MedEvidence! Truth Behind the Data

Send us Fan Mail Anesthesiologist Dr. Todd Bertoch speaks with Dr. Michael Koren in this exciting episode about the a new pain medication, Journavx (suzetrigine), which was just approved by the FDA in January, 2025. The doctors discuss this breakthrough pain management medication, its safety profile, side effects, and how it compares to NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and opioids. They also dive into the a...

Send us Fan Mail Kevin Geddings talks with Cardiologist Dr. Michael Koren about the health risks and benefits of alcohol, which continue to be significant topics of discussion in health circles. This episode delves into a late Biden-era proposal for alcohol warning labels amid growing concerns about cancer risks associated with consumption. Dr. Koren expresses a desire for more clinical trial data...

Send us Fan Mail Rheumatologist Dr. Manish Jain joins Cardiologist Dr. Michael Koren as they discuss how performing clinical trials can help physicians become more holistic and knowledgeable, and how the process can result in better care for patients. In this conversation, the principal investigators explore Dr. Manish's journey as a clinician and investigator, including how he learned to app...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Dan Schlager, who started his career as an ER physician, joins Dr. Michael Koren to talk about his life path as a physician inventor who transformed emergency response through an innovative GPS technology. Dr. Schlager also talks about other inventions like a lightning-proof shirt, and the legal and bureaucratic process of getting and defending patents from those who would cir...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Michael Koren joins Kevin Geddings as they explore the history and significance of clinical trial integrity over the last 50 years. Dr. Koren brings up the story of Dr. David Baltimore, who's test results on viruses were questioned and who's vigilance helped establish the rigorous standards we see today. It highlights the importance of reliable research practices and...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Medicare and insurance expert Andy Stansfield joins Dr. Michael Koren to review the differences between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Andy reveals the intricacies of Medicare's components - Parts A, B, C, and D - and explains how the government collaborates with private insurance companies to manage Medicare Advantage in an effort to promote co...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Obesity, Lifestyle, and Pediatric Specialist Dr. Randolph Nunez joins Cardiologist and Clinical Researcher Dr. Michael Koren as they discuss the approaches to managing obesity, particularly in children and adolescents. Dr. Nunez talks about Keystone Habits like sleep, and how tackling those habits are the key to sustained weight loss. The doctors discuss the psych...

Send us Fan Mail On this week’s MedEvidence Monday Minute, Dr. Michael Koren and Kevin Geddings discuss the superbowl and how the predictions around the outcome - based on past experiences - were no substitute for knowing how the actual game would turn out. They relate this to clinical trials, where a hypothesis can sound sensible and have logical underpinnings, but a randomized, controlled clinic...

Send us Fan Mail Join Pulmonologist Dr. Mitchell Rothstein and Allergist and Immunologist Dr. Steve Dorman as they explore the violent activity that can project particles at 100 miles an hour out of your mouth: coughing! The doctors explain the varied approaches doctors take when trying to find the cause of a cough and what happens inside the body to turn a cough from productive to chronic. They e...

Send us Fan Mail Technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being integrated more and more into our lives. It's fast, convenient, and can be used at home to gather more health data than ever. But how do we know if the benefits of these technologies outweigh potential risks and pitfalls?  Dr. Mike Hafran joins Dr. Michael Koren to discuss how clinical trials can and have been used to weig...

Send us Fan Mail This episode focuses on the FDA's approval of Journavx, a new class of pain medication that offers an alternative to traditional narcotics like OxyContin. Listeners learn about the significance of clinical trials, patient involvement, and the evolution of pain management strategies while emphasizing the need for informed discussions with healthcare providers.  • Introduction...

Send us Fan Mail In this second and final part of this series, Dr. Michael Koren and Dr. Seth Baum discuss the importance of patient retention in cardiovascular clinical trials. They highlight how participants in these trials, even those on placebos, often experience better health outcomes due to increased medical attention. They stress the need for clear communication at the outset, proper partic...

Send us Fan Mail The trajectory for those with cardiovascular disease has changed drastically in the past few decades. Cardiologists Michael Koren and Seth Baum discuss the amazing 60% drop in cardiovascular mortality since the 1980's and the worrying rebound in heart-related mortality starting around 2012. They dissect various influences for both of these trends, including changes in diet, a...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Michael Koren reflects on his interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci with Kevin Geddings. This episode explores Dr. Fauci's history in public health and his life after exiting the government sphere. Dr. Koren and Kevin Geddings  also highlight the importance of acknowledging uncertainties in science, and how other fields don't always have the same clarity and transparency...

Send us Fan Mail Join Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Michael Koren as they discuss the public health events that have punctuated Dr. Fauci's life. The doctors discuss the difficulties of the HIV epidemic in the 1980's and how Dr. Fauci's early career decision to pursue this emerging threat helped inform and prepare him for the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctors Koren and Fauci wade through the m...

Send us Fan Mail Recent guidelines from the Surgeon General indicate that even moderate alcohol consumption poses significant health risks, particularly increasing the likelihood of several cancers. In this episode, cardiologist Dr. Michael Koren and GI specialist Dr. Bharat Misra analyze the data on alcohol and if it aligns with the Surgeon General's recommendation to add warning labels to a...

Send us Fan Mail On this week's Monday Morning Minute, Dr. Michael Koren and Kevin Geddings discuss the worry uncertainty brings in a changing government landscape and how this affects healthcare. They discuss the stress of not knowing what to expect with competing visions from the incoming administration and how the structure of clinical research trials provides consistency in uncertain time...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Michael Koren sits down with Alexandria Clark and Anna Fehr of One of a Kind (1-OAK) Clinical Research to discuss their bold decision to launch a clinical research company in 2021, shortly after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Koren reflects on how the pandemic reshaped the clinical research landscape, forcing the closure of many smaller sites which couldn...

Send us Fan Mail Cardiologist and research scientist with ENCORE Research Group, Dr. Michael Koren highlights the importance of monitoring your key health numbers with Kevin Geddings. The two talk about the importance of checking weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure, emphasizing consistency in measurement practices for accurate tracking. They discuss newer numbers to check for cardiovascular he...

Send us Fan Mail Join Dr. Koren and Dr. Ridker for part 2, as they examine the effects of silent inflammation on heart health, emphasizing the importance of understanding specific body signals and the biomarker hsCRP. They also discuss the utility of hsCRP testing as a vital marker for predicting cardiovascular risk due to silent inflammation. The doctors explain how inflammation may play a bigger...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Michael Koren welcomes Dr. Paul Ridker, the leading expert in inflammation and cardiovascular disease, Professor of Medicine at Harvard University, and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Ridker explains how his career began with challenging traditional medical assumptions, specifically the textbook risk factor...

Send us Fan Mail Last week the Surgeon General of the United States, Vivek Murthy, urged congress to pass a law requiring warning labels on alcohol showing the link between even light drinking and gastrointestinal cancers, but is this a good idea? Dr. Michael Korn talks with Kevin Geddings to discuss the balance between the gastrointestinal risks associated with alcohol consumption and its potenti...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of MedEvidence! features a compelling discussion between cardiologist and medical researcher Dr. Michael Koren and 20th U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams. Dr. Adams shares his unique journey from growing up in rural Maryland to becoming the nation's top doctor, highlighting the role of personal experience in shaping his commitment to public health. The conver...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to successful clinical trials with Dr. Michael Koren and Doug Denham in part 2 of this podcast. The doctors explore participant retention strategies that make a difference to science and to patients. From obesity studies to cholesterol conditions, Drs. Koren and Denham share their experiences  with keeping participants engaged and ensuring trial success. They di...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Michael Koren and Kevin Geddings discuss New Year’s health resolutions and how clinical research can help achieve them. The conversation highlights the ancillary benefits of participating in research, including expert guidance, hands-on care, and reinforced healthy habits. Dr. Koren also explains that exercising regularly, managing cardiovascular health, and quitting smoking a...