Public Health

New York – September 20, 2026 -- Mediaplanet has launched its Women vs. Cancer campaign, published Sunday, September 20, within the Los Angeles Times, focusing on symptom awareness, earlier detection and advances in treatment for women's cancers.

Erin Andrews shares her cervical cancer story on the cover

ESPN broadcaster and cervical cancer survivor Erin Andrews serves as the campaign's cover feature, detailing her diagnosis and treatment experience. She emphasizes listening to one's body, keeping up with recommended screenings, and speaking up when something feels wrong.

New York – September 20, 2026 -- A 15-year-old girl riding an electric Citi Bike was struck and killed by a heavy-duty industrial truck in Manhattan's East Village on Friday night, according to a statement released by Bradley Tusk, founder of Tusk Philanthropies.

Tusk says the death comes months after Citi Bike had prepared, following a year of work, to launch an age verification system meant to stop riders under 16 from renting e-bikes. He claims the rollout was scheduled for May but was halted the day before launch on orders from Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Deputy Mayor Julia Kerson.

Atlanta – September 20, 2026 -- Parents deciding between private and group swim lessons for their kids now have a clearer roadmap, thanks to a new HelloNation article breaking down which format best builds water safety, skill, and confidence.

Small classes of two to four kids balance attention and peer learning

The article highlights that small group swim lessons in Atlanta typically run with two to four children per instructor. This size allows for individual feedback while letting kids watch peers attempt skills, hear instructions repeated, and stay engaged in a social setting.

Toddlers learn by watching classmates succeed

For toddler swim classes specifically, observation plays a major role in early skill-building. Seeing another child complete a skill often motivates a young swimmer to try it themselves, according to the article.

Las Vegas – September 19, 2026 -- Fans can donate blood and walk away with limited-edition Metallica merchandise at a new pop-up opening Sept. 28 at Fashion Show Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Red Cross x Metallica Blood Donation Experience, sponsored by Delta Air Lines, runs through March 19, 2027, timed to coincide with the band's Las Vegas residency.

Donors get a backstage-style setup and a shot at a custom drum kit

The immersive space lets visitors sit behind a replica of the drum set used by Metallica co-founder Lars Ulrich. Every donor receives a limited-edition T-shirt designed by Squindo while supplies last, and is automatically entered to win a replica TAMA drum kit modeled after the one built for Ulrich during Metallica's WorldWired Tour. After donating, fans can relax in the Delta Backstage Lounge, provided by Delta Air Lines. Full terms are posted at RedCrossBlood.org/Metallica.

Bellingham, Wash. – September 19, 2026 -- The Non-UPF Verified certification program has grown to 304 verified products across 23 brands since opening for enrollment on January 21, 2026, and shoppers can now check that status instantly through a new smartphone app.

A new app lets shoppers scan barcodes for processing details

The Non-UPF Verified app, available for iOS and Android, allows users to scan a packaged food's barcode to see whether it carries Non-UPF Verified status. If a product isn't verified, users can tap to request verification directly, a feature designed to send food brands a clear signal of consumer demand.

Chicago – September 18, 2026 -- The American Lung Association has launched a national campaign to help patients and caregivers recognize the early warning signs of progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), timed to World Interstitial Lung Disease Day.

PPF describes worsening lung scarring that can occur in people living with an interstitial lung disease (ILD), a group of more than 200 conditions that cause inflammation or scarring of the lungs. Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, said the causes range from autoimmune diseases to environmental or occupational exposures, or remain unknown, but all share the risk that scarring can worsen over time.

Washington – September 17, 2026 -- U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026-2027 Best Children's Hospitals rankings, recognizing 90 pediatric hospitals across 34 states and Washington, D.C. The list marks the 20th edition of the annual study, which helps parents and physicians identify top-tier care for children with serious illnesses or rare conditions.

Mount Airy, GA – September 17, 2026 -- The Lutzie 43 Foundation will hold a Safe Driving Summit at Habersham Central High School on Tuesday, September 22, running from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2059 St. Hwy 197 S. in Mount Airy, GA. Sponsored by Bulldog Kia, the event targets distracted, impaired and unsafe driving among high school students.

Mike Lutzenkirchen opens with his son's story

Executive Director Mike Lutzenkirchen will deliver the keynote, recounting the death of his son Philip Lutzenkirchen, a former Auburn University football standout killed in a single-vehicle crash in 2014. Lutzenkirchen said the goal is to have students adopt the foundation's '43 Key Seconds' safe driving routine, calling the combination of Philip's story and firsthand accounts from law enforcement, trucking and healthcare partners 'an eye-opening experience.'

Lawrence, Mass. – September 17, 2026 -- Massachusetts Medicare beneficiaries can now get free, confidential help checking their bills for fraud through the state's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program, following National "Report Medicare Fraud" Day on September 12.

Beneficiaries are urged to compare bills against actual care received

The MA SMP Program advises Medicare recipients to cross-check their Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs), Explanations of Benefits (EOBs), and other billing statements against the healthcare services they actually received. Charges for unfamiliar equipment, tests, or services not received are red flags worth reporting.

The program steps in when beneficiaries can't resolve issues alone

When a suspicious charge can't be sorted out directly, MA SMP reviews the situation and determines next steps, including referring suspected fraud or abuse cases to investigative authorities.

Bonn – September 15, 2026 -- The "WDR 2 Weihnachtswunder" charity campaign is returning for its fifth year, with the aid alliance Aktion Deutschland Hilft and German radio station WDR 2 launching a donation drive to fight world hunger.

Nearly 50 projects will receive funding this year, the most since the campaign began

Donations collected through the campaign will support close to 50 projects run by Aktion Deutschland Hilft's partner organizations, providing everything from emergency food and clean water to longer-term support for agriculture and livelihoods. Local partners on the ground assess needs, identify vulnerable people, and implement the projects.