Illinois has banned the use of AI in mental health and therapeutic decision making without oversight from licensed clinicians under the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act, which allows AI for administrative support and aims to protect patients from unregulated AI and preserve jobs for professionals. Other states, including Nevada and Utah, have enacted similar laws, while others are considering legislation to regulate AI in behavioral health care and patient communications.

Hospital margins improved from 1.9% in May to 3.7% in June, according to a Kaufman Hall report based on data from 1,300 hospitals. Per-patient and outpatient revenue rose, but nonlabor expenses and bad debt also rose, undercutting gains. Kaufman Hall Managing Director Erik Swanson says small hospitals should ensure they accurately capture all owed revenue and focus on day-to-day operations.

A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that keeping blood pressure to below 120 systolic may be more protective against heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and other cardiac problems than using higher target levels. The strategy also was linked to only a small increase in the cost of treatments.

Early assessments of functional and cognitive health in aging patients help identify risk factors and enable person-centered care plans to maintain mobility, strength, balance and cognitive function, writes geriatrician Kanramon (Kara) Watthanasuntorn, medical director of the Center for Better Aging in Chicago. Watthanasuntorn presents the holistic "4Ms framework" to guide geriatric care plans, and notes that clinicians can incorporate quick, simple assessment tools into existing workflows.

The Vaccine Integrity Project at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy has released a comprehensive review affirming the safety and efficacy of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19 vaccines. The review's findings support the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 6 months to 23 months and for those ages 2 to 18 who are in certain risk categories.

Children living in areas with high social vulnerability have a higher risk of asthma-related emergency department visits when school starts, according to a study in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Factors such as crowded classrooms and limited access to health care exacerbate the risks.

A two-year, nurse-led phone intervention was associated with significant reductions in BMI in preschool children, especially those from lower-income families, according to a study in the International Journal of Obesity. The program, which included support calls and text messages, led to better dietary habits and less screen time.

Weekend social activities that include drinking and smoking may contribute to a spike in sleep apnea, according to a study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Researchers found a 24% increased risk of sleep apnea in adults under 60 on weekends, and an 18% increase overall. Factors such as alcohol use, lighter sleep and inconsistent use of sleep apnea therapies may play a role, researchers said.