2026 Health Hot Topics That Impact You

Submitted by Genevieve Lankowicz, MD, Chief Medical Officer

As we settle into 2026, many of us still have healthy New Year resolutions fresh in our mind: eat better, exercise, get more sleep, balance stress, drink more water (go, you!) – but beyond the everyday things we can do to live healthier, better lives this year, there are big-picture healthcare issues that are important too – things that affect all of us – our families, friends, and neighbors.   


Here are some of the healthcare topics and trends on top of my mind that I expect will have a significant impact across our nation and Virginia in 2026. 

Nearly impossible-to-get appointments: Primary Care 
Finding a primary care provider you actually like—who takes your insurance and is accepting new patients—can feel impossible these days. And getting an appointment? That’s often another hurdle altogether.

With a growing shortage of primary care providers across the U.S., researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University estimate that 44% of Virginia’s neighborhoods are affected, impacting nearly 3.8 million residents.  Even once you find a PCP, waiting three weeks (or longer) for an appointment has become the norm in many areas.

What Chesapeake Regional is doing: We’re focused on making primary care more accessible for you and your family. That’s why we offer same-day appointments at Chesapeake Regional Primary Care Camden, Currituck, Elizabeth City, and Mt. Pleasant, so care is there when you need it. 

Having a primary care provider is so important to your health. Your PCP helps you…

  • Navigate and be proactive about your family history and lifestyle risk factors 
  • Understand what specialists you should see, when and if you need to 
    • Primary care providers get to know many specialists over the years, sharing patients and establishing their own trusted relationships with other doctors as they work together to manage your care. They are a great resource to help you choose the right specialist
  • Effectively and confidently manage chronic health conditions
  • Act as the first and often best line of defense when it comes to identifying and diagnosing new symptoms (click here to learn when to schedule an appointment with your PCP, or go to urgent or emergency care)

What you can do: Establish care with a PCP now. Don’t wait until something’s wrong. Having a PCP you trust, who knows you and your health history, is one of the best preventative care strategies you can have. Meet our primary care providers.  

How can I get a same-day appointment? Same-day appointments are available for established patients, and some new patient appointments, too. If you’re a new patient and need a same-day appointment, you can always head to our Urgent Care. During your visit, the team can help you get established with a primary care provider.    

 

Measles
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2,242 confirmed measles cases in 2025 – the highest number in decades. There are over 170 confirmed cases this year across nine states, including Virginia. Experts project that the number of measles cases will remain elevated.  

What you can do: Protecting yourself from measles protects everyone. Measles vaccinations are highly effective and the best way to keep you and your loved ones from contracting the virus. If you’re not already vaccinated, not sure, or have questions about how the vaccine works, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor today or check with a local pharmacy. If you or someone in your family is experiencing measles symptoms, a rash or any symptoms of a potentially highly contagious illness, see a provider immediately. Be sure to call ahead to Chesapeake Regional Urgent Care or emergency care so that we can make sure your visit is as safe as possible for you and all our patients. 

What Chesapeake Regional is doing: With so much information and misinformation available online about vaccines and really, all health topics (anyone Googled Ozempic?), our primary care providers are here as a trusted resource to help you make the best decisions that are right for your personal health. Meet our primary care providers.  

If you think you are experiencing measles symptoms or any rash or symptoms of a potentially highly contagious illness, get in line virtually for our new Urgent Care located at the corner of Battlefield Boulevard and Hanbury Road. We offer extended and weekend hours to make sure you have access to high-quality, expert care, when and where you need it. Not sure whether you should go to Primary, Urgent or Emergency Care? Find out here. 

 

Steep financial challenges and inflation mean tough decisions for hospitals 
Almost every industry and certainly, almost every family is feeling the impacts of inflation. Hospitals have been weathering financial strain like never before. From 2022-2024 alone, inflation rose 14.1%, and basic expenses for hospitals to operate are still climbing. Critical things like nurses and staff, supplies, and medications are getting more expensive, while federal funding programs are changing, and hospital payments from insurance companies fall dramatically short for health systems across the U.S. Even larger systems are feeling the financial pressure.

Many small or rural hospitals are on the brink. A recent report shows more than 25% of Virginia’s rural hospitals are at “immediate risk” of shutting down. Nonprofit systems are struggling too. Because of this, a lot of hospitals have no choice but to hold insurance companies accountable to fair payment and renegotiate their contracts so they can keep their doors open for patients. Others are having to make tough decisions about how to prioritize which programs and services to keep, or what needed equipment or technology purchases will just have to wait.

What Chesapeake Regional is doing: As a nonprofit, we focus on thoughtful, responsible investments that meet the changing needs of our community and help assure we’re able to fund the services and programs families rely on today, and tomorrow. Like all hospitals, we are constantly evaluating our financial health and partnerships with organizations like insurance companies. Every decision we make is based on the best interests of our patients and community. Things like the community health needs assessment guide how we sustainably evolve alongside the critical, growing needs of the patients and families we serve. 

What you can do: Stay engaged and informed about what’s going on nationally and locally. Advocate for healthcare providers when you have the chance. Most of us have had the luxury of expecting hospitals and care providers will always be here for us, 24/7, but it’s important we recognize that in communities across the U.S., the financial foundation that allows them to do so is increasingly fragile, and it’s a shared responsibility to protect our healthcare. If your insurance company is negotiating with your doctor’s office or local hospital, advocate for your providers. If you have a chance to vote or speak up on a bill that ultimately supports your doctors, nurses, and the organizations committed to patients, please do it. 

 

Mental and behavioral health shortage
In 2025, Mental Health Advocacy Coalition ranked Virginia as 39th nationally in access to a trained mental health workforce, highlighting limited provider availability and delayed care. A recent study shows that nearly 1 in 10 adults in our country reported a mental health crisis in the past year. While the need for these services grows, the financial strain on the healthcare industry makes it increasingly difficult to invest in and provide mental health care and resources that communities in every corner of our country need.    

What Chesapeake Regional is doing: This January, we launched a new Behavioral Health care program with round-the-clock, 24/7 access to experts who can help people in crisis situations with many mental health conditions, including depression, suicidal ideas, anxiety, psychosis, addictions, and other challenges people in our community are facing. This marks the beginning of an even more comprehensive array of services, including a 20-bed unit that will open its doors this spring. This program was only made possible because of individuals from the local, regional, and federal government who recognized and financially supported this vital need. We also partner with many local organizations who support people and families facing behavioral health issues. Together, we look forward to finding new and enhanced ways we can be there for people with timely, critical needs.  

What you can do: If you or a loved one is experiencing mental or behavioral health challenges, please reach out for help.