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Dr. Lena Park
Dr. Lena Park
Healthcare Policy Correspondent

Lena covers health policy, pharmaceutical regulation, insurance markets, and the politics of healthcare reform.

263 articles published

Tirzepatide Shows Promise in Activating Calorie-Burning Brown Fat
Healthcare
Tirzepatide Shows Promise in Activating Calorie-Burning Brown Fat
Research presented at ENDO 2026 suggests tirzepatide activates brown fat, potentially increasing energy expenditure beyo
Combination Drug Therapy Shows Promise in Preserving Muscle During Weight Loss
Healthcare
Combination Drug Therapy Shows Promise in Preserving Muscle During Weight Loss
A study published in Nature shows that the monoclonal antibody apitegromab, when used with tirzepatide, can preserve lea
GLP-1 Drugs Show Promise in Restoring Male Fertility, New Study Finds
Healthcare
GLP-1 Drugs Show Promise in Restoring Male Fertility, New Study Finds
A new study from UK researchers suggests GLP-1 drugs can improve male fertility by raising testosterone levels and enhan
Hearing Loss Emerges as Key Alzheimer's Risk Factor in New Johns Hopkins Research
Healthcare
Hearing Loss Emerges as Key Alzheimer's Risk Factor in New Johns Hopkins Research
New research from Johns Hopkins highlights hearing loss as a significant risk factor for Alzheimer's, along with sleep i
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Launch Nears with Cost and Operation Questions Unanswered
Healthcare
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Launch Nears with Cost and Operation Questions Unanswered
A temporary Medicare program launching July 1 will offer GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for $50/month, but key questions about
Tirzepatide Outperforms Rivals in Major Weight Loss Study
Healthcare
Tirzepatide Outperforms Rivals in Major Weight Loss Study
A new meta-analysis of 14,000 non-diabetic patients shows tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro) yields over 20% weight loss, o
U.S. Fertility Rate Hits Record Low in 2025, Down 23% Since 2007
Healthcare
U.S. Fertility Rate Hits Record Low in 2025, Down 23% Since 2007
The U.S. fertility rate dropped to a record low of 53.1 births per 1,000 women in 2025, down 23% since 2007. Researchers
Ebola Cases in Congo Surge 38% as Funding Shortfalls Hamper Response
Healthcare
Ebola Cases in Congo Surge 38% as Funding Shortfalls Hamper Response
Africa CDC reports a 38% weekly surge in Ebola cases in eastern Congo, with 894 confirmed cases and over 200 deaths, as
Rare Lyme Strain B. mayonii Confirmed in New York, Expanding Beyond Upper Midwest
Healthcare
Rare Lyme Strain B. mayonii Confirmed in New York, Expanding Beyond Upper Midwest
A rare strain of Lyme disease, Borrelia mayonii, has been detected in New York for the first time, signaling a geographi
Ivermectin Prescriptions Surge Among Cancer Patients, Alarming Oncologists
Healthcare
Ivermectin Prescriptions Surge Among Cancer Patients, Alarming Oncologists
A study of 68 million patient records reveals a dramatic spike in ivermectin prescriptions for cancer patients, fueled b
Senate Democrats Subpoena Kennedy Over Vaccine Panel Overhaul
Healthcare
Senate Democrats Subpoena Kennedy Over Vaccine Panel Overhaul
Senate Democrats launch investigation into Health Secretary RFK Jr.'s vaccine panel changes, demanding records on Trump
FDA's Reliance on Flawed Data Undermines Mifepristone Safety Review
Healthcare
FDA's Reliance on Flawed Data Undermines Mifepristone Safety Review
The FDA's review of mifepristone safety is compromised by its reliance on FAERS, a system experts say captures only a fr
Half of U.S. Adults Now Struggle with Healthcare Costs, Poll Shows
Healthcare
Half of U.S. Adults Now Struggle with Healthcare Costs, Poll Shows
Only 49% of U.S. adults could afford quality healthcare in 2025, down from 56% in 2021, as rising costs drive record anx
DOJ Accuses New York and Vendor of $10B Medicaid Home Care Fraud
Healthcare
DOJ Accuses New York and Vendor of $10B Medicaid Home Care Fraud
The Justice Department sued New York's health department and a contractor over alleged fraud in a $10 billion Medicaid h
FTC and Four States Sue Trans Health Group Over Pediatric Care Claims
Healthcare
FTC and Four States Sue Trans Health Group Over Pediatric Care Claims
The FTC and four states sued WPATH for allegedly making deceptive claims about pediatric gender-affirming care, part of
Emergency Care in Crisis: Three Steps to Save America's Hospital Safety Net
Healthcare
Emergency Care in Crisis: Three Steps to Save America's Hospital Safety Net
Hospital emergency departments are closing at alarming rates due to systemic underfunding. A leading physician outlines
FDA Clears Third OTC Naloxone Spray as Opioid Deaths Drop Sharply
Healthcare
FDA Clears Third OTC Naloxone Spray as Opioid Deaths Drop Sharply
The FDA approved Rextovy, a third OTC naloxone nasal spray, aiming to expand access and lower costs amid a sharp drop in
NIH Creates New Office to Phase Out Animal Testing, Embrace Human Biology Models
Healthcare
NIH Creates New Office to Phase Out Animal Testing, Embrace Human Biology Models
The NIH announced a new office, ORIVA, to reduce animal testing and advance alternatives like 3D human tissue models, su