Joshua Cohen
@joshuapcohen.bsky.social
Health economist, writer, political junkie but allergic to extremes, sports fanatic and music enthusiast
Puzzled by the strong emphasis in the new U.S. dietary guidelines on animal-based products at the expense of predominantly plant-based diets. Pushing meat and animal-based products while underplaying plant-based vegetarian options strikes me as unbalanced.
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New Dietary Guidelines Promote Meat, Underplay Vegetarian Options
New U.S. dietary guidelines push meat and animal-based products while underplaying plant-based vegetarian options. More balanced public health messaging may be warranted.
www.forbes.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Puzzled by the strong emphasis in the new U.S. dietary guidelines on animal-based products at the expense of predominantly plant-based diets. Pushing meat and animal-based products while underplaying plant-based vegetarian options strikes me as unbalanced.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Discontinuing obesity medicines means the weight comes back for many and people lose the cardiovascular and metabolic benefits conferred by the drugs.
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Causes And Implications Of Discontinuing GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs
Discontinuing obesity medicines means the weight comes back and people lose the cardiovascular and metabolic benefits conferred by the drugs.
www.forbes.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Discontinuing obesity medicines means the weight comes back for many and people lose the cardiovascular and metabolic benefits conferred by the drugs.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
New dietary guidelines dropped this week. While they say that “saturated fat consumption should not exceed 10% of total daily calories,” the new food pyramid features red meat, cheese and whole milk at or near the top. RFK Jr said "we're ending the war on saturated fats."
undark.org/2026/01/09/d...
undark.org/2026/01/09/d...
Why It Still Makes Sense to Limit Saturated Fats
The new U.S. dietary guidelines prioritize certain sources of saturated fats. The change concerns experts in nutrition.
undark.org
January 9, 2026 at 9:16 PM
New dietary guidelines dropped this week. While they say that “saturated fat consumption should not exceed 10% of total daily calories,” the new food pyramid features red meat, cheese and whole milk at or near the top. RFK Jr said "we're ending the war on saturated fats."
undark.org/2026/01/09/d...
undark.org/2026/01/09/d...
Expiration of Affordable Care Act enhanced subsidies is leading to a surge in premiums. The problem of ACA premium affordability is symptomatic of a much larger, systemwide problem in U.S. healthcare. Comprehensive reforms are needed.
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Surge In ACA Premiums Symptom Of Healthcare System In Need Of Reform
If a political debate takes place this year on the topic of ACA cost containment and the affordability of premiums, it’s hoped that reform initiatives won’t be piecemeal.
www.forbes.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Expiration of Affordable Care Act enhanced subsidies is leading to a surge in premiums. The problem of ACA premium affordability is symptomatic of a much larger, systemwide problem in U.S. healthcare. Comprehensive reforms are needed.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Launch of the Wegovy pill may improve patient adherence and persistence. The convenience of a pill may be critically important for some patients. This may expand the market but also improve patient persistence and therefore sustainability of long-term outcomes.
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January 6, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Launch of the Wegovy pill may improve patient adherence and persistence. The convenience of a pill may be critically important for some patients. This may expand the market but also improve patient persistence and therefore sustainability of long-term outcomes.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Reposted by Joshua Cohen
Childhood Vaccine Schedules Among Most U.S. Peers Differ Only Slightly via @forbes.com @joshuapcohen.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
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January 4, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Childhood Vaccine Schedules Among Most U.S. Peers Differ Only Slightly via @forbes.com @joshuapcohen.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Differences between the U.S. and peer nation vaccination policies illustrate the importance of context, not only with regard to distinct healthcare systems but also concerning the stance on vaccines taken by public health officials.
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January 3, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Differences between the U.S. and peer nation vaccination policies illustrate the importance of context, not only with regard to distinct healthcare systems but also concerning the stance on vaccines taken by public health officials.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Differences between US and peer childhood vaccine schedules are quite minor. Where key policy differences have emerged, however, is that unlike in the US public health officials in peer nations don't make false assertions about vaccines and sow doubt among the public.
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www.forbes.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Differences between US and peer childhood vaccine schedules are quite minor. Where key policy differences have emerged, however, is that unlike in the US public health officials in peer nations don't make false assertions about vaccines and sow doubt among the public.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Despite the cost burden to the federal government, the increase in Medicare spending on prescription drugs is a good thing, particularly for those taking (often) lifesaving medications.
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January 2, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Despite the cost burden to the federal government, the increase in Medicare spending on prescription drugs is a good thing, particularly for those taking (often) lifesaving medications.
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Mehmet Oz's "just be healthy" narrative to counter the flu is odd. While it isn’t wrong to tell people to lead healthier lives, misinforming the public on the flu jab and appearing to downplay the disease’s impact aren’t in the interests of public health.
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www.forbes.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Mehmet Oz's "just be healthy" narrative to counter the flu is odd. While it isn’t wrong to tell people to lead healthier lives, misinforming the public on the flu jab and appearing to downplay the disease’s impact aren’t in the interests of public health.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
As health insurers drop coverage of weight loss drugs, access worsens for low-income folks who may have a disproportionate need for them. www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:56 PM
As health insurers drop coverage of weight loss drugs, access worsens for low-income folks who may have a disproportionate need for them. www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Some predictions for the new year (on the economy, public health, and healthcare): www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com
January 1, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Some predictions for the new year (on the economy, public health, and healthcare): www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
It's a sign of dysfunction that Congress can't get its act together and come up with compromise legislation to extend enhanced ACA subsidies temporarily while introducing reforms to the program. www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:29 PM
It's a sign of dysfunction that Congress can't get its act together and come up with compromise legislation to extend enhanced ACA subsidies temporarily while introducing reforms to the program. www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
There is a lot more than meets the eye regarding the U.S.-U.K. trade deal involving eliminating tariffs on British exports of pharmaceutical products and increasing the nation's spending on new prescription drugs.
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25% Higher UK Cost/QALY Threshold Isn’t Same As 25% Drug Price Hike
The 25% increase in the numeric value of a metric that helps decide whether pharmaceuticals are worth the cost isn't the same as a 25% hike in the price of new drugs.
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December 10, 2025 at 2:50 PM
There is a lot more than meets the eye regarding the U.S.-U.K. trade deal involving eliminating tariffs on British exports of pharmaceutical products and increasing the nation's spending on new prescription drugs.
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For more than 15 years, there's been a push for increased availability of over-the-counter meds in therapeutic classes for which no OTC options currently exist. But the results have been meager. Will FDA Commissioner Makary's call for changes in policy fall flat?
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Trump Administration Says It Wants More OTC Meds, But So Far No Action
Drugs for high cholesterol and migraine could become OTC in the U.S. But without a comprehensive behind-the-counter alternative, it’s hard to envision this happening.
www.forbes.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:52 PM
For more than 15 years, there's been a push for increased availability of over-the-counter meds in therapeutic classes for which no OTC options currently exist. But the results have been meager. Will FDA Commissioner Makary's call for changes in policy fall flat?
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
The entire vaccine ecosystem is under threat, prompted less by evidence than a seeming desire to upend a system that has worked well for the American population for decades.
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Under RFK Jr., Vaccine Development Is Facing Unprecedented Challenges
The entire vaccine ecosystem is under threat, prompted less by data than a seeming desire to upend a system that has worked well for the American population for decades.
www.forbes.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The entire vaccine ecosystem is under threat, prompted less by evidence than a seeming desire to upend a system that has worked well for the American population for decades.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Changes in hepatitis B vaccine guidance may be laying the groundwork for an overhaul of the entire childhood vaccine schedule. www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Childhood Vaccine Upheaval Won’t Stop With Changes In Hep B Guidance
Added scrutiny of childhood vaccines could sow doubts on their safety and effectiveness, exacerbating vaccine hesitancy, leading to preventable morbidity and mortality.
www.forbes.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Changes in hepatitis B vaccine guidance may be laying the groundwork for an overhaul of the entire childhood vaccine schedule. www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Science isn't settled on the role male infertility may be playing in falling birth rates. In a word or two: It's complicated.
undark.org/2025/12/03/m...
undark.org/2025/12/03/m...
Is Male Infertility Contributing to Falling Birth Rates?
Although the science is unsettled, the White House has embraced core tenets of the 'sperm count decline hypothesis.'
undark.org
December 3, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Science isn't settled on the role male infertility may be playing in falling birth rates. In a word or two: It's complicated.
undark.org/2025/12/03/m...
undark.org/2025/12/03/m...
Trump may have a healthcare plan, but part of it (temporary extension of Obamacare premium subsidies) has apparently been rebuffed by fellow Republicans.
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Trump May Have A Healthcare Plan, But Fellow Republicans Are Balking
Trump appeared last week poised to introduce a new proposal aimed at both temporarily prolonging premium tax credits and reforming the ACA. But Republicans rebuffed it.
www.forbes.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Trump may have a healthcare plan, but part of it (temporary extension of Obamacare premium subsidies) has apparently been rebuffed by fellow Republicans.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Artificial intelligence to guide use of oft-criticized prior authorization in Medicare demonstration project, starting next month.
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AI To Guide Use Of Prior Authorization In Medicare Through Demo Project
By piloting a six-year demonstration project called WISeR, Medicare is implementing an AI-led prior authorization policy that is already in place in Medicare Advantage.
www.forbes.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Artificial intelligence to guide use of oft-criticized prior authorization in Medicare demonstration project, starting next month.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
On the public health front, good news is hard to come by these days. But progress in the fight against malaria is unequivocally a positive thing. Public-private partnerships established 30 years ago have paid dividends in terms of better treatments and vaccines. www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Progress In Fight Against Malaria, As New Treatment Shows Promise
The anti-malarial GanLum's Phase 3 data highlight the drug’s potential to further combat the threat of antimalarial drug resistance in Africa.
www.forbes.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:41 PM
On the public health front, good news is hard to come by these days. But progress in the fight against malaria is unequivocally a positive thing. Public-private partnerships established 30 years ago have paid dividends in terms of better treatments and vaccines. www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revealed important details regarding the most-favored nation approach to drug pricing being pursued by the Trump administration. Despite more clarity, many questions remain unanswered. Here for @Forbes I explain.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Trump Administration Unveils Details Most-Favored Nation Drug Prices
CMS announced in Nov. a new drug payment model called GENEROUS, designed to make most-favored nation prices available to state Medicaid programs via manufacturer rebates.
www.forbes.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revealed important details regarding the most-favored nation approach to drug pricing being pursued by the Trump administration. Despite more clarity, many questions remain unanswered. Here for @Forbes I explain.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
The Trump administration revealed prices it negotiated for 15 top-selling drugs in Medicare's outpatient pharmacy benefit. The 44% drop in price is impressive. But there's more to it than meets the eye. Here, for @Forbes I explain.
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Medicare Reveals It Negotiated 44% Lower Net Prices For 15 Drugs
Medicare beneficiaries spent $1.7 billion out of pocket on the 15 drugs. The negotiated price reductions may save beneficiaries $685 million in out-of-pocket costs.
www.forbes.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:17 PM
The Trump administration revealed prices it negotiated for 15 top-selling drugs in Medicare's outpatient pharmacy benefit. The 44% drop in price is impressive. But there's more to it than meets the eye. Here, for @Forbes I explain.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
Reposted by Joshua Cohen
6yrs ago the hub’s cousin was fighting for his life on ECMO. He then got a lung transplant. Today, we did a 5K as a family. Sometimes lung transplant is just amazing. Tis the season to be thankful. Happy thanksgiving.
November 27, 2025 at 8:11 PM
6yrs ago the hub’s cousin was fighting for his life on ECMO. He then got a lung transplant. Today, we did a 5K as a family. Sometimes lung transplant is just amazing. Tis the season to be thankful. Happy thanksgiving.
The cost-effectiveness threshold used by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in Britain may soon be raised. Here, I describe what's going on and what the implications may be for prescription drug spending.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
U.S.-U.K. Negotiations Could Lead To Higher Drug Spending In Britain
Whatever cost-effectiveness threshold level NICE adopts in future, it will reflect a policy choice that appropriately balances societal “health, fairness and innovation.”
www.forbes.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The cost-effectiveness threshold used by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in Britain may soon be raised. Here, I describe what's going on and what the implications may be for prescription drug spending.
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...
www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...