Latest Health News
Experts outline key global health challenges for 2026
Global health leaders warn that **funding shortfalls**, climate change, and workforce crises will shape health systems in 2026. Child mortality is edging back up for the first time this century, while a projected shortfall of 11 million physicians and rising antimicrobial resistance threaten to reverse decades of progress.
WHO chief warns health spending is lagging as military budgets soar
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautions that **investment in global health initiatives is declining** while global military spending reached a record 2.7 trillion dollars in 2024. He urged governments to shift priorities toward health, stressing that more than lives are at stake when health systems remain underfunded in an era of growing crises.
UN: Sudan faces worldâs largest humanitarian and health emergency
UN agencies report that an estimated **33.7 million people in Sudan will need humanitarian assistance in 2026**, about two-thirds of the population. More than 20 million people now require health assistance and 21 million face acute food insecurity as conflict, restricted access, and shrinking funding devastate services.
PAHO warns of simultaneous influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 circulation in the Americas
The Pan American Health Organization warns of **concurrent seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) outbreaks**, with SARSâCoVâ2 still circulating, during the 2025â26 season. Countries are urged to strengthen surveillance and prepare health services for possible surges that could overload hospitals, especially pediatric and intensive care units.
Global cancer cases have doubled since 1990, hitting 18.5 million new diagnoses in 2023
New global estimates show cancer cases have **doubled since 1990**, reaching 18.5 million new diagnoses and over 10 million deaths in 2023. Low- and middle-income countries are seeing the steepest increases, underscoring widening inequities in prevention, early detection, and access to treatment.
New antibody strategy âsuperchargesâ the immune system against cancer
Researchers have created a **new class of fourâpronged antibodies** that amplify Tâcell responses by clustering immune receptors that tumors usually activate only weakly. In preclinical tests, this approach led to much stronger antiâtumor activity, suggesting a potential new generation of more powerful and precise immunotherapies.
Hidden molecular loop uncovered as potential Achillesâ heel in pancreatic cancer
Scientists identified a threeâpart oncogenic circuit involving **SRSF1, AURKA, and MYC** that drives pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma growth. An antisense oligonucleotide targeting AURKA splicing collapsed the entire loop and triggered cancer cell death in the lab, pointing to a promising new therapeutic strategy for this lethal cancer.
Bariatric surgery outperforms GLPâ1 weightâloss drugs in large realâworld comparison
A study of more than 50,000 patients found that **bariatric surgery produced greater and more durable weight loss** than GLPâ1 weightâloss medications two years after treatment. The findings suggest surgery remains the most effective option for severe obesity, even amid the rapid expansion of powerful new obesity drugs.
Weightâloss experts predict major shifts in obesity treatment by 2026
Obesity specialists forecast a move toward **wholeâbody cardiometabolic risk reduction**, not just BMI lowering, as GLPâ1 and GIP drugs show benefits for heart, kidney, and liver outcomes. Emerging options include onceâweekly oral GLPâ1 formulations, longâacting implants, and incisionâfree metabolic surgery that could expand access and convenience.
Common food preservatives linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic harm
Longâterm data indicate that people with **higher intake of preservative additives** in foods face increased risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic problems. The findings add to concerns that ultraâprocessed foods and certain additives may significantly contribute to the global diabetes epidemic.
Stanford AI model predicts disease risk from a single night of sleep data
Stanford researchers developed an **AI system that analyzes one night of detailed sleep signals** to forecast future disease risks. By detecting subtle physiological patterns associated with cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, the tool could enable earlier interventions and more personalized preventive care.
Wildfire smoke found to be a far greater global airâpollution and health threat than thought
New atmospheric research shows that **wildfires emit more airâpolluting gases than previously estimated**, many of which convert into fine particles harmful to human health. This reevaluation suggests wildfire smoke is a larger driver of cardiopulmonary disease and premature deaths, especially as climate change lengthens fire seasons worldwide.