Cancer concerns of a nuclear missileer; how (and where) pedestrian crashes turn fatal; stopping COVID, building trust – Morning Medical Update

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Cancer concerns of a nuclear missileer

Air Force veterans who once manned the nation’s Minuteman III nuclear missile silos are reporting clusters of cancers — particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma — and suspect that exposure to toxins such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and benzene in launch control centers may be to blame. Following reports by former missileers, including Lt. Col. Danny Sebeck, the Air Force launched a large-scale investigation across bases in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and California.

Preliminary results show no statistically elevated cancer deaths so far, though officials caution the data are incomplete. Lawmakers are now calling for independent reviews and additional safety measures, while advocates urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize possible service-related exposure. The final Air Force report is expected by year’s end. KFF Health News has more.

How pedestrian crashes turn fatal

Adults struck by cars are nearly twice as likely to die as children in pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions, according to research presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2025. Using national trauma data, investigators at Morristown Medical Center found an 18.8% mortality rate among adult victims compared with 8.1% among children, along with higher rates of cardiac arrest and deep vein thrombosis. In a separate analysis, researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine mapped crash “hotspots” in Denver County, showing that pedestrian injuries cluster in neighborhoods with high socioeconomic deprivation.

Stopping COVID, building trust

A statewide network linking 11 universities and more than 75 community organizations helped California’s most vulnerable populations weather the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report in Health Expectations. The Share, Trust, Organize, Partner COVID-19 California Alliance — known as STOP COVID-19 CA — engaged over 11,000 residents across 14 counties through surveys, vaccination events and community-led outreach. Led by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, the initiative relied on local leaders and promotoras to guide research, communication and public health response, resulting in stronger academic-community partnerships and improved access to care. Beyond addressing the pandemic, the network built lasting infrastructure for health equity and collaboration, offering a model for future public health efforts.