2025 was a monumental year for us at STAT as we celebrated our 10th anniversary amidst a whirlwind of news and groundbreaking stories. From accidentally receiving internal strategy documents from a major health insurer to uncovering the impact of the Trump administration on health and medicine, our coverage spanned a wide array of topics that captivated our readers.
One of our standout series was “American Science, Shattered,” a 10-part exploration of the turmoil in academia and government-funded research under the Trump administration. We delved into the mysterious bruise on President Trump’s hand and questioned the necessity of an MRI for a 79-year-old man. Our in-depth profiles of key figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Mehmet Oz, Jay Bhattacharya, and Marty Makary shed light on their roles in shaping health policy in the country.
The Make America Healthy Again movement, spearheaded by Kennedy, turned one year old in 2025, prompting us to analyze its progress and potential impact on chronic disease issues. We journeyed to Texas and Slovenia to gauge public sentiment towards healthcare and alternative medicine practices.
A major highlight of the year was our investigation into the rise and fall of Moderna, a biotech company lauded for its Covid-19 vaccine but besieged by challenges and controversies. We debunked myths surrounding mRNA technology and vaccines, including the baseless claim that vaccines cause autism.
In the biotech and pharma sector, Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro emerged as the world’s best-selling medicines, while FDA rejections sent shockwaves through the industry. Boston retained its status as the biotech capital, but the rise of Chinese biotech loomed large over the global landscape.
Our coverage extended to trends and highlights in health, science, and medicine, from Covid-19 developments to groundbreaking discoveries in cancer treatment and neuroscience. We honored emerging scientists through our STATus List and Wunderkinds awards, and engaged our audience through events like STAT Madness and the STATus Report video series.
As we bid farewell to notable figures like James Watson, whose legacy was marred by controversy, we reflected on their contributions to the scientific community. Despite the challenges of the past year, we remain committed to delivering insightful and impactful journalism that informs and inspires our readers.
2025 was a year of growth, resilience, and innovation for STAT, and we look forward to continuing our mission of exploring the frontiers of health and science in the years to come.
