STAT+: U.S. health spending rose sharply in 2025, thanks to GLP-1 use and more care

U.S. health spending reached $5.7 trillion in 2025, marking a 7.3% increase from 2024, according to data published in the journal Health Affairs. This surge in expenditure, averaging nearly $16,500 per person, is attributed to increased healthcare utilization, including more doctor visits, hospital procedures, and prescription fills, exceeding prior economic forecasts. A significant driver of this rise is the widespread use of GLP-1 drugs, commonly prescribed for weight loss, which have become a substantial spending category and are straining healthcare budgets nationwide. The combination of greater care access and persistently high healthcare prices has led the health sector to consume a larger portion of the U.S. economy. These findings underscore ongoing public dissatisfaction with the affordability of healthcare services.