Long-term effects of wildfire smoke; USPSTF recommendation to increase breastfeeding; hospital M&A activity hits historic low – Morning Medical Update

Author(s):

Austin Littrell

Key Takeaways

Wildfire smoke in 2017 caused significant health impacts, with senior citizens and minority communities most affected, urging improved air-quality measures and protection for vulnerable groups.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends primary care counseling to increase breastfeeding, addressing the low rate of infants breastfed at six months.
Hospital mergers and acquisitions reached a historic low in early 2025, driven by economic volatility and policy uncertainties, with most deals involving financially distressed hospitals.

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Long-term effects of wildfire smoke

Smoke from wildfires and prescribed burns caused 20,000 premature deaths and approximately $200 billion in health-related damages across the U.S. in 2017, according to new research from Carnegie Mellon University. Senior citizens accounted for 75% of these damages, while Native American and Black communities experienced the greatest impacts per capita. With wildfire emissions rising, researchers urged expanded air-quality monitoring, improved indoor air filtration, and targeted distribution of respiratory protection to vulnerable populations.

USPSTF recommends primary care counseling to increase breastfeeding

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends primary care clinicians provide counseling interventions to encourage breastfeeding, noting these efforts offer clear health benefits for mothers and infants. Currently, fewer than 60% of U.S. infants are breastfed at six months, highlighting a significant opportunity to improve maternal-child health.

Hospital M&A activity hits historic low amid economic uncertainty

Hospital mergers and acquisitions sharply declined in the first quarter of 2025, with only five transactions announced — the lowest quarterly total in recent history, according to Kaufman Hall's latest report. Continued economic volatility, policy uncertainty, and widespread financial distress among hospitals contributed to the slowdown. Four of the five deals involved financially struggling hospitals, reflecting ongoing financial pressures in the health care sector.