1 in 5 Americans say they're lonely, a warning about missed mammograms and weight loss drugs may curb alcohol and drug addiction: What happened in health this week

Happy Saturday! Daylight saving time ends in two weeks, so check out these tips to start prepping your sleep for when the clocks “fall back.” Yes, we will lose one hour of daylight in the evenings, but longer nights can be magical too; check out these gorgeous photos from this week’s hunter’s moon. Here’s what else you may have missed in health and wellness news this week.

What our team has been interested in: These were some of our favorite topics:

• The days are getting shorter, but you’ll still need your daily dose of vitamin D — and fortunately, you can get it from more than just sunlight. Kayla Blanton shares how.

• Cold and flu season is here … are you prepared? Priscilla Blossom shares the health care must-haves to keep in your “sick day kit.”

• Instances of carpal tunnel syndrome, a common nerve condition, are on the rise. Korin Miller asked doctors what’s causing the increase in cases.

• From the “coffee shop effect” to the perks of potted plants, Rachel Grumman Bender shares some surprising tips for being more productive.

• Kaitlin Reilly investigates the urban walking trend — with people going to extremes to explore their city on foot. (And if you’re having trouble getting started, here are some tips to get motivated to work out.)

What researchers have been studying: Here are some highlights from health and medical studies that came out this week:

• Scurvy may sound like a bygone disease suffered by sailors and peasants, but a recent medical journal detailing the case of a 65-year-old woman who was hospitalized with the severe vitamin C deficiency highlights how it’s still very much around. Here’s what to know about symptoms and treatment.

• While we all know that sitting all day is bad for you, a study published on Wednesday reveals that standing too much can increase your risk of circulatory issues.

• An Environmental Working Group investigation of 2,000 cleaning supplies found that many products on the U.S. market contain carcinogens and other harmful ingredients linked to asthma and chemical burns.

What happened in celebrity health: Celebrities can help bring our attention to important health topics. Here’s what happened this week:

• Experts say it’s normal to grieve celebrities when they die, The death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne this week was especially painful for fans who watched him grow up.

• After her pregnancy billboard was banned for being too racy, cookbook author and foodie influencer Molly Baz talked to Erin Donnelly about her breastfeeding ad that’s shaking up Times Square.

• Germaphobes, be warned — the newest episode of ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary focuses on a school ringworm outbreak that will have you scrubbing all surfaces of your home. (And not to freak you out too much, but the fungal infections are becoming more resistant to treatment.)

And finally, here are some of the biggest headline makers in health and wellness this week.

Weight loss drugs could also help people with addiction

Medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and weight loss may also help people struggling with addiction, according to a study published on Wednesday. Researchers found that patients addicted to alcohol who were prescribed medications such as Ozempic or Mounjaro had a 50% lower rate of binging on alcohol, and those with opioid use disorder had a 40% lower rate of opioid overdose.

Experts say it may have something to do with the medication’s effect on the brain’s rewards system, and that researchers have known for a while that the part of the brain responsible for food-seeking behaviors overlaps with the mechanism that regulates addiction.

“While we hypothesized that these medications might impact cravings and reward-seeking behavior, the observed reduction in severe outcomes for individuals with opioid and alcohol use disorders suggests a broader, more protective effect than anticipated,” the study author told NPR.

1 in 5 Americans are lonely every day

A new Gallup survey published on Tuesday found that 1 in 5 Americans reports feeling lonely on a daily basis. While this number is concerning, it’s actually down from the previous pandemic-era peak from 2019 to 2021, in which 1 in 4 Americans said they were lonely every day.

Surgeon General Vivek Murphy has already expressed concern over the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, saying it poses a health risk akin to smoking.

The Gallup survey didn’t ask respondents why they felt lonely, but a Yahoo News/YouGov poll earlier this year found that “not living near loved ones, not having a romantic relationship, difficulty making friends and not having time to socialize” were all factors contributing to loneliness.

Missed mammograms mean over 17,000 undetected breast cancer cases

Missed mammograms are resulting in thousands of undetected breast cancer cases in the U.S., according to a report published by the Milken Institute on Tuesday that looked at disparities in screening capacity.

Improving access to screenings at the local level could help identify 17,804 cases of breast cancer and increase early-stage detection by 12.6%, according to researchers. Because catching breast cancer early also makes it less expensive to treat, the report also estimates that improving screening access could reduce treatment costs by about $176 million.

Reducing the cost of breast cancer care is crucial, as another survey published last month found that nearly half of women (48%) said they were “unlikely to pursue treatment ... if their out-of-pocket costs are over $2,000.”