2025: A Year of Disruption, Debate, and Defining Moments in Health and Science
A year marked by a 10th anniversary, unprecedented news cycles – including a surprising data breach – and a relentless focus on the intersection of politics and public health, 2025 proved to be a pivotal year in the world of health and science. From the fallout of the Trump administration’s policies to the shifting landscape of biotech and the loss of scientific giants, the past year demanded scrutiny, sparked debate, and ultimately reshaped the future of medicine.
A Decade of Coverage, and a Year Unlike Any Other
The year began with a reflection on a decade of reporting, but quickly became dominated by a “blizzard of news.” While the organization wasn’t privy to sensitive national security discussions, a significant security lapse saw internal strategy documents from a major health insurer mistakenly shared. This year’s coverage spanned the spectrum, from heartwarming stories – like that of a baby in a tuxedo making history – to in-depth investigations into the lives of complex and controversial figures.
“American Science, Shattered”: The Impact of Political Shifts
Much of the year’s most impactful reporting centered on the consequences of the Trump administration’s policies on the scientific community. A 10-part series, “American Science, Shattered,” was hailed by one outlet as “the most comprehensive telling of this year’s carnage” in academia and government-funded research. The series explored the far-reaching effects of political interference on scientific progress. Even the former President’s personal health became a subject of public discussion, with questions raised about a bruise on his hand and the necessity of an MRI for a 79-year-old man.
The Kennedy Era and the “Make America Healthy Again” Movement
A central figure in 2025 was Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the former President’s health secretary. His profile revealed a sweeping agenda, prompting the creation of a dedicated tracker to monitor the progress of his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement. Profiles also highlighted key members of Kennedy’s administration, including Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary. The FDA itself experienced significant upheaval, with layoffs and executive turnover, and the actions of Vinay Prasad and Tracy Beth Høeg drew particular scrutiny.
To understand the ambitions of the MAHA movement, reporters traveled to its heartland – Texas – to gauge public dissatisfaction with the healthcare system and explore alternative approaches, even venturing to Slovenia for further investigation.
Moderna’s Fall From Grace and the mRNA Debate
A breakout story of the year focused on the rise, fall, and uncertain future of Moderna. Once lauded for its pioneering COVID-19 vaccine, the biotech company faced corporate challenges and growing skepticism surrounding its mRNA technology, even from elected officials in Washington. As enthusiasm for mRNA waned, academics found themselves defending the technology against unsubstantiated claims of danger. In a striking moment, a Nobel Prize winner – whose discoveries laid the foundation for mRNA technology – dismissed one such claim as “absolutely impossible.”
The need to debunk misinformation was a constant theme throughout 2025, with the persistent myth linking vaccines to autism remaining a top story.
Biotech and Pharma: Shifting Sands and Rising Powers
The pharmaceutical landscape experienced a significant shakeup in 2025. Eli Lilly’s weight loss and diabetes drugs, Zepbound and Mounjaro, surpassed Keytruda as the world’s best-selling medicines. FDA rejections of therapies from Replimune Group and Capricor Therapeutics sent ripples through the industry, and concerns arose over a new FDA expedited review process, with some experts questioning whether scientific rigor was being compromised.
Boston maintained its position as the nation’s biotech hub, while San Diego faced uncertainty and North Carolina experienced optimism. However, the rise of Chinese biotech cast a long shadow over the entire sector. News continued to emerge from research into areas like hair loss, smoking cessation, lupus, and gonorrhea, alongside ongoing mergers and acquisitions.
Science and Discovery: Breakthroughs and New Understandings
Despite the challenges, scientific progress continued. Researchers reported “amazing” results from a small study of CD40 agonist antibodies used against metastatic cancer, and new insights emerged into the neurological basis of inner voices.
Expanding the Reach of STAT
Throughout 2025, the organization expanded its reach through various initiatives. The annual STATus List highlighted the year’s most influential figures, while STAT Wunderkinds recognized promising young scientists. STAT Madness, a bracket-style competition, saw the Baylor College of Medicine claim victory for the second consecutive year. A new video explainer series, STATus Report, tackled complex topics with clarity, exemplified by a piece exploring the surprising connections between Ozempic, rollerblades, and dumpsters.
Three summits were held throughout the year, featuring appearances by Bill Nye the Science Guy, heartbreaking stories of denied care, and the groundbreaking debut of the first baby to receive personalized gene-editing treatment – and, notably, he was wearing a tiny tuxedo.
Remembering Those We Lost
The year also brought loss, with the passing of several notable figures. Austin Leclaire championed awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Adam Hayden inspired others during his nine-year battle with terminal brain cancer, and Donavon Decker contributed to a treatment he would not live to benefit from.
The death of James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA, was particularly poignant. While celebrated for his scientific achievements, his later life was marred by controversial and odious views. STAT published a retrospective on his career, written by Sharon Begley before her own passing in 2021, allowing her to have the final word on a complex and troubled legacy.
