In the midst of a tumultuous time for biomedical graduate students, institutions across the country are grappling with the impact of the Trump administration’s order to cut NIH research funding. This has led to a surge in admissions rejections and pauses in official admissions processes.
According to Jennifer Unger, a professor at USC’s doctoral program in health behavior research, some institutions have already paused official admissions for those who received verbal acceptances. The uncertainty is affecting young scientists who are eager to start their graduate programs.
Meanwhile, new estimates published in the Lancet Public Health reveal that 746,000 people died by suicide globally in 2021, with a decline in standardized global mortality rates from almost 15 deaths per 100,000 in 1990 to 9 per 100,000 in 2021.
Regional mortality rates vary significantly, with eastern Europe having the highest rate at 19.2 per 100,000, followed by southern and central sub-Saharan Africa. The US, Uruguay, and Venezuela have the highest rates of gun-related suicides.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open warns that the US may face a national hospital bed shortage within 7 years due to an aging population and insufficient hospital capacity. The authors project that the US could reach 85% occupancy rates as early as 2032, leading to increased annual hospitalizations.
In related news, powerful obesity drugs have been shown to be life-changing for some patients, but also pose risks of extreme weight loss and potential health effects if insurance coverage is cut off or the drug goes into shortage. A new study found that muscle-building supplements can exacerbate symptoms of muscle dysmorphia in young people.
Finally, Mehmet Oz has pledged to divest from his stock holdings and sell them as part of his transition to run CMS. The move comes after concerns about his potential conflicts of interest due to his existing investments.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/02/20/health-news-dr-oz-financial-disclosure-muscle-dysmorphia-glp-1-weight-loss-morning-rounds