under pressure
Can this man fend off cuts to science funding?
Kayana Szymczak for STAT
Kelvin Droegemeier (above) is something of an endangered species these days — he's a scientist with credibility both within academia and in conservative circles. He ran the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for part of President Trump's first term and has, over the years, forged an extensive network of relationships with policymakers and researchers to tackle thorny issues of national importance. Now, those skills are being put to the test as billions of dollars hang in the balance.
Droegemeier is leading an effort by a coalition of academic groups hoping to offer a viable alternative to the Trump administration's plan for reshaping research funding, particularly when it comes to indirect costs. "It's very important, but it's really difficult. And people have been talking about doing this for decades," said Neal Lane, who led OSTP under President Clinton. "Kelvin is fundamentally fearless."
Read more from STAT's Jonathan Wosen about Droegemeier's role in this high-stakes, politically charged, and wonky fight. And if you look back in the STAT archives, you'll see this isn't the first time we've asked if this man can do what seems like an impossible task.
reproductive health
Early data on over-the-counter birth control
After receiving FDA approval in 2023, the first over-the-counter birth control pills in the U.S. hit shelves last spring. A study published yesterday in JAMA Network Open found that people who got the pill OTC were more likely than those who had prescriptions to be uninsured, under the age of 20, and living in rural areas.
Researchers surveyed close to 1,000 people at physical and digital pharmacies to get a better understanding of how access to the medication may have changed. They also found that OTC users were about 32% more likely to have previously used no contraception methods, and 41% more likely to be shifting from less effective methods.
While it's a small study, the results indicate that OTC access can increase the uptake of effective birth control, the authors wrote. The pill, which is a progestin-only medication, costs about $50 for a three-month supply. But there's still room for improvement: just a quarter of reproductive-age women have heard of the OTC product, according to a KFF survey from Sept. 2024.
first opinion
The hidden neurological toll of wildfires
As wildfires become more common, there's a growing body of research exploring the deleterious health effects faced by people who live through them. One recent study found that long-term exposure to particulates from wildfire smoke is linked to a greater risk of developing dementia. It's part of a disturbing pattern, where some of the most severe effects on brain development, health, and function don't manifest until months to years after exposure, with some impacts not fully apparent for a generation.
In a new First Opinion essay, a neuroscientist and a data reporter explain how unprepared our current disaster response systems are to address the neurological health impacts of fires. "As climate disasters become more frequent and severe, protecting neurological health must become a central component of emergency preparedness and recovery efforts," they write. Read more on how the authors think we can change our approach.
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