Medicine
Kennedy announces new effort to speed up autism diagnoses
Health secretary Kennedy announced a new effort to improve autism diagnoses, arguing that the current model is outdated
Kennedy renews attacks on vaccines at Children’s Health Defense conference
Kennedy, who previously downplayed his anti-vaccine activism, has now made it a key element in midterm elections and central to his legacy as HHS secretary.
STAT+: FDA approves a new gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome, an ultra-rare disease
The FDA approved a new gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A, an ultra-rare disease sometimes known as childhood Alzheimer’s.
Can an AI chatbot save lives by answering texts about pregnancy?
Many questions come up during pregnancy. Is swelling normal? Are avocados safe to eat? For folks in Kenya who don't have a search engine at their fingertips, a chatbot is offering…
STAT+: Why do ‘never smokers’ get lung cancer? In some cases, rare genetic variant may be a factor
Researchers have identified a very rare genetic variant that is associated with higher odds of lung cancer in "never smokers."
Definium’s new psychedelics data, and a reprieve for international scientists
International researchers got a reprieve in the courts this week. What does that mean for U.S. medical research? Find out on this week's episode of "The Readout LOUD" podcast.
Pennsylvania asks CDC for emergency help as measles outbreak spreads
State reportedly asks for Epi-Aid support unless federal agency recognizes four local measles-related deathsPennsylvania is seeking emergency assistance from the US Centers for Di…
Kennedy names new members to Preventive Services Task Force, after months of vacancies
The influential panel hasn't met in more than a year, after Kennedy canceled its meeting.
STAT+: New startup to test psychedelic-like drug against Parkinson’s symptom
A psychedelic-like drug for a Parkinson's symptom, mice with half-human brains, and more biotech news in the Readout newsletter.
STAT+: FDA has too few staffers to hire more staff
FDA's hiring bottleneck, Dems plan for health care oversight, and more from STAT's D.C. Diagnosis newsletter.
Purer fentanyl won’t solve the U.S. overdose death crisis, study says
Cautious optimism in the Ebola outbreak, FDA still stymied by DOGE cuts, and other health updates from the Morning Rounds newsletter.
STAT+: Zocdoc for chatbots and what’s new with Medicare’s ACCESS
In this edition of STAT Health Tech: Zocdoc enables appointment scheduling from chatbots and health plan websites, and more.
Queen at Sea review – crushingly sad dementia drama offers a startling portrait of intimacy
Driven by fine performances from Tom Courtenay and Anna Calder-Marshall, Lance Hammer’s comeback is unbearable in its tragic candour and essential in its moral questioning This in…
With US measles deaths on the rise, local officials are stepping in where RFK Jr won’t
As the country’s top public health official spends his time in office undermining science, doctors and advocates mount an urgent campaign for childhood vaccinesOn an early Septemb…
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA hiring delays, a new Bavarian Nordic CEO, and more
For all the talk of a hiring spree at the FDA after DOGE cuts last year, the reality is more complicated and filled with bureaucratic delays
‘A really scary place for children’: English hospitals have chronic lack of health play staff
Analysis finds only 955 play professionals supporting 21 million child hospital admissions, leaving many traumatised for lifeChildren in English hospitals with serious illnesses a…
Trump's surgeon general pick faces questions on vaccines and vaping at Senate hearing
The Senate committee on health held a confirmation hearing for three top health officials, including surgeon general. Dr. Nicole Saphier is President Trump's third pick to be the …
STAT+: A Sellas immunotherapy study, long delayed, will end in failure
Why Sellas' experimental immunotherapy study is a blowup waiting to happen.
STAT+: A biotech hedge fund births a new immunology company
Why a biotech hedge fund decided to build from the ground up a new company to develop a better, long-acting antibody treatment for atopic dermatitis.
Opinion: What happened to oppositional defiant disorder?
Over the past 25 years, there’s been a dramatic change in how we understand children who don’t “listen,” writes behavioral pediatrician Lawrence Diller.
STAT+: The FDA’s rebuilding effort is running into a new challenge
The FDA's plan to hire thousands of new workers is being slowed by an overwhelmed HR center.
STAT+: England to cover AstraZeneca breast cancer drug, a result of U.K.-U.S. drug pricing deal
A breast cancer drug from AstraZeneca will now be available in England after a pricing deal was reached, in part a result of the U.S.-U.K. pharma pact.
Women in England with incurable breast cancer to get life-extending drug on NHS
Thousands with HER2-low advanced breast cancer will have access to Enhertu after ministers strike deal on priceThousands of women in England with incurable breast cancer will get …
New lawsuit argues NIH violated First Amendment rights of grant applicants
The lawsuit seeks to halt the process of searching grant applications for specific terms to determine if they should be rejected.