Ultra-processed foods raise risk of death; Gen-Z relies on TikTok for health information; US developing new bird flu vaccine – Morning Medical Update

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Ultra-processed foods raise risk of death

People consuming ultra-processed foods frequently may increase their risk of death by as much as 10%, especially if they’re at an older age. New research suggests this after tracking the diet and health of over half a million Americans over more than 20 years.

The study included adults ranging in age from 50 to 71 from 1995 to 1996, with a median 22.9-year follow-up period. Researchers used the NOVA system to score their diets, classifying foods according to the degree and type of processing used in their preparation.

Of the participants, the younger members of the age group tended to consume these foods more than older members. This was due to factors such as convenience, affordability, and advertising. Read more of the findings in this article to explore the consequences of ultra-processed foods.

Gen-Z relies on TikTok for health information

A new survey made up of 1,000 Generation Z users found that 56% of respondents use TikTok for health and wellness advice. Meanwhile, one in three said the app is their main source of health knowledge.

Walter Gjergja, chief wellness officer at Zing Coach, said, “They’re just not as willing or able to pay for a personal trainer or work with a qualified doctor. Instead, they turn to TikTok, Google, and YouTube for advice because it’s fast and free.”

As a result, TikTok exposes Gen-Z users to misinformation and body confidence issues. The survey also found that three out of five people have seen health-related misinformation or harmful advice on TikTok, but only one in four people acknowledge it.

US developing new bird flu vaccine

The US government gave Moderna $176 million to develop a messenger-ribonucleic-acid-based (mRNA) pandemic influenza vaccine that would work against bird flu. The government said the decision was made to be “better prepared” for public health crises.

While bird flu mostly affects poultry and cattle, the new vaccine will be used to complete late-stage development and testing of Moderna’s vaccine against H5N1 avian influenza. Last year, Moderna began early testing of its mRNA bird flu vaccine, and results are expected later this year to inform the next steps of rolling out the vaccine nationally.