memoir, You With the Sad Eyes, is due March 3, 2026. She framed the project as a way to reach more members of the MS community, foster open conversation about challenges and hope, and provide peer support and information alongside lived experiences.

A study led by Anglia Ruskin University and published in Brain Sciences in February 2026 finds tinnitus has a substantial impact on working lives in the United Kingdom. Surveying 449 people (mean age 54), researchers report 11% reduced their working hours, 7% stopped working and 1% were receiving disability allowance as a direct consequence of tinnitus. Nearly three quarters (72%) said tinnitus made their working lives more difficult, citing problems with concentration, communication in meetings, increased tiredness, reduced productivity and more workplace errors. The team also found that an internet‑based talking therapy programme was associated with significant improvements in work productivity and reductions in tinnitus distress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. Lead author Dr Eldre Beukes and advocacy group Tinnitus UK call for workplace policies recognising tinnitus as a potential disability and for reasonable adjustments such as flexible working, access to hearing‑related technologies and targeted interventions to help people remain in work. Tinnitus is estimated to affect around 15% of the population (about 7.6 million people in the UK).

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued Level 2 travel advisories for the Seychelles and Suriname amid resurgent chikungunya transmission, urging travellers to “practice advanced precautions.” The mosquito‑borne alphavirus, spread by Aedes species that also carry dengue and Zika, causes sudden high fever, rash, headache and often severe joint pain that can persist for months or years. Health agencies report a marked upsurge in chikungunya since 2025 with hundreds of thousands of infections and several hundred deaths recorded across multiple countries; hotspots in the Americas and outbreaks in China last year have prompted repeated warnings. The CDC says higher‑risk groups include older adults, people with underlying heart or metabolic disease, newborns and pregnant people; it advises insect repellent, protective clothing and screened or air‑conditioned accommodation. A chikungunya vaccine is now available and recommended for travellers to affected areas, though pregnant people are generally advised to defer vaccination until after delivery and to reconsider travel near term. US officials have noted occasional locally acquired cases in recent years, underscoring the risk of local transmission where Aedes mosquitoes are present.

State and central agencies in southern India moved quickly after the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal confirmed avian influenza on Feb. 8, 2026, in village poultry farms in Sodam mandal of Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh. Reports from Feb. 8–9 say about 40 birds died on Feb. 7 and 50 on Feb. 8 in Ammagaripalli and Puttavaripalli; additional sudden deaths were investigated in Kambamvaripalle (Sodam) and Karvetinagaram (Chittoor). Rapid response teams were deployed, affected flocks culled under standard operating procedures and movement of birds from infected zones restricted. Authorities intensified surveillance, disinfected premises, collected samples for testing and advised strict biosecurity; officials emphasized that properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe for consumption. Tamil Nadu has activated a high alert after mass crow deaths and issued advisories on disposal of carcasses and monitoring of wild birds. Central and state animal-husbandry, revenue, police and health departments coordinated containment and public messaging. Farmers were told to report unusual mortality and were assured of compensation mechanisms.

Washington, D.C. health officials have warned that multiple confirmed measles cases were linked to attendees and venues associated with the annual March for Life rally and related events held Jan. 21–25, 2026. DC Health said infected individuals visited locations while contagious, including the National March for Life rally and concert on Jan. 23, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Catholic University of America (Garvey Hall, Pryzbyla Center and St. Vincent de Paul Chapel), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Union Station and Metro/Amtrak services between Jan. 21 and Feb. 2. Officials advised people present at listed times to monitor for symptoms for 21 days and contact healthcare providers; two doses of MMR vaccine provide strong protection. The warning arrives amid a national resurgence of measles: federal officials reported 733 confirmed U.S. cases as of Feb. 9, and state health authorities have described large localized outbreaks, notably in South Carolina. Public health agencies are tracing contacts, issuing quarantine recommendations and urging vaccination to prevent further spread, particularly in communities with low immunization coverage.

California health officials have confirmed a second measles case tied to visits to Disneyland in Anaheim, raising exposure concerns at the parks and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The newly confirmed patient visited Disneyland Park from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Disney California Adventure Park from 3:00 p.m. to closing on Jan. 22. The earlier linked case involved an international traveler who arrived at LAX on Jan. 26 (Viva Aerobus flight 518, Tom Bradley International Terminal B) and visited Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel on Jan. 28 (10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) and both parks from about 12:30 p.m. to closing the same day. Orange County health officials say this is the third measles case reported in the county this year and warn that people who were at the specified locations during the stated windows may be at risk of developing measles 7 to 21 days after exposure. Authorities are urging anyone present to check immunity—through prior infection or vaccination—contact health providers about post‑exposure prophylaxis, monitor for fever or rash, and call before seeking care to avoid further exposures. Officials stress measles is highly contagious and can cause severe complications in vulnerable populations.

Christopher “Kid” Reid, 61, of 1990s rap duo Kid ’N Play is recovering after receiving a heart transplant following a diagnosis of congestive heart failure last July, he said in a Good Morning America interview aired Feb. 5. Reid first sought emergency care for fatigue and shortness of breath and was treated with medication, but worsening swelling and blood tests showing organ impact sent him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and into the ICU. Surgeons, including Dr. Laura DiChiacchio, placed him high on the transplant list; nine days later he received a donor heart and underwent surgery. Reid described the experience as life-changing — “new year, new heart, new vibration” — and said he plans to live with renewed purpose. He is recuperating, has tour plans in the works and is writing a memoir titled Heart of the Matter. The timing of his case coincides with Heart and Stroke Month, a public-awareness campaign about cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.

A 22-year-old woman from Urmston, Manchester, has told media she lost 10 stone (about 63kg) in six months after being prescribed Mounjaro and adopting a strict high-protein, one-meal-a-day plan dominated by weighed chicken salads. Holly Barron said she weighed 21st 8lbs at her heaviest after a rapid gain linked to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 20. After an adverse reaction to metformin that led to a hospital stay, her diabetes clinic started her on a 2.5mg dose of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) on June 18, 2025. She reports the drug helped restore satiety signals, allowing her to cut calories and switch from frequent takeaways to tracked meals; she now weighs about 11st 8lbs and plans to lose another two stone. Barron has shared her journey on social media and published a digital booklet. She is awaiting blood glucose results before escalating to a higher dose. Stories published Feb. 9, 2026 quoted her experience and diet details.

Nearly 70% of local areas in England fund just one cycle of NHS‑funded in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for women under 40 who have tried to conceive for two years, research from the Progress Educational Trust (PET) shows. Twenty‑nine of 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) now offer a single round; 19 of those provide only a partial cycle in which not all viable embryos are transferred. Only two ICBs have policies consistent with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance recommending three full cycles. The whole north‑west region offers a single cycle. NHS South East London was the sole recent example of improved provision, moving in July 2024 from a partial single to two full cycles. Fertility rates in England and Wales fell to 1.41 children per woman in 2024 and private IVF can cost about £5,000 per cycle. Health minister Karin Smyth called the variation “unacceptable”; revised NICE guidance is due this spring.

Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh has publicly detailed an ongoing struggle with alopecia, saying the condition continues to cause concern when she is on set. Speaking to the Daily Mail and reported on Feb. 9, 2026, the 48-year-old broadcaster described hair loss that first became noticeable after the birth of her child in 2012 and which she now manages with cosmetic fixes such as extensions and L’Oréal Magic Retouch spray. Singh said she considered a hair transplant but lacks sufficient donor follicles and explored scalp tattooing before settling on simpler, lower-cost solutions. She framed the disclosure within a wider reflection on body confidence and ageing, criticising unrealistic standards and describing a recent shift toward strength training and self-acceptance. The articles cite NHS guidance explaining alopecia as a broad term for hair loss with varied causes and treatments. Singh’s openness has prompted viewer concern and contributed to public conversation about visible health conditions among television personalities.

On Super Bowl LX (Feb. 9, 2026) tennis great Serena Williams starred in a high‑profile commercial for telehealth company Ro promoting GLP‑1 weight‑loss medication, drawing swift public backlash. The spot showed Williams administering an injectable and using Ro’s app to order a new pill formulation, and she said she lost about 34 pounds (roughly 15 kg) over a year and experienced improved knee stress, blood sugar and cholesterol. Ro and Williams disclosed that her husband, Alexis Ohanian, is an investor and board member of Ro. Critics on social media and in commentary called the ad inappropriate for a mass, family‑viewed event and questioned the message from a former elite athlete. The ad was part of a broader Super Bowl advertising push by makers and sellers of GLP‑1 drugs and related telehealth services; Reuters reported industry players including Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and direct‑to‑consumer firms spent heavily on spots as pill versions of GLP‑1s launch and companies vie for market share. The ads come amid rising consumer demand, pricing pressure and regulatory scrutiny of weight‑loss medications.

Medical experts in Delhi-NCR reported a surge of respiratory infections driven primarily by Influenza A (H3N2) in the first week of February 2026. Doctors cited by local outlets on Feb. 8–9 say the wave is marked by high-grade fevers, persistent cough, extreme fatigue and longer-than-usual recoveries — often exceeding 7–10 days and in some cases showing relapse after brief improvement. Pediatricians report more than half of outpatient visits among children show influenza-like symptoms, though most cases remain mild and self-limiting with no widespread spike in hospitalisations to date. Laboratory and clinical observers also noted co-circulation of metapneumovirus, coronaviruses and influenza B. Experts link the rise to seasonal cooling, fluctuating humidity and high air pollution that increases indoor crowding. Clinicians warned high-risk groups — the very young, elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic conditions — may face severe complications. Authorities and doctors urged vigilance: early medical consultation for prolonged fever or breathing difficulty, basic hygiene, mask use in crowds and promotion of influenza vaccination to reduce severe outcomes.

The NHS has begun a private-sector pilot allowing UK-registered general practitioners to deliver video and telephone consultations while based overseas, as part of measures in its 10-year 'Fit for the Future' plan to boost clinical capacity. The scheme run with Asterix Health currently lists eight doctors operating from countries including Australia, India and Malaysia and is reported to support seven GP practices covering about 250,000 patients. Roles focus on triage, reviewing results and remote consultations; the firm says many clinicians are ex-UK GPs and offers training for English language tests. Critics — including the BMA GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, GP broadcaster Dr Renee Hoenderkamp and Shadow Health Secretary Stuart Andrew — warn the model risks undermining continuity of care and patient trust, noting there are UK-based GPs seeking work. A Department of Health spokesman said the pilot is run by a private company, is not endorsed by NHS England and there are no plans for national rollout. Government figures point to 3,000 GPs recruited in the past year and a £1.1bn boost to primary care.