• District of Columbia: Ultra-processed foods are not likely to be included in the upcoming 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, since scientific experts said that the data was still too limited to draw conclusions. According to the experts, ultra-processed foods don't currently have recognized definite or robust scientific studies, so guidelines on the foods would be premature. "I think until we get a better definition for what we mean as 'ultra-processed foods,' it's going to be difficult to look at this," said Deanna Hoelscher from the UT Health Houston School of Public Health. However, Deirdre Kay Tobias from Harvard University said that the iteration of guidelines will need to account for ultra-processed foods. "Ultra-processed foods are not going to be an issue that goes away," she said. "I think in the next five years, research is going to explode. In five years, hopefully this isn't sort of punted again." (Cooney, STAT, 10/21)
• Maryland: FDA announced that Michelle Tarver of the agency's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), replacing Jeffrey Shuren, who announced his departure in July. Since Shuren's announcement, Tarver has served as CDRH's interim leader. Although FDA conducted a nationwide search for Shuren's replacement, Tarver quickly became the top choice. "Michelle exemplifies an extraordinary blend of expertise and dedication to public health, which I have witnessed many times in my years at FDA," said FDA Commissioner Robert Califf. Tarver, an epidemiologist and ophthalmologist, originally joined CDRH in 2009 and was the director of the Office of Transformation. She also helped launch FDA's patient engagement advisory committee. (Lawrence, STAT+ [subscription required], 10/22)
• Texas: The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association issued significant updates to their stroke prevention guidelines for the first time in a decade. In the updated guidelines, the organizations recommend doctors consider using GLP-1 drugs to reduce the risk of strokes in patients with diabetes and a high risk of heart disease. There was also specific guidance for men and women for the first time. For women, the researchers said pregnancy, endometriosis, and menopause could increase the risk of stroke. For men, researchers said the use of testosterone among men between the ages of 45 and 80 could increase stroke risk. M. Shazam Hussain, director of the Cerebrovascular Center for the Cleveland Clinic's Neurological Institute, said that the updated guidelines provide a way to further educate people about strokes and "make sure our populations are healthier." (Rodriguez, USA Today, 10/22)

As the healthcare industry faces new challenges and dynamics, med tech companies must evolve their strategies to stay competitive. Learn about the six trends shaping med tech strategies today — and get insights and recommendations to drive meaningful industry change.