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Good morning. I recently watched an intense episode of “The Vampire Diaries” where ghostly hallucinations try to persuade a teenage vampire to take her own life with compelling arguments. In the end, she is saved. Though this episode aired over a decade ago, I noticed striking similarities to today’s discussions on AI chatbots and mental health crises.
STAT’s Mario Aguilar engaged in a noteworthy dialogue on chatbot safety with Google’s clinical director. Continue reading below for more insights.
The Trump Administration’s Stance on Harm Reduction
Newly revealed documents indicate that the Trump administration is intensifying its opposition to harm reduction services for individuals using illicit drugs, as reported by STAT’s Lev Facher. Recently, SAMHSA issued an open letter warning grant recipients against using federal funds for harm reduction supplies like sterile syringes, pipes, or test strips. Another letter on the same day cautioned against utilizing certain addiction medications without support services.
The agency highlighted a strategic move by the Trump administration away from harm reduction practices, labeling them as incompatible with federal law. Learn more about this shift and its alignment with addiction treatment evidence from Lev’s report.
Insights into Public Trust in Science
Two recent reports provide intriguing insights into public attitudes toward science:
The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals that 70% of surveyed individuals across 16 countries believe at least one of six divisive or inaccurate health claims regarding food, vaccines, or medicine. This belief is consistent irrespective of education level, demographics, or political affiliations. Additionally, the survey highlights a decline in confidence among people to make informed health decisions or find accurate health information.
Meanwhile, a survey released by the Annenberg Public Policy Center indicates that nearly 70% of Americans trust vaccine scientists to act in the public’s best interest, a trust level similar to that for medical scientists and the broader scientific community. This trust surpasses that for journalists (49%) and elected officials (36%).
Anticipating the Impact of New Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendations
At the end of the previous year, the Trump administration introduced a policy to delay hepatitis B vaccinations for most infants, reversing a 30-year practice that significantly reduced disease cases. Recent research predicts that this policy change will result in more infections among babies, increased chronic infections in children, and millions in additional healthcare costs.
The studies exemplify the type of research typically reviewed by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which was recently restructured with political appointees. Infectious disease epidemiologist Arthur Reingold stated to STAT’s Helen Branswell, “And there’s simply not a shred of evidence that there are any adverse effects or safety concerns” with the vaccine. Discover more about the potential implications of this policy change.
Google’s Clinical Director Discusses AI and Mental Health
Following a lawsuit claiming a man was influenced by Google’s Gemini chatbot to commit suicide, the company has announced updates to its app, enhancing visibility of crisis hotline connections when self-harm risks are detected. Google clinical director Megan Jones Bell emphasized the importance of leveraging AI to assist those in mental health crises, as discussed with STAT’s Mario Aguilar.
Jones Bell noted, “It can seem sometimes like shutting something down is a way of preventing harm,” adding that “psychologically, it could do more harm than good.” She explained that Google is improving its ability to identify and respond to indirect mental health distress signals. Learn more about how Google is working to make its Gemini app safer in crisis scenarios.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Preliminary Findings on a Potential Preeclampsia Treatment
Preeclampsia affects about 4% of U.S. pregnancies, causing high blood pressure that poses serious risks to both mother and child. While aspirin can reduce some risks, delivery is often the only cure. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have developed a method to safely prolong pregnancies affected by severe preeclampsia, publishing promising pilot trial results in Nature Medicine.
The approach is likened to kidney dialysis, focusing on removing excess sFIt-1 protein from patients’ blood using a blood-filtering device. Among 16 patients, pregnancies were extended by an average of 10 days. Larger trials are necessary, but the research team, some with a financial interest in the project, found the results encouraging.
Seizing a Rare Chance to Address a Major Health Challenge
Earlier this month, the EPA proposed a rule to officially recognize microplastics and pharmaceuticals in drinking water as significant threats requiring federal attention. This marks a significant achievement for the MAHA coalition in environmental issues, yet more work is needed before binding limits can be established.
A former congressman, along with a policymaker and adviser, writes in a new First Opinion essay, “This could be the start of serious action on microplastics,” adding, “Or it could end up as a headline — designed to woo MAHA voters — with little behind it.” They note that as the MAHA coalition continues to focus on environmental concerns about plastic, a rare bipartisan consensus is emerging. Explore more on how they believe politicians can leverage this opportunity.
(On a related note, the Supreme Court appeared divided yesterday over whether to halt thousands of lawsuits against the maker of the weedkiller Roundup, accused of failing to warn users of cancer risks. The AP provides further details on this case.)
Reading List
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FDA may finally make it illegal to shock autistic kids as punishment, Mother Jones
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Measles surge in South Carolina ends after sickening nearly 1,000, New York Times
- Dems say RFK Jr. has a pattern of failing to answer their questions, STAT
- Trump and Congress cut funding for Planned Parenthood. Can Botox keep it afloat? NPR
- A giant question looms over GOP’s new Medicaid work requirements, STAT
