News from NYU Langone Health
When should you use AI for health advice with Dr. Roshini Raj
Live With Kelly and Mark
Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health and clinical associate professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explains how AI has become a valuable tool for managing personal health. She suggests using AI to translate complex medical jargon in test results, find culturally tailored dietary advice, and prepare for annual check-ups by identifying necessary screenings. It can also help navigate insurance to find specialists for rare conditions. However, Dr. Rajapaksa warns that AI should never replace professional consultations or human therapists. She cautions against stopping medications based on AI data and advises those prone to "cyberchondria" to avoid these tools to prevent unnecessary anxiety.
5/22/2026
The worst kind of cancer suddenly isn’t so scary anymore
Vox
Recent breakthroughs are creating new optimism for treating pancreatic cancer, a disease with a historically grim prognosis. According to Anirban Maitra, MD, director of NYU Langone's Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center and associate dean for cancer research, as well as a member of the faculty of NYU Grossman School of Medicine, a new KRAS-targeting pill called daraxonrasib has shown promise in doubling survival for some patients. Maitra notes that after decades of failed trials, there is finally a foundation on which to build. He also highlights the importance of early detection through awareness of risk factors, such as new-onset adult diabetes with weight loss, and the potential of AI programs to improve diagnostics.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Health
5/21/2026
Focus: Lower cost Novo, Lilly weight-loss pills draw patients from compounded drugs, doctors say
Reuters
Lower prices for weight-loss pills from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are prompting patients to switch from compounded medications to branded options. According to Michael Weintraub, MD, endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health and clinical assistant professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, he is seeing patients who were on compounded drugs ask to switch to the pharmaceutical-grade branded versions due to lower costs. While Novo's Wegovy pill benefits from brand recognition, doctors report that insurance coverage remains a major hurdle for patients seeking these treatments. The pills are helping to expand the market to new patients.
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5/21/2026
NYU Langone dermatologist highlights importance of protecting skin from the sun
Spectrum News NY1
With about 230,000 Americans diagnosed with melanoma annually, Jennifer Stein, MD, PhD, dermatologist, associate vice chair of Faculty Group Practice and the Stewart J. Rahr Professor of Dermatology, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, discussed the warning signs of skin cancer and methods to reduce risk. As summer approaches, dermatologists are emphasizing the importance of skin safety during outdoor activities. More than 1 million people in the US are currently living with melanoma.
5/21/2026
Why old-school fitness videos feel so comforting right now
ELLE
A recent trend shows a resurgence in the popularity of older workout videos, such as Tae Bo and P90X, driven by factors like cost, accessibility, and nostalgia. Many of these classic routines are available for free or at a low cost online and are being updated for modern fitness standards. According to Ajay Marken, MD, clinical assistant professor in the Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, wistfulness plays a significant role, as people who watched their parents do these workouts are now the same age. The longevity of these routines also lends them a sense of authority.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Life, MSN
5/21/2026
Long Island hospitals earn high marks in federal quality rankings, with 14 receiving top CMS grades
Long Island Press
Fourteen Long Island hospitals received the highest quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. NYU Langone Health's hospitals in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island were collectively rated and received a five-star designation. Additionally, NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk improved its rating to four stars from two stars the previous year. The rankings also highlighted strong performance from competitors, with several hospitals operated by Northwell Health and Catholic Health also earning top five-star ratings. The federal rankings evaluate hospitals on measures including patient safety, mortality, and patient experience.
5/21/2026
GLP-1s are closing the gap with bariatric surgery. Here’s what the research shows.
Becker's Hospital Review
A study involving patients from NYU Langone Health and NYC Health + Hospitals found that bariatric surgery resulted in approximately five times more weight loss over two years than GLP-1 medications. The article compares the two weight loss approaches, noting that while GLP-1s show strong results in clinical trials, surgery leads in real-world weight loss and durability. The analysis also covers differences in weight regain, cardiovascular outcomes, and cost, suggesting the treatments may be complementary rather than mutually exclusive for certain patients.
5/21/2026
Fixed-duration AV Is a compelling option, with important caveats: Adam Kittai, MD
American Journal of Managed Care
In an interview, Adam Kittai, MD, director of the CLL Program at Perlmutter Cancer Center, director of the Lymphoma Program at Perlmutter Cancer Center - Long Island, and member of the faculty at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, discusses fixed-duration acalabrutinib plus venetoclax (AV) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He notes that while continuous BTK inhibitor therapy is convenient, AV avoids cumulative toxicities, which is beneficial for younger patients. Kittai highlights AV's favorable safety profile from the AMPLIFY trial but also notes caveats, including risks of bleeding and infection. He characterizes AV as a safe, time-limited regimen for patients who prioritize a fixed duration of oral therapy, despite the lack of long-term follow-up data.
5/21/2026
Longer time with low eGFR tied to higher kidney transplant rates in youth
Medscape
Youth who spent more time with a low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were more likely to receive preemptive or living donor kidney transplants, according to a new study. The research also found that Black children were less likely than White children to receive these types of transplants. Commenting on the findings, Marissa Lipton, MD, clinical assistant professor of pediatrics and a pediatric nephrologist at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone Health, said the study highlights the importance of early transplant referral, particularly for Black youth who are at risk for faster chronic kidney disease progression.
5/22/2026
Following $23M capital raise, brain research company Bexorg opens expanded New Haven HQ
Hartford Business Journal
Bexorg, a Yale spin-off focused on neuroscience drug research, has relocated to a larger headquarters in New Haven. The company's BrainEx platform uses donated human brains to test drug candidates for diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. This method is seen as a potential alternative as the FDA moves to phase out animal testing. Brendan Parent, JD, director of the Section on Medical Ethics and associate professor in the Departments of Population Health and Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, who is on the company's ethics board, noted the shift presents an important moment.
5/21/2026
