National Center for Health Research

Column | I let ChatGPT analyze a decade of my Apple Watch data. Then I called my doctor. I gave the new ChatGPT Health access to 29 million steps and 6 million heartbeat measurements. It drew questionable conclusions that changed each time I asked.

His actual doctor confirmed he is perfectly healthy.

Respected cardiologist Dr. Eric Topol reviewed the AI's analysis and called it "baseless," warning that this technology should not give medical advice.

#ChatGPT #Apple #ArtificialIntelligence

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A tech columnist let the new ChatGPT Health analyze a decade of his Apple Watch data, including 29 million steps and 6 million heartbeat measurements.

The chatbot initially graded his cardiac health an F, but when he asked again, it swung to a D, then a C.

The Olympics just saw its first 'forever chemical' disqualifications Waxes containing PFAS are banned at the Milan-Cortina Games. Three athletes already have been disqualified for using them.

These forever chemicals are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and environmental contamination.

This ban is a victory for athletes' health and our environment that has implications for everyone, not just Olympians!

#PFAS #Olympics #ForeverChemicals

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The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics officially ended yesterday, so let's celebrate a surprising historic first for the games.

Three athletes were disqualified for using ski waxes containing PFAS.

These can give a speed advantage, but are also a toxic forever chemical.

The Olympics just saw its first 'forever chemical' disqualifications Waxes containing PFAS are banned at the Milan-Cortina Games. Three athletes already have been disqualified for using them.

These chemicals are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and environmental contamination.

This ban is a victory for the health of athletes and our environment that has implications for everyone, not just Olympians!

#PFAS #Olympics #ForeverChemicals

grist.org/accountabili...

MAHA unleashes on White House after Trump backs pesticide MAHA advocates promptly denounced the move and said it would threaten Republicans’ chances in the midterms.

Will this fight destroy the already fraying coalition of voters that Trump has depended on?

#RoundUp #Weedkillers #MAHA #Midterms

www.politico.com/news/2026/02...

We agree with MAHA Moms who are disappointed with RFK's alignment with weedkiller manufacturers!

The White House says it will help farmers, but they mean Big Ag, not family farmers. Family farmers are the ones getting cancer due to RoundUp.

Monsanto, plaintiffs seek $7.25B settlement over Roundup cancer claims Monsanto and thousands of people suing the company alleging its Roundup weedkiller caused them to develop cancer have reached a $7.25 billion settlement agreement. The proposed class action agreeme…

Meanwhile, President Trump issued an Executive Order to ensure the U.S. has enough RoundUp to give the manufacturers immunity from lawsuits!

Guess what? The MAHA Moms are very angry.

#Monsanto #Glyphosate #Roundup #Cancer
#MAHA

thehill.com/policy/energ...

Bayer and Monsanto have reached a $7.25 billion settlement in a lawsuit by thousands of people who developed cancer after using the weedkiller Roundup.

While this compensation program is a victory for current victims, the Supreme Court might block future lawsuits nationwide.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to face jury in landmark social media addiction trial The case is seen as a test of social media's legal responsibility for platform design features that plaintiffs' lawyers say exacerbated mental health issues in young people.

This contradicts Mark Zuckerberg's defense that unhappy kids seek these platforms as an “escape.”

It shows that these social media platforms tend to make kids more depressed.

#SocialMediaAddiction #YouthMentalHealth #MetaLawsuit #Zuckerberg

www.npr.org/2026/02/18/n...

Does science support the landmark social media addiction trial against Meta and Snap?

A new study of nearly 12,000 children found that heavy social media users were 35% more depressed, but preexisting depression did not lead to more use.

State Abortion Bans Tied to Spike in Maternal Death Rates Study included maternal death by homicide, suicide, and drug overdose

When pregnancies are unwanted or unsafe, restricting access puts mothers’ lives at risk.

#MaternalHealth #ReproductiveRights #Abortion

www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...

New research shows that states with 5 or more types of abortion restrictions see about 16 additional maternal deaths each year.

The leading causes of death were:
-violence (10.6%)
-unintentional drug overdose (10.2%)
-cardiovascular disease (9.6%).

NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya will take over leadership of CDC temporarily The transition is the latest in a monthslong series of leadership shake-ups across federal health agencies.

The clock is ticking because the CDC Director position must be filled permanently by March 25.

#MAHA #CDC #NIH

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

Why is the White House appointing the head of NIH to ALSO be the head of the CDC?

These aren't part-time jobs!

Could it be that nobody they would want for the CDC could get confirmed by the Senate?

Common Food Additive Linked to Cancer Risk Findings support recommendations for freshly made, minimally processed foods, researchers say

Experts are now calling for stricter government limits and clearer labeling to protect consumers, but what will the FDA do about it?

#Cancer #FDA #Preservatives

www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyon...

A study of over 100,000 people found that high intake of common preservatives can increase cancer risks.

Sorbates & acetates (in baked goods, cheese) were linked to a greater chance of breast cancer.

Sodium nitrite (in hot dogs, deli meats) was linked to a greater chance of prostate cancer.

The result? The study found that most men had low to moderate scores, so their chances of prostate cancer were very low for 5-10 years, and quite low for 20 years.

Men with high PSAs need more frequent monitoring.

#MensHealth #ProstateCancer #PSA

www.center4research.org/are-prostate...

A 2026 JAMA study indicates most men do not need prostate cancer screenings every year or even every few years.

Researchers found that a single PSA test in your 50's can predict the chances of getting prostate cancer within the next 5, 10, and 20 years.

Does that mean vaccines will no longer be covered by insurance in 9 months, after the election is over?

#HHS #MAHA #Midterms

thehill.com/policyhealth...

Good news: HHS is shifting focus away from bashing vaccines to the risks of ultraprocessed foods.

Bad news: It’s a strategy to win midterms, not improve our health. Even MAHA activists admit the party is just "renting" their voters.

Under growing pressure, the biggest social networks agree to be rated on teen safety The three major social media companies have agreed to undergo independent assessments of how effectively they protect the mental health of teenage users.

But these standards are voluntary, and as Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) warns, a badge is no substitute for enforceable laws.

#SocialMedia #TeenMentalHealth #TikTok

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Under growing pressure, Meta (FB, Instagram), TikTok, and Snap have agreed to independent "safety ratings" on teen mental health.

Platforms that pass get a "Blue Shield" badge. Those who fail will be branded as unsafe.

Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy Pill Super Bowl Commercial May Draw US FDA Penalty Flag The agency said a January 2026 commercial violated the FDA’s “clear, conspicuous and neutral” rule requiring simultaneous presentation of risk information in text and audio, but the same concern appea...

With the FDA already cracking down on GLP-1 marketing, is the big game ad next on the list?

#Wegovy #FDA #PharmaAds

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The FDA just flagged Novo Nordisk's launch ad for the Wegovy pill for failing to speak the risks clearly.

The Super Bowl ad featuring Kenan Thompson appears to make the same mistake—referencing "these symptoms" without actually saying them out loud.

Why Dr. Oz wants you to retire later Mehmet Oz says Americans should get healthier so they can work an extra year and boost the economy. That’s hard for the poor and less educated, who tend to retire earlier.

Why should everyday Americans work longer in physically demanding jobs to pay for tax cuts that only benefit the wealthy?

#SocialSecurity #WorkingClass #Retirement

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Dr. Oz wants Americans to work an extra year to "boost the economy." Easy for him to say.

For wealthy desk workers, working longer is a choice. For blue collar and pink collar workers, it isn't always possible or a good idea.

'Take the vaccine, please,' Dr. Mehmet Oz says in an appeal as measles cases rise A leading U.S. health official is urging people to get inoculated against the measles at a time of outbreaks across several states. The appeal is from Dr.

Measles can be deadly. Dr. Oz, make your voice heard where and when it matters most.

#Measles #SouthCarolina #VaccinesWork

apnews.com/article/meas...

"Take the vaccine, please." — Dr. Oz

But the better time to urge vaccination is before hundreds of children get sick.

South Carolina's measles outbreak has hit 920 cases, surpassing the 2025 Texas record. 91% are unvaccinated—mostly children ages 5-11.

Super Bowl spot will promote a cancer test that can produce false results The telehealth firm is running an ad during Sunday’s game pitching its platform as a way to access health services enjoyed by the wealthy, such as a controversial test to detect cancer with a simple b...

Experts warn these tests miss many cancers, giving patients a dangerous false sense of security.

Or, they may tell you that you have cancer when you don't, leading to expensive, stressful, and sometimes risky tests.

#SuperBowl #HimsAndHers #CancerTest

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