Natural experiments comparing coronavirus spread on ships and in hair salons with vs without face masks point to the importance of wearing masks for curbing SARS-CoV-2 spread. John T. Brooks, MD, chief medical officer of the CDC’s COVID-19 response team, reviews recently published epidemiologic data that reinforce the role of mask use for pandemic control. Related Article:  Effectiveness of Mask Wearing to Control Community Spread of SARS-CoV-2

Mask Wearing for COVID-19 Prevention—Summary of CDC Data

Author interviews that explore the latest clinical reviews.

Medicine

Science & Medicine

Science

Health & Fitness

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common infection that may cause severe illness in infants, young children, and older adults. Kathleen A. Linder, MD, of the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, discusses therapies to prevent severe RSV illness with JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin Walter, MD, MS.  Related Content:  Therapies to Decrease Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus Illness Assessing the Real-World Effectiveness of Immunizations for Respiratory Syncytial Virus 

Treatments to Decrease Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Illness

Chronic pruritus, defined as itch lasting more than 6 weeks, affects approximately 22% of people in their lifetime. In this JAMA clinical review podcast, dermatologist Daniel C. Butler, MD, from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, joins JAMA Deputy Editor Mary McGrae McDermott, MD, to discuss evaluation and management of chronic pruritus.  Related Content:  Chronic Pruritus 

Chronic Pruritus

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) oversight role in the pharmaceutical market is critical to the health of patients and the health care system. Aaron Kesselheim, MD, JD, MPH, and JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, discuss the FTC’s policies and legal actions related to alleged misconduct, consolidation, and anticompetitive behavior in the pharmaceutical market.  Related Content:  Federal Trade Commission Actions on Prescription Drugs, 2000-2022 

The Federal Trade Commission’s Role in the Oversight of Drug Companies

Do text messages with or without financial incentives increase weight loss in men with obesity? Pat Hoddinott, MB, BS, PhD, of Stirling University talks with JAMA Deputy Editor Mary McGrae McDermott, MD, about the results of a randomized clinical trial that tested whether financial incentives combined with text messaging could help men with obesity lose weight.  Related Content:  Text Messages With Financial Incentives for Men With Obesity 

Financial Incentives for Weight Loss in Men With Obesity

Over the last several years there has been a proliferation of assistance animals in health care, including service animals, therapy animals, and emotional support animals. Lisa I. Iezzoni, MD, MSc, of Harvard Medical School and the Health Policy Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, joins JAMA Senior Editor Karen E. Lasser, MD, MPH, to discuss service animals in health care settings.  Related Content:  Service Animals in Health Care Settings 

Mask Wearing for COVID-19 Prevention—Summary of CDC Data

Download our free app to listen on your phone