Jan 23, 2026

Email 1:

Subject: U.S. exits WHO with an unpaid bill

Sender: newsletter@statnews.com

Summary:

The U.S. has formally ended its decades-long membership in the World Health Organization (WHO), leaving behind an unpaid bill of $278 million. This withdrawal raises concerns among global health experts about the world’s reduced ability to handle health crises like Ebola or Covid. Unlike the previous U.S. withdrawal during the Trump administration, other countries have not increased their funding this time. The U.S. also reneged on several hundred million dollars in promised voluntary contributions. Additional topics include the FDA clearing a new AI tool for CT scans, increased use of unproven autism treatments, and the U.S. government’s recent campaign promoting whole milk consumption.

Email 2:

Subject: 🔥 Insurers feel heats

Sender: vitals@axios.com

Summary:

Health insurers are under political scrutiny as Republicans criticize them over affordability amid high health care costs. House Republicans held hearings with executives from major insurers (UnitedHealth, CVS, Elevance, Cigna, and Ascendiun), pressing them on premium costs. Insurers blame high premiums predominantly on hospital and drug company prices. Meanwhile, the U.S. faces a surge in measles cases, threatening to lose its measles elimination status, with most cases among the unvaccinated. GLP-1 weight-loss drugs now represent over 7% of prescriptions, though growth may be slowing. Finally, around 10 million adults took microdosed psychedelics last year for mental health, despite limited clinical research data on effects.

Email 3:

Subject: 50% off STAT+ ends at midnight

Sender: marketing@statnews.com

Summary:

This is a final reminder that readers can get 50% off an annual STAT+ subscription using code JAN2026. The subscription offers unlimited access to in-depth biotech, pharma, and life sciences coverage, premium data tools, and event discounts. The offer ends at midnight, encouraging readers to subscribe and stay informed on cutting-edge health and science news throughout 2026.

Email 4:

Subject: Largest ever ‘superposition’ pushes boundary between quantum and classical worlds

Sender: briefing@nature.com

Summary:

Physicists have created the largest recorded quantum ‘superposition’ involving clusters of about 7,000 sodium atoms, roughly the size of some viruses, marking a significant expansion of quantum phenomena into the macroscopic scale. Related breakthroughs include magnetically controlled fluorescent proteins manipulated in bacterial cells and animals, potentially enabling remote-controlled biosensors or therapies. Archaeological news reveals the oldest-known cave art—a stenciled hand in Indonesia dated at least 67,800 years old—shedding light on early human migrations. The newsletter also features insights into why girls are starting puberty younger globally, possibly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and historical architecture designed to retain heat during the ‘Little Ice Age.’ Finally, concerns about social media use among teens with ADHD are discussed, highlighting risks and brain-behavior links.

Stay Well!