McKinsey Warns of 'Gathering Storm' in US Healthcare

US healthcare is bracing itself, with federal deficit pressures and fresh legislation set to squeeze industry margins by 100 basis points through 2027, according to McKinsey's latest analysis.

The consultancy is calling it "gathering storm 2.0" – a follow-up to the pandemic-era turbulence that already pushed healthcare industry EBITDA down 200 basis points between 2019 and 2024. 

This time, the threat comes from shifting geopolitical priorities, particularly NATO's recent agreement to lift defence spending to 5% of GDP. 

For the US, that means finding an extra two percentage points of GDP whilst the federal deficit already sits at an uncomfortable 6.4%, well above the 3% that most economists consider manageable.

How GSK & the Fleming Initiative Use AI Against AMR

One in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections is caused by drug-resistant bacteria according to the latest WHO GLASS Report (October 2025). Annual deaths linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could surge to 8.22 million by 2050, representing a staggering 74.5% increase from 2021 levels.

GSK and the Fleming Initiative have announced an alliance to confront the mounting threat of AMR, launching six pioneering research programmes – dubbed “Grand Challenges” – that harness advanced AI and the world’s leading scientific expertise. 

“I’m delighted to combine GSK’s leadership in antimicrobial science with world-leading research at Imperial College London,” says Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer, GSK.

“Together, with scaled datasets, emerging drug modalities and AI-driven models, we will open up new approaches for the discovery of novel antibiotics as well as anticipate and outpace the development of resistance to transform the treatment and prevention of serious infections."

Does the UK's New Men's Health Focus on Young Men Enough?

The Department of Health and Social Care has published England's first dedicated men's health strategy, drawing on nearly 6,600 submissions collected during a 12-week consultation earlier this year.

The report, titled 'Men's health: a strategic vision for England', offers a detailed picture of how men in the country experience healthcare and where they believe improvements are needed.

Mental health emerged as a major concern, with 46% of respondents identifying it as a priority.

Some 44% said they had difficulties accessing timely care, while a further 27% said that suicide prevention services need urgent attention.

Around one in four respondents said that clearer screening pathways would encourage men to seek support earlier.

Martin Carpenter: How Tech is Reshaping Healthcare on Jersey

Nestled off the French coast is the island of Jersey, the largest in the English Channel. Boasting a population of around 104,000, the self-governing British crown dependency is undertaking a comprehensive digital transformation of its healthcare services to benefit the health and wellbeing of its population by reimagining how public healthcare is delivered through technology, partnership and cultural change.

Leading the charge is Martin Carpenter, the Government of Jersey’s Healthcare CIO. His vision extends beyond simply digitising existing processes, aiming to create a responsive, data-driven healthcare ecosystem that puts both citizens and clinicians at the centre.

Alfa Laval Hopes New Center will Help Pharma Innovation

Swedish industrial manufacturer Alfa Laval has opened its new Innovation Centre in Flemingsberg, Sweden, a move that signals a reinforced focus on creating sustainable solutions for the healthcare and biopharma industries.

The company, which has a 140-year history, inaugurated the new facility at an event for customers, partners and industry leaders, showcasing its latest technologies.

Tom Erixon, Alfa Laval’s CEO and President, and Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs, Jessica Rosencrantz, were present to officially open the centre.

This investment not only strengthens Alfa Laval's Swedish roots, located near its 19th-century origins, but also establishes Flemingsberg as its global hub for separator development, with a clear ambition for the pharmaceutical sector.