Public health journal issues rallying cry on ultra-processed foods
The all-star lineup of ultra-processed food researchers who teamed up on a new special edition of the American Journal of Public Health have an overarching message for policymakers: “Do policy!” That directive, offered by food politics scholar Marion Nestle during a press call ahead of the issue’s release, is accompanied by new polling that shows […]
The U.S. military medical corps needs a new approach to recruitment
The war in Iran has done what years of policy papers could not. It has forced an honest reckoning with American military readiness. While commentators focus on vulnerabilities in industrial capacity and weapons procurement, they consistently omit a critical dimension of readiness: the uniformed medical and technical workforce that makes sustained military operations possible. Across […]
White House gutted pandemic preparation plans. Then came Ebola
Daniel covers the intersection of the health industry and the federal government. He reports on corporate influence in government, the health consequences of federal policies, and the politics of health care. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at danielp.100. WASHINGTON — In January 2025, with the Covid-19 pandemic still top of mind, the Biden […]
An ASCO preview: What to watch for at cancer research’s big meeting
Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54. This is the online version […]
How pharma companies use ‘innovation’ to abuse patent system
Sen. John Cornyn: How many patents do you [have?]AbbVie CEO Richard Gonzalez: … A hundred and thirty-six patents.Cornyn: A hundred and thirty-six patents on one drug?Gonzalez: But, well, remember, Humira is like nine different drugs, or 10 different drugs. So —Cornyn: I thought you said to Sen. [Debbie] Stabenow it was the samemolecule.Gonzalez: It is […]
The rise of perimenopause misinformation
Below is a lightly edited, AI-generated transcript of the “First Opinion Podcast” interview with Patricia Bencivenga and Adriane Fugh-Berman. Be sure to sign up for the weekly “First Opinion Podcast” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Get alerts about each new episode by signing up for the “First Opinion Podcast” newsletter. And don’t […]
Longevity startup Retro Biosciences says latest fundraise values it at $1.8 billion
Allison covers what hot startups are getting up to, and who’s financing them. She is also co-host of the weekly biotech podcast, “The Readout Loud.” You can reach Allison on Signal at AllisonDeAngelis.01. Retro Biosciences, the longevity startup backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has raised more money at a $1.8 billion valuation, it announced […]
Senate Democrats push for first new Medicare benefit in decades| STAT
WASHINGTON — A group of Senate Democrats is proposing that Medicare cover in-home care, which would create the first new benefit in the program since the Part D retail drug benefit more than 20 years ago. The long-term care proposal is the final piece of a three-part health care plan that senators, led by Ron […]
‘Patient autonomy’ is wrong way to think about childhood vaccine policy
The Trump administration has made sweeping changes to vaccine policy over the past year justified by invocations of patients’ “personal autonomy.” In January, Department of Health and Human Services head Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump’s slashed the number of routinely recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11 after an HHS report emphasized “personal autonomy and […]
Why longevity ‘blue zones’ are a mixed bag
Below is a lightly edited, AI-generated transcript of the “First Opinion Podcast” interview with Shelley Wood and Eric Topol. Be sure to sign up for the weekly “First Opinion Podcast” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Get alerts about each new episode by signing up for the “First Opinion Podcast” newsletter. And don’t […]