1 in 10 people report gluten sensitivity without celiac disease; Eli Lilly, Walmart partner to offer retail access to Zepbound; early-onset cancer and the workplace – Morning Medical Update

1 in 10 people report gluten sensitivity without celiac disease

A new global analysis published in Gut finds that roughly 10% of people worldwide report gastrointestinal or systemic symptoms — including bloating, fatigue and headache — after eating foods containing gluten or wheat, despite not having celiac disease or a wheat allergy. The condition, known as non-coeliac gluten/wheat sensitivity (NCGWS), appears more common in women and in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety or depression. Prevalence varied widely across 25 studies including nearly 50,000 participants, from less than 1% in Chile to 36% in Saudi Arabia. About 40% of people with self-reported NCGWS followed gluten-free diets without medical supervision.

Eli Lilly and Walmart partner to offer retail access to Zepbound

Eli Lilly is teaming up with Walmart to expand consumer access to its weight-loss drug Zepbound, marking the first time the medication will be available for in-person pick-up at retail pharmacies. Through the LillyDirect platform, self-paying customers can now obtain Zepbound single-dose vials in all approved strengths at Walmart locations nationwide, with prices starting at $349 per month for the lowest dose. The move broadens Lilly’s reach in the highly competitive obesity treatment market. Lilly said roughly 35% of its new Zepbound prescriptions in the second quarter were paid for in cash via LillyDirect.

Early-onset cancer and the workplace

As early-onset cancer rates continue to rise, employers are increasingly positioned to play a pivotal role in prevention, detection and support for younger workers facing a diagnosis. With up to half of all cancers considered preventable, workplace strategies like promoting regular screenings, covering recommended tests and investing in employee education can make a measurable difference. Experts note that shifting screening guidelines — like earlier recommendations for colonoscopies and mammograms — underscore the urgency of employer involvement. Beyond prevention, businesses can extend leave policies, address lifestyle risk factors and improve access to quality care, all while managing soaring cancer-related costs. According to the Business Group on Health, cancer remains the top condition driving employer health expenses for the fourth straight year, as early-onset cases increase and treatments grow costlier.