Rita Rubin

Rita Rubin, a seasoned journalist covering health policy, discusses the new state laws aimed at easing pathways for internationally trained physicians to practice in underserved areas. She highlights the challenges they face, including licensing barriers and reluctance to repeat U.S. residencies. Meanwhile, Samantha Anderer dives into groundbreaking research linking the oral microbiome to pancreatic cancer risk, explaining how specific bacteria might influence this deadly disease and the potential for microbial risk scores in early screening.

Rita Rubin, Lead Senior Staff Writer for JAMA Medical News, and Kate Schweitzer, Associate Managing Editor, delve into pressing medical issues. They discuss the alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance, spotlighting the UN's focus on global disparities in antibiotic access. The conversation shifts to the XEC COVID variant, its potential to dominate the winter wave, and the importance of vaccination. Together, they highlight critical strategies needed to combat these public health challenges.

Rita Rubin, Lead Senior Staff Writer for JAMA Medical News, dives into the recent FDA approval of a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease. She explains how this test measures phosphorylated tau‑217 and can rule out the disease but not confirm it. Concerns arise about primary care physicians testing inappropriate patients and the potential for delays in specialist access for follow-up. Rubin emphasizes the importance of responsible testing, particularly for asymptomatic individuals, and touches on the future of research in Alzheimer’s therapies.

Rita Rubin, Lead Senior Staff Writer for JAMA Medical News, dives deep into metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This common yet underrecognized condition affects a significant portion of U.S. adults. Rubin explains the recent name change from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to reduce stigma, and discusses the alarming progression risks it poses, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. She emphasizes the importance of early detection and lifestyle changes to prevent severity, along with new drug approvals boosting treatment options.

Join Rita Rubin, Lead Senior Staff Writer at JAMA, and Virginia Hunt, an intern focused on health and social issues, as they dive into pivotal medical topics. They discuss a new NIH-FDA partnership aimed at addressing nutrition research gaps, particularly concerning ultra-processed foods. The conversation shifts to an FDA-approved blood test for Alzheimer's, revolutionizing diagnostics while raising ethical concerns. Lastly, they highlight the surge in unpaid family caregivers post-pandemic and innovative support programs designed to ease their challenges.