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.

Nurses were ranked as the most trusted profession in the US for the 23rd consecutive year, according to Gallup's annual poll, with 76% of respondents giving them high marks for honesty and ethics. Pharmacists and physicians were ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.

Health systems are expressing concern over a recent update to federal security standards aimed at protecting patient data from cyberattacks. The update, the first major overhaul of the HIPAA Security Rule in more than a decade, requires encryption, multifactor authentication and rapid data restoration, but health systems argue that the changes are too expensive and unworkable, especially for smaller facilities. HHS estimates that the first-year compliance costs will total roughly $9 billion, with annual costs of $6 billion in subsequent years.

More than 70 obesity-centered patient advocacy organizations, spearheaded by the Obesity Care Advocacy Network, are urging the incoming presidential administration to sign off on a proposal to let Medicare cover obesity drugs, citing the need to address a growing health crisis. An earlier proposal suggested reclassifying obesity as a chronic disease to enable coverage, but the rule's implementation depends on the new administration's decision.

HHS' new strategic plan to enhance health services through AI emphasizes collaboration with the private sector and outlines four priorities: driving AI innovation, promoting ethical technology, increasing accessibility and developing an AI-trained workforce. HHS reported 271 internal AI use cases in 2024, a 66% increase from 2023.

A study in Pediatrics shows that 15.4% of US children received at least one vaccine dose outside the recommended age over a 10-year period, with rotavirus vaccines most frequently involved. The study, which analyzed data from the 2011-2020 National Immunization Survey-Child, found that children with multiple health care providers or who moved between states were more likely to receive invalid doses.

The mental health of active-duty US military personnel is a growing concern, with diagnoses of mental health disorders rising by nearly 40% from 2019 to 2023, according to a Department of Defense report. "Mental health is health, period. We must do more, at every level, to end the stigma against getting help. We all need counsel, community and connection. Reaching out is a sign of strength and resilience," said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.