πŸ’š Health & Wellness

July 11th, 2026

Today's top 5 stories, curated by Daily Direct.

Stat News

Nominee for key federal health role has a history of questioning vaccines

Sean Kaufman, nominated for a key federal health position, has a documented history of questioning vaccine safety and efficacy β€” a stance that could complicate his path to confirmation. His views are expected to clash with Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician and vocal vaccine proponent, when the Senate takes up his hearing next week. The collision sets up a rare moment of friction within Republican ranks over the direction of federal public health policy.

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Guardian Health

NHS anaesthetist shortage prevents 1.5m operations a year, report finds

A shortage of anaesthetists is blocking roughly 4,000 NHS operations every day, leaving 1.5 million procedures unperformed annually. The crisis compounds an already strained system grappling with over 8 million patients on waiting lists across the UK. The findings underscore how specialist workforce gaps β€” not just surgical capacity β€” are driving the backlog crisis.

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Medical Xpress

New study provides first evidence of dopamine system injury in the brain of long COVID patients

Long COVID may be doing measurable damage to the brain's dopamine system, according to new imaging research from CAMH published in eBioMedicine. The study offers the strongest evidence yet linking the condition to injury in dopamine-releasing neurons, which could explain debilitating symptoms like fatigue, slowed movement, and cognitive difficulties. The findings are significant not only for validating what patients have reported, but for pointing toward potential targeted treatment strategies.

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Medical Xpress

How to stay safe and still enjoy produce this summer with the outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite

Cyclospora infections are surging across the U.S., leaving dozens sick with prolonged bouts of watery diarrhea tied to contaminated fresh produce. The outbreak is a timely reminder that food safety habits matter, particularly during summer when raw fruits and vegetables are dietary staples. Thorough washing, careful sourcing, and knowing the warning signs can significantly reduce your risk without sacrificing the season's best eating.

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Medical Xpress

New first-in-human study explores immune-engineered cell therapy approach for type 1 diabetes

Researchers presented early findings at the ISSCR 2026 Annual Meeting on a novel cell therapy designed to produce insulin in type 1 diabetes patients without requiring lifelong immunosuppression. The approach uses immune-engineered allogeneic cells, meaning they can be sourced from donors rather than the patient, potentially broadening access to cell replacement treatment. If validated, the strategy could remove one of the biggest barriers to making cell therapy a practical, scalable option for managing the disease.

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