Study Shows That Trust in Doctors and Hospitals Declined During the COVID Era

In surveys completed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by U.S. adults, trust in physicians and hospitals decreased over time in every socioeconomic group, according to a new study led by Roy Perlis, MD, MSc, director of the Center for Quantitative Health at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The study also found that lower trust was associated with a lower likelihood of receiving SARS-CoV-2 or influenza vaccines.

Among the leading contributors to low trust were concerns about financial motives, quality of care, influence of other entities or agendas, and perception of discrimination or bias.

“People have different reasons for not trusting doctors and hospitals, and restoring trust will require that we consider those different reasons, rather than adopting a ‘one size fits all’ approach,” said Perlis. “But for us to be ready for the next pandemic, winning back this trust is imperative.” Read more.

Grant Will Help to Advance Research into Preventing, Detecting and Treating BRCA-Related Cancers

The work of Shawn Demehri, MD, PhD, Bob and Rita Davis Family MGH Research Scholar 2023-2028, and his team in the Demehri Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital is on the cutting edge of cancer research, determining the immune system’s role in the early stages of cancer development to harness its potential for treatment and prevention.

Now, Blackstone Group President Jon Gray and his wife Mindy have taken notice: as part of the Gray Foundation’s 2023 Team Science competition, they have awarded $3 million to Dr. Demehri to continue his study of a novel immunological approach to prevent cancers related to the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation.

The funds will help Dr. Demehri test preclinical models that will boost or redirect these immune cells. His ultimate vision is to create something akin to a cancer vaccine, which would create an immune response in BCRA mutation-positive patients that turns immune cells into strong anti-cancer agents.

“We’re trying to understand how to employ a patient’s immune system to fight cancer, and we’re very interested in how to prevent breast cancer in patients who are carriers of BRCA gene mutations,” Dr. Demehri says. “I’m very grateful to the Gray Foundation for recognizing the potential and providing this award to fund our work.” Read more.

Aspirin Provides Greater Colorectal Cancer Protection for People with Unhealthy Lifestyles

In a study of more than 100,000 people, a research team led by Mass General’s Daniel Sikavi, MD, and Andrew Chan, MD, MPH, found that people with a less healthy lifestyle (higher body mass index, greater smoking, greater alcohol consumption, less physical activity, poorer diet quality) had a greater reduction in risk of colorectal cancer when taking aspirin on a regular basis.

Participants leading the healthiest lifestyles had an overall lower risk of colorectal cancer but did not see the same protective benefits from regular aspirin use.

The study, published in JAMA Oncology, could encourage a more nuanced approach to preventive aspirin use. Read more.