JAMA Author Interviews

The costs of the coronavirus pandemic are unprecedented in their dimensions: David M. Cutler, PhD, of Harvard University discusses financial costs: the $16 trillion virus. Lisa Cooper, MD, MPH, of Johns Hopkins University discusses the costs to communities of color in excess deaths and bereavement. Charles R. Marmar, MD, of NYU Grossman School of Medicine discusses the mental health costs. Recorded October 20, 2020. Related Article(s): The COVID-19 Pandemic and the $16 Trillion Virus

Andy Slavitt, MBA, discusses recent developments in the COVID-19 pandemic and the US response. Slavitt is former Acting CMS Administrator in the Obama administration, board director at the United States of Care in Washington, DC, and a Distinguished Health Policy Fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Recorded October 16, 2020. Related Article: The COVID-19 Pandemic Underscores the Need to Address Structural Challenges of the US Health Care System

The National Academy of Medicine has recommended that racial minority populations receive priority for vaccination because they have been hard hit by the pandemic and are "worse off" socioeconomically. US law is inconsistent on whether race/ethnicity can be an explicit criterion for achieving equity and diversity. Lawrence O. Gostin, JD, of Georgetown University and Michelle A. Williams, ScD, of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health discuss ways to achieve the public health objective of protecting vulnerable communities while adhering to law and ethics. Recorded October 14, 2020. Related Article(s): Is It Lawful and Ethical to Prioritize Racial Minorities for COVID-19 Vaccines?

Interview with Christopher W. Seymour, MD, MSc, author of Sensible Medicine—Balancing Intervention and Inaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The US Surgeon General’s office has released a report emphasizing the importance of making hypertension control a national public health priority. Vice Admiral Jerome Adams, MD, MPH, the 20th US Surgeon General, discusses the report's background and recommendations. Recorded October 7, 2020. Related Article(s): A National Commitment to Improve the Care of Patients With Hypertension in the US

On October 2 the US National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine issued its consensus Framework for Equitable Allocation of a COVID-19 Vaccine. William H. Foege, MD, MPH, emeritus distinguished professor of International Health at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, cochaired the committee that authored the report and discusses its recommendations. Recorded October 2, 2020. Related Article: Fairly Prioritizing Groups for Access to COVID-19 Vaccines

Peter Marks, MD, PhD, directs the US FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) and will "call the balls and strikes" on any COVID-19 vaccine, according to FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn. He joins JAMA Editor Howard Bauchner, MD, for an update on vaccine progress to date and prospects for pre-election political interference in the FDA approval process. Recorded October 5, 2020. Related Article(s): Unwavering Regulatory Safeguards for COVID-19 Vaccines

Interview with William H. Shrank, MD, author of De-adopting Low-Value Care: Evidence, Eminence, and Economics Related Article(s): De-adopting Low-Value Care

Anthony S. Fauci, MD, returns to JAMA's Q&A series to discuss the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic. Recorded September 25, 2020. Related Article(s): Reassuring the Public and Clinical Community About the Scientific Review and Approval of a COVID-19 Vaccine

Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH, returns to JAMA's Coronavirus Q&A series to discuss the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic. He is director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at University of Minnesota and a veteran of pandemic planning. Recorded September 23, 2020. Related Article(s): Fairly Prioritizing Groups for Access to COVID-19 Vaccines