Top Five Health Care Trends for 2026: How New Technology Is Transforming Patient Care

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From wearable devices that catch health issues sooner to artificial intelligence (AI) tools that give clinicians more time with patients, 2026 is poised to be a pivotal year for how care is delivered.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) released its top five health care trends for 2026, highlighting how innovative technologies and care models will  make health care more personalized, more accessible and more focused on activities of patients' everyday lives. Today more than 461,000 licensed nurse practitioners (NPs) are delivering care nationwide. NPs are uniquely positioned to help patients navigate these changes and translate innovation into better health outcomes.

"Patients are increasingly looking for care that fits their lives, supports long-term health and reflects their individual needs," said AANP President Valerie Fuller, PhD, DNP. "From new technologies to lifestyle-focused care and expanded access points, nurse practitioners  help patients navigate the next chapter of their health journeys."

The Top Five Health Care Trends of 2026

1. Remote Monitoring and Wearables Go Mainstream — Remote patient monitoring, telehealth and at-home diagnostics are quickly moving from optional tools to everyday components of care. Data from wearables and connected devices will allow earlier detection of health changes, enabling NPs to intervene sooner, better manage chronic conditions and help prevent complications. For older adults and people with multiple chronic conditions, this shift promises more proactive, coordinated care outside traditional clinical settings.
   
   
2. AI Transforms How Care Is Delivered — Artificial intelligence will increasingly support diagnostics, risk assessment, documentation and administrative workflows across health care settings. Used responsibly, AI can reduce paperwork and administrative burden, giving nurse practitioners more time to focus on patient care. NPs will play a critical role in ensuring AI tools are implemented safely, ethically and in ways that strengthen, not replace, the patient-provider relationship.
   
   
3. Care Becomes More Personalized — Advances in genetic testing, biomarkers and individualized treatment planning bring precision health care into everyday practice. In 2026, more patients will receive care tailored to their unique biology, risk factors and lifestyles. Nurse practitioners will help patients understand and apply this information, translating complex data into personalized, actionable plans that support long-term health.
   
   
4. Healthy Aging Moves Front and Center — As Americans live longer, there is growing focus on staying healthier, more active and independent later in life. Demand will rise for preventive services, mobility and strength support, mental well-being resources and lifestyle-based interventions. NPs are well positioned, as they are clinically educated in whole person care, to help patients age well through prevention, education and personalized counseling that supports quality of life.
   
   
5. Employer-Based Health Care Continues to Expand — Employers are increasingly investing in onsite, near-site and virtual clinics to improve access to care and support employee well-being. Nurse practitioners frequently lead care in these settings where they deliver primary care, chronic disease management and preventive services that reduce downstream health costs and missed workdays. This model is expected to grow as organizations prioritize health, early intervention and employee wellness.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® is the largest professional membership organization representing the 461,000 licensed nurse practitioners (NPs) in the United States. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®, AANP advances health policy and promotes excellence in practice, education and research to support high-quality, patient-centered care. Learn more at aanp.org.

SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)