As 2024 approaches, I’m looking back at the popular stories of 2023 and what they mean for our health in the year ahead.
1. Novota’s Era Has Just Begun
This year, there seems to be no end to the news about Novotel and similar drugs that can induce dramatic weight loss. As more of these drugs hit the market, more and more patients are clamoring for them, and more and more doctors are beginning to accept them. There are two trends in particular that I find interesting this year: one is that mental health professionals are beginning to offer these drugs to offset the weight gain associated with taking psychotropic drugs; some people who are struggling to lose weight during menopause are also starting to turn to these drugs.
The interest in these drugs goes beyond treating diabetes and weight loss—researchers report that one of the drugs, Wegovy, can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in some people. The expanding range of applications of these drugs may become one of the biggest news stories of 2024.
2. The Coronavirus Era Is Not Truly over Yet
This year, the COVID-19 public health emergency officially ends, an important milestone as the pandemic enters a new phase. The shift has made it difficult for many people to access COVID-19 testing and the latest vaccines, even as the virus remains a significant presence in our lives. New variants continue to emerge, and many people find themselves trapped in what appears to be an endless cycle of recovery-infection.
3. The Health Impacts of Climate Change Are Becoming Increasingly Clear
My favorite part of my job is pursuing answers to some of today’s most pressing questions. This summer, as wildfire smoke drifted across New York and the sky turned orange, I dug an N95 mask out of my coat pocket and, during a horrific commute, wondered how harmful breathing the smoky air was to my lungs. Health risks from climate change are rising rapidly, and more and more people seem to be starting to think about how changing weather will affect their health.
Probably the only upside, if you can call it that, is that we can at least do a little better next year in adapting to the new normal. When the next storm floods New York, or the next heat wave hits, I’ll know what precautions to take to stay as safe as possible.
4. The Evidence on the Dangers of Drinking Alcohol Is Also Increasingly Clear
You may not want to hear it – and neither did I, but the evidence is very clear that alcohol is bad for you. New research this year found that drinking-related deaths are rising faster among women than men, especially among those aged 65 and over, and the gap between the sexes is narrowing. There is also more evidence that alcohol increases the risk of cancer, particularly breast and colon cancer.
For those of us who are part of the alcohol-free movement, Dry January allows us to consciously think about our drinking in the new year and consider extending this practice throughout the year.
5. What Was Out of Fashion Becomes Fashionable Again
If there’s one immutable law in the ever-changing world of wellness trends, it’s that while trends may fade, they never truly die.
This year, Gen Z has revived the popularity of country cheese, long eclipsed by Greek yogurt, praising its health benefits. People also turned to ashwagandha, an ancient herb, in an attempt to ease their anxiety. Starbucks added olive oil to its coffee, fueling the popularity of the Mediterranean diet, and people are adding olive oil to yogurt, ice cream, and just about everything else. On TikTok, some people hope that it can beautify the skin, and even pour it directly into a shot glass and sip it.
