It’s Monday, May 11. Today, we’re diving into the big health headlines and breaking down what they actually mean for your daily routine.

On the radar today:

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A Pew Research Center analysis of nearly 13,000 health and wellness accounts with at least 100,000 followers found that fewer than one in five were conventional medical professionals. Nearly half described themselves as coaches, entrepreneurs, or parents. About one in five gave no qualification at all. Yet 8% had over a million followers, and about half of those who consumed this content said it had helped them better understand how to be healthy.

But, Why? Trust in government health agencies has been falling since the pandemic. It’s this gap that is being filled, but not always being approached carefully. Coaches and entrepreneurs can claim health expertise without being seen as part of the establishment, which, researchers say, is a large part of their appeal. About 20% of Americans who consume wellness content online said the information was “extremely or very different” from what their own doctors told them. 

For The Readers: The next time you come across a health influencer, this is how you should vet their credentials. 

🗞️ Seventeen Americans from the MV Hondius (the cruise ship at the center of the current hantavirus outbreak) landed in Nebraska early Monday on a government-arranged medical repatriation flight. One passenger tested positive during the flight; another showed mild symptoms. 5 states are now closely monitoring passengers who departed the ship.  

🗞️ President Trump has reportedly signed off on a plan to fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, according to the Wall Street Journal — though Trump told reporters on Friday that he knew “nothing about it”. A look into Makary’s turbulent tenure. 

🗞️ The Trump administration launched Moms.gov on Mother's Day — a new website offering resources for expecting mothers and families, covering everything from breastfeeding and mental health to nutrition and adoption. 

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💄 Is Your Makeup Making You Sick? 

Earlier this year, a Silent Spring Institute study found flame retardants, phthalates, and compounds linked to cancer and reproductive harm in 43 hair extension products tested. But the problem goes far deeper than your hair. These chemicals are found in everyday cosmetics like shampoo and toothpaste, Columbia University professor Ami Zota tells Vox, which just puts the scale of exposure into perspective. Zota explains that US cosmetic regulation is largely voluntary, with the FDA providing minimal oversight, and most safety testing only looks for immediate reactions like rashes, not long-term risks. Is there a way to make better choices with your purchases? 

👂 Walking Slower Than You Used To? Get Your Ears Checked

It sounds like an unlikely connection, but a study of more than 57,000 iPhone users confirms it: hearing loss is linked to slower walking speeds. We don’t quite fully understand what causes this, but one explanation is that when your brain works harder to process sound, it has less capacity for movement and balance. Doctors call walking speed the “sixth vital sign” because it reflects how well your heart, lungs, muscles, and nervous system are working together. If you have an iPhone and AirPods Pro, you can test your hearing at home through the Settings app. Or else, Johns Hopkins University also has a free app to test hearing. 

🦶 The Body Part Doctors Say Predicts Longevity

It's not your heart or your grip strength — it's your feet. Dr Courtney Conley tells Parade that feet are essentially sensory organs — thousands of receptors constantly gathering inputs to keep us balanced and upright. As we age, we lose sensitivity in those receptors and muscle mass in our feet, increasing our fall risk. Try walking barefoot for five minutes a day, practice lifting your big toe independently, and most importantly, see if your shoes are made for human feet. 

🏋️ Should Women Over 40 Actually Be Exercising Differently?

Does the phrase “women are not small men” ring a bell? That’s the argument some influencers make — that women over 40 should leave moderate cardio entirely in favor of heavy lifting and sprint intervals, or risk health issues. The Guardian dug into the science, and the verdict is messier than the influencer content suggests. The research gap in women's exercise science is real — only 6-9% of reputable sports science studies focus exclusively on female athletes. A more honest takeaway: cardio and strength training are both valuable across your entire lifespan

🏃 Want To Run Faster? How About You Go Slow ….

Now that you’ve caught the “runner’s high”, are you chasing a new personal record immediately? Hold up, the most common mistake experts say runners make is going too hard, too soon. Stanford Medicine's Dr Chantal Nguyen says most runs should feel comfortable, with only a small portion dedicated to high-intensity effort, and mileage should increase no more than 10% per week.

Beyond pacing, the rest of what you gain comes from: 

Read the whole guide at USA Today.   

🥤 A Smoothie That Keeps You Full? 

Most smoothies look healthy, but are just fruit juice in disguise — high in sugar, low in literally everything that's quite important. Real Simple dietitians say a truly balanced smoothie needs all three macronutrients: carbs, protein, and fat. Here’s what does the trick (and yes, you’ll be able to sneak in some veggies into it). 

Thanks for reading! At The Blue & Green Letter, we track wellness trends and health essentials every day, bringing you one well-curated update to help you live well and stay informed.

Disclaimer: The information shared here is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Our content is sourced from reputable health publications and government data. Readers are encouraged to review the original articles and consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health-related decisions.