Life

Health, science, climate, and society-focused reporting.

Briefing: Heart failure is common. A quick MRI could improve diagnosis and guide treatment

Strategic angle: A new MRI method measures cardiac oxygen use in three minutes without catheters or radiation, offering a simpler way to study heart failure and metabolism.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Life

Briefing: STAT+: A 2023 health AI bet that seems to be paying off

Strategic angle: In this edition of STAT's AI Prognosis: A chat with Qualified Health co-founder and CEO, Justin Norden, as the company raises $125 million.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Life

Briefing: Sarepta Therapeutics shares rise on early promise for rare disease drugs

Strategic angle: Sarepta Therapeutics’ next crop of medicines for muscular dystrophy appear to be safe and effective in early clinical trials, the company said.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Life

Briefing: More frequent ejaculation may improve male fertility, study suggests

Strategic angle: The study suggests that regular ejaculation could give male fertility 'a small but meaningful boost' - and that even a few days’ delay could matter for IVF success.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Life

Briefing: Deaths and Health Care Issues in ICE Detention Centers Under the Second Trump Administration

Strategic angle: An overview of deaths in ICE custody and health care issues during the Trump administration.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Life

Briefing: STAT+: Eli Lilly and the ‘societal obligation’ of GLP-1s

Strategic angle: Eli Lilly discusses the 'societal obligation' of GLP-1s amidst other biotech news.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Life

Briefing: Merck to Acquire Terns Pharmaceuticals for $6.7 Billion

Strategic angle: The acquisition aims to enhance Merck's portfolio with a promising leukemia treatment.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Life

Briefing: How to make emergency rooms safer for people with dementia

Strategic angle: A federal vaccine adviser departs ACIP, adults turn to AI chatbots for health info, and radiologists sift through deepfake X-rays.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Life

Briefing: Federal vaccine adviser departs ACIP

Strategic angle: Robert Malone, an outspoken doctor and ally of RFK Jr., is stepping away from a panel of federal vaccine advisers after a federal judge blocked the panel’s work.

Editorial Staff Mar 24

Life

Briefing: The Status of Abortion-related State Ballot Initiatives Since Dobbs

Strategic angle: Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, voters in 17 states have weighed in on ballot measures regarding abortion.

Editorial Staff Mar 24

Life

Briefing: Opinion: We’re launching a new CMS pilot program to help children with complex conditions

Strategic angle: CMS aims to transform fragmented care into a cohesive system for children with complex health needs.

Editorial Staff Mar 24

Life

Briefing: FTC Strikes Proposed Deal with CVS Over Insulin Price Manipulation

Strategic angle: Settlement expected to save Americans up to $7 billion in out-of-pocket costs over the next decade.

Editorial Staff Mar 24

Life

Briefing: Drug company penalties for paying kickbacks to doctors failed to dent bottom lines, analysis finds

Strategic angle: An analysis reveals that drugmakers penalized for kickbacks paid only a small fraction of their U.S. revenue from the drugs involved.

Editorial Staff Mar 24

Life

Briefing: FDA slams Soon-Shiong and ImmunityBio for making ‘false and misleading’ claims about a drug

Strategic angle: Patrick Soon-Shiong, a controversial figure in the biotech industry, was accused by the FDA of making false and misleading claims about a cancer treatment.

Editorial Staff Mar 24

Life

Briefing: STAT+: How will Trump handle the CDC and ACIP?

Strategic angle: Trump's decisions serve as a test of how much sway RFK Jr.'s MAHA movement still has in the White House.

Editorial Staff Mar 24

Life

Briefing: Claims Denials and Appeals in ACA Marketplace Plans in 2024

Strategic angle: An analysis of claims denials and appeals reveals significant challenges for consumers in the ACA Marketplace.

Editorial Staff Mar 24

Life

Briefing: Can you spot a deepfake X-ray? Neither can your radiologist

Strategic angle: Deepfake images can mislead viewers, upend elections, and instigate violence. They can also, researchers say, disrupt medical care.

Editorial Staff Mar 24

Life

Briefing: Buzzy AI doctor startup raises funds, will meet FDA

Strategic angle: In this edition of STAT Health Tech: AI doctor startup raises fresh capital, and what Medicare chief Chris Klomp said at STAT Summit.

Editorial Staff Mar 24

Life

Briefing: What to Know About the BALANCE Model for GLP-1s in Medicare and Medicaid

Strategic angle: This brief describes current coverage of GLP-1s in Medicare and Medicaid, and CMS's efforts to expand access and lower costs through the BALANCE model.

Editorial Staff Mar 24

Life

Briefing: Gilead to acquire immunology biotech, offers lifeline to Galapagos

Strategic angle: In today's Readout newsletter: Gilead to acquire an immunology biotech and Merck partners with Flagship company on IBD targets.

Editorial Staff Mar 24