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Good morning. A recent Gallup poll indicates that healthcare has regained its position as the top domestic concern for Americans. Can staying informed through the news help alleviate these worries? Read on and share your thoughts.
CDC Halts Testing for Rabies, Pox Viruses
The CDC has “temporarily paused” its diagnostic testing for rabies and pox viruses, according to a recent update on its website, initially reported by the New York Times. These tests are conducted by the CDC for state and local labs that lack the capacity to perform them themselves.
This development arises while the CDC is without a director, and staff have expressed frustration and mistrust toward Trump administration officials. Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for HHS, informed the Times that some tests might resume in the coming weeks, but did not specify which ones.
“This is an illustration of the ongoing loss of scientific expertise, which is difficult to recruit and replace,” said Deb Houry, a former chief medical officer at the CDC who resigned last summer, in a conversation with STAT’s Helen Branswell. “The resulting loss of capacity makes us all less secure against health threats.”
‘We Had Some Difficulty Here Due to Actions Before I Assumed Office’
These words were spoken by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary while addressing agency staff on the anniversary of his first day in office. It also marked another significant date: the anniversary of the Trump administration’s layoff of 10,000 HHS employees, including 3,500 from the FDA. Despite this, as reported by STAT’s Lizzy Lawrence, workplace instability has persisted at the FDA under Makary. Read more about his speech, including notable omissions.
When Medical Misinformation Prevails
A recent survey reveals that over half of doctors feel that misinformation is impairing their ability to care for patients, with nearly nine out of ten believing it has increased over the past five years. Ilana Yurkiewicz, a physician, has witnessed this firsthand, encountering patients who present internet-based theories, “cures,” and wellness trends. She employs strategies to debunk certain claims and communicate effectively with patients, but these rely on direct patient interaction.
“It’s not coincidental that medical misinformation is most damaging as access to healthcare professionals has diminished nationwide,” Yurkiewicz writes in a new First Opinion essay. Discover how patients are vulnerable when the internet outpaces access to doctors.
Challenge Your Skills at Distinguishing Real and AI X-Rays
A recent study assessed whether a small group of radiologists could differentiate between AI-generated X-rays and real ones. The findings were intriguing, albeit somewhat concerning—doctors correctly identified the genuine images from deepfakes about 75% of the time. STAT’s Katie Palmer, who reported on the study last week, took the same quiz and achieved similar results.
In the latest STATus Report video, Katie explains to Alex how she matched the experts in distinguishing these images, attributing it to noise and consistency within the images. Watch the video to test your own skills alongside Alex, who may have outperformed everyone.
Exploring an Antidepressant for Meth Use
Lev Facher’s War on Recovery series highlighted that, while lifesaving medications for opioid addiction exist, access is severely limited. For methamphetamine use disorder, no such drugs are available. However, a study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that an existing drug might offer some relief.
The study showed that participants taking the oral antidepressant mirtazapine used meth less frequently than those in the placebo group. Among nearly 350 participants who used meth almost daily in the prior month, those on the antidepressant reduced their usage by an average of seven days per month after 12 weeks. The placebo group saw a reduction of 4.8 days per month.
Despite the small study size and modest drug effect, researchers are encouraged by the results. It’s notable, though, that 23% of participants discontinued mirtazapine due to side effects like drowsiness or weight gain, compared to 15% in the placebo group.
What We’re Reading
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Delays in US visa processing disrupt the lives of foreign doctors, Politico
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A family chooses to have their stomachs removed, Atlantic
- A government watchdog urges the FDA to finalize guidance on advisory committee conflicts of interest, STAT
- Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act threatens the future of government-backed clinics, KFF Health News
- The Workup: Cardiology is finally prioritizing prevention — but what form will it take? STAT
