Jama Author Interviews: Covering Research In Medicine, Science, & Clinical Practice. For Physicians, Researchers, & Clinician

The National Academy of Medicine has recommended that racial minority populations receive priority for vaccination because they have been hard hit by the pandemic and are "worse off" socioeconomically. US law is inconsistent on whether race/ethnicity can be an explicit criterion for achieving equity and diversity. Lawrence O. Gostin, JD, of Georgetown University and Michelle A. Williams, ScD, of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health discuss ways to achieve the public health objective of protecting vulnerable communities while adhering to law and ethics. Recorded October 14, 2020. Related Article(s): Is It Lawful and Ethical to Prioritize Racial Minorities for COVID-19 Vaccines?

Interview with Christopher W. Seymour, MD, MSc, author of Sensible Medicine—Balancing Intervention and Inaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The US Surgeon General’s office has released a report emphasizing the importance of making hypertension control a national public health priority. Vice Admiral Jerome Adams, MD, MPH, the 20th US Surgeon General, discusses the report's background and recommendations. Recorded October 7, 2020. Related Article(s): A National Commitment to Improve the Care of Patients With Hypertension in the US

On October 2 the US National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine issued its consensus Framework for Equitable Allocation of a COVID-19 Vaccine. William H. Foege, MD, MPH, emeritus distinguished professor of International Health at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, cochaired the committee that authored the report and discusses its recommendations. Recorded October 2, 2020. Related Article: Fairly Prioritizing Groups for Access to COVID-19 Vaccines

Peter Marks, MD, PhD, directs the US FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) and will "call the balls and strikes" on any COVID-19 vaccine, according to FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn. He joins JAMA Editor Howard Bauchner, MD, for an update on vaccine progress to date and prospects for pre-election political interference in the FDA approval process. Recorded October 5, 2020. Related Article(s): Unwavering Regulatory Safeguards for COVID-19 Vaccines

Interview with William H. Shrank, MD, author of De-adopting Low-Value Care: Evidence, Eminence, and Economics Related Article(s): De-adopting Low-Value Care

Anthony S. Fauci, MD, returns to JAMA's Q&A series to discuss the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic. Recorded September 25, 2020. Related Article(s): Reassuring the Public and Clinical Community About the Scientific Review and Approval of a COVID-19 Vaccine

Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH, returns to JAMA's Coronavirus Q&A series to discuss the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic. He is director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at University of Minnesota and a veteran of pandemic planning. Recorded September 23, 2020. Related Article(s): Fairly Prioritizing Groups for Access to COVID-19 Vaccines

Hydroxychloroquine and convalescent plasma approvals by the FDA under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) protocols have raised concerns the agency is under withering political pressure to fast-track a COVID-19 vaccine before it is proven safe and effective. Joshua Sharfstein, MD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and JAMA Associate Editor Preeti Malani, MD, University of Michigan, discuss implications for public health and policy responses to ensure vaccine safety. Recorded September 18, 2020. Related Article: Reassuring the Public and Clinical Community About the Scientific Review and Approval of a COVID-19 Vaccine

Interview with Aaron S. Kesselheim, MD, author of Regulatory Decision-making on COVID-19 Vaccines During a Public Health Emergency Related Article(s): Regulatory Decision-making on COVID-19 Vaccines During a Public Health Emergency

Interview with Atul J Butte, MD, PhD, author of The Case for Algorithmic Stewardship for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technologies Related Article: The Case for Algorithmic Stewardship for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technologies

New data show unfavorable US trends in hypertension and obesity, with communities of color doing worse. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Director Griffin P. Rodgers, MD, and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Director Gary H. Gibbons, MD, discuss the implications for COVID-19 outcomes and public health. Recorded September 10, 2020. Related Article(s): Trends in Blood Pressure Control Among US Adults With Hypertension, 1999-2000 to 2017-2018

Interview with Deborah Korenstein, MD, and Daniel J. Morgan, MD, author of Improving Physician Communication About Treatment Decisions: Reconsideration of “Risks vs Benefits” Related Article(s): Improving Physician Communication About Treatment Decisions

A conversation with Jonathan A. C. Sterne, MA, MSc, PhD, of the University of Bristol, Todd W. Rice, MD, MSc, of Vanderbilt University, and Janet V. Diaz, MD, of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the latest research supporting the use of hydrocortisone and dexamethasone for treatment of COVID-19 ARDS. Recorded September 2, 2020. Related Article(s): Effect of Hydrocortisone on 21-Day Mortality or Respiratory Support Among Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19

Paul A. Offit, MD, of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia provides an update on COVID-19 vaccine development. Recorded August 24, 2020. Related Article: Developing a SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine at Warp Speed

Interview with Catherine Lucey, MD, FACP, author of The Transformational Effects of COVID-19 on Medical Education

CDC Director Robert Redfield, MD, discusses recent developments in the COVID-19 pandemic and US response, including prospects for dual outbreaks of COVID-19 and influenza in the fall and winter. Related Article(s): Addressing Influenza Vaccination Disparities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ezekiel Emanuel, MD, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, discusses recent developments in the COVID-19 pandemic. Recorded August 19, 2020. Related Article(s): The Ethics of COVID-19 Immunity-Based Licenses (“Immunity Passports”)

Interview with Melissa A Simon, MD, USPSTF member and coauthor of Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement Related Article(s): Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections

Interview with Matcheri S. Keshavan, MD, author of The Convergence of Neurology and Psychiatry: The Importance of Cross-Disciplinary Education