University Of California, San Francisco

PCORnet®, highlighted at the 2023 PCORI Annual Meeting, is a key infrastructure for patient-centered outcomes research, enabling studies across 40+ health systems. It supports diverse research, including rare diseases and social determinants of health, aiming to improve health outcomes and equity.

Novo Nordisk increases Wegovy's starter dose supply to meet soaring demand, aiding more Americans in starting the weight-loss treatment. Wegovy, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, mimics a natural hormone to regulate appetite, approved for obesity and overweight with complications. Long-term use raises safety concerns, with side effects like nausea and potential for weight regain post-treatment. Doctors debate its long-term safety, emphasizing lifestyle changes alongside medication. Wegovy's effectiveness and side effects in teens and adults are under scrutiny, with calls for more long-term data.

Leqembi, the first FDA-approved Alzheimer's drug proven to slow disease progression, may soon be joined by Eli Lilly's donanemab. Both target amyloid protein in the brain, showing modest benefits in slowing cognitive decline. Despite safety concerns and high costs, they offer hope for early-stage Alzheimer's patients.

Doxy-PEP, a post-exposure prophylaxis using doxycycline, significantly reduces STI risks, especially among gay and bisexual men and transgender women. Despite concerns over antibiotic resistance, its effectiveness in lowering chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis rates has led to CDC's forthcoming guidelines. However, its impact on women and broader antibiotic resistance implications require further study.

Long COVID, or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), affects a significant number of individuals with symptoms lasting weeks to years post-infection. Research under the NIH's RECOVER initiative explores mechanisms like viral persistence, immune dysregulation, and gut dysbiosis. Therapeutic trials are underway, focusing on repurposed and novel treatments, emphasizing the need for rigorous clinical trials to address this public health challenge.

Doxy-PEP, a strategy involving doxycycline post-condomless sex, significantly reduces STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis in MSM and transgender women. Preliminary results show a minor increase in resistant bacteria strains. The approach targets individuals with recurrent STIs, aiming to decrease antibiotic use. Further studies are needed to assess long-term resistance impacts.

Dr. Aletha Maybank, AMA's chief health equity officer, faces backlash and threats for anti-racism efforts in healthcare. Despite pushback, including harassment and lawsuits, doctors and academics continue advocating for racial equity, emphasizing the need for institutional support and safety measures against increasing hostility.

Pembrolizumab, a cancer drug, shows potential in flushing HIV from its hiding spots in immune cells, offering a new direction for HIV cure research. Despite challenges with side effects, early studies indicate it could make latent HIV visible to the immune system, marking a significant, though not definitive, step towards a cure.

Rapid at-home COVID-19 tests in the U.S. are FDA-authorized for nasal swabs only, despite growing interest in throat swabs due to Omicron's throat symptoms. Studies suggest nasal swabs are effective, matching PCR test sensitivity. Throat swabs may detect Omicron earlier, but FDA warns of risks. Saliva tests require lab processing and are not DIY. Experts debate the necessity and safety of throat swabbing for home tests.