According to the latest CDC Monthly Provisional Drug Overdose Counts report, the U.S. continues to lead the world in overdose fatalities, with more than 100,000 deaths recorded in 2023. 

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has declared the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County a public health emergency.

Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Hospital has lacked adequate pharmacy staffing for years, resulting in harmful medication errors, according to the Asheville Watchdog. 

Although any existing or emerging virus can become a pandemic, the H5N1 outbreak that has infected 66 Americans and more than 900 dairy herds is "poorly suited for pandemic potential," according to Shira Doron, MD. 

Up to one-third of patients with critical injuries are first taken to the closest non-trauma-specialized hospital before being transferred to a higher-level trauma center. But these transfers can take hours and lead to preventable deaths, a recent study found.

The Joint Commission has enhanced its survey process for 2025, after calls from member organizations to alleviate administrative burden with more modernized and improved tools.

A study found a connection between an earlier diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes and a heightened risk of developing dementia, particularly for individuals with obesity. 

The COVID-19 pandemic years were marked by significant staffing shortages, but more recently, many major health systems have seen nurse staffing levels stabilize. While a welcome trend, recruitment and retention remain core priorities for healthcare C-suites to build on that stabilization in the year ahead, as the nation still faces a projected deficit of more than 63,000 nurses by 2030.

Press Ganey released its annual list of Human Experience Award recipients Jan. 7, recognizing eight hospitals for excellence in clinical quality. 

Tampa General Hospital performed the world's first in-human pancreas transplant with a new technology that preserved the organ.

A fourth illness is making waves this virus season alongside the flu, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19, creating a quadruple threat for the U.S.

CMS has selected 15 states to participate in the agency's new Transforming Maternal Health Model, designed to focus on improving maternal health care delivery, support and outcomes for Medicaid and CHIP enrollees. 

Paxlovid might help treat some patients with long COVID, a recent study found.

The nation's first human case of severe bird flu has died, Louisiana officials reported Jan. 6. 

Formaldehyde, a toxic chemical found in many common products, poses an "unreasonable risk" to human health, the Environmental Protection Agency said in a Jan. 2 report.

In its first six months of operation, Lexington, Ky.-based UK HealthCare's EmPATH unit helped more than 1,800 patients and reduced emergency department readmissions.

Respiratory illness activity remains high nationwide, with emergency department visits and positive test rates rising for COVID-19, seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, according to a Jan. 3 news release from the CDC. 

The Women's Choice Award has recognized 457 hospitals on its annual list of the Best Hospitals for Patient Safety.

Current asthma tests can only detect one type of the lung disease, but an experimental nasal swab has demonstrated the ability to differentiate between various asthma types. 

The Biden administration is committing $306 million to strengthen the nation's response to the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak, according to a Jan. 3 HHS news release shared with Becker's. The commitment aims to monitor and prepare for potential public health risks associated with the virus.