Weight-loss drugs are among the hottest products in medicine. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy are so popular that demand has routinely exceeded supply. Into that gap, a booming market for compounded versions has emerged. One that authors from The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and JAMA Health Forum warn is largely unregulated, inconsistently manufactured, and increasingly risky.

When most Americans think of health insurance, they picture their employer plan or marketplace coverage. Yet behind the scenes, two massive public programs — Medicaid and Medicare Advantage — shape the foundation for how coverage works across the entire system.

When people talk about rising health care costs, they often focus on prescription drugs, insurance premiums, or hospital stays. But a quieter force is shaping what patients pay every day: the consolidation of primary care. Ownership matters, and who employs your doctor influences the bill you receive, often in ways that aren’t obvious.

Defective car parts trigger recalls. Children’s toys are tested for choking hazards. Even e-cigarettes face restrictions on flavors and advertising. Yet firearms, now the leading cause of death among U.S. children and teens, remain largely exempt from the consumer safety rules that govern other potentially dangerous products.

In healthcare, the starting point of a patient’s journey was once clear: a clinic visit, a primary care physician, or a referral within a trusted network. But that front door has moved, and increasingly, it’s not one that traditional providers control. Patients can now enter through retail memberships, branded pharmaceutical platforms, or seamless digital experiences that meet them at moments of curiosity or need.