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What a week

November 10, 2024
avatar-torie-bosch
First Opinion editor

I'd love to pour out some thoughts for you about the wild week that was, but I think I'm too drained to write them. Elections are simply exhausting. And no matter who you voted for, you're probably a little too drained to read them. At least, that's what I gather. I had expected the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump's reelection to come with an avalanche of First Opinion submissions about the new administration, but to my surprise, I haven't received that many.

I suspect that's because so many people in health care, medicine, biotech, pharma, etc., are still processing, trying to figure out what the next four years will bring and where to direct their energies. That was definitely the reaction from many folks I invited to write this week.

As always, once you're ready, I'll be here to read your thoughts, your submissions, and your ideas for what First Opinion should tackle next.

Recommendation of the week: My new favorite medical TikToker is Caleb Masterson, an ear, nose, and throat doctor who performs skits as an arrogant physician and his put-upon practice manager.

Adobe

What the 2024 election looks like from the therapist's room

I am uncertain how to handle themes of angst and existential dread my therapy clients are bringing up in the wake of Election Day.

By Sarah Darghouth


Tattoo-less radiation treatment is the future of cancer care

The four to 12 freckle-size tattoos traditionally used to guide radiation therapy can come with a serious emotional toll.

By William Chun-Ying Chen and Louis Potters


A second Trump administration will accelerate the undermining of the medical profession

Judges, politicians, and activists have substituted their own judgment for what is appropriate medical care. It will only get worse.

By Carmel Shachar



Adobe

Pharma's ethically questionable sites essentially sell drugs directly to consumers

Some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. are piloting websites that essentially sell their drugs directly to consumers. It's unethical.

By Adriane Fugh-Berman and Judy Butler


How your genetics could determine your politics

Political scientist Kevin Smith says his research suggests "political orientations are at least partially under genetic influence."

By Torie Bosch


Social media misinformation is scaring women about birth control

TikTok and YouTube influencers' false information about birth control could lead to unwanted pregnancies and other problems.

By Emily Pfender


Adobe

STAT+ | The U.S. is at risk of losing the proteomics race to China

Studying proteins in addition to genomics could yield new discoveries to cure previously intractable diseases.

By Neil Kelleher and Rohan Ganesh


How to bring more Black Americans into clinical research: Address the root causes of medical skepticism

On the same ground as the infamous Tuskegee experiment, we are working to overcome medical racism and bring more Black Americans into clinical research.

By Khalilah Brown and Stephen Sodeke


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