DOC Updates

Welcome to the latest episode (August 2026) of DOC Updates, where every month Neil Skolnik, MD and John Russell, MD review the most important articles on diabetes, obesity, and cardiometabolic disease.

This month on DOC Updates:

Hirsh Elhence, Jennifer L. Dodge, Stephen Fuest, et al. National Prevalence of Clinical Obesity by BMI Class: A National Cross-Sectional Study. Ann Intern Med. [Epub 2 June 2026]. doi:10.7326/ANNALS-25-05287

Eva Johnsen, et al. Achieving at Least 15% Weight Loss Within 2 Years of Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis Is Associated With Lower Risks of Macrovascular and Microvascular Complications: A U.K. Cohort Study. Diabetes Care 20 July 2026; 49 (8): 1480–1489. doi.org/10.2337/dc26-0937

Carel W. le Roux, et al. Survodutide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Adults with Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine June 2026 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2600751

Yu Wang, Shichao Tang, Xilin Zhou, Ping Zhang. National Trends in Out-of-Pocket Cost for Glucose-Lowering Drugs Among U.S. Adults With Diabetes, 2000–2022. Diabetes Care 20 July 2026; 49 (8): 1414–1419. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc25-2040

Jelle M. Beernink, et al. Effect of Finerenone on Albuminuria in Type 1 Diabetes by Baseline HbA1c Level and Diabetes Duration: An Exploratory Analysis of the FINE-ONE Trial. Diabetes Care 20 July 2026; 49 (8): 1434–1441. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc26-0882

Welch M, Forst T, Jia W et al. Orforglipron compared with dapagliflozin in adults with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycaemic control with metformin (ACHIEVE-2): a multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority, open-label, phase 3 trial. The Lancet, 2026; 408, 125-140 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00800-7

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health

John J. Russell, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Chair-Department of Family Medicine, Abington Jefferson Health

DOC Updates is a monthly podcast that presents and discusses the latest clinically relevant articles from the American Diabetes Association's three science and medical journals—Diabetes, Diabetes Care, and Diabetes, Obesity, and CardioMetabolic CARE. Intended for practicing physicians and health care professionals, DOC Updates discusses how the latest research is relevant in clinical practice.

For information about the American Diabetes Association's scholarly journals, visit diabetesjournals.org. For more about this podcast, click here.

In the first episode of this special three-part series, Neil Skolnik speaks with Dr. Minesh Rajpal. Together, they provide an overview, discussing the assessment and management of high blood pressure.

This special episode is sponsored with support from AstraZeneca.

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health

Minesh Rajpal, MD, Attending Nephrologist and Hypertension Specialist at the Southwest Kidney Institute

References:

2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee. Hypertension 2025; 82(10)

Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet 2016;387:957

In this special crossover episode, recorded live at the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, the hosts of the ADA's professional podcasts—DOC Updates, Diabetes Care "On Air", DiabetesBio, and The Points of CARE—come together to discuss key highlights and groundbreaking research presented at the 2026 meeting.

They share expert insights across the bench-to-bedside spectrum, including basic science, clinical research, and the latest in diabetes care and education. Tune in for thoughtful reflections on what this year's findings mean for clinical practice and future research.

Available now across all ADA professional podcast channels.

Featured Podcasts:

• DOC Updates – ADA's podcast for primary care

• Diabetes Care "On Air" – From ADA's clinical research journal, Diabetes Care

• DiabetesBio – From ADA's flagship research journal, Diabetes

• The Points of CARE - The official podcast of Diabetes, Obesity, and CardioMetabolic CARE

Join the Discussion with:

• Alice Cheng, MD – Co-host of Diabetes Care "On Air"

• Kirk Habegger, PhD – Co-host of DiabetesBio

• Michael Rickels, MD, MS – Co-host of Diabetes Care "On Air"

• Neil Skolnik, MD – Co-host of DOC Updates and Diabetes Day by Day

• Kevin Williams, PhD – Co-host of DiabetesBio

• Richard Beaser, MD – Co-host of The Points of CARE

🔗 Learn more about ADA's full podcast portfolio: https://diabetesjournals.org/journals/pages/podcasts

Subscribe to DOC Updates, Diabetes Care "On Air", DiabetesBio, and The Points of CARE on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or your preferred platform.

Over two decades ago, Lipoprotein(a)—or Lp(a)—was recognized as an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In this special edition of DOC Updates, Dr. Neil Skolnik explores our growing understanding of this cholesterol-carrying lipoprotein.

This special episode is sponsored with support from Lilly.

Please listen to the episodes by clicking on the podcast player below or by freely subscribing to DOC Updates via Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

EPISODE NOTES

Special Edition: Special Edition: Lp(a) & CV Risk

In this special edition of DOC Updates, Neil Skolnik speaks with Dr. Michael Wilkinson, who goes over the history of Lp(a), the current guidelines, and the importance of screening.

This special episode is sponsored with support from Lilly.

Presented by:

-Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health

-Michael Wilkinson, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine at University of California San Diego Health, and Director of the advanced lipid treatment program at UC San Diego Health, Board of Directors of the National Lipid Association and Associate editor of the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology

References:

-The American Heart Association PREVENT Online Calculator

-Lipoprotein(a) as a Pharmacological Target: Premises, Promises, and Prospects – Circulation 2025; 151:400-415

-2026 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation Volume 153, Issue 17, 28 April 2026; Pages e1154-e1276

Continuing his exploration of once-weekly insulins, Neil Skolnik speaks with Aaron King, MD. Together, they cover the mechanisms, practical considerations, and the myriad benefits that this new therapy can have over daily basal insulin.

This special episode is sponsored with support from Novo Nordisk.

Please listen to the episodes by clicking on the podcast player below or by freely subscribing to Diabetes Core Update via Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health

Aaron King, MD. Trained in the United States Navy in Family Medicine and certified by the American College of Diabetology, Dr. King practices outpatient diabetes management in San Antonio, Texas.

Selected references:

Weekly Icodec versus Daily Glargine U100 in Type 2 Diabetes without Previous Insulin. N Engl J Med 2023;389:297-308

Weekly Fixed-Dose Insulin Efsitora in Type 2 Diabetes without Previous Insulin Therapy. N Engl J Med 2025;393:325-335

There is a fundamental link between diabetes and kidney care. But while there are many medications available to improve CKD outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes, the same options are not available for people with type 1. In this special episode, Dr. Neil Skolnik speaks with Janet McGill, MD, MA, FACE, FACP about the underdiscussed prevalence of CKD in type 1 and the importance of continued development in this area.

This special episode is sponsored with support from Bayer.

Please listen to the episodes by clicking on the podcast player below or by freely subscribing to Diabetes Core Update via Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health

Janet B. McGill, MD, MA, FACE, FACP, Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington's John T. Milliken Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research

Selected References:

Chronic Kidney Disease and Risk Management: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. The American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care 2026, Diabetes Care 2026;49 (Supplement_1):S246–S260

Finerenone in Type 1 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease. N Engl J Med 2026;394:947-957

Effect of Finerenone on Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med 2020;383:2219-2229

Dapagliflozin in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease. N Engl J Med 2020;383:1436-1446

Effects of Semaglutide on Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med 2024;391:109-121

Welcome to the latest episode (July 2026) of DOC Updates, where every month Neil Skolnik, MD and John Russell, MD review the most important articles on diabetes, obesity, and cardiometabolic disease.

This month on DOC Updates:

• Aroda V, Buzzetti R, Dalskov S et al. "Efficacy and safety of once-weekly cagrilintide–semaglutide (CagriSema) in adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on diet and exercise (REIMAGINE 1): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3a study." The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2026; 0 doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(26)00126-9

• Bajaj H, Welch M, Shah P et al. "Efficacy and safety of retatrutide, a GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptor agonist, in people with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycaemic control with diet and exercise (TRANSCEND-T2D-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial." The Lancet, 2026; 407, 2402-2413 doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00967-0

• Melville, N. "CGM Monitoring Benefits Extend to Non-Insulin-Using T2D." Medscape, June 07, 2026

• Aronne, L.J., Horn, D.B., le Roux, C.W. et al. "Orforglipron for maintenance of body weight reduction: the double-blind, randomized phase 3b ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial." Nat Med(2026) doi: 10.1038/s41591-026-04386-7

• Salive ME, Tjaden AH, Ames JR, et al. "Lifestyle and Metformin Interventions and Risk of Multimorbidity in Adults With Prediabetes." JAMA. Published online June 15, 2026. doi:10.1001/jama.2026.8492

Presented by:

• Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health

• John J. Russell, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Chair-Department of Family Medicine, Abington Jefferson Health

For information about the American Diabetes Association's scholarly journals, visit diabetesjournals.org. For more about this podcast, visit About Diabetes Core Update.

In this special edition of DOC Updates, Neil Skolnik speaks with Dr. Juan Frias, who catalogues the latest cardiometabolic medications, emphasizing the distinguishing characteristics of each.

This special episode is sponsored with support from Lilly.

Presented by:

Neil Skolnik, MD, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Associate Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Jefferson Health

Juan Pablo Frias, MD, Medical Director and Principal Investigator, Los Angeles Institute for Metabolic Research, Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science

In this special episode of The Points of CARE, recorded live during the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) 2026 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, hosts Richard Beaser, MD and Jane Reusch, MD highlight a new symposium on the clinical, social, and economic costs of treating—or not treating—individuals with obesity.

This panel discussion is moderated by Louis J. Aronne, MD, Sanford I. Weill Professor of Metabolic Research at Weill-Cornell Medical College in New York, former president of the Obesity Society, and chair emeritus of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

Presenters:

• Timothy Dall, MS Managing Director for Life Sciences Consulting at GlobalData

• Melanie R. Jay, MD, Professor of Medicine and Population Health at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine

• Catherine Ferguson, MA, Vice President of Federal Advocacy for the ADA

Featured Articles:

• The Cost of Inaction in Treating Obesity in the U.S. doi.org/10.2337/doci25-0011

• Benefits and Costs of Treating Obesity Among Adults in Commercial Insurance Plans doi.org/10.2337/doci25-0006

• Estimating the Health, Economic, and Social Benefits of Obesity Treatment Using Microsimulation Modeling doi.org/10.2337/doci25-0004

For more on the Cost of Obesity collection, visit diabetesjournals.org/collection/26413/Cost-of-Obesity

To learn more about Diabetes, Obesity, and CardioMetabolic CARE please visit diabetesjournals.org/docm-care. Thank you for listening, and don't forget to subscribe.

With the launch of a new journal, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is also launching a brand new podcast: The Points of CARE, the official podcast of Diabetes, Obesity, and CardioMetabolic CARE. Join hosts Richard Beaser, MD and Jane Reusch, MD, as they highlight key research findings, clinical implications, and emerging themes across diabetes, obesity, and cardiometabolic health through interviews with journal authors and subject-matter experts.

4:05 Our hosts speak with Anna Kahkoska, MD, PhD, Joan Heckler Gillings Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and adjunct assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as Joshua Niznik, PharmD, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine within the UNC School of Medicine. Their article, "Qualitative Analysis of Patient Portal Messages From Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes," is available at doi.org/10.2337/doc25-0079.

14:10 Our hosts introduce Esben Thyssen Vestergaard, PhD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Clinical Medicine and Department of Pediatrics Aarhus University in Aarhus, Denmark. His article, "Clinic for Athletes With Type 1 Diabetes: Evaluation of a Structured Clinical Care Model for Physically Active Individuals," is available for free at doi.org/10.2337/doc25-0064.

21:40 Finally, Richard and Jane highlight some of their favorite articles from the May-June issue.

• Rezaeiahari, et al. Rural–Urban Differences in Use of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support in Arkansas, 2015–2019 doi.org/10.2337/doc25-0065

• Liu, et al. Trends in Nutrient Intake Among U.S. Adults by Diabetes Status: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2020 doi.org/10.2337/doc25-0076

• Yanez Bello, et al. Barriers to the Adoption of Diabetes Technologies and the Implementation of Connected Insulin Pens in a Largely Minority Population With Type 1 Diabetes doi.org/10.2337/doc25-0072

• Shehab, et al. Barriers to Effective Type 2 Diabetes Care in a Conflict-Affected Region of Syria: A Qualitative Study of Health Care Provider Perspectives doi.org/10.2337/doc26-0021

• ElSayed, et al. Enhancing Physician Clinical Competency: A Cluster Randomized Trial of a Multimodal Online Educational Program in a Multinational Diabetes Workforce doi.org/10.2337/doci25-0007

• Olesen, et al. A Danish Nationwide Cohort of Foot Health in Individuals With Diabetes From the Danish Foot Status Database doi.org/10.2337/doc26-0002

To learn more about Diabetes, Obesity, and CardioMetabolic CARE please visit diabetesjournals.org/docm-care. Thank you for listening, and don't forget to subscribe.