October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Women’s Health

Learn more about women’s health outcomes, health research, and how health care systems are responding.

• Breast Cancer Research: A recent Swedish study found that women who skipped their first eligible mammogram screening had a significantly increased risk of developing more advanced breast cancers and dying of breast cancer over the next 25 years. Additionally, the American Cancer Society reported lower overall, five-year breast cancer survival rates in rural areas across the United States (US).

• Menopause: An increasing number of academic medical centers have launched centers for women's midlife and menopause health, and a growing number of health care providers are becoming Menopause Society-certified. A new clinical trial found that an experimental pill significantly reduced hot flashes and night sweats for post-menopausal women.

• Pregnancy, Autism and Acetaminophen: Federal health officials have recommended that pregnant women avoid Acetaminophen (Tylenol), noting a possible link to autism. Many medical experts raised concerns about a lack of causal research and the risks associated with forgoing treatment for fevers during pregnancy. Mehmet Oz, MD, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said women should follow their doctor’s recommendation for safe acetaminophen use during pregnancy.

• Cost of Pregnancy Care: A new KFF analysis finds that the average health costs associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care total $20,416, including $2,743 in out-of-pocket expenses for women enrolled in employer-sponsored plans.

Resources & Initiatives

• Melinda French Gates plans to invest $50 million in a women's health fund that aims to close medical research gaps.
• Mass General Brigham experts provide information on detecting a breast cancer lump.
• Amazon One Medical is now providing menopause care at US primary care clinics.
• Harvard Health outlines menopause symptoms that may surprise you and what to watch for during perimenopause.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) added a virtual women’s health clinic to provide clinical support for a range of women’s health needs, including fibroids, endometriosis, and menopause. The organization also recently launched a doula care pilot program to help address racial inequities and improve maternity care.
• Elevance Health plans have expanded access to doula care in 2025, noting how research and pilot programs have illustrated how doula care leads to better outcomes.

NIHCM Announces New Leadership

Andrew Dreyfus was named President and CEO of the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation on October 1. Andrew is a well-respected health care thought leader and an expert in health system change. Learn more.

Health Industry News

New research on technology, weight loss drugs, and drug costs.

• AI Adoption in Health Care: A recent report estimates that nearly 70% of all US hospitals were using predictive artificial intelligence (AI) in 2024 to automate billing and identify high-risk outpatients, among other tasks. A new study found that natural language processing-powered digital biomarkers can help predict severe asthma risks in children.

• AI Oversight: A research letter on payments for medical AI usage calls for greater transparency around payments and conflicts of interest as Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved AI tools are adopted into clinical practice. The FDA’s Digital Health Advisory Committee will meet in November to examine regulatory challenges around AI-powered mental health tools, including chatbots. At the state level, more than 1,000 bills on addressing AI have been introduced this year, with 280 that relate to health technology. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed several new bills highlighting the risks and child safety concerns associated with using AI. Among the passed bills, Senate Bill 243 is the first-of-its-kind to provide safeguards around chatbots and to suggest minors take breaks from AI usage.

• The Latest on GLP-1s: A recent European study found that GLP-1 medications may interfere with PET-CT cancer scans by increasing uptake of the radioactive material used in these scans in non-cancerous tissues. Additionally, the availability of oral GLP-1 therapies is expanding, with Rybelsus being the first approved oral GLP-1 medication, and Pfizer and Eli Lilly also having oral versions in development.

• Drug Costs: Merck has developed an injectable version of their best-selling cancer drug, Keytruda, which is approved for 18 types of cancer. With a cost of approximately $204,000 a year, drug pricing experts caution that the new injectable is likely to slow the adoption of cheaper alternatives and keep prices high through health insurer premiums. New tax and budget law changes may also increase orphan drug costs for Medicare enrollees.

Health Policy Watch

The impact of the government shutdown, new pharmaceutical policies, and vaccination updates.

• Shutdown and Health Care: During the government shutdown, programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Indian Health Service will continue, while community health centers may have to reduce services. Telehealth services and responses to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) inquiries may cease, along with other services. The administration also announced a planned 41% reduction in staff at the Department of Health and Human Services and laid off hundreds of CDC employees on Oct.12.

• ACA Premium Hikes: The shutdown debate centers on the coming 2026 expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits. Without the credits, about 22 million people will see ACA premium increases averaging 75%. The loss of tax credits, along with other new policies, could lead to a more than 47% reduction in ACA market enrollment.

• Pharmaceutical Tariffs: The Trump Administration has delayed the proposed 100% tariffs on patented pharmaceuticals originally slated to begin on October 1. Companies manufacturing drugs in the US, generic drugs, and medications produced in the European Union would be exempt.

• Drug Pricing: Pfizer will offer “most favored nation” drug pricing to Medicaid and will participate in TrumpRx, a new direct-to-consumer website with discounted drug prices, planned for 2026. AstraZeneca announced they will also participate in TrumpRx and offer eligible consumers with chronic diseases drugs at an 80% discount.
• Fall Vaccine Update: On October 6th, the CDC approved the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' recommendation that the COVID vaccine should be available to anyone 6 months and older, after consulting with their health care provider. The other change is a recommendation that children between the ages of 12 months to 6 years receive the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine separately from the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines.

Mental Health & Well-Being

Loneliness, mental health, and strategies to improve well-being.

• Loneliness: According to a new poll, loneliness is impacting the mental health of US youth and young adults, with 61% saying it affects their mental health to some degree and 35% reporting it disrupts their daily lives. A separate study found that self-reported feelings of frequent loneliness or a lack of close friends during childhood or adolescence were associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia in middle to late adulthood.

• Schools: Nearly 1 in 5 students at US public schools use school-based mental health services. In New York, high schools are training other students on how to support their peers during a mental health crisis.

• Mental Health Care Workforce: Anxiety problems, behavioral disorders, and depression are the most common mental health diagnoses in children and adolescents, yet nearly 20% of this age group report having unmet mental health care needs. Treatment gaps may worsen as the behavioral health care workforce faces ongoing challenges, with a projected shortage of over 87,000 mental health counselors by 2037.

Resources & Initiatives

• NIHCM’s latest infographic and webinar highlight challenges and solutions for the health care workforce, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s comprehensive efforts to support the mental health workforce.
• The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation released a report describing barriers to behavioral health professional licensure and a brief to educate stakeholders on the value of community-based mental health interventions as one strategy to improve the mental health workforce.
• The US Department of Education is accepting grant applications to boost student mental health.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan highlights the importance of movement and mental health, especially for seniors, through their Silver Sneakers program. They also spotlight the impact of AI chatbots on teenage mental health, and provide expert advice on what parents can do to support their child.
• In Washington and Alaska, Premera Blue Cross is expanding access to care through new digital options, a larger provider network, and supporting community partnerships that make behavioral health services easier to find and more affordable.
• The inaugural Stronger Together conference spotlighted Black youth mental health in North Carolina and provided an opportunity for youth and community members to discuss mental health and learn about available resources.