Health & Wellness
07/19/2026 · Watauga County
Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Older Adults
Multiple studies show older adults who received the shingles vaccine faced reduced dementia risk compared to unvaccinated peers. Researchers are investigating whether the vaccine's effect on the immune system or varicella-zoster virus itself explains the association.
France Confirms First Ebola Case
France has confirmed its first case of Ebola virus disease, marking an expansion of the outbreak beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 260 people have died.
07/19/2026
Senators push military healthcare system to cover autism therapy
Two senators have called on the military's health insurance program to add autism therapy to its standard benefits after NBC News reported that service members and retirees faced obstacles obtaining coverage for the treatments.
07/19/2026
Newsom backs federal billionaire tax while opposing California measure
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced support for a national tax on billionaires one day after a major healthcare union moved forward with a separate state ballot measure he opposes. The union's proposal would impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaire assets.
07/19/2026
FDA Panel Endorses Moderna's mRNA Flu Vaccine for Older Adults
An FDA advisory panel voted to back Moderna's mFlusiva, an mRNA-based flu vaccine designed for older Americans. The approval marks the first time regulators have greenlit a flu shot using messenger RNA technology.
07/19/2026