https://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. A new study published in JAMA Network Open projects that reductions in federal funding for syringe service programs (SSPs) could lead to substantial increases in mortality among people who inject drugs in the United States. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-funding-syringe-thousands-deaths.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:00:05 EDT news700992361 With tens of millions of annual cases, gonorrhea is the second most frequently reported sexually transmitted infection (STI). In the U.S. alone, more than 600,000 cases are reported each year. If left untreated, gonorrhea can result in severe reproductive health issues, including infertility in both women and men and pelvic inflammatory disease. The infection also increases the risk of HIV transmission, and—if the pathogen spreads from the genitals or throat to other parts of the body—it can damage the heart and cause meningitis and sepsis. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-ai-screens-million-compounds-uncover.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:40:06 EDT news700988701 Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) detection in wastewater offers a novel approach to monitor the virus in communities. Baylor College of Medicine researchers and colleagues at collaborating institutions report in Nature Communications that their method, called hybrid-capture genetic sequencing, allows them to analyze viral genomes in detail and specifically identify viral signals coming from community wastewater. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-wastewater-hidden-hiv-burden-communities.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:20:13 EDT news700758118 Women with HIV most often die from preventable, trauma-related conditions like substance use and mental illness—not the virus itself. Yet these leading causes are largely missing from official death records, according to new research by UC San Francisco. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-women-hiv-dying-early-virus.html Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:30:53 EDT news700547428 The 2025 executive order dismantling U.S. Agency for International Development programs canceled 90% of the agency's contracts and grants, destabilizing health systems globally. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-qa-dismantling-global-aid-cascading.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 21:00:02 EDT news700484280 A new study from UTHealth Houston has found that the common sexually transmitted infection Mycoplasma genitalium, also known as MGen, does not appear to increase the risk of recurrent preterm birth. The findings are published in The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-common-infection-recurrent-preterm-birth.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:00:03 EDT news700242061 Growing up witnessing the devastating effects of HIV in her family and community in South Africa pushed Olwam Plaatjie to start using preventive HIV medications three years ago. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-highly-effective-drug-south-africa.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:19:34 EDT news700197503 Having a baby in the United States is about to get more complicated. Under new billing codes that take effect in January, doctors who manage maternity care will start charging à la carte for visits and services related to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care. It's an about-face from recent years, when doctors have often received a single "bundled" payment for maternity care they provided. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-upcoming-billing-pregnancy-pricier.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:00:01 EDT news700132081 HIV can damage the brain and cause memory and cognitive problems. And once HIV enters the brain, it does not leave. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-hiv-brain-doesnt-drugs-inflammation.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:20:02 EDT news700144442 Antiretroviral drugs for HIV infection have enabled most people living with the virus to live long and healthy lives. However, a small portion of people experience detectable—and worrisome—traces of the virus that causes AIDS despite strict adherence to long-term treatment regimens and the absence of symptoms. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-defective-hiv-persistent-blood-treatment.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:00:07 EDT news699868442 A class of flu drugs may reduce cognitive decline and premature aging in people living with chronic viral infection, reports a new study led by Northwestern University that began with blood samples from people with HIV and extended into preclinical drug trials. The findings point to a potential new therapy for cognitive problems in people with HIV, with broader implications for other aging-related diseases, such as dementia. The study is published in Med. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-flu-drugs-cognitive-decline.html Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:00:03 EDT news699781862 A recent University of Mississippi study has identified hundreds of counties in the South where HIV prevention and health care may not be keeping pace with the local needs, leaving communities without resources to address the persistent problem. The research, published in Frontiers in Public Health, offers health care and government leaders a new tool for targeting HIV-related support where the need is highest. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-deep-south-hiv-gaps-patients.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:20:03 EDT news699722702 Fewer serious complications. Fewer hospitalizations and blood transfusions. Better growth and development. And a markedly lower risk of death from the complications of sickle cell anemia. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-life-benefits-hydroxyurea-sickle-cell.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:20:03 EDT news699717421 Major health events increase the risk of housing instability and homelessness among Medicaid enrollees, according to a new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. These findings shed new light on the complex, bidirectional relationship between health and housing. The research examined housing outcomes following serious health events by tracking reported address changes over four years before and after a sudden hospitalization. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-evidence-role-health-crises-housing.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:40:06 EDT news699704041 Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications have gained widespread attention for effectively treating obesity, lowering blood sugar and decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Some researchers have proposed that these drugs may also influence the biology of aging, but direct evidence in humans has remained limited. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-popular-glp-drug-biological-aging.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:44:06 EDT news699687771 The first shipment of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable that prevents HIV with two shots a year, arrived in South Africa from the United States in early April 2026. Clinical trials showed close to 100% efficacy. The rollout, expected to begin in June 2026, prioritizes adolescent girls and young women, pregnant and breastfeeding women, transgender people, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-hiv-south-africa-shot-critical.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:00:06 EDT news699529082 Over half of the people carrying HIV experience chronic pain at some point, which is difficult to treat. In a new JNeurosci paper, Hui-Lin Pan, from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and colleagues used mice to explore how HIV leads to chronic pain. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-link-hiv-chronic-pain.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:00:02 EDT news699263221 Europe is facing a growing chronic liver disease threat, according to a new series published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe, that engaged more than 75 co-authors from 30 countries and was led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). The Series, "Ending the chronic liver disease public health threat in Europe," warns that Europe must move liver disease beyond hepatology and better integrate it into European health systems. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-chronic-liver-disease-europe-crisis.html Mon, 25 May 2026 18:30:02 EDT news698917021 For many people living with HIV, today's treatments can suppress the virus and dramatically improve health. But even when HIV is controlled, damage to the gut caused by the disease can persist, fueling chronic inflammation linked to serious health problems. A new Tulane University study published in JCI Insight helps explain why. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-broccoli-compounds-hiv-linked-gut.html Mon, 25 May 2026 14:20:01 EDT news698933282 While data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that the total number of U.S. cases of three sexually transmitted infections (STIs) declined from 2022-24, infection rates remain 13% higher than a decade ago. CDC provisional data show more than 2.2 million U.S. cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in 2024. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-survey-highlights-persistent-uncertainty-sti.html Thu, 21 May 2026 16:20:01 EDT news698594582 Scientists at Bowling Green State University recently made a series of discoveries that could have wide-ranging implications for the future of the national opioid crisis. Through a partnership with the Toledo Lucas County Health Department, a research team led by BGSU biological sciences professor Hans Wildschutte, Ph.D., analyzed used hypodermic needles from the county's needle exchange program, Northwest Ohio Safe Services. Researchers wanted to better understand what narcotics actually were in the needles and determine if any non-viral pathogens were present. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-scientists-discovery-ally-opioid-crisis.html Wed, 20 May 2026 14:40:10 EDT news698504504 In stigmatized illnesses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), shame and other negative self-conscious emotions are associated with suboptimal engagement in health care via stress and avoidance coping. However, shame is challenging to assess via self-reporting. Research has shown that people express emotions in different ways, including self-reported emotion, what they say (using shame-related words), and facial and body movements. While people may be self-conscious about expressing or revealing shame, combining ways to measure shame could be helpful in improving accurate assessment. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-shame-combination-language-body-posture.html Wed, 20 May 2026 13:00:01 EDT news698497082 Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed a new approach to delivering GLP-1 medications orally that does not require fasting and maintains their efficacy. The technique could also be useful for any pharmaceutical based on peptides such as insulin or treatments for irritable bowel syndrome, HIV and osteoporosis. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-oral-glp-1s-fasting-efficacy.html Tue, 19 May 2026 18:00:05 EDT news698430001 Manicures and pedicures are big business, with the global nail care market estimated to be worth US$23.5 billion. But sometimes clients visiting nail salons come away with more than beautiful nails. Several women from Perth recently told the ABC they contracted severe infections after visiting nail salons for manicures and pedicures. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-infection-manicures-pedicures.html Tue, 19 May 2026 08:20:03 EDT news698393162 A study has found that adolescents who were aware of their state's minor consent laws were more likely to seek and receive testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, suggesting that teens' accurate knowledge of their legal capacity to consent to health care services may be more important than the laws providing this right. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-adolescents-knowledge-legal-capacity-independently.html Mon, 18 May 2026 17:40:08 EDT news698335398 Tougher regulation on peptide supplies is needed as illegal use skyrockets among young Australians, University of Queensland researchers say. Dr. Timothy Piatkowski, of UQ's School of Public Health, said the country's regulatory and health systems are failing to keep up with a surge in illegal peptide use in young people—a wellness craze fueled by social media. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-stronger-peptide-craze.html Sat, 16 May 2026 20:30:02 EDT news697718154 In an Australian first, a Canberra man has been convicted of giving genital herpes to a sexual partner. The man pleaded guilty to the charge of "recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm," which carries a maximum sentence of 13 years. He will be serving his 13-month sentence, handed down last week, under a community correction order. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-convicted-genital-herpes-backfire.html Fri, 15 May 2026 09:00:30 EDT news698054402 Fourteen years ago, NTNU surgeon Håkon Bolkan made a prediction about a training program he and his colleagues had newly begun to expand access to surgery in the West African country of Sierra Leone. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-community-health-officers-sierra-leone.html Thu, 14 May 2026 14:49:31 EDT news697988941 A new study has uncovered a genetic cause that may explain why some people develop Kaposi sarcoma despite having no apparent immune deficiency. The rare cancer, which forms in the cells lining blood vessels, is caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-hidden-genetic-defect-linked-kaposi.html Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:01 EDT news697977420 A new review published in the journal Addiction confirms drinking causes substantial harm to health. Some of those harms may be reversible if the person reduces or stops drinking. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-alcohol-dozens-health-reversible.html Thu, 14 May 2026 00:10:01 EDT news697886404