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Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery Tuesday that confirmed he has lung cancer and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said. Tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin after the surgery. It said the diagnosis had been suspected by preoperative tests and was confirmed during surgery. (Winfield and Barry, 10/13)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also Catholic, said that he and his wife were praying for the pope. “May the Lord give him strength and the Holy Spirit guide the medical professionals taking care of the Holy Father,” he wrote. Some said the pope’s illness should be a reminder to pray for others who have cancer or to get screenings themselves. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urged people to pray not only for the pope but also for his caregivers. (Livni, 10/13)

Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that can affect various organs. It is the most common subtype of lung cancer. It is often found in smokers but can also occur in people who have never smoked. Other risk factors for lung cancer include exposure to radon gas, asbestos or second-hand smoke. (Wu, 10/14)

News about Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer diagnosis sparked discussion about increasing rates of the disease among people who have never smoked. Leo reportedly is not a smoker. Potential causes for the disease include environmental exposures and genetics, and recognizing the diverse factors that can increase someone’s risk of lung cancer – regardless of their smoking history – is essential for timely and appropriate screening and treatment. (Rodriguez, 10/13)

When Leo XIV was elected pope less than 18 months ago, he seemed to have years ahead of him to shape the Roman Catholic church. At 69, he was young by recent papal standards, and the faithful marveled at his energy and apparently robust health. He was known to play tennis regularly and had no reported medical problems. He reintroduced summer vacations to make sure he remained fresh and rested. Leo, the first pope born in the United States, marked a break from his predecessor, Francis, who started his papacy at age 76 but had already had a lung condition at a young age. (Rich, 10/13)

Louis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV's older brother who lives in Florida, has multiple myeloma, his wife told CBS News on Tuesday. The news comes amid the Vatican's earlier announcement that the pope has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove a nodular lesion from his right lung. Deborah Prevost did not share what stage Louis' cancer is in but said he's currently in a clinical trial at a local hospital where he's being treated. (Benavides, 10/13)

Nearly 40% of Food and Drug Administration advisory committee meetings held over a recent 20-year period included either a patient or consumer representative with active ties to an advocacy group funded by pharmaceutical companies, according to a new analysis. And for several committees, the number of such reps exceeded 50%. (Silverman, 10/13)

The Justice Department (DOJ) announced Tuesday that CVS Health has agreed to pay $315 million to settle lawsuits alleging the company illegally filled prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances. The settlement resolves a lawsuit first filed in 2019 by former CVS employee Hillary Estright in 2019 under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which allows private parties to sue on behalf of the U.S. It also settles the ensuing 2024 complaint that the federal government filed against CVS Health. (Choi, 10/13)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a coalition of seven states asked a federal court on Tuesday to punish Martin Shkreli for “flagrantly and repeatedly” violating a lifetime ban from being involved in the pharmaceutical industry. In a court filing in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the FTC said Shkreli has traded in at least 60 pharmaceutical stocks since being released from prison in 2022. He’s also been broadcasting his opinions about the business and management of the companies through livestreaming and posting on numerous social media platforms. (Weixel, 10/13)

A California congressman cited a CIDRAP News investigation in a letter to dental and medical associations in which he urges them to educate their members about the risks of inappropriate antibiotics. Rep. J. Luis Correa, a Democrat from Orange County, asked for the medical and dental groups’ “urgent assistance” in curbing the overprescription of antibiotics, which promotes the growth of resistant bacteria and can cause life-threatening side effects. Correa singled out clindamycin, an antibiotic that has carried a black box warning for at least four decades but is still heavily used in dentistry, as a drug that should be prescribed only when absolutely necessary. (Szabo, 10/13)

When drugmakers want to improve on compounds they have already created, they can replace a carbon atom with a nitrogen atom. While effective, the techniques they use to perform this chemical swap, known as skeletal editing, have some downsides. For example, older approaches often require harsh chemicals or only work on specific types of molecules. That got researchers led by Mark D. Levin at the University of Chicago searching for a gentler and more versatile way to do it. Unlike older methods that fail when a specific chemical step goes wrong, their new technique turns that exact problem into a helpful tool. (Arnold, 10/13)

Thousands of bottles of acetaminophen sold on Amazon have been recalled over reports of discolored tablets, according to a recall notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recalls, voluntarily issued last month but only recently included in the FDA’s enforcement report, impact nearly 113,000 bottles of 500-milligram Extra Strength Acetaminophen caplets available through Amazon. (Bink, 10/13)

The Food and Drug Administration received reports in recent months that two people died after taking bootleg versions of an experimental weight-loss drug, according to documents reviewed by CBS News. (Gilbert, 10/13)

A recent Phase III clinical trial, TRIUMPH-2, evaluated the efficacy and safety of retatrutide, a triple receptor agonist and experimental once-weekly injection being developed to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes. What sets it apart from drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy), which targets one hormone, and tirzepatide (Zepbound), which targets two, is its ability to activate three hormone receptors at once. (Mondal, 10/13)

Walmart Inc. plans to cover more than 250 prescription drugs without charge for its employees and add other health benefits to attract and retain workers at a time when many companies are raising healthcare costs. The list of covered medications includes many generics alongside some in-demand branded drugs such as Novo Nordisk A/S’ Ozempic and Eli Lilly & Co.’s Mounjaro. The retailer will offer those at no cost for people with Type 2 diabetes after prior approval. (Kang, 10/13)

Contrary to popular belief, the postmenopausal ovary is not defunct. In a new study of ovaries from 28 women, scientists at Northwestern University and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging found that in the decades well past menopause, the ovary remains biologically active and continues to remodel with age, showing increased inflammation and changes in tissue structure. The study also found a molecular link between ovarian aging and cancer. The study is published in Aging Cell. (10/14)

Led by NYU Langone Health researchers, the analysis of 6,617 pregnancies linked higher levels of DINCH in the urine of pregnant women to lighter and smaller newborns. Every tenfold increase in exposure to DINCH resulted in a 27-gram reduction in newborn birth weight. (10/13)

Nearly three-quarters of women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) were able to achieve pregnancy, according to prospective data from a cohort study. Among 52 women who underwent fertility treatment with either intrauterine insemination (IUI) and/or embryo transfer, 73% became pregnant, reported Eugenia Shmidt, MD, of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. (Bassett, 10/13)

While respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains so common that almost every child gets it before they turn 2 years old, it can cause serious illness in infants, leading to the hospitalization of up to three of every 100 infected infants. Maternal vaccination with RSVpreF (Abrysvo) protects newborns from getting the virus, yet relatively few moms in the United States and Europe have opted for it since its rollout in 2023, a study published last week in The Lancet Regional Health-Europe finds. (Holohan, 10/12)

Providing “labor guides” to pregnant women helps combat misinformation that an increasing number of patients are getting from social media or artificial intelligence, according to a recent study. Dr. Samuel Melville, a resident-physician in obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health & Science University and the lead author of the study, said he frequently hears patients quoting social media or AI when resisting medical interventions, such as inducing the pregnancy with medication to encourage stalled labor. (Resnick, 10/13)

A Texas woman is using a state law banning the transport of abortion pills to sue members of the anti-abortion organization Students for Life of America. (Draeger-Mazer, 10/13)

Nonprofit funds bridge access gaps for low-income people seeking abortions in Connecticut, according to recent research by students at Trinity College. The findings show that more than 80% of the 969 respondents to an anonymous survey reported they delayed abortions due to costs. (Srinivasan, 10/13)

Lisa Wirsching knocked on strangers’ doors. She collected petition signatures at the farmers’ market. She approached her neighbors, asking them if she could talk to them about Idaho’s abortion laws, if they’d heard about Proposition 1 or if they knew how they planned to vote. (Luthra, 10/13)

Researchers may have found a previously unknown cause behind the development of pediatric cancer, which they say could enable earlier detection of the disease in young children. A team of scientists at the University of Bergen in Norway, found that children with pediatric cancer were more likely to produce autoantibodies that target several proteins needed for normal DNA repair. They also found that children with pediatric cancer had more of these antibodies even years before their diagnoses. (Laws, 10/14)

As measles continues to spread across the U.S., local health officials say it may be spurring some to get themselves or their children vaccinated. More than 4,000 cases have been confirmed in the U.S. as well as six deaths -- with the most recent fatality confirmed by Pennsylvania health officials on Monday. It's the most cases and deaths reported in the country in more than three decades. Doctors and public health department leaders told ABC News that awareness of the virus' dangers has led to higher interest in the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine in some areas. (Kekatos, 10/13)

Less than half of people at high risk for flu complications took a popular antiviral medication when they sought outpatient care, according to a study published recently in Open Forum Infectious Diseases. Oseltamivir is recommended "as soon as possible" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for people seeking outpatient treatment for influenza if they are at higher risk for complications. This group includes people over the age of 64, those under 2 years old, or people with certain health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease. (Boden, 10/12)

Unannounced drills to assess healthcare facility readiness to manage infectious disease outbreaks in three areas of the United States revealed variable adherence to containment protocols, according to a new study published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. (Van Beusekom, 10/13)

Late last week the US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the detection of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on two Yakima County dairy farms in Washington. “This marks the first known case of HPAI in cattle in Washington state,” state officials said. Since March 2024 dairy cattle herds in 19 states have documented H5N1 infections, including neighboring Idaho. (Soucheray, 10/13)

Americans have more trust in science than most of the rest of the world, according to a new survey of people in 140 countries, a finding that may seem difficult to explain in a country deeply divided by issues such as the benefits and harms of vaccines. (Florko, 10/10)

Miniature organs being sent into space for the very first time may soon help scientists understand how spaceflight impacts certain organs and may accelerate aging. In a joint effort by researchers from Mount Sinai, NASA and aerospace company Space Tango, these mini organs will be exposed to the increased radiation and microgravity astronauts face in space, especially on long-duration missions. (Chang, 10/13)

Helen Branswell, a renowned infectious disease reporter who earned the respect of experts and public health officials around the world with her accessible, prescient dispatches on scourges from influenza to polio and Ebola to Covid-19, becoming a vital source of information for the public during the most chaotic of times, died Tuesday at age 69. (Joseph, 10/13)

Centene is launching a new program next month aimed at streamlining the prior authorization process for some providers. The health insurance company will allow more than 160,000 providers nationwide to use a simplified process for select outpatient services, the company announced in a news release Tuesday. Centene will assess providers’ eligibility based on their approval history, documentation quality, compliance with medical policy and adherence to regulatory requirements. The insurer will offer its “gold card” program across its commercial, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid business lines, a company spokesperson said. (Tepper, 10/13)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has gained unprecedented authority to remove providers, insurers and suppliers from federal health programs over fraud concerns. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. published a notice Tuesday announcing he is officially delegating those powers, which had been solely held by the HHS Office of Inspector General, to CMS. (Early, 10/13)

A regulation designed to reduce health insurance companies’ administrative expenses may dampen their competitive edge. The Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury departments finalized a rule last week intended to clean up the pricing information insurance companies disclose. (Tepper, 10/13)

Nearly 43 percent of Americans support the idea of “Medicare for all,” according to an Axios/Ipsos poll released Tuesday, as concerns over health costs mount ahead of the midterm elections. People who said they support Medicare for all outnumbered its opponents by a nearly 2-to-1 margin, while a bipartisan majority of Americans said they think the federal government should be willing to spend more tax dollars to lower healthcare costs. While respondents said they support federal involvement, they are losing trust in the government. (Weixel, 10/13)

Health insurers are partnering to tackle common issues plaguing provider data quality. DataSpring, formerly known as the Council for Affordable Quality Care and owned by major health insurers, has established a standard framework to improve the accuracy of provider data, the organization announced Tuesday. Founding members of the Provider Data Collective include publicly traded insurers Centene, Cigna Group, CVS Health’s Aetna, Elevance Health, Humana and UnitedHealth Group. Other members are the American Medical Association and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. (Tong, 10/13)

Humana is swapping out private equity sponsors for its CenterWell Senior Primary Care clinics. Good bye, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. Hello, BlackRock. (Bannow, 10/13)

Galderma Group AG agreed to buy ZO Skin Health Inc. for an enterprise value of $1.5 billion in an all-cash deal that expands the Swiss dermatology company’s physician-dispensed skincare portfolio in the US. California-based ZO is being sold to Galderma by shareholders including Blackstone Inc. and the founding Obagi family, according to a statement Wednesday. Blackstone bought a majority stake in ZO in 2020 through its tactical opportunities fund for an undisclosed sum. (Catelli, 10/14)

MultiCare Health System and Samaritan Health Services will merge on Nov. 1 after securing regulatory approval for the deal. Under the the terms of the deal, Tacoma, Washington-based MultiCare will invest $700 million over 10 years in Corvallis, Oregon-based Samaritan to increase access to care, recruit and retain providers, improve infrastructure, and upgrade technology, MultiCare announced in August. Samaritan will retain its name and local leadership, according to a news release the health system issued Monday. (Kacik, 10/13)

Providers are often reluctant to switch electronic health record vendors, and the advent of artificial intelligence may make it even harder for them to make a move. Over the years, many key EHR players have added AI tools to their platforms, including features for ambient listening, revenue cycle management, coding, chart review and more. As generative AI advances, many providers think it will drive up the costs of switching vendors, according to a survey published last month by Bain & Company and KLAS. (Famakinwa, 10/13)

Nurses at Endeavor Health Edward Hospital have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold a union election – part of a broader effort by nurses across the health system to organize. (Stein and Schencker, 10/13)

�������ýҕ�l Health News: Aging Life Care Managers Can Be A ‘Godsend’ For Families

Kristin Martinelli began her workday at 7:30 a.m. on a recent Monday, completing an online Medicaid recertification form for a client in a nursing home in Austin, Texas. Next, she drove to meet an 85-year-old and her daughter, who had come in from out of town. The older woman had “pretty advanced dementia” and was scheduled to move into the secure memory care unit of a senior living facility that day, said Martinelli, who works as an aging life care manager with Mir Care Consultants in Central Texas. The three of them had a 9 a.m. meeting with the primary care doctor who would complete the paperwork for the move. (Span, 10/14)

Laura Scott’s mind raced as she studied the bright red rash and blisters on her daughter’s arms. Daycare workers suggested that her 1-year-old could be having an allergic reaction to pineapple. But Scott knew that wasn’t true. (Hogan, Landergan and Price, 10/13)

L.A. is banning the sale of nitrous oxide at stores selling cannabis and tobacco products, and setting criminal penalties for violations. (Gomez, 10/13)

�������ýҕ�l Health News: California’s Billionaire Tax Promises Healthcare Relief. The Fine Print Is Murkier

The pitch behind California’s billionaire tax proposal is simple: Tax the richest residents in the nation’s wealthiest state to offset steep federal cuts to healthcare, food assistance, and education. But if approved by voters in November, it’s unclear how much money the ballot initiative would raise, how quickly the funding would become available, and how lawmakers would spend it. (Fortiér, 10/14)

Cities and researchers are using AI to map and predict extreme heat risk, but new research suggests it's used far more to identify where people are in danger than to help officials respond. (Falconer, 10/14)

The federal investigation that prompted the search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s D.C. residence on Monday centers on claims that she or her late father may have lied on decades-old immigration paperwork to secure legal status and eventually U.S. citizenship, three people familiar with the matter said. Omar — a Minnesota Democrat who was born in Somalia and fled civil war there with her family before eventually immigrating to the United States in 1995 — has repeatedly rejected such allegations, which have circulated in conservative media for years. She dismissed them again in a statement Monday as “baseless lies and smear campaigns.” (Hesson and Roebuck, 10/13)

After Meta agreed to pay as much as $17 billion to settle claims that it had built Instagram and Facebook to hook children, attorneys general in several states outlined how the money should be spent. The funding should “repair the harms of unhealthy social media use,” expand youth crisis intervention and restore the mental health and safety of children, they declared in news releases. But the settlement with Meta in August cements little in required allocations toward those goals. (Alcorn, 10/13)

An estimated one in six teenagers in the United States have moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, according to a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics on Monday. Nearly two-thirds of adolescents who reported severe anxiety symptoms also met criteria for severe depression, nearly half reported suicidal thoughts, and nearly one-third reported substance abuse, the study found. (Deshmukh, 10/13)

Vaccine skepticism has worked its way from the fringes of the public to the highest levels of the federal government. The Trump administration is reportedly considering changes to a critical policy, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, that has protected domestic vaccine supply for 40 years, which could further jeopardize vaccine access and even create shortages in the United States. (Joel Dodge, 10/14)

This outbreak was detected late, giving the virus a head start. (Heather Kerr, 10/14)

Picture a baby sleeping in a crib. Every second, her brain is forming more than a million new neural connections. The scaffolding for language, memory, attention, and thought is going up in real time, wire by wire. We don’t yet know who she will become; yet much of her future self depends on what reaches her now, in the earliest months of her life. (Holly Baines and George Vradenburg, 10/14)

My public relations agency gave me the job of interviewing Mike Ditka about his experience with erectile dysfunction. (Bob Brody, 10/13)