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Good morning. Here’s a story you don’t want to miss: Inside Moderna and Merck’s cancer vaccine triumph.
New insights into RFK Jr.’s vaccine strategy
In less than two weeks following President Trump’s signing of an executive order that questions the childhood vaccination schedule, the administration has released a request for information. This request, issued on Friday, invites public input on a broad array of vaccine topics, providing a 30-day window for comments.
Key considerations include whether to introduce new categories within the vaccine framework, which currently encompasses universal guidelines, recommendations for specific risk groups, and those based on shared clinical decision-making. Read more from STAT’s Chelsea Cirruzzo about ongoing efforts to modify vaccination protocols for children in the U.S.
12% Reduction
Soda purchases among SNAP recipients in 10 states have decreased by 12% following the imposition of new restrictions, as revealed by a recent study. This reduction equates to an individual consuming around 34 fewer 12-ounce soda cans annually. Although notable, experts remain uncertain about the efficacy of this approach. Furthermore, there is a significant caveat concerning alternative beverages being purchased instead. Read more from STAT’s Sarah Todd for the full details.
FDA’s approach to generative AI regulation
The FDA has announced plans to develop regulatory measures for medical devices utilizing generative artificial intelligence, as reported by STAT’s Mario Aguilar.
“The ecosystem is expecting clarity,” stated Rick Abramson, director of the agency’s Digital Health Center of Excellence, to Mario. “We aim to provide that clarity, and I’ll also mention that the ecosystem can expect not only broad guidance on generative AI but also more specific guidance on particular topics of special interest or complexity.” Explore more on the agency’s planned strategy.
Shortage of supervisors for nurse practitioners
As our health care system faces challenges, nurse practitioners are in a prime position to address some of the gaps. They can perform many of the same tasks as doctors after earning a master’s degree and completing at least 500 hours of supervised clinical work. However, Colleen Connolly from The Hechinger Report highlights a critical bottleneck in this process.
The shortage of supervisors, or preceptors, willing to train students for these 500 hours is notable. While accredited schools are obligated to either provide clinical placements or assist students in finding them, many do only the minimum required, leaving students to navigate this alone. Preceptors usually do not receive compensation, but it is becoming increasingly common for students to pay for their training hours. Read more from Connolly on this complex issue.
Shaking hands, gaining insights
This morning, we present two heartfelt First Opinion essays from doctors reflecting on their medical practice experiences:
During a recent emergency room shift, Zain Khawaja encountered a patient with a possible cancer-related emergency. Her life stood on the brink of upheaval. Upon entering the room, Khawaja shook hands with the patient and her family. “The handshake did not change her diagnosis,” Khawaja reflects. “But it seemed to remind her (and me) that she was not merely the patient in the room with the concerning test results. She was a person experiencing one of the most frightening days of her life.” Read more.
Cardiologist Benjamin I. Lee, who retired from medicine four years ago, found himself missing his medical practice. He began volunteering at a community clinic, where he discovered there was still much to learn despite his extensive private practice experience. “It was only after retiring from mainstream medicine when I fully comprehended the callous limitations of our health care system and how it impacts the most vulnerable among us,” he wrote. Read more.
What we’re reading
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9 vulnerable moments in the life of a bagged salad, New York Times
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Reggie Watts is a prominent ketamine advocate. Was it his ex’s ‘undoing’? Rolling Stone
- Medicaid transgender care rule sets precedent that could restrict coverage of other drugs, STAT
- AI chatbots are becoming experts at changing people’s minds. What gives them an edge? Science
