Health

New York City – – September 30, 2026 -- Hilarity for Charity (HFC), the nonprofit founded by filmmakers Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen, will host its fifth annual HFC Comedy Night on Friday, October 2, at Racket NYC, 431 W 16th St, raising funds for Alzheimer's caregiver support and brain health education.

The 21-and-over event kicks off with a VIP reception at 6:00 PM, followed by general admission doors at 7:00 PM and showtime at 8:00 PM.

Desi Lydic emcees a lineup of stand-up comedians and live music

Comedian Desi Lydic will host the evening, with stand-up sets from Byron Bowers, Jay Jurden, Bryan Safi, Jo Sunday and Maddie Wiener. No Static Orchestra will provide live music, and organizers promise additional surprises throughout the night.

Kobe – September 30, 2026 -- ASICS has issued what it calls the world's first conservation warning for human movement, after new research found people report spending 86% of their waking day not moving.

The Japanese sportswear brand released the findings ahead of World Mental Health Day, alongside a short nature documentary titled Human Nature, narrated by actress Sigourney Weaver. The film explores how sofas, screens and modern convenience are quietly replacing everyday movement.

More than half of adults fail to meet activity guidelines today

The global study, conducted in July 2026 among 34,000 people across 31 countries, found 53% of adults are not meeting recommended physical activity guidelines. ASICS worked with experts, including Professor Brendon Stubbs, to create a Movement Conservation Status, classifying weekly activity as active, at risk, or endangered based on WHO and national health guidelines.

Englewood – September 29, 2026 -- Undergraduate students across the United States pursuing medicine can now apply for the newly launched Dr. Jihad Mustapha Medical Student Scholarship, a one-time award designed to offset the costs of pre-medical and early medical studies.

The fund targets financial barriers facing pre-med students

Dr. Jihad A. Mustapha, an interventional cardiologist and educator, established the scholarship to help talented students focus on academic excellence and clinical preparation rather than financial strain. His career spans decades of clinical practice, research, and teaching, with a focus on cardiovascular and vascular medicine.

Applications open through the scholarship's official website

Students can apply through the program's dedicated site, where guidelines, required documentation, and submission deadlines are listed.

Washington – September 24, 2026 -- Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) debuted its new podcast, "Voices of PVA," on September 22, with new episodes releasing every other week starting October 6.

The audio-only show targets veterans and the broader disability community, including people living with spinal cord injuries or diseases (SCI/D) such as MS and ALS. The first season will run 24 episodes total.

Two hosts bring personal and professional ties to disability issues

The podcast is hosted by Al Kovach, a U.S. Navy SEAL veteran, Paralympian, and editor-in-chief of Paraplegic News and Sports 'N Spokes magazines, alongside PVA reporter Chad Stewart. Each episode features guests ranging from veteran athletes and policy leaders to caregivers and researchers.

San Diego – September 24, 2026 -- A new national study finds that more than 1 in 5 people with Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)—the condition recently renamed from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)—waited over five years for a formal diagnosis, with weight stigma cited as a major driver of delayed care.

The research, conducted by eating disorder treatment provider Equip in partnership with Women's Health, surveyed 1,048 women and intersex individuals in the U.S. with diagnosed or suspected PMOS. The IRB-approved study (Sterling IRB: 16473) recruited participants through CloudResearch, using bot detection and attention checks to verify data quality.

Philadelphia – September 23, 2026 -- Incontinence care company TENA has released expert answers to the most common AI-generated questions women ask about pelvic floor health, aiming to counter misinformation found through chatbot searches.

The brand, part of global hygiene company Essity, compiled top prompts women type into AI tools about aging and pelvic health, then had 3D movement specialist Zarina Del Mar respond with evidence-based guidance.

Strengthening the pelvic floor requires more than endless Kegels, Del Mar says

Del Mar explains that a healthy pelvic floor needs to be both strong and responsive, contracting when the body needs support and relaxing when it doesn't. She recommends focusing on breath, pelvic floor, deep core, and movement working together rather than isolating visible abdominal muscles.

San Mateo – September 23, 2026 -- A nonprofit that has spent more than three decades helping people navigate life after a breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis is set to be featured on Public Television, with production planned at its San Mateo, California headquarters and aboard its Mobile Resource Center.

Bay Area Cancer Connections will appear in an upcoming episode of "All Access hosted by Andy Garcia," an educational short-form series distributed to Public Television stations nationwide. The organization was founded in 1993 by breast cancer patient Jill Freidenrich and her surgeon, Dr. Ellen Mahoney.

Seattle – September 22, 2026 -- A whitefish sold in the freezer aisle of most major grocery stores is drawing new attention as a whole-food protein source, delivering 26 grams of complete protein per 3.5-ounce serving. Wild Alaska Sole, often labeled Wild Alaska Flounder in the U.S., comes from Alaskan waters and contains all nine essential amino acids the body cannot produce on its own.

The fish arrives as shoppers increasingly scrutinize where their protein comes from, not just how much of it they're eating. Many high-protein products on store shelves rely on soy or vegetable isolates, while Wild Alaska Sole offers protein in its natural, unprocessed form.

Shenzhen – September 20, 2026 -- Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited has unveiled "Ping An GlobalCare," a new service designed to help foreign residents in China overcome language barriers and confusing hospital procedures when seeking medical care. The product, revealed at the Shenzhen Sci-Tech Innovation Exhibition, is now available for trial in Shenzhen.

The AI engine translates medical conversations in real time across 19 languages

Ping An GlobalCare uses an AI-powered translation system that supports two-way speech and text conversion, with specific coverage for professional medical terminology. The tool aims to remove communication gaps between international patients and Chinese physicians during consultations.

Users can log in with mobile numbers from 198 countries and regions, a feature intended to make the service accessible to a broad international user base without requiring a local Chinese phone number.

Braselton, Ga. – September 19, 2026 -- Braselton Endodontics has opened at 1235 Friendship Rd, Suite 115, offering root canal therapy and other specialized tooth-saving treatments to patients across northeast Georgia.

Dr. Julie Brann leads the new specialty practice

The practice is founded by endodontist Dr. Julie Brann, DMD, who earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts University in 2015. She completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency in Phoenix, Arizona, practiced general dentistry for six years, and finished her endodontic residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center in 2024.