Global Scans · Health · Weekly Summary

• [New] Japan is leveraging humanoid robots to address a projected shortfall of specialised caregivers, providing billions in subsidies, introducing robots into thousands of facilities, and integrating robotics into healthcare infrastructure. Persistence Market Research
• [New] CBO estimates 8-10% automatic benefit cuts by 2056 if no reforms, threatening critical healthcare services for retirees. Ainvest
• [New] Chief Medical Officer of Piedmont Healthcare (Atlanta): With one in three healthcare providers nearing retirement age and with an anticipated 27 million adults aged 65 or older by 2050, the United States is projected to face a physician shortage of 124,000 by 2034. Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & A
• [New] As healthcare demands continue to rise, and digital solutions expand, health tech investments will remain a vital driver of business growth, innovation, and improved patient outcomes worldwide. TechBullion
• [New] The evolution of health tech will continue to redefine healthcare delivery, corporate strategies, and investment priorities, making it a central focus for business innovation in 2026 and beyond. TechBullion
• [New] Enterprise AI agents would create a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity for many industries, from medicine to software engineering. MIT Sloan
• [New] Multi-family residences, hospitals, factories, dormitories, hotels, health centers and more will all be exploring all-electric three-phase options in 2026 for retrofit projects and for new installations. Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US
• [New] Results from the US POINTER Study provide encouraging evidence that lifestyle interventions can significantly improve cognitive health in older adults at risk for cognitive decline. BrightFocus Foundation
• [New] For a healthy 65-year-old couple retiring in 2026, lifetime health care costs are projected to total $661,812 in today's dollars, or $955,411 in future value. PLANADVISER
• [New] While assembly lines are the primary target for companies like Tesla, the potential for humanoid robots extends deep into healthcare and social assistance. YoungWonks
• The UAE's healthcare bill for obesity is expected to reach USD 12 billion by 2035, with an estimated 7.5 million people in the UAE expected to be obese by then. SecneNow
• By 2035, PwC forecasts a $1 trillion move to an AI-based, empowered, proactive, predictive and personal digital-first health wellness environment. World Wide Technology
• As stigma around mental health continues to decline and digital healthcare infrastructure strengthens globally, AI-driven solutions are expected to become mainstream components of mental healthcare delivery. EIN Presswire
• With AI moving into production mode, the pace of adoption will continue to accelerate and 2026 is likely to mark a turning point in the AI-driven transformation of healthcare. JD Supra
• With the Association of American Colleges predicting a shortage of 13,500 to 86,000 physicians by 2036, AI is poised to make a practical difference in both productivity and retention across the wider health-care field. Diagnostic Imaging
• The size of the U.S. digital mental health marketplace recently exceeded $9 billion (USD) and is expected to grow more than five times to more than $45 billion by 2035. The Minds Journal
• Most consequentially, U.S. global health programs - including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) - routinely focus outreach on key populations at elevated risk, such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, adolescent girls, and young women. Think Global Health
• The federal healthcare program for seniors will cost $1.1 trillion in 2026 as more baby boomers reach age 65. Washington Examiner
• Medicare spending is projected to double over the next decade due to rising healthcare costs and increased enrolment. Washington Examiner
• Health care will be one of the most consequential policy arenas in 2026, driven by voter concerns over affordability, major federal initiatives such as TrumpRx, renewed debate over ACA premium subsidies, and the implementation of recently enacted Medicare and Medicaid extenders. JD Supra

Last updated: 27 February 2026