STAT’s Entertaining New Video Series
If you haven’t had a chance to watch STAT’s latest weekly video series hosted by multimedia expert Alex Hogan, you’re missing out. In the most recent video, Alex delves into the intriguing story of Semler Scientific, a medical device company that made a surprising shift towards bitcoin. Be sure to watch the video for a clear explanation of their decision. But the real treat comes when the reporting team is transformed into Ghibli characters by an unexpected AI-generated cartoon rendering.
Wellness Companies Embrace the MAHA Movement
Under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., wellness entrepreneurs are gaining prominence, aligning themselves with the Make America Healthy Again movement. These companies are revolutionizing the healthcare system by offering cash-based services, such as consultations, lab tests, and imaging, bypassing the traditional insurance model. Despite operating outside the norm, they maintain credibility by employing licensed providers to write prescriptions and provide medical insights based on test results.
Popular among bodybuilders and biohackers, the treatments and tests offered by these companies, such as peptides, full-body MRI scans, stem cells, and chelating drugs, are becoming more mainstream. With the advent of telehealth platforms, these services are now more accessible than ever. However, experts in health policy and safety caution that patients may be at risk of being sold unproven products under the guise of medical legitimacy. For an in-depth look at the claims made by these companies and the potential risks they pose to patients, check out the analysis by STAT’s Katie Palmer.
Trump Administration’s Stance on ‘Gold Standard Science’
Michael Kratsios, the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, has defended the administration’s recent executive order advocating for a return to “gold standard science.” This move aims to address concerns about reproducibility and transparency in scientific research, which Kratsios believes have hindered progress. However, critics argue that the order could allow political interference in evidence-based policy decisions.
In response to these criticisms, Kratsios penned an editorial in the journal Science, emphasizing the importance of upholding scientific integrity and combatting politicization within the research community. Despite skepticism surrounding the administration’s motives, Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the Science family of journals, asserts that supporting research and maintaining accountability are not mutually exclusive.
Public Support for Vaccination Requirements
A recent poll conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the de Beaumont Foundation revealed that 79% of U.S. adults believe parents should be mandated to vaccinate their children against preventable diseases in order to attend school. Even among supporters of the “Make America Great Again” movement and Republicans, the majority expressed support for vaccination requirements. These findings come amidst a measles outbreak that has prompted discussions on vaccine policies.
As the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices convenes to address these issues, concerns have been raised about potential changes in vaccine recommendations. If vaccines are removed from the recommended list, health insurers may no longer be obligated to cover them, posing a challenge to public health efforts. The ongoing developments in vaccine policy underscore the need for a comprehensive and informed approach to immunization.
Reconciliation Between Bhattacharya and Collins
At the Aspen Ideas: Health conference, National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya revealed that he has reconciled with Francis Collins following their disagreements over pandemic response strategies. Bhattacharya, known for his opposition to widespread lockdowns, co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, which clashed with Collins’ views on containment measures. Despite their past differences, Bhattacharya emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing research and supporting innovative ideas.
During his address, Bhattacharya outlined his vision for addressing chronic diseases, promoting research reproducibility, and prioritizing funding for young investigators with groundbreaking proposals. These efforts come at a time when NIH is facing budget cuts proposed by the current administration, highlighting the need for sustained investment in scientific research.
Challenges in Addressing Elder Abuse
The US Preventative Services Task Force recently released a statement highlighting the lack of evidence surrounding screening for intimate partner violence and caregiver abuse of older or vulnerable adults. While the task force supports screening for intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age, the data on elder abuse remains insufficient to make conclusive recommendations. With an aging population and limited research on effective screening methods and interventions, the gaps in elder abuse prevention are cause for concern.
Physician and researcher Melissa Simon underscores the urgent need for increased investment and innovation in addressing intimate partner violence and elder abuse, which she describes as public health emergencies. The lack of progress in this area reflects a broader failure to prioritize research, support victims, and allocate resources towards prevention efforts.
Addressing Disparities in Medical Care
Dr. Candice Mazon explores the disparities in healthcare access and treatment for transgender individuals in a thought-provoking essay. Drawing attention to the differential treatment of cisgender and transgender patients seeking hormone replacement therapy, she highlights the discriminatory practices that persist in the healthcare system. The recent Supreme Court ruling further complicates the landscape of gender-affirming care, underscoring the need for greater compassion and understanding in medical decision-making.
As the healthcare industry grapples with systemic biases and barriers to inclusive care, Dr. Mazon calls for a reevaluation of existing norms and a commitment to equitable treatment for all patients, regardless of their gender identity.
Recommended Reads
- She hoped key research could help save her eyesight. Then the Trump funding cuts came – NPR
- Evictions are harmful to Black mothers’ health, their families and their communities – The 19th
- Exclusive: Top FDA drug regulator tells staff much is still in flux, as she prepares to retire – STAT
- ‘We need to keep fighting’: HIV activists organize to save lives as Trump guts funding – KFF Health News
- First Opinion: Maybe the teen mental health crisis is actually a sleep crisis – STAT
