Behind bars, pleas for addiction medications often go nowhere

Also: Fueled by social media, muscle dysmorphia in boys and men is on the rise

December 21, 2024 Check out STAT+

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'I want help': Behind bars, pleas for addiction medications often go nowhere Across the country, many law enforcement officials remain hostile to buprenorphine and methadone to treat opioid addiction, denying a uniquely vulnerable population access to high-quality care amid the worst drug epidemic in the country's history. Read more. By Lev Facher

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Truth-teller or reflexive contrarian: Which Marty Makary would run the FDA? FDA commissioner nominee Marty Makary, like many of Trump's picks, is an anti-establishment thinker now poised to join the establishment. But unlike HHS secretary nominee RFK Jr., Makary has engendered trust from traditional health care leaders — with several vouching for his commitment to science in interviews with STAT. Others consider him a contrarian for contrarian's sake, opining on matters outside of his expertise for political clout. Read more. By Lizzy Lawrence Muscle dysmorphia in boys and men is on the rise, fueled by social media Driven by an anxiety that they aren't muscular enough, experts say, more men and young boys are developing a compulsive relationship to exercise, dieting, and in some cases, steroid usage. It's a medical consequence of a broader cultural shift, in which higher and higher expectations for masculine bodies fuel demand for equally drastic health advice. Read more. By Alexa Lee In case you missed it "I was almost forced to do it": One sickle cell patient's story of sterilization, pressure, and regret Outgoing CDC director Mandy Cohen girds against an overhaul, and tries to calm staff nerves  Maternal mortality data is murky — but the crisis faced by new moms is clear Rapid spread of H5N1 bird flu through California dairy herds suggests unknown paths of transmission First of two major reports on alcohol finds moderate drinking tied to lower mortality Worst Biopharma CEO of 2024? It's no contest STAT's most memorable photos of 2024

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