9% health care cost increase for 2026; screen time and adolescent heart health; natural disaster displacement tied to anxiety, depression – Morning Medical Update

Morning Medical Update © Alena Kryazheva – stock.adobe.com

Health care employers brace for 9% cost hike in 2026

U.S. employers expect health care costs to rise 9% in 2026 — the second straight year of sharp increases — driven by pricey drugs, chronic and complex conditions and persistent system flaws, according to the Business Group on Health. Even with plan design tweaks bringing costs down to 7.6%, employers say pharmacy expenses, cancer care, GLP-1 use and mental health services remain major cost drivers, forcing them to rethink benefit designs and push for greater value and accountability from vendors.

Could screen time harm childrens’ heart health?

Children and teens who spend long hours on phones, gaming consoles or other devices face higher risks for high blood pressure, cholesterol and insulin resistance, according to new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The link was strongest in children who also slept fewer hours, suggesting screens may damage health partly by cutting into sleep.

Natural disaster displacement tied to higher anxiety and depression

A national study of more than 183 million U.S. adults found that people displaced by natural disasters face significantly higher odds of depression and anxiety, with risk rising the longer they remain away from home. Those who never returned reported the highest levels of symptoms, highlighting urgent mental health needs for socially vulnerable groups most affected by disasters.