Get your daily dose of health and medicine every weekday with STAT’s free newsletter, Morning Rounds. Sign up here for timely updates and insights. Happy Monday — it’s Sarah here, stepping in for the day. A colleague from one of my previous jobs enjoyed using the icebreaker, “Would you rather be a dog or a ghost?” (Shoutout to GQ for the inspiration.) This could be a fun conversation starter at your next networking event; let us know how it goes!
In significant news, Peter Marks has resigned from his role as the FDA’s top vaccine regulator. This decision came after officials from the Trump administration pressured him to either resign or face termination. Public health experts, former FDA commissioners, and leaders in the biotechnology sector are voicing their concerns about Marks’ ouster and its implications for managing infectious diseases, especially given Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s anti-vaccine agenda.
Marks expressed his disillusionment in his resignation letter, stating, “It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.” He highlighted the growing crisis of confidence in vaccines coinciding with rising measles outbreaks across the United States.
Reactions from the health and life sciences community have been notably critical, especially from biotech executives who have previously remained silent regarding the new administration's policies. For instance, the CEO of Ovid Therapeutics remarked that Marks' letter “signals that the very infrastructure we rely on to evaluate, approve, and monitor life-saving medicines — and to protect patients from harm — is at risk of collapse.”
As the situation around measles intensifies, officials in Texas have reported a 20% increase in cases, with the total reaching 400, primarily concentrated in the western regions of the state. This marks a rise from 327 cases reported just days earlier on March 25. Additionally, outbreaks are also being recorded in New Mexico (44 cases), Kansas (23 cases), Oklahoma (9 cases), and Ohio (10 cases). The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases.
Public health experts are particularly alarmed by Health Secretary Kennedy’s response to the outbreaks, especially his suggestion that treatments like vitamin A and cod liver oil could effectively combat measles. Recent federal budget cuts have hindered efforts to monitor the spread of measles and other infectious diseases, including the cancellation of grants aimed at researching vaccine hesitancy.
In a groundbreaking development, the FDA has approved an at-home test for three sexually transmitted infections (STIs): chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. This approval comes at a time when approximately one in five individuals in the U.S. has a sexually transmitted infection. Many individuals avoid visiting healthcare facilities due to the stigma and anxiety associated with STIs. The at-home testing kit, developed by Visby Medical, is designed for women and includes a vaginal swab for sample collection. Results are available within 30 minutes and can be purchased without a prescription.
This new authorization follows the FDA's clearance of an at-home test for chlamydia and gonorrhea in 2023, which required samples to be sent to a lab for analysis. The agency is also set to authorize an at-home test for syphilis in 2024, marking a significant shift towards convenient testing options.
Research shows that heart attacks manifest differently in women compared to men. Women may experience more diffuse pain, which can radiate to the jaw, neck, arm, back, and stomach, rather than the chest pain that is often stereotypically associated with male heart attacks. This highlights the importance of recognizing sex and gender differences in cardiovascular disease.
As research into women’s health faces challenges in the U.S., particularly due to the previous administration’s stance on diversity efforts, experts are concerned that crucial advancements in understanding these differences may be hindered. Read more from Liz Cooney about the progress made in recognizing women’s heart health and the areas that require further research.
In an evolving landscape of medical education, many medical schools are beginning to phase out the use of cadavers in favor of virtual reality and 3-D visualization tools. This transition raises concerns about future physicians missing out on the valuable experience of confronting death, as noted by medical student and First Opinion writer Nadir Al-Saidi. He reflects, “Coming face-to-face with a body in that raw state was one of the most powerful moments of my first year in medical school.”
Al-Saidi emphasizes that this experience instilled a deep reverence for the medical profession. For those interested in the complex ethical history of cadavers in medical training, Mary Roach’s 2006 book “Stiff” offers an insightful exploration.
In a reassuring update for marathon runners, a recent study published in JAMA reveals a significant drop in the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest during races. Over the period from 2010 to 2023, the death rate during marathons decreased by nearly half compared to earlier data. Out of 29 million participants in full and half-marathons, there were 176 recorded cardiac arrests, predominantly affecting male runners, particularly during marathons and after the 20-mile mark.
The improvement can be attributed to the increased availability of CPR and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) along race routes, bringing the availability of these life-saving devices on par with places like airports and casinos. This accessibility has contributed to a significant increase in survival rates among runners experiencing cardiac arrest.
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