AT THIS HOUR
Friday Morning Forum On The Business Of Our Behavior
“I love a good nap. Sometimes it’s the only thing getting me out of bed in the morning.”
— George Costanza
September 4, 2026
31: Percent of 16,400 18-35 year olds who plan to try AI-led tools to help them with their anxiety, tools like Wysa and Woebot, for situations like relationships and upcoming events or trips, a majority noting the shame, stigma and fear around talking with psychotherapists, the lack of progress, and the convenience of the AI interaction when their mood goes down or the anxiety goes up, plus the real worries among the 5,200 moms who said they have had anxiety about being hospitalized and having their kids taken away. Question is how far the US will go and what controls it may put in place to ensure quality and safety of these type of psych care. Will the psych AI system be able to recognize, report and talk with pediatricians and doctors, will it be able to communicate important things? That is major question, but it is interesting how so many polled feel that AI-led psych care can actually help them.
Science: A newer class of medicines that intend to clear amyloid plaques from the brain are reportedly slowing disease progression and cognitive decline by 25% to 35% in those with Alzheimer’s. They don’t stop the disease alter its course. Patients and families are however learning about the cost - the significant side effects, follow-up care like multiple brain MRIs and the unknowns. The health system, too, is weighing how to pay for innovation.
Sport: Tennis player Amanda Anisimova is in the running again at the US Open this week in NYC. The 25 year old stepped away from the game following the passing of her dad but now says she is able to feel and catch the warning signs of exhaustion and stress that can lead to mental health depletion. In a poll of 15-20 year olds who play sports, 71% say they like that their pro athlete role models talk about mental health.
Policy: Nation’s largest insurer is getting it right it seems with an expanded behavioral coaching program, but the policy also has led to more reactions about the quality and safety of using these coaches as an intervening step. One question - can the coaches catch suicidality in a 12 year old?
Perspective: So I found a $20 bill in my yellow windbreaker on Thursday….for the rest of the story.