FEATURE STORIES

Can AI Hear When Patients Are Ready for Care?

Research by Jiyoun Song showed that AI may detect when seriously ill patients are ready for palliative care by analyzing vocal cues in conversations.

Insights on Health Care Affordability

A new LDI research roundup explored the effects of high U.S. health care costs for consumers and highlighted several drivers of high costs.

Representation in Clinical Trials

In STAT News, Yehoda Martei argued that excluding diverse populations from clinical trials hinders innovation, especially as precision medicine becomes more prevalent in oncology.

Venture Philanthropy and Medical Innovation

Matt McCoy, Justin Clapp, and Holly Fernandez Lynch found that only 12% of patient organizations in an affinity group promoting venture philanthropy reported investments in for-profit companies.

Opposing the Repeal of the Minimum Staffing Standard

LDI Executive Director Rachel M. Werner submitted a public comment to CMS opposing the repeal of the agency's minimum staffing standards at long-term care facilities receiving Medicaid payment.

 CALL FOR FACULTY MENTORS

Mentor a 2026 SUMR Scholar

Applications to be a mentor are open for the Summer Undergraduate Mentored Research Program (SUMR). Mentor applications are due March 15.

 UPCOMING EVENTS

Keeping the Momentum: Moving Forward in the Opioid Epidemic

Friday, February 13, 2026
12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

A Conversation with Jonathan Caulkins, PhD, Yngvild Olsen, MD, MPH, and Rachel Winograd, PhD. Moderated by Zachary Meisel, MD, MPH.

Virtual seminar open to the public.

2026 Samuel P. Martin, III, MD Memorial Lecture with Marcella Nunez-Smith, MD, MHS

Thursday, February 26, 2026
12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Promoting Health and Health Care Equity for Structurally Marginalized Populations

Open to Penn affiliates only.

IN THE MEDIA

“Here’s What to Know About the $50 Billion States Are Getting for Rural Health.” Paula Chatterjee. NPR

“FDA’s New ‘Plausible Mechanism Pathway’ for Personalized Gene Editing Raises Concerns.” Holly Fernandez Lynch. STAT News

“Doctors Increasingly See AI Scribes in a Positive Light, But Hiccups Persist.” Kevin B. Johnson. ABC News

“Planning Ahead in an Age of Longevity.” Tamara Cadet. Medical Xpress

“What’s the Right Way to Define Ultra-Processed Foods?” Christina Roberto. STAT News

PUBLICATIONS

“Changes in Post-Hospital Care in Skilled Nursing Facilities for Veterans: A Cohort Analysis.” Robert E. Burke, Tom Cidav, Andrew Tjader, Christopher B. Roberts, Jacqueline A. Benson, Kirstin Manges Piazza, Kimberly J. Waddell, Hummy Song, Guihua Wang, Liam Rose. Journal of General Internal Medicine

“Improving the Evaluation of Low-Volume Hospitals.” Jeffrey H. Silber, Paul R. Rosenbaum, Joseph G. Reiter, Alexander S. Hill, Lee A. Fleisher. Medical Care

“Medicaid Expansion and Breast Cancer Care and Outcomes–What Lies Ahead?” Meghan Maceyko, Oluwadamilola M. Fayanju. JAMA Network Open

“Spatial Heterogeneity and Subtypes of Functional Connectivity Development in Youth.” Hongming Li, Zaixu Cui, Matthew Cieslak, Taylor Salo, Tyler M. Moore, Raquel E. Gur, Ruben C. Gur, Russell T. Shinohara, Desmond J. Oathes, Christos Davatzikos, Theodore D. Satterthwaite, Yong Fan. Nature Communications

“Understanding Postpartum Hospital Use Among Birthing People With Medicaid Insurance.” Sarah M. Lindley, Kimberly B. Glazer, Teresa Janevic, Molly Passarella, Angelina Malenda, Natalia N. Egorova, Jennifer Zeitlin, Scott A. Lorch, Elizabeth A. Howell. Obstetrics and Gynecology

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