First Opinion turned 3,000 this week!

Opinion and perspective curated by First Opinion editor Patrick Skerrett ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

First Opinion reached a milestone this week, publishing its 3,000th essay, a look at how gag laws prevent doctors and other clinicians from discussing medical errors — and then learning from them. Its companions included an essay by a cancer research who now has ALS as well as pieces on monkeypox, long Covid, "forever chemicals," and more. You can read them all here. If you or someone you know is itching to write a life-sciences-related opinion/perspective essay, please contact us at first.opinion@statnews.com. Medical error: An epidemic compounded by gag laws By Antonio Dajer and Christie Lech and Lucy Willis John Locher/AP Medical error kills more than 100,000 people a year. To stop making the same mistakes, doctors and other clinicians need to talk about them. Read More As a pediatric cancer researcher, I admired the FDA. Then I got ALS By William G. Woods Children's Healthcare of Atlanta FDA's Oncology Center of Excellence understands the need to expedite therapies for people without them. Its Office of Neuroscience doesn't. Read More Biden's long Covid plan is a good start. But it needs to go further By Ryan Prior and Kimberly Knackstedt Charlie Riedel/ AP Biden's long Covid plan identifies key points from patients, researchers, and policymakers. But it falls short of robust, far-reaching goals. Read More Genetic research provides new clarity about the 'whys' of autism By Pamela Feliciano Courtesy Pamela Feliciano In a first for autism genetics, a study identified four autism-associated genes linked to inherited variants. Read More History doesn't have to repeat itself with stigma and monkeypox By Ofole Mgbako Adobe Monkeypox shouldn't have to share the fate of stigma and delayed response that characterized HIV/AIDS four decades ago. Read More STAT+: Clinical validation will save digital health's reputation By Justin Norden Adobe The investment community needs to raise the bar and demand transparent and verifiable evidence from digital health companies. Read More The Inflation Reduction Act: One step closer to pharmacoequity? By Utibe R. Essien MANDEL NGAN/ Getty One overlooked benefit of the Inflation Reduction Act may be the law's role in reducing health disparities. Read More Investing in health workers can help close the vaccination gap — and improve global health By Amanda McClelland Ted S. Warren/AP Expanding the number of frontline health workers, especially nurses and community health workers, can help close the global vaccination gap. Read More Report: More people should be tested for potential exposure to 'forever chemicals' By Ned Calonge and Jane Hoppin and Alex R. Kemper Jim Cole/ AP Photo A new report offers a guide for clinicians and the public about testing for PFAS ("forever chemicals") that many people have been exposed to. Read More Organ transplantation is at a crossroads. Major reform is needed By Blair L. Sadler and Alfred M. Sadler, Jr. Molly Riley/AP Recent hearings held by the Senate Finance Committee revealing that America's organ transplantation system is badly broken. Read More Sunday, August 21, 2022       1 Exchange Pl, Suite 201, Boston, MA 02109 ©2022, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails Update Email Preferences | Contact Us | View In Browser