epocrates

Trending Patient News: Week of February 2, 2026

February 6, 2026

Keeping you a step ahead is our priority. That's why we've gathered some of the top stories your patients might be seeing. Here are this week's highlights:

Catherine O'Hara revealed she had rare genetic condition years ago

(USA Today)—O’Hara, who died at home on Jan. 30 at age 71 after a “brief illness”, had previously disclosed she lived with dextrocardia with situs inversus. No cause of death has been identified. Read more

What to know about the Nipah virus

(CNN)—CNN reports two confirmed Nipah cases in eastern India, noting the virus is highly lethal, spreads through close contact or contaminated fruit, and causes rapidly progressing illness with no approved treatments or vaccines. Read more

The rise of ‘agonorexia’: GLP‑1s feeding dangerous food and body‑image obsessions

(New York Post)—Providers are seeing GLP‑1 users develop new or relapsed restrictive eating patterns driven by appetite suppression, rapid weight loss, and intensified body‑image fixation—coined “agonorexia.” Read more

18.7 million cancers study reveals top preventable risk factors

(Newsweek)—A global analysis found 37.8% of 2022 cancer cases—about 7.1 million—were associated with modifiable risks, chiefly tobacco, infections, and alcohol, with lung, stomach, and cervical cancers making up nearly half of the preventable burden. Read more

Breastfeeding and pregnancy now linked to unexpected longevity benefits

(Newsweek)—A study of more than 7,000 women showed greater cumulative pregnancy and breastfeeding time was associated with higher later‑life cognitive scores, including improved global cognition and memory. Read more

Trump administration launches TrumpRx website for discounted drugs

(AP News)—The federal site links patients to drugmaker coupons and direct‑purchase options for 40+ brand‑name medications, aiming to lower out‑of‑pocket costs amid rising concerns over affordability. Read more

Content availability may vary; some sources may require payment or registration.

Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in these articles are solely that of the publication and/or author and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of epocrates and athenahealth.