Our annual look back at the year’s top stories is the perfect chance to reflect on the news and events shaping our lives. From new brain health treatments to extensive cuts to research funding, Chicago Health readers’ interests covered a lot of ground this year.
Here’s to 2026, and the many health stories already unfolding around us. We hope you’ll continue to trust Chicago Health to bring you reliable, trustworthy information that helps you make sense of it all.
10) “There’s Just a Lot of Uncertainty”
by Anushree Vashist
February 10, 2025
Chicago researchers and healthcare leaders are grappling with uncertainty after the federal government imposed restrictions on HHS communications, travel, and grant activities, affecting NIH-funded projects nationwide. Scientists warn the freeze could delay research, disrupt training programs, and stall progress on studies critical to patient care.
9) Dangerous Air
by Catherine Gianaro
August 4, 2025
During the past summer, Chicago’s air quality repeatedly reached unhealthy levels as smoke from multiple wildfires drifted into the region, prompting health warnings and calls for residents to limit outdoor activity. Experts say fine particulate pollution can harm the lungs and heart, especially in children, older adults, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
8) Food Insecurity in Chicago
by Aaron Dorman
October 2, 2025
Nearly 1 in 5 Chicago households faces food insecurity, forcing families to choose among groceries, rent, and other essentials as inflation and income gaps persist. Local food banks, schools, and city agencies are expanding programs to bridge the gap, even as advocates press for broader policy solutions.
7) Weight Loss Drug Revolution
by Catherine Gianaro; Victoria Shanta Retelny, RDN; and Rebecca Stiles, RDN
October 2, 2025
A new class of weight-loss drugs is reshaping how clinicians and patients think about obesity, shifting the focus from willpower to biology. Medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have produced unprecedented results, while also raising questions about access, side effects, and what long-term treatment should look like.
6) Precision Diets
by Victoria Shanta Retelny, RDN
April 10, 2025
Nutrition scientists are increasingly exploring “precision diets” tailored to an individual’s genetics, metabolism, and lifestyle. The move could transform one‑size‑fits‑all dietary advice. Early research suggests personalized nutrition plans may improve weight management and metabolic health, though experts say more evidence is needed before widespread adoption.
5) New Diagnostic Trial for CTE
by Anushree Vashist
October 2, 2025
Researchers have launched a national clinical trial aimed at diagnosing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in living patients, a major step forward in understanding a disease currently only confirmed after death. The study will use PET scans and protein markers to distinguish CTE from other forms of dementia. Investigators hope earlier diagnosis could improve symptom management and spur the development of new treatments.
4) Undoing Debt
by Dawn Reiss
April 10, 2025
Local governments, hospitals, and community clinics are increasingly adopting programs to reduce or eliminate patients’ medical debt, aiming to ease financial strain and improve access to care for low-income families. Advocates say canceling or negotiating debt can boost health outcomes by removing barriers to treatment and reducing stress, while critics question long-term sustainability and funding sources.
3) From Trash to Treasure
by Nancy Maes
October 15, 2025
Chicago’s expanded composting efforts are turning food scraps and other organic waste into nutrient-rich soil while cutting landfill use and greenhouse gas emissions — part of a broader push to reduce environmental harm and protect public health. City programs and community initiatives now offer residents more convenient ways to divert waste and support sustainability.
2) “How Did This Happen?”
by Katie Scarlett Brandt
August 11, 2025
Chicago’s Weiss Memorial Hospital abruptly closed its doors this summer after federal regulators revoked its Medicare and Medicaid participation amid ongoing compliance problems and facility issues. The abrupt closure stunned patients and staff. It highlights broader strains on safety-net care and raises questions about healthcare access for neighborhoods that have relied on the North Side institution for decades.
1) New Parkinson’s Treatment Comes to Illinois
by Anushree Vashist
October 2, 2025
People with Parkinson’s disease in the Chicago area now have access to a new form of deep brain stimulation that adjusts to brain activity in real time. This makes Illinois 1 of only about 20 places in the country offering the treatment. The expansion comes as doctors emphasize the need for better options in a disease that lacks a cure and is expected to become far more common in the coming decades.
