"Cali sober," physicians as advocates, a new name for PAs, and more

June 4, 2023 Check out STAT+

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By Torie Bosch Editor, First Opinion

On First Opinion this week, Peter Grinspoon, a doctor who describes himself as "15 years into recovery from a vicious addiction to prescription opioids," defends the AA-bucking idea of "a life free of drugs and alcohol — except for cannabis and other psychedelics." Four colleagues and friends of Caitlin Bernard, the Indiana OB/GYN recently censured for discussing a 10-year-old's abortion, explain why she should inspire more advocacy among physicians. Plus: cholesterol testing and statins for young adults, navigating a cancer diagnosis, and more. Have an opinion for or on First Opinion? Email me: first.opinion@statnews.com.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images In defense of being 'Cali sober' To many 12-steppers and addiction psychiatrists, the inclusion of cannabis in any talk of "recovery" from addiction is heresy. By Peter Grinspoon Doctors think "advocate" is a dirty word. But it's our ethical responsibility The Indiana State Licensing board punished Caitlin Bernard for speaking up about a 10-year-old's abortion. But she is an inspiration. By Katie McHugh and Gabriel Bosslet and Caroline Rouse and Tracey Wilkinson More young people should be getting their cholesterol tested and taking statins Our health care system's approach to cholesterol testing is putting young people at higher risk of preventable heart disease later in life. By Suhas Gondi Courtesy Amy Silverman The agony of finding decent health care for my young-adult daughter with Down syndrome When doctors talk about Down syndrome, the focus is either on infants' hearts or old people's brains. What about the years in between? By Amy Silverman The DEA needs to officially allow telehealth prescribing for opioid use disorder Reverting back to primarily in-person care for opioid use disorder will only lead to more dismal statistics. By Danny Nieves-Kim PAs need a new name, but 'physician associate' won't cut it. Here's a better idea The American Academy of PAs wants to jettison the word "assistants." The American Medical Association isn't happy with its new plan. By Peter A. Young Adobe Newly diagnosed cancer patients need help navigating the system Cancer navigation support is a rare intervention that truly seems to achieve a win for every stakeholder – patients, providers, and payers. By Samyukta Mullangi and Vinayak Venkataraman Listen: Ezekiel Emanuel explains why cancer patients shouldn't pay out-of-pocket costs Financial toxicity doesn't just set cancer patients back economically. It actually hurts their health, and even costs lives. By Torie Bosch More hospitals are offering child care. But they shouldn't have to A patchwork child care system leaves many Americans vulnerable to job disruptions, turnover, and absenteeism. By Rebecca Gale

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