Consumer News: Early environments may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes

The price of Ozempic and Wegovy will fall by up to 50%

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Novo Nordisk is slashing the list prices of its flagship weight-loss and diabetes drugs, including Wegovy and Ozempic, by up to 50% in the U.S., starting Jan. 1, 2027.

• The move is designed to improve affordability and access for patients, particularly those with high-deductible insurance plans or co-insurance tied to list prices.

• The announcement comes amid intense competition in the GLP-1 obesity and diabetes market, notably from Eli Lillys tirzepatide drugs, and has triggered reactions in financial markets.

In a dramatic shift for U.S. drug pricing, Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has announced plans to significantly reduce the list prices of its widely used weight-loss and diabetes medications, including Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus, starting Jan. 1, 2027.

The move will see list prices for these GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies fall to a uniform $675 per month, with Wegovy cut by about 50% and Ozempic by roughly 35%, according to company statements and industry reports.

The price reductions are aimed at tackling long-standing affordability concerns in the United States, where these blockbuster drugs have been criticized for their high costs with list prices previously exceeding $1,300 per month for Wegovy and around $1,000 for Ozempic and Rybelsus. By lowering the official list price, Novo Nordisk hopes to ease the burden on patients, particularly those with high-deductible health plans or co-insurance structures that tie out-of-pocket costs to list prices.

Lowering the list price of Wegovy and Ozempic is the best approach to address the unprecedented opportunity to help more than 100 million people living with obesity and over 35 million people with type 2 diabetes in the United States, said James Millar, executive vice president of Novo Nordisks U.S. operations, in a company press release.

Increasing competition

Industry analysts say the price cuts also reflect intensifying competition in the rapidly expanding market for GLP-1 agonist therapies. Rivals such as Eli Lilly & Co. have seen strong growth with their tirzepatide drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, prompting Novo to recalibrate pricing to retain market share.

Financial markets reacted to the news, with shares of both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly trading lower in early trading following the announcement. Investors appeared to weigh the potential impact of price reductions on revenue growth for Novo and the broader competitive landscape in the obesity-drug space.

Despite the headline price cuts, experts and patient advocates note that the changes do not affect all prices equally. For uninsured patients paying cash, the list price adjustments may not translate directly into lower transaction costs, and most patients with insurance already pay reduced amounts through negotiated plans.

Still, the official cuts could lead to broader ripple effects in insurers negotiations and coverage decisions over time.

The hidden math under Amazon prices

• Bigger isnt always cheaper. On Amazon, larger packs can cost more per unit than smaller ones. Different sellers price each size separately, and prices fluctuate constantly.

• Check the price per unit. Always look at the cost per ounce, count, or item under the main price and click every size option. The default Best Choice isnt always the best deal.

• Dont overspend upfront. Even if bulk is slightly cheaper per unit, spending $50 instead of $17 only makes sense if youll actually use it.

We all assume buying in bulk saves money, but sometimes, if youre not paying attention, it will actually cost you money.

Specifically, on Amazon, the bigger pack isnt always the best deal. And sometimes its actually significantly more expensive per unit than a smaller option. If youre not checking the price per unit line under the product price, you could be overspending without even realizing it.

Lets look at a real example

I recently noticed some cracks in my asphalt driveway and went on Amazon to buy some crack filler.

I quickly spotted the Red Devil Asphalt Crack Filler, clicked on it, and noticed it came in four different pack-quantities.

Much to my surprise, the pricing of the multiple sizes was crazy:

• 1 Pack $10.66
• 2 Pack $21.32($10.66each)
• 4 Pack $16.67($4.17each)
• 12 Pack $53.30($4.44each)

At first glance, most shoppers would assume the 12-pack is automatically the best value without looking at the per-unit price.

But in actuality, the per-unit price is lowerfor the four-pack compared to the 12-pack.

Also, I'd be spending $53upfront, instead of $16, and Id never actually use or need 12 tubes of crack filler.

This is not a one-off. In many Amazon listings (paper towels, shampoo, vitamins, pantry staples), the smaller pack is actually cheaper per unit than the larger option.

This happens often because pricing fluctuates constantly as Amazon allows third-party sellers to set their prices, and they adjust prices based on current demand.

In other words, the default size Amazon highlights isnt always the smartest buy.

Why this happens on Amazon

Amazons pricing isnt static like your local grocery store shelf.

Each size variation can be:

• Sold by different sellers
• Discounted differently
• Eligible (or not eligible) for Subscribe & Save
• Adjusted by Amazons algorithm in real time

Thats why the four-pack might be heavily discounted, while the two-pack quietly sits at full price.

If youre not scanning through each quantity option, youre only seeing part of the picture.

Smart tips to avoid thisAmazon trap

1. Click every size option

Dont trust the default selection or what Amazon might call the best choice.Tap through each quantity to compare the price-per-unit.

2. Check Subscribe & Save carefully

Sometimes the discount only applies to certain sizes. Other times, the base price is inflated on larger packs so the discount looks better than it is.

3. Dont tie up cash unnecessarily

Instead of tying up your money in bulk packs that you might not actually use, keep your money in your bank account earning interest.

Even if the 12-pack is a few cents cheaper per unit, spending over $50 upfront makes zero sense if the four-pack meets your needs.

4. Recheck before reordering

If you shop on Amazon often, youve probably noticed that their prices fluctuate daily.

When you go to reorder a product, be aware that the cheapest option last month may not be cheapest today.

5. Watch for third-party sellers

Third-party sellers on Amazon can, and do, price "pack sizes"differently. Youll notice this the most often with home improvement products, cleaning supplies, snacks, and pantry staples.

The bottom line for smart shoppers is that bulk doesnt automatically mean bargain, especially when shopping on Amazon.

Always take the extra 10 seconds to check the unit price. Its one of the easiest ways to avoid overspending and keep more money in your pocket.

New research links living near polluted sites to higher odds of advanced breast cancer diagnoses.

• Women living close to federally designated Superfund cleanup sites were more likely to be diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

• Researchers analyzed more than 21,000 cases and looked at links after adjusting for key demographics and income.

• The findings add to evidence that environmental conditions may shape tumor progression, not just genetics or lifestyle.

The risk of breast cancer is most often discussed in terms of genes or lifestyle family history, diet, exercise, hormones.

However, scientists are digging deeper into how where people live might affect how the disease behaves.

A series of recent studies led by researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and published in peer-review journals suggests that women who live near heavily polluted areas specifically Environmental Protection Agency Superfund sites are more likely to be diagnosed with more aggressive forms of breast cancer.

Superfund sites are places that the EPA has identified as severely contaminated often from decades of industrial waste and that require long-term cleanup. Communities near these hazardous areas tend to be exposed to a mix of pollutants known to interfere with hormones or damage DNA. Although this kind of environmental influence has been suspected, it hasnt been widely studied in relation to breast cancer aggressiveness until now.

Members of our community raised concerns that where they lived was making people sick, researcher Erin Kobetz, Ph.D., M.P.H., said in a news release.

Overwhelmingly, the people who were speaking up about this lived in a neighborhood relatively close to a Superfund site. Theres a growing body of evidence that living in neighborhoods close to these sites is associated with poor health outcomes.

The study

The most detailed part of this research centered on data from the Florida Cancer Data System, which included more than 21,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer from 2015 to 2019.

Scientists categorized patients by whether they lived in a census-designated place that contained at least one Superfund site. They then compared how many of these women were diagnosed with metastatic disease meaning the cancer had already spread beyond the breast versus those whose cancer was detected before it had spread.

To make sure the analysis wasnt just reflecting differences in age, race/ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, the researchers used statistical models that controlled for factors like median income, type of health insurance, and demographic variables. This means the comparison looked beyond simple differences between neighborhoods to isolate the potential effect of environmental exposure itself.

Results: What they found

The findings were striking: women living near at least one Superfund site had roughly 30% higher odds of being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer compared to those living in areas without such sites even after adjusting for income and other factors. This pattern held true across different models that accounted for race and insurance status, suggesting the observed link isnt just about socioeconomic differences.

While this research doesnt prove pollution causes aggressive breast cancer, it adds to a growing body of evidence that environmental factors from air quality to hazardous waste exposure are important pieces of the puzzle. These results suggest that where a person lives may influence not just if cancer develops, but also how aggressively it behaves by the time its detected.

The community had a perspective, and now we have empirical and scientific data to suggest that their concerns may be valid, Dr. Kobetz said. These studies are the first puzzle pieces that will help us figure out what we should be focusing on next.

There are a lot of individual factors that determine that answer

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Mortgage rates remain higher than pandemic-era lows, but theyve eased from recent peaks, creating selective refinancing opportunities.

• Homeowners with rates at least 0.75% to 1% above todays averages may benefit but closing costs can erase savings if they plan to move soon.

• Cash-out refinancing can provide liquidity, but it increases long-term interest costs and resets loan terms.

As mortgage rates settle into a new normal, many homeowners are wondering whether 2026 could finally be the right time to refinance. The answer depends less on national headlines and more on individual math.

After climbing sharply in recent years, mortgage rates have stabilized compared with their highs by one account falling below 6% though they remain well above the rock-bottom levels seen in 2020 and 2021. That means refinancing is no longer a universal money-saving move but for some borrowers, it can still make financial sense.

When refinancing may make sense

The traditional rule of thumb has been that refinancing is worth considering if you can lower your interest rate by at least onepercentage point. In todays environment, some lenders say a reduction of 0.75 percentage points can still be worthwhile, depending on loan size and how long you plan to stay in the home.

For example, a homeowner with a $350,000 loan who reduces their rate by 1% could save hundreds per month. Over time, that adds up but only if they stay in the house long enough to recover closing costs, which typically range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount.

Borrowers who originally purchased when rates were elevated particularly in 2023 or 2024 may be best positioned to benefit if rates dip modestly.

Monthly payment vs. long-term cost

One common mistake homeowners make is focusing solely on lowering their monthly payment.

Refinancing into a new 30-year loan resets the clock. Even at a slightly lower rate, extending repayment can increase the total interest paid over the life of the loan. Homeowners who have already paid down several years of their mortgage may want to consider a 15- or 20-year refinance instead, or choose a new term that matches their remaining payoff timeline.

The key calculation is the break-even point how many months it will take for monthly savings to exceed upfront refinancing costs.

Cash-out refinancing: Proceed carefully

For homeowners who have built significant equity, a cash-out refinance can unlock funds for home improvements, debt consolidation,or other expenses. But this strategy carries risk.

By increasing the loan balance, borrowers may trade lower-interest mortgage debt for higher long-term costs. And if home values soften, they could reduce their equity cushion.

Financial advisers generally caution against using home equity to fund discretionary spending. However, using it strategically such as consolidating high-interest credit card debt or financing value-adding renovations can make sense in certain circumstances.

Credit score and home equity matter

Lenders reserve the best refinance rates for borrowers with strong credit typically 700 or higher and at least 20% equity in their home. Those with lower credit scores may see smaller rate improvements or higher fees.

Homeowners should also consider whether theyll need a new appraisal and whether their homes value has changed significantly.

Experts consistently recommend gathering at least three quotes. Fees, lender credits, and rate-lock policies can vary widely. Even a fraction of a percentage point difference can translate into thousands of dollars over time.

Online lenders, credit unions, and traditional banks may all price loans differently, and some offer streamlined refinance programs that reduce paperwork for borrowers with government-backed loans.

Now can be a good time to refinance but only for the right borrower.

Homeowners who secured mortgages at higher recent rates, plan to remain in their homes for several years, and can meaningfully reduce their rate may benefit. Those who locked in ultra-low pandemic-era loans are unlikely to find better terms in the current environment.