As we kick off 2025, let’s take a moment to look back at the year that kept health experts, news anchors, and the rest of us on our toes. From pharmaceutical breakthroughs to public health crises, here’s what 2024 taught us—and what it might mean for our health in the year ahead.

The UHC CEO Murder Shocked the Industry

In a plotline that could rival any true-crime podcast, while heading to a meeting, United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down on a Manhattan street by someone lying in wait. Almost immediately, social media was buzzing with an alarming outpouring of vitriol against the company, its leaders, and other insurers. While many condemned the violence and offered condolences to the CEO’s family and colleagues, those messages were often drowned out by a chorus of complaints about denied claims, paltry reimbursement, and corporate greed.  

Brian Thompson’s murder was shocking and horrific. But it also unleashed a public avalanche of anger and frustration, indicating that many of us find the policies and prices of U.S. insurance providers to also be shocking and horrific. From surprise medical bills to long waits for care, Americans’ frustrations with healthcare hit a boiling point in 2024. Polls showed increasing support for systemic changes, whether price regulation, expanded access, or even universal healthcare. The takeaway? People are tired of being patients in a system that seems to be more focused on profits than care. 

Keep an eye on: How will the healthcare industry, especially insurance companies, respond to the wake-up call? Will insurance industry leaders focus solely on increasing their own security, or will they reconsider their policies that increase profits at the expense of American lives? It’s a tough call. 

GLP-1s Came Out of the Shadows and Gained Celebrity Status

Remember when weight-loss drugs were whispered about, like secret weapons? In 2024, GLP-1 agonist medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy hit the mainstream, making headlines for their efficacy in combating obesity. While their impact has been monumental, these medications are extremely expensive, which has put pressure on insurers reluctant to cover them and has also made them out of reach for many patients who need them. But this blockbuster category has raised concerns—from supply chain shortages to significant side effects like gastrointestinal issues and muscle loss. The medications require weekly self-injections and depend on patients administering them correctly. Research shows that people need to stay on these medications to avoid regaining weight and not much is known about their long-term effects. 

Despite their high prices, these medications are not being produced fast enough to meet the demand, and less expensive, compounded formulas are also becoming big business. The compounders are not subject to the same scrutiny as the drug manufacturers, raising concern about compound efficacy and dosing issues. The compounded meds do not come in pre-filled pens, so patients are required to fill syringes with the appropriate dose, resulting in some inadvertent overdoses. 

But those issues have not stopped the GLP-1 gold rush. Many online pharmacies and aesthetician offices now offer GLP-1 agonist programs, charging patients hundreds instead of thousands of dollars a month. And most surprising, traditional behavior modification weight loss programs like Weight Watchers (WW) and Noom have also entered the GLP-1 agonist business. 

Looking ahead to 2025: With other pharmaceutical companies vying for market share, we will see new medications that work in similar ways—some in pill form. Once that happens, compounding, which is currently allowed thanks to supply problems, may be prohibited. This could leave patients without access to medication that has been working for them. And, while more affordable options may emerge, ethical questions around access and equity will remain challenges we will undoubtedly face this year. 

Lower Vaccine Rates Open the Door to Eradicated Illnesses

COVID vaccine mandates and the spread of misinformation shared on social media have helped to grow the “anti-vax” community during the past several years. Lower vaccination rates in 2024 gave “eradicated” diseases an unsettling encore. Measles, polio, and other diseases we thought we’d conquered crept back into under-vaccinated communities. The result? Localized outbreaks that stretched public health resources thin and endangered vulnerable populations. It’s a stark reminder that vaccines don’t just protect you—they protect everyone around you.  

Looking forward: Public health officials are hoping to combat this with more accessible vaccine campaigns and education initiatives. Here’s hoping we’ll see higher vaccine rates in 2025 and fewer headlines about preventable diseases making a comeback. However, President Trump has chosen RFK Jr., an anti-vaxxer, to run all his administration’s health organizations. If he’s confirmed, we may see things get worse before they get better. 

Foodborne Illnesses Have Their Moment (Again)

From eggs to oysters, 2024 was another banner year for unwelcome bacteria on our plates. In mid-2024, a Listeria outbreak was associated with deli meat produced by Boar’s Head at its Jarratt, Virginia facility. The outbreak resulted in 61 illnesses, 60 hospitalizations, and 10 deaths across 19 states, not to mention a recall of 7 million pounds of deli meat. From May through August, a Salmonella outbreak was linked to eggs from Milo’s Poultry Farms, LLC. The outbreak caused 87 reported illnesses across nine states, with 34 hospitalizations. The eggs were eventually recalled. 

In October 2024, an E. coli outbreak was traced to slivered onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers. The outbreak affected 104 individuals across 14 states, resulting in 34 hospitalizations and one death. McDonald’s temporarily removed Quarter Pounders from menus in the affected regions and ceased using the implicated onions. Other fast-food chains, including Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut, also pulled onions from their menus as a precaution. 

In November 2024, a Salmonella outbreak was linked to cucumbers, resulting in 100 reported illnesses across 23 states, with 25 hospitalizations. In December 2024, an ironic norovirus outbreak occurred at the ‘L.A. Times 101 Best Restaurants’ event, held at the Hollywood Palladium. At least 80 attendees fell ill after consuming raw oysters. 

The increase in foodborne illnesses has us rethinking the way we handle food. Even seasoned cooks were left Googling, “How long do I really need to boil an egg?”  

Pro tip for 2025: Stay vigilant about washing produce, cooking meat to safe temps, and monitoring FDA food recalls.  

Bird Flu’s Global Scare

Avian influenza went global in 2024, wreaking havoc on poultry farms and raising concerns about its potential leap to humans. While human cases remained rare, its impact on food supply chains and economic stability was significant. The big fear remains that this virus will evolve and become much better at infecting humans. A recent study from the Scripps Research Institute determined how much the existing virus would need to change to infect humans. To the researchers’ surprise, they discovered only one mutation would be necessary—far fewer than the three they had initially expected. 

What’s next? Researchers are racing to develop vaccines (there’s that word again) that protect both humans and poultry before the virus learns how to infect humans.  

Excessive Heat Became Everyone’s Problem

2024 broke records for heatwaves, straining healthcare systems and causing spikes in heat-related illnesses. Cities around the world faced infrastructure challenges, and rural areas—often with fewer resources—were hit hardest. 

What we learned: Heat isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s deadly. Going into 2025, expect greater investments in urban cooling strategies, better early-warning systems, and public health campaigns on hydration and heat safety. However, do not expect any significant climate change initiatives at the federal level, as there will likely be fewer elected environmental advocates to do anything about it. 

Election Stress Took a Toll

And speaking of elections… Political division and endless coverage of contentious issues—ranging from the environment to reproductive rights—left many of us running on stress and caffeine. Studies confirmed what we already felt: This election cycle was particularly hard on mental health. 

The takeaway: If 2024 taught us anything, it’s the importance of setting boundaries around media consumption and focusing on what we can control. Let’s all pledge to make 2025 a year of fewer doom scrolls and more mindful moments. 

What’s Next? 

While 2024 gave us a few significant health innovations, it also raised some serious issues about both health and humanity. As we head into 2025, let’s remember what we’ve learned, stay informed via credible sources, and keep our sense of humor intact. If there’s one thing we learned this year, it’s that laughter beats social media spiraling as a better way to cope.