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.

Norovirus infections have surged this winter, with the CDC reporting that nearly 28% of tests were positive during the week of New Year's, more than double the peak for last season. The Midwest appears to have been hit hardest. The rise is attributed to a new strain, GII.17[P17], which has caused more than 70% of outbreaks and has spread widely, including on cruise ships.

Pregnant patients with type 2 diabetes face higher risks for neonatal and perinatal mortality compared to those with type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes or no diabetes, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of 47 studies published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The study highlighted increased odds of delivering small or large for gestational age infants, congenital anomalies, stillbirths and perinatal mortality. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes as a preexisting condition in pregnancies has doubled over 15 years, necessitating enhanced and supportive care, researchers say.

A new risk model called the Florey Dementia Index predicts the onset of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease dementia within about 1.5 to 2 years, potentially enabling people at risk to plan for care, according to a study in JAMA Network Open. The model calculates risk based on Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes test scores and age, which a study in The BMJ found to be a significant factor in life span among people with dementia. The tool will need to be refined, but it could eventually be an alternative to using advanced imaging, biomarkers and multiple neuropsychological testing data to predict cognitive decline, researchers said.

Industry experts highlight several electronic health record innovations that are not receiving enough attention: Real-time collaboration tools, integration of social determinants of health, improved patient access and a pipeline for the sharing of data for research and development purposes. The experts emphasize the need for EHR systems to improve interoperability, reduce total cost of ownership and support a more holistic view of patient care.

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 Secretary Xavier Becerra recently declared a public health emergency in Los Angeles County due to ongoing wildfires that have led to at least 24 deaths and destroyed thousands of buildings. The declaration allows greater flexibility for health care organizations to serve Medicaid and Medicare patients with emergency needs.

The American Headache Society issued a position statement advocating for the use of calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitors as first-line preventive treatment for migraines, bypassing the traditional "trial and failure" approach with older medications. "There are very few other disease states that I treat where I have to use a 30- or 40- or 50-year-old medication that has limited efficacy and potentially lots of adverse events before I can get to something that was actually studied for the disease that's safe and well tolerated," neurologist Dr. Peter McAllister noted.

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.

Physician burnout decreased from 63% in 2021 to 48.2% in 2024, according to American Medical Association data, but it remains higher than the 44% average for other professions. Internist Dr. Bill Baer, who left private practice due to burnout, highlights the ongoing challenges of rising patient demands and administrative tasks. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of 86,000 physicians by 2036, potentially exacerbating the situation.