Monday Morning in the Rose Garden

Women’s Health Gets the Spotlight

What's going on: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump announced a new Women’s Health Division at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Monday morning. The president signed an executive order in the Rose Garden, where both he and the first lady — who he said came up with the idea — shared remarks. "Previous generations fought for women's rights. Our generation will fight to discover the cures that will ensure a woman can live her life in health and to the fullest," Melania said. The executive order specifically mentions menopause and maternal health, alongside conditions like heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic pain, endometriosis, and polyendocrine metabolic ovary syndrome (PMOS). The administration also announced a White House Women's Health Task Force led by Chief of Staff Susie Wiles (who has previously spoken about her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment) and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. 

Sounds great, right?: Depends on who you ask. Women’s health is historically under-researched, and many see federal policy directing resources toward it as necessary. While the NIH already houses an Office of Research on Women’s Health, this new division aims to directly improve healthcare outcomes. The news also comes amid increased discussion around menopause research and follows the FDA’s removal of “black box” warnings for menopausal hormone therapy last year. However, some are wary, citing the Trump administration’s record of abortion restrictions, curbing scientific research, and Medicaid cuts. These actions are “at odds with the deliverables touted in the executive order as proof the White House supports women’s health,” one law expert told USA TODAY. Additionally, unlike a previous Biden-era initiative on menopause and midlife research, this order allocates no specific funding. Then, there’s the timing: The executive order comes as Trump’s approval rating among women is at 29%, with midterms just two weeks away. 

Related: OB-GYNs Updated Their Guidelines on Menopause Treatment for the First Time in 12 Years (NPR) 

Coming To Collect

Paying for the Hottest Summer on Record 

What’s going on: Summer might be behind us, but millions of US households are still feeling the heat. In over a dozen hot-weather states, laws prevent utility companies from cutting power if the heat index is above 101 degrees. But once it drops below that — usually in September or October — bills are suddenly due, and the rate of disconnections goes up. The New York Times profiled one family in McAlester, OK, that faced an energy bill of over $1,300 in September — even after taking measures to keep their costs down. The Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) said its rates were still below the national average, and most of the increase was due to constant AC use. But families in McAlester aren’t alone. According to federal data, one in six US households is behind on their energy bills. 

How did we get here?: Climate change has worsened summer utility bills for years. But higher fuel and equipment costs aren't helping. In some instances, like in McAlester, renovations to aging power grids to meet growing energy demands (think: for data centers) also influenced what families are paying. The rising costs hit low- and moderate-income households hardest: They spend five times more of their income to keep the lights on compared to high-earning households. And just when you think your bill will drop, unpredictable winter weather (thanks, super El Niño) and higher-than-usual heating costs are in the forecast. Homes in the Northeast that use heating oil are expected to pay 21% more than last winter, with average households expected to see a 9% increase in energy costs this year.

Related: With Groceries out of Reach, Many Families Now Turn to Food Banks (The New York Times gift link)

Sound of Silence

Keep the Earbuds in Your Tote

What’s going on: Constantly listening to music or podcasts might keep you musically savvy and well informed, but it could also harm your health. Researchers are sounding the alarm that excessive listening can cause us to miss meaningful human connection and hinder our ability to stay present. In 2010, a study found that adults spent nearly half of their waking day on autopilot. And that was before smartphones. Headphone use may also contribute to loneliness as it keeps us from small, daily social interactions (like smiling at a stranger on a bus) that can improve our well-being. "People are using headphones to shield themselves from other people," one expert told CNN.

So you want me to just raw dog waiting rooms and airplane rides?: Not completely. But researchers say there are health benefits to embracing silence. In a previous study, a two-minute period of silence after listening to music significantly reduced subjects’ heart rate and blood pressure (which could explain our need to turn the car stereo down when parking). Silence has also been linked to stimulating brain growth and creativity, reducing cortisol, and improving insomnia. But considering one recent poll found that people ages 13 to 34 spend 4.5 hours a day listening to something (podcasts or music), it might be tough to put that audio genie back in the bottle. Experts suggest mindful silence tips: Carve out quiet time in the morning (we see you, parents, and we know this one is tough), embrace a noise-free commute, or cut the background music while doing other tasks. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, ditch the earbuds entirely. We know, we know, you might have to make eye contact with someone, but imagine the possibilities.

Related: Not Just Nostalgia: Lego Is Tapping Into an Adult Audience (The Wall Street Journal gift link)

What We've Been Testing

Skimm Shopping is forever on the testing grind to find out what really works. Here are our latest insights:

• This calendar acts like a personal assistant, and damn, does it make mom life easier.

• This matchmaking service eliminates the need to swipe, allowing dating to feel more intentional.

• This stackable electric burner successfully cooks a steak sans grill, so apartment dwellers should pay attention.

• This high-waisted shapewear doesn’t sausage you in, which makes for a much more pleasant wearing experience. 

Quick Hits

✈️ Travel-booking company Hopper says airfare prices this holiday season will be the highest in a decade. Alexa, remove “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” from the playlist.

🦃 While some Thanksgiving essentials, like turkeys and cranberries, are more expensive than last year, experts say other cooking staples, like butter and cream, are seeing lower prices. Casserole fans, rejoice. 

🤖 It was only a matter of time: A South Korean reality TV show stars three celebrities who embark on a quest to see if they can fall in love with an AI avatar. Love Is… Artificial?

🍬 Take some Halloween candy, add some salty snacks like pretzels, and turn it into a skillet cookie. Holiday magic. 

🏠 Here are eight things experts say you shouldn’t store inside your house — including bulk pantry items in their original packaging. We love an excuse to buy new storage containers.

🍗 Lay’s will release five new flavors this fall. Pair the Roasted Holiday Turkey chips with your day-after-Thanksgiving turkey sandwich. 

🐶 A three-legged therapy dog with giant ears and a blind 8-year-old former stray took top honors at this year's World's Cutest Rescue Dog Contest. Such good boys.