Will the US Catch Up on Infant Mortality and Health Tech Regulations?

The US infant mortality rate has dropped to a new all-time low, according to CDC data, but still trails other similar nations. Meanwhile, concerns over health data privacy and AI regulation are growing, with the AMA calling for a crackdown on chatbots and wellness AI. In this article, we'll explore the latest developments in health data, AI, and medical research.

What Happened

• The US infant mortality rate fell to 3.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025, a 2% decrease from 2024.
• The UK's health data project, Biobank, has been compromised, with the data of 500,000 people found for sale on the website Alibaba.
• The AMA has called for a regulatory crackdown on chatbots and wellness AI, citing concerns over patient safety and data privacy.
• Weight loss drugs will be available through Medicare starting next month, thanks to a temporary program that may be difficult to end.

Why It Matters

The US infant mortality rate is still higher than many other developed countries, including Japan, Sweden, and Norway. The UK's Biobank data breach highlights the risks of storing sensitive health data online. The AMA's call for regulation of chatbots and wellness AI comes as the use of these technologies becomes increasingly prevalent in healthcare.

What Experts Say

"The use of chatbots and wellness AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, but we need to ensure that these technologies are regulated and safe for patients." — Dr. David A. Asch, Executive Director of the Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation

Key Numbers

• 3.2 deaths per 1,000 live births: the US infant mortality rate in 2025

• 500,000: the number of people whose health data was compromised in the Biobank breach
• 2%: the decrease in the US infant mortality rate from 2024 to 2025

Background

The US infant mortality rate has been declining steadily over the past few decades, but still lags behind other developed countries. The use of chatbots and wellness AI in healthcare is becoming increasingly prevalent, but concerns over patient safety and data privacy have led to calls for regulation.

What Comes Next

The FDA is expected to release new guidelines for the regulation of chatbots and wellness AI in the coming months. The Medicare weight loss drug program is set to begin next month, and will be closely watched by healthcare professionals and policymakers. As the use of health data and AI continues to grow, concerns over privacy and safety will only continue to intensify.

Key Facts

• Who: The American Medical Association (AMA)
• What: Called for a regulatory crackdown on chatbots and wellness AI
• When: April 2026
• Where: US
• Impact: The AMA's call for regulation has sparked a national conversation about the use of AI in healthcare.

What to Watch

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, we'll be keeping a close eye on the following developments:

• The FDA's new guidelines for the regulation of chatbots and wellness AI
• The impact of the Medicare weight loss drug program on patient outcomes and healthcare costs
• The ongoing conversation about health data privacy and security in the wake of the Biobank breach.