EVENT: HLTH
WHEN & WHERE: Las Vegas, NV, October 19-22, 2025
THEME: Heroes and Legends
At HLTH 2025 in Las Vegas, more than 12,000 healthcare leaders gathered to confront a system under strain — and showcase the tools, policies and stories that could reshape it.
Prevention Over Reaction
Wellness and prevention dominated the conversation. OURA CEO Tom Hale shared that 25% of Oura ring wearers are managing chronic illness, and outlined a growth strategy targeting employers, government programs, and providers. Meanwhile, Trump/RFK advisor Calley Means challenged the $5 trillion healthcare spend, urging a shift toward food-as-medicine and prevention-first budgeting. Using the example of a “bipartisan mandate” for regulating ultra-processed foods, the message was clear: health starts upstream.
AI With Purpose
AI technology and agents were everywhere, but the most compelling stories weren’t about flashy demos. The real breakthroughs were about access. Sutter Health showcased how AI and remote monitoring help patients manage chronic conditions. (I especially loved when one of their “physician champions” in the audience received a shoutout.) GE HealthCare’s new CareIntellect platform promises plug-and-play hospital operations, while Lumeris and Google Cloud discussed how AI can help close primary care access gaps, support clinicians and improve sustainability. The takeaway: AI isn’t just about automation — it’s about empathy and equity.
Storytelling as Strategy
Panels on women’s health and cancer care emphasized the power of a strong narrative. Former Teen Vogue editor Elaine Welteroth, who helped found maternal health organization birthFUND, called the maternal health crisis a “storytelling crisis,” pointing to decades of data gaps and policy neglect. Across the conference’s seemingly endless number of stages, speakers called for transparency — not just in outcomes, but in incentives.
The Verdict
HLTH 2025 wasn’t just about tech launches. It was about rethinking the moral and economic foundations of healthcare — and how AI, policy and storytelling can help build something better.
— Ellis Metz, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
