Feb 06, 2026

Email 1

Subject: HHS’ Anti-Fraud Efforts & Super Bowl Ad Spoilers

Good morning,

This week brings a look into the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) evolving approach to fighting healthcare fraud. Under President Trump, the focus has shifted from individual providers to targeting entire states, especially those governed by Democrats. HHS General Counsel Mike Stuart described this new aggressive crackdown as more than defensive — seeking affirmative action. Read more on how blue states are in the spotlight.

Also notable:

• A new study links 24,100 annual U.S. deaths to chronic exposure to wildfire pollution, highlighting hidden health risks.

• Ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary critiques drug advertisements as “distraction by design.” Expect drug ads featuring Hims & Hers, Novo Nordisk, and others. Don’t miss a video discussion analyzing the boundary-pushing themes in some ads.

• A tragic reminder: a newborn’s listeria death likely linked to raw milk consumption during pregnancy reinforces serious risks raw dairy poses.

Stay informed with in-depth coverage through a STAT+ subscription.

Best,

Theresa Gaffney

Morning Rounds Writer, STAT

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Email 2

Subject: GLP-1’s Long Horizons & Key Health Industry Updates

Hello,

The obesity drug market is booming as Eli Lilly reports record profits driven by GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro and Zepbound, with double-digit revenue growth. The anti-obesity medication era is just beginning, with fierce competition heating up, including bids from Pfizer and licensing deals by AstraZeneca. Novo Nordisk faces patent challenges and pricing agreements while launching a fastest-ever drug pill.

In other news:

• Cigna’s Express Scripts settles with the FTC over inflated insulin prices, promising changes to rebate practices and greater transparency. The settlement could lower out-of-pocket costs by $7 billion over 10 years.

• A Gallup survey reveals healthcare providers face significant challenges filling specialist and nursing roles amid a tight labor market. AI is viewed as a possible partial solution.

• CDC researchers report last year’s COVID-19 vaccine was 40% effective against hospitalization and 79% effective against death or ventilation, despite low vaccine uptake especially among seniors.

Stay tuned for more insights from Axios Vitals.

Best,

Maya Goldman, Peter Sullivan & Tina Reed

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Email 3

Subject: Tumours Hijack Neurons to Send Immune-Suppressing Signals to the Brain

Dear Reader,

New research reveals that tumours actively hijack nearby sensory neurons to communicate with the brain, which then suppresses immune responses allowing tumors to grow unchecked. Deactivating these neurons in lung cancer models reduced tumour growth by over 50%. Additionally:

• Snakes and some reptiles lack the gene for the appetite hormone ghrelin, enabling them to survive without frequent meals, with implications for human metabolism research.

• OpenScholar, an AI model integrating a 45-million article database, outperforms major language models in accurately reviewing scientific literature with correct citations.

• China introduces its first ‘practical PhDs’ assessed via real-world prototypes, aiming to cultivate elite engineers.

Other stories: how urban sensors provide new insights, the resurgence of diseases in Cameroon due to US funding cuts, and why the Hubble Space Telescope remains indispensable despite JWST.

Quote of the day: Rockhopper penguins exemplify determination facing nature’s challenges.

Thank you for reading,

Jacob Smith

Associate Editor, Nature Briefing

Stay Well!