• Illinois: According to a new study published in JAMA Network Open, incidence rates of metastatic breast cancer increased significantly between 2010 and 2021 despite ongoing improvements in survival. For the study, researchers analyzed data from 761,471 patients diagnosed with de novo invasive breast cancer between January 2010 and December 2021. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years for all patients, and 63 years for those with stage IV disease. Of the patients, 99.2% were female, and 5.8% had stage IV disease. Overall, the researchers found that the age-adjusted incidence rate of de novo stage IV breast cancer increased from 9.5 cases per 100,000 women in 2010 to 11.2 cases in 2021, an annual increase of 1.2%. There was also a statistically significant increase in stage IV incidence among men, growing from 0.12 cases per 100,000 to 0.20 cases, an annual increase of 3.7%. Incidence rates of stage IV beast cancer also increased significantly across age groups and numerically across all races and ethnicities. "Prior analyses reported stable stage IV incidence before 2010 despite screening expansion," the researchers wrote. "In contrast, our findings demonstrate a significant increase beginning in 2010, including among screening-eligible age groups. The underlying drivers remain uncertain and may reflect population-level changes in risk factors, screening patterns, or access to care." (Bassett, MedPage Today, 5/12)
• Missouri: Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) has received a $200 million gift for the school of public health, which was the first one to open since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bursky Family Foundation was responsible for the gift, which is the largest in the school's history. The foundation was established by Andrew Bursky, chair of the WashU board of trustees, and his wife Jane Bursky, both alumni of the school. The school of public health, which launched in 2025, will be named in honor of the Burskys. According to WashU, the school of public health focuses on bridging political differences in healthcare. "Based in St. Louis, a Democratic-leaning city in a predominantly Republican state, the school operates at the intersection of different political perspectives in ways few public health schools do," WashU said in a statement. The school will "test ideas against competing viewpoints and develop solutions that resonate beyond any single political or geographic context." (Twenter, Becker's Hospital Review, 5/14)
• Ohio/Pennsylvania: UPMC has reached a deal to acquire Trinity Health System from CommonSpirit Health, which will allow UPMC to expand into Ohio for the first time. According to Healthcare Dive, CommonSpirit and Trinity began searching for a buyer in early 2025 before choosing UPMC. UPMC has a long-standing relationship with Trinity, with the health systems collaborating on clinical initiatives for over 20 years. Currently, UPMC has over 40 hospitals and 800 outpatient facilities in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. Through the deal with Trinity, UPMC will be able to expand into Ohio for the first time. UPMC and CommonSpirit have signed a definitive agreement to transfer ownership of Trinity, and the deal is expected to close this fall after regulatory review and other closing conditions are met. (Parduhn, Healthcare Dive, 5/5)

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