12/08/25 - #538

Author

Health Horizon. Herald Staff
December 08, 2025

In partnership with

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Eating Ultraprocessed Foods Linked With High Risk of Colorectal Tumors That Can Lead to Cancer

  • Medicare Announces Lower Prices for 15 Drugs Including Ozempic, Wegovy

  • Measles Cases Are Surging, Making Global Elimination a ‘Distant Goal,’ WHO Says

  • Sleep Apnea Dramatically Raises Parkinson’s Risk, Study Finds

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Eating Ultraprocessed Foods Linked With High Risk of Colorectal Tumors That Can Lead to Cancer

A new study finds that eating too many ultraprocessed foods may increase the risk of colon growths that can turn into cancer. These early growths, called adenomas, often show no symptoms but can lead to colorectal cancer over time.

Researchers followed over 29,000 female nurses for 13 years. They found that women who ate the most ultraprocessed foods—about 10 servings a day—had a 45% higher risk of developing these tumors by age 50 compared to those who ate the least.

The biggest sources were:

  • Packaged breads and breakfast foods

  • Sauces, spreads, and condiments

  • Sugary or artificially sweetened drinks

Ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) are heavily modified with additives, preservatives, and flavorings. They’re often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats and low in fiber. Experts believe they may damage the gut lining, cause inflammation, or disrupt the gut microbiome—raising cancer risk.

Other diseases linked to UPFs include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Doctors recommend eating more real, whole foods such as:

  • Vegetables

  • Fruits

  • Whole grains

  • Nuts and seeds

  • Beans and legumes

  • Plain water

You should also get screened for colon cancer starting at age 45, or earlier if you have a family history. Early detection can save lives.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Please talk to your doctor before making any dietary or health changes.

WEIGHT LOSS

Medicare Announces Lower Prices for 15 Drugs Including Ozempic, Wegovy

If you’re on Medicare and take expensive medications like Ozempic or Wegovy, help is on the way.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced lower prices for 15 high-cost drugs, including treatments for diabetes, cancer, asthma, and more. This includes popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. The changes will go into effect in 2027 under a law signed in 2022.

These drugs accounted for over $42 billion in spending for Medicare Part D patients in 2024. With the new prices, Medicare expects to save $12 billion, and patients could save $685 million out-of-pocket.

Here’s how the pricing will change:

  • Ozempic: $274 (was $959)

  • Trelegy (asthma/COPD): $175 (was $654)

  • Ibrance (breast cancer): $7,871 (was $15,741)

  • Linzess (IBS): $136 (was $539)

And many more.

The savings were negotiated through the Inflation Reduction Act. Experts say the new prices are fair, though some argue they could have been lower. Still, the 2027 savings will be bigger than the first round of cuts in 2024.

For many older adults on fixed incomes, this could mean real relief from high drug costs.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical or financial advice. Talk to your doctor or Medicare advisor about your specific options.

HEALTH

Measles Cases Are Surging, Making Global Elimination a ‘Distant Goal,’ WHO Says

Measles cases are going up around the world, and experts are warning that stopping the disease is now a “distant goal.”

For many years, measles was under control thanks to vaccines. Since 2000, global measles deaths dropped by 88%, saving about 58 million lives. But now, fewer children are getting vaccinated. In 2024 alone, 30 million kids missed one or both doses of the measles vaccine.

As a result, outbreaks are happening again—even in places like the U.S. and Canada, where measles was once considered gone. In fact, the U.S. has seen more measles cases in 2025 than in any year since 2000.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. Just one case can lead to dozens of infections if people aren’t protected. The vaccine works very well, especially when two doses are given. But in many places, only 76% of children got both doses last year. Health experts say at least 95% of kids need to be fully vaccinated to stop outbreaks.

The COVID-19 pandemic made things worse by disrupting regular health services. Now, many countries don’t have enough health workers, vaccine programs, or funding to catch up.

The World Health Organization says that strong vaccine programs and better access to health care are urgently needed. Without them, the world could see even more deadly measles outbreaks in the years ahead.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor with any health concerns.

Sleep Apnea Dramatically Raises Parkinson’s Risk, Study Finds

A new study shows that people with untreated sleep apnea may be nearly twice as likely to get Parkinson’s disease. But using a CPAP machine during sleep may lower that risk.

Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops and starts breathing many times during the night. This lowers the amount of oxygen the brain gets. Over time, this may hurt brain cells and raise the risk of diseases like Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s is a brain disease that affects movement, balance, and speech. It often gets worse over time, and the risk grows as people get older.

Researchers looked at the medical records of more than 11 million U.S. veterans. They found that people with sleep apnea who did not use a CPAP machine were much more likely to develop Parkinson’s. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. It’s a device that helps keep the airway open and makes breathing easier during sleep.

Doctors think that better sleep and more oxygen at night may help protect the brain. Many veterans who use CPAP machines say they feel more rested and alert during the day.

“If your brain doesn’t get enough oxygen every night, it may cause damage over time,” said Dr. Lee Neilson, a neurologist involved in the study.

The study suggests that using a CPAP machine could help lower the risk of Parkinson’s and improve quality of life.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not give medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your health.

✢ 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.