Trending News Today: Health Officials Remove Certain Regulations for Gene Therapy Experiments

US health officials are eliminating special regulations for gene therapy experiments, the Associated Press reported. Based on changes proposed on Wednesday, a National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all gene therapy applications and will instead take on a broader advisory role, according to the article. The FDA will vet gene therapy experiments and products as it does with other treatments and drugs, the article reported.

A new study has found that weight gain increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the first 6 years after quitting smoking, Reuters reported. According to the article, a weight gain of 5.1 kg to 10 kg in recent quitters increased their odds of developing blood sugar problems by 36%. However, quitting smoking cut their risk of death from heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases by 75%, the article reported. The researchers noted in the study that any new health risks as a result of quitting are outweighed by the health benefits of giving up tobacco.

New data released by Arkansas revealed that Medicaid enrollees are struggling to comply with the state’s new work requirements, The Hill reported. According to the article, the data show that 5426 Arkansas residents are in their second month of noncompliance and 12,722 people either failed to report their activities to the state or did not meet the 80-hour-per-month requirement in July. Overall, only 844 people required to report their activities to keep coverage reported at least 80 hours of work or other activities, the article said.