Featured Stories
US Fitness Facility Visitation Gains Momentum in Third Quarter
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 9 [Category: Health Care] -- The Health and Fitness Association (formerly the International Health Racquet and Sportsclub Association) issued the following news release:
* * *
US Fitness Facility Visitation Gains Momentum in Third Quarter
*
The leading health and fitness industry research, analysis and news.
Stay ahead of the curve with the latest in health and fitness industry trends, research, and expert insights.
New HFA data show third-quarter visitation rising 1.3%, bringing year-to-date visitation above 2025 levels.
WASHINGTON, DC, November 9, 2026 -- US
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 9 [Category: Health Care] -- The Health and Fitness Association (formerly the International Health Racquet and Sportsclub Association) issued the following news release:
* * *
US Fitness Facility Visitation Gains Momentum in Third Quarter
*
The leading health and fitness industry research, analysis and news.
Stay ahead of the curve with the latest in health and fitness industry trends, research, and expert insights.
New HFA data show third-quarter visitation rising 1.3%, bringing year-to-date visitation above 2025 levels.
WASHINGTON, DC, November 9, 2026 -- UScommercial fitness facilities saw foot traffic growth in the third quarter. The growth spread across most fitness segments and regions despite continued economic uncertainty, according to the latest Fitness Industry Traffic (FIT) Tracker from the Health & Fitness Association (HFA).
Average visits per facility rose 1.3% year over year in the third quarter. The rebound extended across three of the four major fitness segments and seven of nine US Census divisions. The third-quarter gains were consistent with the industry pattern where third-quarter traffic traditionally peaks. The broad-based gains highlight the fitness industry's continued resilience and growing momentum heading into the final months of 2026.
"These results suggest that commercial fitness is an established part of Americans' routines, even as consumers navigate economic uncertainty and become more selective about discretionary spending," said Greta Wagner, interim president and CEO of HFA. "When we look at these results combined with data showing record fitness facility membership, it points to an industry whose traditional seasonal rhythms are changing in large part due to consumers' viewing fitness as part of preventative health."
Boutique studios led third-quarter year-over-year growth in visits per location (+1.9%), followed by high-volume, low-price (HVLP) gyms (+1.5%) and mid-priced gyms (+1.4%). Studios recorded year-over-year gains in each of the first three quarters of 2026
Regionally, the Middle Atlantic recorded the strongest growth at 4.6%, followed by New England at 3.0% and East South Central at 2.8%. Overall, seven of nine Census divisions reported year-over-year visitation increases, demonstrating that the improvement extended beyond individual markets.
"The quarterly results are positive, and the longer-term picture is especially revealing," said Anton Severin, HFA vice president of research. "Visits per location are well above 2019 levels at low-priced and mid-priced gyms. An analysis of monthly foot-traffic data dating back to 2017, covering more than 10,000 U.S. fitness facilities, reveals a substantial reduction in seasonal fluctuations. Between 2017 and 2019, facilities recorded about 15% more visits per location in the first quarter than in the average of the year's remaining quarters. Between 2023 and 2025, that advantage had narrowed to less than 7%."
The rebound comes as consumers continue to navigate inflation, weakening consumer confidence, and pressure on household budgets. Developed by HFA in partnership with Sports Marketing Surveys USA (a Buffalo Groupe company) and powered by Placer.ai, the FIT Tracker examines monthly and quarterly visitation, regional performance, average visit frequency and duration, and modeled visitor demographic profiles.
The quarterly report is available exclusively to HFA members.
***
Original text here: https://www.healthandfitness.org/us-fitness-facility-visitation-gains-momentum-in-third-quarter/ (TNSmrp)
The Foundation for Fresh Produce and Diabetes Nutrition Experts Bring More Flavor and Possibility to Diabetes-Friendly Eating
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 [Category: Food/Beverage] -- The International Fresh Produce Association posted the following news release:
* * *
The Foundation for Fresh Produce and Diabetes Nutrition Experts Bring More Flavor and Possibility to Diabetes-Friendly Eating
*
The Foundation for Fresh Produce and Diabetes Nutrition Experts Bring More Flavor and Possibility to Diabetes-Friendly Eating Join the Advocacy Action Network, IFPA's official grassroots advocacy campaign, which is your year-round opportunity to stand up for the produce and floral industry and make your voices heard where it matters
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 [Category: Food/Beverage] -- The International Fresh Produce Association posted the following news release:
* * *
The Foundation for Fresh Produce and Diabetes Nutrition Experts Bring More Flavor and Possibility to Diabetes-Friendly Eating
*
The Foundation for Fresh Produce and Diabetes Nutrition Experts Bring More Flavor and Possibility to Diabetes-Friendly Eating Join the Advocacy Action Network, IFPA's official grassroots advocacy campaign, which is your year-round opportunity to stand up for the produce and floral industry and make your voices heard where it mattersmost. Join Now Skip Navigation Toggle Navigation International Fresh Produce Association's Full Brand Logo International Fresh Produce Association's Minimal Seed Logo Toggle Search Search Icon toggle menu for Resources Resources Commodity Data Consumer Trends Floral Food Safety Foodservice Global Intelligence Engine International Trade Marketing Retail Supply Chain Management Sustainability Talent Technology Browse Resources Global Intelligence Engine AI Data for the Produce Industry Learn More toggle menu for Advocacy Advocacy U.S. Priority Issues Get Involved in U.S. Advocacy U.S. FreshPAC Advocacy Resources Meet the Team U.S. Fresh Faces of Congress EU Public Policy Agenda U.S. Public Policy Agenda Global Advocacy Advocacy Public Policy Issues & Initiatives Learn More Advocacy Global Advocacy Learn More toggle menu for Events Events Events Webinars Produce Leadership Development Awards View Upcoming Events toggle menu for Membership Membership Join Get Involved Partner, Advertise and Sponsor Membership Toolkit 2025 Impact Report Article Join International Fresh Produce Association Join Today toggle menu for Who We Are Who We Are History Commentary Press Center Board of Directors Annual Partners Careers Brand Guidelines Fresh Produce Research Center The Foundation For Fresh Produce Learn More About IFPA Press Releases and other news related to International Fresh Produce Association Learn More Toggle Search Search Icon Search inputSearch buttonClear Search input Join / Sign In Press Release The Foundation for Fresh Produce and Diabetes Nutrition Experts Bring More Flavor and Possibility to Diabetes-Friendly Eating New recipes and nutrition education materials show how vegetables and fruits can support blood glucose management without sacrificing flavor, convenience, or cultural connection. IFPA Home Who We Are Press Center The Foundation for Fresh Produce and Diabetes Nutrition Experts Bring More Flavor and Possibility to Diabetes-Friendly Eating Share Post Email Share November 9, 2026 NEWARK, Del. - As part of its commitment to improving global health outcomes through greater fruit and vegetable consumption, The Foundation for Fresh Produce is expanding its nutrition education resources in recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month this November. The effort is designed to provide consumers and health professionals with practical, evidence-based guidance for navigating diabetes-friendly eating. This summer, The Foundation partnered with the Diabetes Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on a recipe contest that invited registered dietitian nutritionists and diabetes care and education specialists to develop flavorful, approachable dishes for people living with diabetes. Each new recipe, available for free at fruitsandveggies.org, features vegetables and/or fruits and reflects the balance of fiber, protein and other nutrients that can support blood glucose management. "Nearly one in nine adults worldwide are living with diabetes, and in the United States, diabetes affects nearly 15% of adults," said Dr. Jelena Gligorijevic, Chief Medical Officer for The Foundation for Fresh Produce. "And as prevalence continues to rise, helping people understand how nutritious foods like vegetables and fruits can fit into diabetes-friendly eating patterns is increasingly important." Further, as part of diabetes management, the American Diabetes Association recommends filling half of the plate with non-starchy vegetables at each meal to support glycemic control, weight management, and overall metabolic health. "The challenge therein lies with confusion around what people living with diabetes can eat, when so many doctors might lead with a restriction," says Gligorijevic. "By providing health professionals and consumers with initial scientific evidence and practical resources, like recipes that help patients incorporate fruits and vegetables, we can strive to achieve greater health outcomes overall." The collection complements Dr. Gligorijevic's article, "Diabetes, Fruits & Vegetables," which explains how produce can fit into diabetes-friendly eating patterns. Together, the article and recipes shift the focus from restriction to possibility, highlighting colorful produce, fiber-rich ingredients and satisfying foods that fit different preferences and routines. Contest entries were evaluated for nutrition, taste, visual appeal, practicality and their ability to reflect a range of cultures and food traditions. The winning recipes include: Shrimp Ceviche Chop & Toss Rainbow Salad Summer Street Corn Taco Bowls Roasted Roots & Barley Harvest Salad Together, they show just how colorful, flavorful and satisfying diabetes-friendly eating can be. "Diabetes-friendly eating doesn't have to be defined by restrictions. These recipes focus on what people can add to their plates, pairing fruits and vegetables with protein, other fiber-rich foods, healthy fats and flavors to create balanced meals that support blood glucose management," said Emily Holdorf, MS, RDN, Community Manager for The Foundation for Fresh Produce. "Just as importantly, they reflect the different cultures, traditions and routines that shape how people actually eat." Helping People Put Nutrition Guidance into Practice For the fresh produce industry, the collaboration demonstrates the value of pairing nutrition education with practical food inspiration. Consumers may understand that fruits and vegetables support health, but they also need appealing, achievable ideas that reflect their health needs, budgets, preferences and routines. By bringing together The Foundation's fruit and vegetable resources with the expertise of diabetes nutrition professionals, the initiative helps turn general recommendations into food people can see themselves preparing and eating. The resulting recipes are featured in a diabetes-friendly recipe collection on fruitsandveggies.org. Consumers and health professionals can also explore the new "10 Diabetes-Friendly Recipes Packed with Fruits & Veggies" blog post for even more fruit- and vegetable-forward ideas across meals and snacks. Additional Press November 3, 2026Global Produce & Floral Show Delivers More Than 270,000 Pounds of Fresh Food and Flowers to Central Florida Communities Learn MoreNovember 3, 2026Fresh Produce and Floral Sectors Support Over 4.4M Jobs and EUR212 Billion in Economic Value Across Europe, New Study FindsLearn MoreNovember 2, 2026The Foundation for Fresh Produce Announces 2027 Board to Advance Fruits and Vegetables as a Force for HealthLearn MoreOctober 29, 2026IFPA Brings Fresh Fall Flavor and Colors to Halloween at the White HouseLearn MoreOctober 27, 2026Floral Update: Reconnecting and CelebratingLearn MoreOctober 26, 2026Government Affairs Insights on FloralLearn More
***
Original text here: https://www.freshproduce.com/who-we-are/press-center/2026/the-foundation-for-fresh-produce-and-diabetes-nutrition-experts-bring-more-flavor-and-possibility-to-diabetes-friendly-eating/ (TNSmrp)
Remodeling Activity Holds Flat in Second Quarter Amid Housing Slowdown
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 [Category: Real Estate] -- The National Association of Home Builders issued the following news release:
* * *
Remodeling Activity Holds Flat in Second Quarter Amid Housing Slowdown
*
Remodeling activity was flat in the second quarter amid a broader nationwide housing slowdown, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) State Projections of Remodeling (SPR). The SPR provides a quarterly, state-by-state analysis of remodeling spending, market share and changes in spending.
The SPR showed a near-even split in the second quarter: Remodeling spending declined
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 [Category: Real Estate] -- The National Association of Home Builders issued the following news release:
* * *
Remodeling Activity Holds Flat in Second Quarter Amid Housing Slowdown
*
Remodeling activity was flat in the second quarter amid a broader nationwide housing slowdown, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) State Projections of Remodeling (SPR). The SPR provides a quarterly, state-by-state analysis of remodeling spending, market share and changes in spending.
The SPR showed a near-even split in the second quarter: Remodeling spending declinedin 26 states and increased in 24 states. The average growth rate across all states was 0.0%.
"These flat results are consistent with NAHB's forecast for remodeling spending in 2026," said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. "Second-quarter spending growth was concentrated in smaller states. Among the 10 states with the largest market shares, only North Carolina and Illinois recorded growth."
The SPR uses a proprietary NAHB statistical model to estimate quarterly remodeling spending and market share for each state. The model combines national quarterly home improvement spending data, multiple state-level indicators and NAHB's annual state remodeling forecast.
"Rising construction costs and weak consumer sentiment are weighing on projects and keeping spending flat, but the remodeling sector has solid long-term growth potential," said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Elliott Pike, a remodeler from Homewood, Ala. "An aging housing stock, the mortgage rate lock-in effect, home equity gains and more home owners choosing to age in place will support future growth."
Remodeler confidence has also held steady. NAHB's Remodeling Market Index (RMI), which measures confidence in the sector, has remained above 60 for the past year.
California led the nation in remodeling spending in the second quarter of 2026, accounting for about 8% of the market. The five largest state markets by share and dollar volume were:
* California: 7.9%, or $21.4 billion
* Texas: 7.3%, or $19.7 billion
* Florida: 5.5%, or $14.8 billion
* New York: 4.0%, or $10.8 billion
* North Carolina: 3.0%, or $8.2 billion
The five states with the largest dollar increases in remodeling spending in the second quarter were:
* Michigan: up $217.1 million (+3.5%)
* Alabama: up $158.3 million (+4.2%)
* West Virginia: up $140.6 million (+10.7%)
* Virginia: up $115.0 million (+1.7%)
* Alaska: up $113.0 million (+5.4%)
NAHB expects remodeling to grow in the years ahead as rising home equity helps more home owners fund projects, including upgrades that allow them to age in place. Remodeling also accounts for a growing share of residential construction, both in the number of firms and total construction spending. At the start of 2025, there were 128,000 remodeling firms, up from 69,000 in 2000.
View remodeling spending, market share and changes in spending for each state at nahb.org/SPR.
***
Original text here: https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2026/11/remodeling-activity-holds-flat-in-second-quarter-amid-housing-slowdown
National Retail Federation: Import Cargo Still Strong as Peak Season Winds Down
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 [Category: Business] -- The National Retail Federation posted the following news release:
* * *
Import Cargo Still Strong as Peak Season Winds Down
"U.S. ports have seen high volume levels throughout this year's longer-than-usual peak season and numbers are still strong even as the season winds down."
-
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2026 -- Import volume at the nation's major container ports is expected to taper off for the remainder of the year following an extended peak season that has kept docks busy since the spring, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 [Category: Business] -- The National Retail Federation posted the following news release:
* * *
Import Cargo Still Strong as Peak Season Winds Down
"U.S. ports have seen high volume levels throughout this year's longer-than-usual peak season and numbers are still strong even as the season winds down."
-
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2026 -- Import volume at the nation's major container ports is expected to taper off for the remainder of the year following an extended peak season that has kept docks busy since the spring, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today bythe National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
"U.S. ports have seen high volume levels throughout this year's longer-than-usual peak season and numbers are still strong even as the season winds down," NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. "Unfortunately, these volumes have led to backups at some ports, particularly on the West Coast where cargo has sat for extended periods waiting to be transferred to rail cars. We've also seen the threat of a strike at the nation's largest port complex in recent days. Nonetheless, most holiday merchandise is already here, and retailers are working closely with their supply chain partners to ensure that the supply of holiday gifts continues to flow smoothly."
A strike was avoided at the beginning of the month when International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 26, which represents watchmen at a number of container terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, reached a short-term contract extension with the Pacific Maritime Association. The contract has now been extended three times for a few days at a time, most recently through Nov. 20, with no long-term agreement in place following the expiration of the previous contract in July 2025.
Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said this year's months-long peak season was an offshoot of an extended season in 2025, when a series of tariff increases led retailers to bring in merchandise before the tariffs could take effect.
"At the start of 2026, that surge appeared to have ended after the Supreme Court struck down high 'Liberation Day' tariffs. Expectations of another extended peak season consequently faded," Hackett said. "However, new tariffs introduced in the second quarter prompted a renewed surge in imports beginning in May that continued through mid-October. Consumer spending supported this influx, with households continuing to buy despite rising inflation."
U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.37 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units -- one 20-foot container or its equivalent -- of loaded imports in September, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was up 3.4% from August and up 12.6% year over year to make September the busiest month of the year amid the extended peak. It was the third-busiest month since Global Port Tracker began keeping records, topped only by 2.39 million TEU in July 2025 and 2.4 million TEU in May 2022.
Ports have not yet reported October numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 2.26 million TEU, up 9.1% year over year. November is forecast at 2.05 million TEU, up 1.2% year over year, and December at 2.03 million TEU, up 1.3%.
Those numbers would bring 2026 to a total of 26 million TEU, up 2% from last year's 25.4 million TEU. The first half of 2026 totaled 12.7 million TEU, up 1.1% from the same period in 2025.
January 2027 is forecast at 2.04 million TEU, down 3% year over year; February at 1.89 million TEU, down 0.5%, and March at 1.92 million TEU, down 11.2%.
Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker or by calling (202) 783-7971. Subscription information for non-members can be found at www.globalporttracker.com.
As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF analyzes economic conditions affecting the industry through reports such as Global Port Tracker.
About Hackett Associates
Hackett Associates provides expert consulting, research and advisory services to the international maritime industry, government agencies and international institutions. www.hackettassociates.com
***
Original text here: https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/import-cargo-still-strong-as-peak-season-winds-down (TNSmrp)
NWTF, Texas Parks and Wildlife Improve 106 Acres of Wild Turkey Habitat at Kerr WMA
EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, Nov. 9 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation posted the following news release:
[Category: Animals]
* * *
NWTF, Texas Parks and Wildlife Improve 106 Acres of Wild Turkey Habitat at Kerr WMA
*
Completed in March 2026, the project focused on three areas of the WMA where increasing densities of Ashe juniper, commonly called cedar, had begun encroaching on important turkey habitat. Through targeted mechanical brush removal, crews reduced cedar cover in riparian corridors and surrounding uplands, creating opportunities for native grasses and other herbaceous vegetation
... Show Full Article
EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, Nov. 9 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation posted the following news release:
[Category: Animals]
* * *
NWTF, Texas Parks and Wildlife Improve 106 Acres of Wild Turkey Habitat at Kerr WMA
*
Completed in March 2026, the project focused on three areas of the WMA where increasing densities of Ashe juniper, commonly called cedar, had begun encroaching on important turkey habitat. Through targeted mechanical brush removal, crews reduced cedar cover in riparian corridors and surrounding uplands, creating opportunities for native grasses and other herbaceous vegetationto recover.
The work builds on ongoing wild turkey research at Kerr WMA, where researchers have identified frequently used travel corridors and roosting sites, helping guide habitat management toward areas important to local turkey populations.
For Rio Grande wild turkeys, the wooded creek corridors of the Texas Hill Country provide valuable roosting habitat and connections between feeding, nesting and other seasonal habitats. At Kerr WMA, ongoing research has identified two riparian corridors, one in the northern portion of the property and another in the south, that are frequently traveled by wild turkeys.
Over time, Ashe juniper had become increasingly established within these creek bottoms, growing beneath and around mature hardwood trees and changing the structure of the surrounding habitat.
In the northern treatment area, mature live oaks and cedar elms serve as important turkey roosting trees. Crews used basal cutting, a method of removing woody vegetation near ground level, to clear encroaching cedar from around these desirable hardwoods while retaining the trees turkeys rely on. Similar work was completed along the southern creek corridor, where crews cut cedar and stacked the removed material outside the creek bed.
By reducing dense cedar growth in these areas, the project helps maintain the structure and accessibility of important roosting and travel habitat while creating space for desirable native vegetation.
Beyond the creek corridors, the largest portion of the project focused on 89 acres of upland habitat in the center of Kerr WMA. Here, crews removed regrowth cedar to improve known roosting areas and encourage the recovery of native grasses and herbaceous plants.
This vegetation plays an important role in the life cycle of wild turkeys. Grasses and other low-growing plants provide nesting cover, while diverse herbaceous vegetation supports the insects and other food sources that developing poults depend on. Reducing woody encroachment can also help maintain the more open habitat conditions that Rio Grande wild turkeys use for feeding and moving across the landscape.
Together, the riparian and upland treatments address different habitat needs within the same landscape, improving conditions across areas turkeys use throughout their life cycle.
"One of the most valuable aspects of this project is that the habitat work is being guided by what we're learning about how wild turkeys actually use the landscape," said Annie Farrell, NWTF district biologist for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. "By protecting important roosting trees, improving travel corridors and encouraging native vegetation in surrounding uplands, we're addressing several of the habitat needs turkeys have throughout the year. It's a great example of how research and active habitat management can work together to support wild turkey conservation."
Although mechanical brush removal is complete, the work at Kerr WMA is part of a longer-term habitat management strategy. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff will continue managing the treated areas through prescribed fire, follow-up brush management and vegetation monitoring.
In the northern and southern riparian treatment areas, crews will finish stacking and burning cut cedar during winter 2026. Prescribed burns are planned for the northern area in January 2028 and the southern area in January 2029, allowing time for native herbaceous vegetation to recover.
In the central upland treatment area, cut cedar will remain on the ground until a planned prescribed burn in January 2028. This approach is intended to encourage the growth of desirable plants before fire is reintroduced and support the recovery of herbaceous cover afterward.
Kerr WMA staff will also conduct annual photo monitoring to document vegetation changes following treatment. Additional GPS tracking of wild turkeys may help researchers better understand how habitat improvements influence roosting behavior and habitat use over time.
For the NWTF, the project demonstrates the importance of combining research, targeted habitat treatments and long-term management to improve conditions for wild turkeys. By working with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to improve habitat at Kerr WMA, the NWTF is helping support healthier landscapes and the future of Rio Grande wild turkeys in the Texas Hill Country.
From protecting mature roosting trees to restoring native ground cover, the work is designed to ensure the habitat wild turkeys depend on remains productive for years to come.
***
Original text here: https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/nwtf-texas-parks-and-wildlife-improve-106-acres-of-wild-turkey-habitat-at-kerr-wma
Iowa Cancer Rates Continue to Rise, Largely Driven by Prostate and Breast Cancer Diagnoses
ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 9 [Category: Medical] -- The American Cancer Society posted the following news release:
* * *
Iowa Cancer Rates Continue to Rise, Largely Driven by Prostate and Breast Cancer Diagnoses
*
Key Takeaways:
* Iowa's overall cancer rate increased among men and women while remaining stable in surrounding states.
* Rise in cancer incidence driven largely by early-stage prostate and breast cancers.
* Increased detection, clinical evaluation, or imaging or tests done for other reasons linked to a higher number of cancer diagnoses.
* Lung cancer rates declined among men and
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov. 9 [Category: Medical] -- The American Cancer Society posted the following news release:
* * *
Iowa Cancer Rates Continue to Rise, Largely Driven by Prostate and Breast Cancer Diagnoses
*
Key Takeaways:
* Iowa's overall cancer rate increased among men and women while remaining stable in surrounding states.
* Rise in cancer incidence driven largely by early-stage prostate and breast cancers.
* Increased detection, clinical evaluation, or imaging or tests done for other reasons linked to a higher number of cancer diagnoses.
* Lung cancer rates declined among men andwomen in surrounding states, but in Iowa, the rate declined at a slower pace among men and did not decline among women.
ATLANTA, November 9, 2026 -- Iowa has the second-highest rate of new cancer diagnoses in the United States and is one of only three states with rising incidence rates. A new study by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows the cancer burden continues to rise. The results find Iowa's overall cancer incidence rate increased 0.6% annually among men from 2013-2022 and among women from 2005-2022, while remaining stable in surrounding states. The increases were driven primarily by prostate and breast cancers detected at earlier stages when tumors have not spread. The findings are to be published today in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (CEBP), a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
"Together with declining cancer death rates, our findings are most consistent with increased detection, particularly for cancers commonly found through cancer screening, clinical evaluation, or imaging or tests done for other reasons," said Dr. Qinran Liu, postdoctoral fellow, cancer disparity research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study. "The results highlight the continued need to strengthen preventive measures and to help people get timely cancer screening and follow-up care."
For the study, researchers examined trends in cancer diagnosis and death rates over 22 years (2001 to 2022), alongside longer-term trends in cancer screening and major risk factors. They compared these trends with those in the seven surrounding states (Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) combined to identify drivers of Iowa's increasing cancer incidence. They obtained data from the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR), the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) incidence database, and the National Center for Health Statistics.
The results showed cancer rates in Iowa and surrounding states were generally comparable during 2001-2013. Between 2013 and 2022, however, Iowa saw a noticeable rise in cancer diagnoses compared to its neighboring states, even though actual cancer death rates went down. By 2022, Iowa's cancer incidence rates were 11% higher for men and 6% higher for women than in surrounding states. The top cancers driving the increase for men were prostate, melanoma (skin), and kidney cancers. For women, the largest increases were in breast, melanoma, and uterine cancers. Most of these cancers were caught early or at a localized stage. However, there was also a small, concerning rise in late-stage breast and prostate cancers. Lung cancer incidence rates declined in men and women in surrounding states, but in Iowa, the rate declined at a slower pace in men and did not decline among women.
Prostate cancer was responsible for nearly half (43.5%) of the difference in cancer rates between Iowa men and men in other states from 2013 and 2022. For women, breast and lung cancers made up over half (57.8%) of the difference. Cancer mortality rates dropped in both Iowa and the surrounding states. While cancer screening rates and general health habits were mostly the same across the region, researchers noted one exception: binge drinking among men worsened in Iowa compared to neighboring states.
"More research using information about insurance coverage, medical care, screening and diagnostic tests, and lifestyle factors is needed to better understand these trends," Liu added. "Environmental factors also need to be studied more closely, as agricultural exposures and widespread radon are also major concerns in Iowa. We could not examine these factors due to the lack of individual-level data."
"This study underscores that access to comprehensive, affordable health insurance and care, including cancer prevention and screening services, saves lives," said Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. "Research shows that having health insurance is one of the most significant factors in surviving a cancer diagnosis. To help bring these numbers down in Iowa and reduce suffering and death from cancer nationwide, we urge lawmakers in all state capitols and in Washington, D.C., to protect access to comprehensive insurance coverage and prioritize investments in research to better understand the causes of elevated cancer incidence rates where they occur."
Other ACS researchers contributing to this study include Dr. Daniel Wiese, Jessica Star, MA, MPH, Dr. Jordan Baeker Bispo, Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, and senior author Dr. Farhad Islami.
* Cancer Statistics Center
* CancerRisk360
* Understanding the Causes of Cancer
* Annual Cancer Statistics Report 2026
***
Original text here: https://pressroom.cancer.org/iowa-cancer-rates-rising
Health technology companies recognized as innovation winners at Scientific Sessions 2026
DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 9 [Category: Health Care] -- The American Heart Association posted the following news release:
* * *
Health technology companies recognized as innovation winners at Scientific Sessions 2026
*
DALLAS, Nov. 9, 2026 -- Promising health technologies can struggle to move from innovation to real-world care, limiting their potential to improve cardiovascular and brain health. The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, recognized two companies at the Health Tech Competition during Scientific Sessions 2026 with top honors
... Show Full Article
DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 9 [Category: Health Care] -- The American Heart Association posted the following news release:
* * *
Health technology companies recognized as innovation winners at Scientific Sessions 2026
*
DALLAS, Nov. 9, 2026 -- Promising health technologies can struggle to move from innovation to real-world care, limiting their potential to improve cardiovascular and brain health. The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, recognized two companies at the Health Tech Competition during Scientific Sessions 2026 with top honorsfor science, business, audience choice and overall performance.
MedRhythms, Portland, Maine, received the Best Business, Audience Choice and Best Overall awards for its digital health and neurotherapeutics solution that combines sensors, software and music to help people improve walking and mobility after stroke or other neurological injury or disease.
Vascudyne, St. Paul, Minn., received the Best Science award for its bioengineered blood vessel technology being developed to provide alternatives to harvesting a patient's leg vein for coronary bypass surgery and to create grafts for children with congenital heart defects that have the potential to grow with them.
Hosted by the American Heart Association Center for Health Technology & Innovation, this year's competition received a record number of submissions from health technology companies around the world. Following a rigorous multi-stage review by American Heart Association volunteer experts across healthcare, science and industry, five finalists were selected for their potential to improve how cardiovascular and brain health conditions are prevented, diagnosed and treated.
"The Health Tech Competition gives us a close look at technologies designed around real challenges facing patients and clinicians," said Lee Shapiro, JD, chairman of the board of the American Heart Association and managing partner of 7wire Ventures. "This year's winners demonstrated the attributes essential to advancing health technology: strong scientific evidence, meaningful business potential and innovative ways to address the challenges of those in need."
The other finalists were:
* HEARTio, Pittsburgh, Pa. -- HEARTio is developing investigational AI software that analyzes a standard ECG to estimate obstructive coronary artery disease, the leading cause of heart attacks, without dyes, radiation, incisions or catheters.
* MEGI, Chicago, Ill. --MEGI is an AI-powered digital health platform focused on women's heart health, maternal care and hypertension (high blood pressure) management.
* Seerlinq, Bratislava, Slovakia -- Seerlinq estimates cardiac filling pressure non-invasively from a short fingertip PPG measurement at home, catching deterioration in heart failure patients weeks before hospitalization and giving clinicians time to adjust therapy.
Best Business, Audience Choice and Best Overall
MedRhythms, based in Portland, Maine, is addressing walking problems after stroke with an at-home, prescription therapy that uses precisely timed music cues to help retrain walking. Foot-worn sensors track the patient's walking, while software adjusts the music's rhythm to the person's movement. The personalized cues are designed to guide steps and support walking practice, with the goal of improving walking speed and quality.
"Millions of people are living with walking difficulties after stroke, yet many have limited access to effective rehabilitation once they leave the clinic. Our solution brings a personalized, music-based therapy into the home, using foot sensors and tailored rhythmic cues to improve walking and ambulation," said Brian Harris, founder and chief executive officer of MedRhythms. "This recognition helps raise awareness of the need stroke patients face and supports broader access for patients who could benefit from these therapies."
Best Science
Vascudyne, based in St. Paul, Minn., is developing ready-to-use blood vessel grafts for heart surgery. The grafts are intended to reduce the need to harvest a vein from a patient's leg for bypass surgery, and for children with congenital heart defects, provide a conduit designed to grow with them. The company uses human donor cells to grow tissue, before removing the cells and leaving behind a collagen framework. Following implantation, the technology is designed to allow the patient's own cells to populate the framework.
"Heart surgeons have always had to choose between living tissue harvested from the patient and off-the-shelf materials that can't heal or grow," said Zeeshan Syedain, PhD, chief executive officer and co-inventor of Vascudyne. "Our bioengineered vessel is both, ready on the shelf and designed to become the patient's own living tissue. For adults, that could mean bypass surgery without harvesting a leg vein; for children with congenital heart defects, an implant that grows with them. Winning the Best Science award is a meaningful recognition of the science behind it as we advance our clinical trials."
A panel of American Heart Association volunteer judges reviewed the finalists' business and science live presentations in the Health Innovation Pavilion during the two-day competition. Judges included experts from cardiovascular medicine, digital health, health technology, research, investment and innovation.
Finalist presentations took place Nov. 7-8 at McCormick Place in Chicago during Scientific Sessions 2026, the American Heart Association's flagship global event for the latest research and clinical advancements in cardiovascular science.
To learn more about the Health Tech Competition, visit ahahealthtech.org/aha-health-tech-competition-2026. Selection as a finalist or winner does not constitute an endorsement, certification or validation of a company, product, clinical claim or commercial offering by the American Heart Association.
Additional Resources:
* American Heart Association news release: Health tech competition finalists advance solutions for heart and brain health
* American Heart Association news release: Global health tech competition aims to accelerate innovation improving cardiovascular and brain health
* American Heart Association news release: Houston-based medical technology company wins overall global health tech competition at Scientific Sessions 2025
* Follow AHA/ASA news on X @HeartNews
***
Original text here: https://newsroom.heart.org/news/health-technology-companies-recognized-as-innovation-winners-at-scientific-sessions-2026
