Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
Dietitians Call Attention to Errors in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Vegetarian and Vegan Position Paper, Correcting Low Vitamin D Myth
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 [Category: Health Care] -- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine posted the following news release:
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Dietitians Call Attention to Errors in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Vegetarian and Vegan Position Paper, Correcting Low Vitamin D Myth
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Dietitians should encourage their patients to adopt a plant-based diet, say dietitians with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in a letter to the editor responding to the recently updated Vegetarian Dietary Patterns for Adults: A Position Paper of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which recommends
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 [Category: Health Care] -- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine posted the following news release:
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Dietitians Call Attention to Errors in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Vegetarian and Vegan Position Paper, Correcting Low Vitamin D Myth
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Dietitians should encourage their patients to adopt a plant-based diet, say dietitians with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in a letter to the editor responding to the recently updated Vegetarian Dietary Patterns for Adults: A Position Paper of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which recommendsthat dietitians only share information on vegetarian and vegan diets with patients who "express interest." The position paper also contains several errors, including statements that vegans have low vitamin D.
"Just as smoking cessation is recommended to all patients, regardless of their interest or motivation, so too should dietitians be allowed and encouraged to recommend adoption of a plant-based eating pattern to all patients," write Anna Herby, DHSc, RD, CDCES, and Noah Praamsma, MS, RDN, dietitians for the Physicians Committee.
Dr. Herby and Praamsma also say that the position paper, which was published in June 2025 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, mistakenly links vegetarian and vegan diets with vitamin D deficiency.
In their letter, they point out research cited in the paper showing that diet is a poor predictor of vitamin D status, and that people following vegetarian and vegan diets are not at higher risk: "On page 7 of the position paper, the text states: 'Evidence from large cohort studies shows a high incidence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency in vegetarians, including vegans.' The cited source, however, stated the opposite, finding no significant difference in serum vitamin D concentrations based on vegetarian status."
They add, "The section on vitamin D also cited a 2021 systematic review of observational studies, but failed to correctly cite its stated conclusion, which was that, among those following vegan diets, serum vitamin D concentrations 'are not below healthy levels.'"
Vitamin D comes primarily from sun exposure. Most foods, including animal products, are naturally poor sources of vitamin D, say Dr. Herby and Praamsma, adding that planning is important regardless of vegetarian or nonvegetarian status.
The Physicians Committee has also requested an erratum to correct this error. They have also asked the Academy to retract the paper and make these and other corrections.
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Original text here: https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/dietitians-call-attention-errors-academy-nutrition-and-dietetics-vegetarian-and
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Names Dr. Phillip Fairweather "2025 Physician of the Year"
NEW YORK, Dec. 31 [Category: Health Care] -- The New York Health and Hospitals posted the following news release:
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NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Names Dr. Phillip Fairweather "2025 Physician of the Year"
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Honors his over three decades of outstanding service as an Emergency Medicine physician, clinical leader, educator, and contributions to the Elmhurst community
Dec 31, 2025
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai are proud to announce that Chief Medical Information Officer Dr. Phillip Fairweather has been named Elmhurst's "2025 Physician
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NEW YORK, Dec. 31 [Category: Health Care] -- The New York Health and Hospitals posted the following news release:
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NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Names Dr. Phillip Fairweather "2025 Physician of the Year"
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Honors his over three decades of outstanding service as an Emergency Medicine physician, clinical leader, educator, and contributions to the Elmhurst community
Dec 31, 2025
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai are proud to announce that Chief Medical Information Officer Dr. Phillip Fairweather has been named Elmhurst's "2025 Physicianof the Year". Dr. Fairweather's recognition honors his more than three decades of outstanding service as an Emergency Medicine physician, clinical leader, and educator, as well as his contributions to the Elmhurst community.
"Dr. Fairweather has a deep commitment to our patients and has made a lasting impact in our community," said NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst CEO Dr. Helen Arteaga. "He has spent a large part of his career providing care in one of the busiest Emergency Departments in the nation, and is now leading our efforts to bring Elmhurst into the future through better, more efficient analysis of medical data so that we can improve the care we provide. I am enormously proud that he is receiving this well-earned recognition."
"Dr. Phillip Fairweather embodies the very best of what it means to be a physician and a leader," said NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Chief Medical Officer Laura Iavicoli and Senior Associate Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, MD, MBA, FACEP, CHEP. "His career reflects an extraordinary commitment to patient-centered care, academic excellence, and service to our diverse Elmhurst community. As Chief Medical Information Officer, Dr. Fairweather has been instrumental in advancing clinical informatics, strengthening data-driven care, and ensuring that technology meaningfully supports our clinicians and patients. This recognition as 'Physician of the Year' is richly deserved, and we are deeply grateful for his unwavering dedication, integrity, and impact."
"I am deeply appreciative of this honor," said NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Chief Medical Information Officer Dr. Phillip Fairweather. "I feel incredibly privileged to work with the patients, colleagues, and community I have at Elmhurst Hospital."
Dr. Phillip Fairweather's path to medicine began at an early age, inspired by the compassionate care provided in his family home in Jamaica. This formative experience ignited a lifelong passion for healthcare and a commitment to becoming a physician. Dr. Fairweather pursued his academic interests at Wesleyan University, where he majored in Biology while also nurturing his interest in dance. During a gap year, he earned a prestigious two-year dance scholarship at the Alvin Ailey School, an experience that would broaden his perspective on movement and wellness.
In 1985, Dr. Fairweather matriculated to Weill Cornell University, where he laid the foundation for a successful medical career. After completing his internship at St. Vincent's Hospital, he entered a residency in Emergency Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi. Following his residency, Dr. Fairweather worked at Beth Israel Medical Center, gaining invaluable experience before being recruited to serve as the Residency Site Director at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. He held this role for several years, shaping the training of the next generation of emergency medicine physicians.
Dr. Fairweather's academic contributions extended to his role as an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where he mentored medical students and residents. His career took a significant turn when he transitioned to an administrative role in the Emergency Department, where he contributed to numerous hospital-wide and system-wide initiatives, including leading efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. He played a crucial role in educating the hospital staff and community on the importance of COVID-19 vaccination.
In August 2022, Dr. Fairweather was recruited to serve as the Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) at Elmhurst Hospital, where he oversees Epic operations, data analytics services, and reports directly to the CEO as a member of the executive leadership team. His leadership is central to several key initiatives, including Health Information Management, the Elmhurst Hospital Downtime Committee, and the CMIO Council.
For more information programs and services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, please call 718-334-4000. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @elmhursthosp.
MEDIA CONTACT : Atiya Butler, Director of External Affairs, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, 917-319-5167
#235-25
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, part of the NYC Health + Hospitals health care system, is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The 545-bed hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station, a Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Receiving Center, a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Center of Excellence, and a 911-Receiving Hospital. It is a premiere health care institution offering exceptional services across a wide range of specialties, including surgery, cardiology, women's health, pediatrics, rehabilitation medicine, renal services, and mental health care. In the past year alone, the hospital received nearly one million ambulatory care visits and over 140,000 emergency room visits, reflecting its essential role in the community. NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst has been nationally ranked and recognized as a "Best Regional Hospital" by U.S. News & World Report in critical areas such as Heart Failure, Heart Attack, Stroke, Hip Fracture, Maternity, Kidney Failure, Orthopedics, Pneumonia, and COPD.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city's five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system's trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health planall supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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Original text here: https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/pressrelease/nyc-health-hospitals-elmhurst-names-dr-phillip-fairweather-2025-physician-of-the-year/
Restoring the Landscape for Turkeys and Turkey Hunters in Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest
EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, Dec. 30 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
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Restoring the Landscape for Turkeys and Turkey Hunters in Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest
In Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest, important work is being completed through the Old Hickory Supplemental Project Agreement, a partnership between the Missouri State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the USDA Forest Service.
"We are excited about the work that is being jointly planned and implemented by the NWTF and Mark Twain National Forest and look forward
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EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, Dec. 30 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
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Restoring the Landscape for Turkeys and Turkey Hunters in Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest
In Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest, important work is being completed through the Old Hickory Supplemental Project Agreement, a partnership between the Missouri State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the USDA Forest Service.
"We are excited about the work that is being jointly planned and implemented by the NWTF and Mark Twain National Forest and look forwardto watching turkeys and public land hunters benefit from this work in the coming years," said Nathan Patterson, fish and wildlife biologist with the Mark Twain National Forest.
So far, this project has completed 186 acres of brush mastication, enhancing the Spring Walk-In Turkey Hunting Areas (SWITHAs) and creating additional walk-in opportunities beyond what is currently available. These tracts of public land are closed to motorized traffic during the spring season, offering hunters quiet, foot-travel-only access to thousands of acres where gobblers can behave naturally and hunting pressure is softened. For wildlife, these walk-in areas are proving to be ideal places to invest in habitat.
The mastication work is part of a larger effort to restore fields and stimulate early successional habitat in parts of the NWTF's Habitat for the Hatch landscape, a priority area identified for boosting turkey recruitment. Early successional habitat, characterized by open, sunlit spaces with grasses, forbs and scattered shrubs, is essential for nesting hens and broods. Poults depend on these restored areas for protection from predators and for access to abundant insects, which are critical during their first weeks of life.
Not only will this provide benefits to wild turkeys, this restoration effort will also improve habitat for white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail and songbirds in the renewed structure and diversity that mastication creates.
Once mastication wraps up, the Forest Service will use prescribed fire to maintain these areas and keep them from being overtaken by hardwood encroachment. Fire is a natural and necessary part of these ecosystems, used to recycle nutrients, stimulate new plant growth and conserve the open structure hens need to successfully nest and raise broods.
For hunters and conservationists, this investment means better long-term habitat, healthier turkey populations, continued access to quality recreational opportunities and serves as a model of what partnership-driven habitat work can accomplish.
This is exactly the type of work NWTF members make possible. Through banquet dollars, memberships, volunteer hours and advocacy, NWTF members help drive habitat restoration projects that would not happen otherwise. The Old Hickory Project is a direct reflection of the commitment and investment not only in turkey habitat, but in the future of hunting, environmental health and shared stewardship on America's public lands.
Projects like this strengthen the foundation of the NWTF's mission and ensure that wild turkeys have what they need to thrive, hunters have meaningful access to high-quality places to hunt and that future generations will inherit a landscape full of birds, wildlife and opportunity.
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About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats and Healthy Harvests for future generations.
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Original text here: https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/restoring-the-landscape-for-turkeys-and-turkey-hunters-in-missouris-mark-twain-national-forest
[Category: Animals]
Physicians Committee Has Given Grants to Farmers Who Are Growing Health-Promoting Fruits and Veggies While Phasing Out Animal Agriculture
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 [Category: Health Care] -- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine posted the following news release:
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Physicians Committee Has Given Grants to Farmers Who Are Growing Health-Promoting Fruits and Veggies While Phasing Out Animal Agriculture
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WASHINGTONthe Physicians Committee, a nonprofit public health advocacy organization with 17,000 doctor members, is maintaining a grant program to assist farmers who would like to grow health-promoting fruits, veggies, and nuts while phasing out animal agriculture. Launched in November 2024, the Physicians Committee's Convert
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 [Category: Health Care] -- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine posted the following news release:
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Physicians Committee Has Given Grants to Farmers Who Are Growing Health-Promoting Fruits and Veggies While Phasing Out Animal Agriculture
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WASHINGTONthe Physicians Committee, a nonprofit public health advocacy organization with 17,000 doctor members, is maintaining a grant program to assist farmers who would like to grow health-promoting fruits, veggies, and nuts while phasing out animal agriculture. Launched in November 2024, the Physicians Committee's Convertto Crops program is modeled on a program established by lawmakers in Vermont who provided grants to farmers who wished to diversify or transition from one type of farming to another.
One goal of the Convert to Crops program is to assist the younger members of farming families who wish to return to the family land and become full-time farmers. This addresses the current crisis with many farmers older than 65 years of age and fewer young farmers entering this challenging profession. The Physicians Committee has given a grant to a farmer whose daughter is now also a full-time farmer growing veggies hydroponically.
To apply for a Convert to Crops grant, farmers should email the answers to the below questions to Jeanne McVey, jeannem@pcrm.org.
1. Where is your farm locatedcounty and state?
2. Please describe your present farming operation. For example, it's a cattle ranch poultry farm, or dairy and you are encountering financial or other challenges. Or you have inherited a farm and you'd like to phase out animal agriculture to focus on fruits, veggies, beans, mushrooms, or nuts.
3. Are you planning to start or continue to phase out animal agriculture and instead grow specialty crops that you believe will be profitable? For example, you are repurposing a former poultry barn to grow hydroponic veggies like Riley Creek Farms in Alabama. Or you are a beef-and-vegetables producer and you'd like to become a vegetables-only grower like Mike Lanigan, a third-generation cattle rancher.
A recent grant recipient is the Whitcomb family farm in Vermont, which was featured in the Burlington Free Press. The Whitcombs have phased out the dairy operation, but the sixth and seventh generation farmers are finding success growing crops including pumpkins, butternut squash, apples, corn, and Christmas trees. A pumpkin grown on the Whitcomb family farm recently won first place for weight at the Champlain Valley Fair. The prize pumpkin weighed 140 pounds!
Another Convert to Crops grant recipient is Riley Creek Farms in Alabama where the Ferguson family farmers are growing hydroponic leafy greens in a retrofitted chicken barn, as reported by the Dothan Eagle, Farms, AgFarmNews, WTVY-TV, and other news outlets. The farm transitions project of the national nonprofit Animal Outlook is providing expert assistance to the Alabama farmers and others.
As reported by the Omaha World Herald, Nebraska Public Media, KOLN-TV, and many other news outlets, the Physicians Committee has given a farm transition grant to a fourth-generation Nebraska farmer who is rewilding her family's former cattle ranch. Since the farm borders the Middle Loup River, and flooding is a concern, she is stabilizing the riverbanks with native plants including buffalo berries, raspberries, and elderberries. The riparian berry thickets will provide food and cover to birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
As part of a growing trend, numerous farm transitions are currently underway. In Iowa, the Faaborg brothers are transitioning the family farm from raising hogs to growing mushrooms, as reported by the New York Times. The Faaborgs are partnering with the Transfarmation Project, which provides Farmer Resources, the Farmer Toolkit, and other assistance.
The life of a contract chicken grower can be challenging, and some of them are repurposing their chicken barns to grow veggies or retrofitting shipping containers to grow mushrooms. Former contract poultry farmer Craig Watts now works with the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, and he advises other contract chicken growers who wish to exit the business.
Due to economic hardship or other factors, many dairy farmers are choosing to exit the business. Lancaster Farming reports that New Jersey farmer Ed Clerico is planting hazelnut trees on the 38-acre former dairy farm where he grew up. In Wisconsin, Greg Zwald embraced the life of a dairy farmer, but things changed and he now runs a pick-your-own-berries enterprise. Farm Progress reports that Carl Taber, a former dairy farmer, is now focusing on field crops, including chickpeas.
"Blueberries, beans, greens, and other plant-based foods grown by U.S. farmers can help people improve heart health, prevent diabetes, and maintain a healthy weight, among other benefits," says Roxanne Becker, MBChB, a medical doctor on the staff of Physicians Committee. "It's important to support these cherished family farms."
These farm transitions aren't easy and in addition to grants provided by nonprofit groups like Physicians Committee, the government should provide financial and technical support. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker favors a voluntary program that would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide grants to livestock farmers to pay off related debt and to transition the property to alternative agriculture activities. All senators should stand with Sen. Booker to support farmers.
If dairy farms are being phased out and milk production declines, what are your alternative sources of calcium? In the U.S., farmers grow many sources of calcium including almonds, sweet potatoes, and kale. Health-conscious consumers often reach for plant milk, and there are many varieties including hazelnut milk which is creamy and delightful according to Bon Appetit.
Farmers also grow sources of healthful plant-based protein including chickpeas, lentils, black beans, nuts, and mushrooms. A study published in the journal Current Nutrition Reports, finds that mushroom protein is of high quality since it provides you with essential amino acids. For farmers, mushrooms can produce high yields in a short amount of time, and for home cooks, they are an affordable source of high-quality protein.
If farmers increase acreage of fruit and nut trees, improved water quality is one of the many benefits. One way to keep phosphorous and other pollutants from flowing into rivers is to install riparian buffers of trees and shrubs to intercept polluted water running off of fields where chicken litter has been applied. Trees that are suitable for riparian buffers, like hazelnuts, can also provide income to the farmer, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Hazelnuts and other commercially grown trees benefit our environment by producing oxygen for us to breathe while storing carbon dioxide in their fibers. Trees can also mitigate flooding from heavy rains while stabilizing riverbanks. A recently installed flood-control project in Nashville features a grove of serviceberry trees, which provide food to people and wildlife.
Native pecan trees can provide a good income to farmers in the U.S., and because they are flood-tolerant, farmers can grow them in river bottomlands. During heavy rains, land that is compacted by livestock hooves can cause runoff to gain speed as it rushes down to overwhelm rivers, streams, and roadways. By contrast, trees can help tame floodwaters by reducing the speed and volume of runoff flowing towards low-lying areas.
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Original text here: https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/physicians-committee-has-given-grants-farmers-who-are-growing-health-promoting
NSSF Praises Indiana Court Decision to End City of Gary Lawsuit
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 [Category: Business] -- NSSF-The Firearm Industry Trade Association, issued the following news release:
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NSSF Praises Indiana Court Decision to End City of Gary Lawsuit
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WASHINGTON, D.C. NSSF (r), The Firearm Industry Trade Association, praises the unanimous decision by the Indiana Court of Appeals to end the City of Gary, Indiana's 26-year-old frivolous lawsuit against firearm manufacturers that sought to hold them responsible for the criminal actions of unrelated and remote third parties. The Court upheld the constitutionality of a recently enacted law championed
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 [Category: Business] -- NSSF-The Firearm Industry Trade Association, issued the following news release:
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NSSF Praises Indiana Court Decision to End City of Gary Lawsuit
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WASHINGTON, D.C. NSSF (r), The Firearm Industry Trade Association, praises the unanimous decision by the Indiana Court of Appeals to end the City of Gary, Indiana's 26-year-old frivolous lawsuit against firearm manufacturers that sought to hold them responsible for the criminal actions of unrelated and remote third parties. The Court upheld the constitutionality of a recently enacted law championedby NSSF providing that only the state of Indiana can bring a lawsuit against a firearm industry member. As a result, it directed the trial court to dismiss the lingering Smith & Wesson Corp. v. City of Gary public nuisance lawsuit, which failed to provide any evidence of wrongdoing despite more than a quarter century of litigation.
"This is a tremendous day for of the rule of law, common sense and the firearm industry," said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel. "The City of Gary never had a serious claim. Instead, it was committed to a losing lawfare strategy to abuse the courts in order to force gun control policy outside of legislative channels. The bottom line is that these sorts of frivolous claims have no business clogging our courts and special-interest groups cannot circumvent elected representative bodies by attempting legislation through litigation. NSSF is deeply grateful to Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita for his strong defense of this law."
Former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed House Bill 1235 into law in 2024 that "provides that only the state of Indiana may bring or maintain an action by or on behalf of a political subdivision against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer, trade association, seller, or dealer concerning certain matters." The law "prohibits a political subdivision from otherwise independently bringing or maintaining such an action," effectively negating the City of Gary's frivolous claims.
The City of Gary first filed their claims in 1999, as part of a coordinated effort by over 40 big city mayors who conspired together through the U.S. Conference of Mayors with gun control activist from Brady United (formerly known as the Brady Center) trial lawyers.
All these municipal lawsuits have either been dismissed by the courts, e.g., Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit and St. Louis, or simply dropped by several cities, e.g., Boston, Cincinnati, Wilmington and Camden. Many of these municipal lawsuits were dismissed based on state preemption laws enacted between 1999 to 2001 upon which H.B. 1235 is modeled. Like H.B. 1235, these laws that have been upheld by the courts reserve to the state the exclusive authority to sue members of the industry except that they generally allow for breach of warranty and related claims for firearms a political subdivision purchased.
Additionally, Congress passed in a broad bipartisan fashion, and President George W. Bush signed into law, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) in 2005. The PLCAA blocks lawsuits that attempt to hold firearm and ammunition industry companies liable for the criminal actions of third parties who misuse the industry's lawful non-defective products. More specifically, this commonsense law ensures that responsible and law-abiding federally licensed manufacturers and retailers of firearms and ammunition are not unjustly blamed in federal and state civil actions for "the harm caused by those who criminally or unlawfully misuse" these products that function as designed and intended.
Categories: BP Item, Featured, Government Relations, Press Releases, Top Stories
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Original text here: https://www.nssf.org/articles/nssf-praises-indiana-court-decision-to-end-city-of-gary-lawsuit/
NAR Pending Home Sales Report Shows 3.3% Increase in November
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (TNSrep) -- The National Association of Realtors posted the following news release:
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NAR Pending Home Sales Report Shows 3.3% Increase in November
Pending home sales in November jumped by 3.3% from the prior month and 2.6% year over year, according to the National Association of REALTORS(R) Pending Home Sales Report (https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/pending-home-sales). The report provides the real estate ecosystem, including agents and homebuyers and sellers, with data on the level of home sales under contract.
Month-over-month and
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (TNSrep) -- The National Association of Realtors posted the following news release:
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NAR Pending Home Sales Report Shows 3.3% Increase in November
Pending home sales in November jumped by 3.3% from the prior month and 2.6% year over year, according to the National Association of REALTORS(R) Pending Home Sales Report (https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/pending-home-sales). The report provides the real estate ecosystem, including agents and homebuyers and sellers, with data on the level of home sales under contract.
Month-over-month andyear-over-year pending home sales rose in the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West.
November's REALTORS(R) Confidence Index survey shows that 22% of NAR members expect an increase in buyer traffic over the next three months, up from 17% in October and down from 24% one year ago. Meanwhile, 18% expect an increase in seller traffic, up from 16% last month and down from 22% in November 2024.
"Homebuyer momentum is building. The data shows the strongest performance of the year after accounting for seasonal factors, and the best performance in nearly three years, dating back to February 2023," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "Improving housing affordability-driven by lower mortgage rates and wage growth rising faster than home prices-is helping buyers test the market. More inventory choices compared to last year are also attracting more buyers to the market."
November 2025 National Pending Home Sales
* 3.3% increase month over month
* 2.6% increase year over year
November 2025 Regional Pending Home Sales
Northeast
* 1.8% increase month over month
* 1.8% increase year over year
Midwest
* 1.3% increase month over month
* 2.2% increase year over year
South
* 2.4% increase month over month
* 3.3% increase year over year
West
* 9.2% increase month over month
* 2.4% increase year over year
The percent of change in pending home sales is based on the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)* - a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on home-contract signings. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001.
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About the National Association of REALTORS(R)
The National Association of REALTORS(R) is involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate. The term REALTOR(R) is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS(R) and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For free consumer guides about navigating the homebuying and selling transaction processes - from written buyer agreements to negotiating compensation - visit facts.realtor.
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*The Pending Home Sales Index is a leading indicator for the housing sector, based on pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed, though the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of signing.
Pending contracts are good early indicators of upcoming sales closings. However, the amount of time between pending contracts and completed sales is not identical for all home sales. Variations in the length of the process from pending contract to closed sale can be caused by issues such as buyer difficulties with obtaining mortgage financing, home inspection problems, or appraisal issues.
The index is based on a sample that covers about 40% of multiple listing service data each month. In developing the model for the index, it was demonstrated that the level of monthly sales-contract activity parallels the level of closed existing-home sales in the following two months.
An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, which was the first year to be examined. By coincidence, the volume of existing-home sales in 2001 fell within the range of 5.0 to 5.5 million, which is considered normal for the current U.S. population.
NOTE: Existing-Home Sales for December will be reported on January 14. The next Pending Home Sales Index will be released on January 21. All release times are 10 a.m. Eastern. View the NAR Statistical News Release Schedule.
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Original text here: https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/nar-pending-home-sales-report-shows-3-3-increase-in-november
[Category: Real Estate]
American Academy of Neurology: Do Our Body Clocks Influence Our Risk of Dementia?
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Dec. 30 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
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Do our body clocks influence our risk of dementia?
Highlights:
* A new study has found circadian rhythm, the body's internal clock, may affect a person's risk of dementia.
* More than 2,000 people wore monitors for an average of 12 days to track their rest and activity rhythms.
* Researchers found people with weaker or more irregular body clocks had a higher risk of developing dementia.
* Being most active later in the day, instead of earlier, was linked to a 45% increased risk of
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Dec. 30 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release:
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Do our body clocks influence our risk of dementia?
Highlights:
* A new study has found circadian rhythm, the body's internal clock, may affect a person's risk of dementia.
* More than 2,000 people wore monitors for an average of 12 days to track their rest and activity rhythms.
* Researchers found people with weaker or more irregular body clocks had a higher risk of developing dementia.
* Being most active later in the day, instead of earlier, was linked to a 45% increased risk ofdementia.
* Future studies of circadian rhythm interventions, such as light therapy or lifestyle changes, could help determine if they can lower a person's risk of dementia.
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Circadian rhythms that are weaker and more fragmented are linked to an increased risk of dementia, according to a new study published on December 29, 2025, in Neurology(R), the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study also found that circadian rhythm levels that peaked later in the day, rather than earlier, were also linked to an increased risk. The study does not prove that these factors cause dementia, it only shows an association.
Circadian rhythm is the body's internal clock. It regulates the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle and other body processes like hormones, digestion and body temperature. It is guided by the brain and influenced by light exposure.
With a strong circadian rhythm, the body clock aligns well with the 24-hour day, sending clear signals for body functions. People with a strong circadian rhythm tend to follow their regular times for sleeping and activity, even with schedule or season changes. With a weak circadian rhythm, light and schedule changes are more likely to disrupt the body clock. People with weaker rhythms are more likely to shift their sleep and activity times with the seasons or schedule changes.
"Changes in circadian rhythms happen with aging, and evidence suggests that circadian rhythm disturbances may be a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases like dementia," said study author Wendy Wang, MPH, PhD, of the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. "Our study measured these rest-activity rhythms and found people with weaker and more fragmented rhythms, and people with activity levels that peaked later in the day, had an elevated risk of dementia."
The study involved 2,183 people with an average age of 79 who did not have dementia at the start of the study. Of participants, 24% were Black people and 76% were white people.
Participants wore small heart monitors that adhere to the chest to measure rest and activity for an average of 12 days. Researchers used data from the monitors to track the strength and patterns of people's circadian rhythms. Participants were then followed for an average of three years and during that time 176 people were diagnosed with dementia.
Researchers reviewed heart monitor data for various measures to determine circadian rhythm strength. These measures included relative amplitude, which is a measure of the difference between a person's most active and least active periods. High relative amplitude signified stronger circadian rhythms.
Researchers divided participants into three groups, comparing the high group to the low group. A total of 31 of 728 people in the high group developed dementia, compared to 106 of the 727 people in the low group. After adjusting for factors such as age, blood pressure and heart disease, researchers found when compared to people in the high group, those in the low, weaker rhythm group had nearly 2.5 times the risk of dementia, with a 54% increased risk of dementia for every standard deviation decrease in relative amplitude.
Researchers also found people who experienced a peak of activity later in the afternoon, 2:15 p.m. or later, compared to earlier in the afternoon, 1:11 p.m.-2:14 p.m., had a 45% increased risk of dementia. Seven percent of those in the early group developed dementia, compared to 10% of those in the high group.
Having a later peak of activity means there could be a difference between the body clock and environmental cues such as later hours and darkness.
"Disruptions in circadian rhythms may alter body processes like inflammation, and may interfere with sleep, possibly increasing amyloid plaques linked to dementia, or reducing amyloid clearance from the brain," said Wang. "Future studies should examine the potential role of circadian rhythm interventions, such as light therapy or lifestyle changes, to determine if they may help lower a person's risk of dementia."
A limitation of the study was that researchers did not have information on sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, which could affect the results.
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Original text here: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5306
[Category: Medical]
