ISSUE 16: JANUARY 2026

Welcome to the January ArcHealth Newsletter.
New year, new data—and a few health truths worth learning about:

Learn something new—and something that helps you Speak Up For Your Health.
lnks are in bold, red, and underlined. 

This year’s respiratory illness season has hit levels not seen since 1997–98, driven largely by a mutated flu strain called H3N2 subclade K—but this isn’t a “super-flu,” it’s a drifted/mutated seasonal flu that looks new to our immune system.

 

The good news is that flu and other respiratory illness activity has finally started to decline in many areas of the country. ,While the peak may be behind us, we are still at high levels with many people at risk. To see current activity in your area, check the CDC’s interactive tracker: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/index.html

 

Here's the question: Is it worth getting a flu shot now? Yes, and especially if you are in a high risk group, This year's vaccines are a bit mismatched because the current vaccine was formulated in early 2025 – before this strain became dominant. Nevertheless, a UK study showed that the 2025-26 vaccine is currently 70% to 75% effective at preventing hospitalization in children and 30% to 40% effective in adults. 

A Smarter Way to Ask About Prescription Costs

Did  you know that using your insurance at the pharmacy can sometimes cost you more than not using insurance at all?  Drug prices aren’t fixed—there’s an insurance price, a cash price, and sometimes a coupon price—and the cheapest option isn’t always obvious. Case in point: I recently worked with someone prescribed flunisolide (a nasal spray)—it cost $47 using insurance, but just $27 paying cash for the same medication.

 

Why this matters now: January deductibles have reset, which means many people are effectively paying out of pocket—so asking “What’s the cash price?” can save you money immediately. For a deeper dive into why prescription pricing is so opaque (and how to work around it), listen to my full podcast conversation with Miriam Paramore, CEO   of RxUtility.

The new oral version of semaglutide (Wegovy®) results in about as much weight loss as injectable Wegovy (14% vs 15%) — but not as much as injectable Zepbound (20%). Nevertheless, it’s still impressive and for people who don’t want injections, don’t need aggressive weight loss, or are looking for a maintenance option after losing weight, a daily pill may be the right fit. That matters because research shows most people who stop GLP-1s regain about 14% of the weight they lost, even when they stick with healthy eating and exercise.

 

Why this matters now: Many insurers still don’t cover GLP-1s, and the oral version starts at about $145/month cash for the lowest dose—making it a potentially more affordable, sustainable option for long-term weight management. Here's the full KSTP segment with more details. 

How Ready Are You to Age—Really?

Most Americans think they’re planning for their future—but data from the inaugural Longevity Preparedness Index (LPI) tells a different story. With an overall score of 60 out of 100, Americans earn roughly a “D” for readiness to age well. The biggest blind spots? Care and home: nearly 58% don’t know who will care for them or how it will be paid for, and 44% haven’t planned for aging in place or future health needs.

 

Why this matters now: Planning ahead isn’t just about money—it’s about accessibility, technology, and how you’ll manage day-to-day needs like maintenance and care. While aging in place sounds ideal, it depends on your health, support system, and housing. My advice: Don't over-romanticize aging in place. Alternative living options may actually offer greater independence and quality of life over time. 

 

Watch this segment or read the full report to take a deeper dive into the data. 

When Is a Kid Ready for a Smartphone? 

A large, long-term study published in Pediatrics found that kids with smartphones by age 12 had higher rates of depression, obesity, and too little sleep—and the younger the child, the higher the risk. Even kids who got a phone at 12 showed declines in mental health and sleep within one year.

 

Smartphones are engineered to stimulate dopamine and target the part of the brain responsible for impulse control and self-regulation – areas that are still developing in kids and teens. And – get this – another cool study published in November showed that “adolescence” doesn't end at age 19. The brain’s “teenage” wiring and vulnerability can extend into the early 30s.

Waiting until adulthood for a smartphone isn't realistic, but waiting until your child is ready (rather than caving to pressure) can have a real health benefits because smartphones aren't just communication tools, they're brain-shaping devices. Here's the MN Live segment on this topic. 

When Egg Freezing is an Option—Not a Luxury

Egg freezing has traditionally been an option reserved for women with significant financial resources—often costing $15,000–$20,000 or more. Cofertility, founded by Lauren Makler, flips that model: women can freeze their eggs at no cost if they choose to donate half of them to individuals or couples who need an egg donor to build a family.

 

Why this matters now: this approach expands access and optionality—giving younger women time and flexibility around relationships and careers, while offering intended parents a more ethical, less transactional path to egg donation. It reframes fertility care as something proactive and shared, rather than a privilege or a last-resort decision. 

Listen to my more about this topic in my conversation with Lauren Makler. 

Hepatitis B Vaccination: Why Timing Matters

Until recently, all newborns were vaccinated against hepatitis B within 12–24 hours of birth. The goal was early protection—before a baby’s immune system has a chance to “see” and respond to a virus exposure that could lead to chronic infection. Now, only high-risk infants are automatically vaccinated; for others, the decision is made jointly by parents and clinicians. 

 

Bottom line: the hepatitis B vaccine at birth is about timing. Early protection closes a narrow window when exposure can quietly lead to lifelong liver disease. 

Watch the KSTP segment for more insight.

You can find previous editions on my website. 

This newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.