Consumer News: Medical debt is keeping people from getting other types of health care

The findings may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A new Mayo Clinic study suggests Alzheimers disease may begin decades before symptoms appear, with subtle biological changes starting as early as a persons late 50s.

• Researchers tracked more than 2,000 adults and found that changes in brain proteins, blood biomarkers and cognitive performance accelerate between the late 50s and early 70s.

• Scientists say the findings could help doctors identify at-risk patients earlier and improve efforts to prevent or slow the disease before memory loss begins.

Alzheimers disease may begin developing far earlier than most people realize, according to new research from the Mayo Clinic that found subtle biological changes linked to the disease can start decades before noticeable memory problems appear.

The study, published in Alzheimers & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimers Association, analyzed data from 2,082 participants in the long-running Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.

Researchers examined blood biomarkers, brain imaging scans and cognitive testing results to determine when Alzheimers-related changes begin to accelerate over a persons lifetime.

Subtle changes could appear in the late 50s

Researchers found that subtle declines in cognitive performance may begin in the late 50s, while amyloid buildup in the brain one of the hallmarks of Alzheimers disease appears to accelerate in the early 60s. Other biological markers associated with brain injury and inflammation tended to rise later, particularly in the late 60s and early 70s.

This population-based study provides an integrated view of age-related patterns across multiple Alzheimers biomarkers measured in blood and imaging, plus cognition, said Mingzhao Hu, assistant professor in Mayo Clinics Department of Quantitative Health Sciences and the studys first author.

Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia and affects nearly 7 million Americans age 65 and older. The disease is associated with abnormal accumulations of proteins such as amyloid and tau in the brain, which can gradually damage nerve cells and impair memory and thinking abilities.

A long biological process

Scientists say the findings reinforce the idea that Alzheimers is a long biological process rather than a condition that begins when symptoms first appear.

The study identified a timeline in which different warning signs emerge at different stages. Brain scans showed amyloid buildup becoming more pronounced before many blood-based indicators of nerve damage increased. Biomarkers linked to stressed brain-support cells and injured nerve fibers tended to accelerate later in life.

Researchers say understanding that timeline could improve screening strategies and help identify the best window for preventive treatments.

Earlier detection can give patients and families more time to plan, access care and benefit from treatments that may slow progression, the Mayo Clinic researchers noted.

Other risk factors

Experts caution, however, that the findings describe broad population trends rather than predicting when any one person will develop Alzheimers symptoms. Factors such as genetics, cardiovascular health, sleep quality and lifestyle can all influence an individuals risk.

The researchers also noted that most study participants came from Olmsted County, Minnesota, meaning additional studies involving more diverse populations will be needed to confirm whether the same patterns hold across different racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

Still, scientists say the research adds to growing evidence that Alzheimers disease begins long before memory loss becomes obvious potentially opening the door to earlier intervention and more effective prevention strategies in the future.

Most injuries happen as athletes train

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Exercise equipment caused more injuries than any other sports activity in the U.S. in 2024, with injury rates climbing 16.4% year over year.

• Soccer injuries surged 24.4% in a single year and have risen 219.4% since 2020, the largest five-year increase in the study.

• Even lower-ranked activities such as track and field and boxing posted some of the fastest-growing injury rates nationwide.

Many physical sports produce injuries, but they pale in comparison to the number of Americans who are injured before they ever get on the field or court.

An analysis of 2024 data, conducted by digital signage company OptiSigns, using National Safety Council injury data, found that exercise equipment produced the highest injury rate of any sports or recreational category in the United States.

Exercise equipment injuries averaged 136.84 injuries per 100,000 people over the past five years, surpassing bicycles and accessories, which ranked second at 124.12 injuries per 100,000. Basketball, football and playground equipment rounded out the top five.

Researchers said the findings point to a growing need for better injury prevention and more visible safety communication in gyms and recreation facilities.

Exercise equipment outpaces bicycles and accessories by more than 12 points, making gym-based equipment the single largest source of sports and recreational injuries in the country, the report said.

Soccer injuries soar

While exercise equipment led overall injury rates, soccer posted one of the steepest increases.

The study found soccer injuries jumped 24.4% from 2023 to 2024 and have increased 219.4% since 2020 the largest five-year growth among all activities tracked.

Track and field activities showed the biggest one-year increase, climbing 28.4% between 2023 and 2024. Racquet sports also recorded a sharp 23.5% increase.

Football injuries rose 20.1% year over year, while playground equipment injuries increased 20.5%, according to the report.

Injuries are rising across the board

Researchers noted that all 15 sports and recreational categories in the dataset recorded year-over-year injury increases in 2024, suggesting a broad nationwide trend rather than isolated spikes.

Ten activities, including soccer, volleyball, basketball and exercise equipment, posted uninterrupted annual injury increases every year from 2020 through 2024.

Volleyball injuries rose 169.4% over the five-year period, while hockey injuries climbed 139.7%. Boxing injuries more than doubled during the same timeframe despite ranking last overall in average injury rate.

The report also found that lower-ranked activities are now growing faster than many traditionally high-injury sports. Track and field, which ranked 14th overall by average injury rate, recorded both the fastest year-over-year increase and one of the largest five-year jumps in the entire study.

The study analyzed National Safety Council Injury Facts data covering 15 sports and recreational activity categories from 2020 through 2024. Injury rates were measured per 100,000 U.S. residents, with rankings based on five-year average injury rates.

Policymakers call for more pricing transparency

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• States including California, Colorado and New York are advancing legislation aimed at limiting surveillance pricing, a practice in which companies use personal data to tailor prices to individual consumers.

• Consumer advocates say the pricing models can quietly charge higher prices based on factors such as location, browsing history, income estimates or shopping habits.

• Businesses argue dynamic pricing improves efficiency and reflects market demand, but lawmakers are increasingly pushing for transparency and consumer protections.

A growing number of states are giving more scrutiny to surveillance pricing, a controversial practice that allows companies to use consumers personal data to determine the prices they see online.

Lawmakers and consumer advocates say the technology-driven pricing strategies can result in different consumers paying different prices for the same product or service, often without realizing it.

In response, several states are introducing or advancing legislation designed to increase transparency and restrict how companies use personal data in pricing decisions.

The issue has gained momentum as retailers, airlines, hotels and app-based services increasingly rely on artificial intelligence and large-scale data collection to personalize offers and prices in real time.

What is surveillance pricing?

Surveillance pricing refers to the practice of collecting and analyzing consumer data including browsing history, location data, device type, purchase history and demographic information to adjust prices for individuals.

Unlike traditional dynamic pricing, which changes prices broadly based on supply and demand, surveillance pricing uses personal information to estimate what a specific consumer may be willing to pay.

Critics say the practice lacks transparency and can disproportionately affect lower-income consumers or people living in certain ZIP codes. Privacy groups have also warned that the technology can reinforce racial or economic disparities if algorithms rely on biased data sets.

The Federal Trade Commission has expressed growing interest in the issue, warning that opaque algorithmic pricing systems may create unfair or deceptive practices.

States begin legislative push

California lawmakers are considering proposals that would require companies to disclose when personal data is being used to set prices. Some measures would also prohibit the use of sensitive data such as health information or precise geolocation in pricing decisions.

Colorado legislators have explored broader consumer privacy protections that could limit how businesses deploy algorithmic pricing systems. State officials there have framed the issue as part of a wider effort to regulate AI-driven consumer targeting.

New York lawmakers have introduced bills focused on preventing discriminatory pricing practices and requiring companies to explain how automated pricing systems operate.

Other states, including Illinois and Massachusetts, are reportedly evaluating similar proposals as concerns over AI-powered commerce continue to grow.

Businesses defend dynamic pricing

Industry groups say personalized pricing is often misunderstood and that dynamic pricing can help companies respond to market conditions, reduce waste and offer discounts to price-sensitive consumers.

Retailers note that variable pricing has existed for decades in industries such as airlines and hospitality. Technology companies argue that modern pricing tools simply improve the efficiency of those systems.

Some economists also caution that overly broad restrictions could unintentionally reduce competition or eliminate personalized discounts that benefit consumers.

Why more drivers are finally looking into refinancing their car loan

• Many drivers may be overpaying: About 70% of car owners have never checked if they qualify for a lower auto loan rate through refinancing.

• Refinancing could lower payments: Drivers with better credit or older high-interest loans may be able to save $50$150 per month.

• Compare multiple lenders: Check rates from lenders like PenFed, LendingClub, Caribou, Capital One, and Upstart before refinancing.

High mortgage interest rates seem to capture all the news, but its the monthly car payment that has quietly become one of the biggest budget stressors in many of our lives.

A new survey found that nearly one in threeborrowers struggled to make a car payment on time in the past year. Even more surprising, 70% of car owners have never even checked to see if they could qualify for a lower interest rate through refinancing.

That matters because even a slightly lower rate could potentially save drivers $50, $100, or even $150 a month at a time when grocery bills, insurance costs, and everyday expenses continue to climb.

It could be time to stop thinking of your current auto loan as good enough and start looking at ways to lower your monthly car payment.

Many drivers felt pressured at the dealership

According to the survey, 44% of borrowers said they felt pressured during the original financing process, and one in fourbelieve they did not get the best loan deal available.

When buying a car, most buyers focus solely on the monthly payment and getting approved.

But in the rush of the dealership process, many people never stop to compare:

• Interest rates
• Loan length
• Total interest paid
• Dealer markups on financing

The result is borrowers ending up locked into expensive loans. They then just setup monthly autopay and never revisit the loan again.

Why refinancing is getting renewed attention

When interest rates drop, or your credit score improves, refinancing can allow you to replace your existing auto loan with a new one that has:

• A lower interest rate
• Smaller monthly payments
• Lower total interest costs

According to Caribous survey:

• 71% of borrowers recognize refinancing can lower monthly payments
• 8% understand it may reduce interest rates
• But only 29% have actually checked their eligibility

In other words, many people know refinancing exists, but never take the next step.

Signs you should check refinancing rates

I think the first step is understanding that you dont need to be in financial trouble to benefit from refinancing.

Youshould consider checking rates if:

• Your credit score has improved since buying the car.
• You financed during a period of high interest rates.
• Your monthly payment feels too high.
• You bought from a dealership without shopping rates.
• Youve been making on-time payments for at least six to 12 months.

Even a modest interest rate drop can make a noticeable difference over several years.

For example, let's say you currently owe $28,000 on a vehicle:

• Current loan: 9% APR
• Refinanced loan: 6.5% APR

In this example, you can potentially lower yourpayments by more than $50 per month depending on the actual loan term.

The biggest refinancing myths

Many borrowers avoid refinancing because they assume it could hurt their credit, the process is complicated, and fees can erase any potential savings.

But thats not always true these days, as many lenders now offer:

• Soft credit checks to preview rates before you decide
• Online applications to make the process faster
• No application fees

And while refinancing can temporarily ding your credit slightly if you move forward with a hard inquiry, experts say the impact is often small compared to the long-term savings potential.

Pro tip: Dont stretch your loan out too long just to get a lower payment. While it may reduce monthly costs, it can also increase the total interest you pay over time.

Five reputable places to potentially refi your auto loan

Here are five solid places to check if youre thinking about refinancing your auto loan. Based on customer reviews and approval requirements, they all have different strengths depending on your credit score and current situation.

• PenFed Credit Union:PenFed is a good option if you have decent credit and want a lower interest rate without a lot of hoops to jump through. A lot of military families use them, but regular consumers can join too. They also tend to offer longer loan terms and competitive rates compared to traditional banks.
• LendingClub:LendingClub is popular because you can check rates without immediately dinging your credit score. Its a good option for people with average credit who just want to see what refi rate they can qualify for. Reviews state that their online process is pretty simple, especially when compared to the dealership experience that most people dread.
• Caribou:Caribou works more like a comparison-shopping site, but theyre specifically for car refinance loans. This can save you a bunch of time as you dont have to check lenders one by one. Theyll do the work for you and allow you to compare a bunch of refinance offers in one place. If you end up using them, as part of their service, theyll even handle your car payoff, title transfer, and DMV steps.
• Capital One Auto Refinance:Capital One keeps things pretty straightforward and easy to navigate. Reviewers noted that their refinance process isvery user-friendly, and a lot of borrowers like them because theres less of the confusing fine print you often get with auto loans.
• Upstart Auto Refinance:Upstart can be worth checking if your credit history is thin or not perfect. Thats because they look at more than just your credit score, which can help younger borrowers or people who may have improved their finances recently but still dont have a long credit history.

Pro tip: Many borrowers only look at the monthly payment. Instead, be sure to compare the total interest cost over the life of the loan.

Watch out for these refinancing mistakes

Id be remissit I didnt point out that refinancing is not automatically the right move for everyone.

Be cautious if youre in these situations:

• Your current loan is almost paid off.
• The potential lender charges you large fees.
• Your car is worth far less than what you owe.
• The new loan dramatically extends your repayment timeline.

Keep in mind that a lower monthly payment is not always a better financial deal if it keeps you in debt for more time. Always do the math on your current auto loan before you immediately jump into a refinanced loan with a lower rate.

Chrysler, Winnebago, and Tesla are in this week's auto recall roundup