Daily Skimm

What’s issuing new guidelines…

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Yesterday, it updated its treatment recommendations on childhood obesity. Note: Children with obesity have a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile, according to the CDC. (Though, many have argued against using BMI as a diagnostic tool.) For years, the AAP has recommended that doctors take a 'wait and see' approach to treating a child's weight. Now, the org says delaying treatment could lead to lifelong health problems like heart disease and diabetes. In addition to lifestyle changes, the AAP now recommends an “immediate, intensive” treatment involving medications for kids as young as 12 and surgery for those as young as 13. But not everyone's on board. Some experts worry doctors may jump too fast on the drugs or surgery treatment bandwagon.

• There’s also a stigma: Many consider the word “obese” to be stigmatizing — something experts recommend keeping in mind as conversations over treatment happen. And others also highlight that there are social and environmental factors that can contribute to children struggling with their weight.

Who’s making their voices heard…

NYC Nurses. Yesterday, 7,000 nurses from Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center went on strike. They’re calling on hospitals to hire more nurses amid widespread staffing shortages and burnout. Read: Some nurses reportedly say they care for as many as 18 patients at a time. This is the latest strike to hit the health care industry, which has been dealing with a lack of staffing since before the pandemic. Now, NYC nurses apparently say all they want to do is care for their patients without being stretched to a breaking point. It’s unclear how long the strike will last. The hospitals transferred patients and postponed non-emergency medical procedures in preparation for the strike.

Who’s got some new rules to follow…

The House. Yesterday, it approved a package outlining how the lower chamber will run for the next two years. The vote was an early test for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who won the speaker’s gavel after 15 rounds of voting. And came amid concerns that GOP lawmakers could once again drag out the process. But since the rules package included many of the concessions McCarthy made to win speakership, the measure passed largely along party lines. Now, it'll be easier to remove the speaker and harder to spend federal money. Republicans reportedly say the rules boost transparency and limit spending. But critics worry the rules could affect the national defense budget and undermine ethics standards.

What may brighten your day...

Our healing ozone layer. Yesterday, a UN report found that holes within the ozone could be mostly restored in two decades. Since the 1980s, scientists have sounded alarms about holes in the shield — which could have serious effects on human health and the environment. That’s because the ozone layer shields Earth — meaning us — from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Now, thanks to a worldwide effort to eliminate ozone-depleting chemicals (think: CFCs found in older versions of air conditioners, refrigerators, and aerosol sprays), researchers say the ozone layer could be at 1980 levels by 2040 in most of the world. A UN official called the findings “fantastic news.” Great, now about global warming…

Who’s back in Buffalo…

Damar Hamlin.

Who's still No. 1...

Georgia.

While some of us will soon get our hands on “Spare’’...   

The Golden Globes are also getting ready to serve drama.