The top medical breakthroughs of 2025

Turmoil in medicine shouldn't obscure advances in gene editing, cancer treatment, and beyond.

January 3, 2026 Check out STAT+

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Happy New Year! What will 2026 have in store? Check out pieces from our 3 to Watch series below and see what our reporters have their eyes on. And for a quick look back at the year that was, read our 2025 recap of the biggest news in public health, science, biotech, and pharma. — Sarah Mupo, director of editorial operations

Jeff Pinette for STAT STAT+ | The top medical advances of 2025 New drugs reshaped care for HIV, obesity, lung cancer, and more in 2025. Prepare to hear more about drugs such as Yeztugo, Nuzolvence, Tagrisso and Enhertu. By Matthew Herper Christine Kao/STAT In 2026, Kennedy's MAHA vision gets put to the test. Here are 3 issues to watch STAT's 3 to Watch: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s health policy changes will play out on GLP-1s, dietary guidelines, and rural health initiatives. By Elizabeth Cooney, Isabella Cueto, and Sarah Todd Nick Oxford for STAT STAT's most memorable photos of 2025 Photos of the year 2025: STAT editors unveil their favorite visual moments from the year's top health, science, and medical stories. By Alissa Ambrose and Crystal Milner STAT+ | Three major health care policy issues to watch in 2026 ACA premium subsidies, most favored nation drug pricing, and PBM reforms are among health care policy issues to watch in 2026. By John Wilkerson STAT+ | Who will pay for AI in health care? 3 trends to watch in 2026 Health care industry gears up for a battle over how clinical AI should get paid for. Important 2026 trends are explored in STAT's '3 to Watch' series. By Katie Palmer Debates around life, death, and access worry those with disabilities. 3 trends to watch in 2026 In 2026, disability advocates want expanded access to primary and emergency care — and influence new debates around genetic engineering and end-of-life care. By O. Rose Broderick Opinion: The most-read First Opinion essays of 2025 In 2025, STAT readers devoured op-eds on vaccines, MAHA, AI, health insurance, and other crucial topics. By Torie Bosch We wish we'd written that: STAT staffers share their favorite stories of 2025 In our 'jealousy list' for 2025, STAT staffers explain what makes notable stories they read in other publications so compelling. By STAT Staff

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Our most read stories of 2025, in chronological order NIH plans to slash support for indirect research costs, sending shockwaves through science What MAHA's crusade against seed oils reveals about flaws in America's food system "Most effective way" to prevent measles is vaccination, RFK Jr. says, in most direct remarks yet National public health group calls for RFK Jr. to resign, citing "complete disregard for science" First Opinion: The wellness industry is killing animals, spreading disease, and fueling the next pandemic UnitedHealth said it was too dangerous for him to be discharged. Days later, it denied his care First Opinion: I'm a dentist from India. The fluoride debate in the U.S. horrifies me Trump's hand bruise renews attention to his health — and his heart How Moderna, the company that helped save the world, unraveled James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers

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