JAMA Clinical Reviews

Childhood obesity affects approximately 15% of children aged 2 to 12 and is associated with adverse health outcomes in adulthood. Author Claudia K. Fox, MD, MPH, of the University of Minnesota Medical School joins JAMA Deputy Editor Mary M. McDermott, MD, to discuss epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood obesity. Related Content:

• Obesity in Children Aged 2 to 12 Years

Heart transplant for patients with advanced heart failure can lead to improved survival and quality of life. Author JoAnne Lindenfeld, MD, of Vanderbilt University joins JAMA Associate Editor David Simel, MD, MHS, to discuss indications, transplant evaluation, management after transplant, long-term complications, and survival. Related Content:

• Heart Transplant for Advanced Heart Failure

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurologic disorder that causes severe daytime sleepiness and impaired quality of life. Author Tom Scammell, MD, of Harvard Medical School joins JAMA Deputy Editor Karen Lasser, MD, MPH, to discuss the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of narcolepsy. Related Content:

• Narcolepsy
• The Orexin System—A Key Component of Sleep Regulatory Networks and Involvement in Narcolepsy

Respiratory virus vaccine effectiveness and safety for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 are reviewed, including new evidence, risks, and recommendations. JAMA Deputy Editor Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, speaks with Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and former CDC Director, about vaccine data, public trust, and the 2026 respiratory virus season. Related Content:

• Respiratory Season Virus Vaccines
• RSV Immunization Effectiveness and Safety for the 2026-2027 Respiratory Season
• Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness and Safety for the 2026-2027 Respiratory Season
• COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness and Safety for the 2026-2027 Respiratory Season

Cancer vaccines stimulate immune cells to recognize proteins or mutations found on or within cancer cells, facilitating destruction of cancer cells. Several vaccines are approved and others are in development for cancer treatment. Author Nora Disis, MD, JAMA Deputy Editor and Editor in Chief of JAMA Oncology, discusses cancer vaccines and more with JAMA Deputy Editor Mary McDermott, MD. Related Content:

• Vaccines for Cancer

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) affects approximately 1% to 4% of adults aged 65 years and older and is associated with gait impairment, cognitive decline, and urinary dysfunction. Author Mark G. Luciano, MD, PhD, from Johns Hopkins University, discusses this and more with JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin Walter, MD, MS. Related Content:

• Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any synovial joint and cause irreversible damage, but early diagnosis and treatment with DMARDs can reduce inflammation and lower the risk of joint destruction. JAMA Associate Editor David Simel, MD, MHS, is joined by review coauthor Josef Smolen, MD, to discuss this topic. Related Content:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults

POTS is a chronic autonomic disorder characterized by excessive orthostatic tachycardia and multisystem symptoms that affects an estimated 0.1% to 1% of the US population. Author Satish Raj, MD, MSCI, of University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine joins JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin Walter, MD, MS, to discuss current evidence about the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of POTS. Related Content:

• Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram, and topiramate are effective but underused medications for treatment of alcohol use disorder. Author Stephen Holt, MD, MS, of Yale School of Medicine joins JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin Walter, MD, MS, to discuss first-line pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder and important safety, efficacy, and hospital initiation considerations. Related Content:

• Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)(liquid biopsies) can help monitor cancer progression, detect residual cancer after treatment, and identify genetic changes within cancer cells that could affect treatment response. Author Ben Ho Park, MD, PhD, of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center discusses current evidence regarding use of liquid biopsies in management of cancer with JAMA Deputy Editor Mary McGrae McDermott, MD. Related Content:

• Liquid Biopsies for Cancer
• Applications of Liquid Biopsy for Surgical Patients With Cancer

Physical activity is an effective component of care for people with chronic medical conditions. In this podcast, JAMA Insights author Alessio Bricca, PhD, University of Southern Denmark, discusses adaptable methods to promote physical activity in patients with chronic medical conditions with host Anne Rentoumis Cappola, MD, ScM. Related Content:

• Communicating With Patients About Physical Activity

Hodgkin lymphoma is a relatively rare disease, with approximately 82 409 incident cases reported globally in 2022, and 8720 cases reported in the US in 2025. Author Alison Moskowitz, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center joins JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin Walter, MD, MS, to discuss current evidence about the diagnosis and management of Hodgkin lymphoma in adults. Related Content:

• Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma

Suboptimal sleep quality and quantity are associated with higher body mass index and more difficulty losing weight. In this podcast, JAMA Insights author Atul Malhotra, MD, from the University of California, San Diego, discusses evidence regarding sleep and obesity with JAMA Deputy Editor Mary McDermott, MD. Related Content:

• Sleep Health and Obesity

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains a leading cause of global mortality and is strongly associated with cumulative exposure to atherogenic lipoproteins across the lifespan. Author Amber E. Johnson, MD, MS, MBA, of the University of Chicago joins JAMA Senior Editor Philip Greenland, MD, to discuss the ACC/AHA guideline on management of dyslipidemia. Related Content:

• Dyslipidemia Evaluation and Management
• Implications of the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guideline for Primary Prevention Statin Therapy

Hip fractures are a leading cause of disability and death in older adults. This episode summarizes risk factors, prevention, and medical and surgical management of hip fractures. JAMA Deputy Editor Mary M. McDermott, MD, interviews Douglas Kiel, MD, MPH, of Harvard Medical School and Marcus Institute for Aging Research. Related Content:

• Hip Fractures

Alcohol-related liver disease is the leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality and the most common indication for liver transplant in Europe and the US. Author Aleksander Krag, MD, PhD, of the University of Southern Denmark joins JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin Walter, MD, MS, to discuss a recent review on this topic published in JAMA. Related Content:

• Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Worldwide, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) affects approximately 1 in 250 to 350 individuals. Author James Stein, MD, of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health joins JAMA Deputy Editor Karen Lasser, MD, MPH, to discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of both homozygous and heterozygous FH. Related Content:

• Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Patient portal messaging continues to expand across health systems, and it has become an increasingly important method for patient-clinician communication. Authors Michal Mankowski, PhD, assistant professor, and Jane Long, MD, research resident, both from the Department of Surgery at NYU, discuss their new research letter with JAMA Deputy Editor Joseph Ross, MD, MHS. Related Content:

• Trends in Patient Portal Messages, Office Visits, and Telephone Encounters
• National Trends in Patient Messaging—The Growing Electronic Inbox

Nonspecific low back pain is a leading cause of disability, with most cases lacking a clear anatomic cause. This episode reviews risk factors, diagnosis, and current evidence-based treatments for acute and chronic low back pain. JAMA Deputy Editor Mary M. McDermott, MD, interviews author James McAuley, PhD, of the University of New South Wales. Related Content:

• Low Back Pain
• What Is Low Back Pain?

Cyanotic congenital heart diseases occur in approximately 0.2% of live births in the US, but survival to adulthood is common with current surgical interventions. JAMA Associate Editor David Simel, MD, MHS, speaks with author Michael Landzberg, MD, who coauthored a recent review in JAMA on this topic. Related Content:

• Survivors of Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease