JAMA Medical News

Artificial intelligence (AI) in health care is advancing, despite concerns about how its use may impact health disparities. Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH, chief health officer at Special Olympics, joins JAMA Associate Editor Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH, to discuss AI's potential role in improving health care delivery for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Related Content: How AI Could Improve Health Care for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities How Artificial Intelligence Can Promote Inclusive Health

A recent study showed AI-assisted screening using a large language model tool reduced time to determine trial eligibility compared with manual methods. Author Alexander J. Blood, MD, MSc, cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Associate Director of the Accelerator for Clinical Transformation Research Group at Harvard Medical School joins JAMA Associate Editor Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH, to discuss this topic and more. Related Content: Study Finds AI Can Quickly Prescreen Patients for Clinical Trials, Speeding Enrollment Manual vs AI-Assisted Prescreening for Trial Eligibility Using Large Language Models—A Randomized Clinical Trial

In a recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry, researchers reported that a machine learning model was able to stratify risk for subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder among individuals already receiving psychiatric treatment. Coauthor Søren Dinesen Østergaard, PhD, of Aarhus University in Denmark joins JAMA+ AI Editor in Chief Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc, to discuss. Related Content: Machine Learning Model Shows Promise in Early Detection of Serious Mental Illness Predicting Diagnostic Progression to Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder via Machine Learning

AI can play a role in addressing language barriers in health care. In a recent Editorial in JAMA Network Open, Pilar Ortega, MD, MGM, of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and coauthors emphasized the urgent need for integrating language equity into digital health solutions. Dr Ortega joins JAMA and JAMA+ AI Associate Editor Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH, to discuss. Related Content: Researcher Proposes New Framework for Language Equity in Health Technology Language Equity in Health Technology for Patients With Non–English Language Preference Challenges to Video Visits for Patients With Non–English Language Preference

Changes to CDC's Website Threaten Patients, Public Health; Landmark Study of Black Women and Cancer Launches Related Content: As Missing and Altered CDC Webpages Threaten Patient Care, Efforts Grow to Fill Information Gaps Landmark Study Aims to Enroll 100 000 Black Women to Investigate Their Cancer Risks and Outcomes

A recent report from the Engineering Research Visioning Alliance emphasizes the urgent need for engineering-directed research to mitigate the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Anita Shukla, PhD, a professor of engineering at Brown University, discusses its findings with JAMA Medical News Associate Managing Editor Kate Schweitzer and presents several key opportunities. Related Content: Five Engineering Advancements That May Help Solve the Growing Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance

Lung ultrasound aids in the diagnosis of patients with dyspnea but requires technical proficiency for image acquisition. Cristiana Baloescu, MD, MPH, of Yale School of Medicine, joins JAMA Associate Editor Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH, to discuss a new study published in JAMA Cardiology evaluating the ability of AI to guide acquisition of diagnostic-quality lung ultrasound images by trained health care professionals. Related Content: AI-Guided Lung Ultrasounds Could Help Nonexpert Clinicians Acquire "Expert-Level" Images Artificial Intelligence–Guided Lung Ultrasound by Nonexperts

A recent study in JAMA Network Open evaluates the use of machine learning algorithms to assess the management of urinary tract infection (UTI). Author Sanjat Kanjilal, MD, MPH, professor in the Department of Population Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Institute, joins JAMA Associate Editor Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH, to discuss this topic and more. Related Content: Researchers Use Machine Learning to Put Older Clinical Guidelines to the Test Use of Machine Learning to Assess the Management of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection

Digital health technologies, including patient portals, are widely used by older adults, as described in a recent study published in JAMA Network Open. Author Cornelius James, MD, of the University of Michigan joins JAMA+ AI Editor in Chief Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc, to discuss the study and how it fits with his own experience in the clinic. Related Content: Study Finds Most Older Adults Use Digital Health Technologies, Plus Some Surprises Use of Digital Health Technologies by Older US Adults

Weight-Loss Drugs Are Reshaping the Future of Bariatric Surgery; Are Compounded GLP-1 Drugs Safe? Will Renaming Some Cancers as Noncancers Hurt or Help? Related Content: What Does the Rise of GLP-1 Drugs Mean for Bariatric Surgery? Patients Are Flocking to Compounded Weight-Loss Drugs, but Are They Safe? Experts Are Debating Whether Some Cancers Shouldn't Be Called That

How do patients feel about the quality of AI-generated responses to their messages to clinicians? Author Eleni Linos, MD, DrPH, of Stanford joins JAMA+ AI Editor in Chief Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc, to discuss her recent study in JAMA Network Open that characterized satisfaction with these messages. Related Content: Study Finds People Prefer AI Over Clinician Responses to Questions in the Electronic Medical Record Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence–Generated Responses to Patient Messages

The burden of responding to clinician inbox messages may be a contributor to burnout. Eden English, MD, of UCHealth joins JAMA+ AI Editor in Chief Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc, to discuss her recent study published in JAMA Network Open, which examined the use of large language models to reply to patient messages. Related Content: Researchers Tested an AI Tool That Drafts Responses to Patient Messages—Here's What They Found Utility of Artificial Intelligence–Generative Draft Replies to Patient Messages Are Artificial Intelligence–Generated Replies the Answer to the Electronic Health Record Inbox Problem?

With accelerating global adoption of AI, countries are developing ethical AI frameworks to prevent harm to the most vulnerable populations. Maria Villalobos-Quesada, PhD, from the National eHealth Living Lab (NeLL) in the Netherlands and the Observatory of Bioethics and Law of the University of Barcelona, discusses this and more with JAMA+ AI Associate Editor Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH. *Author image and affiliations updated February 4, 2025. Related Content: Study Finds Limited Evidence to Support More Than 40 Predictive Machine Learning Algorithms Used in Primary Care Availability of Evidence for Predictive Machine Learning Algorithms in Primary Care The Need for Continuous Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence Prediction Algorithms

American Indian and Alaska Native communities have higher rates of suicide than any other racial or ethnic group in the US. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open describes an AI-based suicide screening tool investigated in an American Indian community. Author Emily Haroz, PhD, of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, joins JAMA and JAMA+ AI Associate Editor Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH. Related Content: How AI Could Help Clinicians Identify American Indian Patients at Risk for Suicide Performance of Machine Learning Suicide Risk Models in an American Indian Population

How can hospitals use early warning score tools to risk stratify patients without adding to alarm fatigue? Dana Edelson, MD, MS, of the University of Chicago joins JAMA+ AI Editor in Chief Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc, to discuss a recent study published in JAMA Network Open that she coauthored, comparing 6 early warning scores designed to recognize clinical deterioration in hospitalized patients. Related Content: Researchers Compared Hospital Early Warning Scores for Clinical Deterioration—Here's What They Learned Early Warning Scores With and Without Artificial Intelligence

Why COVID-19 Vaccines Don't Stop Transmission; Hospital-at-Home—But Make It Virtual Related Content: In Search of COVID-19 Vaccines That Elicit Mucosal Immunity and Stop Transmission The Next Step in Hospital-at-Home Care Could Be Virtual

Chatbots may have a role in enhancing clinical care, but the best way to apply them remains a work in progress. Jonathen Chen, MD, PhD, and Ethan Goh, MD, MS, of Stanford, join JAMA and JAMA+ AI Associate Editor Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH, to discuss their randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open investigating the use of chatbots in clinical practice. Related Content: An AI Chatbot Outperformed Physicians and Physicians Plus AI in a Trial—What Does That Mean? Large Language Model Influence on Diagnostic Reasoning

In a recent Viewpoint published in JAMA, Michael Pencina, PhD, of Duke University, argued for a federated registration system for AI tools deployed in health systems. He joins JAMA+ AI Editor in Chief Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc, to discuss his article, the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI), and more. Related Content: Health Systems Are Struggling to Keep Up With AI—A National Registration System Could Help A Federated Registration System for Artificial Intelligence in Health

Cardiologist Amit Khera, MD, chair of the American Heart Association's recent flagship meeting, discusses some of the most important clinical studies presented at the conference with JAMA Medical News Director Jennifer Abbasi. They touch on antiobesity drugs, new compounds to reduce lipoprotein(a), AI tools, and more. Related Content: Lp(a) Reduction, GLP-1s for Heart Failure, and More—Highlights From the AHA Scientific Sessions

In resource-limited settings, an integrated AI tool allows novice users to improve gestational age estimates. Jeffrey Stringer, MD, University of North Carolina, joins JAMA+ AI Editor in Chief Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc, to discuss "Diagnostic Accuracy of an Integrated AI Tool to Estimate Gestational Age From Blind Ultrasound Sweeps." Related Content: The Low-Cost, Battery-Powered AI-Enabled Ultrasound Device That Could Improve Global Obstetric Care Diagnostic Accuracy of an Integrated AI Tool to Estimate Gestational Age From Blind Ultrasound Sweeps

Effective communication is essential in medicine, yet language barriers can result in suboptimal care. AI holds promise for bridging these gaps, enhancing outcomes, and reducing disparities. Casey Lion, MD, MPH, from the University of Washington School of Medicine, joins JAMA and JAMA+ AI Associate Editor Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH, to discuss AI as an interpreter in the clinic. Related Content: Researcher Explores Using AI to Overcome Language Barriers With Patients Artificial Intelligence for Language Translation

How Antibiotic Underuse Is Driving Antimicrobial Resistance; What to Know About the XEC SARS-CoV-2 Variant Related Content: UN Meeting Highlights Antimicrobial Resistance "Epiphany"—Lack of Antibiotic Access Is a Key Driver What to Know About XEC, the New SARS-CoV-2 Variant Expected to Dominate Winter's COVID-19 Wave

A recent Special Communication published in JAMA points out that the FDA has already approved nearly 1000 devices using AI. Author Robert M. Califf, MD, commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, joins JAMA+ AI Editor in Chief Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc, to discuss AI regulation. Related Content: FDA Commissioner Robert Califf on Setting Guardrails for AI in Health Care JAMA AI Interview With Robert M. Califf, MD FDA Perspective on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care and Biomedicine

A recent JAMA Cardiology essay argues that medicine is not just a technical endeavor, it's also a moral endeavor, and a robot does not have moral agency. Coauthor Sarah C. Hull, MD, MBE, of Yale School of Medicine, joins JAMA and JAMA+ AI Associate Editor Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH, to discuss the use of AI in managing decision-making in cardiac care. Related Content: AI Can't Worry About Patients, and a Clinical Ethicist Says That Matters Echoes of Concern—AI and Moral Agency in Medicine

Widespread adoption of AI raises questions about accountability, transparency, and reproducibility. Marcia McNutt, PhD, president of the National Academy of Sciences, joins JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, to discuss advancing scientific knowledge in the age of AI. Related Content: National Academies President on How to Use Generative AI Responsibly in Scientific Research

Researchers Are Exploring the Role of Shingles—and a Protective Role of Shingles Vaccine—in Dementia; Could the Body Roundness Index One Day Replace BMI? Related Content: Researchers Are Exploring the Role of Shingles—and a Protective Role of Shingles Vaccine—in Dementia Could the Body Roundness Index One Day Replace the BMI?

Getting genuinely useful new technologies, from wearables to clinical decision support, into the clinic has proven to be surprisingly challenging. Tanzeem K. Choudhury, PhD, of Cornell Tech joins JAMA+ AI Editor in Chief Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc, to discuss how to take research into the real world in a way that is scalable and affordable. Related Content: How Health and Technology Sectors Can Collaborate on Better AI-Assisted Wearables

What hard lessons did the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) learn in 3 decades of EHR development, and what can it teach us about building better AI in medicine? Stephen Fihn, MD, MPH, of the University of Washington, and formerly a leader in the VA's EHR efforts, joins JAMA+ AI Editor in Chief Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc, to discuss his experience at the VA building decision support tools and other technology. Related Content: The VA Was an Early Adopter of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Care—Here's What They Learned Hello, World—Introducing JAMA+ AI

European Society of Cardiology Vice President Carlos Aguiar, MD, discusses clinical research highlights from the largest scientific meeting in cardiovascular medicine, held recently in London. Updates include semaglutide findings, hypertension triple pills, and more. Related Content: Semaglutide Updates, Hypertension Triple Pills, and More—Heart Health Highlights From ESC Congress

Related Content: The Latest Research About Paxlovid: Effectiveness, Access, and Possible Long COVID Benefits New Guidance Helps Clinicians Use Pemivibart to Protect Immunocompromised Patients From COVID-19

Quarraisha Abdool Karim, PhD, and Salim S. Abdool Karim, MBChB, PhD, are the recipients of the 2024 Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award for their decades of work on AIDS in Africa. The infectious diseases epidemiologists recently reflected on their life's work in a conversation with JAMA Deputy Editor and infectious diseases physician Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ. Related Content: Thirty-Five Years of HIV Research in Africa—An Interview With Winners of the 2024 Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award AIDS in Africa—Impact of Research

Extreme heat and its health outcomes are becoming more common. Jeremy Hess, MD, MPH, an emergency medicine physician and professor at the University of Washington, and Andrew Phelps, former director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, join Jennifer Abbasi, director of JAMA Medical News, to discuss lessons learned from the unprecedented heat wave in June 2021. Related Content: As Extreme Heat Becomes More Common, the Unprecedented Pacific Northwest Heat Dome Offers Lessons

Here's What to Know About the New Mpox Global Emergency; Controversial FDA Decision Authorizes Menthol-Flavored E-Cigarettes Related Content: As Mpox Cases Surge in Africa, WHO Declares a Global Emergency—Here's What to Know Controversial FDA Decision Authorizes Menthol-Flavored E-Cigarettes Despite Risks to Youth

Sebastian Palmqvist, MD, PhD, and Wiesje van der Flier, PhD, cochairs of the 2024 Alzheimer's Association International Conference, speak with JAMA Medical News Lead Senior Staff Writer Rita Rubin, MA, about highlights from the annual meeting, including a blood test for Alzheimer disease, repurposing of a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and the possible brain risk from inhaling wildfire smoke. Related Content: A Blood Test for Alzheimer Disease, Repurposing GLP-1s, and Wildfire Smoke—Highlights From the AAIC

Social media is the focus of the US surgeon general's conversation with JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS. She interviews Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, to discuss the dangers of social media on youth mental health, highlighting its contribution to the epidemic of loneliness. This is part 2 of a 2-part Q&A. Related Content: US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy: To Protect Adolescents, Social Media Needs Warning Labels Social Media Needs Warning Labels: Q&A With Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy: Firearm Violence Is a Public Health Crisis Q&A With Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA: Gun Violence Is a Public Health Crisis Q&A With Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA: Gun Violence Is a Public Health Crisis

Endocrinologist Robert Gabbay, MD, PhD, the ADA's chief scientific and medical officer, speaks with JAMA Medical News about clinical research highlights from the annual meeting, including some of the latest data on blockbuster weight loss medications, "game-changing" diabetes technologies, and a new use for a familiar drug. Related Content: New Data on GLP-1s, Diabetic Retinopathy, and CGMs—Highlights From the ADA's Scientific Sessions

Which Variant Will Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Target This Fall? COVID-19 May Protect Against the Common Cold Related Content: Picking the Optimal Variant to Target in Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Is Tricky COVID-19 May Protect Against the Common Cold—Here's Why Knowing That Could Lead to Better Vaccines

This is a 2-part Q&A series with the US Surgeon General. In part 1, JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, interviews Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, to discuss the issue of gun violence as a pressing public health crisis and the critical role of public health leadership in combating this issue. Related Content: US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy: Firearm Violence Is a Public Health Crisis Q&A With Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA: Gun Violence Is a Public Health Crisis

Nora Disis, MD, editor in chief of JAMA Oncology and a JAMA deputy editor, and guests share JAMA Network highlights from the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting, including new research on colorectal cancer screening, an antibody therapy for non–small cell lung cancer, access to oncology clinical trials, and a new model of palliative care for patients with cancer. Related Content: Refining Colon Cancer Screening, Antibody Therapy for Lung Cancer, and More—Highlights From ASCO 2024

Can data from wearable devices and electronic health records enhance quality improvement in health care? In this Q&A, Sachin Kheterpal, MD, MBA, the University of Michigan Medical School Associate Dean for Research Information Technology, joins JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, to discuss the potential of data from mobile devices to revolutionize patient care. Related Content: Tapping AI's Strengths—From Operating Room Safety to Wearable Device Interpretation

Daniel Gibbs, MD, received an Alzheimer disease diagnosis 8 years ago, and in hindsight, believes the earliest symptoms appeared years before that. In this podcast, the retired neurologist speaks with JAMA Medical News lead senior staff writer Rita Rubin, MA, about how even with the neurodegenerative condition, it's still possible to enjoy a life well-lived. Related Content: Neurologist Faces His Alzheimer Diagnosis Determined to Lessen Stigma Surrounding the Disease A Neurologist Learned He Had Alzheimer Disease 8 Years Ago—Here's What He Wants People to Know

Multiple Factors Have Contributed to the Comeback of Syphilis in the US; How Statin Eligibility Could Change With the New CVD Risk Calculator Related Content: Syphilis Has Surged for Reasons That Go Beyond the Pathogen That Causes It New Cardiovascular Disease Risk Calculator Could Eliminate the Need for Statins for Millions

College Athlete Deaths by Suicide Have Doubled; Why the Bird Flu Outbreak in Dairy Cows Matters; Combined COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines Could Be Available Next Year Related Content: College Athlete Deaths by Suicide Have Doubled, and Researchers Want to Know Why Bird Flu Outbreak in Dairy Cows Is Widespread, Raising Public Health Concerns Combined Vaccines Against COVID-19, Flu, and Other Respiratory Illnesses Could Soon Be Available

Can AI augment radiological processes, imaging analysis, and diagnosis? In this Q&A, Saurabh Jha, MBBS, MRCS, MS, an associate professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania, joins JAMA's Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, to discuss how AI could play a crucial role in improving access to medical imaging in remote, high-altitude, and low-income areas. Related Content: How Artificial Intelligence Will Enhance Imaging Access and Analysis Algorithms at the Gate—Radiology's AI Adoption Dilemma

Can AI/machine learning-driven digital phenotyping facilitate global personalized medicine? In this Q&A, Vikram Patel, MBBS, PhD, the Paul Farmer Professor and chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, joins JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, to discuss how AI can enhance assessment and treatment solutions across lower-income nations. Related Content: One Day, AI Could Mean Better Mental Health for All

An Explosion of Food Is Medicine Research Could Change Health Care; Blockbuster Obesity Drugs Have Potential New Uses Related Content: Could GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Like Semaglutide Treat Addiction, Alzheimer Disease, and Other Conditions? Produce Prescriptions Sound Good, but Data to Support Them Are Lacking—That Could Soon Change

Douglas Drachman, MD, shares late-breaking research from the annual conference of the American College of Cardiology and World Congress of Cardiology in an interview with JAMA Medical News Director Jennifer Abbasi. Dr Drachman—who chaired this year's conference—is an interventional cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is also director of education in the cardiology division. Related Content: Clinical Highlights From the American College of Cardiology's 2024 Scientific Session

Momentum Grows for Disaggregated Asian American Health Data; What Clinicians Need to Know About TikTok Related Content: Researchers Are Working to Disaggregate Asian American Health Data—Here's Why It's Long Overdue Patients Are Turning to TikTok for Health Information—Here's What Clinicians Need to Know

Could generative AI assist in extending access to vulnerable populations and begin to bridge the gap in disparities? In this Q&A, Davey Smith, MD, MAS, an infectious disease specialist and virologist at the University of California, San Diego, joins JAMA's Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, to explore the implications of large language models for improving patient outcomes. Related Content: Will Generative AI Tools Improve Access to Reliable Health Information?

Measles Is Spreading Again in the US; Questions Surround Blood Tests That Claim to Screen for Multiple Cancers; Study Provides Insight Into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Related Content: Measles Cases Are Spreading in the US—Here's What to Know Questions Swirl Around Screening for Multiple Cancers With a Single Blood Test NIH Study Provides Long-Awaited Insight Into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome