7 days in healthcare (January 26th-February 1st, 2026)

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Summary

The week’s most impactful health news stories were:

  • Biomedicine: AlphaGenome, a Google AI, predicts the impact of DNA variations.
  • Global Health: The humanitarian situation in Yemen will worsen in 2026.
  • International Health Policy: Following donations, the Trump Administration rescinds the order requiring more staff in nursing homes.
  • National Health Policy: The Ministry of Health signs the Framework Statute agreement with unions, but without the support of doctors.
  • Business: According to Elon Musk, there will be no nursing homes in the future; he claims his robots will be able to protect and care for the elderly.

Biomedicine

  • AlphaGenome, a Google AI, predicts the impact of DNA variations. This tool could be used to obtain more information about genetic diseases, improve genetic testing, and contribute to the development of new treatments.
  • Genes control longevity, regardless of how healthy a lifestyle is. Each person’s life expectancy potential is written in their genes, according to a new study.
  • AI improves mammogram readings: it detects more tumors, especially the most aggressive ones, and reduces the number of missed ones. A Swedish clinical trial with more than 100,000 women shows that AI in mammogram screening detects more relevant cancers without increasing false positives.

Global Health

  • The humanitarian situation in Yemen will worsen in 2026. An 11-year-long civil war will contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, malnutrition, and maternal mortality.
  • How to eat well within Earth’s limits. The impact of new recommendations from RFK Jr., which call for increased protein, fruit, and vegetable consumption, is discussed.

International Health Policy

  • Following donations, the Trump Administration rescinds the order requiring more staff at nursing homes. According to the New York Times, executives from these companies met with Trump, made a significant donation, and the project was withdrawn.
  • China is changing the rules in biotech. For over 100 years, the USA was the undisputed leader in biomedical research and innovation. China’s major advances put the USA at risk of losing that position.
  • According to the British Prime Minister, the drop in vaccinations in the UK is a “national disgrace.” The vaccination strategy in England is failing.
  • How politics destroyed a model healthcare system in Colombia. For the last two decades, Colombia’s healthcare system was seen as an example for the rest of Latin America, both by the WHO and the World Bank. None of that changed President Petro’s mind, and he is trying to impose a radical change.

National Health Policy (Spain)

  • The Ministry of Health signs the agreement on the Framework Statute with the unions, but without the support of the doctors. Logically, in any healthcare system, doctors are not just another part. They are the key players most closely related to the quality of care. Their lack of agreement is not something that can be disregarded; rather, it invalidates any agreement. The doctors are prepared to continue defending their position through parliamentary channels.
  • A book by FUNCAS challenges the entrenched myths (or myths) about the Spanish public healthcare system. Whether we have the best healthcare system in the world, whether there is a shortage of doctors in Spain, or whether there is truly a shortage of 100,000 nurses, are among the topics analyzed. Among other things, it discusses whether we have the best or one of the best healthcare systems in the world. We do now have some health outcomes that can be correlated with the activity of the healthcare system. In fact, Spain ranked 9th among all countries in the world in the HAQ index (which measures clinically avoidable mortality) in 2022, with only eight countries ahead of it, all of them smaller (Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Iceland, and Ireland). Now, even if we were number one in health outcomes, that wouldn’t authorize us to say we have the best healthcare system in the world. It’s important to remember that the purpose of healthcare systems isn’t just to “save lives.” They have other valuable functions, difficult to reflect in rankings: reducing patient disability, alleviating pain, making illnesses more bearable, resolving uncertainty, and decreasing physical and emotional distress. These systems are justified by the fulfillment of their specific goals: to care, prevent, rehabilitate, and reassure.
  • Spain already has 40 CAR-T centers, reflecting the expansion of advanced therapies. The Ministry has published a report that takes stock of treatment with Advanced Therapies in 2025, with five new centers and 2,742 applications processed since 2019.

Companies

  • International
    • According to Elon Musk, there will be no nursing homes in the future; he claims his robots will be able to protect and care for the elderly. He proposes his humanoid robots as a solution to the shortage of caregivers and the high cost of elder care.
    • The historic trade agreement between the US and India will boost pharmaceutical trade. The pact will gradually eliminate Indian tariffs on European medicines and seeks to strengthen supply chains in a context of geopolitical tensions.
  • National
    • GSK, Sanofi, and MSD are the companies receiving the most funding from the $1.7 billion mega-contract for vaccines.

Biomedicine

  • Dr. William Foege, a key figure in the global eradication of smallpox, has died. He was director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the late 1970s and early 1980s (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/01/26/697716f8fc6c8310558b4572.html)
  • AlphaGenome, a Google AI, predicts the impact of variations in DNA. This tool could be used to obtain more information about genetic diseases, improve genetic testing, and contribute to the development of new treatments (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/genetica/alphagenome-ia-google-predice-impacto-variaciones-adn.html). Original article in the journal Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-10014-0
  • The surprisingly good results of just a little exercise. Exercise snacks and other forms of daily movement may help reduce the risk of death from heart disease (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00237-0)
  • Scientists link 22 genes to common viral risks. Scientists have identified these genes, which explain how many people are at risk of life-threatening illnesses (https://www.ft.com/content/815dd3d9-f83b-448d-af52-ca6da6c9cd03)
  • Ultrasound is being used to treat treatment-resistant depression. Deep brain stimulation could improve severe depression (https://www.lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2026/01/28/les-ultrasons-a-l-assaut-des-depressions-resistantes_6664406_1650684.html)
  • Genes control longevity, regardless of how healthy a lifestyle is. Your lifespan potential is written in your genes, according to a new study (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/health/longevity-lifespan-age-genes.html). Access the original article in Science: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz1187
  • Mariano Barbacid cures pancreatic tumors in rats with a combination of three drugs. The Spanish researcher estimates that the first human trials will begin in three years and will require an investment of 30 million euros (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/mariano-barbacid-consigue-curar-tumores-pancreas-animales-20260127135426-nt.html)
  • AI improves mammogram readings: it detects more tumors, especially the most aggressive ones, and reduces those that went unnoticed. A Swedish clinical trial with more than 100,000 women shows that AI in mammographic screening detects more relevant cancers and reduces interval tumors by 12% without increasing false positives (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/01/30/697b9345e4d4d8fb578b458d.html)

Global Health

  • The BMJ’s call: hospitals should be sanctuaries, not military targets (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s115?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
  • Infections are rampant in Sudan’s fields (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s87?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
  • The humanitarian situation in Yemen will worsen in 2026. A civil war The fact that this pandemic has already lasted 11 years will contribute to the proliferation of infectious diseases, malnutrition, and maternal mortality (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00196-0/fulltext)
  • How to eat well and within Earth’s limits. The impact of RFK Jr.’s new recommendations, which call for increased protein, fruit, and vegetable consumption, is being discussed (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00236-1)
  • The number of people living in extreme heat by 2050 will double if temperatures rise by 2°C. Scientists believe that 41% of the population will experience these temperatures, with no part of the world immune (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/26/number-of-people-living-in-extreme-heat-to-double-by-2050-if-2c-rise-occurs-study-finds)

International Health Policy

  • USA
    • American medical groups will go to court to stop RFK Jr.’s vaccine changes. A coalition of doctors and public health advocacy groups will file a legal motion to halt the changes to the vaccination schedule. From RFK, Jr. (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s145?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
    • The United States says it will soon leave the WHO and that it will not pay the outstanding dues (https://www.elespanol.com/ciencia/salud/20260123/eeuu-anuncia-salida-efectiva-organizacion-mundial-salud-oms-insiste-no-pagara-cuotas-pendientes/1003744100610_0.html)
    • Trump’s proposals lead to Medicare austerity, offering an increase of less than 1%, which does not satisfy the hopes of insurers (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/28/trump-proposal-signals-medicare-austerity-00751365)
    • After donations, the Trump Administration revokes the order that required more staff in nursing homes. According to the New York Times, executives from those companies met with Trump, made a significant donation, and the project was withdrawn (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/us/politics/after-donations-trump-administration-revoked-rule-requiring-more-nursing-home-staff.html)
    • The psychedelic revolution that never happened. Although RFK, Jr. said at the time that he was going to promote them for mental disorders, that push never materialized (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/28/rfk-psychedelics-medicine-veterans-mdma-ptsd-00750414)
  • China
    • China is changing the rules in biotech. For over 100 years, the USA was the undisputed leader in biomedical research and innovation. China’s major advances put the US at risk of losing that position (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aef7757)
  • India
    • India alerts over a deadly Nipah outbreak as other countries tighten controls. Indian health authorities are working against the clock to contain a new cluster of the Nipah virus detected in West Bengal, in the east of the country, after five infections were confirmed and around one hundred people were preventively isolated. (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/01/26/69778d53e85eceda378b459e-video.html)
  • United Kingdom
    • Home births: Several trusts have to urgently review their services after the death of a mother and baby (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s137?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
    • According to the Prime Minister, the drop in vaccinations in the UK is a “national disgrace.” The vaccination strategy in England is slowing down (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s139?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
  • France
    • The Senate rejects The law on end-of-life issues is rejected and sent back to Congress (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/01/28/fin-de-vie-le-senat-rejette-la-loi-sur-l-aide-a-mourir-renvoyee-a-l-assemblee_6664474_3225.html)
    • The tense relations between liberal doctors and the Government. Several demonstrations against the regulation of liberal practice (https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2026/01/27/entre-les-medecins-liberaux-et-l-etat-une-relation-sous-tension-au-risque-de-l-immobilisme_6664316_3232.html)
    • Medical deserts: the government willing to facilitate teleconsultations, currently limited to 20% (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/01/26/deserts-medicaux-le-gouvernement-desserre-un-peu-la-vis-sur-la-teleconsultation_6664220_3224.html)
  • Colombia
    • How politics destroyed a healthcare system model. For the past two decades, Colombia’s healthcare system was seen as a model for the rest of Latin America, both by the WHO and the World Bank. None of this changed President Petro’s mind, and he is trying to impose a change. radical(https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s76?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008 476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb249 4c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)

National Health Policy

  • Central Government Initiatives
    • The Health Data Space is born, a “step forward” in the transformation of the National Health System. The Minister of Health, Mónica García, closed the 1st National Meeting on Data Spaces, where the creation of the National Health Data Space (ENDS) was announced (https://www.consalud.es/politica/ministerio-sanidad/nace-el-espacio-nacional-de-datos-de-salud-un-paso-adelante-en-la-transformacion-del-sns.html)
    • The State Consortium for Advanced Therapies will have its administrative headquarters in Majadahonda and its scientific headquarters in Barcelona (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/consorcio-estatal-terapias-avanzadas-tendra-sede-administrativa-majadahonda-cientifica-barcelona.html)
    • The Veo Plan has already received 54,000 applications since its implementation https://www.consalud.es/politica/ministerio-sanidad/el-plan-veo-ha-recibido-mas-de-54000-solicitudes-desde-su-implementacion.html)
  • Initiatives of the autonomous communities
    • The Galician Health Service (SERGAS) will integrate AI for the massive analysis of 1.8 million clinical images. Galicia promotes the early detection of diseases such as cancer and diabetes through the deployment of intelligent algorithms, the complete digitization of operating rooms, and an electronic health record accessible to all professionals (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/galicia-inteligencia-artificial-imagenes-sergas/)
    • The second phase of the Xenoma Galicia project begins, with 5,000 more tests (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/galicia/comienza-la-segunda-fase-del-proyecto-xenoma-galicia-con-5-000-pruebas-mas-3482)
    • Madrid denounces the “irregular” assignment of the scientific direction of the CERTERA project to Catalonia (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/c-madrid/madrid-denuncia-irregularidades-en-la-asignado-a-cataluna-de-la-direccion-cientifica-del-certera.html)
    • Healthcare The Basque Health Service admits it mistakenly administered expired vaccines to 253 people, mostly babies (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-01-27/la-sanidad-vasca-administra-por-error-vacunas-caducadas-a-253-personas-la-mayoria-bebes.html)
    • La Rioja strengthens research with €12.8 million (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/la-rioja/la-rioja-reforzara-la-investigacion-y-la-innovacion-sanitaria-con-una-inversion-de-hasta-1286-millones-de-euros.html)
  • Framework Statute
    • Health Ministry signs agreement with unions on the Framework Statute, but without the support of doctors (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-01-26/sanidad-firma-un-acuerdo-para-el-nuevo-estatuto-marco-sin-el-apoyo-de-los-sindicatos-medicos.html)
    • Doctors aim to stop the Framework Statute and will take legal action in the European Parliament (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260130/medicos-aspiran-frenar-estatuto-marco-cortes-emprenderan-acciones-legales-parlamento-europeo/1003744109202_0.html)
    • Vox takes the demand for a Framework Statute to Congress, the Senate, and the Autonomous Communities (https://www.consalud.es/politica/vox-lleva-la-demanda-de-un-estatuto-medico-hasta-el-congreso-senado-y-ccaa.html)
  • FUNCAS
    • A book by FUNCAS questions the (or not) deeply rooted myths about the Spanish public healthcare system. Whether we have the best healthcare system in the world, whether there is a shortage of doctors in Spain, or whether there really is a shortage of 100,000 nurses, are among the topics analyzed (https://diariofarma.com/2026/01/28/un-libro-de-funcas-cuestiona-bulos-o-no-arraigados-sobre-la-sanidad-publica-espanola)
  • CAR T-cell therapy centers
    • Spain now has 40 CAR T-cell therapy centers, reflecting the expansion of advanced therapies. The Ministry has published a report taking stock of Advanced Therapies treatment in 2025, with five new centers and 2,742 applications processed since 2019 (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/40-centros-car-t-terapias-avanzadas/)

Companies

  • International
    • AstraZeneca reaches a $4.7 billion agreement with China to boost obesity drugs (https://www.ft.com/content/c919380d-3f08-4dde-98e2-64e50b7da293)
    • The historic trade agreement between the US and India will boost pharmaceutical trade. The pact will gradually eliminate Indian tariffs on European medicines and seeks to strengthen supply chains in a context of geopolitical tensions.(https://www.consalud.es/salud35/internacional/la-ue-e-india-sellan-un-historico-acuerdo-de-libre-comercio-que-impulsa-el-intercambio-farmaceutico.html)
    • According to Elon Musk, there will be no nursing homes in the future; he claims his robots will be able to protect and care for the elderly. Musk proposes its humanoid robots as a solution to the shortage of caregivers and the high cost of elderly care (https://www.eleconomista.es/tecnologia/noticias/13752514/01/26/en-el-futuro-no-habra-residencias-musk-asegura-que-sus-robots-con-ia-seran-increibles-para-proteger-y-cuidar-a-las-personas-mayores.html)
    • Bayer begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel, moving away from litigation and focused on its business (https://cincodias.elpais.com/mercados-financieros/2026-02-01/bayer-comienza-a-ver-la-luz-a-final-del-tunel-alejada-de-litigios-y-centrada-en-el-negocio.html)

This post is also available in: Spanish