Peptides that promise glowing skin and muscle growth have captivated young men—and even teenagers—who are aspiring to new male beauty standards. The injectable drugs haven’t undergone FDA approval and are currently sold primarily through an online gray market. Yet many users are willing to push past safety warnings to achieve physical goals.

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A study of more than 57,000 iPhone users that Apple conducted with the University of Michigan confirms a correlation between hearing loss and slower walking speeds, writes Julie Jargon. Combined with previous studies, the research points to one thing, say doctors: If you address your hearing issues, you could live a longer, healthier life.

The number of Americans who died from drug overdoses dropped in 2025 for the third straight year, a promising trend as the U.S. emerges from a national fentanyl crisis that accelerated these fatalities.

Certain patients on a higher-dose Wegovy shot lost 27.7% of their body weight on average in a trial, its maker, Novo Nordisk, said. Most of the weight loss comes from losing body fat, while preserving muscle function and improving muscle health, the company said.

The Nebraska Biocontainment Unit got its first patient in six years: a cruise passenger who tested positive for hantavirus. The high-tech “hotel” was designed to treat patients infected with highly lethal viruses or bacteria without transmitting them.

The reduction in spending at fast-food chains, coffee shops and quick-service restaurants in households with at least one GLP-1 user within six months of starting on the drugs, according to a Cornell University study.

• How an “impossible” idea led to a cancer breakthrough. (The New York Times)

• Treatment for alcohol addiction is undergoing a seismic shift. (STAT News)

• Can having a dog boost your longevity? (The Washington Post)

The Health newsletter is your weekly guide to all the news that affects your health and well-being. This edition was curated and edited by Conor Grant—send him feedback or questions at conor.grant@wsj.com (if you’re reading this in your inbox, you can just hit reply). Got a tip for us? Here’s how to submit.