Heat waves, presidential fitness test, obesity data: Morning Rounds
Theresa Gaffney, the lead Morning Rounds writer at STAT, brings you the latest updates on health and medicine. Her stories cover a wide range of topics including gender-affirming care, reproductive health, and mental health. You can connect with Theresa on Signal at theresagaff.97.
As we welcome July with a heat wave, I want to inform you that the newsletter will be taking a break for the holiday tomorrow, and I will be on leave for the next week. I look forward to reconnecting with you all when I return!
The presidential fitness test, which was revived by President Trump’s executive order last year, has officially made a comeback. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled the new structure of the test at an event on Monday, alongside WWE star Triple H. The test includes categories such as core strength, cardio, and upper-body strength, with two exercises to choose from in each category. Benchmarks have been set based on age and gender, with competitive standards to meet. For example, girls aged 14 and older who opt for the mile run in the cardio test must achieve a time of 7:59 to qualify for the top tier award.
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