# Accessibility bug reports — nih.gov, week 2026-W37 13 issue type(s) from 3333 pages scanned. Generated 2026-09-11 by [vital-scans](https://github.com/mgifford/vital-core), following [accessibility bug-reporting best practices](https://mgifford.github.io/ACCESSIBILITY.md/examples/ACCESSIBILITY_BUG_REPORTING_BEST_PRACTICES.html). > Automated checks find roughly a third of accessibility barriers. Fields marked "requires manual testing" cannot be observed by an automated scan and need a human with assistive technology. --- ## Links must be distinguishable without relying on color (WCAG 1.4.1) **Bug ID:** `VS-0b9cc0c3` **Pattern ID:** `VS-8ade3360` **URL:** https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline **XPath / selector:** `p:nth-child(19) > a[data-extlink=""][target="_blank"][rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer"]` **WCAG SC:** 1.4.1 — Use of Color (Level A) **Rule:** axe-core — `link-in-text-block` ([reference](https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.12/link-in-text-block?application=axeAPI)) **Severity:** Serious **Frequency:** 177 instances; 23 of 3333 pages affected **History:** first seen 2026-W25, last seen 2026-W37 (13 weeks) ### HTML snippet ```html Blood factors transfer beneficial eff ``` ### Description Links must be distinguishable without relying on color. Detected by axe-core rule link-in-text-block on 23 of 3333 scanned pages (177 instances). ### Steps to reproduce 1. Open https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline. 2. Locate the element: p:nth-child(19) > a[data-extlink=""][target="_blank"][rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer"] 3. Confirm the axe-core finding for rule link-in-text-block against WCAG 1.4.1 Use of Color. ### Impact Affects Without color perception (4.5%), Limited vision (2.4%). - **Without color perception** (4.5% of population) - **Limited vision** (2.4% of population) ### Affected pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/alcohol-related-deaths-increasing-nationwide - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dementia-free-years-may-decrease-smoking-hypertension-diabetes - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dna-organization-changes-alzheimers-disease-aging - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/slow-vaccine-delivery-improves-immune-response-hiv - https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/fogarty-international-center-fic - https://nih.gov/about-nih/nih-almanac/office-director-nih - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/study-reveals-brain-networks-critical-conversation - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lab-made-eye-cells-restore-vision-mice - https://www.nih.gov/brain-initiative/about/vision/brain-20-neuroethics-enabling-enhancing-neuroscience-advances-society - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-football-raises-risk-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy - https://nih.gov/brain/about/vision/brain-2025-scientific-vision - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/covid-19-immune-response-improves-months-after-vaccination - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/skin-test-detects-evidence-parkinsons-related-disorders - https://www.nih.gov//news-events/nih-research-matters/early-results-show-benefit-remdesivir-covid-19 - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/tracking-sars-cov-2-variants-wastewater - https://www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you/promotional-materials - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/spinal-cord-stimulation-improves-hand-grip-after-cervical-spinal-injury - https://nih.gov/nih-style-guide/age - https://nih.gov/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits/physical-wellness-toolkit/physical-wellness-toolkit-more-resources - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/infections-falls-increased-private-equity-owned-hospitals - https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/nih-almanac/leadership/nih-directors ### Testing environment Automated: axe-core, headless Chromium (Playwright). Manual AT verification: Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Suggested fix See remediation guidance: https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.12/link-in-text-block?application=axeAPI ### Example pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/alcohol-related-deaths-increasing-nationwide --- ## Link in text block is visually distinguishable without color (WCAG 1.4.1) **Bug ID:** `VS-7818b177` **Pattern ID:** `VS-efd91fdd` **URL:** https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline **XPath / selector:** `` **WCAG SC:** 1.4.1 — Use of Color (Level A) **Rule:** Siteimprove Alfa — `sia-r62` ([reference](https://alfa.siteimprove.com/rules/sia-r62)) **Severity:** Moderate **Frequency:** 113 instances; 14 of 3333 pages affected **History:** first seen 2026-W25, last seen 2026-W37 (11 weeks) ### Description Link in text block is visually distinguishable without color. Detected by Siteimprove Alfa rule sia-r62 on 14 of 3333 scanned pages (113 instances). ### Steps to reproduce 1. Open https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline. 2. Locate the element: 3. Confirm the Siteimprove Alfa finding for rule sia-r62 against WCAG 1.4.1 Use of Color. ### Impact Affects Without color perception (4.5%), Limited vision (2.4%). - **Without color perception** (4.5% of population) - **Limited vision** (2.4% of population) ### Affected pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dementia-free-years-may-decrease-smoking-hypertension-diabetes - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dna-organization-changes-alzheimers-disease-aging - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/slow-vaccine-delivery-improves-immune-response-hiv - https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/fogarty-international-center-fic - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lab-made-eye-cells-restore-vision-mice - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-football-raises-risk-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/covid-19-immune-response-improves-months-after-vaccination - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/tracking-sars-cov-2-variants-wastewater - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/spinal-cord-stimulation-improves-hand-grip-after-cervical-spinal-injury - https://nih.gov/nih-style-guide/age - https://nih.gov/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits/physical-wellness-toolkit/physical-wellness-toolkit-more-resources - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/infections-falls-increased-private-equity-owned-hospitals ### Testing environment Automated: Siteimprove Alfa, headless Chromium (Playwright). Manual AT verification: Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Suggested fix **How to fix:** Make links visually distinguishable from surrounding text (not by color alone). See remediation guidance: https://alfa.siteimprove.com/rules/sia-r62 ### Example pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dementia-free-years-may-decrease-smoking-hypertension-diabetes --- ## Elements must only use supported ARIA attributes (WCAG 4.1.2) **Bug ID:** `VS-e69c9e52` **Pattern ID:** `VS-1467ea8a` **URL:** https://www.nih.gov/brain-initiative/about/vision/brain-20-neuroethics-enabling-enhancing-neuroscience-advances-society **XPath / selector:** `.usa-accordion--bordered` **WCAG SC:** 4.1.2 — Name, Role, Value (Level A) **Rule:** axe-core — `aria-allowed-attr` ([reference](https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.12/aria-allowed-attr?application=axeAPI)) **Severity:** Critical **Frequency:** 2 instances; 2 of 3333 pages affected **History:** first seen 2026-W29, last seen 2026-W37 (6 weeks) ### HTML snippet ```html
``` ### Description Elements must only use supported ARIA attributes. Detected by axe-core rule aria-allowed-attr on 2 of 3333 scanned pages (2 instances). ### Steps to reproduce 1. Open https://www.nih.gov/brain-initiative/about/vision/brain-20-neuroethics-enabling-enhancing-neuroscience-advances-society. 2. Locate the element: .usa-accordion--bordered 3. Confirm the axe-core finding for rule aria-allowed-attr against WCAG 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value. ### Impact Affects Without vision (1.0%), Limited vision (2.4%), Limited manipulation/strength (13.0%). - **Without vision** (1.0% of population) - **Limited vision** (2.4% of population) - **Limited manipulation/strength** (13.0% of population) ### Affected pages - https://www.nih.gov/brain-initiative/about/vision/brain-20-neuroethics-enabling-enhancing-neuroscience-advances-society - https://nih.gov/brain/about/vision/brain-2025-scientific-vision ### Testing environment Automated: axe-core, headless Chromium (Playwright). Manual AT verification: Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Suggested fix **How to fix:** Remove ARIA attributes that aren't allowed on this role/element. See remediation guidance: https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.12/aria-allowed-attr?application=axeAPI ### Example pages - https://www.nih.gov/brain-initiative/about/vision/brain-20-neuroethics-enabling-enhancing-neuroscience-advances-society - https://nih.gov/brain/about/vision/brain-2025-scientific-vision --- ## Text has enhanced contrast (WCAG 1.4.6) **Bug ID:** `VS-980316d7` **Pattern ID:** `VS-646b1e0b` **URL:** https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline **XPath / selector:** `text: "Get the Latest Updates and FAQs"` **WCAG SC:** 1.4.6 — Contrast (Enhanced) (Level AAA) **Rule:** Siteimprove Alfa — `sia-r66` ([reference](https://alfa.siteimprove.com/rules/sia-r66)) **Severity:** Moderate **Frequency:** 917 instances; 14 of 3333 pages affected **History:** first seen 2026-W25, last seen 2026-W37 (11 weeks) ### Description Text has enhanced contrast. Detected by Siteimprove Alfa rule sia-r66 on 14 of 3333 scanned pages (917 instances). ### Steps to reproduce 1. Open https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline. 2. Locate the element: text: "Get the Latest Updates and FAQs" 3. Confirm the Siteimprove Alfa finding for rule sia-r66 against WCAG 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced). ### Impact Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Affected pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dementia-free-years-may-decrease-smoking-hypertension-diabetes - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dna-organization-changes-alzheimers-disease-aging - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/slow-vaccine-delivery-improves-immune-response-hiv - https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/fogarty-international-center-fic - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lab-made-eye-cells-restore-vision-mice - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-football-raises-risk-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/covid-19-immune-response-improves-months-after-vaccination - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/tracking-sars-cov-2-variants-wastewater - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/spinal-cord-stimulation-improves-hand-grip-after-cervical-spinal-injury - https://nih.gov/nih-style-guide/age - https://nih.gov/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits/physical-wellness-toolkit/physical-wellness-toolkit-more-resources - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/infections-falls-increased-private-equity-owned-hospitals ### Testing environment Automated: Siteimprove Alfa, headless Chromium (Playwright). Manual AT verification: Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Suggested fix **How to fix:** Increase text contrast to meet WCAG AAA (7:1). See remediation guidance: https://alfa.siteimprove.com/rules/sia-r66 ### Example pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dementia-free-years-may-decrease-smoking-hypertension-diabetes --- ## Text has minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 (WCAG 1.4.8) **Bug ID:** `VS-f08a262d` **Pattern ID:** `VS-2208081b` **URL:** https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline **XPath / selector:** `

` **WCAG SC:** 1.4.8 — Visual Presentation (Level AAA) **Rule:** Siteimprove Alfa — `sia-r73` ([reference](https://alfa.siteimprove.com/rules/sia-r73)) **Severity:** Moderate **Frequency:** 42 instances; 14 of 3333 pages affected **History:** first seen 2026-W25, last seen 2026-W37 (11 weeks) ### Description Text has minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1. Detected by Siteimprove Alfa rule sia-r73 on 14 of 3333 scanned pages (42 instances). ### Steps to reproduce 1. Open https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline. 2. Locate the element:

3. Confirm the Siteimprove Alfa finding for rule sia-r73 against WCAG 1.4.8 Visual Presentation. ### Impact Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Affected pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dementia-free-years-may-decrease-smoking-hypertension-diabetes - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dna-organization-changes-alzheimers-disease-aging - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/slow-vaccine-delivery-improves-immune-response-hiv - https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/fogarty-international-center-fic - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lab-made-eye-cells-restore-vision-mice - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-football-raises-risk-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/covid-19-immune-response-improves-months-after-vaccination - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/tracking-sars-cov-2-variants-wastewater - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/spinal-cord-stimulation-improves-hand-grip-after-cervical-spinal-injury - https://nih.gov/nih-style-guide/age - https://nih.gov/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits/physical-wellness-toolkit/physical-wellness-toolkit-more-resources - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/infections-falls-increased-private-equity-owned-hospitals ### Testing environment Automated: Siteimprove Alfa, headless Chromium (Playwright). Manual AT verification: Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Suggested fix See remediation guidance: https://alfa.siteimprove.com/rules/sia-r73 ### Example pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dementia-free-years-may-decrease-smoking-hypertension-diabetes --- ## Target size is at least 44×44 CSS pixels (Enhanced) (WCAG 2.5.5) **Bug ID:** `VS-01a9076b` **Pattern ID:** `VS-cb53cc4d` **URL:** https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline **XPath / selector:** `` **WCAG SC:** 2.5.5 — Target Size (Enhanced) (Level AAA) **Rule:** Siteimprove Alfa — `sia-r111` ([reference](https://alfa.siteimprove.com/rules/sia-r111)) **Severity:** Moderate **Frequency:** 453 instances; 14 of 3333 pages affected **History:** first seen 2026-W25, last seen 2026-W37 (11 weeks) ### Description Target size is at least 44×44 CSS pixels (Enhanced). Detected by Siteimprove Alfa rule sia-r111 on 14 of 3333 scanned pages (453 instances). ### Steps to reproduce 1. Open https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline. 2. Locate the element: 3. Confirm the Siteimprove Alfa finding for rule sia-r111 against WCAG 2.5.5 Target Size (Enhanced). ### Impact Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Affected pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dementia-free-years-may-decrease-smoking-hypertension-diabetes - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dna-organization-changes-alzheimers-disease-aging - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/slow-vaccine-delivery-improves-immune-response-hiv - https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/fogarty-international-center-fic - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lab-made-eye-cells-restore-vision-mice - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-football-raises-risk-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/covid-19-immune-response-improves-months-after-vaccination - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/tracking-sars-cov-2-variants-wastewater - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/spinal-cord-stimulation-improves-hand-grip-after-cervical-spinal-injury - https://nih.gov/nih-style-guide/age - https://nih.gov/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits/physical-wellness-toolkit/physical-wellness-toolkit-more-resources - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/infections-falls-increased-private-equity-owned-hospitals ### Testing environment Automated: Siteimprove Alfa, headless Chromium (Playwright). Manual AT verification: Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Suggested fix See remediation guidance: https://alfa.siteimprove.com/rules/sia-r111 ### Example pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dementia-free-years-may-decrease-smoking-hypertension-diabetes --- ## All page content should be contained by landmarks (WCAG criterion undetermined) **Bug ID:** `VS-10655d5e` **Pattern ID:** `VS-f18df681` **URL:** https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline **XPath / selector:** `.usa-alert` **WCAG SC:** _undetermined_ **Rule:** axe-core — `region` ([reference](https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.12/region?application=axeAPI)) **Severity:** Moderate **Frequency:** 46 instances; 23 of 3333 pages affected **History:** first seen 2026-W25, last seen 2026-W37 (13 weeks) ### HTML snippet ```html

``` ### Description All page content should be contained by landmarks. Detected by axe-core rule region on 23 of 3333 scanned pages (46 instances). ### Steps to reproduce 1. Open https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline. 2. Locate the element: .usa-alert 3. Confirm the axe-core finding for rule region. ### Impact Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Affected pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/alcohol-related-deaths-increasing-nationwide - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dementia-free-years-may-decrease-smoking-hypertension-diabetes - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dna-organization-changes-alzheimers-disease-aging - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/slow-vaccine-delivery-improves-immune-response-hiv - https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/fogarty-international-center-fic - https://nih.gov/about-nih/nih-almanac/office-director-nih - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/study-reveals-brain-networks-critical-conversation - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lab-made-eye-cells-restore-vision-mice - https://www.nih.gov/brain-initiative/about/vision/brain-20-neuroethics-enabling-enhancing-neuroscience-advances-society - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-football-raises-risk-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy - https://nih.gov/brain/about/vision/brain-2025-scientific-vision - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/covid-19-immune-response-improves-months-after-vaccination - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/skin-test-detects-evidence-parkinsons-related-disorders - https://www.nih.gov//news-events/nih-research-matters/early-results-show-benefit-remdesivir-covid-19 - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/tracking-sars-cov-2-variants-wastewater - https://www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you/promotional-materials - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/spinal-cord-stimulation-improves-hand-grip-after-cervical-spinal-injury - https://nih.gov/nih-style-guide/age - https://nih.gov/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits/physical-wellness-toolkit/physical-wellness-toolkit-more-resources - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/infections-falls-increased-private-equity-owned-hospitals - https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/nih-almanac/leadership/nih-directors ### Testing environment Automated: axe-core, headless Chromium (Playwright). Manual AT verification: Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Suggested fix **How to fix:** Wrap all page content in landmarks (header, nav, main, footer) so users can navigate by region. See remediation guidance: https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.12/region?application=axeAPI ### Example pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/alcohol-related-deaths-increasing-nationwide --- ## Heading levels should only increase by one (WCAG criterion undetermined) **Bug ID:** `VS-bbac4e74` **Pattern ID:** `VS-d25f622d` **URL:** https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline **XPath / selector:** `.callout__text > h3` **WCAG SC:** _undetermined_ **Rule:** axe-core — `heading-order` ([reference](https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.12/heading-order?application=axeAPI)) **Severity:** Moderate **Frequency:** 19 instances; 19 of 3333 pages affected **History:** first seen 2026-W25, last seen 2026-W37 (11 weeks) ### HTML snippet ```html

At a Glance

``` ### Description Heading levels should only increase by one. Detected by axe-core rule heading-order on 19 of 3333 scanned pages (19 instances). ### Steps to reproduce 1. Open https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline. 2. Locate the element: .callout__text > h3 3. Confirm the axe-core finding for rule heading-order. ### Impact Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Affected pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/alcohol-related-deaths-increasing-nationwide - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dementia-free-years-may-decrease-smoking-hypertension-diabetes - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dna-organization-changes-alzheimers-disease-aging - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/slow-vaccine-delivery-improves-immune-response-hiv - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/study-reveals-brain-networks-critical-conversation - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lab-made-eye-cells-restore-vision-mice - https://www.nih.gov/brain-initiative/about/vision/brain-20-neuroethics-enabling-enhancing-neuroscience-advances-society - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-football-raises-risk-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy - https://nih.gov/brain/about/vision/brain-2025-scientific-vision - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/covid-19-immune-response-improves-months-after-vaccination - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/skin-test-detects-evidence-parkinsons-related-disorders - https://www.nih.gov//news-events/nih-research-matters/early-results-show-benefit-remdesivir-covid-19 - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/tracking-sars-cov-2-variants-wastewater - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/spinal-cord-stimulation-improves-hand-grip-after-cervical-spinal-injury - https://nih.gov/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits/physical-wellness-toolkit/physical-wellness-toolkit-more-resources - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/infections-falls-increased-private-equity-owned-hospitals - https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/nih-almanac/leadership/nih-directors ### Testing environment Automated: axe-core, headless Chromium (Playwright). Manual AT verification: Not captured by automated scan — requires manual testing. ### Suggested fix **How to fix:** Use heading levels in order (h1 → h2 → h3) without skipping; structure, not size. See remediation guidance: https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.12/heading-order?application=axeAPI ### Example pages - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline - https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/why-protective-antibodies-fade-after-covid-19-vaccines - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/alcohol-related-deaths-increasing-nationwide --- ## Landmarks should have a unique role or role/label/title (i.e. accessible name) c (WCAG criterion undetermined) **Bug ID:** `VS-654086d6` **Pattern ID:** `VS-8806389c` **URL:** https://nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/exercise-induced-protein-may-reverse-age-related-cognitive-decline **XPath / selector:** `#block-nih2-uswds-search` **WCAG SC:** _undetermined_ **Rule:** axe-core — `landmark-unique` ([reference](https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.12/landmark-unique?application=axeAPI)) **Severity:** Moderate **Frequency:** 15 instances; 15 of 3333 pages affected **History:** first seen 2026-W29, last seen 2026-W37 (9 weeks) ### HTML snippet ```html