AMA’s Joy in Medicine program honors health systems tackling burnout; childhood social factors to predict adult heart health; hurricane Sandy’s hidden toll – Morning Medical Update

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AMA’s Joy in Medicine program honors health systems tackling physician burnout

The AMA has announced its 2025–2026 Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program honorees, spotlighting hospitals and health systems nationwide that are making measurable strides to support physician well-being and reduce burnout. Recognition is awarded at gold, silver and bronze levels and lasts two years. This year’s gold-tier recipients include Mayo Clinic, UCSF Health, Northwestern Medicine and Stanford Medicine, among others, reflecting top-level commitment to creating healthier practice environments. The program now recognizes more than 150 organizations, underscoring a growing national movement to care for the caregivers. Find the full list of recognized organizations here.

Boston study tracks childhood social factors to predict young adult heart health

A first-of-its-kind longitudinal study from Boston University is examining how childhood social conditions shape cardiovascular health in early adulthood. The Future of Families Cardiovascular Health Among Young Adults (FF-CHAYA) Study follows more than 2,000 young adults, first enrolled at birth, to link socioeconomic status, neighborhood and school environments, and family conditions with clinical measures like blood pressure, cholesterol and early arterial injury. Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the work aims to pinpoint which early-life social determinants most strongly drive lifelong cardiovascular risk — insights researchers hope will guide pediatric care and public health policy.

Hurricane Sandy’s hidden toll

Older adults in New Jersey neighborhoods flooded by Hurricane Sandy faced a 5% higher risk of heart disease for up to five years after the 2012 storm, according to a JAMA Network Open study from Weill Cornell Medicine and NYU. Analyzing Medicare data from more than 120,000 residents, researchers found that heart failure and related complications were significantly higher in flood-hit areas, especially among socially disadvantaged communities. The findings highlight how disasters can leave lingering cardiovascular risks and underscore the need for long-term health monitoring in climate resilience planning.