• Georgia: CDC last month changed its recommendations on who should receive a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Previously, the agency recommended that adults ages 60 and older could receive a single lifetime dose of an RSV vaccine after consulting with their healthcare provider. Based on recent safety and effectiveness data, a CDC advisory panel recommended that adults ages 60 to 74 with certain serious conditions, such as chronic lung or heart disease, receive an RSV vaccine. The panel also recommended that all Americans ages 75 and older receive one dose of an RSV vaccine. Soon after, CDC Director Mandy Cohen accepted the recommendation. So far, FDA has approved three RSV vaccines, with GSK's Arexy and Pfizer's Abrysvo approved last May and Moderna's mRESVIA approved this May. (Mandavilli, New York Times, 6/26)
• Louisiana: Lawmakers in Louisiana have added mifepristone and misoprostol to the state's list of controlled dangerous substances. The two drugs are commonly used in pregnancy and reproductive healthcare, including for abortion. Under the new law, which goes into effect Oct. 1, anyone caught with the drugs without a valid prescription could face up to 10 years in prison under the state's Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law. Before the bill passed, over 250 physicians signed a letter saying that the decision could delay lifesaving care and threaten women's health. According to Jennifer Avegno, an emergency physician and director of the New Orleans Health Department, doctors are concerned that the law could lead to a dangerous precedent where state officials can restrict access to any drug they consider dangerous, regardless of whether it might be addictive. (Westwood, KFF Health News, 7/24)
• Maryland: According to internal agency calendars obtained by STAT, top FDA officials have discussed regulating ultra-processed foods, such as sodas, prepackaged cookies, and breakfast cereals. In February, Haider Warraich, a senior advisor to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, and Robin McKinnon, FDA's senior advisor on nutrition policy, met several times to discuss regulation of ultra-processed foods, which nutritionists believe increase people's risk of chronic diseases. However, the agency is likely years away from regulating these foods. According to the country's leading nutrition experts, which include former FDA officials, the agency likely does not have a way regulate these foods, STAT+ reports. In a statement, FDA said that "[t]he agency is closely following the scientific literature on UPF [ultra-processed foods] and will continue to consider ways in which it can address this issue as part of our broader nutrition efforts." (Florko, STAT+ [subscription required], 7/15)

The percentage of Americans who ate a poor diet decreased by 11.4% between 1999 and 2020, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Read on to find out how you can improve your diet.