Population Health

Rising grocery prices are forcing most Americans to shift toward ultraprocessed foods, leading to increased health risks and exacerbating existing disparities, particularly among underserved communities.

In 2025, each issue of Population Health, Equity & Outcomes will feature a profile of a health system leader transforming care in their area of expertise. This issue spotlights a conversation with Ken Cohen, MD, executive director of translational research at Optum Health.

A global surge in rheumatoid arthritis with local hotspots highlights the need for targeted public health interventions.

Tariff increases threaten the US economy and health care costs, impacting managed care affordability and member financial stability.

Research from Anjali Vaidya, MD, FACC, FASE, FACP, Temple University Hospital, reveals critical care gaps for patients with methamphetamine-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and integrated support.

Men’s Health Month 2025 encourages men to adopt preventive care and healthy lifestyle habits to improve overall health outcomes.

US workers facing high economic hardship, especially those in lower-wage occupations, were significantly more likely to report fair or poor health, underscoring persistent disparities in worker well-being.

The most prevalent types are prostate cancer among men and breast cancer among women.

Women, older adults, and low-income countries are impacted most; researchers call for urgent public health interventions.

Concurrent hypertension and type 2 diabetes significantly increase mortality risk, emphasizing the need for targeted health interventions to improve outcomes.

Pediatric mental health crises surge as emergency department (ED) waits exceed 12 hours, highlighting urgent needs for systemic health care improvements.

New respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prevention products significantly reduce infant hospitalization rates, highlighting the importance of timely vaccination and nirsevimab administration.

As National Women’s Health Week approaches, new global data highlighting projected rises in breast and ovarian cancer through 2050 is prompting renewed calls for gender-specific prevention strategies that address evolving health risks for women.

Sexual minority individuals face countless barriers to health care and are at a heightened risk of unwanted pregnancy.

Smoking prevalence is projected to decline by 2035, yet health consequences persist due to slower reductions among older adults.

Sleep duration and sleep pattern score were both independently associated with obesity occurrence, and there was a nonlinear relationship between obesity and sleep duration.

Despite widespread concern following the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, researchers found no significant changes nationwide in obstetrician and gynecologist (OBGYN) practice locations.

From Crohn disease to uncomplicated urinary tract infections and beyond, the FDA issued several high-impact drug approvals last month.

Findings from the interviews offer insight into potential strategies for reducing binge eating among patients who experience food insecurity.

Experts at leading health care conferences last month called for further research into the health effects of microplastics and prompted immediate action to limit exposure.

Experts agree that the expansion of telehealth was one of the most significant positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

World Health Day 2025 highlights the importance of improving maternal and newborn health, emphasizing the need for quality care and investment in regions facing high mortality rates.

In 2021, UnitedHealth Group received 42% of the $33 billion in additional Medicare Advantage payments from differential coding.

The experts emphasized that these shortcomings must be addressed to be better prepared for future public health crises.

Experts agree that telemedicine continues to majorly impact health care post pandemic.