Half of Americans prescribed drugs they can’t afford; the health benefits of daily coffee; AI spots early organ damage caused by cancer treatment – Morning Medical Update

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Nearly half of Americans have been prescribed drugs they can’t afford

A new report from RazorMetrics finds that 42% of Americans were prescribed a medication they couldn’t afford in the past year, with cost confusion and sticker shock driving widespread nonadherence. The 2025 State of Drug Access survey highlights growing frustration with price transparency, insurance portals, and discount apps — while showing that patients overwhelmingly want their physicians to take the lead on affordability. The findings come amid rising demand for expensive GLP-1 drugs and renewed calls for smarter, more accessible cost-saving tools in clinical practice.

Daily coffee may lower risk of frailty in older adults

Drinking four or more cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of frailty in older adults, according to new research in the European Journal of Nutrition. In a seven-year study of adults over 55, researchers found that higher coffee intake was linked to lower odds of frailty symptoms like weakness and low activity. The study, funded by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee, suggests antioxidants and improved glucose regulation may play a role — pointing to coffee as a potential tool for healthy aging.

AI spots early organ damage caused by cancer treatments

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have developed an AI-powered method to detect early kidney damage from prostate cancer therapies — months before traditional blood tests show problems. By analyzing subtle changes in kidney volume on routine CT scans, the system flags patients at risk, allowing doctors to adjust treatment early and prevent long-term harm. The findings could help personalize care and may extend to detecting damage in other organs affected by cancer therapies.