Health Care

For several weeks, journalists and researchers worldwide have worked long hours to provide up-to-date information on the new coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, trying to help members of the public avoid infection while also scrambling to understand the virus and its possible impacts.

Randomized, controlled clinical trials are studies in which a new intervention, such as a medical device, is randomly assigned to some participants and tested against a control group, which receives a standard treatment or a placebo to determine its effects. They often are considered the gold standard of medical studies because they can provide evidence of causation.

In January, Journalist’s Resource attended a four-day fellowship on cardiovascular health, “Covering the Heart Beat,” organized by the National Press Foundation. Researchers, physicians and journalists gathered with the goal of improving news coverage of cardiovascular health.

Over two million U.S. adults with cardiovascular disease have smoked marijuana, and the substance may carry increased cardiovascular risks, new research indicates.

On Jan. 2, the Trump administration announced a ban on most flavored e-cigarette cartridges, except for menthol and tobacco flavors. The ban is aimed at reducing the uptake of vaping among young people.

A federal government database of doctors who provide medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder is rife with inaccurate information, making it difficult for people seeking help to schedule appointments, shows new research in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice.

As we wind down the year, we’re counting down the most-read Journalist’s Resource posts of 2019 — articles and research roundups we published (or significantly updated and republished) in the past year.