Featured Stories
CMA Statement on Trump Executive Order on Childhood Vaccines
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 12 -- The California Medical Association issued the following statement on Aug. 10, 2026:
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CMA statement on Trump executive order on childhood vaccines
In response to President Donald Trump's Executive Order on childhood vaccine recommendations, California Medical Association (CMA) President Rene Bravo, M.D., issued the following statement:
"I have spent 40 years as a pediatrician reassuring parents that vaccines are safe. No medical intervention is perfect, but childhood vaccines are among the most thoroughly studied and closely monitored tools we have to
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SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 12 -- The California Medical Association issued the following statement on Aug. 10, 2026:
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CMA statement on Trump executive order on childhood vaccines
In response to President Donald Trump's Executive Order on childhood vaccine recommendations, California Medical Association (CMA) President Rene Bravo, M.D., issued the following statement:
"I have spent 40 years as a pediatrician reassuring parents that vaccines are safe. No medical intervention is perfect, but childhood vaccines are among the most thoroughly studied and closely monitored tools we have toprotect children from serious and sometimes deadly diseases.
"The president's decision to use an executive order to promote a vaccine schedule based on personal beliefs rather than decades of medical evidence is deeply irresponsible. Unnecessarily delaying vaccines or spreading them out across multiple visits can leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases when they are at greatest risk. This decision creates confusion and fear for parents who are trying to make the best decisions for their children.
"The overwhelming scientific evidence is clear: vaccines do not cause autism, and decades of research have repeatedly confirmed their safety and effectiveness.
"Parents should be able to trust that vaccine recommendations are based on medical evidence by physicians and medical experts, not political agendas or the personal views of elected officials. When political leaders undermine established medical science, they erode public confidence in vaccines and put children at risk.
"A physician's responsibility is to follow the evidence and protect our patients. I urge parents to talk with their child's physician and follow the vaccine recommendations developed by medical experts to keep their children healthy and protected."
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Original text here: https://www.cmadocs.org/newsroom/news/view/ArticleId/51257/CMA-statement-on-Trump-executive-order-on-childhood-vaccines
[Category: Medical]
American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Care for Older Adults Should Account for Cognitive Impairment and Frailty
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (TNSjou) -- The American College of Cardiology posted the following news release:
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Cardiovascular Care for Older Adults Should Account for Cognitive Impairment and Frailty
ACC Scientific Statement says conditions commonly coexist and can impact treatment decisions, recovery and quality of life
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Older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) often have coexisting cognitive impairment and frailty, conditions that can significantly affect treatment decisions, recovery, independence and quality of life and should be considered as part of an aging-informed approach to
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (TNSjou) -- The American College of Cardiology posted the following news release:
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Cardiovascular Care for Older Adults Should Account for Cognitive Impairment and Frailty
ACC Scientific Statement says conditions commonly coexist and can impact treatment decisions, recovery and quality of life
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Older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) often have coexisting cognitive impairment and frailty, conditions that can significantly affect treatment decisions, recovery, independence and quality of life and should be considered as part of an aging-informed approach tocare, according to a new American College of Cardiology Scientific Statement published in JACC, the flagship journal of the ACC.
An estimated one-third of patients seen in cardiology clinics have some degree of cognitive impairment, while frailty affects approximately one-half of community-dwelling older adults and two-thirds of older adults undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
The statement (https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2026.07.009) reviews the interconnected relationship between cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and frailty and outlines practical, consensus-based strategies for prevention, screening, assessment and management.
"This statement reframes cardiovascular care for older adults beyond a traditional disease-centered model to a more aging-informed, function-centered approach," said Karen P. Alexander, MD, FACC, chair of the scientific statement's writing committee and professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. "For many older adults, the most important outcomes are not prevention of cardiovascular events, but maintaining cognitive health, physical function, and independence."
According to the statement, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and frailty share many risk factors and underlying biological mechanisms, including vascular dysfunction, chronic inflammation and age-related declines in physiological reserve. The authors note that these conditions frequently coexist and can influence treatment tolerance, medication adherence, recovery from cardiovascular procedures and the ability to maintain independence.
Key Recommendations for clinicians:
* Consider cardiovascular disease in the context of biological aging rather than chronological age alone.
* Address shared modifiable risk factors and social and environmental health drivers.
* Implement screening for cognitive impairment and frailty in outpatient settings and following hospitalization if feasible.
* Pursue diagnostic evaluation and timely referral when impairment is suspected.
* Promote resilience through multicomponent interventions, including cardiac rehabilitation, multidomain exercise, nutritional optimization and thoughtful medication management to reduce polypharmacy-related harms.
The statement also highlights evidence gaps and calls for greater inclusion of older adults in cardiovascular research, emphasizing the need for studies that measure outcomes most meaningful to patients, including independence, mobility, cognitive function and caregiver burden.
For an embargoed copy of Cognitive Impairment and Frailty in Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease: A 2026 ACC Scientific Statement, contact JACC Media Relations Manager Olivia Walther at owalther@acc.org.
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The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a global leader dedicated to transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. For more than 75 years, the ACC has empowered a community of over 60,000 cardiovascular professionals across more than 140 countries with cutting-edge education and advocacy, rigorous professional credentials, and trusted clinical guidance. From its world-class JACC Journals and NCDR registries to its Accreditation Services, global network of Chapters and Sections, and CardioSmart patient initiatives, the College is committed to creating a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at www.ACC.org or connect on social media at @ACCinTouch.
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The ACC's JACC Journals rank among the top cardiovascular journals in the world for scientific impact. The flagship journal, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) -- and specialty journals consisting of JACC: Advances, JACC: Asia, JACC: Basic to Translational Science, JACC: CardioOncology, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, JACC: Case Reports, JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology and JACC: Heart Failure -- pride themselves on publishing the top peer-reviewed research on all aspects of cardiovascular disease. Learn more at JACC.org.
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Original text here: https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2026/08/11/17/34/Cardiovascular-Care-for-Older-Adults-Should-Account-for-Cognitive-Impairment-and-Frailty
[Category: Medical]
U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Terri Sewell for Alabama's Seventh District
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 [Category: Business] -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce posted the following news release:
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U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Terri Sewell for Alabama's Seventh District
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Rep. Terri Sewell for Alabama's 7th district. The U.S. Chamber endorses candidates for federal office who will support policies that drive innovation, grow the economy, and create opportunities for American businesses and workers.
"Congresswoman Terri Sewell has been a consistent partner to the business community in Alabama's
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 [Category: Business] -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce posted the following news release:
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U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Terri Sewell for Alabama's Seventh District
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Rep. Terri Sewell for Alabama's 7th district. The U.S. Chamber endorses candidates for federal office who will support policies that drive innovation, grow the economy, and create opportunities for American businesses and workers.
"Congresswoman Terri Sewell has been a consistent partner to the business community in Alabama'sSeventh District, working across the aisle to support policies that help small businesses grow and strengthen our workforce," said Clark Jackson, Senior Director of the U.S. Chamber's southeastern regional office. "From backing investments in job training and infrastructure to championing commonsense regulatory relief for local employers, she understands what it takes for businesses to compete and create jobs. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is proud to endorse Congresswoman Sewell for reelection and looks forward to continuing our work together on behalf of Alabama's employers and workers."
"I am honored to once again earn the endorsement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Throughout my time in Congress, I've worked to bring people together to strengthen Alabama's economy, create good-paying jobs, and support the businesses and workers who drive our communities forward. Whether it's investing in infrastructure, expanding workforce development, or advancing policies that help businesses grow and compete, I've always believed that economic opportunity is strongest when it reaches every corner of Alabama's 7th Congressional District. I appreciate the Chamber's confidence in my bipartisan approach, and I look forward to continuing our work to build a stronger, more prosperous future for Alabama," said Congresswoman Terri Sewell.
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations. For more than 114 years, we have advocated for pro-business policies that help businesses create jobs and grow our economy.
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Original text here: https://www.uschamber.com/improving-government/u-s-chamber-endorses-rep-terri-sewell-for-alabamas-seventh-district
U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Derek Schmidt for Kansas's Second District
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 [Category: Business] -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce posted the following news release:
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U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Derek Schmidt for Kansas's Second District
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Rep. Derek Schmidt for Kansas's Second District. The U.S. Chamber endorses candidates for federal office who will support policies that drive innovation, grow the economy, and create opportunities for American businesses and workers.
"The U.S. Chamber is pleased to announce our endorsement of Derek Schmidt for Congress in the
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 [Category: Business] -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce posted the following news release:
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U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Derek Schmidt for Kansas's Second District
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Rep. Derek Schmidt for Kansas's Second District. The U.S. Chamber endorses candidates for federal office who will support policies that drive innovation, grow the economy, and create opportunities for American businesses and workers.
"The U.S. Chamber is pleased to announce our endorsement of Derek Schmidt for Congress in theSecond District of Kansas. Congressman Schmidt has been a strong voice for pro-growth policies that address affordability through his support for the Working Families Tax Cut and his work to combat retail crime and cargo theft," said Tom Wickham, Vice President and Managing Director of the U.S. Chamber's Government Affairs team. "The U.S. Chamber is looking forward to continuing this successful partnership with him in the 120th Congress."
"The Chamber's endorsement reflects what we've been fighting for since day one: lower taxes, less red tape, and a level playing field for Kansas job creators," said Rep. Schmidt. "From the family farm to Main Street businesses in every corner of this district, Kansans want Washington to get out of the way and let them work. I'm honored to have the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in our corner, and I'll keep delivering the pro-growth policies that put Kansas workers and employers first."
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations. For more than 114 years, we have advocated for pro-business policies that help businesses create jobs and grow our economy.
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Original text here: https://www.uschamber.com/improving-government/u-s-chamber-endorses-rep-derek-schmidt-for-kansass-second-district
How the Exposome May Influence Autoimmune Disease
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Michigan, Aug. 11 -- The Autoimmune Association, an organization dedicated to autoimmune disease awareness, advocacy, education, and research, issued the following news:
[Category: Medical]
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How the Exposome May Influence Autoimmune Disease
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Sign up for the 2026 Autoimmune Community Summit
You can learn more during "The Exposome and Environmental Impacts on Autoimmune Disease" segment of the 2026 Autoimmune Community Summit.
This particular segment takes place from 12:05 to 12:30 PM EDT on October 14th, but you can see the summit's full agenda and register here!
#Key
... Show Full Article
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Michigan, Aug. 11 -- The Autoimmune Association, an organization dedicated to autoimmune disease awareness, advocacy, education, and research, issued the following news:
[Category: Medical]
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How the Exposome May Influence Autoimmune Disease
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Sign up for the 2026 Autoimmune Community Summit
You can learn more during "The Exposome and Environmental Impacts on Autoimmune Disease" segment of the 2026 Autoimmune Community Summit.
This particular segment takes place from 12:05 to 12:30 PM EDT on October 14th, but you can see the summit's full agenda and register here!
#KeyTakeaways
* Exposome definition - The exposome is the total collection of environmental exposures a person experiences throughout their entire life, beginning before birth and continuing into adulthood.
* How autoimmune diseases develop - Researchers believe autoimmune diseases develop due to a complex interaction between genetics and lifelong environmental exposures, rather than a single cause.
* Ongoing research - To improve risk prediction, scientists are exploring how environmental factors such as infections, air pollution, diet, medications, stress, and the gut microbiome influence immune system function over time.
#Beyond Genetics: Understanding the Exposome
When discussing autoimmune diseases, the topic of genetics often comes up, and for good reason, as inherited genes have been proven to influence a person's risk of developing different autoimmune diseases. However, genes alone generally do not determine whether someone will develop a condition. Researchers believe most autoimmune diseases arise through complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and changes in immune function over time.
To get more clarity on this, researchers are looking at autoimmune diseases' connection to the exposome. Epidemiologist Dr. Christopher Wild introduced the concept in 2005 to complement the human genome. The exposome encompasses the totality of environmental exposures a person experiences from conception throughout life, including factors related to where people live and work, what they eat and do, and the physical, chemical, and social environments around them.
The guide below explains this concept in more detail and covers noteworthy exposome news so you can stay up-to-date as researchers continue studying the interaction between genetics, the immune system, and the exposome to understand why autoimmune diseases develop and how they might one day be prevented.
#What Counts as the Exposome?
The exposome is much broader than exposure to a single chemical or environmental toxin. Instead, it encompasses nearly every external factor a person encounters throughout their entire life, as well as the body's biological responses to those experiences.
External Environmental Exposures
The table lists some examples of external exposures that occur throughout daily life, broken up into three separate categories.
Category Examples
Air & Environmental Quality
* Air pollution and particulate matter
* Cigarette smoke and secondhand smoke
* Pesticides and industrial pollutants
* Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
* Occupational chemicals
Lifestyle & Daily Habits
* Diet and nutrition
* Physical activity
* Sleep habits
* Psychological stress
Medical & Health Exposures
* Viral and bacterial infections
* Medications
Many of these exposures are unavoidable, while others vary depending on where a person lives, works, or spends time. Importantly, the exposome recognizes that these factors do not occur in isolation. Instead, people experience thousands of exposures simultaneously throughout their lives.
Internal Biological Responses
The exposome also includes how the body responds to the previously mentioned environmental exposures. For example, exposure to air pollution or an infection may trigger inflammatory responses, or long-term stress can influence hormone levels and immune signaling, all of which fall under the exposome's umbrella.
Scientists are increasingly studying these internal biological changes alongside external environmental exposures to better understand how they may contribute to autoimmune disease development. Some examples of biological processes that researchers are particularly interested in are:
* Chronic inflammation
* Oxidative stress
* Hormonal regulation
* Metabolic changes
* Immune activation
All five of these processes are features of the internal exposome. However, they can have varying effects on individuals, and they may help explain why similar environmental exposures affect people differently. Studying these differences may help researchers understand why people can respond differently to similar exposures.
#Three Things to Remember About the Exposome
Now that you know what constitutes the exposome, you should keep the following three facts in mind before specifically learning about the impact of the environment on autoimmune disease.
1\. The Exposome Changes Throughout Your Life
Unlike genetics, which remain largely unchanged throughout life, the exposome is constantly evolving-environmental exposures that begin before birth may differ from those that are experienced throughout childhood, and they will continue to change through adolescence and adulthood.
Some factors that may contribute to a continuously changing exposure profile are:
* Where someone lives
* Their occupation
* Evolving dietary habits
* Infections or medication use
* Stress levels and overall health
The factors above change as you get older, but age may play its own independent role as well. Certain life stages, including fetal development, childhood, and adolescence, may represent periods when the immune system is particularly sensitive to environmental influences. Understanding when specific exposures occur could become just as important as understanding which exposures occur.
2\. No Two Exposomes Are Alike
Because each person's experiences and biological responses change throughout life, exposome profiles can differ considerably between individuals. Even identical twins, who share nearly identical DNA, may accumulate different environmental exposures and develop different biological responses over time. Researchers study twins who differ in autoimmune disease status to explore how environmental, epigenetic, and other nongenetic factors may contribute to disease development.
3\. The Immune System Responds to Many Environmental Exposures
A balanced immune system continually interacts with the world around it. Every day, it encounters viruses, bacteria, allergens, pollutants, medications, and countless other environmental factors, and its job is to protect the body. Depending on the exposure, the immune system may mount a protective response, tolerate the substance, or, in some cases, produce an excessive or misdirected response.
#How Environmental Exposures May Affect the Immune System
Scientists are investigating whether certain environmental exposures, particularly when combined with genetic susceptibility, may contribute to immune system changes that increase the risk of autoimmune disease. The areas of research below represent several areas of focus.
Immune Tolerance
One of the immune system's most important jobs is distinguishing between harmful invaders and the body's own healthy tissues. This is a process known as immune tolerance, and it helps prevent autoimmunity, the umbrella term for immune system malfunctions where the body's immune system mistakes its own healthy cells and tissues as harmful and attacks them. When this tolerance breaks down, the immune system may react against itself in a process known as autoimmunity. Autoimmune disease occurs when this immune activity results in tissue damage, inflammation, or impaired organ function.
Researchers are studying which environmental exposures may disrupt normal immune regulation in susceptible individuals. For example, tobacco smoke induces and alters immune responses in the lungs and triggers inflammation. Some infections, air pollution, and some occupational exposures have also been associated with changes in immune activity or inflammation.
However, the relationship between environmental exposures, immune tolerance, and autoimmune disease is highly complex. An exposure associated with one autoimmune disease may have little or no relationship to another, and most exposures alone are not thought to cause autoimmune disease by themselves. Instead, researchers increasingly believe multiple environmental factors may interact with genetics over many years before disease develops.
The Gut Microbiome
Another rapidly growing area of exposome research involves the gut microbiome. The trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that naturally live within the digestive tract play an important role in digestion, metabolism, and immune system development.
Changes in the composition of gut microbes can lead to an unhealthy imbalance of microorganisms in the body, commonly known as dysbiosis. Researchers have found associations between gut dysbiosis and several autoimmune conditions, including:
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Multiple sclerosis
* Inflammatory bowel disease
* Type 1 diabetes
Researchers are now working to answer a critical question: do changes in the microbiome contribute to autoimmune disease development, or do they occur because the disease has already begun?
The relationship is believed to be bidirectional. In other words, alterations in the microbiome may influence immune function while inflammation associated with autoimmune disease may also change the microbiome itself. Additional research is needed before scientists fully understand how these interactions affect disease risk.
Epigenetics and Gene Expression
The exposome may also influence health through epigenetics, which refers to changes in how genes are turned on/off without changing the underlying DNA sequence.
Unlike inherited genetic mutations, epigenetic changes can be influenced by environmental factors throughout life. Smoking, air pollution, diet, and infections may alter chemical markers that regulate gene activity and also have an impact on epigenetic processes.
Although epigenetics has become one of the most promising areas of autoimmune research, scientists are still working to determine which changes are most important, when they occur, and whether they can eventually be modified to reduce disease risk.
#Why Autoimmune Disease Is Rarely Caused by One Thing
One common misconception about autoimmune disease is that it can be traced to a single cause. Genetic variations can increase a person's susceptibility, but for most autoimmune diseases, genes alone do not determine who will develop a condition.
Population-based studies of multiple sclerosis in twins illustrate this complexity. Identical twins share nearly all their DNA, yet one twin may develop multiple sclerosis while the other does not. At the same time, identical twins are more likely than fraternal twins to share the disease. These findings indicate that both genetic and nongenetic factors contribute to disease risk.
Rather than searching for one definitive trigger, researchers believe autoimmune diseases develop through the cumulative interaction of things like:
* Genetic susceptibility
* Environmental exposures
* Immune system changes
* Other biological changes that occur across the lifespan
This complexity helps explain why autoimmune diseases are difficult to predict and why no single exposure has been shown to cause most autoimmune conditions.
#The Goals of Studying the Exposome for Autoimmune Disease Research
Today, scientists are using increasingly sophisticated technologies to measure environmental exposures alongside biological markers, creating a more complete picture of how genetics and the environment interact and affect the immune system throughout life. The two goals below drive this endeavor.
Identifying Risk Earlier
One of the most prominent goals of exposome-related autoimmune disease research is identifying individuals who may be at increased risk before irreversible tissue or organ damage occurs.
To better understand how autoimmune diseases develop during their earliest stages, scientists are investigating combinations of biological markers and risk information, including things like:
* Autoantibodies
* Inflammatory proteins
* Genetic risk factors
* Metabolic changes
* Environmental exposure histories
This work builds on discoveries in diseases such as type 1 diabetes, where the detection of multiple islet autoantibodies can identify people at high risk before clinical symptoms appear. Similar approaches combining biomarkers and other risk factors are being investigated in additional autoimmune diseases.
Moving Toward Precision Prevention
Researchers hope that a better understanding of the interactions among genetics, environmental exposures, and biological responses will eventually support more personalized prevention strategies.
Rather than applying the same recommendations to everyone, future approaches may allow healthcare providers to identify individuals with particular combinations of risk factors and biological markers to develop interventions suited to their individual circumstances.
#What the Exposome Means for People Today
Even if you have a higher likelihood of developing an autoimmune disease due to your family's autoimmune history, it is best to focus on facts rather than fear.
The exposome is helping researchers better understand how environmental exposures, genetics, and immune function interact over a lifetime. However, it cannot currently predict who will develop an autoimmune disease. So, be cautious of claims that promise to identify one cause or prevent disease by eliminating a single exposure.
Don't put your energy into fear; put it into making healthy lifestyle choices and staying in close contact with a qualified healthcare professional to support your overall wellness and immune health.
Build Healthy Habits
While many exposures are outside our control, you can actively shape and improve your exposome to support your overall health. Some health habits to focus on are:
* Using nutrition resources to build a balanced diet
* Staying physically active within your abilities
* Prioritizing quality sleep
* Managing stress in healthy ways like meditation
* Avoiding tobacco products
* Keeping up with preventive healthcare
These habits cannot guarantee prevention of autoimmune disease, but they may reduce risk factors linked to chronic conditions.
Partner With Your Healthcare Provider
Finding the right healthcare provider and openly communicating with them is also key. Although healthcare providers cannot measure or interpret a person's complete exposome, information about relevant environmental and occupational exposures may help them better understand symptoms and possible health risks. To get the most out of the doctor-patient relationship, you should share relevant information with them, such as:
* Family history
* Occupational exposures
* Infections
* Medication use
* Ongoing symptoms
As more exposome research emerges, this topic may offer new insights into autoimmune disease. For now, evidence-based information and openly communicating with your healthcare professional remain key.
#A Broader View of Autoimmune Disease
The exposome offers a broader way of thinking about autoimmune disease by recognizing that health is shaped by far more than genetics alone. Every person experiences a unique combination of environmental exposures that may influence immune system function over time.
While scientists have made remarkable progress, many important questions remain unanswered. Researchers are still working to understand which environmental exposures matter most, when they have the greatest impact, and how they interact with one another across different autoimmune diseases.
The Autoimmune Association remains committed to sharing evidence-based education, including the latest exposome news as research continues to advance. We hope that one day exposome research can help identify people at higher risk earlier, support more personalized approaches to care, and inform new prevention strategies.
Subscribe to our monthly Research Roundup newsletter to stay in the loop on the latest developments regarding autoimmune diseases and relevant exposome news.
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Original text here: https://autoimmune.org/blog/exposome-autoimmune-disease/
CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows 10th Month of Sales Growth in July
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 -- The National Retail Federation posted the following news release on Aug. 10, 2026:
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CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows 10th Month of Sales Growth in July
Retail sales rose again in July, marking the 10th consecutive month of gains, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by the National Retail Federation.
"Retail sales maintained their steady upward momentum in July as consumers kept shopping despite ups and downs in other economic indicators," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "Supported by a low unemployment rate
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 -- The National Retail Federation posted the following news release on Aug. 10, 2026:
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CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows 10th Month of Sales Growth in July
Retail sales rose again in July, marking the 10th consecutive month of gains, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by the National Retail Federation.
"Retail sales maintained their steady upward momentum in July as consumers kept shopping despite ups and downs in other economic indicators," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "Supported by a low unemployment rateand steady wage gains, households remained budget conscious but took full advantage of midsummer sales and early back-to-school promotions to stretch their dollars. Retailers helped balance budgets by remaining committed to affordability, ensuring that everyday products remain accessible for American families."
Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, were up 0.32% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 5.15% unadjusted year over year in July, according to the Retail Monitor. That compared with increases of 0.33% month over month and 9.41% year over year in June.
The Retail Monitor calculation of core retail sales (excluding restaurants in addition to auto dealers and gas stations) was up 0.3% month over month in July and was up 4.72% year over year. That compared with increases of 0.36% month over month and 10.08% year over year in June.
Total sales were up 6.57% year over year during the first seven months of the year, and core sales were up 6.53%.
Unlike survey-based numbers collected by the Census Bureau, the Retail Monitor uses actual, anonymized credit and debit card purchase data compiled by Affinity Solutions and does not need to be revised monthly or annually.
July sales were up in all but two of nine categories on a yearly basis, led by electronics stores, digital products and health and personal care stores, and were up in all but four categories on a monthly basis. Specifics from key sectors include:
* Electronics and appliance stores were down 0.05% month over month seasonally adjusted but up 12.04% year over year unadjusted.
* Digital products (such as electronic books and games) were up 1.21% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 12.02% year over year unadjusted.
* Health and personal care stores were up 0.53% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 10.07% year over year unadjusted.
* General merchandise stores were up 0.47% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 8.3% year over year unadjusted.
* Clothing and accessories stores were up 0.51% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 6.55% year over year unadjusted.
* Grocery and beverage stores were up 0.46% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 4.52% year over year unadjusted.
* Furniture and home furnishings stores were down 0.04% month over month seasonally adjusted but up 2.71% year over year unadjusted.
* Building and garden supply stores were down 0.17% month over month seasonally adjusted and down 1.2% year over year unadjusted.
* Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores were down 0.47% month over month seasonally adjusted and down 3.01% year over year unadjusted.
To learn more, visit nrf.com/nrf/cnbc-retail-monitor.
As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF provides data on retail sales each month and also forecasts annual retail sales and spending for key periods such as the holiday season each year.
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About NRF
The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs -- 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com
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Original text here: https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/cnbc-nrf-retail-monitor-shows-10th-month-of-sales-growth-in-july
[Category: Business]
ACOG Statement on the August 10 Executive Order on the Childhood Vaccine Schedule
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 [Category: Medical] -- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued the following news release:
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ACOG Statement on the August 10 Executive Order on the Childhood Vaccine Schedule
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The following is a statement from Camille A. Clare, MD, MPH, CPE, FACOG, president of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG):
"For decades, vaccines have been proven safe and effective in protecting children and families from serious, preventable diseases. The administration's executive order on childhood vaccine recommendations represents a departure
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 [Category: Medical] -- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued the following news release:
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ACOG Statement on the August 10 Executive Order on the Childhood Vaccine Schedule
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The following is a statement from Camille A. Clare, MD, MPH, CPE, FACOG, president of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG):
"For decades, vaccines have been proven safe and effective in protecting children and families from serious, preventable diseases. The administration's executive order on childhood vaccine recommendations represents a departurefrom sound scientific and clinical processes; creates unnecessary confusion for families and clinicians; and risks undermining confidence in vaccination, an essential part of preventive health care.
"Among the order's other recommendations, separating the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into individual vaccines creates unnecessary logistical burdens on families, leading to a potential reduction in vaccination rates and leaving children vulnerable to these serious diseases. At a time when the United States is experiencing a significant rise in measles cases, changes that depart from evidence-based recommendations put children and communities at risk.
"ACOG urges the administration to rescind this executive order and ensure that childhood vaccine recommendations remain grounded in rigorous scientific evidence and clinical expertise."
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Original text here: https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2026/08/acog-statement-august-10-executive-order-childhood-vaccine-schedule
