1 in 10 boys meet criteria for gaming addiction; judge approves massive UHG-Amedisys deal; U.S. measles outbreaks – Morning Medical Update

1 in 10 boys are addicted to gaming

A long-running study from Norway suggests that problematic gaming is far from rare — especially among boys. Researchers followed more than 800 children from ages 10 to 18 and found that roughly one in ten boys met criteria for Internet gaming disorder at least once during adolescence, compared with just 1–2% of girls. Heavy gaming and mounting negative consequences were the core features that persisted across ages. While gaming intensity tended to peak around age 16 and drop by 18, those who remained highly engaged were more likely to experience ongoing social or functional fallout.

The study, published in Addiction, noted that dopamine-driven reward cycles — especially in competitive games — may help explain boys’ greater vulnerability. They encourage parents and clinicians to keep an eye on early adolescence, when rising involvement may be easier to redirect.

Court signs off on massive UHG-Amedisys divestiture

A federal judge has approved UnitedHealth Group’s $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys, but only with what the Department of Justice (DOJ) calls the largest outpatient-services divestiture ever required in a merger challenge.

UnitedHealth and Amedisys must sell at least 164 home health and hospice facilities across 19 states, representing roughly $528 million in annual revenue, with a court-appointed monitor overseeing compliance. The agreement adds contingencies for further divestitures if regulatory approvals fall short and includes protections to ensure new buyers can compete in markets where overlap was a concern. Amedisys will also pay a $1.1 million civil penalty for providing inaccurate information under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, with mandated antitrust training for leadership. DOJ officials framed the deal as a significant win for preserving competition in home health and hospice. More on the deal can be found in the DOJ's official press release.

Measles surge pushes U.S. closer to losing ‘measles-free’ status

Measles cases are climbing fast in the U.S., with more than 1,900 infections so far this year — an enormous jump from 2024 and enough to threaten the nation’s measles-free designation for the first time in a generation. South Carolina is at the center of the surge, reporting at least 111 cases, nearly all in unvaccinated children, and hundreds more are quarantined.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has now tallied 47 outbreaks and at least two pediatric deaths. Officials point to falling measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination rates as the driving factor: some states have slipped below the ~95% threshold needed for herd immunity, making schools and communities increasingly vulnerable. Despite political criticism of the MMR shot, its safety record is strong and the autism myth long debunked. Scientific American has more.