05/08/25 - #386

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • US Counties With Worst Drinking Water Violations Concentrated in 4 States: West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, Finds Study. About 2 Million People Nationwide Do Not Have Running Water. Another 30 Million People Are Reliant on Drinking Water Systems That Violate Safety Rules

  • Could Weight Loss Drugs Help Reduce Dementia Risk? Here's What New Studies Suggest

  • Turns Out Eye Scans at 45 Can Reveal Your Risk for Alzheimer’s Decades Early. People With Thinner Nerve Layers or Unhealthy Eye Vessels Had Higher Dementia Risk. It’s Low-cost, Non-invasive, and Might Change Early Detection Big Time

  • Better Oral Health Linked to Lower Risk of Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults. Those Who Brushed Teeth at Least Twice a Day Had 28% Lower Odds of Developing Anxiety. Those Who Had Received Dental Surgery Had 42% Lower Odds of Developing Depression Than Those With Missing or Unrepaired Teeth

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

US Counties With Worst Drinking Water Violations Concentrated in 4 States: West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, Finds Study. About 2 Million People Nationwide Do Not Have Running Water. Another 30 Million People Are Reliant on Drinking Water Systems That Violate Safety Rules

A new study found that the worst drinking water problems in the U.S. are mostly in four states: West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Oklahoma. One county in West Virginia had the most rule violations in a single water system.

About 2 million people in the U.S. do not have running water. Another 30 million people rely on water systems that break safety rules. These rules are meant to protect people from harmful chemicals and make sure water is treated and tested regularly.

Some experts say private companies could improve water safety. Others worry these companies may care more about money than people. The study found that whether a water system is public or private does not always matter. What matters more is how strong the local rules are and how much support the community has.

The study also looked at “water injustice.” This means some people—often those with lower incomes or people of color—have less access to clean water. Most of the worst counties for water injustice were in Mississippi. South Dakota and Texas also had trouble areas.

The researchers said water injustice often happened in places with mostly public systems. This shows public systems are not always better.

Experts hope the results help leaders focus on the worst areas. Fixing old pipes, testing water often, and making water more affordable can help.

Clean water is something everyone needs. But for millions of Americans, it is still out of reach.

WEIGHT LOSS

Could Weight Loss Drugs Help Reduce Dementia Risk? Here's What New Studies Suggest

Some diabetes and weight loss drugs, like Ozempic and Mounjaro, may do more than help people lose weight. New research shows they might also lower the risk of dementia.

Two new studies looked at how these drugs affect the brain. One study reviewed 26 past clinical trials. The other looked at the health records of thousands of people taking these drugs. While the studies weren’t made to study dementia, researchers noticed a possible benefit.

Dr. Céline Gounder, a public health expert, said these drugs may protect the brain by lowering inflammation and damage to blood vessels. These problems can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, or dementia. The drugs may reduce the risk of these diseases by keeping blood vessels healthier.

Other studies have also found added benefits. A 2024 study found that people with alcohol or opioid addiction who took these drugs had fewer overdoses and drinking problems. In fact, those taking the drugs had a 40% lower rate of opioid overdose and a 50% lower rate of alcohol intoxication.

But cost is a big concern. Medicare does not cover these drugs for people with obesity unless they also have diabetes. The Biden administration wanted to change that, but the Trump administration recently chose not to move forward. These drugs can cost more than $1,000 per month without coverage.

While more research is needed, these early results suggest that weight loss drugs might help protect the brain—offering hope to many older adults.

HEALTH

Turns Out Eye Scans at 45 Can Reveal Your Risk for Alzheimer’s Decades Early. People With Thinner Nerve Layers or Unhealthy Eye Vessels Had Higher Dementia Risk. It’s Low-cost, Non-invasive, and Might Change Early Detection Big Time

A simple eye scan at age 45 might help doctors find early signs of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, long before symptoms show up. In a new study from New Zealand, researchers looked at over 900 people and found that eye health can reveal clues about brain health.

The study measured two things: how thick the nerve layers in the eye were and the size of tiny blood vessels in the retina. People with thinner nerve layers or unhealthy blood vessels had a higher risk for dementia.

The biggest warning sign was having wider veins and narrower arteries in the eye. These changes were linked to problems like poor heart health, low physical activity, inflammation, and poor overall health—all of which raise the risk of dementia.

These eye scans are easy, painless, and already used in many eye clinics. They don’t require any needles or special prep, and they don’t cost much.

While this study doesn’t prove that changes in the eye cause dementia, it shows that the eyes may give early signs of trouble in the brain. That means people could take steps earlier—like eating better, exercising more, or managing blood pressure—to help lower their risk.

Researchers say more studies are needed, but this could lead to a new way to find brain disease risk early. One day, an eye exam might do more than check your vision—it could help protect your mind, too.

Regular eye checkups might be more important than we think.

Better Oral Health Linked to Lower Risk of Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults. Those Who Brushed Teeth at Least Twice a Day Had 28% Lower Odds of Developing Anxiety. Those Who Had Received Dental Surgery Had 42% Lower Odds of Developing Depression Than Those With Missing or Unrepaired Teeth

A new study from China found that older adults with better oral health were less likely to have depression or anxiety. People who brushed their teeth at least twice a day had a 28% lower risk of anxiety. Those who had dental surgery to fix missing teeth had a 42% lower risk of depression compared to people with missing or untreated teeth.

The study looked at over 3,000 adults aged 65 and older. Researchers found that people with more missing teeth were more likely to have mental health problems. Those who brushed often and ate more fruits and vegetables had fewer signs of depression, anxiety, and even dementia.

Oral health includes the condition of your teeth, gums, and mouth. Taking care of your mouth helps prevent pain, infection, and disease. It may also help keep your brain healthy.

People in the study who ate fruits and vegetables every day had a much lower chance of having anxiety or depression. Good dental habits and a healthy diet may work together to improve mental health.

This study does not prove that poor oral health causes depression, but it shows they are linked. It’s also possible that people with depression may take less care of their teeth.

Still, brushing, flossing, eating well, and seeing a dentist regularly are simple steps that may protect both your teeth and your mood.

Good oral care is not just about your smile—it may help your mind stay sharp and healthy too.

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.