A study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that more than 15 million people in the US were diagnosed with autoimmune diseases from 2011 to 2022, with women nearly twice as likely to be affected as men. The research, using electronic health records from six health care systems, highlights rheumatoid arthritis as the most prevalent condition.

Outgoing HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said health experts can't keep up with a flood of misinformation on social media as distrust in institutions and skepticism about life-saving vaccines have both grown. "I don't know what more we can do. I'm more than willing to listen if somebody's got ideas," Becerra said.

Health care in 2025 will see significant challenges and advancements, according to internist Dr. Toni Brayer. Access to primary care will remain difficult, with telehealth and nurse practitioners filling some gaps. The FDA will be split into separate food and drug entities, potentially reducing regulations for medical devices and tests. Artificial intelligence will enhance personalized medicine and radiology, and home health care will become more essential as baby boomers age, Brayer notes.

HHS has declared a public health emergency in California because of the Los Angeles County wildfires, which have burned more than 40,000 acres and caused at least 24 deaths. The declaration allows greater latitude for Medicare and Medicaid providers and suppliers, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is ready to deploy medical supplies and personnel as needed.

The CMS has proposed a 2.23% increase in Medicare Advantage benchmark payments for 2026, translating to a $21 billion rise in payments to MA plans. This proposal contrasts with a 0.16% decrease last year and continues the implementation of the MA risk adjustment model.

Nonprofit hospitals are expected to see better financial performance this year, driven by easing labor costs and increased patient volumes, according to Fitch Ratings. Some hospitals, particularly smaller ones and those in areas with stagnant population growth, may continue to struggle.

The average duration of RSV illness in children under 5 was found to be 11.7 days, with 36% of children still experiencing symptoms 30 days post-infection, according to a study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine and involving children in five European countries. This extended illness period contributes to a high burden on health care systems and parental work absence.

Amazon Web Services and General Catalyst, a venture capital firm, have formed a multi-year collaboration to accelerate development of artificial intelligence tools for health systems. General Catalyst portfolio companies Aidoc and Commure will be the first to use AWS services to create AI solutions, addressing challenges such as staff burnout and labor shortages.