The 7 next big things in health and medicine for 2026

In 2026, groundbreaking advancements in health and medicine promise to transform healthcare. Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize medical imaging, with companies like Aidoc streamlining the interpretation of scans to diagnose over a dozen serious conditions. The FDA has cleared Aidoc’s abdomen CT triage tool, which can detect appendicitis, aortic dissection, and bowel obstruction from a single scan.

Additionally, Aidoc has formed the Diagnostic AI Consortium, involving major U.S. hospitals and health systems to establish standards for AI usage in clinical decision-making.

Another innovative solution is Akido’s ScopeAI platform, which reduces the workload of multidisciplinary care teams by enabling non-medically trained outreach workers to conduct patient intake and preliminary diagnoses. This technology has led to a 55% reduction in emergency department visits and improved patient retention rates in various programs.

The realm of mental health is also witnessing transformative developments. AtaiBeckley, acquired by Eli Lilly for $3.8 billion, is developing a nasal spray based on a compound found in the Sonoran Desert toad. This psychedelic therapy shows promise in treating treatment-resistant depression, potentially cutting clinical visits to just two hours.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are becoming more brain-friendly, with Axoft developing a minimally invasive device made from a bio-inspired material called Fleuron. This new BCI can be implanted through tiny holes in the skull, providing high-resolution access to neural activity. Axoft’s device has already been implanted in 11 patients, aiding in the evaluation of patients in comas or vegetative states.

Neko Health, founded by Spotify’s Daniel Ek and Hjalmar Nilsonne, is redefining preventive healthcare through spa-like clinics offering comprehensive health assessments in one hour. Combining advanced imaging, biometric measurements, blood tests, and physician consultations, Neko Health identifies early indicators of various health conditions. With over $1 billion in funding, Neko Health has expanded its network of clinics globally and introduced a new healthcare affordability platform.

Lastly, rheumatoid arthritis patients may soon find relief without the need for pills, thanks to SetPoint Medical’s groundbreaking approach. The company’s technology targets the root causes of arthritis pain, offering a promising alternative to traditional pharmacological treatments.