There’s a lot to love about fall—pumpkin spice everything, the vibrant colors that light up the sky as the leaves change, delicious seasonal produce, and the start of the holiday season. But there’s another aspect that’s not so sweet or cozy: cold and flu season.
At Stacker, we thought September showcased health content’s dominance, but publishers gravitated toward health content even more strongly in October. Of the 20 stories that were picked up the most throughout the month, a noteworthy 17 were health and wellness related.
Let’s hone in on the four most-picked-up articles in October 2026 to explore what’s resonating most with our publisher network right now—and why.
When is it too late to get a flu shot?
Flu viruses spread year-round, but cases tend to peak between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency recommends getting the vaccine just before the spike, in September or October.
But life can get hectic around those times with school back in session, after-school activities picking up, Halloween gatherings, etc. So, what happens if you miss that window?
It’s something many of us have wondered about, so it’s no surprise to see this piece that clearly poses that question in the headline and answers it authoritatively rise to the top of the leaderboard. In fact, this story resonated so much—reaching more than 800 publishers—that it’s become one of the most picked up articles in Stacker history.
(And spoiler alert: GoodRX confirms, “It’s almost never too late to get a flu shot.”)
RSV vs. flu: How to tell the difference
There’s another flu-centric piece that made it into the top 4 in October. This one answers another prevalent question: how can you tell if your little one’s symptoms are the flu or something else, like RSV? RSV (which stands for respiratory syncytial virus) had slowed its spread during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but returned with a vengeance in 2022 and has since rejoined the ranks of respiratory illnesses to look out for during this time of year.
This article provides the same practical guidance that the flu vaccine piece does, answering key questions about preventative measures, symptom differences, who’s most at risk, and treatment options. It’s the kind of service journalism that publishers know many readers not just want, but need, which is why it landed among the month’s top performers.
Why maintaining muscle matters during weight loss, and how to do it
Here’s another high-performing health service piece that addresses an entirely different concern than respiratory illnesses. This one focuses on muscle loss, an increasingly prevalent concern with the rise of GLP-1s. Research has shown that muscle mass loss varies by sex, but can account for 10% to 15% of total weight loss for females on GLP-1s and 20% to 25% for males, if not accompanied by strength training.
The article clearly lays out why that’s the case, why it matters, how it can be prevented, and how to rebuild muscle. Like the aforementioned two pieces, it provides a service: answering FAQs for those experiencing this common effect of GLP-1 medications, which is why nearly 700 publishers thought it worthy to share with their readers.
10 things to know about open enrollment for 2027
While this piece isn’t directly health related, it centers on the subject matter that governs how much all of those medications, doctors visits, and vaccines will cost you: health insurance.
The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is the time of year when you can buy or change your health insurance (aside from a qualifying life event). If you get health insurance from your job, your OEP can be any time of year, but for those using the federal marketplace and many state-run marketplaces, OEP starts Nov. 1 and ends Dec. 15.
It can be a stressful and overwhelming process to choose the health insurance plan that’s best for you and your family, but this article answers 10 FAQs to help readers navigate it. It addresses straightforward questions like, “Where can I buy my health insurance?” and more nuanced ones like, “How am I going to afford health insurance?” So it’s exactly what the doctor ordered.
The through-line
Of course, this is just the tip of the health content iceberg when it comes to the stories that dominated the Stacker Newswire in October. Besides cold and flu season, weight loss, and health insurance, many other health topics made their way into the top 20 articles, from sleep (see drinks that can help you rest soundly and getting a jolt without caffeine) to mental health (like the differences between anxiety and OCD to combatting seasonal depression).
No matter the topic, these pieces all share a few key similarities: they address an immediate need, they promise clear guidance in their headlines, and they’re broadly relatable. They answer questions many readers have (and may not know where to go for the answer) and provide practical information about how best to take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Jaimie Etkin is the director of publisher partnerships at Stacker. She was previously the company's head of content strategy and has worked as a content strategist and digital editor for the past two decades at publications like Newsweek, HuffPost, and BuzzFeed News.
