Latest Health News
Stem cell breakthrough enables scalable âliving drugâ immune cell therapies
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have, for the first time, reliably generated human **helper T cells from stem cells** in controlled lab conditions, overcoming a key bottleneck in cell therapy manufacturing. The work, published in *Cell Stem Cell*, allows precise steering of stem cells into either helper or killer T cells, paving the way for more affordable offâtheâshelf treatments for cancer, infections, and autoimmune diseases.
Experts warn multiple viral threats loom in 2026, including H5N1 and measles
Infectiousâdisease researchers highlight **influenza A (especially H5N1 bird flu)**, chikungunya, rising measles cases, and HIV resurgence as key viral risks this year. Climate change, declining vaccination rates, and increased global mobility are driving concern, prompting calls for stronger surveillance and vaccine development against emerging pathogens.
Global health faces funding cuts, climate pressures, and leadership turnover
Devex reports that 2026 opens with **major leadership changes** at institutions like WHO, Unitaid, and the Global Fund, amid severe funding constraints for global health. Simultaneously, countries hardest hit by climateâlinked health threatsâheat illness, zoonotic spillover, and antimicrobial resistanceâoften have the fewest resources to respond, amplifying equity concerns.
UNAIDS future in question as UN considers sunsetting the agency
UN SecretaryâGeneral AntĂłnio Guterres has called for **UNAIDS to be wound down**, raising uncertainty about the global HIV response architecture. The UNAIDS board is instead developing an alternative transition timeline and plan, even as aid cuts have already contributed to major declines in HIV prevention services such as voluntary medical male circumcision in countries like Botswana.
CEPI backs multivalent vaccine push against multiple deadly filoviruses
CEPI announced an **ambitious research program to develop multivalent vaccines** that can protect against several filoviruses, the family that includes Ebola and Marburg. The initiative, involving partners such as the Oxford Vaccine Group, aims to create broadly protective vaccines to improve preparedness for future hemorrhagic fever outbreaks.
New obesity, cancer, narcolepsy drugs and mRNA combo vaccines expected in 2026
Industry analysis highlights several **key drug launches** anticipated this year, including Takedaâs orexinâ2 agonist for narcolepsy, Amgenâs bemarituzumab for FGFR2bâpositive gastric cancer, and Novo Nordiskâs CagriSema dual GLPâ1/amylin obesity therapy. Also notable are Modernaâs mRNAâ1083 combined COVIDâ19/flu vaccine and Orca Bioâs OrcaâT cell therapy for hematologic cancers, underscoring rapid innovation in chronic disease and immunotherapy.
AI tools reshape clinical trials and healthâspending debates
The FDA recently qualified **AIMâNASH**, its first AIâbased tool to standardize liver biopsy assessment in MASH drug trials, aiming to shorten and improve studies. Health policy journal *Health Affairs* has released an issue focused on artificial intelligence and health spending, reflecting growing scrutiny of how AI will affect costs, quality, and equity in care.
Mount Sinai deploys AI platform to match more patients to cancer trials
The Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center has launched an **AIâpowered clinicalâtrial matching platform** to connect more oncology patients to appropriate studies across its health system. By automating eligibility checks and surfacing options earlier in care, the system aims to expand access to innovative treatments and speed trial enrollment.
Brain health prioritized as Salk Institute declares âYear of Brain Healthâ
The Salk Institute has designated 2026 its **Year of Brain Health**, focusing research on preventing Alzheimerâs disease and promoting healthy brain aging. Efforts span cardiovascular fitness, mitochondrial biology, inflammation, and cuttingâedge tools like brain organoids, singleâcell epigenomics, and AIâdriven analysis to uncover new prevention and treatment strategies.
Histotripsy explored as noninvasive nextâgeneration cancer treatment for children
Researchers at the University of Louisville are studying **histotripsy**, a focusedâultrasound technique that mechanically breaks down tumors without heat, radiation, or chemotherapy. Early evidence suggests the method can precisely spare healthy tissue and may stimulate antiâtumor immune responses, potentially boosting the effectiveness of chemoâ and immunotherapies in pediatric cancers.
Conflict zones highlight fragility of health services in Gaza and West Bank
UN officials report that the **World Health Organization recently evacuated critically ill patients from Gaza for treatment abroad**, underscoring extreme strain on local health services. Ongoing demolitions and restrictions in the West Bank further undermine access to care, illustrating how conflict and humanârights pressures directly erode health systems.
Health equity and pandemic preparedness remain central global priorities in 2026
Healthâjournalism analysts identify **equitable epidemic and emergency preparedness** as a key storyline as the world recovers from COVIDâ19 while bracing for future threats. They emphasize ensuring marginalized communities benefit from surveillance, vaccines, and treatments, and integrating equity into all stages of emergency planning and response.