Autism Therapy Spending Quintuples, Prompting Federal Push For State Oversight

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 5, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Medicaid spending on autism therapy quintupled in four years, climbing to $10 billion in 2025 from about $2 billion in 2021, reports The New York Times.

Spending per child more than doubled over that period, rising from a median of $8,903 to $21,203. Median means half had higher spe...

Childhood Obesity Might Impact Women's Future Ability To Give Birth

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 5, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Girls with childhood obesity could struggle with fertility later in life, a new study says.

Women who were obese as children were less likely to give birth as adults, researchers reported Aug. 4 in JAMA Network Open. The risk increased with age. 

“Notably, we observ...

Could The Air You Breathe Be Triggering Painful Arthritis Flares?

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 5, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Could the air you breathe be making your arthritis worse?

A published today in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases suggests exposure to fine particle air pollution may trigger flare-ups.

People with rheumatoid arthritis exposed to higher levels of fine particle air pollu...

AI-Managed Oxygen Promotes More Stable Oxygen Levels In Patients

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 5, 2026 (HealthDay News) — AI-driven oxygen delivery can help hospitalized patients maintain better blood oxygen levels, potentially speeding their recovery, a new study says.

Patients treated with AI-automated oxygen spent 85% of their time in the target oxygen range, compared with 63% in people whose oxygen was manu...

Type 2 Diabetes Might Make Menopause Worse

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 5, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Women with type 2 diabetes might face a tougher time with menopause, a new study says.

Across all menopause stages, women with type 2 diabetes reported worse symptoms compared to those without diabetes, researchers reported today in the journal Menopause.

“Women in the d...

Pesticides Linked To Increased ALS Risk, Review Finds

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 5, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to pesticides on the job can increase a person’s risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a new evidence review says.

Workplace exposure to herbicides and insecticides is linked to a 60% to 70% increased risk of ALS, researchers reported Aug. 4 in the journal Occupat...