Welcome to this week’s episode of The 2 Minute Medicine Podcast, where practicing physicians break down the latest in clinical research and health care news.

We begin with our Article of the Week, a New England Journal of Medicine study titled “Global Effect of Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Lifetime Estimates,” which analyzes data from more than two million participants across 39 countries. The findings show that individuals without common risk factors such as hypertension and smoking can gain over a decade of heart disease-free life, underscoring the importance of prevention on a global scale.

In our Scan segment, we discuss the FDA’s approval of leucovorin calcium for cerebral folate deficiency and the ongoing discussion around acetaminophen use in pregnancy. We then explore the expanding world of wearable health technology, including the Oura Ring’s growing presence in both consumer and professional settings, and the questions it raises about clinical oversight. Next, we review Eli Lilly’s new oral GLP-1 medication, orforglipron, which achieved more than twelve percent weight loss in phase III trials and could make obesity treatment more accessible. Finally, we examine Florida’s evolving vaccine policy and its decision to reconsider certain school immunization requirements amid a national decline in vaccination rates.

Each story highlights how innovation, regulation, and public health continue to shape the practice of modern medicine.