The US obesity rate has dropped to 37% from 39.9% three years ago, driven by increased use of injectable drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, according to a Gallup survey. However, access to these medications remains a challenge, as many insurers plan to stop coverage next year, potentially increasing out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Employers play a significant role in the US health care system, covering a large portion of worker benefits, but cost-containment strategies, such as raising employee premium contributions and deductibles, have proven ineffective, says Allison Oakes, chief research officer at Trilliant Health. Employers can use new price transparency data to benchmark costs and demand greater value for their money, Oakes says. AI that enhances efficiency by automating repetitive tasks can help bring spending down, but some tools and interventions don't generate savings and may increase costs and worsen health outcomes, Oakes says.

For those who are eligible, health savings accounts can be a powerful way to save and invest money, thanks to their favorable tax treatment. The tax and spending legislation passed over the summer could open this strategy to more people, as it made more marketplace health plans HSA-eligible.

Giving feedback requires courage, especially if the input is negative, since no one wants to get a defensive response, writes Shari Harley of Candid Culture. Harley recommends putting people at ease by asking for feedback, defining what type it should be, thanking them for giving it and deferring any response to negative feedback for later. "You're not being dismissive; you're ensuring your emotions don't take over. If you want to have a second conversation, have it within a week," Harley advises.

Medicare could have saved $301.5 million on opioid use disorder treatment if bundled payments better matched services provided, according to an Office of Inspector General audit. The audit found that bundled payments often exceeded the actual cost of services because of flaws in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' methodology.

Online communities are playing a pivotal role in breaking down the isolation that many financial advisors experience. These forums and apps facilitate both professional development and emotional support, allowing advisors to discuss industry challenges, find potential partners, and even translate virtual interactions into real-world relationships.

The CMS is facing a critical staffing shortage, exacerbated by a recent government shutdown and cuts at HHS, health policy experts say. Increased staffing is needed to ensure effective communication and delivery of Medicare benefits, as nearly half of the CMS workforce was furloughed and a 15% reduction in staff has been noted recently.

Public health experts are concerned that federal funding cuts for programs aimed at improving care for minority communities will widen racial health disparities. Grants have been terminated and federal and state offices focused on minority health have closed, causing states and nonprofits to struggle in maintaining health equity initiatives. "COVID revealed the impact of health disparities to individual health -- as well as how not addressing these disparities undermines the health system for everyone," said Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.

Women may need less exercise than men to protect against coronary heart disease, according to a study in Nature Cardiovascular Research. The study of more than 85,000 adults finds that women who engaged in four hours of moderate exercise weekly lowered their heart disease risk by 30%, whereas men needed eight hours for similar benefits.

Teens who begin using cannabis before the age of 15 are more likely to have mental and physical health issues in young adulthood, according to research published in JAMA Network Open. The study, which followed more than 1,500 children from birth, found that early and frequent cannabis users had a 51% greater chance of seeking mental health care and an 86% greater chance of needing physical health care. Researchers suggest that early cannabis use can disrupt neural development, leading to long-term health problems.