Axios

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on Tuesday finalized a new rule banning medical debt from being included on credit reports.

Why it matters: The policy will remove medical debt from about 15 million Americans' credit reports, making it easier for them to obtain loans, per a CFPB press release.

Doctors are increasingly asking their patients about their needs for food and housing during medical appointments, but the frequency of such screening remains low, a new study shows.

The big picture: Asking about so-called social determinants of health doesn't necessarily mean patients in need are being referred to social service organizations that can help, but it's an important first step.

Telehealth brand Hims & Hers donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural committee, the company told Axios, becoming what's believed to be the first digital health firm to do so.

Why it matters: It joins major tech players the likes of Amazon and Meta, as well as drug giant Pfizer and PhRMA, which have each reportedly contributed in what's seen as a chance to earn goodwill with the incoming president.

Less than 0.1% of U.S. adolescents received drugs for gender-affirming care between 2018 and 2022, according to a study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics.

Why it matters: Critics of gender-affirming care say the drugs are experimental and dangerous and warn of their overuse, but the new study led by Harvard University researchers suggests young people rarely receive them.

A rise in cases of human metapneumovirus in China is stoking fears of a new health crisis, though authorities and experts say prospects for a sequel to the COVID-19 pandemic are remote.

The big picture: HMPV is similar to respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and thought to account for about 1 in 10 respiratory illnesses in children. Though most cases are mild, some patients can develop a lower respiratory tract infection like pneumonia, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The Biden administration is a step closer to lowering the amount of nicotine in cigarettes after an 11th-hour proposal cleared a key White House review.

Why it matters: The Food and Drug Administration rule, whose precise language hasn't been made public, offers the administration one more chance to address the harms of smoking after it punted on banning menthol in tobacco products.

As the bird flu outbreak grows, egg prices soar and food recalls mount, consumers may be left wondering whether it's safe to have that morning omelet.

The big picture: Yes, eggs sold at grocery stores remain safe for human consumption, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A Louisiana resident has died after being hospitalized for a severe case of H5N1 bird flu, the state's health department said Monday.

The big picture: This marks the first bird flu-related human death in the U.S. Louisiana's health department has not identified any additional cases of the illness or evidence of human transmission, the department said in a news release.

Whether you're drinking moderately or going completely dry this month, non-alcoholic drinks are flooding your feeds.

The big picture: On TikTok, #dryjanuary posts were up 50% toward the end of last year compared to the same period in 2023, according to data shared with Axios.

The debate over the health effects of alcohol consumption is picking up with mixed messages on the risks of imbibing.

Why it matters: While there's growing evidence supporting abstinence, U.S. guidelines still suggest moderate drinking is safe.

Charging patients to message their doctors through portals could reduce health worker burnout and modestly lightened clinicians' workloads at the Mayo Clinic, researchers said.

Why it matters: More health systems have been charging to answer patient queries since the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services allowed providers to bill for virtual check-ins that involve decision-making and at least five minutes of clinicians' time.

Mounting public anger over health insurance is leading more state legislatures to eye tighter oversight of the industry, starting with its use of AI to screen claims and issue denials.

Why it matters: While congressional scrutiny of the industry picked up following the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last month, states remain the primary regulators of health insurance and are best positioned to address access to and adequacy of care.