All HLTH breaks loose: 2025 predictions

As we step into 2025, the HLTH squad—comprising experts from both the U.S. and Europe—has weighed in on the biggest trends shaping healthcare this year. From blockbuster medications to artificial intelligence and consumer wellness, their predictions highlight the transformative forces set to reshape the industry. Here’s a look at what Jody, Chandana, Lina, and Henry foresee in the year ahead. Watch the full video here

GLP-1: The Blockbuster Medication of the Year?

The discussion began with a focus on GLP-1 medications, which are already having a significant impact on weight loss and diabetes care. However, challenges remain in terms of coverage and cost—at an average price of $1,000 per month, these drugs remain out of reach for many. While Medicare coverage for weight loss is not expected in the near future, it is speculated that incentives for employers to provide coverage could emerge under a new administration.

The affordability aspect was also addressed, with oral formulations and synthetic versions seen as potential solutions for reducing costs. With over 60 GLP-1 drugs currently in development, their use is expected to extend beyond diabetes and obesity into areas such as addiction treatment, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension. 2025 could be the year that GLP-1s dominate multiple therapeutic categories.

Further exploration of GLP-1s for addiction treatment was highlighted, with research from the University of Copenhagen examining their potential in addressing tobacco and substance abuse disorders. These medications are also expected to increasingly be incorporated into holistic treatment plans that combine medications with lifestyle coaching and behavioral support.

The AI Surge: Will 2025 Bring More Substance Than Hype?

Artificial intelligence was another key topic of discussion, with 2025 being referred to as the "Year of the AI Agent." AI-driven automation is expected to alleviate administrative burdens on clinicians, particularly in scheduling, patient follow-ups, and documentation. Hospitals are being inundated with AI-related proposals, and adoption is predicted to be highest in operational efficiencies, rather than cutting-edge clinical applications.

While AI's potential is widely recognized, caution has been urged against treating it as a black box. There is hope that in 2025, AI will be seen as a practical tool for addressing specific healthcare challenges, rather than as a vague, all-encompassing innovation.

A surge of AI startups is expected, although market consolidation is predicted in the near future, following patterns seen in past tech industry trends. Initially, AI’s most significant wins are likely to come from backend efficiencies, such as revenue cycle management, while long-term breakthroughs in areas like drug discovery remain on the horizon.

AI is anticipated to first be used in less glamorous but essential parts of healthcare, such as improving workflow efficiencies, rather than in flashy, headline-grabbing innovations. This evolution of AI is expected to be similar to the way concept cars capture attention—offering eye-catching prototypes but delivering the most valuable improvements in smaller, impactful changes.

Precision Health and the Direct-to-Consumer Boom

The rise of consumer health models was another major point of discussion, with companies bypassing traditional healthcare systems to offer direct-to-patient services with greater price transparency and brand loyalty. Pharma partnerships are expected to accelerate this trend in 2025.

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) models are gaining traction, and they may become the default approach for new startups as traditional payer-provider routes remain slow and bureaucratic. However, concerns were raised about the public health implications of prioritizing commercial viability over patient needs.

Big pharmaceutical companies, such as Lilly and Pfizer, are experimenting with DTC models, which could reshape healthcare access on a global scale. However, the importance of ensuring affordability and safety has been emphasized, particularly as real-world data collection becomes integral to these emerging business models.

Wearable Data and the Digital Twin Revolution

Concerns were raised about the limited use of wearable health data, which often remains confined to smartphones rather than being integrated into clinical settings. The potential rise of the "digital twin" in 2025 was highlighted, where patient-owned data is aggregated across devices and leveraged by AI to generate personalized health insights.

Despite advancements, data interoperability remains slow, as seen in Germany’s recent rollout of electronic health records. Private insurers may drive innovation, but concerns about data security and access control are expected to pose significant hurdles to overcome.

A blunt assessment of healthcare trade-offs was made, suggesting that consumers will need to choose between quick, affordable, or private healthcare. Data privacy is expected to become a major debate in 2025 as consumers weigh the benefits of seamless care against the risks to data security.

Women’s Health: More Than Just Menopause

There was a strong emphasis on expanding women’s health beyond menopause, with a focus on women’s heart health, skin health, and gut health as emerging areas of attention. A new European research initiative aiming to improve diversity in clinical studies has been seen as a positive step toward addressing gender health disparities.

In particular, women's longevity is expected to receive increased attention, with more investment in preventive health solutions tailored to women’s unique biological needs. Despite potential political turbulence in the U.S., momentum in digital health and femtech is anticipated to continue driving meaningful progress.

Final Thoughts: Hope Amidst the Chaos

As the discussion concluded, the panelists shared their closing thoughts for 2025:

• It was noted that, despite the challenges, specific, impactful projects are being pursued that will drive real change.

• There was a call to connect the dots and avoid dismissing innovation based on past failures.

• A humorous suggestion was made to introduce an AI “swear jar,” where anyone promoting AI without tangible results would have to contribute.

• The importance of maintaining a human-centered approach to healthcare was stressed, ensuring access for all, especially marginalized populations.