June 2025
Shingles Vaccine Reduces Dementia Risk
A new study from Australia found that people eligible for the shingles vaccine had a lower risk of developing dementia. In 2016, Australia began offering the vaccine free to those aged 70–79, but not to those who had just turned 80. Researchers compared people born within one week of each other—some eligible for the vaccine, others not—and found a 1.8–3.5% lower risk of dementia in the group eligible for vaccine.
Because not everyone received the vaccine, the protective effect may be even greater. A similar study in Wales found comparable results.
Dr. Neuman says: "This is encouraging evidence. While the gold standard would be a randomized trial, that would be costly and raise ethical concerns. For now, this is strong support for vaccination. I’ll continue recommending the shingles vaccine—not only to prevent shingles (which affects 1 in 3 people), but also to possibly reduce dementia risk."
The shingles vaccine is approved for adults over 50 and younger individuals with weakened immune systems. It’s a two-dose series available at most pharmacies.
Weekend Workouts Still Count
The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of light or 90 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise each week. A recent study found that "Weekend Warriors"—people who fit all their exercise into just 1–2 days—had similar health benefits to those who spread it out over the week. Compared to inactive individuals, both groups saw a 30% to 53% lower risk of death from cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and all causes.
Dr. Neuman says: "Any movement is better than none. Choose what’s sustainable for you. Weekend workouts can work well for busy schedules, though back-to-back intense sessions may strain muscles and joints."
Pictured: Dr. Neuman at the Spartan Race—a proud accomplishment (but never again! Rainy, muddy, and miserable).
Treating Partners Helps Prevent BV (Bacterial Vaginosis) Recurrence
A recent study of 81 cisgender monogamous couples found that when male partners were treated with both oral and topical antibiotics for one week, the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) dropped from 63% to 35%.
Dr. Neuman says: “It’s about time. This is a welcome shift for those frustrated by repeated BV infections.”
Ozempic vs. Mounjaro: Which Works Better for Weight Loss?
In a study of 751 people over 18 months, those on maximum-dose tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) lost an average of 20.2% of their body weight. Those on semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) lost 13.7%. Tirzepatide also led to greater waist reduction, with no significant difference in side effects.
Dr. Neuman says: “The best one is the one you can afford - often the one your insurance covers (if covered at all)."
