Health News

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.

Canton, Ohio – September 24, 2026 -- Liberty HealthShare has logged 24 consecutive months of year-over-year enrollment growth, with sign-ups through August 2026 running nearly 56% ahead of the same period in 2025 and more than double 2024 levels.

The Christian healthcare sharing ministry, based in Canton, Ohio, positions itself as an alternative to traditional health insurance for individuals and families managing rising medical costs.

Members' monthly costs have dropped for two straight years

In June 2026, Liberty HealthShare cut sharing contributions for family programs by an average of 16%. The ministry also returned more than $2 million to members during this period, even as national healthcare expenses continued to climb.

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.

Hanoi – September 23, 2026 -- Greenfield Dental, a clinic in Hanoi, Vietnam, has seen international patient volume grow over 300% since 2025, as rising dental costs in Western countries push patients abroad for care.

Western dental prices keep climbing while Vietnam holds steady

In the United Kingdom, the majority of dental practices have stopped accepting new NHS patients, and private fees have risen over 20% since 2022. In Australia and the United States, implant costs increase 8% to 12% annually, pushing full-arch procedures out of reach for many uninsured patients and retirees. Vietnam, by contrast, maintains annual price increases of only 3% to 5%, with patient savings of up to 80% on implants. The country now ranks as the second most popular dental tourism destination for Australians and among the top three in the Asia-Pacific region.

Rahway, N.J. – September 23, 2026 -- Patients dealing with prolonged diarrhea and abdominal pain often confuse inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), despite the two being fundamentally different conditions, according to a new editorial from MerckManuals.com by Dr. Aaron E. Walfish of Mount Sinai Medical Center.

IBD causes physical damage that IBS does not

Walfish explains that IBS is a functional disorder where the digestive tract looks normal but doesn't work properly. IBD, by contrast, involves chronic inflammation that shows up on a colonoscopy, imaging, or biopsy. Left untreated, IBD can lead to fistulas, abscesses, undernutrition, and a higher risk of colorectal cancer. Because it's a systemic disease, it can also trigger joint pain, eye inflammation, skin issues, and fatigue elsewhere in the body.

Nesconset, N.Y. – September 22, 2026 -- LifeVac, maker of an FDA-authorized anti-choking suction device, announced it has now saved 4,000 children from choking emergencies, following the rescue of a 3-year-old boy who stopped breathing while eating sausage at breakfast.

A toddler's airway closed completely despite standard first aid

The boy's mother first watched him try to cough up the food himself, but he went silent as the obstruction worsened. Basic Life Support choking protocols, including the Heimlich maneuver, failed to clear his airway.

A three-year-old device stored in a diaper bag became the last resort

The child's father retrieved the family's LifeVac Home Kit, which had sat unused in their diaper bag for nearly three years. Placed on the ground, the boy received the pediatric mask attachment three times; the third attempt dislodged the remaining piece of sausage and he began breathing again.

New York – September 22, 2026 -- Lemonade has launched its pet insurance product in Kentucky, giving pet owners in the state access to customizable accident, illness, and preventative care coverage through the company's app.

Kentucky becomes the 44th state for Lemonade Pet

With this rollout, Lemonade Pet Insurance is now live in 44 states plus Washington, D.C. Customers can get a quote within minutes and file claims directly through the Lemonade app, with the company touting payouts that can arrive in seconds rather than the weeks or months typical of traditional insurers.

Champaign, Ill. – September 22, 2026 -- Patients considering dental implants face a clinical evaluation that hinges on bone density, gum health, and overall medical history, according to a HelloNation article featuring insights from Dental Expert Kelvin Jung of Q Dental.

Jawbone density determines whether an implant can bond properly.

A dental implant is a titanium post placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with surrounding tissue through osseointegration. When bone has deteriorated after tooth loss, the jaw may not support the post without bone grafting performed beforehand.

Active gum disease must be resolved before implant planning begins.

The article notes that periodontal disease raises the risk of implant failure. Patients with gum disease are treated and stabilized first, with candidacy reassessed only after infection clears and tissue heals.

Rexburg, Idaho – September 22, 2026 -- Patients dealing with muscle tightness or limited range of motion may encounter a treatment called dry needling during physical therapy, a technique explained in a new article from HelloNation featuring insights from Paul Dye of Rexburg Rehabilitation in Rexburg, ID.

A thin needle targets tight muscle areas without injecting anything.