EurekAlert! News by Subject: Policy & Ethics

Policy & Ethics

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 15-Jun-2026 06:15 ET (15-Jun-2026 10:15 GMT/UTC)

4-May-2026

Pennington Biomedical convenes global experts to advance understanding of ultra-processed foods and health

Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Meeting Announcement

"Ultra-Processed Food and Health: From Mechanisms to Actions” brought together many of the world’s leading experts to examine one of the most pressing topics in nutrition science.

The symposium convened an international group of researchers, clinicians and policy experts to explore the rapidly evolving science surrounding ultra-processed foods and their impact on human health. Discussions spanned the biological mechanisms linking ultra-processed foods to chronic disease, the gaps in available research, the role of the food environment and industry practices, and opportunities for policy and public health action.

4-May-2026

Renewable energy is more cost effective than direct air capture at reducing carbon, new study finds

Boston University School of Public Health
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study found that across nearly every U.S. region and every year through 2050, an amount of money spent deploying wind or solar delivers more combined climate and public health benefit than if it is spent on direct air capture, even under extremely optimistic assumptions of the development of direct air capture.

Journal: Communications Sustainability

3-May-2026

Aging well in a digital world

Flinders University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

As Australia and the world face rapidly ageing populations, technology is increasingly promoted as the answer to helping older people live safely, independently and well - but experts warn that innovation alone is not enough.

Journal: Digital Health

1-May-2026

International availability and price of ultraexpensive drugs in Medicare Part D

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: Despite rapid expansion of ultraexpensive drugs in Medicare Part D, this cohort study found that availability in comparable economies remains limited, and internationally unavailable products often have higher per-beneficiary spending, underscoring their fiscal significance.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

1-May-2026

Study finds regional differences in sickle cell disease in New York state

New York University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study led by researchers at NYU School of Global Public Health finds that sickle cell disease care is unevenly distributed across regions in New York State. New York City has the largest proportion of hospitalizations and Long Island has the highest charges for care, but hospital stays are longer in other areas with less access to specialized care, according to the study published in JAMA Network Open.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

1-May-2026

JMIR news: Is AI creating a monoculture in scientific knowledge?

JMIR Publications
Peer-Reviewed Publication

JMIR Publications today released a thought-provoking new feature in its News and Perspectives section that examines the unprecedented speed of artificial intelligence (AI) evolution compared to the biological and intellectual limits of humanity.

Journal: Journal of Medical Internet Research

30-Apr-2026

Study shows sharp rise in rate of water bead ingestions among young children

Nationwide Children's Hospital
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Central Ohio Poison Center analyzed calls to U.S. poison centers and found an alarming 6,532% increase in the rate of reported water bead ingestions among children younger than 6 years from 2019 to 2023, followed by a 24% decrease from 2023 to 2024.

Journal: Academic Pediatrics