Life

Health, science, climate, and society-focused reporting.

Evaluating the Use of Medical Marijuana for Mental Health Conditions

The evidence supporting the medical efficacy of marijuana for conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression remains limited, raising concerns about its recommendation.

Editorial Staff Apr 1

Life

Medicare's Care Restrictions: Implications for Infrastructure and Patient Capacity

Medicare's recent decision to restrict care for 1 million Americans raises significant concerns about the underlying assumptions and potential impacts on healthcare infrastructure.

Editorial Staff Apr 1

Life

Biotech Scorecard for Q2: Key Stock-Moving Events Identified

STAT has released its biotech scorecard for the second quarter, detailing 23 significant events that could impact stock movements in the sector.

Editorial Staff Apr 1

Life

Potential Renaming of PCOS Reflects New Understanding of Male Hormonal Conditions

The movement to rename Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is gaining traction as research suggests the existence of a male counterpart, indicating a need for more inclusive terminology.

Editorial Staff Apr 1

Life

HSA Industry Advocates for Expanded Access Through New Lobbying Group

A new lobbying group is advocating for broader availability of health savings accounts (HSAs), aiming to reshape the current landscape of health financing.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

HHS Reverts Health IT Office Name to National Coordinator

The Trump administration has officially reverted the name of the federal health IT office to the Office of the National Coordinator, effective March 31, 2026.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

Analysis of Executive Actions on U.S. Global Health by the Trump Administration

This overview details the executive orders and actions taken by the Trump Administration since January 21, 2025, impacting U.S. global health initiatives.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

U.S. Life Expectancy Trends and International Comparisons

The latest data shows a slight increase in U.S. life expectancy, now at 79.0 years, but how does this compare to other wealthy nations?

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

FDA Regulations Challenge Custom Gene Editing Efforts for Baby KJ's Treatment

The pursuit of scalable gene editing solutions, as demonstrated in the case of Baby KJ, faces significant hurdles due to stringent FDA regulations.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

Supreme Court Decision Impacts State Bans on Conversion Therapy

The Supreme Court's ruling against Colorado's ban on conversion therapy has significant implications for state-level mental health regulations and infrastructure.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

OpenEvidence Partners with Major Health System to Enhance Record Sharing

OpenEvidence has formed a partnership with a significant health system aimed at improving the accessibility of health records, amidst increasing pressure on HHS regarding sharing policies.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

Pharmaceutical Launch Delays in Europe Linked to U.S. Pricing Policies

Drugmakers are postponing the introduction of new medications in Europe, influenced by changes in U.S. pricing policies and market pressures.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

Survey Highlights Mental Health Outcomes Related to Gender Euphoria

A recent survey has shed light on the mental health outcomes associated with gender euphoria, contributing to the ongoing discourse on gender identity and well-being.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies for Psychedelic Biotechs Amid Acquisition Moves

Psychedelic biotech companies are facing increased regulatory scrutiny, coinciding with acquisition efforts from Biogen and Eli Lilly, while Gilead faces criticism from Doctors Without Borders.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

Whoop Secures $575 Million Funding, Achieving $10 Billion Valuation

Whoop, known for its health and fitness tracking technology, has raised $575 million, leading to a valuation of $10 billion, with significant backing from the Mayo Clinic and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

Analysis of Public Sentiment on Prescription Drug Pricing

Recent KFF poll findings reveal significant public concerns regarding prescription drug costs, highlighting implications for healthcare infrastructure and policy.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

Biogen's $5.6 Billion Acquisition of Apellis: Implications for Immunology Infrastructure

Biogen's acquisition of Apellis Pharmaceuticals for $5.6 billion marks a significant move to enhance its immunology portfolio, with potential impacts on market capacity and operational frameworks.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

U.S. Venture Capital Firms Shift Focus to Upstream Biotech Investments in China

Amid intensifying competition, U.S. venture capital firms are adapting their strategies by investing directly in upstream scientific pipelines within China's biotech sector.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

Strategic Recommendations for the Next CDC Director to Restore Trust

The CDC is at a critical juncture, requiring a strategic overhaul to regain public confidence, as emphasized by health experts.

Editorial Staff Mar 31

Life

Takeda Pharmaceuticals to Implement Workforce Reductions in Cambridge

Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the leading biopharma employer in Massachusetts, is set to lay off 250 employees in Cambridge starting July 2026, impacting local operational capacity.

Editorial Staff Mar 30