JAMA Medical News

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. Related Content: Research of the Year 2025

Join cardiac surgeon Joanna Chikwe, chair of the AHA Scientific Sessions, as she unveils groundbreaking research from the recent meeting. She discusses surprising findings on coffee's relationship with AFib and the promising results of a polypill for heart failure that improves adherence. Joanna also explores a game-changing oral PCSK9 inhibitor and its role in preventing major cardiovascular events. Lastly, she highlights a vitamin D trial post-MI that sparks questions about its long-term benefits. Perfect for anyone interested in cutting-edge cardiovascular advancements!

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.

Katherine R. Tuttle, a nephrology expert and chair of Kidney Week 2025, dives into crucial advancements in kidney health. She discusses the significant impact of SGLT2 inhibitors in reducing kidney failure and heart-related issues. Hear about a groundbreaking trial showing fish oil can cut mortality by over 50% in hemodialysis patients. Tuttle also highlights promising research on conservative dialysis practices that enhance kidney recovery, and the real-world benefits of semaglutide in minimizing kidney complications in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Governors are teaming up to form a Public Health Alliance as federal funding dwindles. The initiative aims to enhance vaccine coordination and manage outbreaks across state lines. However, political divides pose a challenge to unifying public health efforts. Experts analyze whether this alliance could reshape the U.S. public health system for the long haul. The discussion highlights the balance between immediate goals and the need for a sustainable, collaborative approach to health crises.

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.

Samantha Anderer, a staff writer for JAMA Medical News, shares insights from a recent Pediatrics study indicating a decline in childhood peanut allergies. She explores how allergy rates surged in the early 2000s and have begun to drop following updated early peanut introduction guidelines. Their discussion touches on previous feeding recommendations and highlights the significant 33% decrease in allergies since 2015. They also delve into potential reasons for the previous rise in allergies, such as the hygiene hypothesis, making for a fascinating conversation on evolving dietary practices.

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.

Nancy Berlinger, PhD, a senior research scholar at The Hastings Center, dives into the cultural narratives surrounding dementia, revealing their profound impact on patient care and life quality. She discusses the need for clinicians to utilize nonverbal communication and arts-based methods to connect with patients with advanced dementia. Berlinger emphasizes how harmful metaphors can stigmatize those living with the condition, while also addressing the limitations of a purely medical perspective. She offers practical tools for enhancing dementia care in primary settings.

Join Vassilios Vassiliou, a clinical professor of cardiac medicine, as he unpacks the complexities of cardiac long COVID. He discusses key complications like myocarditis and heart failure, revealing how acute COVID-19 can lead to long-term cardiac issues. Vassiliou also outlines risk factors, the differences between cardiac and pulmonary symptoms, and the implications of infection versus vaccination on myocarditis. With insights on heart failure management and future research directions, he provides essential guidance for monitoring COVID's impact on heart health.