Explore every episode of the podcast Healthy Dialogue

Medicaid provides health insurance for 1 in 5 Americans and plays a crucial role in US health care infrastructure. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is estimated to cut Medicaid spending by nearly $1 trillion by 2034 and cause millions of enrollees to lose coverage. In this episode of Healthy Dialogue, Julie Donohue, PhD, professor and chair of health policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh, breaks down what Medicaid is, who it covers, and how proposed cuts in the OBBBA could have far-reaching effects on patients, clinicians, hospitals and communities.

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• Everyone Will Feel the $1 Trillion Cut in Medicaid

GLP-1 receptor agonists are one of the most revolutionary new classes of drugs in decades. In this episode of Healthy Dialogue, host Derek C. Angus, MD, MPH, sat down with Jens Juul Holst, MD, DMSc, and Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, DMSc, 2 pioneering scientists behind the discovery and development of GLP-1 RAs. Together, they traced the fascinating origin story of GLP-1 RAs and offered their thoughts on what comes next.

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• GLP-1s—From Gut Hormone Discovery to a Public Health Revolution

The United States has witnessed a staggering rise in obesity beginning in the early 1980s, leading to a wide array of important health consequences including heart disease, diabetes, and premature death. In this episode of Healthy Dialogue, Host Derek C. Angus, MD, MPH, talks with Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, Paulette Goddard Professor Emerita at New York University and influential author on food politics, for a candid conversation about how society became ensnared in the current obesity epidemic and what might untangle it.

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• Food Politics, Obesity, and the "Wicked Mess" We Are In

This episode of Healthy Dialogue explores the history and future of science funding in the US in light of recent changes, and proposed changes, from the federal government. Host Derek Angus, MD, MPH, speaks with former editor in chief of Science and a former director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at the NIH, Jeremy Berg, PhD.

Related Content:

• Why and How Should the Government Fund Biomedical Research?

In this episode of Healthy Dialogue, host Derek Angus, MD, MPH sits down with Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH, to discuss whether social media use disorder is a real phenomenon, the mechanisms behind it, and its consequences for young people.

Related Content:

• Social Media Use by Children—Wonderful, Hazardous, or Something in Between?

A growing number of young adults are being diagnosed with cancer, particularly colorectal cancer, but the underlying cause remains unclear. In this episode of Healthy Dialogue, Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH, and Ilana Richman, MD, MHS, discuss the increase in cases, potential causes, diagnostics, treatment, and more.

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• Unpacking the Rise in Early-Onset Cancer

Private equity investment continues to expand across US health care. Current estimates put private equity ownership at almost 10% of hospitals and more than one-fifth of for-profit hospitals nationwide. In this episode of Healthy Dialogue, Sneha Kannan, MD, MS, assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, joins host Derek C. Angus, MD, MPH, to discuss the complex role of private equity in health care and what it means for clinicians and patients.

Related Content:

• Private Equity's Growing Presence in Health Care—Promise or Peril?

Dementia affects millions of people globally, causing profound memory loss and cognitive impairment and compromising the ability to function independently in day-to-day life. In this episode of Healthy Dialogue, host Derek C. Angus, MD, MPH, sat down with Gil Rabinovici, MD, a neurologist and director of the UCSF Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, to discuss the latest developments in dementia and Alzheimer disease research.

Related Content:

• A New Era in Dementia—Advances in Diagnostic Blood Tests, Novel Drugs, and the Power of Lifestyle Changes

The rise in use and function of ambient AI scribes is arguably one of the fastest technologic changes ever seen in health care. In this episode of Healthy Dialogue, host Derek Angus, MD, MPH, is joined by Vincent Liu, MD, MS, Chief Data Officer of The Permanente Medical Group in Kaiser Permanente, to discuss the rapidly changing world of ambient AI.

Related Content:

• Ambient AI Scribes and the Quintuple Aim
• Changes in Clinician Time Expenditure and Visit Quantity With Adoption of Artificial Intelligence–Powered Scribes
• AI Scribes Are Here, but Is Health Care Ready?

What is behind the rise in autism diagnoses? Join Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, MD, professor of developmental neuropsychiatry at Columbia University, and JAMA Psychiatry Editor Dost Öngür, MD, PhD, as they discuss the history of autism spectrum disorder, the role that genetics and environmental factors play, the importance of early intervention in treatment, and more with JAMA Senior Editor Derek Angus, MD, MPH.

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• Autism—Understanding Diagnosis, Prevalence, and Treatment

Go beyond the latest discoveries with nuanced, in-depth conversations in Healthy Dialogue, a podcast from the JAMA Network. Host and JAMA Senior Editor, Derek C. Angus, MD, MPH, sits down with the world's leading experts to explore the most pressing issues in health and health care.

In this episode, JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, and Medical News Director Jennifer Abbasi discuss the journal's inaugural Research of the Year roundup.

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• Research of the Year 2025

SOFA-2, validated in more than 3 million intensive care unit (ICU) patients, incorporates contemporary organ support treatments, showing strong predictive validity for ICU mortality in diverse international settings. Coauthor Mervyn Singer, MD, joins JAMA Associate Editor Christopher W. Seymour, MD, MSc, to discuss.

Related Content:

• Rationale and Methodological Approach Underlying the Development of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)–2 Score
• Development and Validation of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)-2 Score
• A Revision to Organ Failure Assessment in Critically Ill Patients

Epidemiologist Brian Lee, PhD, discusses his study on acetaminophen use during pregnancy and children's risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in this interview with JAMA Deputy Editor Linda Brubaker, MD.

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• Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy—Study Author Explains the Data

Delaying diagnosis of parkinsonism can mean delaying care. In a study recently published in JAMA Neurology, David Vaillancourt, PhD, and colleagues tested the ability of an AI model to differentiate between Parkinson disease and other neurodegenerative disorders when paired with MRI. He joins JAMA and JAMA+ AI Associate Editor Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH to discuss.

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• A Large Proportion of Parkinson Disease Diagnoses Are Wrong—Here's How AI Could Help
• Automated Imaging Differentiation for Parkinsonism

Dalbavancin, a long-acting IV lipoglycopeptide, may be an option for the treatment of complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia without requiring long-term IV access. Author Thomas L. Holland, MD, MSc, from Duke University School of Medicine discusses key points of the DOTS randomized clinical trial and more with JAMA Deputy Editor Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ.

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• Dalbavancin for Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia
• Management of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia

Interview with Sameer Jauhar, PhD, author of Incidence and Nature of Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Hosted by John Torous, MD.

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• Incidence and Nature of Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms

Interview with Dennis J. Rivet II, MD, author of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Hosted by Cynthia E. Armand, MD.

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• GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Nationwide data are unavailable regarding changes in intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes over the past 10 years, limiting understanding of practice changes. Authors Emily Moin, MD, MBE, and Scott D. Halpern, MD, PhD, MBE, of the University of Pennsylvania join JAMA Associate Editor Christopher W. Seymour, MD, MSc, to discuss how ICU care and outcomes have changed in the US over the past decade.

Related Content:

• Use of Life Support and Outcomes Among Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units

The incidence of invasive group A streptococcal infections has risen in the US. Similar observations have been reported in other parts of the world. Authors Joshua Osowicki, MBBS, PhD, of Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Theresa L. Lamagni, MSc, PhD, of the United Kingdom Health Security Agency join JAMA Deputy Editor Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, to discuss the public health challenge posed by group A strep.

Related Content:

• Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease in the US
• Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections in 10 US States

Less than 20% of patients eligible for lung cancer screening get screened in the US. A recent study examined whether adults eligible for lung cancer screening engage in screening for other types of cancer. Coauthor Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang, MD, of Harvard Medical School joins JAMA Deputy Editor Tracy Lieu, MD, to discuss.

Related Content:

• Preventive Health Care Use Among Adults Eligible for Lung Cancer Screening in the US

Despite increased participation in US long-distance running races, cardiac arrest incidence remains stable. Authors Jonathan Kim, MD, MSc, of Emory University, and Aaron Baggish, MD, of the University of Lausanne Switzerland, discuss the RACER 2 study and compare results with initial findings published in the RACER 1 study from 13 years ago, with JAMA Associate Editor Gregory Marcus, MD, MAS.

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• Cardiac Arrest During Long-Distance Running Races

ARDS, which is characterized by hypoxemic respiratory failure and inflammatory injury to the lungs, has a mortality rate of 30% to 40%. Balasubramanian Venkatesh, MD, of the George Institute for Global Health joins JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin Walter, MD, MS, to discuss the effects of inhaled sedation with sevoflurane for patients with moderate to severe ARDS.

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• Sevoflurane Sedation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• Inhaled Sedation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new draft regulatory guidance for pulse oximeters related to skin pigment. The guidance is a step forward but it may have unintended consequences. Authors Michael Lipnick, MD, and Philip Bicker, MD, PhD, professors of anesthesia at University of California, San Francisco, discuss this and more with JAMA Executive Editor Gregory Curfman, MD.

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• Pulse Oximetry and Skin Pigmentation—New Guidance From the FDA
• Adherence to FDA Guidance on Pulse Oximetry Testing Among Diverse Individuals, 1996-2024
• Addressing Racial and Ethnic Bias in Pulse Oximeters—A Wicked Problem
• Evaluating the Accuracy of Pulse Oximetry in Children According to Race

The CAUGHT-CAD randomized clinical trial sought to determine whether a CAC score-informed strategy could slow the progression of coronary plaque volume. Author Thomas H. Marwick of the Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute joins JAMA Associate Editor Pradeep Natarajan to discuss "Effects of Combining Coronary Calcium Score With Treatment on Plaque Progression in Familial Coronary Artery Disease."

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• Effects of Combining Coronary Calcium Score With Treatment on Plaque Progression in Familial Coronary Artery Disease
• Cardiac CT Calcium Score
• Coronary Artery Calcium Testing—Too Early, Too Late, Too Often
• Filling the Evidence Gaps Toward a Coronary Artery Calcium-Guided Primary Prevention Strategy

The HEALEY ALS platform is an innovative first attempt at platform trials in ALS, looking to slow ALS disease progression. Author Sabrina Paganoni, MD, PhD, of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, discusses results of the first 4 drug regimens from this platform trial and how this study design makes efficient use of resources, with JAMA Deputy Editor Christopher Muth, MD.

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• Platform Clinical Trials for the Efficient Evaluation of Multiple Treatments
• Pridopidine in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Platform Trials in ALS
• Verdiperstat in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Efficacy and Safety of Zilucoplan in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• CNM-Au8 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Understanding health conditions with the most spending and variation across locations and over time is important for identifying trends, inequalities, and strategies for lowering health spending. Joseph Dieleman, PhD, of the University of Washington speaks with JAMA Associate Editor Karen Joynt Maddox, MD, MPH, about county-level variation in health care spending across the US.

Related Content:

• Tracking US Health Care Spending by Health Condition and County

Two recent studies published in JAMA provide evidence about the effects of state-level abortion restrictions on birth rates and infant mortality. Author Alyssa Bilinski, PhD, MSc, of Brown University School of Public Health joins JAMA Deputy Editor Tracy Lieu, MD, to discuss her related Editorial "Abortion May Be Controversial—Supporting Children and Families Need Not Be."

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• Abortion May Be Controversial—Supporting Children and Families Need Not Be

Contemporary models of dementia care are multidisciplinary and aim to bridge medical and social services. Julie P. W. Bynum, MD, MPH, of the University of Michigan speaks with JAMA Deputy Editor Christopher C. Muth, MD, about 2 trials—the D-CARE and IN-PEACE trials—that evaluated care models to support people diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers.

Related Content:

• Challenges and Innovations in Dementia Care—Evaluating Comprehensive Models
• Health System, Community-Based, or Usual Dementia Care for Persons With Dementia and Caregivers
• Palliative Care Program for Community-Dwelling Individuals With Dementia and Caregivers

Two new trials published in JAMA evaluate the efficacy of periprocedural intra-arterial thrombolytics after successful endovascular thrombectomy for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Diederik Dippel, MD, PhD, of Erasmus University Medical Center discusses this and more with JAMA Deputy Editor Christopher C. Muth, MD.

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• Intra-Arterial Thrombolytics During Thrombectomy for Ischemic Stroke—End of the Story or a New Beginning?
• Intra-Arterial Tenecteplase Following Endovascular Reperfusion for Large Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke
• Intra-Arterial Urokinase After Endovascular Reperfusion for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Private equity acquisitions of health care facilities have rapidly increased over the past decade. However, little is known about the effects of these acquisitions on patient experience. Author Rishi K. Wadhera, MD, MPP, MPhil, of Harvard Medical School discusses this topic with JAMA Associate Editor Karen Joynt Maddox, MD, MPH.

Related Content:

• Changes in Patient Care Experience After Private Equity Acquisition of US Hospitals

Certain CD4+ T-cell subtypes play a role in asthma. Characterizing asthma endotypes in diverse groups is important to help develop effective therapies for youth with asthma. Author Juan C. Celedon, MD, DrPH, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pediatrics, discusses this and more with JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin L. Walter, MD, MS.

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• Transcriptomic Profiles in Nasal Epithelium and Asthma Endotypes in Youth

Most Medicare Advantage (MA) plans offer dental care coverage as a supplemental benefit. However,few beneficiaries are enrolled in an MA plan that provides comprehensive dental benefits. Lisa Simon, MD, DMD, discusses this and more with JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin L. Walter, MD, MS.

Related Content:

• Availability of Dental Benefits Within Medicare Advantage Plans by Enrollment and County

Long COVID is now defined as a heterogeneous, infection-associated chronic condition present for at least 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Author Leora Horwitz, MD, MHS, of NYU Grossman School of Medicine joins JAMA Executive Editor Gregory Curfman, MD, to discuss the JAMA article "2024 Update of the RECOVER-Adult Long COVID Research Index."

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• 2024 Update of the RECOVER-Adult Long COVID Research Index
• Characterizing Long COVID in Children and Adolescents

Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for around 15% of breast cancers. Zhi-Ming Shao, MD, of Fudon University, joins JAMA Oncology Editor in Chief and JAMA Deputy Editor Nora Disis, MD, to discuss "Camrelizumab vs Placebo in Combination With Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment in Patients with Early or Locally Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: The CamRelief Randomized Clinical Trial."

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• Camrelizumab vs Placebo in Combination With Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment in Patients With Early or Locally Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

New antiretroviral drugs and formulations continue to become available for the prevention and management of HIV infection. Author Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD, joins JAMA Deputy Editor Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, to discuss these new approaches for HIV.

Related Content:

• Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV in Adults: 2024 Recommendations of the International Antiviral Society–USA Panel
• Advances in Treatment and Prevention of HIV

A new JAMA study examines the association between severe maternal morbidity in a first birth and the probability of a subsequent birth. Authors Neda Razaz, PhD, and Eleni Tsamantioti, MD, MMedSc, both from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, discuss this and more with JAMA Associate Editor Melissa A. Simon, MD, MPH.

Related Content:

• Association of Severe Maternal Morbidity With Subsequent Birth
• Severe Maternal Morbidity and Subsequent Birth—Understanding and Informing a Woman's Choice

Elevated lipoprotein(a) levels increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and aortic stenosis. Cleveland Clinic's Steven E. Nissen, MD, speaks with JAMA Executive Editor Gregory Curfman, MD, about how zerlasiran produced more than 80% reductions in time-averaged lipoprotein(a) concentration.

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• Zerlasiran—A Small-Interfering RNA Targeting Lipoprotein(a)

Preterm birth is the greatest cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity, with infants born extremely preterm at highest risk. Author Brett J. Manley, PhD, the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, discusses a new study of the effect of intratracheal corticosteroid administration on survival free of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants, with JAMA Deputy Editor Tracy A. Lieu, MD, MPH.

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• Intratracheal Budesonide Mixed With Surfactant for Extremely Preterm Infants

Preventing obesity in early childhood is challenging for clinicians and families. Authors Eliana M. Perrin, MD, MPH, of Johns Hopkins University, and William J. Heerman, MD, MPH, of Vanderbilt University, join JAMA Deputy Editor Tracy Lieu, MD, to discuss "A Digital Health Behavior Intervention to Prevent Childhood Obesity: The Greenlight Plus Randomized Clinical Trial."

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• A Digital Health Behavior Intervention to Prevent Childhood Obesity

A new study published in JAMA found that drug-related supply chain issue reports were 40% less likely to result in meaningful drug shortages in Canada compared with the US. Authors Kate Suda, PharmD, MS, of University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Mina Tadrous, PharmD, PhD, of University of Toronto, discuss this and more with JAMA Deputy Editor Joseph S. Ross, MD, MHS.

Related Content:

• Differences in Drug Shortages in the US and Canada
• Understanding Drug Supply Shortages in the US and Canada

In the US, childbirth typically occurs in hospitals or accredited birth centers. President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Stella Marie Dantas, MD, speaks with JAMA Deputy Editor Linda Brubaker, MD, MS, about newly proposed advanced birth centers that would permit higher-risk births, with concerns for patient safety and rural obstetric care access.

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• Advanced Birth Centers and the Effect on Maternity Care

The Declaration of Helsinki originated in 1964, developed by the World Medical Association (WMA). Process Chair Jack S. Resneck Jr, MD, discusses the 2024 updates to the Declaration of Helsinki with JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS.

Related Content:

• Revisions to the Declaration of Helsinki on Its 60th Anniversary
• World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki
• Making the Ethical Oversight of All Clinical Trials Fit for Purpose
• The Revised Declaration of Helsinki—Considerations for the Future of Artificial Intelligence in Health and Medical Research
• Revisiting the Declaration of Helsinki—A Patient-Centered Perspective
• Future-Proofing Research Ethics—Key Revisions of the Declaration of Helsinki 2024
• The Revision of the Declaration of Helsinki Viewed From the Americas—Paving the Way to Better Research
• Declaration of Helsinki—Revisions for the 21st Century
• Facilitating Efficient and Ethical Trials at the Intersection of Research and Clinical Care
• The 2024 Revision to the Declaration of Helsinki

Transfusion strategy for patients with acute brain injury, telehealth care, acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery, and weaning ventilatory support are the topics of 4 trials published in JAMA and presented at the 2024 European Society of Intensive Care Medicine meeting. JAMA Associate Editor Christopher Seymour, MD, MSc, joins Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, to discuss.

Related Content:

• Shifting Balance of the Risk-Benefit of Restrictive Transfusion Strategies in Neurocritically Ill Patients—Is Less Still More?
• Evaluating Complex Technological Innovations in Critical Care—Current Challenges and Future Directions
• Impact of Adsorptive Blood Purification on Kidney Outcomes
• Ventilator Weaning Strategies—Managing Interaction Between Randomized Treatments
• Restrictive vs Liberal Transfusion Strategy in Patients With Acute Brain Injury
• Effect of Tele-ICU on Clinical Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients
• Extracorporeal Blood Purification and Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery
• Frequency of Screening and Spontaneous Breathing Trial Techniques

Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer death globally. Chronic H pylori infection is the primary cause of gastric cancer, responsible for at least 80% of the new cases. Constanza Camargo, PhD, of the National Cancer Institute joins JAMA Associate Editor John M. Inadomi, MD, to discuss co-testing with FIT and H pylori stool antigen to help prevent gastric cancer.

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• Fecal Immunochemical Test and Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen Co-Testing
• Screening for Helicobacter pylori to Prevent Gastric Cancer

Fever is associated with worse outcomes in patients with stroke, but whether preventing fever improves outcomes is unclear. David M. Greer, MD, MA, speaks with JAMA Associate Editor Jeffrey L. Saver, MD, about fever prevention in patients with acute stroke and its impact on functional outcomes.

Related Content:

• Fever Prevention in Patients With Acute Vascular Brain Injury
• Feasibility of Fever Prevention in Vascular Brain Injury

The 2024 Lasker–DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award has been presented for the discovery of GLP-1 and its application to the treatment of obesity. Lasker winner Svetlana Mojsov, PhD, discusses her role in this innovative discovery and more with JAMA Senior Editor Anne Rentoumis Cappola, MD, ScM.

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• Chemistry Matters—From a Putative Peptide to Effective Treatments for Diabetes and Obesity
• Discovery of cGAS as a DNA-Sensing Enzyme That Triggers Inflammation
• GLP-1 for Treating Obesity—Origin, History, and Evolution
• AIDS in Africa—Impact of Research

Palliative care is an essential component to high-quality care for patients with cancer. How can access to palliative care be expanded? Eduardo Bruera, MD, from MD Anderson Cancer Center speaks with JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo about 2 new trials in JAMA that address access to care and what more it will take for executives, insurers, and regulators to support palliative care programs.

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• Improving Palliative Care Access for Patients With Cancer
• Telehealth vs In-Person Early Palliative Care for Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer

A new trial assessed whether balloon angioplasty plus aggressive medical management was superior to aggressive medical management alone for patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Author Zhongrong Miao, MD, PhD, from Beijing Tiantan Hospital, discusses the BASIS randomized clinical trial with JAMA Deputy Editor Christopher C. Muth, MD.

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• Balloon Angioplasty vs Medical Management for Intracranial Artery Stenosis
• Is Balloon Angioplasty the Future for Intracranial Stenosis?

Read Transcript

The abating COVID-19 pandemic brings attention to rising mortality rates from non-COVID causes in the US, a trend that predates the COVID-19 pandemic. Viewpoint author Steven H. Woolf, MD, MPH, discusses this and more with JAMA Executive Editor Gregory Curfman, MD.

Related Content:

• Increasing Mortality Rates in the US, but Not From COVID-19