Get your daily dose of health and medicine every weekday with STAT’s free newsletter Morning Rounds. Sign up here.
Good morning. Here’s your chance to express your preference between “health care” and “healthcare.” Nearly 100 readers have shared their thoughts so far!
American baby formula is safe, per FDA test results
According to recent FDA contamination testing, 312 samples from 16 different brands of infant formula in the U.S. have been confirmed safe. The tests screened for contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, and PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals.”
This safety check was initiated under the Biden administration, but last year, the Trump administration introduced Operation Stork Speed, a broader initiative to assess and enhance the infant formula supply in the U.S. For more details, see STAT’s report by Sarah Todd.
Will Medicaid work requirements work this time?
Nebraska is set to become the first state to implement Medicaid work requirements as outlined in last year’s GOP tax bill. This has drawn significant attention.
The tax bill, which passed without Democratic support, mandates that most Medicaid recipients regularly verify their employment or educational status. Experts warn that this added bureaucracy could lead to as many as 25,000 Nebraskans losing Medicaid coverage starting Friday.
Confusion remains about the implementation process. An analyst mentioned to the AP that the state only recently released a 295-page document detailing which medical conditions exempt individuals from this requirement.
While similar initiatives have generally not succeeded in the past, stakeholders are keenly observing Nebraska’s approach. This will serve as a trial run ahead of the federal deadline eight months from now.
For insights on how other states plan to implement these policies, consult a survey by KFF of state medical directors. Additionally, read John Wilkerson’s analysis from Tuesday on the critical issues surrounding these work requirements. — O. Rose Broderick
Currently, obesity medications are often prescribed based solely on body mass index (BMI), a metric with recognized flaws. A new study in Nature Medicine proposes a tool that better identifies those at risk for 18 obesity-related complications by considering BMI alongside factors like family history, diet, current health, and socio-economic data from medical records.
Experts have praised the ambition to predict significant health issues, though opinions vary on the tool’s potential impact. STAT’s Elizabeth Cooney offers more insights into the study.
Researchers face narrowing odds for NIH funds
Since the second Trump administration began last year, researchers have faced NIH grant delays and terminations, hiring freezes, and layoffs. As of 2026, the situation remains dire, with success rates for NIH grant applications hitting record lows. This has forced researchers to allocate more time to writing proposals, seeking alternative funding, or even leaving the field of science entirely.
In a recent STAT survey, one in five researchers reported experiencing fear, uncertainty, low morale, or stress due to reduced federal funding. Erin Ingvalson, a speech perception researcher, shared, “I have done nothing wrong. I have done good science. It is recognized by my peers. I am proud of the work that I have done. It may come to an end, but it’s not my fault.” Explore more about the state of funding in STAT’s report.
Smog from wildfires increasingly harmful, data show
While most research on wildfire smoke has focused on fine particulate matter, ground-level ozone, which generally poses a lower mortality risk, is becoming a more significant concern. A new study in Science Advances indicates that deaths linked to ozone from wildfire smoke have risen over the past two decades.
From 2006 to 2023, smoke-derived ozone was responsible for an estimated 2,045 excess deaths per year. It accounted for about 6% of ozone-related deaths, with other sources like vehicles and power plants being the primary causes. However, by 2023, wildfires accounted for 26% of ozone-related deaths.
Individuals are typically exposed to wildfire ozone and particulate matter at different times and locations. The study found that in 2023, ozone-related deaths from wildfires were about two-thirds as numerous as those from smoke particulate matter. Researchers advocate for better risk assessment and warning systems given the ongoing fire pollution.
Fact check: Do international residents take slots from Americans?
Last month, the residency match program for medical students was the largest in 74 years. In its wake, claims have emerged online suggesting that international graduates are taking slots from American graduates. A recent First Opinion essay by three medical training program leaders debunks this notion with data.
The American Medical Association reports that the match rate for U.S. medical students has remained steady at 92% to 95% over the past 40 years. This year, 56% of international students without U.S. citizenship or residency matched, which is lower than usual, despite a significant increase in international applications over the last four years. For further details, see the full analysis.
What we’re reading
-
These tests claim to tell your ‘biological age.’ Why the science isn’t there yet, Washington Post
-
Push for raw milk intensifies across the US, despite illness outbreaks and scientists’ warnings, AP
- First Opinion: Congress must hold RFK Jr. accountable after hearings, STAT
- The Trump team is quietly eliminating U.S. support for birth control abroad, NPR
- How AI could help combat antibiotic resistance, Wired
