Dec 20, 2025

Subject: How drug companies profit by inventing diseases

Sender: newsletter@kevinmd.com

Summary:

– Direct-to-consumer drug advertising expands diagnostic categories, prioritizing profit over patient health.

– GLP-1 medications, prescribed based on metabolic conditions rather than BMI, can transform health outcomes and should be more equitably accessible.

– The process of finding physician jobs is outdated compared to modern apps used for other purposes.

– Guidance on crafting meaningful research questions aligning personal motivation with societal needs.

– Importance of professional identity formation in medical education.

– Reflection on careers beyond medicine and the impact on professional purpose.

– Examines how racism and policy failures create disparities in reproductive health care.

– Psychiatrist shares 20 years’ experience with ketamine therapy for depression.

– Functional medicine addresses root causes and complexity in chronic illness.

– Early care can save lives in silent kidney disease through patient-centered approaches.

– Imposter syndrome is framed as a mindset conditioned by medical culture, contributing to burnout.

Call to Action:

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD for daily medical insights.

Subject: Issue 105 of Happiful magazine is here

Sender: hello@happiful.com

Summary:

– New digital issue available for free; print subscription offers science-backed wellbeing content.

– Exploration of Greek myths and mythotherapy as tools for self-discovery and healing.

– Discussion on identity voids during transitions, grief related to trauma anniversaries, and feelings of burden from health issues.

– Overdiagnosis in mental health and the power of kindness and hope.

– Encourages readers to embrace personal agency in their life stories.

Subscription Offer:

Monthly print subscription at £5.99/month includes exclusive rewards, journaling pages, and access to therapist and nutritionist tips.

Subject: HHS moves to end gender-affirming care for trans youths

Sender: newsletter@statnews.com

Summary:

– Proposed rules would block federal Medicare/Medicaid funds to facilities offering gender-affirming care for transgender youth, including puberty blockers, hormones, and surgery.

– New restrictions face anticipated legal challenges; advocacy groups oppose moves, citing scientific consensus.

– House passed bill restricting gender-affirming care, unlikely to pass Senate.

– Proposed reversal of disability law expanding definition to include gender dysphoria.

– CDC awarded controversial $1.6 million grant for hepatitis B vaccine study in Guinea-Bissau.

– President Trump signed executive order reclassifying marijuana to Schedule III, facilitating research but not changing federal illegality.

– The nation’s first nonprofit offering supervised drug consumption services celebrated its 4th anniversary amid federal pressure.

– FDA political appointees interfering in drug review processes, awarding fast-track vouchers influenced by national priorities and politics.

Notable Opinion:

– Lessons from underground AIDS research to adapt to NIH’s funding crisis are highlighted.

Subject: Axios Vitals: 2025 in review

Sender: caitlin@axios.com

Summary:

– 2025 marked as a landmark year for health care, major federal-level decisions reshaping the field.

– Public health policies, including vaccine mandates and funding cuts to CDC, FDA, NIH, have generated long-term concerns.

– Prescription drug development, approval, pricing, and market policies underwent significant changes; rapid approvals and voluntary pricing deals emerged.

– Government drug price negotiation programs strengthened; coverage for anti-obesity GLP-1 drugs advanced under Medicare.

– Medicaid cuts near trillion dollars passed by Republicans, risking coverage losses for millions and hospital financial instability, especially urban hospitals.

– Enhanced subsidies for ACA plans at risk; premiums rising if subsidies expire.

– Bypass of traditional insurance growing via direct sales by drug companies, direct primary care, and direct contracting deals like Northwell Health’s union agreement.

Bottom line:

Health insurance landscape is complex with emerging models challenging traditional frameworks.

Subject: My thanks to our readers in this tumultuous year

Sender: marketing@statnews.com

Summary:

– STAT reflects on vast health care changes during Trump’s second administration, emphasizing their comprehensive, accurate coverage.

– Offers 25% discount to subscribe to STAT+ for full investigative journalism access.

– Coverage highlights include:

– “American Science, Shattered” series on research enterprise disruptions.

– Reports on researchers emigrating for jobs abroad.

– Investigations into Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s consolidation of power.

– Exclusive on FDA fast-track drug review politicization.

– Analysis on corporate influence in elder care debates.

– End-of-year biotech CEO rankings.

– Provocative podcast discussions on religion and science.

– Thanks readers and invites feedback to continue robust science journalism.

Subject: Bizarre planet is shaped like a lemon

Sender: briefing@nature.com

Summary:

– Exoplanet PSR J2322-2650b orbits an ultra-dense pulsar every 7.8 hours and is distorted into a lemon shape.

– Its atmosphere contains unexpected carbon molecules, possibly graphite clouds giving a deep red appearance.

– Theoretical physics behind TV show “Stranger Things” parallel universe concept explored.

– Jared Isaacman appointed NASA administrator; faces ambitious lunar mission timeline and workforce morale challenges.

– Featured science images include Chile’s Villarrica volcano.

– Looking ahead to 2026: AI scientists, space missions, and ocean-floor drilling are key research themes.

– Weekly highlights include scientific short stories, book recommendations, and a festive podcast with science songs.

– Encourages readers to subscribe and shares ways to engage during holiday break.

Stay Well!