How doctors are pressuring sickle cell patients into unwanted sterilizations

Coercive sterilization is often talked about as an ugly part of America's past, firmly in the realm of history. People with sickle cell disease tell a different story — one that's happening right now.

"It's kind of like I'm giving you a choice but I'm not giving you a choice," one patient told STAT. Read more.

By Eric Boodman

Marian F. Moratinos for STAT

Biotechs turn to gene silencing for obesity drugs that can last longer than Wegovy

Enticed by the immense market opened by GLP-1 weight loss drugs Wegovy and Zepbound, a handful of biotech companies are trying to develop next-generation, longer-lasting therapies based on a very different approach — one that could possibly prevent people from developing obesity in the first place. Read more.

By Allison DeAngelis and Elaine Chen

Christine Kao/STAT

When should we start making H5N1 vaccine, and who will make that decision? In short, it's complicated

In the U.S., pharmaceutical advertising seems inescapable, yet most people would rather not see these ads at all. We looked at the complaints people have lodged with the FCC about prescription drug ads. Most focused on one of four issues. Read more.

By Helen Branswell