The NHS App is now connected to every acute NHS trust in England. The technology is cutting costs by reducing paper letters and SMS, freeing up staff time and resources, increasing productivity and helping to tackle waiting lists. Some 41 million people are registered with the app to access services such as test results, prescriptions, patient records, messaging and appointment information from anywhere.

More than 15 million users logged into the app during March alone—an increase of almost a third over the last 12 months. Prescription ordering via the app rose by more than a third, saving time for both patients and NHS staff.

Jules Hunt, Director General of Technology, Digital and Data for the NHS, said the app gives patients more control and choice, cuts out unnecessary paperwork, reduces missed appointments and frees vital staff time so trusts can address waiting lists more effectively. Dr Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation and Safety Minister, said the app is already transforming how people manage their care, cutting admin burdens and helping to drive down waiting lists by reducing missed appointments.

Patients at all acute NHS trusts commissioned to provide adult services can now view referrals and appointments in the app, with 8.7 million views in March—up 93% compared to a year earlier. Around half of trusts can send appointment reminders via NHS App push notifications to prevent missed appointments. Patients can also access health documents such as discharge summaries in the app, reducing the need for paper records.

Planned features over the next year include follow-up appointment requests and access to specialist care through NHS Online, the NHS’s new online hospital. NHS Online, which will see its first patients next year, will provide triage via the NHS App and offer video consultations with doctors. The service aims to speed up specialist care by digitally connecting patients with expert clinicians across England, providing faster access to treatment regardless of location.

The NHS App has recently been updated to be simpler and more intuitive, with key services like prescriptions, appointments and test results easier and quicker to find from a refreshed homepage.

The study followed 62 adults (31 regular coffee drinkers and 31 non-drinkers). Regular drinkers abstained from coffee for two weeks, a change that altered gut metabolite profiles. In a blinded reintroduction, participants received either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. Both groups reported reduced stress, depression, and impulsivity, indicating benefits beyond caffeine itself. Researchers also observed increases in specific gut bacteria associated with digestion, immune function, and emotional regulation.

Decaf was linked to improved learning and memory, while caffeinated coffee was associated with better attention, reduced anxiety, and lower inflammation—suggesting distinct but complementary effects. The authors and outside experts point to coffee’s noncaffeine components, particularly polyphenols and melanoidins, as likely drivers. These plant compounds feed gut microbes, which ferment them into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate. SCFAs support gut barrier integrity, lower chronic low-grade inflammation, and send signals to the brain via pathways including the vagus nerve, all of which can influence mood and stress responses. Coffee polyphenols may also help regulate the HPA axis, the body’s central stress-response system.

Coco Pierrel, a certified integrative nutritionist not involved in the study, explains that coffee “feeds your gut microbes” and synchronizes metabolic and mental signals. She notes caffeine’s familiar role in blocking adenosine receptors to increase alertness and points out that habitual coffee consumption can blunt cortisol reactivity, which may help people handle pressure with less nervous-system overreaction. The study further found that caffeine specifically reduced markers of inflammation, which can sharpen focus and vigilance.

Practical takeaways: moderate intake appears key. Experts recommend about two to three cups per day for gut and brain benefits; higher amounts can disrupt sleep and negate benefits. Individual sensitivity varies—some people do better with one cup, others with three. A caffeine curfew around 2 p.m. can help protect sleep. How you take your coffee matters: flavored syrups, many conventional creamers, artificial sweeteners, and additives (like certain gums or carrageenan) may harm the gut lining and offset anti-inflammatory effects. Simpler choices—black coffee (preferably organic), grass-fed whole milk, or unsweetened plant milks with short ingredient lists—are less likely to interfere. For sweetness, unprocessed options such as maple syrup or raw honey, or natural zero-calorie sweeteners like pure stevia or monk fruit, are suggested.

In sum, this study adds to evidence that coffee is a functional beverage whose compounds—beyond caffeine—can reshape the gut microbiome and support mental well-being. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee showed measurable benefits, with each form offering somewhat different effects on cognition, anxiety, and inflammation.

What the study did and found
– The analysis included 7,965 people who were starting a GLP-1 medication for the first time: 6,196 began semaglutide and 1,769 began tirzepatide.
– Researchers measured lean body mass before treatment and during follow-up after the first prescription.
– People taking tirzepatide lost more lean body mass than those taking semaglutide: about 1.1% more loss in the first 3 months, increasing to about 2% more by 12 months.
– Approximately 10% of tirzepatide users achieved a 20% total weight reduction and a 5% reduction in lean body mass; for semaglutide users, about 7% reached those thresholds.

Context and interpretation
– Lean body mass includes muscle, connective tissue, and other tissues that support metabolism, strength, and function.
– The study is a preprint and has not yet undergone peer review.
– Experts note the result is consistent with tirzepatide’s generally greater potency for weight loss. Greater overall weight loss often comes with higher relative loss of lean mass as well. “The more aggressive the weight loss, the greater the likelihood that some of that loss includes muscle, not just fat,” said Jeffrey Lee, MD (who was not involved in the study).

Factors linked to higher lean mass loss
– Higher medication doses and longer treatment duration
– Reduced ability or tolerance for exercise during treatment
– Pre-existing musculoskeletal conditions

Preserving muscle while on GLP-1s
– Exercise, especially resistance (strength) training, helps signal the body to maintain muscle even in a calorie deficit and is key to preserving lean mass while losing weight.
– Adequate protein intake supports muscle maintenance.
– A slower, more gradual pace of weight loss tends to preserve lean mass better than rapid loss; careful dose titration and monitoring are important.

Bottom line
Tirzepatide appears associated with somewhat greater lean body mass loss than semaglutide, likely related to its stronger weight-loss effects. Patients using GLP-1 medications should prioritize strength training, sufficient protein, and monitored, gradual weight loss to reduce muscle loss risk.

When it comes to national policies around paid sick or family leave, the United States falls short compared to other developed countries. Around 28 million Americans lack access to paid sick time, which disproportionately affects low-income workers and caregivers. A recent survey from Theraflu and Wakefield Research of more than 1,000 employed U.S. adults who care for someone in their household found that 80% of respondents couldn’t afford to take a sick day. More than half said they worked while sick because they needed the income, and 28% said taking a sick day could put their job at risk. Working parents—especially mothers—are often expected to continue responsibilities even when unwell.

That’s why five-time U.S. Olympian Allyson Felix is working to make paid sick time a right rather than a privilege. She partnered with Theraflu to raise awareness for The Right to Rest & Recover Fund, which has offered microgrants to families to offset lost income from unpaid sick days. The fund has distributed more than $1 million in microgrants since 2021.

As a mom of two and the most decorated American track and field athlete in history—with 11 Olympic medals across five Games and multiple world championships—Felix understands the physical and emotional strain of caring for children while sick. Now retired from elite competition, she’s focused on advocacy, business ventures, and maintaining her own health.

Why rest and recovery matter

Clarinda Hougen, MD, a primary care sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics, says from an exercise science perspective that rest and recovery are fundamental. “When we exercise, we place stress on our muscles, tendons, and other tissues,” she says. Healing the microtears that occur during exercise leads to muscle hypertrophy and endurance gains, which happen during recovery, not during the workout itself.

Hougen’s practical tips to prioritize recovery:
– Get at least seven hours of sleep per night.
– Build one to two rest days into your weekly exercise plan.
– Practice active recovery—light walking, cycling, yoga, or other low-intensity activity after high-intensity workouts.
– Eat a nutritious diet that includes protein and carbohydrates.

She adds that athletes who engage in a variety of movement types are less likely to get injured, and cautions that inadequate rest over many weeks can lead to overtraining syndrome: decreased enjoyment and increased perceived exertion.

Felix: “Fill your cup first”

Felix emphasizes the importance of recognizing when you need rest and carving out time for it. “I just try to do the best that I can each day by being intentional and planning out how I’m going to take care of my body,” she says. “You have to fill your cup first. You have to be able to do the things that support longevity and let you do all the things you want to do.”

She notes a cultural glorification of “no days off” and pushing through that isn’t sustainable. As an athlete she learned to prioritize recovery, and she sees those lessons applying to everyone.

Caregivers face a double burden

Felix speaks to the unique challenges caregivers face: responsibilities don’t stop when you’re sick. “When one of my kids is sick, I’m navigating that double burden if I’m not feeling well,” she says. That lived experience fuels her advocacy for policies that allow caregivers to rest and recover without risking income or employment.

How Felix prioritizes recovery now

Even in retirement, Felix keeps an active lifestyle—track speed workouts, Pilates, tennis, family walks—and structures recovery into her life. She highlights practical strategies:
– Ask for help and accept support from family when needed.
– Take short naps when necessary to restore energy.
– Schedule time for mental health and activities that bring joy.
– Be intentional about nutrition and sleep.

She contrasts her current life with her Olympic years: when training was her sole job, rest, naps, and recovery were built into the day. Now she balances family, work, and self-care and must be more deliberate about making space for recovery.

Favorite forms of exercise

“Moving my body just makes me feel like me,” Felix says. Her routines vary: treadmill workouts, track sessions, Pilates, tennis, and family activities like walks and bike rides. She values variety to stay motivated and reduce injury risk.

Inspiration, purpose, and the next chapter

Motherhood is central to Felix’s sense of purpose. “Motherhood is my greatest role. It brings me the most joy,” she says. Her advocacy work—especially for parents and caregivers—reflects that purpose. Felix is also growing businesses, including her shoe company Saysh and the athletic agency Always Alpha, and shifts her definition of success toward impact: how her work can make a difference.

What gives Felix hope

Simple family moments bring her joy: walks, watching her children, and reflecting on the values she’s instilling. Those moments remind her that there’s goodness to foster and that small, intentional practices—like noticing the little things—bring lasting fulfillment.

Practical takeaways
– Rest and recovery are essential for physical gains and long-term well-being.
– Caregivers need policies and supports that allow them to take sick days without economic harm.
– Practical recovery steps include adequate sleep, planned rest days, active recovery, balanced nutrition, variety in movement, and asking for help when needed.
– Prioritizing mental health and scheduling restorative activities are as important as physical recovery.

Felix’s message is clear: prioritize your own restoration so you can better care for others and pursue long-term goals. Her advocacy for paid sick leave aims to make that possibility accessible to more families—because rest shouldn’t be a luxury.

Consumption of fructose has risen markedly over recent centuries as sweeteners became more common in the food supply. Because fructose is about twice as sweet as glucose, it can encourage greater intake of sweet foods and drinks. Unlike glucose, fructose is handled differently by the body: it is preferentially taken up by the liver and can be converted to fat, contributing to liver fat accumulation and metabolic dysfunction.

Nutrition experts note that fructose in processed foods is not metabolically identical to other carbohydrates. In excess, it can bypass key regulatory steps in energy metabolism, leading to increased fat synthesis, depletion of cellular energy stores, and generation of metabolites associated with metabolic syndrome. High intakes of concentrated fructose also raise uric acid and oxidative stress, which are linked to cardiometabolic risk.

There is emerging evidence that chronic, high fructose exposure — particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages and other ultra-processed, liquid sources — may alter appetite regulation, satiety signaling, and gut barrier function. However, the strongest concerns focus on patterns of habitual excess intake rather than modest amounts of fructose in whole foods.

Experts emphasize the distinction between added fructose and the fructose naturally present in whole fruits. Whole fruits contain relatively modest fructose amounts along with fiber and beneficial plant compounds that slow sugar absorption, reduce liver inflammation, and support metabolic health. Thus, whole fruit is generally considered compatible with a healthy diet, while large amounts of added fructose in sodas and ultra-processed foods are more likely to overload the liver and drive metabolic problems.

To reduce excessive fructose exposure, read ingredient lists and nutrition labels for sources such as high-fructose corn syrup, cane sugar, and fruit juice concentrate. Limit or avoid sugar-sweetened beverages and juices, choose whole fruit over fruit juices or concentrates, and favor minimally processed foods. Building meals around fiber, lean protein, healthy fats, and quality carbohydrates can help curb cravings and lower habitual intake of added fructose. For most people, the goal is not total elimination of fructose but reducing chronic overload from processed foods and beverages.

The rescheduling applies to medical cannabis and FDA‑approved cannabis products. The Department of Justice said the action “allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.” President Trump told reporters he had received calls urging restrictions be lifted and directed his administration in December to move quickly on reclassification.

A June hearing has been scheduled to consider broader changes to cannabis’s federal status, but for now marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. Most states allow medical, recreational, or both types of use; only Idaho and Kansas lack any legal cannabis programs. Prior to this change, people researching or selling cannabis in states where it was legal could still face federal prosecution.

Under prior law cannabis was a Schedule I drug — grouped with substances like LSD and heroin as having high abuse potential and “no currently accepted medical use.” Reclassifying it to Schedule III places it with drugs such as acetaminophen with codeine: considered to have medical uses and lower abuse potential. Public opinion largely favors reform; a 2025 Gallup poll found 64% of Americans supported legalization, up from 36% in 2005.

For businesses, the shift promises substantial practical relief. Because cannabis will no longer be Schedule I in its state‑licensed medical form, companies should gain access to banking services and, importantly, be able to deduct business expenses on federal taxes for the first time. Industry leaders called the order historic: Terry Mendez, CEO of Safe Harbor Financial, called it “the most significant federal action on cannabis policy in more than 50 years.” Anthony Coniglio of NewLake Capital Partners said the move is a “material shift” for operators, investors, lenders, and real estate partners. Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original, said it will “benefit Texans who will have easier access to needed medicine.”

Researchers welcomed the change as well. Easier access and reduced regulatory red tape should make clinical studies simpler and less costly. Sasha Kalcheff‑Korn, executive director of Realm of Caring, said rescheduling “will make it easier to complete this research and conduct future studies,” helping build scientific evidence for cannabinoid therapies. Steven Gregoire of Quiet Monk CBD noted Schedule I restrictions had been “very restrictive in how, when, and if research can be conducted,” and that Schedule III status “increases the supply for research.”

Not everyone is fully satisfied. Some advocates argue the change does not go far enough, while others urge caution. Pam Jenkins, CEO of Shatterproof, stressed the need to protect young people, give clinicians clear guidance, and ensure the public understands risks, particularly for youth mental health. Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana warned the reclassification could “send a confusing message” about cannabis safety and criticized the policy shift as influenced by industry interests.

The upcoming June hearing will be a key step in determining whether federal law will allow broader reclassification or other changes to cannabis policy. For now, the April 23 order marks a major federal policy shift that eases tax and research burdens for state‑licensed medical cannabis but stops short of full federal legalization.

All pregnant women will be offered an early risk assessment for venous thromboembolism (VTE) — blood clots in deep veins, now the leading cause of maternal death — before their first antenatal appointment. Anyone assessed as high risk will be offered thromboprophylaxis (blood thinners) within 72 hours.

Every woman with epilepsy will have access to a local specialist team for epilepsy in pregnancy and will be offered a tailored plan to help control seizures, including timely access to medications deemed safe in pregnancy.

Women will be routinely screened for mental health using a consistent set of questions, with a report provided at their antenatal appointment and referral to NHS perinatal mental health services when needed. Between 2022 and 2024, maternal suicides were the leading cause of death occurring between 6 weeks and 1 year after pregnancy ended, with psychiatric causes accounting for 33% of deaths in this period.

Women who experience a haemorrhage or significant postpartum bleeding will receive earlier care from specialist obstetricians and anaesthetists, with new guidance and lower thresholds for escalating significant blood loss.

Full national rollout of these measures by March 2027 is expected to reduce deaths from blood clots, strokes, cardiac disease, suicide, sepsis, obstetric haemorrhage and pre-eclampsia — conditions responsible for 52% of maternal deaths. Progress on each clinical standard must be reported to NHS trust boards, with escalation to regional and national levels if local delivery falls short.

Although maternal deaths in England are uncommon, most are due to medical conditions that pre-date or develop during pregnancy — such as blood clots and strokes (17%) and cardiac disease (15%) — which can be missed or misattributed to pregnancy. Latest official data show 252 maternal deaths from 2022 to 2024, compared with 257 from 2021 to 2023. Research on deaths from 2021 to 2023 indicates that improvements in care may have changed the outcome for almost half (45%) of the women who died.

Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwifery Officer for England, said every death during or after pregnancy is a tragedy, particularly when differences in care may have altered the outcome. She noted that serious medical symptoms are still sometimes missed, especially in Black and Asian women, and that earlier and more thorough risk assessments will help ensure problems are caught and acted on. One in five women will have a medical issue during pregnancy, and the new measures aim to leave “no stone unturned.”

The new best-practice standards are part of the NHS maternal care bundle, developed with frontline clinicians, women and families, and partner organisations including Royal Colleges, regulators, professional societies and charities. They focus on five areas of clinical care linked to the leading causes of maternal deaths identified by MBRRACE-UK.

Maternity facilities will be upgraded to include direct telephone lines for ambulance crews to transfer pregnant women quickly to labour wards, and new monitoring arrangements so deterioration can be addressed promptly. Up to £5 million has been allocated to NHS trusts this year to buy equipment and support implementation of the maternal care bundle.

This builds on the rollout of the Maternal Outcomes Signal System (MOSS), a digital tool that rapidly analyses routinely recorded maternity ward data to spot potential emerging safety issues requiring urgent attention. The NHS will publish MOSS findings every six months to drive action where trusts are flagged.

The new standards also strengthen the role of 17 maternal medicine centres — specialist hubs established across England to help women with pre-existing or pregnancy-onset medical conditions access extra care. Each centre is led by a multidisciplinary team that includes at least one obstetric physician. Networks linked to these centres ensure expert maternal care is available to all women and that every maternity department recognises key “red flag” pregnancy symptoms and has measures in place for proper assessment.

The FDA’s Enforcement Report shows that Viatris, Inc. voluntarily recalled one lot of alprazolam extended‑release tablets (Xanax XR). The recall, initiated March 17, covers 3‑milligram tablets in 60‑tablet bottles, lot number 8177156, with an expiration date of February 28, 2027. The tablets were manufactured in Ireland and distributed in the U.S. by Viatris Specialty LLC in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Quality control testing found the lot failed to meet FDA dissolution specifications. Dissolution testing measures how quickly and completely the active ingredient is released from a tablet; for extended‑release formulations like Xanax XR, proper dissolution is essential to provide gradual, sustained symptom control. If a tablet does not dissolve correctly, the body may not absorb the intended amount of medication, potentially reducing effectiveness in treating anxiety or panic symptoms.

The FDA classified this as a Class II recall, meaning use of the medication could cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, but poses little risk of serious adverse health outcomes. Experts note failed dissolution is a quality issue rather than a safety hazard: the drug itself is not expected to cause harm, but it may not work as intended.

Clinicians advise patients not to stop taking Xanax abruptly, because the medication requires a gradual taper to avoid withdrawal symptoms. If you have pills from the affected lot (8177156), continue taking them as directed and contact your prescriber promptly to arrange a replacement prescription or discuss alternatives. Also contact Viatris or consult the FDA recall information for updates. As of April 8, 2026, no FDA press release has been issued and the recall is ongoing.

A new analysis of randomized trials concluded that daily low-dose aspirin (typically 75–100 mg) probably produces little to no reduction in colorectal cancer risk over 5–15 years and may only show a small benefit after 15 years, although confidence in long-term effects is low. The review pooled data from 10 randomized controlled trials with more than 120,000 participants, mostly from North America and Europe. Three trials evaluated higher aspirin doses.

The investigators reported mixed, time-dependent findings: aspirin might slightly reduce colorectal cancer incidence after 15 years but likely does little during the first 5–15 years. They also observed possible increases in colorectal cancer mortality between 5 and 10 years of use, little to no difference in mortality between 10 and 15 years, and a potential reduction in mortality after 15 years — conclusions the authors say are uncertain.

On harms, the review found that aspirin probably increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke and increases the risk of serious extracranial bleeding. Overall serious adverse events appeared similar, but the bleeding risks are a clear concern.

Clinical experts emphasize caution. Ketan Thanki, MD, a colorectal surgeon, said the study shows limited (if any) protective benefit from aspirin for colorectal cancer in the general population and warned against taking daily aspirin solely to reduce colorectal cancer risk given known complications of long-term use. He recommended considering daily aspirin for cancer prevention only in select high-risk groups — for example, people with Lynch syndrome or those who have had adenomatous polyps removed — and only after discussion with a physician.

The reviewers recommend individualized assessment and shared decision-making, weighing any delayed or uncertain preventive benefit against a definite bleeding risk. They also noted that aspirin’s role in prevention depends on a patient’s broader cardiovascular risk profile and bleeding risk.

Conflicting evidence and policy shifts
Research on aspirin and cancer prevention has been inconsistent. Some prior studies reported reduced colorectal cancer risk with regular aspirin use, particularly in certain subgroups, while others found no benefit or even increased cancer-related mortality in older adults. Because of mixed evidence, some guideline bodies have revised recommendations; for example, a major task force withdrew a prior recommendation for aspirin for colorectal cancer prevention in 2022, citing insufficient evidence of benefit.

Experts underscore that age and timing of aspirin initiation may matter. Katherine Van Loon, MD, a gastrointestinal cancer specialist, noted that younger patients may derive more benefit and that clinicians generally should not start aspirin in older adults solely for cancer prevention.

What helps prevent colorectal cancer
Physicians continue to recommend proven lifestyle and screening strategies to reduce colorectal cancer risk:

– Eat more plant-based foods and reduce intake of red and processed meats.
– Limit alcohol consumption.
– Avoid tobacco use.
– Maintain a healthy weight.
– Exercise regularly.
– Participate in age-appropriate colorectal cancer screening (colonoscopy is the most effective for prevention; noninvasive tests such as stool-based screening are alternatives).

“Diet and exercise are the best and easiest ways you can decrease your cancer risk,” one expert said, adding that getting screening tests on schedule is critical for prevention and early detection.

Bottom line
Current randomized trial evidence does not support routine daily low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of colorectal cancer in the general population, because any delayed benefit is uncertain and must be balanced against clear bleeding risks. Aspirin may still be appropriate for certain high-risk groups (for example, people with Lynch syndrome or prior adenomas) after individualized discussion with a clinician. For most people, focusing on healthy lifestyle habits and regular screening is the recommended approach to lower colorectal cancer risk.

The trial enrolled 82 participants, with 68 completing the protocol, and was funded in part by the National Mango Board and the Hass Avocado Board—details the authors noted when interpreting results.

Karen E. Todd, a registered dietitian nutritionist, said the findings are promising but not a magic bullet. She emphasized that the benefit likely reflects replacing lower-quality foods with nutrient-dense options. Mango adds vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, which support blood-vessel integrity, blood-pressure regulation, cholesterol, and blood-sugar control. Avocado contributes monounsaturated fats, fiber, and potassium that support cholesterol management and blood pressure. Together the foods complement each other nutritionally and may be more effective than either alone, particularly when they replace processed foods.

Cardiologist Brett A. Sealove noted the study warrants consideration but has limitations: a relatively small sample, short duration (8 weeks), partial control because participants prepared some of their own meals, and a diastolic blood-pressure benefit seen mainly in males, which limits generalizability.

Practical guidance: moderation matters. Avocados are calorie-dense and mangoes are higher in natural sugars, so typical portions might be one-third to one-half an avocado and half to 1 cup of mango several times weekly rather than daily for everyone. Whole-fruit sugars are less concerning in moderate portions because of accompanying fiber, but excess intake can add calories and undermine weight and metabolic goals.

Ways to include them: add mango and avocado to yogurt bowls with seeds, salads with leafy greens and legumes, as toppings for fish like salmon, blend them with spinach and a protein source for smoothies, or mash avocado on whole-grain toast and top with mango salsa. Experts stress that the greatest long-term heart benefits come from consistently building meals around whole, minimally processed foods and overall diet quality rather than single food fixes.