AGP Executive Report

Food affordability & nutrition: A new survey finds many families are cutting back on fresh fruits and vegetables as produce prices rise, with Oklahoma households reporting the biggest pullback. Gut-health trend: A growing “preparedness” movement is boosting interest in fermented foods like sauerkraut and lacto-fermented vegetables for gut and immune support. Public health & safety event in D.C.: The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization opened registration for its 21st Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference in Washington, D.C., running Sept. 25–26. Infectious disease risk: Senators are urging USDA to respond fast to a New World screwworm outbreak, warning it threatens livestock, workers, pets, wildlife, and rural economies. Diabetes affordability push: Sen. Tammy Baldwin is pressing Senate leaders to bring an insulin $35 cap bill to a vote. Opioid overdose news (Canada): Canada reported a 23% drop in opioid overdose deaths in 2025, citing naloxone access and policy changes—“cautious optimism” with deaths still too high. Food recall watch (DC area): Multiple-state listeria-linked cheese recalls continue to affect the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region. Climate & health in D.C.: A pop-up “Museum of Unnatural Disasters” wrapped up on the National Mall, connecting extreme weather stories to climate change and health impacts. Local health systems: A D.C. sewage spill is flagged as a repeat threat by river advocates.

World Cup Health Watch: A Washington, D.C.-based public health team plans to monitor wastewater and social media for outbreaks during the FIFA World Cup, aiming to flag threats early as mass travel strains resources. Food Safety for DC Area: Health officials are warning about listeria-linked cheese recalls, including Clover Hill Dairy products, after reports of illness and a death tied to the investigation. COVID and Cancer Risk: New research using UK and US health records suggests people who get COVID during remission may face higher odds of cancer returning or spreading, especially in the year after infection. Elder Care Focus: Monday marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, spotlighting physical, financial, sexual abuse and neglect—and what families can do to prevent harm. Caregiver Tech Stress: A national poll finds half of parents track young adults’ locations, and a quarter say it increases anxiety rather than reassurance. Health Policy & Coverage: A report highlights people dropping insurance after ACA subsidies became too costly, leaving many without coverage.

Food Safety Alerts: Maryland expanded its Clover Hill Dairy recall to all cheeses after possible listeria contamination, with shoppers told to check the manufacturer number “24-128” and avoid eating or selling affected products that may be relabeled through distributors in DC and nearby states. More Recalls: A separate Alfredo sauce recall is also reaching the DC region, warning of possible Salmonella contamination in a dry milk powder ingredient. Hospital Update: U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell was admitted to a hospital Sunday morning and is “receiving excellent care,” with no cause disclosed. Health Equity Watch: A new report finds deep racial and ethnic health disparities in Texas, with Hispanic residents facing worse access and outcomes. Local Policy & Costs: Sen. Mark Warner backed a bill aimed at shifting data center electricity upgrade costs away from ratepayers, a major issue in Virginia’s “Data Center Alley.” DC-Area Wellness: A DC-area nutrition trend highlights lacto-fermented foods like sauerkraut and beets as gut-health staples for meal prep and preservation.

Blood Donation Impact: A new mom in Scotland marked her baby’s first birthday after a postpartum hemorrhage was saved by six units of emergency donated blood, highlighting how donors keep hospitals running. Prison Healthcare Funding: Arizona lawmakers funded less than half of a court-ordered prison healthcare staffing boost, setting up a continued fight over inmate medical care and oversight. D.C. Health Policy & Access: A D.C. school district action aims to support homeless students, while broader coverage also flags affordability pressures and the need for clearer healthcare access. Wellness & Food Trends: Fermented foods like sauerkraut and lacto-fermented vegetables are being promoted for gut health and resilience, as “nutrition density” becomes a preparedness staple. Local Community Care: A free Moonlight Yoga series in Stillwater shows how low-cost movement programs can build community around wellbeing. Health in the Spotlight: Coverage also includes a behind-the-scenes look at UFC fighters’ week in Washington, plus ongoing discussion of heat safety and summer health habits.

Health Equity & Access: A new Urban Institute report finds 46% of U.S. adults struggled to afford health care last year, underscoring how cost pressures hit people across insurance types. Local Student Support: Washington-area officials are taking steps to help homeless students, including efforts to reduce barriers like unstable housing and missed school time. Food & Gut Health: A growing “preparedness” trend is boosting interest in fermented foods like sauerkraut and lacto-fermented vegetables for gut and immune support. Cardiovascular Nutrition: A study in Frontiers in Nutrition links drinking about three cups of tea daily with a 17% lower risk of major heart-related events in people with established coronary heart disease. Care Workforce: Massachusetts is surveying licensed health professionals to understand why some may be considering leaving the field and what would help career growth. Clinical Research: Early trial results suggest deliberate colonization with a non-toxigenic C. difficile strain may help prevent recurrent infections.

Heart Health: A new UK Biobank study in Frontiers in Nutrition links drinking about three cups of tea a day with a 17% lower risk of major cardiovascular events in people with established coronary heart disease. Food & Wellness: A growing “preparedness” trend is pushing nutrient-dense, fermented foods like liver, sardines, sauerkraut, beets, seaweed, tofu and eggplant—aiming for gut and immune support when fresh options are limited. Local Safety & Health: A U.S. Army soldier was identified as the bystander wounded in a May 23 shooting near a White House security checkpoint; the incident involved Secret Service officers and a suspect who died. Mental Health Access (DC): Washington, D.C. continues expanding the “Friendship Bench” model—an approach that pairs older volunteers with people needing a listening ear to reduce isolation and improve mental well-being. Women’s Health: Mayo Clinic advises that severe period pain isn’t “normal” and may signal endometriosis, which can be treated.

World Cup Health Watch: Georgetown’s Health Security Operations Center is running a “war room” to track outbreak risks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, monitoring threats like COVID-19, measles, mpox, and mosquito-borne illnesses across U.S. host cities. Vaccine Access: Local health departments are offering vaccine clinics for rising 7th graders, aiming to close immunization gaps before the school year. Aging at Home: Home health care is spotlighted as a way for seniors to recover and manage chronic conditions without leaving their homes, with coverage options through common insurance programs. Safety Recall: Kidisle coffee makers were recalled after reports of hot liquid/steam releases causing burn injuries. Community Health Ops: A behavioral health team is relocating to a new clinic site, expanding access for patients in the area. Nutrition Research: A new study links drinking about three cups of tea daily with lower major heart event risk in people who already have coronary heart disease. Local Nature Win: River otters are showing up again across the Chesapeake Bay region, including around D.C., as water quality improves.

PFAS Cleanup Delayed: A NOTUS analysis says the Pentagon pushed back “forever chemical” cleanup timelines at nearly 200 military sites, including Washington, D.C., with some drinking-water impacts already deemed unsafe over a lifetime. Rheumatoid Arthritis & Vaccines: A Dr. Roach Q&A explains that people with a proven measles infection don’t need another MMR dose even if measles antibody levels are low and they’re on biologic RA meds. Reproductive Health Pain Gap: Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is urging NIH to study pain management during miscarriage after describing severe pain she says was undertreated. Local Safety: Police are investigating a Northwest D.C. apartment shooting that killed a local rapper and injured a teen girl. Food & Gut Health: A preparedness-leaning food trend highlights lacto-fermented staples like sauerkraut and other nutrient-dense picks for digestion and immune support. Community Wellness: University Hospitals announced a summer walking program with the local health department for all fitness levels.

H-1B Legal Shock: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee as an unlawful tax needing Congress, after the policy triggered airport chaos last September as workers rushed to re-enter the U.S. D.C. Public Health & Safety: MPD, D.C. Fire, and GW police cleared a “suspicious package” near Foggy Bottom after hazmat response shut down part of the area and a Metro entrance. Local Rodent Control: A yearlong rat-management study in Kingman Park will test cutting food sources and using an edible rat contraceptive, aiming to reduce births without rodenticides. Trans Youth Records Fight: A judge declined to block DOJ efforts nationwide to obtain trans youth medical records, limiting a proposed class-action halt. Care Access in D.C.: Whitman-Walker Health System highlights how research, community partnerships, and advocacy are closing health gaps for underserved residents. Workforce & Care: Nurses at Munson Medical Center approved a new three-year contract with raises and benefit protections.

Immigration & Health Workforce: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee as an unlawful tax needing Congress, after chaos when workers rushed to beat the deadline—an outcome that could affect staffing at schools, universities, and healthcare facilities. Healthcare Payments: Radiologists and other interventional specialists backed a bipartisan bill to fix a Medicare “payment crisis,” arguing reimbursement gaps push care away from offices and into costlier hospital settings. Public Health Watch: Massachusetts officials say they’re monitoring a worsening Ebola outbreak in Africa and preparing for the possibility of cases reaching the state. Local Health & Safety: Fairfax County reported opioid overdose deaths are at their lowest level in a decade, down 52% since the 2023 peak, while experts warn the fentanyl threat remains. Community & Care Access: Prince George’s County launched a major youth workforce program aimed at connecting teens and young adults with paid jobs, training, and mentorship. Policy & Costs: The House passed a $70 billion immigration enforcement funding package without added oversight, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats.

Medicare Access: Starting July 1, millions of Medicare beneficiaries may gain access to popular weight-loss drugs through a new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program, aiming to make treatment more affordable. Local Health Equity: NEET received a $75K Cummings grant to expand no-cost volunteer transportation for older adults to healthcare and essential appointments across 13 communities. Care Affordability & Transparency: In Washington, D.C., Rep. Morgan Griffith led a House health subcommittee hearing on policies to increase health care price transparency, including clearer cost info for patients and employers. Heat and Cancer Care: A new study finds extreme heat is already disrupting cancer treatment routines, with oncology patients delaying visits to avoid high temperatures. Public Health Preparedness: Massachusetts officials say they’re monitoring a worsening Ebola outbreak in Africa and preparing for the possibility of cases reaching the state. Skin Cancer Prevention: TRICARE highlighted coverage for skin cancer screening and prevention resources ahead of summer UV exposure. D.C. Community Impact: A report on D.C. immigrants’ reaction to a broader citizenship crackdown underscores rising anxiety among naturalized residents. Policy Watch: PAHO says health taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks across the Americas remain too low to curb consumption and prevent noncommunicable diseases.

H-1B Visa Ruling: A federal judge struck down Trump’s proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, saying the executive branch overstepped and violated separation of powers—an immediate win for employers and workers worried about higher costs and staffing shortages. DC Politics: In the race to replace Eleanor Holmes Norton as D.C.’s congressional delegate, candidates outlined priorities including protecting home rule and democracy, pushing toward statehood, and focusing on safety and economic stability. Health & Wellness: Experts say happiness and purpose can support longer, healthier lives, while another report highlights how burnout can be eased with practical stress-reduction steps. Public Health Watch: A measles outbreak story from Utah underscores the risks for newborns and vaccine-hesitant families, with clinicians describing how they prepare to protect the most vulnerable. Food & Gut Health: A new wellness trend spotlights fermented foods like sauerkraut as a gut-friendly, nutrition-dense option.

FDA Sunscreen Update: The FDA has approved bemotrizinol, the first new sunscreen ingredient for the U.S. in over 25 years, with products expected to launch under the brand Parsol Shield. Maternal Care in Action: A Massachusetts program is helping high-risk pregnant patients fill gaps in prenatal support—coordinating rides, meals, baby supplies, and mental health services. Medical Education Reform: Federal health leaders say nutrition training will become a bigger part of medical school curricula starting this fall, with licensing exams adding nutrition content. Public Health Tech & Trust: With vaccine hesitancy rising and trust in public health officials slipping, researchers report AI chatbots can perform about as well as traditional materials for addressing vaccine concerns. Local Health Access: In southern West Virginia, lawmakers are weighing the future of Welch Community Hospital amid concerns about costs and potential sale. DC-Area School Wellness: Washington state leaders plan to propose “away for the day” cellphone bans in K-12 schools, with exemptions for documented health needs. Diabetes Fraud Crackdown: New York AG Letitia James helped secure a $36.5M settlement from CVS over Medicaid insulin overbilling.

Opioid Prevention in Schools: Arlington nurse Heather Williams, honored as Virginia’s “Nurse of the Year,” has helped students respond to rising overdoses by stocking naloxone in schools and connecting more than 100 students to community care. Dry Eye Precision Medicine: Oculis began randomizing the first patient in its genotype-based PREDICT-1 trial for licaminlimab, aiming to target a specific TNFR1 dry eye subtype. Healthcare Tech in the Region: InterSystems says Gateway Health implemented a new InterSystems TrakCare community solution, signaling continued momentum for modern health data systems. Community Wellness Events: Lawrence’s annual SALSA festival highlighted blood pressure checks, lunch, and active-lifestyle resources for residents. Health Research & Risk: New findings link even low-to-moderate alcohol use with higher long-term risks, adding pressure on public health guidance. Local Public Health Attention: DC-area teachers raised concerns about a raccoon problem at an elementary school, calling for action to protect students. Protein & Heart Disease Science: MUSC researchers report defects in the protein repair system tied to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, pointing to new directions for heart failure research.

Immigration & Courts: A federal judge in Boston struck down Trump’s proposed $100,000 H-1B fee for new foreign-worker petitions, saying the executive branch exceeded its authority—setting up a fresh legal fight over how the program is regulated. Public Health & Food Access: USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed two more New World screwworm cases in Texas, warning the pest can threaten livestock, pets, wildlife, and rare human health. Health Care Workforce: A new report says many USDA Food and Nutrition Service employees would rather quit than relocate after the agency’s Washington, D.C. shutdown and office closures—raising concerns about staffing and service continuity. Community Health: The Red Cross is urging blood donors to book appointments now as summer demand approaches and scheduled donations have been declining. Policy & Prevention: Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez is co-leading a multistate push asking Formula 1 to end tobacco and nicotine sponsorships, including nicotine pouches, citing risks of normalizing addiction for young audiences. Wellness & Research: A CMSC update highlights ongoing MS care advances, including high-efficacy therapy strategies and growing use of AI and metabolic health approaches in neurology clinics.

D.C. Primary Watch: Voters in Washington, D.C. are zeroing in on crime and homelessness, with a policy expert pointing to street-level enforcement and noting police staffing strains as a major challenge heading into the city’s primary. Medicare Fraud Prevention: Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion to fraud, errors, and abuse, and a D.C.-based prevention push urges people to review benefit notices, track appointments, and report suspicious charges. Local Health & Wellness: The Indian Embassy announced International Day of Yoga at the Lincoln Memorial on June 19, spotlighting yoga as both physical and mental wellness. Health in the News: A doctor’s Q&A column explains why a cough and smoking history may warrant COPD testing, but stresses that home breathing numbers don’t replace lab lung function tests. Community Health: A D.C.-area mental wellness feature encourages people to seek help when mood, energy, or daily functioning starts slipping.