Trump declared ‘fully fit’ to serve in physical; what the U.S. can learn from Taiwan on health care; firearm injuries surge on nights, weekends and holidays — Morning Medical Update

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President Trump declared ‘fully fit’ to serve in latest physical

President Donald Trump’s latest physical exam shows the 78-year-old former president is in “excellent health” and “fully fit” to serve as commander in chief, according to a medical summary released Sunday. The report, issued by Capt. Sean Barbabella, DO, a Navy physician and the President’s personal physician, cited Trump’s active lifestyle and noted improvements in cholesterol, weight, and cognitive function. Trump now reportedly weighs 224 pounds, down from 244 in 2020, moving him out of the obesity category. The exam also revealed minor sun damage and confirmed past procedures, including cataract surgery and a 2024 colonoscopy. Trump’s physician said he maintains robust cardiac and neurological health and has normal scores on depression and anxiety screenings. The full results can be found here.

What the U.S. can take from Taiwan’s approach to health care

Taiwan spends less than half what the U.S. does on health care as a share of GDP, yet it covers nearly all residents under a national health insurance system praised for its affordability, efficiency, and high public satisfaction. A new analysis from the Commonwealth Fund’s International Insights LinkedIn Newsletter highlights how Taiwan transitioned from fragmented coverage to a universal model that emphasizes equity, centralized budgeting, and low administrative costs. With a life expectancy nearly two years higher than the U.S., Taiwan’s approach contrasts sharply with America’s high spending, uneven access, and worse health outcomes — offering lessons on how centralized cost control and guaranteed coverage could reshape U.S. health care. Read more.

Firearm injuries surge on nights, weekends and holidays

A CDC study of over 93,000 emergency department visits finds firearm injuries in the U.S. are most likely to occur late at night, on weekends, and during holidays — with spikes around 2:30 am and on days like July 4 and New Year’s Eve. The analysis, covering nine states and Washington, D.C. from 2018 to 2023, reveals consistent temporal patterns that could guide staffing and violence prevention efforts. Monthly injury rates were highest in July and lowest in February, and holidays such as Halloween and Christmas also showed significantly elevated visit rates. The findings underscore the urgent need for better real-time data and resource planning to address firearm violence, the leading cause of death for American children and teens.