News from NYU Langone Health
Newsday
Long Island is expected to face an intense tree pollen season due to significant winter precipitation, according to experts. Stephanie Mawhirt, DO, allergist and associate program director, Adult Allergy Fellowship, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, explained that the snow and rain create optimal conditions for blooming. She advises patients to start daily medication like steroid or antihistamine nasal sprays before symptoms become severe. Dr. Mawhirt also recommends monitoring pollen counts, keeping windows closed, and showering before bed to remove pollen. Neal Shipley, MD, of Northwell Health-Go Health Urgent Care, also commented on the issue.
3/18/2026
HealthDay
A study by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that insurance prior authorization requirements can delay prescriptions for life-saving heart failure medications by two to six times. The research, which tracked nearly 2,200 patients at NYU Langone Health, revealed that these delays often result in patients never filling their prescriptions. Lead researcher Amrita Mukhopadhyay, MD, the Eugene Braunwald, MD, Assistant Professor of Cardiology, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and its Leon H Charney Division of Cardiology, stated that these policies may harm patients by preventing timely access to treatments. Senior researcher Saul Blecker, MD, associate professor in the departments of population health and medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, noted that these requirements may worsen health disparities.
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3/16/2026
Fox News
A new study suggests that getting just over seven hours of sleep per night may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by reducing insulin resistance. However, experts caution against oversimplifying the findings. Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Fox News senior medical analyst, called the study "useful information." He explained, "We have long known that there is an association between sleep and insulin resistance... because the restorative aspect of sleep helps to regulate metabolic function and hormones, and also decrease inflammation." Aaron Pinkhasov, MD, chair of the department of psychiatry at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, commented that the concept is "too simplistic," as sleep is just one part of metabolic health. He stated, "The key message is not the exact number of hours, but that both chronic sleep deprivation and irregular sleep patterns are associated with higher insulin resistance."
3/16/2026
The San Diego Union-Tribune - NYT News Service Syndicate
An article in The New York Times examines whether jerky is a healthy snack. Nicole Lund, MPH, RDN, a dietitian nutritionist at NYU Langone Health, notes that jerky can be a good source of protein for its calorie count and often has a short ingredient list. However, other experts highlight that as a processed meat, jerky is classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization. It can also be high in sodium, nitrates, and saturated fats. The consensus is to consume jerky only occasionally, with healthier high-protein alternatives being preferable.
3/17/2026
TODAY
For Colon Â鶹ÊÓƵapp Awareness Month, Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health, debunked several common digestive health myths. She explained that 70-80% of colon cancer cases are not hereditary, emphasizing the importance of screening for everyone starting at age 45. Rajapaksa also clarified that lemon water does not detox the body, probiotics must be taken consistently to be effective, and spicy foods do not cause stomach ulcers, though they can irritate existing ones. She advised against cutting out gluten before being tested for celiac disease.
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3/17/2026
SurvivorNet
A new study in JAMA finds that obesity contributes to roughly 10% of all new cancer diagnoses in the US each year and up to 50% of certain tumors. Excess fat tissue can drive cancer development through chronic inflammation and hormonal disruption. Discussing GLP-1 medications, Holly Lofton, MD, director of the Medical Weight Management Program at NYU Langone Health, notes their benefits can include weight loss, improved glycemic control, and a decreased risk of weight-related conditions like breast, endometrial, and colon cancer. The research also explores how significant weight loss may reduce these risks.
3/16/2026
Becker's ASC Review
A new study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health found that patients with inflammatory bowel disease and precancerous colorectal lesions face a heightened risk of developing colorectal cancer. The research, which tracked over 54,000 patients in Sweden, revealed that those with low-grade dysplasia were 3.5 times more likely to develop advanced lesions or cancer. The article also highlights other challenges for gastroenterologists, including projections that GI cancers will double globally by 2050, regional surgeon shortages, increased private equity acquisitions of practices, and a significant decline in colonoscopy reimbursement rates since 2001.
3/17/2026
Becker's Hospital Review
On 12 March, NYU Langone Health opened a new 25,000-square-foot imaging and specialty care facility in Riverhead, New York. The site dedicates 13,000 square feet to diagnostic imaging services, including MRI, CT, and breast cancer screening, with the remaining space for specialty care in areas like cardiology and orthopedics. This expansion is part of a growing network of NYU Langone locations on Long Island's East End. The health system also opened six outpatient practices in Suffolk County last year and plans to launch an ambulatory surgery center in Patchogue this summer.
3/17/2026
Becker's ASC Review
A list of five notable female gastroenterologists includes Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, the Robert M. and Mary H. Glickman Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the director of Outcomes Research for Gastroenterology and Hepatology at NYU Langone Health. The article highlights her focus on colorectal cancer prevention and screening, as well as her expertise in managing GI disorders. Dr. Shaukat integrates advanced endoscopic techniques and AI to improve colonoscopy outcomes and has been recognized with multiple awards. The list also features physicians from Atrium Health, UCLA, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, and Baylor College of Medicine.
3/17/2026
CURE Magazine
In an interview, Marleen I. Meyers, MD, medical oncologist and clinical professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of the Â鶹ÊÓƵapp Survivorship Program at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Â鶹ÊÓƵapp Center, discussed the evolving landscape of cancer survivorship. With five-year survival rates now at 70%, she noted that care is increasingly focused on quality of life for patients living long-term with cancer, including metastatic disease. Dr. Meyers highlighted the role of targeted therapies in improving outcomes and reducing toxicity, and addressed the unique challenges faced by younger survivors, such as fertility and psychosocial health.
3/17/2026
San Luis Obispo Tribune - NYT News Service/Syndicate Stories
Shifting guidelines for blood pressure control are recommending lower targets, with recent revisions from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology encouraging systolic readings below 120 for at-risk patients. This trend is supported by studies like the SPRINT trial and emerging evidence linking hypertension to dementia. John A. Dodson, MD, MPH, a cardiologist and director of NYU Cardiovascular Digital Health (CDH) Lab at NYU Langone Health, states that while he was previously lenient with older patients, he now treats them more aggressively. The article also covers at-home monitoring and some skepticism about the new guidelines.
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3/17/2026
Earth.com
A new study by researchers from the NYU College of Dentistry and NYU Grossman School of Medicine indicates that early life stress can cause long-term digestive problems by affecting the brain-gut connection. The research, published in Gastroenterology, found that childhood stressors can lead to issues like constipation, diarrhea, and gut pain in adulthood. Kara G. Margolis, MD, director of the NYU Pain Research Center and pediatric gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health, suggests that clinicians should inquire about a patient's childhood experiences when treating digestive disorders, not just their current stress levels.
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3/17/2026
