2025 – WORLD NEWS

The following report card is presenting some highlights about what has been going on in our world this year.  Starting with a few from the end of last year…

DENMARK

Popular Diabetes drug associated with INCREASED RISK of damage to Optic nerve 2 Independent studies

More than doubles the risk of developing Naion – Irreversible condition
Can lead to severe and permanent loss of vision (1, 2)

UK

2024 – Final 3 months of the year 
25% RISE in number of retailers on brink of Collapse 
Footfall down year on year 

29% quarterly INCREASE in Businesses in Critical Financial distress 
28,747 retail businesses are facing significant financial distress (3)

 

150,000 people came on small boats since 2018
1,163 migrants arrived in 3 days since Christmas Day
2024
36,023
2022
45,730 – HIGHEST number of annual arrivals (4)

 

England and Wales 
28% INCREASE in Prison assaults in the last year
74 assaults a day

27,000 assaults recorded 
3,200 are SERIOUS

Most violent Prisons
1,044 assaults recorded – half being on staff
Staff have body cameras and synthetic pepper spray to keep them safe (5)

 

England and Wales 
2.7 million speeding fines – All time HIGH 

33% INCREASE in a year – Fines using hand-held mobile phone whilst driving 

18% RISE in Careless Driving 
2023 – Latest Home Office Data – what is the real figure now? (6)

 

60% of workers who call in sick during festive season put on a fake voice –

29% plan to use Christmas parties as top excuse for faking illness
27% say staying out too late celebrating is the reason
25% blame festive Burnout from too much socialising 
38% spend their fake sick days Sleeping 
27% use sick time to be with friends and family (7)

 

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS 
20% of All Police recorded crime 

393 days – Average adult rape case to progress through Crown Courts

2,307 days from reporting until a verdict

2024
41% INCREASE in rape victims who withdrew at prosecution stage (8)

22% Britons would use Weight Loss drugs if Free on NHS

23% would not tell others if they were using them

Booming in Popularity 
£180 – £220 per month to buy privately 

64% adults are Overweight or Obese (9, 10)

 

HIGHEST LEVEL OF FAMILY BREAKDOWN IN RECORDED HISTORY
Half of all children are not living with both biological parents

30% decrease in Marriage among younger age groups since 1960 

39% with children stay together if they never marry (11, 12)

 

Staff Pensions
£7 BILLION Local Government Councils contribute in past year 

Gold-plated Pension
14 Councils funnelled half of the Council Tax income

Long career in Local Government – receive half of final or average salary

£230 – average household contributes annually to Council Employee’s Retirement Funds
(13)

FRANCE

€3 BILLION a year – Drug Trafficking market 
Drug trafficking gangs recruiting boys at an increasingly young age

Marseille
Drug-related deaths reached an ALL-TIME HIGH last year – 49 murders

14 year old hired for murders 
15 year old burned alive
Both recruited as hitmen over Social Media (14)

UK

Chocolate makers severely affected by RISING prices
200% INCREASE – Chocolate prices bought in
4-FOLD INCREASE in cocoa wholesale prices in last 12 months 
Ivory Coast and Ghana – world’s 2 biggest producers hit by weather conditions (15, 16)

 

2024

13,479 High Street shops closed across UK
Worse to come in 2025

Half of All Stores closed – undergoing Insolvency proceedings 

11,341 Independent stores shut during the year
45% RISE from the previous year 

2,138 stores shut by larger chains
5,942 closed – due to cost cutting (17)

USA

All-cause Dementia triggered by Inflammatory Dietary habits 
84% more likely to develop Dementia (18, 19)

UK

Bosses reducing time spent working from home – WFH
Some large businesses calling workers 5 days a week in the office
Others to cut hybrid working 

Others cannot cope with remote working and the isolation and distractions (20)

 

Luxury of working from home INCREASINGLY viewed as a right since lockdowns
This New Year is shaping up to be tougher than usual for UK workers 
Many face end of post-pandemic hybrid working
28% Working Adults – Hybrid working standard pattern (21)

EUROPE

Belgium
1^st to ban sale of Disposable Vapes on Health and Environmental grounds
Ground-breaking move for EU

Once E-cigarette empty – Battery still working and no way of recharging it 
(22)

LATVIA 

Tobacco sellers seeking loop holes to circumvent New Ban on Vapes 

January 2025
Disposable vapes, refillable e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches cannot be sold to anyone under age 20

Vaping products are to be offered without flavour or with taste and smell of tobacco only

Amount of Nicotine pouches can contain will be reduced (23)

EUROPE

1 MILLION DEATHS ANNUALLY
Smoking is the leading cause of deaths (23)

SOUTH KOREA

LARGEST EVER INFLUENZA OUTBREAK SINCE 2016 

3 January 2025
136% INCREASE from week before 

RISING SHARPLY among Teenagers
17.6 times HIGHER than 2024/25 seasonal flu epidemic threshold (24)

 

179 dead in worst-ever Domestic Aviation disaster to date 
Aircraft fuselage completely destroyed – identification of victims extremely difficult

720 officials were deployed to the scene (25)

USA

2 ALCOHOLIC DRINKS A DAY INCREASES RISK FOR 7 TYPES OF CANCER 
100,000 CANCER CASES ATTRIBUTED TO ALCOHOL
20,000 Cancer Deaths each year
72% of Americans consume Alcohol (26, 27)

GLOBAL

2020
741,300 Cancer cases worldwide were attributable to Alcohol 
(27)

USA

Physical Activity reduces Chronic Disease risk 
Researchers recommend all patients are surveyed about physical activity levels

Mid-West
No Hospital system has asked patients about physical activity (28, 29)

LEBANON 

World Health Organization
Soaring needs for civilians requiring: 
Trauma treatment | Reconstructive Surgeries | Physical Rehabilitation

Overburdened and weakened Health System 
Economic Crisis | Political Deadlock | Refugee Crisis | War

38% decline in real GDP (30)

USA

VIRUS INFECTIONS RISE
Emergency Department visits for Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Flu VERY HIGH
Acute respiratory illness at a high level and continues to INCREASE nationally
RSV activity still VERY HIGH in many regions (31, 32)

EUROPE

Flu epidemic surging across Europe post-holiday season 
Children under 15 and adults over 60 hitting the hardest 

France
Major epidemic

Spain 
Overwhelmed – hospitals report RISING admissions

Romania
Double amount of cases in a week (33)

USA

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

AI Performance worsens when engaged in conversations closely mimicking real-world interactions 

Striking Paradox
Artificial Intelligence excels at Medical Board Exams
Struggles with Basic back–and–forth of doctor’s visits (34, 35)

 

GROWING TREND of celebrities using weight loss drugs – controversy 
Ozempic sponsoring Golden Globes 2025

Concerns about marketing that blurs the line between health treatment and vanity
Cosmetic weight reduction – medications not licensed for such use (36)

 

High risk non-metastatic hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer more advanced than previously thought
46% of Cancer patients’ – metastases was detected
Traditional imaging – gave no evidence that Cancer had spread

24% showed 5 or more lesions missed by Conventional imaging (37, 38)

UK

Caring for both children and older family members
1.3 MILLION sandwich carers 

Sandwich carers experience a decline in their mental and physical health
20 hours or more a week of caregiving – significant decline in mental and physical health
(39)

USA

42% DREAD RETURNING TO WORK AFTER TIME OFF

41% currently experiencing post-time off Burnout 

34% report that burnout sets in immediately after returning from their time off
50% indicate it occurs within one week of returning (40)

UK

Unhealthy Plant-Based Diet 
18% INCREASED risk of becoming frail
predominantly men with low income

White bread | Roast potatoes | Vegan desserts
Fizzy drinks can also trigger the development of frailty

80% MORE AT RISK OF DEATH upon hospital admission as person becomes frailer
(41, 42)

 

Highest paid male prisoners earning more than female prison officers
Some approaching end of their sentence secure positions as lorry drivers 

£22.5 MILLION paid to working prisoners 

£22,900 sum deposited into their private bank accounts (43)

USA

Heart Disease linked to INCREASED risk of Advanced Breast Cancer 

Locally advanced or metastatic Breast Cancer at diagnosis – more likely to have had pre-existing Cardiovascular Disease 

49% of those in the study had Cardiovascular Disease (44, 45)

UK

Sleep Deprivation
inhibit brain’s ability to suppress unwanted memories and intrusive thoughts  

Participants unable to engage area of the brain that helps suppress unwanted memories
(46, 47, 48)

USA

Denver 
25% of youth experienced HOMELESSNESS 
1^st study of its kind in major metro area  

SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER than previously estimated

Homelessness Rates INCREASING every year from 2017 

Current approaches under-counting at population level 
Dramatically under-counting by race and ethnicity (49, 50)

 

People find medical test results hard to understand 
Increasing overall worry 

Recent law allows patients to see results even before clinicians do
Provision in the 21^st century cures Act 

93% understood the SIMPLE language used (51, 52)

 

SIGNIFICANT INCREASE in the number young adults seeking permanent Contraception 

August 2022 
70% more tubal sterilization compared to May 2022
95% more vasectomies 

Greater INCREASE in states deemed likely to ban abortions
Many expressed fears about their reproductive rights (53)

 

1 in 4 Veterans over age 60 
Diagnosed with Cardiovascular Disease at some point in their lives 

Veterans with Cardiovascular conditions frequently experience elevated levels of Anxiety and Depression (54, 55)

GLOBAL

New Study – 184 countries
New cases each year due to Sugary Drinks

2.2 MILLION – Type 2 Diabetes 
1.2 MILLION Cardiovascular Disease 

All new Diabetes cases attributable to sugar drink consumption
48% Columbia 
33% Mexico 
27% South Africa 
24% Caribbean and Latin America (56, 57)

AUSTRALIA

54% who use party drugs took ADHD medicines without a prescription in the previous 6 months

HIGHEST percentage seen since asking people about this type of drug use in 2007 

Used to increase alertness, get high or experiment (58, 59)

FRANCE

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS WORSE SINCE PANDEMIC
New Study – 20 million youth under age 25

Marked deterioration in Mental Health of young women after the pandemic
Accentuating Trend that was already observed in pre-pandemic period (60, 61)

UK

Glasgow 
1^st legal drug consumption room open 
High local population of users who take drugs in public 
Clients come to inject illegally bought Heroin or Cocaine under medical supervision 

Aim is to reduce overdoses and harm 
Local residents say it will bring more drug dealing to the area
Addictions charity say it will encourage self harming 

£7 MILLION – running costs over the next 3 years (62, 63)

USA

ALCOHOL IS A LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER – 2025 report

45% aware Alcohol consumption INCREASES Cancer risk 

Proposed warning about Cancer on Alcohol packaging may not change public behaviour

Largest burden of Alcohol-related Cancer is for Breast Cancer in women 
(27, 64)

 

Alcohol consumption
5 more women out of 100 will develop Cancer due to 2 drinks a day

Over the lifespan of a man
ABSOLUTE RISK of developing any Alcohol-related Cancer increases from 10% (less than 1 drink per week) to 13% (2 drinks daily) (27)

 

California Wildfires across 40,000 acres
Los Angeles County Public Health Emergency 

12,300 structures and entire communities destroyed 

Palisades Fire
Evacuation orders for the largest blaze have expanded – it is 13% contained (65)

UK

Commercial Animal Cloning Banned 
Cells freezed and sent to U.S. where pet cloning is BIG BUSINESS 

Can be brought back to UK under same regulations that apply to pets conceived in a traditional way
Animals cloned – Puppy | Sheep | Piglets | Mice | Cows (66)

 

England
DEATHS FROM ALCOHOL AT A RECORD HIGH

CATASTROPHIC RISE in Deaths caused SOLELY by Alcohol in past 4 years 

2023
42% RISE since 2019 
8,200 people died because of Alcohol 
Deaths continued to go up since Pandemic

55 – 74 now the heaviest drinking age group 
Most deaths – men dying before age 75 from Alcohol-related liver disease (67)

CHINA

Diabetes associated with 
Chronic Kidney Disease
Diabetic Kidney Disease
Glomerulonephritis 
Pre-Diabetes linked to GREATER risk of Diabetic Kidney Disease
Increased with elevated random plasma glucose level, even in those without Diabetes 
(68)

UK

RISE in Divorce inquiries following Festive season 

280,000 recent divorces postponed due to delayed financial pressures 

Couples postponed separation
Income Concerns 
Rising Living Expenses
Cost of Divorce

900,000 forgotten to update their will to exclude a former partner (69)

INDIA

Journalist working for a local news channel murdered
Body found in a septic tank 

Postmortem autopsy revealed 
Heart ripped out | Broken Neck | 15 Fractures to Head | 5 Brocken Ribs | 4 pieces of liver 

Corruption in construction project has been exposed (70)

UK & EUROPE

Sunshine Saturday – First Saturday in January
Surge in Travel Bookings for Holiday Planning throughout the year

End of Year and post-Christmas blues
Mood Boost Needed
Many seek the Excitement of getting away (71)

UK

Thousands of over 60s taking out student loans
Unlikely to pay back a penny as earnings fall below the threshold 

Pension Income not included for repayments

Higher Education loophole means entitled to Tax-payer funded finance on the same terms as young people (72)

USA

125 BILLION STUDENT LOANS OVER AGE 60 
3.5 older Americans have a Student Loan Debt

6-FOLD INCREASE in 2 decades 

Some took out debt to help family members attend college

Parents encouraged to take out government high interest loans with little regards as to how they will pay this back (73)

UK

England 
Hospital flu Admissions QUADRUPLED in a month 

•      211 a day in Critical Care 

•      465,442 calls to NHS 111 in one week 

•      98,118 ambulance handovers to hospital (74, 75)

 

100+ bank branches to close in 2025 Rapid increase in online and mobile banking – decline in physical use

6,228 bank branches closed since January 2015
This represents 63% of the branches that were open

1,230 – Barclays Bank branches closed – most closures from an individual bank

‘Community Bankers’
Bank staff travel to areas with no branches, meeting customers in shared spaces (76)

IRAN 

2024
31 WOMEN EXECUTED – HIGHEST number in 17 years
Mostly executed for murder or drug-related offences 
Undisclosed number currently on death row facing imminent execution 

2010 – 2024
241 WOMEN EXECUTED – 9 victims of child marriage | 3 under age 18 (77)

USA

Alcohol Consumption – 2 drinks a day
4 more women out of 100 develop Breast Cancer 

32% INCREASED risk of diagnosis – more than 2 drinks per day 

Compared to those who do not drink 
Relative odds INCREASE for mouth Cancer for men and women 

40% – 1 drink a day 
97% – 2 drinks a day (27)

JAPAN 

EARTHQUAKE 6.6 MAGNITUDE (78)

TIBET

EARTHQUAKE 7.1 MAGNITUDE 
126 killed | 3,000 buildings damaged 

Internet access restricted – tightly controlled in Tibet
Reporters cannot travel there without China Government permission (79)

GLOBAL

Obesity needs a new definition – Diagnosis must change 

Global Commission On Clinical Obesity – Landmark Study 

Groundswell dissatisfaction with overuse of BMI as a diagnostic tool 
Call for extra diagnostic methods – 2 new categories 

•   Clinical Obesity
•   Pre-Clinical Obesity (80, 81)

USA

RECREATIONAL KETAMINE USE SURGING AMONG AMERICAN YOUNG ADULTS 

2015 – 2019 
81% INCREASE

Adults with Depression 
80% more likely to use Ketamine

Age 16 – 24
66% used Ketamine in past year 

More likely if using other substances
Ecstasy/MDMA, GHB and Cocaine (82)

JAPAN

Robot Use in Nursing Homes – research focused on super ageing society
Higher Employee Retention | Improved Productivity | Better Patient Care

Robot adoption complements care workers by reducing quit rates (83, 84)

USA

U.S. Federal Report – January 2025 
Alcohol even moderately can cut life short

1 drink per day 
51% INCREASED risk of Oesophageal Cancer in men 
37% INCREASED risk of Liver Cirrhosis in women 

3 drinks per day
68% risk of unintentional injuries in both men and women (85, 86)

GLOBAL

Rising Trend – INCREASING VIOLENCE in All types of movies

Movie characters talking about homicide more now than ever before 

Amount murdering and killing in movies INCREASED overall in past 50 years 
(87, 88)

UK

SIGNIFICANTLY fewer abortion patients report using effective methods of Contraception around Conception  

INCREASED use of fertility awareness based methods like period tracking apps 
Trends correspond with RISING abortion rates (89, 90)

EUROPE

33% Europeans have tried illegal drugs 

Cannabis 
HIGHEST in Czech Republic | Italy | France | Spain 

Cocaine
HIGHEST in Netherlands | Spain | Ireland 

Generational Trends in Drug habits CONSISTENT over time
Today’s youth will show up in adult data in a few years (91)

USA

Drinking Water
97 MILLION exposed to dangerous and un-regulated contaminants

Hispanic and black communities are generally more likely to have exposure to unsafe levels of toxic chemicals (92, 93)

UK

Hotel of Mum and Dad 
HUGE INCREASE in adults living in their parents’ house

Men more likely than women to be living at home – Lower rates of marriage and parenthood 

Age 25 – 34 
450,000 more people living at home last year compared to 2006
50% on the lowest incomes live at their parental home

Rates HIGHER among UK born from Bangladeshi and Indian backgrounds

31% INCREASE in ill health lasting a year (94, 95)

KOREA

10% or more weight gain after Breast Cancer
85% INCREASED risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiac dysfunction following Breast Cancer treatment
Growing concern due to Cardiotoxic effects of therapies (96, 97, 98)  

INDIA

Gujarat Government 
278,000 TB cases
10,000 deaths in the past 2 years
14 people dying every day from disease
100,000 + new cases annually

TB cases among young people
25% show no symptoms (99)

UK

52% HR professionals experienced BURNOUT in past 5 years 

•   34% want to leave the industry
•   38% report excessive workload
•   41% say majority of time spent on Admin every week

Caught between strategic potential and the reality of overwhelming Admin (100)

62% OF WORKERS FEEL BURNOUT
Concerned about being overworked 

Age 18 – 34 
65% felt employers were at risk of overworking them
35% take time off as a result of Stress

60% say Employers Prioritise Profits and Productivity over their well-being 
Balance between output and well-being has tipped too far (101)

Mental Health Sickness in past 2 years
1 MILLION TEACHING DAYS LOST

20% of All Health–Related Absences | 535,970 days in last academic year

Fear of Sick Note Culture 
14,000 teachers call in sick every day 
2.5 MILLION teaching days lost to illness 

Full time teachers 
32 days MORE HOLIDAY each year than office employees (102)

GLOBAL

‘Cruisezilla’ passenger ships doubled in size since 2000
20-FOLD INCREASE in the number of cruise ships since 1970

35 million to travel on Cruise Ships in 2025
Increased attributed to rising wealth 

2019 – 2022
17% more carbon monoxide cruise ships emit
500% RISE in methane emissions (103)

World’s Largest Cruise Ship 
20 decks | 4 restaurants | 7 swimming pools | Theatre | Park (103)

AUSTRALIA

Great Barrier Reef
Cruise ships urged to ‘Clean Up Their Act’

One Cruise Ship
16.8 MILLION litres per day of contaminated water going into sea

Exhaust-cleaning effluent 
700,000 litres HIGHLY CONTAMINATED acidic seawater created every hour 
Contains HIGH LEVELS of sulphur, nitrates and heavy metals

Cruise Ship Industry – fas t growing tes tourism sector in Australia (104, 105)

CANADA

Children with Obesity diagnosed with Cancer
Worse Health outcomes

16% INCREASE in risk of Relapse 
29% INCREASED risk of Death 

Negative impact of Obesity when diagnosed with Cancer is more pronounced
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and brain tumours (106, 107)

SPAIN

Intermittent Fasting effective for Weight loss
Improves Cardiovascular Health in people with Obesity problems

Not eating from 5pm to 9am 
Reduces subcutaneous fat and improves blood sugar regulation 

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity
70% in Men
50% Women (108, 109)

TURKEY

Istanbul

66 bootleg Alcohol poisonings reported in 48 hours
23 deaths – 32 receiving intensive care treatment 

Government highlighted SIGNIFICANT RISE in counterfeit Alcohol poisoning cases 
29 tons illegal Alcohol seized since 1^st January 
302 tons last January (110)

EUROPE

27 MILLION in cryptocurrencies seized – Largest ever operation 
First time ever 80 financial experts around the world – 43 Law Enforcement agencies from 28 countries 

2% seizure of criminal acquired assets Worldwide
98% to fuel and expand organised crime activities 

41% most threatening criminal networks use Real Estate to launder illicit and untaxed profits (111)

USA

WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS DOUBLE THE RISK OF PANCREATITIS 
New Landmark study – 2 MILLION patients 

INCREASED incidents of Nausea | Arthritis | Sleep Disturbances 

SIGNIFICANT Health Risks – Kidney stones and Tendinitis 
Potentially life threatening Inflammation of the Pancreas (112)

 

Red meat INCREASES risk of Dementia and Cognitive decline 
Processed meats – sausage, bacon, hot dogs 

13% HIGHER risk of Dementia in participants followed for up to 43 years

20% decrease in risk if red meat is replaced with fish, legumes or nuts (113, 114)

UK

Bosses given staff days off, gift vouchers, £1,000 interest free loans
to help Blue Monday

3^rd Monday of January considered the most depressing day of the year

37% increase in travel spending on Blue Monday last year 
17% of workers feel motivated to go to work each day (115)

USA

Revenge Quitting 
Burnout
Disengagement with company culture
Lack of recognition 
Return-to-office mandates

28% of employees expect it at work in 2025  

48% due to Low Pay 
34% feel undervalued 
33% limited career growth

Gen Z

40% feel lack of recognition 
33% poor work life balance 
27% feel stuck in their roles (116)

 

Rewards and Financial incentives successfully help people to give up Smoking 
Intervention acting on reward systems of the brain 

High Certainty Evidence – incentives Successful in Pregnant Women
Double chances of quitting smoking – Cash payments, Vouchers and Deposits 
Incentives also effective in preventing women from relapsing into smoking postnatally
(117, 118)

GLOBAL

Athletic Incontinence in Women
HIGHER rates than any other activities

Very common with weightlifting 
50% USA weightlifters now women 

•    75% volleyball players experience incontinence
•    41% reported urinary incontinence
•    87% reported negative influence of sport performance (119)

 

Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship bans are effective in reducing smoking prevalence – Data from 71 countries 

20% drop in smoking rates indicating these bans influence smoking behaviour 

37% lower risk of smoking uptake (120, 121)

USA

Teenage Stress drags down economy 
Anxiety and Depression – less likely to enter the workforce as young adults 

$52 BILLION

Budget savings over 10 years if 10% Teenagers get help for Stress 
(122, 123)

 

Blood Vessel Dysfunction can WORSEN Chronic Disease 
1^st time shown how perivascular cells trigger Inflammation

Signal blood vessel changes when surrounding tissues are altered 
Contribute to Cancer Diabetes Fibrosis (124, 125)

UK

37% dog owners turn down a job if they cannot bring a dog into the office

47% expect dog-friendly policies as standard in the workplace 

65% claim dogs in the office helped to reduce stress 

29% would take a pay cut to ensure that their dog was welcomed at work
(126)

USA

Healthy Lifestyle habits linked to more years in good health and living longer
New Evidence – For a longer life focus on healthy habits not quick fixes 

Maintaining a healthy weight across life stages is critical for aging and improving lifespan

Adopting dietary patterns – low in sugar and heavily processed foods Beneficial 
(127)

UK

England
£4 MILLION spent every day on Temporary Accommodation 

68% RISE in the past year 

183,000 Homeless – Living in temporary accommodation including
90,000 children (128)

Councils at breaking point to cover the RISING costs of housing families in Temporary Accommodation (128)

 

1 in 4 e-scooter users admit riding under the influence of Alcohol or Drugs
use of mobile phones contributes to risk

70% were involved in serious accidents and had been drinking Alcohol 

51% riders were with or as a passenger 

E-scooter users treated for 

Broken jaws | Facial Lacerations | Fractured Eye sockets (129, 130)

 

UK Employee Appreciation lags behind U.S. and Australia
88% say they work harder when appreciated 
91% more engaged 
92% higher job satisfaction 

High turnover 
65% plan to change their jobs within a year
potential gaps in recognition strategies (131, 132)

USA

MEDICAL MARIJUANA USERS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE CANNABIS USE DISORDER 

Medical Marijuana users had more days of weed use than recreational users

3 in 10 who use weed develop Cannabis Use Disorder
cannot stop taking it – even when causing Health and social issues (133, 134)

FRANCE

Dangerous Viagra-laced ‘erectile honey’ flooding the country 
Sold on the black market in certain night shops for a few euros 
Packaged as convenient sticks or shots – mix of honey and Viagra-like medicine 

2024
13 tonnes record bust | 860,000 sticks 
Mainly from Malaysia | Turkey | Tunisia | Thailand (135)

USA

1 in 3 parents report inadequate Dental Care in Children 
linked to lack of oral hygiene routine of brushing teeth twice daily

Fewer boys than girls brush or floss regularly 
36% notice their child has bad breath

Dental Problems
Tooth Decay | Cavities | Stained Teeth| Gum Concerns | Pain | Sensitivity (136)

GLOBAL

7.2 tonnes of Cocaine seized – Large scale trafficking network 
Network spans Latin America, Europe and the Middle East

Drug traffickers across entire distribution chain – Columbia to Spain 
53 bank accounts frozen | 48 weapons seized (137)

UK

47% RISE – Children in hospital due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus

England 2024
Surge in Online searches for NHS advice – common childhood illnesses

Slapped Check Syndrome 
220% RISE – 2.6 MILLION visits 

Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease 
46% INCREASE from the previous year 

Scarlett Fever 
33% INCREASE – 1.9 MILLION visits

ADHD
3.6 MILLION views online (138)

GERMANY 

Artificial Intelligence Chatbots
Considerable number of answers incorrect
Does not always generate error free information 
Can give harmful advice what medication to take

Response from AI chatbots
42% moderate or mild harm 
22% severe harm or death 

Readability of chatbot answers often require degree-level education to understand 
(139, 140)

GLOBAL

Heart Disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide
key health risk factors continue to RISE – U.S and Global Data from the American Heart Association 
(141, 142)

USA

2,500 DIE FROM CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE EVERY DAY
Heart Disease and Stroke statistics 2025

300% RISE in health care costs related to Cardiovascular Disease by 2050
(141)

GLOBAL

Kidney Disease on the RISE
27% increase since 2010

60% adults Overweight or Obese (141)

USA

47% adults affected by High Blood Pressure 


52% live with Type 2 Diabetes or Prediabetes 


72% exceed health weight thresholds 


42% classified as Obese
EXCESS WEIGHT NOW COSTING MORE THAN SMOKING
(141)

UK

200 companies sign up to permanent 4-day week for All employees at full pay

London
30% – mostly Advertising PR Marketing 

1.6% of job adverts offer a 4-day working week 
4-day week will become new normal for most businesses (143, 144)

NEW ZEALAND

85% Children experience SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA by age  

32% had at least 3 traumatic events by age 8

1 adverse experience – twice as likely to be Obese 

Aotearoa
1 in 3 children start school Overweight or Obese (145, 146)

USA

Mental Health crisis services have not adapted to the 988 Suicide Hotline 

Decline in availability of Emergency Psychiatric walk-in services 
Lack of meaningful growth in most crisis services limit long-run success of 988 (147, 148)

 

Largest Study ever 
63% of heavy lifetime Cannabis users show reduced Brain activity 

Linked with worse performance on ability to retain and use information to perform tasks

Heavy users are young adults who used Cannabis over 1,000 times in lifetime

68% of recent Cannabis users had a similar impact (149, 150)

UK

England
Millions of smokers try to quit with little chance of success
38% tried to quit smoking last year 

49% smokers rely on willpower or over the counter nicotine replacements 
(151, 152)

 

Top Priority for Gen Z workers
Mental Health, Diversity and Work-Life Balance 

Less willing to prioritise work over life
Burnout and Anxiety SIGNIFICANTLY more Prevalent

Trend aligns with the concept “Quiet Quitting”
Employees fulfil their job responsibilities but avoid taking on additional tasks unless compensated (153)

EUROPE

Germany and Hungary  
Violent Human Traffickers halted for Sexual exploitation

Young women from poor regions recruited via ‘Lover Boy’ method 
or seducing them with the false promise of good work opportunities abroad

Perpetrators convince victims to move away from or cut ties with their family
Forced into street prostitution while coercing them through violence to earn money for the handler. (154, 155)

 

Violence as a service: Criminals Hire Criminals 
INCREASING trend for crime-as-a service involving young age group 

Cologne, Germany 
Criminals violently settle disagreements in illegal drug trade disputes with explosive attacks and kidnappings – Some using minors to perform attack. (156)

 

23 Underground Bankers arrested – mostly Ukrainians
Cash courier and underground Banking services offered to other criminal networks

Seized
€8.2 MILLION cash | €27 MILLION Cryptocurrency | 36 vehicles 
Real Estate ~ Watches ~ Jewellery ~ Electronic Devices 

Criminal network abused EU Temporary Protection status granted to Ukrainian Nationals in 2022 which allowed them to move massive amounts of cash (157)

 

Spain and Croatia 
Chinese Criminal Network involved in immigration and Human Trafficking ring – purpose of Sexual Exploitation has been dismantled in complex cross-border investigation. 

PROFITED SIGNIFICANTLY from exploitation of vulnerable women

50% Earnings taken even once debts were repaid

Profits maximised
Document fraud | Money laundering | Facilitating illegal immigration 

Seized
70 passports | Equipment to falsify passports and visas | Illicit Substances (158)

USA

Age 25 – 44 
Death rates sharp RISE during Pandemic and remain HIGHER post pandemic

2023 
70% HIGHER than if death rates had not begun to rise a decade before the pandemic 

Drug-related deaths – Largest cause

2010
Negative Trend for early adult Death rates started (159, 160)

 

Most watched U.S. Sporting event – National Football League games
Foods advertised were frequently high in sodium, calorie and fat content

This can contribute to poor dietary choices (161, 162)

 

Gambling Issues SURGED in past 6 years 
450 MILLION suffer from the harm of Gambling 

24-hour on-line casino games | Recent leap Legalised Sports Betting

23 January 2025 
It has got to the point where something needs to be done now
Panel of Gambling and Mental Health experts (163, 164)

UK

Age 16 – 30 
Home Working INCREASES Health Problems
Decreased Levels of Physical Activity 

Increase in Physical Activity with semi-routine Occupations – Bus driving and hairdressing 
Routine Occupations – Cleaning or Technical jobs (165, 166)

AUSTRALIA

Healthy habits take longer than 21 days to set in 
1^st systematic review of its kind 

New habits can begin forming within 2 months but up to 335 days to establish
More likely to stick to it if you enjoy it

Adding a new practice to a morning routine – more likely to achieve it (167)

ENGLAND

Number of people with a Disabled Parking Badge rises to a RECORD HIGH 

March 2024 year end
2.84 MILLION Blue Badges held
Highest number since records began 1997

March 2023 year end
1 in 4 people reported a Disability (168, 169)

CANADA

Pre-School Age Children 
Half daily Energy intake comes from ultra-processed foods

INCREASED consumption at age 3 
Link BMI | skin-fold thickness | waist-to-height ratio | greater risk of Obesity at age 5

1 in 3 children affected by Overweight and Obesity (170, 171)

EUROPE

3 MILLION new Cancer diagnoses could be prevented between 2023 and 2050 
if member states hit reduction targets on Tobacco and Alcohol 

Tobacco still the leading cause of Cancer
20% of all Cancer related deaths in 2021 (172, 173)

CANADA

Ontario
New cases of Schizophrenia linked with Cannabis Use Disorder 
Tripled over the last 17 years post legislation 

270% INCREASE in those requiring hospital care for a Cannabis Use Disorder since before legalization to after legalization of non-medical Cannabis. 
Concerning Increases over time in Schizophrenia diagnosis in those who had received care for a Cannabis Use Disorder before their diagnosis (174, 175)

USA

Exercise improves Brain function 
Specialised cells involved in how body responds to insulin, activated in the brain after exercise (176, 177)

UK

1 in 5 adults living with Diabetes or Pre-Diabetes – 12 MILLION 

4.6 MILLION diagnosed with Diabetes – reaching an ALL-TIME HIGH 

6.3 MILLION living with Pre-Diabetes
left untreated – can progress to Type 2 Diabetes 

1.3 MILLION living with undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes
40% INCREASE in under 40s diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes

2035
Diabetes estimated cost £18 BILLION a year (178)

 

Projected in 2025
3.4 MILLION living with Cancer – New high 

390,000 Bowel Cancer 
120,000 Lung Cancer 
890,000 Breast Cancer 
610,000 Prostate Cancer

Driven by 
Aging population | Increases in survival rates | RISE Melanoma | Thyroid | Liver Cancer 

Experience of having Cancer worse for many people, including treatment delays
(179)

GLOBAL

4 in 10 patients Worldwide 
Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs link Persistent Severe Chronic Peripheral Nerve Pain

Drugs damage healthy cells and tissues, including nervous system

47% Highest prevalence rates reported by patients in Asia 
62% prevalence among those with primary Lung Cancer (180, 181)

CANADA

Exercise and improved Diet before major Surgery  

Prehabilitation 
Fewer complications 
Enhanced recovery
Less time in hospital
Improved Quality of Life 

50% reduced risk of complications with exercise 
38% reduced risk of complications with nutritional support (182, 183)

USA

2024
50% RISE in Facial fat-grafting procedures throughout year

Trend fuelled by rapid weight loss drug face 
Cosmetic surgeons correcting volume loss and sagging skin

Age 35 – 55
RISE in younger patients having facelifts 
Nose jobs are the top surgical procedure (184)

 

Juicing can increase inflammation and trigger shifts in gut and oral bacteria in 3 days – Study says it offers a Reality Check  

Vegetable and fruit juice only diet also linked to cognitive decline 
(185, 186)

UK

UNEMPLOYMENT RISES 
1.486 million people aged 16 or older were unemployed

1.806 MILLION people claiming Universal Credit or Job Seeker’s Allowance 
(187, 188)

 

2012 – 2022
65% INCREASE in number of children and young people admitted to General Acute Medical wards in Hospitals because of a Mental Health concern

Girls aged 11 – 15 
112.8% INCREASE IN HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS
514.6% INCREASE FOR EATING DISORDERS
(189)

GLOBAL

Micronutrient Deficiencies – Global issue 

45% with Type 2 Diabetes suffer from micronutrient deficiency
Termed as ‘hidden hunger’

Vitamin D – most common ‘missing’ nutrient (190)

UK

England 
50-FOLD RISE over 10 years in Gender Dysphoria diagnoses among children 

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE particularly females
From 2015 prevalence rose more quickly

HIGH LEVELS of Anxiety | Depression | Self Harm
Number of new cases and prevalence rose each year (191, 192)

USA

Children of Divorced Parents substantially more likely to have a Stroke later in life 

Emotional turmoil in formative years
Lifelong Health effects including impacting on long-term Cardiovascular Health

Even after excluding physical and sexual abuse as children 
60% HIGHER odds of Stroke 

Diagnosed with Depression
76% HIGHER chance of having a Stroke (193, 194)

UK

Age 16 – 34
270,000 with Mental Health condition 
Economically inactive due to long-term sickness

26% INCREASE over last year

Age 16 – 64
790,000 with Mental Health condition 
Economically inactive due to long-term sickness

22% INCREASE over last year

UK only G7 country that has HIGHER LEVELS OF ECONOMIC INACTIVITY now than before pandemic with Benefits Bill spiralling (195, 196)

EUROPE

Sophisticated Drug Trafficking large supply of narcotics in the fast lane 
Highly structured organisation

Convoys with Lead and Carrier Vehicles equipped with hidden compartments to evade Detection 

Seizure – 151kg drugs
Cocaine | Synthetic Drugs | Cannabis Resin | Herbal Cannabis 

€2.5 MILLION – Street Value (197)

USA

58% Employees report having a Physical Chronic Health Condition 
Hypertension | Heart Disease | Diabetes | Asthma

•   76% manage conditions during work hours
•   60% have not formally disclosed this to their employer
•   49% feel they cannot take time off from work
•   49% feel they cannot take a break at work
•   36% skipped medical appointments or delayed getting care to avoid interfering with their work

Major hidden toll on the workforce’s lives and productivity (198)

GLOBAL

EVER INCREASING Doctor Shortages

Current Shortfall 
6.4 MILLION Doctors Worldwide (199, 200)

UK

1 IN 5 MEDICAL STUDENTS CONSIDER LEAVING MEDICAL SCHOOL 

•   40% symptoms Anxiety or Depression
•   50% experienced Insomnia
•   33% Emotionally Exhausted
•   60% Drinking Hazardously
•   50% had OCD

4 in 10 junior doctors want to leave the NHS asap (199, 200)

 

Adverse Childhood Experiences in firstborns linked with poor Mental Health of siblings 

71% more likely to develop Mental Health problems between age 5 – 18 if first born in family experienced adversity during the first 1,000 days (201, 202)

 

Gen Z RISE in “ considered career” that resonates with their hobbies 
Jobs that allow Travel and Mental Health support 

47% do not want desk job 
44% want strong career development prospects 

 55% research employers’ Environmental Impact and Policies before accepting the job (203)

USA & CANADA

Measles cases RISING 
Highly contagious disease detected
Alaska | Georgia | New York City | Rhode Island | Texas

Canada
Quebec | Ontario (204, 205, 206)

EUROPE

Environmental Crime Network
35,000 tonnes of Medical and Hazardous Waste from 
Italy, Slovenia, Germany and Croatia ILLEGALLY DISPOSED 
Waste buried or dumped without being properly treated and disposed

€4 million profit criminals – Low risk – irreparable damage
False documents to declare as recyclable plastic waste (207)

USA

February 2025 
Most comprehensive study on U.S. healthcare Spending 

$1.44 BILLION – Type 2 Diabetes
$109 BILLION – Musculoskeletal Disorders 
$93 BILLION– Oral Disorders 
$81 BILLION – Ischemic Heart Disease
$72 BILLION – Urinary Diseases

Emergency Department care had the fastest growth (208, 209)

EUROPE

STI’s reach NEW HIGHS across Europe 

Syphillis and Gonorrhoea cases soared
NOTABLE INCREASES among young people 

Chlamydia most common STI 
230,000 cases in 2023

Gonorrhoea
100,000 cases 2023 
31% INCREASE YEAR ON YEAR 
300% RISE from 2014 (210, 211)

FINLAND

Screen Time linked to higher Stress and Depression in Adolescence 

25% – 30% experiencing symptoms of Depression and Anxiety 

Reduction in Screen Time and Increased Physical Activity in Childhood can promote Mental Health in Adolescence (212, 213)

UK

2024
£500,000 worth of Silver was stolen from churches 

Explosives used by criminals to force open safes
Stained glass windows smashed
Heavy oak doors forced open with angle grinders 

Significant damage and distress caused to local church community (214)

 

Adult History of Depression linked to long-term Physical Health Conditions

30% faster to develop long-term health conditions in middle and older age 

Arthritis and High Blood Pressure most common in those with a history of Depression 
(215, 216)

GLOBAL

250 MILLION WOMEN WORLDWIDE USE HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION 
(217)

DENMARK

Highest Risk Oestrogen Containing Products
Vaginal Ring and Skin Patch 

Vaginal Ring 
2.4–Fold INCREASING risk of Ischaemic Stroke 
3.8–Fold Heart Attack Risk 

Oestrogen-progestin pill double risk of Ischaemic stroke (218)

UK

ONLINE FORUMS TO TRADE EXPLICIT IMAGES OF LOCAL WOMEN 
Underground network of men using peer-to-peer internet message boards to Order, Share and Trade 

Systematic deep-seated Misogyny
Revenge Porn Helpline 

57% yearly INCREASE in Revenge Porn Helpline reports 
Chatbot introduced to meet the RISING DEMAND (219)

 

LIVER CANCER DEATHS RATES DOUBLE in last 20 years 
81,300 deaths – Low Survival rates 

Fastest RISING cause of Cancer death 
Men over 60 more likely to develop the disease 

50% Liver Cancer cases preventable with Lifestyle changes 
(220, 221)

 

England
487,344 Fines issued
Parents taking their children out of school without permission 
Department of Education data

22% RISE in a year
91% of Fines for unauthorised Family Holidays

February 2024
Cost of fines increased as part of drive to boost school attendance since the pandemic 
(222, 223)

USA

Traffic delays SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES fast-food restaurant visits 

5pm – 7pm Traffic 
Evening mealtime INCREASE in fast food visits (224, 225)

 

DRAMATIC INCREASE in Sports wagering and Gambling Addiction 

Sportsbooks
Physical or online places where individuals place wagers on outcomes of sporting events

Sportsbooks expanded from a single state to 38 states 
Hundreds of billions of wagers – mostly online 

Coinciding with RECORD BREAKING DEMAND help for Gambling Addiction 
(226, 227)

 

Legal loophole allowing Marijuana ads to slip past Regulations 
reaching youngsters through Social Media 

Marijuana Industry has adapted quickly to Marketing Restrictions –
same as marketing for Alcohol and E-Cigarettes (228)

GLOBAL

1 BILLION living with Obesity
at risk of developing Chronic conditions (229, 230)

BRAZIL

Weight Gain linked to High intake of ultra-processed foods
Processed meats ~ Cakes ~ Biscuits ~ Confectionary ~ Fried snacks ~ Ice-cream 
Fizzy drinks 

Encouraging consumption of unprocessed foods not sufficient in preventing Weight Gain due to Excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods (229, 230)

UK

20 Dangerous Substances banned by Government 
Effort to make streets safer and curb Rising synthetic drugs threat

Synthetic drug Xylazine banned – known as ‘Tranq’ 
High strength veterinary sedative used often in combination with Opioids like Heroin

Border Force dogs training to detect a range of Nitazenes and Fentanyl – 
currently the only country in the world to stop these substances entering the country 
(231)

USA

Black and Hispanic children less likely to get a Migraine diagnosis in Emergency Department 

Undergo less testing | Receive less intensive treatment
35% less likely to be admitted to inpatient care (232, 233, 234)

SWEDEN

Pregnancy Complications linked to Heart Disease in the Family  

Sisters of women with adverse pregnancy outcomes – 
40% HIGHER risk of Cardiovascular Disease – even uncomplicated pregnancies 
(235, 236)

UK

Pregnant women ‘struggling’ to afford a mobile phone contract will be given them for free under a new NHS scheme

Scheme led by Equity Diversion and Inclusion (EDI) 
Midwives aimed at tackling ‘digital exclusion’

Taxpayers are sick of paying for EDI roles in the NHS
Experts say how can they afford to raise a child, if they cannot afford a phone bill (237)

 

Retail Thefts hit RECORD HIGH LEVELS – spiralling out of control

20 MILLION incidents
55,000 A DAY 

£2.2 BILLION cost to Retailers 

Gangs are systematically targeting stores across the country 

Staff threatened and abused TRIPLE the rate compared to 2020 
Racial Abuse | Sexual Abuse | Physical assault  

Threats with weapons – DOUBLE compared to previous year (238)

 

Sales RISING in popularity for full-fat milk and butter 
Consumers appetite for low-calorie options drop 

Supermarket Website Searches 
417% SURGE in the term ‘full-fat milk’
280% RISE in ‘block butter’
233% RISE in ‘full-fat yoghurt’ (239)

EUROPE

Heavy smoking linked to unexplained Stroke in young adults 
People under 50 have a higher risk of having an unexplained stroke 

Cryptogenic Strokes 
Type of ischemic stroke triggered by blockage of blood flow 

20 packs of cigarettes a year – even HIGHER Stroke risks 

Risks especially pronounced –m ales and adults aged 45 – 49 
33% Strokes were in Smokers (240, 241)

USA

Biological clock plays a critical role in driving teenager’s late eating habits 
Obese teenagers ate later in the day than their peers of healthy weight 

Their eating behaviours were strongly influenced by their Circadian rhythm
(242, 243)

 

Type 1 Diabetes and Kidney Disease triggered by yo-yo dieting 

Body weight cycling linked to renal complications and trigger Cardiovascular 
50% women and 35% men classed as yo-yo dieters 

Obesity rates SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING among the Type 1 population
(244, 245)

GLOBAL

Daily 1 hour increment in Digital Screen Time 
21% higher odds of Myopia
Meta-analysis 45 studies – 335,524 individuals 

1 to 4 hours of Screen Time 
SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RISK for near-sightedness (246. 247)

UK

3 hours a day or more with Sedentary Behaviours
worsens Teenagers Mental Health 

Higher Risk of facing psychological distress in the future 
Video Games | Leisure Reading | Spending time distracted by screens 

Sedentary Behaviour among adolescents – GROWING PROBLEM WORLDWIDE 
(248, 249)

 

Treatments for Alcohol Addiction 
No change in treatment for 70 years – desperate need for new drugs 

50% relapse within 3 months 
60% – 70% within 3 years

Scientists hope one-off dose of Ayahuasca – 
powerful hallucinogenic could help drinkers reduce intake 

Effects
Total out of body experiences
Fully immersive hallucinations 
Entering colourful geometric landscapes (250)

 

Blackout challenge – Trending in recent years
Viral videos on Social Media platform

Also known as “pass-out challenge” or “ choking game”

Individuals film themselves, often for Social Media intentionally hyperventilating or restricting their air supply until they pass out. 

Restricting oxygen flow to the brain can cause brain-cell death, which may result in permanent neurological damage, mental disabilities and death (251)

 

Forcing children to clear their plates ‘makes them fat’  

33% parents always or often make children eat everything on their plate  

Ireland

1 in 5 children Overweight or living with Obesity 
6 in 10 adults Overweight or living with Obesity (252, 253)

 

No Fault Evictions hit an 8 YEAR HIGH
Section 21 hit HIGHEST LEVEL last year

32,387 households taken to Court by landlords seeking possession before rules change 

Landlords selling – Renters are the real losers (254)

MYANMAR

1,041 Chinese rescued Scam Workers return home 
Working at Online Scam centres

10,000 to be repatriated

Victims worldwide scammed of Billions of dollars 
False romantic ploys | Bogus investment pitches | Illegal gambling schemes (255)

EUROPE

RISE OF VIOLENT ONLINE COMMUNITIES 
Online grooming cult groups dedicated to normalising violence and corrupting minors 

Advocating for the collapse of modern society through acts of terror, chaos and violence 

Vulnerable minors targeted through gaming platforms
Manipulated to produce explicit sexual content, perpetrate self-harm, harm others and carry out murders (256)

 

Poland
12,000 Official documents forged by criminal group halted

Residence Permits Driving Licenses Passports Visas ID cards 
Electronic devices | Documents | Bank credit cards (257)

AUSTRALIA

Healthy Lifestyle changes help low back pain 
Reduce Disability | Improvement in Weight | Enhance Quality of Life

 Too many people are referred to surgery or prescribed medications that don’t help and may lead to more harm (258)

ITALY

Tuscany
First region to approve Assisted Suicide 

Most people who opt for medically assisted dying around the world have Cancer regardless of where they lived (259, 260)

UK

Cancer Death Rates 
60% HIGHER in most deprived areas

28,400 Cancer deaths each year linked to Socioeconomic inequality 
78 deaths a day 
3 in 20 of all deaths from Cancer 

Smoking – Biggest cause of Cancer
Causing at least 16 different types of Cancer 

Smoking rates triple in deprived areas 

2^nd Biggest cause of Cancer
Overweight and Obesity (261, 262)

GLOBAL

Spine Injections for Chronic Back Pain 
Experts strongly recommend against 

Commonly used injections offer little/no pain relief – Procedures costly 

Chronic Back Pain – Leading cause of Disability worldwide 
1 in 5 adults 
$134 BILLION in Healthcare spending for low back pain and neck pain (263, 264)

UK

56% of Employees trust colleagues to be productive working from home
63% trusted themselves to work productively from home 
51% would take a pay cut if it meant they could work remotely 
LACK OF PRODUCTIVITY – SYNONYMOUS WITH A LACK OF PURPOSE (265)

 

34% of Permanent Professional Staff considering moving to a temporary role to gain more flexibility 

30% drawn to Temp roles 

Day rate or fixed term contracts are perceived as having higher earning potential 
Tight company budgets – greater pressure on workload and output (266)

 

10 year Study
75% Salaried Judges Report Stress Symptoms
77% Sleep Disturbances 
57% Irritability 
52% Headaches 

50% of Coroners – High/Extreme Stress 

4 in 10 Judges fear for their safety 
HIGH levels of bullying experienced with Tribunal Judges 

Looming Retention and Recruitment Crisis (267, 268)

 

Metropolitan Police hired over 1,000 officers without checking references 
Many never chased up once recruit joined the force (269)

 

Every drivers personal information to be made available to Police
Access to data for 50 million motorists (270)

GLOBAL

BREAST CANCER DEATHS EXPECTED TO CLIMB 
68% worldwide by 2050 – World Health Organization  

38% RISE in new cases

1 in 20 women will be diagnosed during their lifetime 

4 women every minute diagnosed with Breast Cancer (271)

USA

Poor Sleep drives High Blood Pressure in Teenagers 

33% Adolescents complain of Insomnia  

Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep and less sleep 
5 times more likely to have seriously High Blood Pressure 

Less than 7.7 hours sleep without Insomnia
3-fold HIGHER risk for elevated Blood Pressure (272)

CANADA

Difficult Menopause
Warning sign for future Dementia 

Hot Flashes | Night Sweats | Sleep Problems | Chills | Weight Gain | Mood Symptoms Forgetfulness

Hormone Replacement Therapy did not improve cognitive scores (273, 274)

 

Patients who underwent Surgery immediately preceding the Weekend 
SIGNIFICANTLY increased risk of death, complications and re-admissions 

“Weekend effect” occurred across 25 common procedures (275, 276, 277)

USA

2024 – Medical Bills
31 MILLION Americans borrowed to pay Medical Bills
$74 BILLION

58% share concerns that they would experience Medical Debt if faced with a major Health event

Age 18 – 29 
18% borrowed for Healthcare (278, 279)

EUROPE

Chronic Stress boosts Stroke risk in young Women 

Women aged 18-49
78% INCREASE in Stroke risk for moderate Stress 
Moderate stress has a higher risk of Stroke than high stress (280, 281)

USA

Athletes Concussion damage lingers in the brain for up to a year 
Changes remained visible in brain scans even after they had been cleared to resume play

Presence of significant long-lasting Brain Changes 
Reinforces concerns of consequences over time (282, 283)

 

Brain Tumours in Fire Fighters 
linked to toxin exposure – Substance found in flame retardants and fire extinguishers 

Unique pattern of genetic mutations found especially in those who had spent more years working (284, 285)

FDA warns against Recreational Use of ‘Laughing Gas’ 
Available in compact affordable cartridges – Sold under brand names

SERIOUS Side Effects
Euphoria | Relaxation | Dis-association from Reality (286, 287)

EUROPE

Measles cases at HIGHEST LEVEL in over 25 years

2024 European Region including parts of Central Asia
120,000 cases reported – Double the number from 2023
Romania had the most measles infections

40% were children under age 5 

50% of all people with measles were hospitalised (288)

GLOBAL

74% RISE in demand for Palliative Care in past 30 years
One of the most overlooked areas of health care 

2021
73.5 MILLION people

80% requiring palliative care are from low and middle-income countries
(289, 290)

NETHERLANDS

Older adults who move abroad after Retirement age 
HIGHER risk of Loneliness

International Retirement increasingly popular around the world 
Reduced contact with family/old friends and difficulties forming new connections 
(291, 292)

USA

Sugary fizzy drink a day
INCREASED risk of Mouth Cancer
New Study over 30 years 

4.87 times more likely to develop Mouth Cancer 

Mouth Cancer rates RISING GLOBALLY (293, 294)

 

Loneliness 
SIGNIFICANTLY affects how socially anxious people respond to Stress

High Social Anxiety people tend to feel Lonelier 
Linked to weaker Cardiovascular response to Stress (295, 296)

CANADA

Cannabis Use Disorder Emergency Department visits and hospitalisations 
MARKEDLY INCREASED risk of death compared to general population 

INCREASED risk of death withing 5 years (297, 298)

GLOBAL

Global Trends towards Cannabis Legislation and Market Commercialisation 
accompanied by INCREASING Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorders
(297, 298)

UK

9,000 Headteachers Survey 
93% had pupils take time off for Family Holidays

61% saw pupils kept home as they were too tired after an event the night before

81% of pupils take time off School for family events

Absence Trend getting worse

Parents regard school as ‘optional’ – this mindset persists
Change in Societal Attitudes in taking children out of classes since Pandemic 
(299)

GLOBAL

Intermittent Fasting more effective than adopting a Traditional Diet 

Weight Loss greatest among those following Intermittent Fasting
outperforms traditional diets 

Alternative day fasting most effective (300, 301)

UK

£11 MILLION funding from Government 
for children’s supervised Toothbrushing program 

To help children develop positive brushing habits 

England
1 in 5 children aged 5 have Tooth Decay 
1 in 3 in deprived areas (302, 303)

USA

Spontaneous Weekend Drinks 
26% INCREASED risk of negative outcomes 
Embarrassment ~ Hangovers ~ Blackouts

17% of days 
1 in 5 were drinking without any prior intention to

82% of unplanned drinking is on Fridays and Saturdays

Influence of Friends 
12 times more likely to engage in unplanned drinking (304, 305)

UK

Sickness Benefits Bill
£100 BILLION RISE by end of decade 
Proposal to strip under 30s of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) 

since 2019 
PIP claims TRIPLED for age 16 – 19

Age 16 – 24
1 MILLION not in Education, Training or Employment 

Annual cost of PIP payments set to rise to £50 billion in 2029/30 (306)

 

January – June 2024 
56 MILLION lost to Investment Scams 

TRUE TOTAL MUCH HIGHER
Many ashamed or embarrassed to report

Often starts with fake Social Media advert or news alert 
Windfall blocked by need for another payment (307, 308)

 

Big Weight swings in Obese people – INCREASED risk of Death

New research found for the first time
Obese adults with Cardiovascular Disease SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES risk of death

Significant Weight Loss and Weight Gain raises risk levels
Over two thirds of people over the age of 35 are considered Overweight or Obese 
(309)

UK & EUROPE

Unhealthy Plant Based Diet 
48% HIGHER IBD risk 
Potatoes and sweets linked to a higher risk of IBD (310, 311)

ECUADOR

Multi-tonne large-scale drug trafficking network operate seamlessly across Oceans 
73 tonnes of drugs seized 

Importing large quantities of Cocaine to 
Belgium, Germany, Spain and The Netherlands (312)

USA

Mounting Evidence 
Cannabis users at SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER RISK of a Heart Attack
even among younger and healthy adults

Largest Study to date 
75 million people | 12 published studies

Previous Study 
33% Heart Disease with daily Cannabis use (313, 314)

 

Tijuana – U.S. Mexico Border
Xylazine in the illicit drugs supply 

Veterinary Anaesthetic not approved for human use 

Increasingly detected alongside illicit Fentanyl in parts of U.S. and Canada
MOST PREVALENT on the East Coast (315, 316)

UK

Hour a day TV watching 
Linked to lower risk of Heart attack, Stroke and other blood vessels diseases

Type 2 Diabetes and Sedentary Lifestyle 
Major risk factors for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (317, 318)

 

77% of CEOs feel Overworked and Burned Out
37% considering change of Role, Direction or Retirement in next 2 – 3 years

33% Leaders do not feel confident to perform in a new role 

64% workers report their workloads being more Overwhelming than ever 
(319, 320)

MYANMAR

Thousands freed from Myanmar’s notorious Scam Centres
Cramped and unsanitary conditions in makeshift camps

Slow process to assess and arrange flights back to home countries 

100,000 lured to work in Scam Operations 
Run by Chinese Fraud and Gambling Operatives (321, 322)

GLOBAL

Maternal Mortality 
1^st Global update on causes of maternal deaths in over a decade

Haemorrhage and Hypertensive disorders like Preeclampsia
are leading causes of maternal deaths 

27% Haemorrhage during or following birth
16% have Preeclampsia
HIGHER proportion in Latin America and the Caribbean (323, 324)

UK

Depression more common in people who stay up late at night 

Age 17 – 28
Many young adults stay up late 

Sleep Habits
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION can explain HIGHER RATES OF DEPRESSION in Evening Chronotypes (325, 326)

USA

Higher Income
Link to greater life satisfaction and more Stress

Stress even prevalent among those typically considered to be affluent

Once earnings are enough to cover basic needs, socialise, and look after their Health – there is MORE STRESS once Income Rises (327, 328)

GLOBAL

1 IN 10 COMMON NON-SURGICAL AND NON-INVASIVE TREATMENTS 
FOR LOWER BACK PAIN EFFECTIVE

These treatments only had small analgesic effects compared to placebos

Low Back Pain Common and Debilitating 
80% – 90% are non-specific because no immediate identifiable cause

Exercise, steroid injections and paracetamol NOT EFFECTIVE for Acute Lower Back Pain
Anaesthetics and Antibiotics NOT EFFECTIVE for Chronic Lower Back Pain
(329, 330, 331)

NEW ZEALAND

PREVALENCE IN DAILY VAPING HAS INCREASED 
9-fold INCREASE over 8 years 

High Rates indicate Vaping is normalised within youth culture 

Vaping is a gateway to Smoking 
E-cigarette companies are incorrect: Vaping is not replacing smoking in teenagers 
(332, 333)

EUROPE

Alcohol Labels should Warn of Cancer Risk – essential for raising awareness
World Health Organization Europe 

15% are aware that that Alcohol causes Breast Cancer 

Europe is home to the heaviest drinkers in the world (334, 335)

USA

Colon Cancer linked to a HIGHER RISK of Health-Related Deaths 
SIGNIFICANTLY more likely to die of Cardiovascular Disease causes 

45% INCREASED RISK in the first 2 years 
after Cancer diagnosis and in people younger than 50

74% INCREASED RISK in Black patients
55% INCREASED RISK in males 

COLORECTAL CANCER ON THE RISE IN THE U.S. (336)

EUROPE

Largest Ever Europe Wastewater Analysis
68.8 million people | 28 cities across 26 countries

INCREASED Recreational Drug Use 
MDMA Cocaine Amphetamine 

87 MILLION ADULTS HAVE USED ILLICIT DRUGS IN THEIR LIFETIME

Since 2016 
Annual INCREASE in most locations

COCAINE CONSUMPTION REMAINS HIGH – double that of 2023
Saturday – higher concentrations found (337)

MYANMAR

Earthquake – 7.7 magnitude
Death toll rises to over 1,600 

Biggest quake to hit Myanmar in a century
Buildings severely damaged in Bangkok, Thailand

Aid Agencies warn 
‘Extremely difficult’ response amid the country’s continuing civil war (338)

UK & JAPAN

Gender Gap in Teenage Depression
Twice as large in London than Tokyo 
New Study of 7,100 young people 

11 – 16 years
Girls have more Depressive Symptoms than boys in both cities 

Gap is twice as large in London 
4 times steeper YEAR ON YEAR RISE in Depressive Symptoms for teenage girls in London compared to Tokyo (339, 340)

EUROPE

France
Criminal network dismantled behind large scale healthcare subsidy fraud

Laundering proceeds in Germany 

Fake Hearing Aid companies set up 
Usurped diplomas used to secure accreditation from health authorities 

€6.7 MILLION fraudulent reimbursements from false invoices (341)

 

European MDMA market 
SIGNIFICANT AND PROFITABLE for Criminal Networks

€594 MILLION – Annual Retail Value 
72.4 MILLION Ecstasy tablets used

MDMA production predominantly occurs in the Netherlands and Belgium

2018 – 2022
43% of the global quantity of MDMA was seized in Europe (342)

GLOBAL

20 MILLION PEOPLE USED MDMA WORLDWIDE IN THE PAST YEAR (342)

 

MORE WORKERS STRUGGLING WITH STRESS, ANXIETY AND BURNOUT
New Study across 16 countries age 18 – 75

Sick Leave for Mental Health reasons on the RISE

1 in 3 have at least one Mental Health condition
Depression and Anxiety most prevalent
No improvement shown from previous years

Factors affecting Mental well-being – 
Financial instability | Job insecurity | Constant exposure to negative news in media
(343)

UK

England 
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE in ADHD medication use following Pandemic 

18% RISE yearly in ADHD prescriptions 
HIGHER than previously reported

INCREASE in annual prescriptions across all 7 regions in England
28% – HIGHEST INCREASE seen in London (344, 345)

USA

Sugar-sweetened beverage intake 
INCREASES Oral Cavity Cancer risk in women 
162,602 women analysis – 30 years of follow-up 

Consuming one or more sugar-sweetened beverages
4.87 times INCREASED risk, regardless of smoking or drinking habits
(346, 347)

GLOBAL

25% of All Employed worldwide are engaged in shift work (348, 349)

NORWAY

Sleep Debt and Night Work linked to HIGHER risk of common infections 

INCREASED RISK OF THE COMMON COLD 

Sleep Debt linked to vulnerability of 
Pneumonia | Bronchitis | Sinusitis | Gastrointestinal infections (348, 349)

SWEDEN

Fatty Liver Disease linked to INCREASED risk of death from several diseases – TWICE mortality rate of general population 

1 in 5 have MASLD Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease 
caused by being Overweight or Obesity 

35 times HIGHER mortality rate than Liver Cancer 
54% HIGHER mortality rate for Cardiovascular Disease 

INCREASED risk of dying from 
Infections | Gastrointestinal Diseases | Respiratory Diseases | Endocrine Diseases 
(350, 351)

GERMANY

3 days giving up smart phone can reshape Brain activity

Changes observed in parts of brain linked to reward processing and cravings – similar to brain signals connected to substance addictions.
Addictive like nicotine or Alcohol (352, 353)

FINLAND

Diets high in fast foods, processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages
linked to ACCELERATED BIOLOGICAL AGING even in young adulthood
(354, 355)

SPAIN

Girls use Social Media networks more intensively 

•   Feel more observed 
•   Require more external positive feedback 
•   Pressured by outward image 
•   Projected physical appearance  

Fashion and beauty that the Social Media algorithm usually offers by default has a clear impact on body image and self-esteem of girls (356, 357)

USA

Researchers concern about the RISE in Nitrous Oxide mis-use 
Widespread Availability and enticing Marketing driving the Rise

RISE in hospitalizations, poisoning and deaths 

13 MILLION Americans misused Nitrous Oxide
110% RISE in deaths between 2019 and 2023 

Currently unregulated in the U.S (358, 359)

 

Omega-6 Fatty acid promotes growth of Aggressive types of Breast Cancer 

Linoleic acid found in seed oils – Soybean and Safflower oil 
Animal products like pork and egg 
Enhances growth in the “Tripe Negative” Breast Cancer subtype (360, 361)

 

INABILITY TO PAY FOR CARE AND MEDICINE 
hits HIGHEST LEVEL since 2021

29 MILLION adults in U.S. recently unable to afford or access Quality Healthcare

18% INCREASE among Hispanics 
14% INCREASE in Black adults 
25% INCREASE in lowest income Households (362)

UK

Ultra-processed food (UPF) 
causes an alarming change in children’s faces

60% of British diets are of UPFs
70% Adolescent caloric intake from UPFs

Epidemic of jaw shrinkage – Accelerated in last 20 years 

RISE in Orthodontic problems for children 
Crooked Teeth | Braces | Buck Teeth | Lack Of Natural Gaps (363)

USA

SHARP INCREASE in Diagnoses
for Sedative, Hypnotic, Anxiety use disorder in young adults

Disorders Diagnosed
2.2 MILLION Americans impacted
3-FOLD INCREASE in the prevalence of adolescents 
5-FOLD in young adults from 2001 – 2009

Most also had a co-morbid Substance Use Disorder
Cannabis Use Disorder in adolescents most common 
Opioid Use Disorder in young adults (364, 365)

 

5-Fold INCREASE in Hospitalisations for Stroke
New Study over 15 years

INCREASE in cervical artery dissection
Tear in artery in the neck is HIGHER in some racial and ethnic groups

Generally caused by Trauma – motor vehicle accidents and heavy lifting 
(366, 367)

 

Americans have POORER SURVIVAL RATES than Europeans across all Wealth levels
New Study over 10 years

Wealthiest Americans are not shielded from the systemic issues contributing to lower life expectancy, such as Economic inequality or risk factors – 
Stress | Diet | Environmental Hazards (368, 369)

EUROPE

Loophole in EU proposed rebranding rules for no and low Alcohol wine products – making beverages appear more appealing

Some contain MORE Alcohol than most commercial beers, ciders and hard seltzers
(370)

UK

21% workers are willing to undergo a medical procedure to “sever” their work memories from their personal lives  

34% would consider the procedure if they were paid more than $500,000
47% of Generation Z would for that amount of money 

Employees relating to characters on TV shows confirms how blurred lines between Work and Personal Life have become
(371)

USA

RISE OF BOREOUT SYNDROME – polar opposite to Burnout 

Job dis-engagement reaches ALL-TIME HIGH among American workforce 

Symptoms resemble Burnout
Energy Depletion | Exhaustion | Fatigue | Underwhelmed | Quietly clocking out

•   Depression
•   Disinterest in job
•   Listlessness
•   Apathy
•   Insomnia
•   Stomach upset
•   Headache
•   Dizziness (372)  

 

OBESITY DIABETES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE 
REMAIN ON THE RISE IN U.S.

Someone dies of Heart Disease every 34 seconds 
2,500 every day

•    47% Adults have High Blood Pressure
•    72% have Unhealthy Weight
•    42% have full-fledged Obesity
•    57% have Type 2 Diabetes (373, 374)

TANZANIA

2 weeks switching from a traditional African diet to a Western Diet causes inflammation 
Traditional African diet includes vegetables, fruit, beans and wholegrains

Activates processes associated with Lifestyle Diseases (375)

AUSTRIA

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE CAUSES STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO KIDNEYS AT AN EARLY STAGE

Hypertension can lead to Abnormalities in specialised cells, even without other pre-existing conditions, such as Diabetes. (376, 377)

UK

Northern Ireland
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE universities Mental Health spending since pandemic 

40% RISE in money allocated since 2020 
Includes annual amount for salaries, well-being services and counselling

85% RISE in Mental Health spending – Mary’s University College, Belfast 
INCREASED Financial and Social pressure main contributors to poor Mental Health 
(378)

SWEDEN

High intakes of non-fermented milk and cheese 
RISK of developing Type 2 Diabetes 

26,461 study participants 
17% developed Type 2 Diabetes during follow-up period of 24 years 

Sweden among HIGHEST intake of dairy products worldwide (379, 380)

USA

Children and Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
SHARP RISE in Weight Loss drug use 
200,000 medical records analysed over 15 years 

Obesity rate among Type 1 patients INCREASED for ALL age groups

Highest Obesity Category
33% INCREASE in adults using weight loss drugs (381, 382)

UK

2024
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures RISE – More Normalised now 
Driven by INCREASES in Facial Rejuvenation and Body Contouring procedures 

Latest Figures of Treatments driving RISE 
Breast augmentation most popular 
24% RISE in Thigh Lifts 
13% Bingo Wing removals 
10,000 non-surgical procedures like Botox and Fillers performed (383, 384)

EUROPE

Good Metabolic Health linked with less time sitting down
New Study where participants spent 60% of the day being Sedentary

Older adults were less at risk of developing metabolic syndrome, regardless of whether they had a healthy diet or exercised (385, 386)

UK

Bowel Cancer – the 2^nd biggest Cancer killer

35% adults admitted they cannot name a single symptom of Bowel Cancer 

12% recognised bleeding from the bottom 
24% identified stomach pain or cramping (387)

 

Britain
54% have Social Anxiety
72% aged 16–24 have Social Anxiety

2 in 3 say SOCIAL ANXIETY has impacted their personal and professional lives

90% of new cases occur before age 23 and rates are going up

England
500 children a day referred to NHS Mental Health Services for Anxiety
more than double the rate prior to pandemic

Screen Time and Pandemic Lockdown amongst the causes (388)

GLOBAL

One of the world’s largest paedophile platforms in the world has shut down 

April 2022 – March 2025 
1.8 MILLION users logged 

Server contained 72,000 videos at one time
3,000 electronic devices seized – Huge profit made by platform creator (389)

EUROPE

France and Spain
Organised criminal network smuggling 1,700 migrants from Spain to France dismantled 

May 2023 – August 2024
Over 500 smuggling Operations organised 
Estimated turnover €250,000 – €427,000 (390)

 

Ireland 
High-risk criminal network arrested 

Large-scale Drug Trafficking transporting in vehicles from Spain to Ireland
(391)

France and Spain
26 tonnes of Illegal plant pesticides seized (392)

Egypt
Criminal network collected €10,000 each from over 3,000 migrants from Türkiye to Italy and Greece 

Illegal journeys by sailboat (393)

GLOBAL

Employee Cohorts Influence Newcomer Retention 

CONTAGIOUS QUITTING
Employees engaging in job-seeking behaviours
Others SIGNIFICANTLY more likely to follow, especially Generation Z

Effect only mitigated if newcomer has strong preference for organisation’s geographical location

25% Global workforce are from Generation Z
65% leave their job within the 1^st year (394, 395)

UK

England 
Young Professional Academy Footballers
HIGH levels Oral Disease

Poor Oral Hygiene 
Sugary Sports Drinks 
Stress due to High Performance Environment 

76% Gingivitis compared to 40% of 15 year olds 
22% Irreversible Periodontitis 
31% Visible Decay (396, 397)

 

Hearing Loss link HEIGHTENED RISK of developing Heart Failure 
Psychological distress caused by the impairment takes a key role 

HEARING LOSS IS INCREASINGLY COMMON 
Prevalence of Heart Failure is INCREASINGLY on the RISE 

64 MILLION affected by Heart Failure worldwide (398, 399)

USA

Alcohol
8 drinks per week linked to signs of Brain Injury 
Associated with Memory and Thinking Problems 

Moderate Drinkers
45% had Vascular Brain Lesions 

Heavy Drinkers
133% HIGHER odds – Vascular brain lesions 
41% HIGHER odds – Alzheimer’s 
Die 13 years earlier than those who never drank (400, 401)

FRANCE

Food Additive mixtures linked with increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes 
First study to expose food additive mixtures in a large cohort of the general population 

Milky Desserts | Fats | Stocks | Sauces | Artificially-Sweetened Drinks And Sodas 

(402, 403)

GLOBAL

International Firearms Trafficking network Dismantled
Smuggling Assault AK Rifles and Hand Grenades into Western Europe 

High powered weapons from illegal markets in Western Balkans trafficked into France for onward distribution (404)

AUSTRALIA

Lethal Synthetic Opioids found in Wastewater for the first time
Levels SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER than those found in U.S. 

40 x stronger than Fentanyl – Etonitazepine(405, 406)

UK

England and Wales
Barber Shops – Nail Salons – Vape Shops
Cash intensive businesses used to conceal Crime proceeds
Used as fronts for money laundering 

£12 BILLION Criminal cash generated each year (407)

 

More Domestic Abusers to be Charged with Manslaughter After Partner Dies By Suicide 

Suspected Suicide – 2^nd Year running
most common cause of Death among victims of Domestic Abuse 

April 2020 to March 2024 
50% were Domestic Homicides by current or ex-partners 
54% of Domestic Homicides police know the perpetrator (408)

GLOBAL

Human and Economic Toll of Cybercrime Growing 

Rise of Generative AI 
SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED scale and sophistication of cyber crime 

£10.5 TRILLION – cost of Global Cybercrime annually 

If annual cybercrime was a country, it would be 3^rd largest GDP worldwide (409)

USA

2018 – 2022
Federal Government LOST between 
$233 BILLION and $521 BILLION Annually due to Fraud
(409)

HONG KONG

$1 BILLION for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research and Development Institute

1^st international conference on embodied AI robots (410)

CHINA

$8.2 BILLION state fund for early-stage investment in Artificial Intelligence projects 

Beijing 
AI a NATIONAL PRIORITY (411)

USA

33% of Adults have Temporary Insomnia
Can be caused by switch to daylight saving (412)

UK

Health Effects for 8 Months Related to Clock Change 

Small uptick in stroke, heart attacks, traffic accidents and sleep loss 

INCREASING EVIDENCE – shifting clocks has a significant impact on our Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Health 

This can lead to chronic ‘ circadian misalignment’ also known as ‘social jet lag’ – Associated with an increased risk of Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome and Mood Disorders
(412, 413)

 

New onset Type 2 Diabetes independent of BMI link 

48% INCREASED risk of Obesity-related Cancers in men 
24% INCREASED risk in women 
34% INCREASED risk of Bowel Cancer in women 
74% INCREASED risk of Pancreatic Cancer in men 
4-FOLD Liver Cancer risk in men 
5-FOLD increased risk of Liver Cancer in women (414)

EUROPE

European Ecstasy Market 
New trends in Production and Trafficking 

72.4 MILLION ecstasy tablets used 
€594 MILLION Annual Retail Value 

Significant Health Concerns Remain 
due to presence of HIGH-STRENGTH ecstasy tablets on the market (415, 416)

USA

Screen Time Before Bed linked to Poorer Sleep in Adults 

Daily Use of Screen Time – Later Bedtimes
33% more likely to report having poor Sleep Quality 

Light exposure at Night can delay onset of melatonin

Not only is it light emitted from devices but Content that needs to be considered (417, 418)

 

Braiding Hair widely used by Black Women contain Dangerous Chemicals

10 most popular brands of Braiding Hair tested
100% Dangerous Chemicals detected including carcinogens
Black Women had much higher Blood and Urine concentrations of these endocrine disrupting chemicals

90% had UNSAFE levels of lead
HIGHEST levels of acetone found – respiratory irritant (419, 420)

 

American Aging Workers
Retirement distant dream – Issue High Cost of Living 

50% lack steady Employment in their 50s
33% of these people will work in their 60s 

80% of those who are stably employed in their 50s will work in their 60s 
(421, 422)

UK

Romas And Travellers ground-breaking systematic review 
Higher Rates of Mental Illness and Suicidality

SIGNIFICANT stigma around Mental Health and Suicide still exists in these Communities – difficult to seek help

Associated Factors
Socioeconomic Deprivation
Poor Physical Health
Barriers to Accessing Health Care 

Women Worse Mental Health Outcomes 
Enforced Gender Roles
Early Marriage
Domestic Violence (423, 424)

USA

Binge and Heavy Drinking 
Rates among young Female Adults INCREASING

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease and Mortality
RAPID INCREASE among women and middle aged-adult females 

Trend worsened beginning in 2020

Women have a GREATER RISK of Liver Injury compared with men 
for any level of drinking (425, 426)

 

Emergency Rooms treat Gunshot wound every half-hour

Firearm Injuries follow specific patterns throughout the year 
HIGHEST during Evenings, Weekends, Summer Months and Holidays
Hit average peak between 2.30am and 3am 

Most Dangerous Day – New Year’s Eve
Most Dangerous Month – July (427, 428)

 

FDA warns of Fake Ozempic found in Drug supply chain 
Used off-label by people seeking to lose weight 

Ozempic
$998 drug retails for 4 injections used weekly 

2024

$17 BILLION sales from Ozempic 
$8 BILLION sales from Wegovy (429, 430)

CANADA

Cannabis Users that require Hospital-Based Care 
72% INCREASED risk of new Dementia diagnosis within 5 years 
New Study 6 million adults over age 45

Evidence of Association between Cannabis Use and Dementia CONTINUES TO INCREASE (431, 432)

Mommy Makeover Most Popular Plastic Surgery Trend

New Trend 
RISE IN PLASTIC SURGERY DUE TO WEIGHT LOSS DRUG 

 

“Ozempic makeover” taking over to address effects of – 
Rapid significant weight loss coming with loose sagging skin and hollow cheeks (433)

CHINA

Researchers Present Compelling Evidence of Temporal Lobe Pathology 
SIGNIFICANTLY Contributes to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder symptoms

Rare Structural Brain Abnormality
Intersection between OCD and Temporal Lobe Porencephaly

Porencephaly 
Presence of cystic cavities or fluid-filled spaces within the brain tissue that arise due to developmental disruptions or perinatal injuries (434, 435)

USA

Antibiotic Exposure Before age 2
Link Asthma ~ Food Allergies ~ Hay Fever

Drugs disrupt digestive microbiome at significant time in child’s development 

Stronger Associations following multiple Antibiotic courses  

Connection Between Antibiotic Use And Intellectual Disability (436, 437)

SPAIN

74% Schools Failing to meet Nutritional Standards 

45% must be seasonal – New directive of fresh fruit and vegetables every day 
Healthier menus created in effort to reduce Childhood Obesity 

Sugary Drinks and Junk Foods banned from vending machines (438)

UK

Dog owners prefer Crossbreeds and Imports to Domestic Pedigree breeds 

22% INCREASE in French bulldogs 
SHARP RISE in Trends for Imported Pedigrees (439, 440)

USA

Strong link between Hearing Loss and onset of Dementia in Seniors
1^st ever Large Scale Study 

Hearing intervention slows down loss by 48% over 3 year span (441, 442)

UK

Age 16 – 24 
Disturbing RISE in Ketamine abuse
Bladders damaged by Ketamine use

Generation Z – Drug of choice due to feelings of Euphoria

Ketamine use among school children more than doubled in the last decade 
Used to “ chill” in local parks with Friends or at Home – less than £2

Developed in 1960’s
Ketamine used as battlefield anaesthetic in Vietnam War
Also used as Animal Tranquiliser (443, 444)

 

2.8 MILLION currently Economically Inactive due to ill health 

815,000 claimants made use of Vehicle Scheme 
$7 BILLION turnover 

Extremely Lucrative Guaranteed Revenue Stream
in the form of state funded benefits and a de facto monopoly

All stemming from Taxpayers’ Money
1 in every 5 new cars in Britain purchased under the scheme (445)

 

Money Dysmorphia Online Searches Rocketing 
136% RISE in past year
Social Media fuelling unrealistic comparison

Money Dysmorphia
Disconnect between Financial Reality and Perception of how Wealthy they are 

Excessive Panic and Anxiety around Finances | Financially Insecure | Overspending 
(446)

 

England
1 in 3 women living with serious reproductive health issues 

Age 16–55
75% report recent experiences of at least one reproductive health-related issue 

1 in 3 have severely painful periods
50% had heavy bleeding in the last year (447, 448)

USA

Alarming Trend 
Middle-aged people feeling Lonelier than other age groups 

Not Working 
Top reason for HIGHER amount of Loneliness (449, 450)

GLOBAL

Children interacting unsupervised with adults on a Gaming Platform 
Disconnect Between Child-Friendly Appearance And Reality 
Sexualised content 

85 MILLION daily active users 
40% under age 13 

Parents have serious concerns
Children experiencing Addiction 
Seeing Traumatising content 
Being approached by Strangers

Children young as 5 able to communicate with adults on this platform
(451)

UK

RISE of Victorian Diseases
Due to Poor Housing and Food Insecurity 

April 2024 year ending
73% INCREASE in Scabies cases 

Hypothermia cases due to Patients unable to afford Heating

90% Doctors worried about impact of Health Inequalities on Patients 

46% Doctors report 50% workload involves illnesses linked to Social Factors 
Unemployment | Education | Poor Housing (452)

 

4.6 MILLION Cars too Big and Wide for Typical Urban Parking Spaces

Ownership of ‘super-sized’ SUVs SOARING 
30% RISE in 4 years 

71% of Car owners say it makes parking more difficult 
INCREASING risk of Fatalities, Pot Holes and Friction with Neighbours (453)

 

England and Wales 

1 in 6 miles of Local Road Network 
have less than 15 years’ Structural life left 

£17 BILLION Backlog of Carriageway Repairs 
HIGHEST in 30 years even with a pothole filled every 18 seconds for 10 years

Roads on average resurfaced every 93 years (454, 455)

GLOBAL

Type 5 Diabetes observed for 70 years now formally recognised 
Also known as Diabetes Mody or Severe Insulin-Deficient Diabetes (SIDD)

25 MILLION Globally affected by Type 5 Diabetes

Linked to malnutrition, not Obesity 
Stems from impaired Pancreatic development due to long-term nutrient deficiencies 
(456)

BELGIUM

Industrial-Scale lab producing synthetic drugs dismantled
Hundreds of kilos of Methamphetamine and Amphetamines produced every month (457)

EUROPE

Large-Scale Tax Fraud 
Huge quantities of wrecked cars bought from U.S. Insurance Companies at online Auctions – HIDDEN DAMAGE not revealed

Hazardous Vehicles bought for a high price – Cars damaged in Accidents 
Network of sham Companies and Fake Import Papers cover origin of Car
Lower value than what they paid for the vehicles disclosed to customs

Vast criminal organisation active in smuggling badly damaged cars from the U.S. into the E.U.(458)

CHINA

Disturbing Cosmetic Procedures RISING
Unrealistic ~ Hyper-feminine ~ Infantile Ideal

Exploded in popularity over the last 20 years – Driven by Social Media

Built for the Screen 
Under Filters and Ring Lights – Results can look Flawless 
In real life the face can look not quite human and not quite child

20 MILLION pay for Cosmetic Procedures every year 
80% are Women – average age 25 (459)

UK

2.1 MILLION Motorists have Bad Eyesight and Still Driving 

UK Licensing system ‘laxest’ in Europe 

Visual Ability Test 
not changed since the 1930s

Age 70 
Driver self-reports if they can read a number plate (460)

 

59% Teachers report Social Media negatively impacts Pupil Behaviour 

RISE in Racism and Misogyny through 
Social Media 
Messaging Apps 
Online gaming platforms 

27% Female Teachers Regularly Receive Verbal Abuse

Teachers from Black, Caribbean or African Backgrounds 
29% report Physical Abuse several times a week (461)

 

England and Wales 

Britain’s Shoplifting Epidemic 
516,000 cases in a year for the first time 
SHARP RISE since Pandemic – Record Levels in the past 2 years (462)

FINLAND

Party Lifestyle has Impact on Health from age 36
And persisted throughout 40s, 50s – New Study over 60 years

Unhealthy Habits – HIGHERS rates of – 
Depression | Cancer | Heart Disease | Lung Disease | Early Death (463, 464)

UK

70% British women will experience debilitating period pain for 4 solid years 

78% told by a medical professional COMPLETELY NORMAL to have discomfort Every month 

49% told that the only option is birth control 

48% admit that they lack any energy 
31% say it’s unmanageable
37% forced to spend hours in bed 
34% couldn’t leave the sofa (465)

 

91% Farmers say Mental Health 
BIGGEST HIDDEN PROBLEM facing industry today
UK farmers work average 60 hours per week 

44% aged 41–60 working MORE than 81 hours a week 

33% admit having accident or near miss when working 9 or more hours a day (466)

 

Generation Z 
INCREASINGLY listen to peers over doctors for Health advice
New Global Survey – 16,000 people across 16 countries 

Age 18 – 34
45% ignore Health providers guidance – listen to Friends and Family 
38% take advice from Social Media 

45% say average person can know as much about Health matters as Trained Doctors

60% report at least one health decision they regret based on inaccurate or misleading information (467)

GLOBAL

Global Survey 2025 
Many believe Societal Leaders purposely mis–lead on Health matters 
saying things, they know are False or Gross Exaggerations 

59% believe Business leaders mislead on Health matters 
57% Government leaders 
57% Journalists (468)

UK

Anaemia in Early Pregnancy – first 100 days 
linked to HIGHER chance of having a child with Congenital Heart Disease  

Heart Conditions that develop in the womb before a baby is born 
47% HIGHER than the usual risk of 1 in 100 (469, 470)

USA

FDA warns of potential risks 
Unapproved Hair Loss product sold online through Telehealth 
Advertising topical Finasteride sprays with limited disclosures of Side Effects

Users reported Depression, Anxiety, Suicidal Thoughts, Brain Fog, Fatigue, Insomnia, Decreased Libido, Sexual Side Effects and Testicular Pain (471, 472)

CANADA

26% RISE in teenage Cannabis use after edibles Legalised 
Chocolates, Candies and Sodas appeal to Youth – Perceived as less harmful as legal 

Linked to Anxiety and Depression and Higher Risk of Schizophrenia
Also affects Brain areas tied to decision making and learning 

43% RISE in use of edibles alone

28% RISE in using Cannabis and Alcohol together (473, 474)

USA

Ultra-Processed Foods linked to 
124,000 Preventable and Premature deaths over 2 years
Global Study
(475, 476)

GLOBAL

UPFs contribute SIGNIFICANTLY 
to overall burden of Disease in many countries

High consumption of Ultra–Processed Foods
associated with 32 different diseases including Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity, Diabetes, some types of Cancer and Depression (475, 476)

 

Global Weight Loss company files for Bankruptcy
$1.6 BILLION of DEBT
Struggled with declining revenue – competition from the latest Weight Loss drugs

 

Customers turning to a new generation of weight loss drugs to lose weight with far less effort (477)

 

Side Effects of Aspartame Developed in 1965 
Low calorie sweetener found in diet, fizzy drinks and low sugar desserts 

200 TIMES SWEETER THAN SUGAR 

Long-Term Use Increases Risk – 
Cardiovascular Disease (including strokes and heart attacks)
Diabetes
Hypertension 
High Cholesterol 
Obesity (478)

 

Poor Workforce Engagement Cost to Economy in 2024
$438 BILLION in lost productivity  

62% Not Engaged 
17% Actively Disengaged
58% Struggling in Life

Past 12 years this measure only declined twice – Other time in 2020 

Managers experiencing SHARPEST DECLINE – feeling demotivated and disengaged

If World’s Workforce were FULLY ENGAGED 
$9.6 TRILLION added to Global Economy (479, 480)

 

Generation Z 

Talking to someone – reach for phone after 2 minutes

48% Checking Messages 
44% Scrolling Social Media 

63% admit Struggle in real life interaction 
77% use phone as a form of Escapism 

75% struggle to maintain concentration whilst interacting 
39% felt a strong urge to look at their device

28% switch off at work – affecting their productivity (481, 482)

USA

This Year’s Flu Shot linked to HIGHER Flu Risk in Adults 

Influenza vaccination of working-aged Adults 
Associated with a HIGHER RISK of Influenza

Indicating vaccine did not provide expected protection this winter (483, 484)

JAPAN

Babies Conceived during Winter Months 
Less susceptible to weight gain when they become adults 

Brown fat, which encourages the body to burn fat, tended to be more active among those conceived during the colder months (485, 486)

AUSTRALIA

High-Fat High-Sugar Diets (HFHS) impact Cognitive function 
World-first research links unhealthy diets to impaired location memory 

HFHS Diets and first person spatial navigation 
Spatial Navigation: ability to learn and remember path from one location to another
(487, 488)

USA

Father’s Mental Health can impact children for years 

Children aged 5 
exposed to paternal Depression that goes undiagnosed or unaddressed – likely to have behavioural issues in grade school  

50% INCREASE in prevalence when mother also experiencing Depression  

Kids whose fathers reported Depressive symptoms such as feeling sad, blue or depressed when they were age 5, by age 9 significantly more likely to exhibit restlessness, defiance and anger, lower levels of co-operation and self-esteem (489)

 

1.2 MILLION Medical Device Side Effect Reports 
NOT submitted within Legal Timeframe

400,000 submitted 6 months after manufacturer notified of adverse event 
1 in 6 reports had missing or invalid date data provided by the Manufacturer (490)

 

Children and Adults with Type 1 Diabetes 
SHARP RISE in weight-loss drug use 

2 MILLION Americans have Type 1 Diabetes 

All Age Groups and Ethnicities
Obesity rates INCREASING among Type 1 Diabetes patients (491, 492)

USA

33% INCREASED risk of developing Dementia associated with long-term use of common Acid Reflux drug  

Medication previously linked to HIGHER risk of 
Stroke | Broken Bones | Kidney Disease (493)

UK

Unhealthy Lifestyles and High Cholesterol 
trigger RISE in Statin Prescriptions

Britons are Older, Fatter and Less Active than ever
Year on year INCREASE in number of people with Cardiovascular risk factors

Health Chiefs fear Country heading for a Heart Disease catastrophe 

England
3.8 MILLION taking Statins daily 
175,000 extra patients prescribed the drug in last 6 months 

6 MILLION treated for High Blood Pressure (494)

 

Sports Bras Trigger Back Pain by putting Pressure on the Spine 
Study built on 20 years Research 

Achieving 100% bounce reduction in Sports Bras – 
causing unintentional increased loading on the spine (495, 496)

GLOBAL

Males HIGHER rate of disease and a HIGHER rate of death 
compared to females for 3 common diseases – New Global Analysis 
Diabetes | High Blood Pressure | HIV/AIDS

SIGNIFICANT differences identified between sexes at each step in “health pathway”

Exposure to a risk factor | Development of the condition | Diagnosis | Treatment | Death
(497, 498)

UK

2025
Adolescents with Mental Health Study

Comparing themselves with others on Social Media 
Lack of self-control over time spent on Social Media platforms 
Changes in mood due to the likes and comments received
Reduced willingness to be Honest about their emotional state when online 

50 minutes Extra spent Online Each Day 
compared to those without a Mental Health condition (499, 500)

 

Generation Z – Internet Obsessed and Job Shy 
REFUSE TO WORK for less than £40,000
Prime Minister warning ‘wasted generation’

Age 16 – 24 
1 Million NOT in Education, Employment or Training
Highest Level Since 2013

58% NEVER been in Paid Employment 
change of attitude to the concept of work (501)

Gen Z are leading the Surge in Weight Loss injections

Age 16 – 24
More open to Medical Interventions 

17% considering using them as part of their Health journey 

30% said they or someone they knew had purchased the injections

Pervasive Influence of Social Media and Celebrity 
Endorsements have normalised RAPID Weight Loss solutions (502)

USA

Anal Cancer steadily INCREASING  

Anal Cancer rates RISING fastest 
white women over age 65 and Hispanic women  

if Trend continues – DOUBLE in less than 17 years 

90% of Anal Cancers are linked to HPV – Human Papillomavirus (503)

UK

Gymtimidation 
1 in 4 are self-conscious at the Gym 

28% worry about using equipment incorrectly
And Suffering indignity of a viral gym fail video

Gymfluencers filming content get annoyed when someone walks into their shot

Mansplaining – men offering advice to women
Gym Bros – men who spend SIGNIFICANT amount of time in the gym (504)

 

Social Anxiety 
90% new cases occur before age 23 
and Rates are on the up

Age 16–24 
72% of Gen Z impacted by fear of Social Situations 

54% of all British people are affected by Social Anxiety 
2 in 3 impacted in their Personal and Professional lives

England
500 children a day referred to NHS Mental Health services for Anxiety 
Double the rate prior to Covid

HIGH Social Media use is linked to Anxiety and Depression (505)

 

Benefit Fraud and Error remain well above pre-pandemic levels 
Fraud and error in Benefit expenditure – one of the DWPs most significant risks

2023 – 2024 
£9.7 BILLION overpayments

2022 
Department for Work & Pensions set out its approach to deal with Fraud and Error 
(506)

 

49% Employees knowingly share risky Social Media posts 
could expose employers to Reputational or Financial damage 

73% Workers admit to having falling victim to a Cyber Attack  

80% access Workplace applications on personal devices – 
which don’t have security controls  

49% use the same log in for multiple Work applications (507)

Beauty Clinics offering Banned Treatments derived from Human Cells
Touted as latest “Miracle” Skin Care Treatment 

Experts warn of serious health risks using exosome products harvested from human donors (508)

AUSTRALIA

Drownings RISE as Schools Cut Swimming Lessons

48% year 6 cannot swim 50 metres or tread water for 2 minutes by age 12 
39% still unable to swim by Year 10 

Age 5 – 14
1 in 10 have never had a swimming lesson 

31% of Schools did not offer learn-to-swim programs 
Major Barriers – Cost |Staffing Shortages | Time Limitations (509)

UK

Special Needs System on its knees
95% Teachers report needs of pupils more complex over the last 5 years

94% workload INCREASED as a result of paperwork 
due to more students in class with special educational needs

2024
76% Verbal Abuse from pupils
61% Physically Assaulted 
57% Threats of Physical Assault 
53% Attacks Daily 
55% Attacks INCREASING in Severity (510)

 

2024 
£1.1 BILLION – Benefits Bill for Migrants

Surge in number of Asylum seekers granted Refugee status 
33% INCREASE in Benefit Claims by Refugee householders in a year 

40% RISE in illegal Migrant arrivals crossing channel in small boats

2023 and 2024
110,000 applications granted – Approval of Asylum Claims
HIGHEST LEVEL since records began 40 years ago (511)

USA

1 in 7 adults aged 30 and 59 have HIGH long term risk for Cardiovascular Disease 

28 MILLION currently have Cardiovascular Disease
figure expected to RISE

Physical Activity and Dietary Interventions identified to lower Disease risk (512, 513)

 

Older Vehicles with fewer Driver Assistance Technologies 
linked to INCREASED risk of driver death in fatal crashes 

Teenagers Driving
Vehicles 6 – 15 years old 
19% GREATER risk of Driver Death 

Vehicles older then 15 years 
31% GREATER risk (514, 515)  

UK

Biggest Ever Crackdown 
Organised Medicines Trafficking 
in the history of Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Hundreds of thousands of medicines seized including –
Controlled drugs such as Opioid painkillers and Anti Anxiety medicines
£100,000 cash 
Luxury watches 
Criminal assets held in Cryptocurrency (516, 517)

USA

Start Hunting Season
linked to INCREASED rate of hunting and non-hunting related Firearm incidents 

566% uptick in hunting-related Firearm incidents 

Increase in Firearm incidents not related to hunting – 
11% Increase in Suicide
87% Alcohol and Substance Misuse
27% Defence 
27% Domestic Violence 
30% Home Robbery (518, 519)

 

Firearm Homicides
Police fire more shots than civilians

U.S. has HIGHEST rate of deadly police encounters in developed world

Age 24 – 44 
Black people 
Living outside Northeast Region of U.S.
Disproportionately killed by the police 
Have more gunshot wounds per fatality 

80% Police victims shot multiple times 
66% shot by civilians (520, 521)

 

Bitcoin Mining INCREASES Levels of Air Pollution 
Harmful to Human Health 

34 Bitcoin Mines consumed 33% more electricity than Los Angeles
85% came from fossil fuels 

1.9 MILLION Americans were exposed to pollution from Bitcoin Mines (522, 523)

GLOBAL

Diets Rich in Ultra-Processed Foods 
linked to HIGHER Risk of Early Death 

High Salt, Sugar and Saturated Fat
Crisps ~ Instant noodles ~ Sweetened breakfast cereals ~ Sausages

10% INCREASE in UPF diets = RISE in Premature Deaths (524, 525)

UK

Half of all Sick Notes handed out without patient seeing a Doctor
GP staff NOT qualified in – 
Occupational Health 
Lack of knowledge about patient workplace dynamics
Lack of time to get to the bottom of any workplace barriers

93% of Fit Notes issued by GP staff 
Fit Note is a Sick Note – ‘Fitness for Work’ certificate (526)

800,000 Working Age are Economically Inactive for Health reasons 

Growth in number becoming Economically Inactive
10 times the growth of the working age population 

1 in 5 have work-limiting Health Conditions 
31% INCREASE 

2015 – 2024 
77% INCREASE in ages 16 – 34
Largest increase in work-limiting health conditions (527)

USA

One of the largest Fentanyl seizures in U.S. history 
Drugs distributed in New Mexico | Arizona | Utah
409 kilos of Fentanyl pills including 3 million pills (528)

SOUTH KOREA

Metabolic Syndrome 
Linked to INCREASED risk of Young-Onset Dementia

40s greater risk than 50s 
Females with Metabolic Syndrome INCREASED risk of Dementia compared to males 

Excess Belly Fat | Cholesterol | High Blood Pressure | High Blood Sugar
High Triglyceride Levels

People with all 5 components 
70% INCREASED risk of Dementia (529, 530)

USA

Popular Weight Loss Drugs show Unexpected Link to Low Blood Sugar  

2021 – 2023 
442% RISE in number of Semaglutide Prescription fills  

2022 – 2023 
24,499 Emergency room visits related to Semaglutide 

Poison Centres
1,500% INCREASE in calls since 2019 
related to overdose or side effects on injectable Weight Loss Drugs (531, 532, 533)

GLOBAL

Stadiums, Hospitals, Airlines adapting RISE in Obesity 

Growing in Demand
Extra-Width Spectator Seating
Double-Width Trolley Stretchers 
Bariatric Ambulances 
Oversized Coffins
Heavy Duty wheelchairs 
Extra-wide furnaces in crematoriums (534)

USA

Majority Emergency Department visits related to taking Semaglutide 
attributed to Gastrointestinal Complications and Hypoglycaemia 

Most common Gastrointestinal Issues
Nausea | Vomiting | Abdominal pain | Diarrhoea

Age 18 and older 
All adverse events (535, 536, 537)

UK

Age 18 – 20 
across the country being fast tracked into Train Driving Careers
to Increase number of drivers and improve service reliability 

87% Cancellations made night before the service – due to driver shortages 

48 – Current average age of Train Driver
30% of the workforce due to retire by 2029 (538)

USA

Fluctuating Cholesterol over time 
associated with Dementia risk in older adults 

Onset of Dementia can be undetected – come as major surprise to older adults 
(539, 540)

UK

Head Injuries induced in Sports and Military Service 
linked to dormant virus in Brain triggering onset of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Football and Boxing are SERIOUS HEALTH THREATS now
Repeated mild blows causing latent virus in the Brain to become active (541, 542, 543)  

USA

Depression and Heart Failure linked in U.S. Veterans
Compelling Evidence

Depression SIGNIFICANTLY elevates the risk of incident Heart Failure 

Study challenges the traditional paradigm that prioritises Biological over Psychological 
(544, 545)

 

Adult use of illicit Opioids 
20 times HIGHER prevalence than previously reported 

Findings add evidence that Government counts SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER–ESTIMATE illicit Drug use (546, 547)

TURKEY

Hatay Province 
PTSD among Earthquake survivors

Destruction unprecedented in recent history 

29% met PTSD Diagnostic Criteria 

38.8% had significant Depressive symptoms 

Unemployment INCREASED risk of PTSD 2.5 times more (548, 549)

NORTH KOREA

Illegal Wildlife Trade
1^st in-depth Study
Black Market Trade grew after the collapse of the economy
Economic hardship linked to surge in wildlife exploitation

Hunting and trapping wild animals for personal consumption or Black Market Trade – Domestically or for sale to buyers in China
State ACTIVELY PROFITING from species protected under Domestic and International Law (550, 551, 552)

SOMAILILAND

Anxiety and Sleep Disturbances COMMON among young adults

COMMON EXPERIENCE IN VERY SERIOUS FREQUENCY (all of the time)
Academic Stressors | Financial Pressure | Interpersonal Relationships (553, 554)

GLOBAL

Prevalence of Sexual Violence against Children 
Most Comprehensive Investigation

Age 13 – 24 – First Sexually Abused during Childhood before Age 18
67% Females
72% Males

Before Age 16 
42% Females
48% Males

Survivors of Sexual Violence have a Higher Risk of developing

•   Depression
•   Anxiety
•   Asthma 
•   Substance Abuse
•   Sexually Transmitted Infections (555, 556)

PALESTINE

Nursing Students
ALARM FATIGUE have INCREASED STRESS

Critical Care units have relentless barrage of Alarms designed to signal vital changes in patient status

Significant portion are false alarms or non-actionable alerts 
Constant auditory stimulus can cause sensory overload diminishing alertness 

Long-term Excessive Stress And Burnout risk elevating staff turnover rates (557, 558)

SWEDEN

Fatty Liver in Pregnancy 
3 x INCREASED Risk of Pre-Term Birth 
Risk cannot be explained by Obesity (559, 560)

UK

Engaging in small amounts of moderate-to-vigorous Physical Activity 
Associated with BIG reductions in Dementia risk 

35 minutes a week
41% Lower risk of developing Dementia 

35 – 69 minutes
60% Lower risk of developing Dementia 

70 – 140 minutes
60% Lower risk of developing Dementia (561, 562)

USA

Women in 80s who are sleepier during the day over 5 year period 
Associated with DOUBLE the risk of developing Dementia during that time 

56% participants showed large changes in sleep patterns 

19% developed Dementia with daytime Sleepiness (563, 564)

 

Users displaying high problematic (excessive and dependent) Social Media Use 
SIGNIFICANTLY more likely to engage with and believe Fake News 

Users inclined to click, like comment and share false news regardless of Accuracy 

Problematic Social Media Use
Similarities with Substance Use and other Behavioural Addictive Disorders
(565, 566)

GLOBAL

Women with Infertility History 
Greater risk of Cardiovascular Disease after Assisted Conception

1 in 6 worldwide experience infertility in their lifetime 
More likely to develop heart and blood vessel conditions later in life (567, 568)

AFRICA

HIV infections RISE among older adults 
yet prevention efforts remain youth centred

2000 – 2016
Sub-Saharan Africa
Adults age 50+ living with HIV has DOUBLED (569, 570)

USA

Widespread Eating Disorders in College Students
30,000 students from 26 colleges and universities

MORE prevalent and diverse than previously thought
Risk was uniform across white, black, Asian and Latino students 

78% Women with Eating Disorders also showed signs of Depression 
68% Men with Eating Disorders also showed signs of Depression 
(571, 572)

UK

£9.5 BILLION in Benefits OVERPAID over past year
DUE TO FRAUD AND ERROR

£6.5 BILLION fraudulent claims 
£1.9 BILLION overpayments due to claimant error 
£1 BILLION due to Official Errors  

Main Cause
Under-Declaring Earnings, Financial Assets or Capital 
Failing to Declare Living With a Partner (573)

GLOBAL

Store-bought Rice – SIGNIFICANT levels of Arsenic
211 different grain samples from 105 different brands 

Associated with Health risks
Developmental delays | Liver Disease | Kidney Disease | Cancer (574, 575)

CANADA & USA

1 in 5 Boys and Men meet Diagnostic Criteria for Eating Disorder 

Findings highlight growing concerns 
related to Body Image, Eating Behaviours and Eating Disorders

HEIGHTENED risk among 
Gay and Bisexual boys and men and those with a Higher Body Mass Index

Highest Prevalence
Bulimia Nervosa (576, 577)

UK

Ultra-processed foods INCREASE risk of Anxiety and Depression
Major Population Study

UPF intake increase driven by Globalization and Urbanization of Food Systems 

Higher UPF Intake 
more likely to be younger people, have higher BMI and Unhealthy Lifestyles
(578, 579)

GLOBAL

Unprecedented Outbreak in Pandemic 
has shaped virtually every aspect of Human Life

ESCALATION of Parental Anxiety driven by –
Fears of Viral Contagion 
Exhaustion 
Economic instability 
Disruption of daily routines 
Uncertainty regarding children’s educational progress

WIDESPREAD ANXIETY led to Parenting Styles
Strict and High Control or Indulgence and Laxity (580)

USA

Cyberbulling in any form leads to SIGNIFICANT Trauma in Youth 

90% Teenagers experienced some form of Cyberbullying (581, 582)

GLOBAL

30% Students facing Cyberbullying 
exacerbated by Social Media and online interactions (581, 582)

USA

Young people are not drinking Alcohol – instead sipping cans of THC 
55% Gen Z regret spending money on Alcohol 

THC beverages RISE in popularity 
$4 BILLION industry by 2028 

Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol
Psychoactive compound found in Marijuana infused into carbonated drinks
(583, 584)

 

2023
$2.7 TRILLION cost of illicit Opioids primarily Fentanyl

41% – Cost attributed to deaths
49% – Attributed to lost Quality of Life 

$277 BILLION – Other Costs
Healthcare | Reduced Labour Productivity | Crime-Related Expenses

93% Opioid deaths are from Fentanyl 
Originating in China and Trafficked through Mexico (585)

ISRAEL

Early Onset of Menopause 
link HIGHER risk of Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Disorders
largest study of its kind

Age 40 – 44 women undergoing menopause 
46% INCREASED risk of MASLD within one year of Menopause 
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)(586)

UK

Significant Weight Gain, Late Motherhood or not having Children 
2.7 times more likely to develop Breast Cancer – Large UK study

MORE women are now Overweight or Obese than decade ago 
Breast Cancer diagnosis has the HIGHEST EVER RATE (587, 588, 589)

UK & FINLAND

Psoriasis linked to 33 Cancer Risks meta-analysis 

Confirmed linked to Uterine Corpus Cancer in women and Prostate Cancer in men

Psoriasis is a Chronic Autoimmune Disorder characterised by persistent Skin Inflammation (590, 591, 592)

UK

1 in 3 Heart Disease Deaths linked to Diabetes

Each week Diabetes responsible for – 
812 Strokes
568 Heart Attacks 
2,909 cases of Heart Failure

5.8 MILLION live with Diabetes
90% have Type 2 

£10.7 BILLION cost each year
Projected RISE £18 billion by 2035

Diabetes placing SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL strain on the NHS (593)

SWEDEN

Teenage Girls’ Screen Time link to Poor Sleep

58% of future Depression levels were explained by the fact that Screen Time first had a disruptive effect on Sleep

Screen Time mainly shorted night’s sleep in connection with Monday mornings 
Deterioration occurred within 3 months for boys and girls (594, 595)

EUROPE

SERIOUS risk to Sustainability of Healthcare Systems 
Ageing Medical Workforce | Ongoing Shortages | Rising Healthcare Demands 

1 in 3 Doctors older than 55
40% in half the member states

1 in 5 doctors are over age 65 in over half European Member States (596)

USA

Doctors say Internet Searches for Medical Information to be done with caution 
especially now with growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

Poorly done search can inflame Anxiety 

Some pay to have websites listed at top of the page

AI causes issues – Technology makes stuff up (597)

 

Men under Age 35 in U.S. 
25% feeling Lonely
57% feel Daily Stress
46% Worried each day 
42% report more stress than older adults 

No other country exhibits a wider gap between young men and the rest of the population  

Women in same age group also report ELEVATED LONELINESS 
(598, 599)

 

College Students more at risk of mis-perceiving peers’ Alcohol consumption 

Peer mis–perception 
influences Student drinking outcomes as they feel pressure to keep up
Leading to Heavy Episodic Drinking and Negative Consequences (600, 601)

UK

HEART HEALTH RAPIDLY DECLINING
Increasing Unhealthy Population 

Working age adults Aged 20 – 64
RISE in Rate and Number of Deaths from Cardiovascular Disease

21% RISE in Heart Failure diagnosis 

2025
82% INCREASE in Cardiovascular waiting list 
NHS England (602, 603)

GLOBAL

Male Body Builders HIGH risk of Sudden Cardiac Death 

HIGHEST risk among Professional Bodybuilders Worldwide 
5-FOLD INCREASE compared to Amateurs 

Autopsy reported shared Common Findings 
Thickening or Enlargement of the Heart and Abuse of anabolic substances 
(604, 605)

BAHRAIN

Caregivers of Children with ADHD 
MORE Anxiety regarding their Children’s Health 

Complex Emotional Burdens (606, 607)

UK

Depression linked to Physical Pain Years Later

Middle-age and Older Adults 
more likely to have worsening symptoms of Depression up to 8 years before pain began

Similar Trend for Loneliness found
Pain mostly Back Knee Hip Foot (608, 609)

USA

Obesity, Diabetes and High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy 
linked to Elevated Blood Pressure in Children 

 Among Children whose Mothers had one risk factor 
Blood pressure rose quickly between ages 2 and 18 

Growing Evidence Blood Pressure Levels shaped even before Birth 
(610, 611)

ISRAEL

Delayed Puberty in Boys 
2.5 times more likely to develop Early Onset Type 2 Diabetes during Early Adulthood

37% INCREASED risk when factoring BMI and Weight

Extensive Retrospective Cohort Study 
960,000 adolescent males aged 16 to 19 over 23 years (612, 613)

SWEDEN

Lack of Sleep linked INCREASED risk of Cardiovascular Disease 

Even a few night’s insufficient Sleep linked to greater risk of Heart problems 

50% regularly experience disturbed Sleep 
Common among shift workers (614, 615)

UK

England 
1 MILLION Ethnic Minority Adults wrongly classified as weighing below BMI thresholds for being Overweight or Obese

67% Adults are Overweight or Obese
Data error in Official Figures – Government not using new BMI calculations (616, 617)

 

Popular Vitamins Children chew 
MORE Sugar than sweets and lacking in vital vitamins 
Some have no Vitamin D

Parents have no way of knowing the Sugar content aimed at Children age 3+ 
Legally manufacturers do not have to declare this on the packaging (618)

 

Majority of Community Pharmacies asked for antibiotics ‘at least once a day’

79% refused direct requests from Patients for minor conditions like Colds 

37% of Pharmacies report patients regularly hoard antibiotics for a later date 

When people Return from Abroad
SIGNIFICANT quantities of Antibiotics requested for conditions that would not normally be treated.

Patients try to share partially used prescription antibiotics on Social Media platform (619)

USA

Link between Common Virus and Dementia 

Herpes Simplex virus Type 1 (HSV-1) associated with cold sores 

80% HIGHER risk of developing Alzheimer’s (620, 621)

UK

300,000 diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis
Serious Symptomless Disease 

50% Risk of Dying 

400 with Heart Valve condition dying each year on NHS waiting list 
Cannot get access fast enough to life saving non-surgical procedure – 20 weeks wait time
True Death toll double as Not all Specialist Centres shared Data (622)

USA

Remote and Young Workers Lead Microbreak Adoption  

Informal breaks throughout the day to 

•    Manage Stress
•    Regain Focus
•    Maintain Energy 

1 in 4 Americans take at least one microbreak per hour at work

72% step away from tasks multiple times a day without formally clocking out or taking lunch

Remote and Hybrid Workers taking Microbreaks MORE frequently than office-based or on-site roles (623)

EUROPE

Combined Oral Contraceptives 
Link to TRIPLE RISK of Cryptogenic Stroke in Young Women of Reproductive Age 

40% of ALL Ischaemic Strokes in Young Adults are Cryptogenic – 
Stroke with no Identifiable cause (624, 625)

 

People living in Poverty 
SIGNIFICANTLY more likely to experience Loneliness than those on Higher incomes

 49% in lowest income group reported feeling Lonely 

 Linked to cluster of Symptoms – 
Physical and Emotional Pain, Fatigue and Low Mood 
People who feel lonely report HIGHER Levels of these symptoms (626, 627)

CHINA

Chinese Male Prisoners
Complex interplay between Chronotype, Insomnia and Depressive Symptoms 

Evening Types 
SIGNIFICANTLY associated with younger age
INCREASED symptoms of Insomnia and Depression (628)

UK

Skin Cancer cases expected to RISE again this year 

Melanomas in Men
40% diagnosed in torso – back, chest and stomach 

35% lower limbs – hips to feet for women 
87% cases because of exposure to too much UV radiation 
57% RISE in diagnosis in over-80s (629, 630)

 

79% report cannot live without Internet access 

70% connectivity issues affect daily routine  

34% connectivity issues impacts streaming content  

26% disruptions to gaming  

25% interferes with work 

Complaints 
Slow speeds | Unstable connections | Bad wi-fi coverage in the home (631)

GLOBAL

Antidepressants for Teenagers 
Groundbreaking meta-analysis 

Global prevalence of adolescent Depression continues to surge 
For Functional Improvement

96% – Escitalopram ranked highest 
Short-term Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (632, 633)

USA

Mid-Life Chronic Conditions
Linked INCREASED risk developing Cancer and higher Cancer-related mortality

Cardiovascular Conditions 
SIGNIFICANTLY increased overall risk of Cancer

Liver Conditions
Strongest link with Liver Cancer 

Metabolic Disorders 
linked INCREASED risk of 9 Cancer types (634, 635)

 

1 in 10 Internal Medicine Doctors

report HIGH LEVEL of Burnout

Emotional Exhaustion | De–Personalisation | Low Personal Accomplishment 

15.4% Burnout Prevalence SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER in the West of USA compared to other States (636, 637)

UK

5 minutes Exposure to Junk Food Marketing 
children consuming SIGNIFICANTLY more snacks and lunch during day

Regardless of Types of Media
TV ~ Podcasts Social Media
Children consumed more snacks and lunch (638, 639)

 

Magnetic Toy Dangers 
2 or more magnetic pieces swallowed – HIGHER risk of long-term damage 
Pieces clamp together in stomach

300 children/young people hospitalised each year after ingesting magnets 
1 in 10 needed life-saving operation – part bowel removal or require a stoma

Cases linked to viral Social Media Trends
Children – mostly girls trying to imitate tongue piercings placing small magnets in their mouths (640, 641)

 

Antibiotic resistance Gonorrhoea cases on the RISE
Cases being recorded more frequently

Majority of cases linked to travel to or from the Asian Pacific region 

Left untreated this can cause Serious Problems
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Infertility (642)

USA

Ultra-Processed Food Consumption 
linked to non-motor prodromal Parkinson’s Disease 

Cold Breakfast Cereals ~ Cookies ~ Hot Dogs 

Early symptoms begin years or even decades before Typical Symptoms start like Tremors and Balance Problems
Study adds to growing body of Evidence to support adverse effects of Ultra-processed Food Consumption on Neurodegenerative Diseases (643, 644)

 

Smoking or Edible Marijuana 
associated with significant Cardiovascular risks 

Reduced blood vessel function comparable to Tobacco Smokers 

Greater Risk
Heart Attack | High Blood Pressure | Other Heart Conditions (645, 646)

 

Prepared Foods Biggest Sources Of Sodium

 Pizza, soup and whole chicken pieces are main sources regardless of Race and Ethnicity 

Top Sources
Tacos, Burritos and Mexican mixed dishes – for Mexicans 
Chicken patties, nuggets and chicken tenders – Black Adults 
Cold cuts, cured meats, cheese and mixed meat dishes – Whites
Soy based, fish, fried rice and chow mein and stir fry – Asian Americans (647, 648)

UK

31% workers clock off early during a heatwave

34% take extended lunch break during hot weather 

1 in 10 are likely to pull a sickie on hot days 

56% find workplace IT stressful 

6.8 MILLION losing sleep and Anxious outside of work (649, 650)

USA

Both Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes in adults INCREASING 
Prevalent among older adults | Data spanning 2 decades

SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER risk of all-cause and Cardiovascular mortality in those with Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes compared to those with only one of these conditions

61% INCREASE in prevalence by 2050 (651, 652)

 

Alcohol related Cancer deaths are on the RISE

1990 to 2021 for men and women
ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS DOUBLED
High in men older than 55

Public Awareness Low
Awareness for Alcohol not there for general population 

100,000 new Cancer diagnosis related to Alcohol every year

LARGEST INCREASE in Alcohol-related mortality

Liver Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | Oesophageal Cancer (653, 654)

 

Healthy Childhood Diet linked to later Menstrual Periods
Link between diet and age at Menarche irrespective of body size

Early Menarche risk factor for 
Type 2 Diabetes | Obesity | Cardiovascular Disease | Breast Cancer (655, 656)

UK

Multiple Long-Term Health Physical Health Conditions
SIGNIFICANTLY greater risk of Depression
New Study | 142,000 people data analysed 

Combination of Cardiometabolic Illness particularly Heart Disease and Diabetes 
more than DOUBLES risk of future Depression

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease link HIGH risk of Depression 
(657, 658)

USA 

Older Adults living with Type 2 Diabetes 
exhibit SIGNIFICANTLY thinner brain cortex compared to those without condition
Latest Evidence  

Poor blood sugar can trigger this structural Brain change 
Most common in Hispanics (659, 660)

 

HIGHER rates of Dementia among Autistic adults

33% Autistic people over age 64 diagnosed with Dementia

Common co-occurring conditions linked to Dementia 
Cardiovascular Disease | Depression | Other Mental Health Disorders 
All of these conditions more common in people with Autism (661, 662)

USA & EUROPE

Residual Inflammation in Psoriasis 
SIGNIFICANTLY linked to Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease 

Psoriasis associated with HIGHER Cardiovascular Disease burden 
with systemic inflammation being the root cause of this inflammation (663, 664)

HUNGARY

Long-term work addiction 
INCREASED risk due to Perfectionistic and Incessant Drive for Achievement

Linked with Identity Contingencies and External Validation 

Vicious Cycle
Dependence of Work for Self-Worth (665, 666)

USA

Self-Employed Women have fewer risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease

Among white women self-employment linked to: 
7.4% decline in Obesity 
7% decline in physical activity 
9.4% decline in poor sleep duration (667, 668)

GLOBAL

Depression linked to INCREASED risk of Dementia in both mid and later life

57 MILLION affected by Dementia There is currently no cure

Potential links between Depression and Dementia are complex (669, 670)

USA

Quality of Children’s Diets linked to Father’s Eating Habits as a Teenager

Fathers & Family Study
44% of Fathers during Adolescence had Poor Diet Quality 
40% had declining Diet quality during Adolescence  

Men whose Diet quality improved during Adolescence 
90% more likely to model Healthy Eating Habits as Fathers (671, 672)

UK

Young adults at risk from Mental Health Effects of Ghosting and Gaslighting 

Dating behaviours linked to INCREASED Depression and Paranoia 

Cutting off All Contact 
Manipulating Someone to Question their Own Reality 
Attempting to Control their Partners Routine

Concern Dating App culture and Digital Communication contributing to a quieter Mental Health Crisis (673, 674)

CHINA

Childhood Abuse 
linked to Psychotic experiences among Male Juvenile Offenders

Disrupted Sleep and Depression serve as conduits transmitting the impact of early abuse into Hallucinations, Delusions and Impaired Reality Testing 
(675, 676)

GLOBAL

Europol and Microsoft disrupt World’s LARGEST Infostealer 
Hub for Buying and Selling Malware
Central tool for Identity Theft and Fraud worldwide 

Sophisticated tool enabled cybercriminals to exploit stolen information on a massive scale 

16 March – 16 May 2025
394,000 Windows Computers Globally infected by this Malware (677)

WEST ASIA & EUROPE

MULTI-MILLION Euro Investment Scam dismantled  
Promise of high returns on Investments through fraudulent Online Trading platform
(678)

GLOBAL

Dismantled 
Key Infrastructure behind Malware used to launch Ransomware attacks 

May 2025 seized
300 servers worldwide
650 domains neutralised 
3.5 MILLION in Cryptocurrency
Direct blow to Ransomware kill chain (679)

 

Global Dark Web crackdown targeting Online Drug and Criminal Networks 
Thousands of sales conducted on illicit marketplaces using encryption tools and cryptocurrencies to cover their tracks
270 Dark Web Vendors and Buyers arrested across 10 countries (680)

UK & FINLAND

Midlife Weight Loss
linked to SIGNIFICANT long-term Health Benefits without the need for Surgery or anti-Obesity Drugs 

Lifestyle-based Weight Management linked to DECREASED risk of Chronic Diseases
(681, 682)

SWEDEN

Snus Users who Stop
INCREASED Body Weight and SIGNIFICANT RISE in Blood Pressure

Nicotine Addictive
Blood Pressure and Heart Rate RISE IMMEDIATELY after intake

Use and Marketing of snus has increased in UK U.S. and Sweden (683, 684)

CHINA

Depressive Symptoms and Excessive Technology Engagement Over Time
Compelling evidence these two have been locked in a dynamic feedback loop 

Complex pattern-specific bidirectional relationships between Technology Use and Depression
(685, 686)

USA

54% workers report their Stress is linked to Job Insecurity

39% concerned may lose job in next 12 months due to changes in Government Policies
65% say their company affected by recent Government Policy changes 

28% reported Lack of Interest, Motivation or Energy 
42% work related stress makes it difficult to sleep (687, 688)

GLOBAL

Childhood Infections
Consistent link between Maternal Obesity and Hospital Admissions  

MATERNAL OBESITY IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WORLDWIDE
Double since 1990s 

Obesity is a state of Inflammation that interferes with the development and function of the Immune System (689, 690)

USA

Protein shakes associated with INCREASED risk of Colon Cancer 

Foods held together by additives which contain emulsifiers and can damage gut
Yoghurts | Protein Shakes | Candies | Processed Meats | Peanut Butter | Nut Milk 

NEW RISE
Young People and Colon Cancer (691)

UK 

Supermarkets fight to cope with Social Media Trends
Producers struggle with sudden spikes in rapid food trends

Food fads and viral videos are now influencing stores on what to stock
Algorithm fed to millions giving huge cultural sway 

Dubai Chocolate Bar – 120 million views
Popularity in chocolate bar contributed to shortage in green nut pistachio (692)

 

603,352 Backlog of Driving Tests 
Learner drivers waiting for their practical tests 

Fewer tests being carried out as Demand continues to RISE
20 weeks average waiting time 

Mass-booking of test slots by computer ‘bots’ 
operated by businesses or individuals profiteering from opportunity to sell to learners who can’t book (693)

 

1 in 5 use Mouthwash instead of Toothbrushing 
45% do not Floss
41% brush once a day 

Reasons given
33% Laziness
26% Not Feeling Well
22% Running Late 

Oral Hygiene Cutting Corners include 
Chewing Gum as Substitute
Using Finger to Brush Teeth 
No Toothpaste used 
Toothpick instead of Floss

25% visit Dentist once a year
34% have never visited a Dental Hygienist (694)

CHINA

Diabetes in Pregnancy associated with INCREASED risk of Autism and ADHD
Meta-analysis 

INCREASED risk for children
25% Autism 
28% Neurodevelopmental Disorder 
30% ADHD
32% Intellectual Disability 

Risks HIGHER in women who had Diabetes before Pregnancy (695, 696)

NETHERLANDS

First 5 Years of a Child’s Life 
Crucial when it comes to preventing Obesity in future

Body Mass Index at age 6 is a better predictor of Obesity at later life 

1 unit increase in BMI age 6 
DOUBLES ODDS of being Obese or Overweight age 18 (697)

UK

Children referred to gender clinics to be tested for Autism and ADHD
Health officials will screen children for Neurodevelopmental conditions

Children who have Gender Dysphoria will be tested for Autism 
Beneficial Effects of Puberty Blockers for Children – Quality of Studies Poor

2024
Puberty blockers banned on the NHS (698)

 

52% of Top 100 videos on a Social Media platform offering Mental Health Advice contain MIS–INFORMATION 
Promotion of dubious advice
Questionable supplements
Quick-fix healing methods

People INCREASINGLY turning to Social Media for Mental Health support (699)

 

England
320 patients die needlessly every week linked to Hospital Bed waits 

2024
16,664 Excess Deaths linked to long waits for a bed
died because of a system in crisis – 20% rise on the previous year 

Equivalent of 2 aeroplanes crashing every week (700)

GLOBAL

ADOLESCENT ANXIETY IS RISING GLOBALLY

Rising Levels of Maternal Stress
Limited Caregiver Interaction
INCREASING presence of Digital Devices in Family Life (701, 702)

UK

£2.2 BILLION in Fees 
Fake Reviews for Online Products Banned

45% Entertainment sector at least one mandatory “dripped” fee
21% for Holiday and Hospitality sector 

Mandatory Fees now required in Headline Price 
Businesses
Travel websites 
Ticket agencies
Food delivery apps (703)

CHINA

Parental Phubbing fuels Teenagers’ Problematic Internet Use
Phone and Snubbing combined

Parents absorbed in their Mobile Phones
Quality of Communication diminishes 

This can Normalise Screen Dependence creating a feedback loop
Adolescents mimic the very Behaviour that marginalises them – 
EXCESSIVE TECHNOLOGY USE (704, 705)

UK

NHS England
£58.2 BILLION 
Medical Negligence Liabilities  

2^nd largest liability across the whole of Government Department

Annual Cash Payments 
DOUBLED in 10 years | QUADRUPLED in 17 years

Victims paid for botched Treatments 
19% of compensation paid awarded to lawyers successful in suing the NHS

LARGEST sums awarded to families of babies that are left with lifelong disabilities, such as brain damage, through negligence at birth (706)

CHINA

Parental Psychological Control linked to Depression in Teenagers
Form of parenting characterised by intrusive and manipulative behaviours

Guilt Induction | Withdrawal Of Love | Conditional Approval

Depressive Symptoms 
Persistent Sadness | Irritability | Diminished Interest In Daily Activities (707, 708)

UK

Traumatic Experiences and Stressful Events associated with Endometriosis 
International Comprehensive Investigative Study 

Condition closely linked to Contact Trauma such as Physical or Sexual Abuse  

Women with Endometriosis 
17% more likely to have witnessed a sudden death 
17% more likely to have suffered sexual assault in adulthood
36% more likely to have received a life-threatening diagnosis 

Results from study challenge established paradigms (709, 710)

USA

Recent Trend Demonstrating Skin Care Regiments
Video based Online content features girls aged 7  

Girls aged 7 – 18 
Use an average of 6 different products on their faces 

Products marketed heavily to younger consumers
HIGH risk of Skin Irritation and Allergy

25 most viewed videos 
contained 11 – 21 irritating Active Ingredients 

1^st study to Examine
Skin Products for Teenagers are at Risk of Lifelong Skin Allergy (711, 712)

 

Low Calorie Diets associated with Heightened Risk of Depressive Symptoms
Men and those Overweight especially vulnerable to the Effects 

Nutrient Restrictive Diets 
linked to Excessive Distress and Anxiety about Physical Symptoms (713)

GLOBAL

MAJOR DEPRESSION HAS EMERGED AS A GLOBAL CRISIS

1990 – 2017 
50% INCREASE in Incidence (713)

UK

Accelerated Biological Aging
linked to an INCREASED risk of Dementia and Stroke 

Association not found in people with Healthy Lifestyle habits

Reducing Risk of Age-Related Brain Disease
Maintaining Healthy Weight | Limiting Alcohol | Enough Sleep | Enough Exercise
(714, 715)

USA

2010 – 2023 Breakfast Cereals introduced for Children
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES in Fat Salt Sugar
1,200 cereals reviewed

Trend –Declining in Nutritional Quality 
Cereals contain UNNECESSARY Ingredients and Harmful Additives like Food Dye 

Ultra Processed Foods 
70% of Food Supply 
67% of Children’s Diet 

99% Chemicals approved by Industry groups NOT FDA
Food and Drug Administration (716, 717)

 

Many Americans UNAWARE High Blood Pressure has No Noticeable Symptoms 
66% are somewhat or very worried about it 

33% think High Blood Pressure has noticeable symptoms 

40% say feeling calm and relaxed is a sign Blood Pressure in Normal range
IT IS NOT (718)

 

Problematic Mobile Phone Use 
linked to Sleep and Non Suicidal Self-Injury

Preference for Later Sleep and Activity Hours 
SIGNIFICANTLY ELEVATED Self-Injury behaviour 

FURTHER AMPLIFIED 
those exhibiting pronounced Depressive and Anxiety symptoms (719, 720)

UK

Modern Slavery Victims 
opt to stay with Exploiters for Fear of Deportation 
System Deeply Broken

630% RISE since 2016 
in Duty to Notify reports from victims who do not want Government support for fear this will not lead to protection from Immigration enforcement

July 2023 – June 2024
17,120 potential victims of Modern Slavery referred 
58 people convicted of offences related to Modern Slavery during the same period
(721, 722)

 

Non-prescribed Ketamine use RISING in recent years 
INCREASINGLY used Recreationally

Particularly age 16 – 24
Producing Euphoria and Dissociative States 
Low cost makes it popular 

Ketamine Addiction Treatment 
8 x HIGHER than 10 years ago

Common and Serious Complication
Ketamine induced uropathy from ulceration and thickening of the bladder (723, 724)

EUROPE

Spain & Portugal 
70% Citizens express concern over Digital dis-information 

Growing Social Concern about Information Manipulation

High Degree of scepticism among Gen Z (age 18 – 24) 
towards traditional sources of information and new AI based tools (725, 726)

GLOBAL

Athletes Taking Performance Enhanced Drugs – Risk of having No Libido

GREATER risk of Heart Attacks
Evidence of Psychiatric Conditions

SERIOUS Long-Term Effects now seen from Steroid Use 
Risk to Cardiovascular Function – Most Serious Issue (727, 728)

UK

HIGH PREVALENCE of Workplace Violence and Fear found in Industrial sectors 

Past Year
1 in 12 experienced Threats, Insults, or Physical Attacks
1 in 13 feel Unsafe at Work 

Violence found in ALL industries examined 
including Finance, Construction and the Arts 

Workplace Violence 
Link Employees developing Anxiety, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Workers in Public Administration and Facilities
had the HIGHEST risks of Workplace Violence – 
Civil Servants | Firemen | Police Officers | Legal Assistants | Immigration Officers 

Current Statistics only “the tip of the iceberg” (729, 730, 731)

GLOBAL

1 in 5 exposure to Psychological Violence and Harassment

1 in 10 exposure to Physical Violence during their working-lives (731)

UK

37% of GPs see patients EVERY week whose Health is adversely affected by low literacy  

17% report it happens ‘few times a week’  

Unable to Read Medication Labels 
Unable to Understand Clinical Correspondence 

 300 more patients for GPs working in deprived areas (732)

USA

RISING Mortality rates linked to (ALD) – Alcohol Associated Liver Disease 
Distressing trajectory marked by Escalating Deaths 

DISPROPORTIONATE RISE in mortality 
Women | Younger Adults | American Indian | Alaskan populations

Women exhibiting Accelerated mortality Increases (733, 734)

 

Incarcerated Population – HIGHEST in the developed World
SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RISK of death particularly from overdoses

3.26 MILLION Groundbreaking Longitudinal Study

Cardiovascular Disease, Infectious Diseases and other Chronic conditions All disproportionately affect individuals with a history of Incarceration

Chronic Stress associated with 
Social Stigma ~ Disrupted Family Structures ~ Economic Deprivation 
further compounded these Health challenges (735, 736)

 

Vitamin D linked to Prostate Cancer 
risk among middle-aged and elderly Americans 
Health Data analysed – 17,989 American men aged 40 and over

Association between increasing Vitamin D levels and Prostate Cancer 
prevalence persisted even after extensive sensitivity analyses

Men with pre-existing Cardiovascular conditions 
exhibited an even stronger correlation (737)

TURKEY

Father’s Neglect and Abuse 
long-lasting effects on young Women’s Romantic Relationships

Paternal Neglect and Abuse
Women Exhibit Insecure Attachment Patterns 
Heightened Fear of Rejection 
Difficult Building Trust 
Challenges in Emotional Regulation (738, 739)

UK

Adults Born Extremely Premature 
Greater challenges of Respiratory and Cardiovascular systems
Extensive Longitudinal study 

Lung function during Puberty 
can deteriorate and risk of early Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 
(740, 741)

USA

Older Adults with Diabetes using Semaglutide
Risk of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) compared with those not using weight loss drugs  

50% INCREASED risk of nAMD
nAMD is a serious form of Age-Related Macular Degeneration – causes rapid Vision Loss 
(742, 743)

CANADA

Effort and Trying to be Happy makes us Unhappier 

Mentally Exhausting 
Less Self Control in Daily Lives 
Susceptible to Temptation 
Self-Destructive Decisions
Daily Self-Regulation Failures 

After work – skip cleaning the house and instead scroll on Social Media (744, 745)

UK

High Court told Senior lawyers to stop mis-use of Artificial Intelligence 
after fake case law citations were put before Courts

Lawyers INCREASINGLY using AI systems to Build Legal Arguments 
AI making confident assertions that are simply Not True (746)

CHINA

Southwest China
Anxiety and Depression Symptoms
Prevalent among Elderly inpatients with Digestive System Diseases  

Depression associated with Adverse Clinical Outcomes – 
Prolonged Hospital stay
Increased Healthcare costs
HIGHER Complication rates including Infections and Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Anxiety symptoms Strongly associated with –
Prolonged Hospital stays particularly among female patients aged 70 and over 

Poor Sleep Quality | Cognitive Impairment | Digestive System Tumours 
(747, 748)

UK

73% Singles over age 50 report “more Active and Social than ever before”

54% still enjoy Parties
43% Festivals
40% Concerts and Live Gigs
67% prefer partying in the search for new connections
63% using hobbies to meet new people for companionship
35% using hobbies to meet new people for romance 
52% use travel to help them make new connections
35% are inspired by celebrities over 50 
74% using dating apps to meet new people (749)

UK

Wild West of Unregulated and Unlicensed Practitioners And Treatments 
Fat Injections ~ Brazilian Butt Lifts ~ Botox offered in public toilets 

Fat Dissolving Injections
Trading Standards uncovered Hotel rooms and “pop-up” Shops on High Streets
(750)

GLOBAL

Structured Exercise OUTPERFORMS drugs after Cancer
First robust Scientific Evidence – International Trial 

More effective than Pharmaceutical interventions

37% lower risk of Death 
28% less likely experience Recurrence or develop new Cancer (751, 752)

SPAIN

Pornography Common Practice in Adolescents
More Prevalent in Males

HIGHER LEVEL of intentional Pornography use and Problematic use in Males
with Sexual Pleasure as a central factor

 Online victimisation and Loneliness – key factors for Females (753, 754)

USA

Social Media Craze Harming Health
Too much Protein

Result of Popularity – Food companies responded with protein packed
Shakes ~ Candy ~ Pancake mixes
Influencers offering High Protein Recipes 
rack up millions of views a week (755, 756)

UK

Alcohol–Free Beer
linked to INCREASED risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity 

77% RISE in Alcohol-free beer sales in pubs since 2019
Not a better option or fool proof solution

Elevated Blood Sugar levels and Increased Insulin 
Both are early indicators of Type 2 Diabetes 

Most Pronounced Negative Impact
Wheat Beers and Flavoured varieties mixed with Fruit Sodas (757)

USA

Popular widely used Sugar Substitute 
impairs Cell functions vital for Brain Blood vessel health 

75% INCREASE in reactive oxygen species production 
can damage cells and weaken the blood-brain barrier 

30% INCREASE in a potent vasoconstrictor causing changes that disrupt cerebral flow and contribute to Stroke Risk (758, 759)

UK

33% DROP last year 
in number of Internationally Educated Nurses and Midwives joining the register

36% fall in recruitment from India 
47% The Philippines
25% Nigeria

39% of new joiners to the register from Overseas 

As well as the drop in International Recruits 
many nurses have left the profession due to poor physical or mental health
(760, 761)

 

RISING CONCERN
111 Deaths now linked to Slimming Injections
Fatal Adverse Reaction since Semaglutide and Tirzepatide were Licensed

Soared in Popularity when launched for Weight Loss in 2023
Even among those without clinical Obesity 

Despite Rising Concern – UK Government planning to widen access to medications as part of a broader strategy to tackle Obesity (762)

USA

1 in 4 children live with Parents who have Alcohol or other Drug Problems 
Raises risk that those Children will go on to do the same

6 MILLION children live with a parent who has Mental Illness in addition to a Substance Use Disorder 

Alcohol Most Common
3.4 MILLION meet the criteria for Disordered Use of Multiple Substances 
(763, 764)

UK

34% Senior Managers Fear Job Loss within 6 months 

 86% of Managers Greatest Career Threats – 
Economic Instability | Corporate Restructuring | Mass Layoffs 

66% of Workers affected by Return–to–work Mandates 
41% Fear Automation Replacement (765)

 

RISE in Lost or Stolen Government Devices
2,000 Government-Issued laptops, phones and tablets
£1.3 MILLION worth lost or stolen over past year

Cybersecurity Officials warn
Systematic Risks to National Security even with Encryption protections in place (766)

USA

Vaping Habits of Young Adults and How that relates to Health Risks
New Study

Electronic Cigarettes or Vapes are widely used 
Available in different types and flavours

Researchers lack information about everyday e-cigarette habits of young adults 
(767)

 

Paternal Depression, Anxiety and Stress 
in Perinatal Period associated with Poorer Child Development –
Social | Emotional | Cognitive | Language domains 

New research adds to mounting evidence 

14% Fathers experience Postpartum Depression
Percentage underestimated as men minimise symptoms (768, 769)

 

64% new Fathers take less than 2 weeks leave after Baby is born 

36% reported taking more than 2 weeks of Paternal Family Leave

Father’s taking any leave or longer leave – Fear of losing their job

Father taking 2 or more weeks leave
31% more likely to have partners breastfeed at 8 weeks 

U.S. lags behind other high-income countries in providing paid paternal leave
(770, 771, 772)

UK

Autoimmune Diseases INCREASE Anxiety, Depression and Bi-Polar 2 Fold

New Large Scale Study 

87% – 97% at greater risk are those with 
Lupus | Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Rheumatoid Arthritis | Multiple Sclerosis | Psoriasis | Graves’ Syndrome (773, 774)

GLOBAL

Severe Bleeding after Childbirth link to INCREASED risk Cardiovascular Disease
9.7 MILLION women study 

Postpartum Haemorrhage SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED long-term risk of Cardiovascular conditions

2.10 times more likely due to Thromboembolic incidents 
Increased risk can continue up to 15 years after birth (775, 776)

USA

Disposable E-Cigarettes MORE Toxic than Traditional Cigarettes
Popular with Teenagers

HIGH LEVELS of Neurotoxic Lead and Hazardous Metals

Marketing by the Food and Drug Administration has NOT been Authorised 
But devices remain widely available 

One Disposable E-Cigarettes in Study
Released MORE lead during a day’s use than 20 packs of traditional Cigarettes
(777, 778, 779)

 

CRITICAL link between Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
during Rapid-Eye-Movement Sleep Stage

Low oxygen levels during REM contribute to Injury in Brain regions
Early signs of brain changes associated with cognitive decline (780, 781)

 

Fake Online Reviews Research 
Consumers general tendency to Trust Reviews – Truth Bias

Growing stream of research documenting the Prevalence of fake online 

Even when told Reviews are Fake, participants still classified the Majority of Reviews as Real (782, 783, 784)

 

52% diagnosed with Depression and/or Anxiety 
reluctant to use anti-depressants or similar drugs due to NUMEROUS SIDE EFFECTS

$610 BILLION – Global Market for PGx Tests 
Driven by long-ongoing research to make drugs more tolerable for users 
PGx Tests predict which Mental Health Drugs most compatible to user (785)

GLOBAL

RISING Demand in Unauthorised 
Weight Loss Drug and Peptide Supplements

Widely available online and on Social Media – Police struggle keeping up

€57 MILLION seized of Counterfeit Unapproved Medicines

50.4 MILLION doses of Drugs Seized
Diverted Unapproved Misbranded and Fake (786)

USA

536,279 Workers
80,319 diagnosed with Depression at some point in their life 
Women diagnosed twice as often as men 

Industry – Rate of Lifelong Depression 
20% – Social Services, Serving Jobs and Food Prep
18% – Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Media 
17% – Retail Trade
16% – Legal, Education and Library Jobs 

Mining And Construction Industry
Lowest Depression rates but HIGHEST Suicide rates among U.S. workers (787)

EUROPE 

Growing Trend across Europe 
Youngsters Recruited Online to carry out Violent Crimes and Contract Killings

Criminal networks exploit Social Media to post contract offers for shootings known as Violence-as-a-Service. Promises easy money. 
Police investigations reveal they are less lucrative than promised and the consequences can be severe (788)

USA

Managing Body Weight – Key driver out of all lifestyle factors in reducing Type 2 Diabetes risk – New Research – International Team
Significant ethnic differences in how lifestyle factors and BMI affect Type 2 Diabetes

People with Obesity are 3 times more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes (789)

UK

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 
Patterns of restlessness, impulsivity and difficulty concentrating on one thing 

NHS ADHD waiting list has led to a SIGNIFICANT RISE in the use of Unregulated Private Provider

2-Tier Access To Services, Diagnosis And Treatment (790)

 

Secondary Traumatic Stress – Groundbreaking Study 
impacts Healthcare Workers and their closest Household members 

Transference of Trauma when Workers Exposed Constantly to Critical Scenarios

Household members frequently experience symptoms akin to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Since the onset of the Pandemic 
Healthcare Workers have been subjected to UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS of Stress 
(791, 792)

AFGHANISATAN

After 20 years of war LOWEST well-being in Recorded History
Lower than life satisfaction scores in over 170 countries since 1946

War resulted in Violent Deaths of 165,000

2022 
Life Satisfaction dropped to previously Unseen Levels (793, 794)

EUROPE

Longest-standing Dark Web Drug Market taken down
Large Scale Law Enforcement Operation

Operated over 5 years 
600,000 Users Worldwide
17,000 Listings 
€250 Million Transaction Volume 

One of a few Darknet Markets which allowed the sale of Fentanyl and other highly potent synthetic Opioids (795)

UK

3 in 5 Employees threaten to quit Job if Employers rollback on DEI policies
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

39% Seriously Consider Leaving 
68% Gen Z most likely quit if DEI is not followed through by Employers
64% Millennials 
47% Gen X

70% Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic backgrounds would quit if DEI policies were rolled back (796)

USA

June 2025 Report
Gun Violence – Examining Gun Suicide Epidemic

58% TOTAL FIREARM FATALITIES SUICIDES 
Suicides have accounted for MAJORITY of FIREARMS DEATHS 
every year since 1995 

46,728 died from Firearms – 3^rd HIGHEST TOTAL EVER 

27,300 died by Firearm Suicide – HIGHEST NUMBER EVER

Age 10 – 19
245% RISE in Young Black People Gun Suicide rate
98% Hispanic Latino 

Males – 7 times MORE likely to die by gun Suicide than females 

70 years and older 
Gun Suicide rate HIGHEST in any age or gender sub group (797, 798)

USA

More Americans Using Magic Mushrooms
especially those with Mental Health problems and in Chronic Pain 

Past year Psilocybin use
44% RISE – Age 18 – 29

188% RISE – Age 30+

RISE in Poison Centre Calls
201% Adults
317% Teenagers
723% Children (799, 800)

1 in 5 Packaged Food and Drinks Contain Synthetic Dyes
39,763 U.S. grocery store products evaluated

More common in products marketed to Children 
to appeal, despite Health concerns 

Confectionary | Sugar Drinks | Ready Meals | Breakfast Cereals | Cakes | Cookies

Growing Body of Evidence 
Can cause or worsen Behavioural Problems – Hyperactivity and Inattention 

Average Sugar Content
141% MORE than foods without synthetic dyes (801, 802)

UK

Migrants arrive in Small Boats

31 May 2025 
1,194 in 1 day
2 June 2025
14,811 this year – HIGHEST number recorded 
42% HIGHER than last year

Channel Route – Major Smuggling Corridor
UK is perceived as Easy Access to Asylum and Work

2024 – 36,816 
2023 – 29,437 
2022 – 45,774 (803)

MYANMAR

March 2025 Earthquake
Vulnerable Construction turned into Widespread Catastrophe 

3,600 – 5,350 Deaths 
200,000 without Homes

City of Woundwin
73% Buildings affected 

3 Hospitals destroyed 
22 Hospitals damaged

Earthquake disrupted vital Water and Energy supplies (804, 805)

USA

WATER MORE BENEFICIAL than Diet Beverages
for Women Managing Type 2 Diabetes

MORE Weight Loss drinking water after main meals instead of Diet drink 
Also more likely to put condition into remission (806, 807)

 

New York City
Subway Surfing RISING 
Social Media popularising HIGHLY DANGEROUS practice 

Average age 14 
70% RISE in arrests from 2024

46% RISE this year

2023
3,000 Subway Surfing Videos REMOVED from Social Media platforms 

2025
1,800 taken down (808)

 

Health-Related Quality of Life 
SIGNIFICANT prognostic factor for recurrence and Overall Survival Rates 
in patients with Colon Cancer  

Patient’s perceived well-being at diagnosis has profound impact on their long-term Clinical Outcomes (809, 810)

UK

Consistent Blood Differences 
associated with Chronic Inflammation, Insulin Resistance and Liver Disease
LARGEST EVER Biological Study – ME/CFS 

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 
Common Female-Based Disease 
Cause Unknown (811, 812)

USA

High School Setting
Short Naps IMPROVE subsequent Learning 

Compelling Evidence short naps during school day works
Study proposes paradigm shift in school structure
demonstrates Power of Sleep even when brief – 20 minutes (813, 814)

UK

1 in 10 Parents report 
Children asked to miss School because Toilets so disgusting 

1 in 6 Children rated School Toilets as unclean

31% of Families raised concerns with School Staff 

Refusing to drink to avoid going to the Toilet
Millions of children experiencing Constipation as Toilets dirty (815)

CANADA

Eating Dairy products linked to Nightmares
STRONG association between Nightmares and Lactose Intolerance

40% reported Eating Late and Specific Foods affected their Sleep 

Researchers not clear how Relationship between Sleep and Diet works 
(816, 817)

EUROPE

Scale, Variety, sophistication and reach of Online Fraud Schemes is unprecedented – 
EU crime report 2025 – Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment 

Online Fraud to Outpace other types of Serious and Organised Crime 
it is being accelerated by AI – aiding Social Engineering and Access to Data 

Online Fraud Epidemic – key threat to EU’s Internal Security (818)

 

Spain
Crypto Investment Fraud ring dismantled
5,000 victims Worldwide

€460 MILLION in illicit proceeds laundered by Fraudsters (819)

GLOBAL

100 people die every hour of Loneliness-Related causes

1 in 6 affected by Loneliness
SIGNIFICANT implication for Health and well-being 
New Report – United Nations | World Health Organization

Possibilities to Connect are Endless yet more and more people are finding themselves Isolated and Lonely

Social Connection linked to improved Health and Reduced risk of Early Death 
(820, 821)

IRAN

Psychotic-like Experiences 
Common Afghan Migrant Children and Adolescents Living in Iran

94% experiencing at least one psychotic experience 

34% Afghan Migrant Children and Adolescents met cut-off point and experienced SIGNIFICANT Distress (822, 823)

UK

England
1 in 50 Adults at HIGHER risk of dying 20 years earlier 
from Smoking, Alcohol and being Overweight 

22% – 10 MILLION exhibit 2 out of 3 Behaviours
73% – 33 MILLION have at least one risk factor
INCREASES risk of Cancer and Diabetes – 1 MILLION living with that threat (824)

 

RISE in Lime Bike Leg – Epidemic of shattered limbs 
Surge A & E admissions – people trapped under collapsing Bicycles

4 times heavier than regular cycles

Life Threatening Injuries normally seen in motorbikes

Market flooded with ‘ride-per-minute’ devices 
Use is Currently UNREGULATED (825)

 

Health and Beauty Retailer to ADD MORE Stores 
Demand for Weight Loss Drugs Soars

Demand for Beauty Products – Generation Alpha driving expansion

2025 first half
300% RISE in Weight-Loss Services 

Age 15 – 19
Generation Zalpha and Alphas also leading the Beauty Craze (826)

GERMANY

Stress Reactivity Drives Alcohol Craving and Consumption 

Alcohol Use Disorder 
Compelling evidence demonstrates that variations in Stress Reactivity are Critical Predictors of both craving for Alcohol and actual Consumption
(827, 828)

UK

1 in 4 young people have Mental Health conditions 

Young Women HIGHEST RISE on record 

Age 16 – 24
36% had common Mental Health Conditions
includes Panic Disorders Phobias Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Young Women more likely to report Mental Health conditions

SHARP RISES in rates of Depression, Anxiety and other disorders RISE in Adult ADHD (829, 830)

SELF HARM RATES QUADRUPLED SINCE 2000 (830)

SIERRA LEONE

Prevalence of Breast Cancer has INCREASED
SIGNIFICANT Upward Trajectory in Diagnosis

Females HIGHER burden than men 
Inequality measures showed disparities with Absolute difference among Females and Males INCREASING (831, 832)

USA

NO DIRECT EVIDENCE showing benefits to Alkaline Water Interventions

Best fluid replacement is Water  

Water labelled as having Electrolytes can contain HIGH LEVELS of Sodium 

Consuming large amounts of Water with High Levels of Sodium 
Can elevate risk of Hypertension and other Cardiovascular outcomes associated with Excess Salt intake (833)

GREECE

Sale of Tobacco products to minors will carry Criminal consequences

Cap on the amount of nicotine in tobacco pouches – cap limit 16 grams

Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and Romania opposed large Price Increases 
places with Sharp Price Increases – Cigarette smuggling grown (834)

EUROPE

RISE IN VAPING TEENAGERS
Preteen girls smoking Daily – risen in recent years

44% Students used e-cigarettes at least once
22% Vape Regularly 
1 in 3 – First Alcoholic drink age 13 or younger 

Heavy Drinking among Teenagers
55% Denmark
49% Germany 
48% Austria (835)

UK

AI-generated PORN 
SHARP INCREASE of Prevalence Online

AI videos have crossed Threshold being near indistinguishable from “real imagery”

2025 – First 6 months 
1,286 AI-made videos with Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) verified by Internet Safety watchdog
400% INCREASE in URLs featuring AI-made Child Sexual Abuse

2024 – First 6 months
2 AI–made videos with CSAM
1,000 videos Category A abuse – Classification of the most severe type of material 
(836)

USA

Healthy Lifestyle linked to Lower Diverticulitis risk 
Large long-term study 

No Smoking | Regular Exercise | Normal Weight | Low Red Meat Diet | High Fibre 

Diverticulitis 
Pouches develop along gut and become Inflamed or Infected in the Colon 
Common Cause of Hospital Admissions 
Major Reason for Emergency Colon Surgery

Obesity
44% MORE likely to develop Diverticulitis (837, 838)

 

Intermittent Fasting
EFFECTIVE for Weight Loss and Cardiometabolic Health 

Most Effective 
Alternative Day Fasting for a Full Day – Every Other Day 

90% of study participants had Existing Health Conditions (839, 840)

 

Millions of Gen Z are Jobless and Ghosting Employers 

Telephobia could cost Gen Z their dream job 

Under Age 34
67% Avoiding Answering Work Calls All Together 
Colleges have call-making classes for aversion phone calls (841)

 

Britain
Office for National Statistics forced to scrap key Employment data because Gen Z hard to get hold of (841)

UK & EUROPE

Extra Weight
linked to SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER risk of Breast Cancer 
Post-Menopausal women with Cardiovascular Disease 

31% HIGHER risk of Breast Cancer with each 5kg BMI increase in women who have developed Cardiovascular Disease (842, 843)

USA

Poor Lifestyle Habits DOUBLE Risk of Developing Atrial Fibrillation 

Poor control of BMI, Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose 

linked to GREATER risk of Atrial Fibrillation 

Modifiable Contributors 
Obesity | Excess Alcohol | Sleep Disorders | Metabolic Syndrome (844, 845)

UK

Shared Ownership designed to be one answer to tough Housing Market 

400% RISE in Shared Ownership Complaints 
to housing watchdog in past 5 years and this continues to RISE

Most Common Complaints 
Repairs | Costs | Moving | Selling | Managing Relations

44% HIGHEST complaints are based in London (846)

DENMARK & USA

STRONG LINK between Western diet during Pregnancy and ADHD 
Diet high in fat, sugar, refined products and low in fresh ingredients 

Even slight deviations linked to 
66% INCREASED risk of ADHD in their children

122% INCREASED risk of Autism (847, 848)

UK

87% of the 3.6 tonnes Toxic Sewage 
is applied to Farmland every year 

Every Sample Tested Contained 
Hormone-damaging Nonylphenols and Phthalates and Banned carcinogen PFOS, Antibiotics, Antimicrobials and Anti-Corrosion Chemicals 

England 
No Rivers Meet Chemical Standards
14% meet Ecological Standards (849)

 

Wedding Guests RISING Costs 
Travel | Accommodation | Outfits | Pre-wedding events | Gifts | Childcare

Biggest Costs
Travel and Accommodation 

49% will attend a Destination Wedding abroad this year 
£1,956 average cost 

29% declined a Destination Wedding due to cost of Transport, Accommodation, Being Too Far or not able to take the time off work (850)

USA

HIGH LEVELS of Depression and Inflammation at Lung Cancer diagnosis
+ HIGHER and Continuing Levels of Depression over the next 8 months 

Previous Study 
Depression linked to HIGHER LEVELS of Inflammation in Lung Cancer patients 

Patients with Higher Levels of Depression, upwards of 70% had HIGH inflammation
(851, 852)

EUROPE

Teenage INCREASE in E-Cigarette use
and non-medical Pharmaceutical Drugs

30 Countries 
46% girls will be using e– cigarettes throughout their lifetime

Tranquilisers and sedatives most frequently mis–used

67% countries show HIGHER prevalence of inhalant use among girls
(853)

 

SHARP RISE in Online Gaming and Gambling 

2024
80% of Students reported Gaming (853)

UK

Compelling Evidence
Dynapenic Obesity linked to Accelerated Progression
of Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity risk 

Dynapenic Obesity
Co–existence of diminished muscle strength and Obesity
Disproportionately affects older adults (854, 855)

GLOBAL

Major Operation High-Value-Targets and Organised Crime Groups 

158 Human Traffickers arrested
1,194 victims safeguarded – Special focus on underage victims

Sexual exploitation | Forced criminality | Forced begging (856)

EUROPE

Complex Investigation
28 ‘Ndrangheta associates arrested for drug trafficking and violence

Torture used as tool to instil Fear within Criminal Organisations (857)

CHINA

Social Media Addiction – College Students 
SIGNIFICANT Impact on Mental Health and Academic Performance

Depression CONSISTENTLY most central node 
Critical role in network between Social Media Addiction, Academic Burnout and Mental Health Issues (858, 859)

USA

RISE in Nicotine Poisoning Among Children
Most calls to Poison Centers occurred at home

Nicotine pouches | Cigarettes | Chew tobacco | Vapes | Other Nicotine products 

2010 – 2023
134,663 Nicotine ingestions under age 6 reported

2020 – 2023 
763% RISE in Nicotine pouch ingestions calls in Children under 6
(860, 861)

CHINA

Large Study – 2,152,766 Women 65+ 
Heightened risk of Cervical Cancer caused by HPV 
High-risk group for incidence and mortality 

23% more likely to be infected with several types of HPV 

56 times HIGHER for a single HPV infection 
85 times HIGHER for 3 or more HPV infections (862, 863)

AUSTRALIA

Poor Mental Health – 2025 report
New normal in half of Australian women 

1 in 4 women experience SEVERE Mental Health Issues 

Most Prevalent mental health issues 
52% Depression 
44% Anxiety 
39% Body Image issues
30% Insomnia/Sleep-Wake Disorders

Triggers underlying women’s mental health issues 
50% Low Self-Esteem/Confidence 
45% Financial Pressures/Stress
42% Low Self-Worth 
40% Sleep Deprivation/Disturbance 

Female-Specific Physical Health Conditions
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or Endometriosis

experiencing SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER levels of Psychological Distress (864)

GREENLAND

Inuit population
10 times HIGHER risk of Diabetes for a significant portion 
Highly Glucose intolerant 

Existing Medication unlikely to help – in fact, may even do more harm 
Study reveals Physical Exercise could have a positive effect
Diabetes unknown in 1960s in Greenland (865, 866)

UK

8.5 MILLION Dog Owners 
SIGNIFICANT number of Injuries 

£23 MILLION – annual cost to NHS 
for dog walkers’ hand/wrist injuries 

Women and over 65s 
most at risk of being pulled along on the dog leash

2012 – 2024 
491,400 Injuries
31% Finger Fractures 
25% Wrist Fractures (867)

 

Pharmacists Issued Warning 
CONSISTENT INCREASE in issues involving Social Media 

Growing use of Informal and Un–verified Social Media groups 
Criticism of Employer | Political Views | Involved in promotion/sales of products
NOT aligned with Professional Standards for Pharmacists (868)

 

England 
High streets Less Healthy 
1,200% RISE in number of vape shops in a decade

Deprived Areas
25 times MORE pawnbrokers compared to affluent areas
3 X MORE Vape and Betting Shops
24% RISE in Takeaway Shops
40% DECREASE in the number of Banks and Building Societies (869)

USA

Reading and Math Levels
Students have not recovered to pre–pandemic 

50% of middle and high school students 
reported losing interest in math lessons half or more of the time 

Students most prone to math lessons dis–engaging want fewer online activities

Call for real-world relevance (870)

 

Popular Weight Loss Drugs Linked To Nutrient Deficiencies 
Long–term Health at Risk

Study participants had EXCESS Fat and Salt intake

CONSISTENTLY UNDER– CONSUMED – SIGNIFICANT SHORTFALLS IN 
Vitamin D | Magnesium | Potassium | Choline | Iron | Calcium (871, 872)

UK

Aircraft Cleaning Staff 
Stealing Alcohol, Cigarettes and Perfume after secret cameras installed 
€200,000 losses
Airline suspicious after “Significant Stock Loss” on 2 major aircrafts 

Covert recordings and CCTV are almost always unlawful under GDPR 
except in exceptional circumstances (873)

 

Older Adults with Insomnia 
Inflammation TRIPLES Depression risk 

Chronic Inflammation linked to Heart Disease and Cancer 

1 in 10 over 60 experience major Depression each year (874, 875)

CHINA

Alcohol Advertising on Television 
Target Children and Adolescents with Harmful Content 

General TV Channels
Alcohol Advertisements EXCEEDED regulatory limits 
Especially during peak viewing times (876, 877)

GLOBAL

Consistent Physical Activity in Adulthood 
30% – 40% LOWER risk of Death 
Risk of Death from Cardiovascular Disease lowered

Upping Physical Activity Levels from below those recommended for Health 
20% – 25% lower risk of death from ANY cause in later life 
(878, 879)

USA

Ultra-Processed Foods 
SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE RISK OF SERIOUS CHRONIC DISEASES
No Safe Level – even low intake is linked to Measurable Increases

STEEPEST INCREASE of risk occurred at low habitual intake 
30% HIGHER risk developing Type 2 Diabetes 
26% HIGHER risk of Colorectal Cancer 
15% INCREASED risk of Heart Disease (880, 881, 882)

CHINA

Reducing High Blood Pressure 
SIGNIFICANTLY lowers rates of all cause Dementia and cognitive impairment

Untreated Hypertension 
42% GREATER risk of developing Dementia in a lifetime (883, 884)

UK

Rising Obesity is fuelling Sleep Problems

England
25% of the population now Obese 
£11 BILLION cost of Obesity to NHS – UNSUSTAINABLE

214% RISE in Sleep Apnoea diagnosed cases in decade 
One of the main factors is Obesity

85% with Sleep Apnoea are Undiagnosed (885)

DENMARK

Inflammatory Diet during pregnancy 
Link child’s Type 1 Diabetes risk – autoimmune disorder lifelong insulin treatment

16% HEIGHTENED risk for every unit increase in Dietary measure of inflammatory food intake 

Risk affected by Gluten intake and Smoking during Pregnancy (886, 887)

CHINA

Passive Social Network Site Use
SIGNIFICANT positive predictor of sub-threshold Depression
refers to act of browsing information online in a non-interactive manner

Sub-threshold Depression 
Prevalent psychological adaptation issue among university students 

FOMO mediated the relationship between passive social network site use and sub-threshold Depression (888, 889)

UK

Britain
Average person has 3 nights satisfactory Sleep per week 
Overthinking ~ Nightmares ~ Uncomfortable Pillows 

40% had improved mood throughout day if sound night’s Sleep 

40% of pet owners share bedroom with pets as source of comfort and to alleviate Loneliness 

10% opt for Separate Bedrooms (890)

GLOBAL

Employees working late to catch up on Emails and Meetings 

16% RISE in meetings after 8pm

29% go back to check their inbox by 10pm 

40% are Online at 6am reviewing emails for the day’s priorities 

117 emails average daily (891, 892)

USA

Hearing Devices SIGNIFICANTLY improve Social lives 

Hearing Aids or Cochlear Implants
More socially engaged and feel less isolated

40 MILLION American adults are affected by Hearing Loss 
many go Untreated (893, 894)

 

Summer Drinking Dangers 
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism warns 

Alcohol can impair Boaters’ Judgement and Increase Fatigue

1 in 6 Americans is a Binge Drinker 

31% Drowning Deaths involve blood Alcohol levels 0.10% or Higher 

33% Traffic Fatalities on Highways linked to Drunken Driving (895, 896)

 

High Blood Sugar Levels
associated with INCREASED risk of Infertility among Healthy Aging Men who are not developing Diabetes Mellitus

Even small blood sugar Increase is a main driver change in Metabolic Health and Reproductive Systems and Sexual Functioning (897, 898)

EUROPE

EU Citizens spend half of their waking hours Online 

Criminals INCREASING ABUSING this domain 
Exploit Existing Digital Infrastructure to Facilitate Illegal Activities Evading Law Enforcement 

Concept paper authored, which provides a set of guiding principles for Policing in an Online World (899)

USA

New Cross Sectional Study among U.S. Veterans 
Veterans deployed outside of Afghanistan and Southwest Asia
Military Inhalation Exposures linked to development of Chronic Lung Cancer

SIGNIFICANT associations between heavy equipment maintenance and aircraft maintenance Inhalation Exposures with Chronic Respiratory Symptoms. 
Vapour ~ Dust ~ Gas ~ Fumes (900, 901)

 

General Cardiology Crisis 
Cardiovascular Medicine Clinician Shortage 

Hyperspecialization Trend comes with Financial Incentives 
Fellows go into Subspecialist Training immediately after training 
Industry heavy on proceduralists and more advanced clinicians (902, 903)

2017 – 2022
26% RISE in wait times for a general Cardiovascular visit 
32 days average wait 

RISING Demand from Patients partly due to Older and Sicker Population 

50% of All Counties
most are rural and do not have a single practising Cardiologist 
(902, 903)

 

Burnout Significant Contributor 
to imbalance of Supply and Demand of Cardiology providers 

59% of Cardiology Nurses reported BURNOUT
46% of Cardiovascular Team Members 
40% of Physicians

23% – 45% expressed a desire to leave their job (902, 903)

GLOBAL

Worldwide Prevalence of Chronic Cardiovascular Disease 
DOUBLED in 20 years (902)

 

Owning a Smartphone Before Age 13
linked to Poorer Mind Health and Wellbeing in early Adulthood

By age 18 – 24 those who had received Smartphone by age 12, more likely to report 
Aggression | Low Self-Worth | Suicidal Thoughts 
Detachment From Reality | Poor Emotional Regulation

Early Social Media access associated with Disrupted Sleep, Higher risk of Cyberbullying and Poor Family Relationships by Adulthood (904, 905)

INDIA & USA

RISE IN ANGER AND AGGRESSION IN YOUTH

Age 10 – 18
HIGH Levels of Sadness 
RISING Suicide Rates especially Females

65% of girls Distressed and Struggling
Substantially Impairs Ability to Function Effectively in the World

Age 13 – 17 
Unwanted, Strange Thoughts 
Detached from Reality 
Aggression towards others
Anger
Irritability and Hallucinations 

RAPIDLY INCREASING rates of Aggression, Anger and Irritability 
Largely attributed INCREASING younger age children getting smartphones
(906, 907)

BANGLADESH

University Students more likely to have Sleep Issues after using Social Media
Social Media Addiction, Social Media Fatigue and FOMO 

Social Media Overactivity reduces Sleep Quality and affects self-reported Health 

67% report Sleep Disruption (908, 909)

UK

Junk Food ‘avoids advertising regulation’ with top level UK Sports sponsorship
British Medical Journal Investigation 

Ongoing Partnerships with 
Sporting Stars | Top Flight Teams | Official Governing Bodies

Adverts now more “pervasive” and “prominent”
Experts say Sports Sponsorship gives Junk Food firms a ‘health halo effect’
making their products seem more acceptable and less harmful to consumers 

PLAYERS PROMOTING FOODS THAT DO NOT APPEAR IN ATHLETES’ DIETS 
(910, 911)

KOREA

Mechanism by which Alcohol Triggers Liver Inflammation
Advanced Institute of Science and Technology reveals for 1^st time

Molecular Pathway of Liver Damage uncovered
Immune Cells residing in Liver that can promote or suppress Inflammation (912)

USA

Inappropriate Prescriptions for Antibiotics, Glucocorticoids and Opioids Common at Urgent Care 
22,456,546 Urgent Care visits

Substantial number of prescriptions filed as 
‘Never appropriate’ or ‘Generally Inappropriate’

30% prescribed Antibiotics for Otitis Media
45% were prescribed Antibiotics for Genitourinary symptoms

Study attributes this trend to Patient Demand and Clinician Knowledge and Lack of Decision Support (913, 914)

GHANA

ESCALATING RISE of Liver Cancer  

HIGH consumption of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Foods
HIGH levels found on Dietary staples – Maize and Peanuts (groundnuts)

Other Known Risk Factors For Liver Cancer
Chronic Infection with Hepatitis B and C viruses 
Liver Cirrhosis | Heavy drinking | Smoking | Diabetes | Obesity (915, 916)

USA

Weight Loss Drugs INCREASE Risk of Severe Acid Reflux

People with Type 2 Diabetes more likely to have Gastroesohageal Reflux Disease (GERD) if prescribed a GLP-1 drug 

Most GLP-1 drugs increased the risk for GERD
HIGHER for Smokers, Obesity and Existing Stomach Problems (917, 918)

 

45% INCREASE in Americans Providing Care in the last decade
Growth in Younger Caregivers – new 2025 report

1 in 4 American Adults are now Caregivers 
3 in 5 Are Women 

59 MILLION Caring for Adults 
4 MILLION Caring for Children under 18 with Illness or Disability 

Carers facing RISING STRESS ~ HEALTH RISKS ~ FINANCIAL STRAIN

Many manging complex Medical Tasks that once would have been handled in Hospitals with by Health Care Providers(919, 920)

DENMARK

Intense Grief linked to DOUBLE risk of Early Death

88% die within a year of loss with Unrelenting Grief
3 times more likely to receive Mental Health support
5 times more likely to be Prescribed Anti-Depressants
Twice as likely to receive Sedatives or Anxiety Drugs

INCREASED use of Health Care Services up to 10 years after Loss (921, 922)

USA

Popular Chronic Nerve Pain Drug linked to INCREASED Dementia 
Large Medical Records Study

Within 10 years of Initial Pain Diagnosis
29% INCREASED risk of developing Dementia with 6 or more prescriptions for Low Back Pain

85% INCREASED risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Age 18 – 64 
Risk MORE than twice as high in those considered too young to develop Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment (923, 924)

GLOBAL

Meta-analysis of 11 trials 
Broad Trend in WEIGHT REGAIN After Weight Loss Drug Finishes

Anti-Obesity Medications
SIGNIFICANT Weight Regain occurred 8 Weeks After Discontinuation and Continued for 20 Weeks Before Stabilising (925, 926)

EUROPE

5 MILLION living with Chronic Hepatitis B or C infections 
Majority unaware they are leading causes of Liver Disease and Cancer 

Often referred to as ‘Silent Infections’
50,000 Deaths a year

Deaths from Liver Cancer due to viral Hepatitis 
CONTINUING TO INCREASE (927, 928)

UK

Scotland 
1^st safer drug consumption facility
Users can legally consume drugs under supervision to prevent fatal overdose 

2,691 times the service was accessed during the first 4 months
1,976 injecting episodes reported 
82% users are male 
68% consistently used Cocaine
23% consistently used Heroin 

Number of Drug-related Deaths historically HIGHEST in Europe
(929, 930)

Unprecedented Demand for Weight Loss Drugs Surging
National Pharmacy Association warns putting patients at risk

Weight Loss Medication at Unprecedented Levels
leaving those who do not meet criteria turning to Unregulated Suppliers 

35% of users are age 25 to 34
Younger users more likely to try and access Weight Loss Treatments
despite being unlikely to be Clinically Eligible (931)

GLOBAL

Obesity Rises with Calorific Intake – NOT Idle Inactivity Time 
Large International Study 

Decades of trying to understand the Root Causes of the Obesity Crisis 
in Economically Developed Countries – Public Health guidance remains stuck

Dietary changes are the driving factor behind Increases in Body Fat
(932, 933)

UK

2 in 5 Phones Stolen in Europe are taken in the UK

£20 MILLION Street Value 
iPhones targeted most frequently 

39% of All Phone Thefts in Europe are in Britain

London
42% of Phone Thefts 
80,000 stolen in 2024

425% INCREASE in Phone Theft Claims since June 2021 (934)

 

Preventable Liver Cancer cases 
set to DOUBLE by 2050 

3 in 5 cases linked to Preventable risk factors

Liver Cancer fastest RISING cause of Cancer death
Most challenging Cancers to treat 

5 year Survival rates ranging from 5% to 30% 

Liver Cancer cases caused by Alcohol and Obesity set to INCREASE
(935, 936)

 

County Lines Gangs Snatching Phones 
£70 MILLION a year epidemic 
Shipped abroad in bulk and sold around the World 

Gang members grooming vulnerable youth due to unprecedented Overseas Demand
Specially adapted e-bikes often used by young foot soldiers to steal phones

London
80,000 phones stolen every year
80% end up Overseas (937)

GLOBAL

5^th Highest cause of Cancer Deaths
Lung Cancer diagnosis on the RISE among never smokers 

70% of Lung cancer cases in never smokers are Adenocarcinoma 
Adenocarcinoma most dominant subtype of Lung Cancer 

2022
200,000 cases of Adenocarcinoma linked to Air Pollution (938, 939)

1 in 5 Lung Cancer cases have never smoked 
Growing among non-smoking Asian women (940)

PALESTINE

Female University Students 
Females have a cultural belief that smoking can aid Weight Loss

24% used water-pipe smoking
34% experienced Depression 
40% struggle with Binge-Eating Behaviours 

Tobacco Smoking linked to –
Depression 
Binge/Purge Behaviours 
Obesity 
Various Weight Control Methods (941)

NORWAY

Using Screens in Bed 
Strongly associated with Insomnia Symptoms and Lower Sleep Duration
Study of 45,000 students 

1 Hour Increase in Screentime before going to Bed 
59% INCREASED risk of Insomniaand Reduction in Sleep by 24 minutes 
(942, 943)

USA

RTO – Return To Office Mandates 
Forcing Workforce out of Remote Working causing a HUGE backlash
especially among Younger Workers (944, 945)

 

‘Forced joy’
New corporate mandate of Employees  

No longer enough to Manufacture a Product for Customers
Employee must also Manufacture a Feeling (944, 945)

TURKEY

Anxiety SIGNIFICANT influence – shapes Driving Behaviours

Road Crash severity INCREASES post-crash Anxiety 
Pre-crash Depression predicts post-crash Depression

20–50 MILLION injured yearly in Road Traffic Accidents 
Road traffic accidents are a leading cause of Disability (946, 947)

UK

Frequent Nightmares 
TRIPLE risk of early death and Accelerates Aging 

Weekly Nightmares
TRIPLE risk of premature death 

Children and Adults with more frequent nightmares 
Faster biological aging, which accounted for 40% of the heightened Mortality risk 
(948)

AFRICA & USA

New Diabetes sub-type identified in sub-Saharan Africa and Black Americans 
Many young people have non-autoimmune forms Type 1 Diabetes 

65% with this Type 1 Diabetes in region did not have Islet-auto-antibodies
these are usually found in blood of people with Type 1 Diabetes, in other parts of the world
(949, 950)

USA

2010 – 2023
578% RISE in Nitrous Oxide deaths

Laughing Gas INCREASINGLY mis-used as a recreational inhalant 

Frequent or High Volume Use 
can lead to Serious Neurological Damage, Psychiatric Symptoms And Death 

Cotton Candy, Blueberry and flavoured nozzles available Online and Gas stations
(951, 952)

UK

Wales 
Debit Style Subsidy Card to use online and Supermarkets
Coeliac Disease and Gluten Intolerance 
Eligible for pre-paid card designed to help towards the cost of Specialised Food

Greater choice and freedom for those who receive Gluten Free Foods on Prescription 
(953, 954)

USA

Most Adults have Hearts Older than their Actual Age 

Gap wider among 
Men | Black | Hispanics | Lower Incomes and Education

Men with High School Education or Less 
30% had Heart Age MORE than 10 years older than Chronological Age 
(955, 956)

UK

London
Widespread Black-Market Rental Sector

People Forced to Live in Unsafe Spaces
18 people in 2 bed flat – Licence permitted 3 people 
Residents working as food-delivery drivers
E-Bike charging under bunk bed started fire – one death 

Overcrowded Properties are Undeclared 
True number across the country Unknown (957)

 

Teenagers who Vape likely to start smoking as their peers in 1970s 

33% likelihood of Teenagers Smoking who do vape
1.5% for those who do not vape 

Many Risk Factors for Teenage Smoking similar across various cohorts

•   Drinking Alcohol before age 17
•   How engaged they are with Education at School
•   Extent of Externalising Behaviours reported by mother or main caregiver at age 10 or 11
•   Parental Occupation and Education
•   Parental Smoking behaviour especially during Pregnancy (958, 959)

USA

High Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods 
Linked to INCREASED risk of Lung Cancer

41% more likely diagnosed Lung Cancer 

50% Diet in UK consists of UPFs
among the Highest levels in Europe

Ice cream ~ Confectionary ~ Cakes ~ Pastries ~ Mass produced bread ~ Margarine
Breakfast cereals ~ Salty snacks ~ Lunch meats ~ Sweetened fruit drinks
Hamburgers ~ Hot dogs ~ Pizza ~ Instant noodles and soups ~ Fried foods (960, 961)

UK

7 in 10 Throat Cancers caused by HPV 
Human Papillomavirus

England 
47% INCREASE since 2013

Oral Sex with 6 or more partners in Lifetime 
10 times more likely to get Throat Cancer 

RAPID INCREASE in Throat Cancer in the West over last 20 years
Epidemic including Young Patients (962)

USA

Oral or Oropharyngeal Cancer rates RISING
50,000 cases Diagnosed each year 
10,000 Deaths Annually (962)

PALESTINE

Adolescent Refugees
SIGNIFICANT Prevalence of Depression and Disordered Eating Behaviours

Girls MORE Cognitive Dietary concerns – linked to Body Image Perception
Boys MORE Behavioural Risk patterns like Vomiting and Excess Exercising 

Refugee Children
HIGH Levels of Stress and Poor Quality of Life 
INCREASES vulnerability to Depression, Obesity, Substance Use

33% had Depression and was strongly linked to Dis–Ordered Eating
(963)

AUSTRALIA

Drinking one can of Artificially Sweetened Soft Drink 
38% INCREASED risk of Type 2 Diabetes – Latest Research 
23% for Regular Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Findings challenge common assumption that Artificial Sweetener Drinks are a safer choice

Risk HIGHER than just Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (964, 965)

UK & USA 

SIGNIFICANT post-pandemic RISE
42% overall rate in Disorders of gut-brain interaction

 28% RISE in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

 44% INCREASE in Functional Dyspepsia (966, 967)

INDIA

Gujarat State
INCREASING incidents of Heart Attacks in children
and Heart Disease in the Young population 

Age 11 – 25
1,052 died of Heart Attacks in 2024

Under Age 1
262 had a Cardiac Arrest or Heart Attack in past 2 years (968)

USA

Hoarding Disorder – Common Psychiatric condition
experienced Greater Discrimination than those without – 1^st Study to examine 

Hoarding Disorder linked to Poorer Perceptions of one’s Neighbourhood

HIGHER rates of Loneliness and Interpersonal Dysfunction 
(969)

UK

Boom In Festivals, Outdoor Shows And Stadium Concerts

2024
23.5 MILLION went to concerts
£10 BILLION spent
72,000 Jobs 

London Customer Demand
100 single-day Outdoor Shows 
15,000 capacity this Summer (970)

 

England and Wales
Healthy Life Expectancy in Women at RECORD LOW 
Living in the most deprived areas – Office for National Statistics 

65% of their life in Good Health 
20 years More Healthy Life if living in better-off areas (971)

School Suspension Exclusions 
HIGHEST since 2006

2023/24
954,952 Suspensions in State Schools
21% INCREASE on the previous year 
9 in 10 occurred in Secondary Schools
100,000 Suspensions in Primary Schools
24% INCREASE on the previous year
10,885 Exclusions

Persistent and Disruptive Behaviour Most Common 
50% of all Suspensions and 39% of Exclusions (972)

USA

French fries linked to Type 2 Diabetes
Not Mashed, Boiled or Baked Potatoes

3 Servings Of French Fries Weekly 
20% HIGHER risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes

Food preparation and kinds of foods eaten makes a difference in Reducing Health risks
19% reduction in risk if wholegrains used instead of chips (973, 974)

DENMARK

Excess Screentime among Youth 
linked to Cardiometabolic Disease risk
High Blood Pressure | High Cholesterol | Insulin Resistance 
TV | Movies | Gaming | using Phones, Tablets, Computers for Leisure 

STRONGEST among Children and Adolescents who slept fewer hours 
(975, 976)

UK

Morning after Drinking Driving is still a BIG issue 

215 Drivers admitted to drinking Alcohol after 10pm
even though they know they need to drive before 9am the next day

38% stopped drinking after 9pm 
next day still drove early morning and unaware of the risk 

July
MORE Drink-Driving Casualties than any other month (977)

UGANDA

HIGH burden of Suicidality among those who abscond Psychiatric Care 
Significant interplay between Clinical and Demographic factors 

Important Risk Factors
Marital Status | Depression | History of Experiencing Violence (978, 979)

UK

Weight Loss drugs can cause Bone and Muscle Loss 
Third of Weight Loss is non-fat mass – this includes Muscle and Bone mass 

Muscle is important – Controls Blood Sugar 
High Blood Sugar linked to Type 2 Diabetes
Loss of Bone mass – INCREASE risk Fractures 

Researchers unsure why people lose fat-free mass during Weight Loss
(980)

 

Obese under age 30 
75% INCREASED risk of Early Death 
Large scale study – 620,000 Adults aged 17 – 60

England
65% adults are Overweight or Obese 

Woman now weighs 6kg more than in 1993

Weight Gain in Young Adulthood 
84% Women more likely to Die Early 
79% of Men (981)

 

45% of Gen Z workers experience Generational divide at Work 
32% of All workers have experienced Generational divide
31% report ‘ culture barrier’ at their workplace

Age 16 – 34
42% reported feeling like ‘odd one out’ at Work due to their Age
(982)

 

639,000 Graduates are Claiming Benefits

849,000 without any Qualifications are receiving Universal Credit

26% finished Academic Career with top grade GCSEs
HIGHEST proportion of Universal Credit Claimants

Many leaving University without the skills to get a Job
Face earning the Minimum Wage (983)

USA

Surrogates more likely to be Diagnosed with Mental Illness during and after Pregnancy – 1^st Large Scale Study 
1 in 5 experienced Prior Mental Illness Before Pregnancy 

Gestational carriers more likely to have – 

•    Previously given birth 
•    Resided in low income areas 
•    High rates of Obesity 
•    High rates of Chronic Hypertension (984, 985)

UK

Children’s Mishaps 
57% Parents faced Substantial Bills costing Millions a year

 •   67% Graffiti on Walls and Furniture
•   47% Food stuck in Games Consoles
•   43% Call Plumber for Toys Stuck in Toilet
•   42% Taps running causing Flood
•   40% Food blocked Washing Machine
•   36% Called a Professional to Repair Damage (986)

USA

Washington DC
56% of Carjacking arrests over last 2 years were Minors 
Ages range from 12 to 17 
60% were aged 15 and 16 

1,046 Vehicle Thefts occurred where the owner was present

72% of Crimes involved a Gun 
Gangs recruiting very young Juveniles because no sentencing (987)

 

Experiences of Stalking and Obtaining a Restraining Order 
linked with the onset of Cardiovascular Disease in Women 

41% HIGHER risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Women who experienced stalking 
70% HIGHER risk in Women who experienced obtaining a Restraining Order 
(988, 989)

 

Age 1 – 18
69% consumed a Higher percentage of Calories from Ultra-Processed Foods
than adults over age 19

53% Adults consumed Calories from Ultra-Processed Foods

Sandwiches including Burgers, Hot Dogs, Peanut Butter and Jelly
Sweet Bakery Products | Savoury Snacks |Sweetened Beverages

Adults with Higher Incomes eat fewer ultra-processed foods

Food Industry heavily markets Ultra-Processed Foods to Children
(990, 991)

PALESTINE

Traumatic Events linked to Eating Disorders

Certain Sociodemographic factors also linked to greater likelihood – 
Gender | Region | Age | Education Level

Eating Disorders more common in – 
Women compared to Men 
Younger versus Older Adults 
Individuals with lower Educational Levels
Residents of refugee camps versus those living in cities and villages (992, 993, 994)

Conflict stressors which might affect Eating Disorders
Violence | Displacement | Resource Scarcity (993, 994)

USA 

Sedentary Lifestyle can cause Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) 12 years later 

Black Women 
LOWEST Physical Activity levels through Adulthood and GREATER risk of CVD

Physical Activity declines from early Adulthood to Midlife then stabilises 
with notable demographic differences (995, 996)

UK

During Summer Months
61% of Workers report DECREASED PRODUCTIVITY
30% LOSING 30–60 minutes productive work time each day

•   Feeling tired
•   Uncomfortable Office temperatures
•   Struggle to Focus
•   Dehydrated
•   Headaches
•   Sweating
•   Lack of ventilation (997)

USA

Multiple Sclerosis Warning Signs
begin far earlier than previously thought

HealthCare Services used at ELEVATED rates 
15 years before first multiple sclerosis symptom appeared

Early Signs
Fatigue, Headache, Pain and Mental Health Concerns – 
can be quite general and mistaken for other conditions

Long Complex Prodromal Phase – 
Something happening beneath the surface but not declared itself yet 
(998, 999)

 

California 
Life Expectancy not recovered since Pandemic  

Life Expectancy Overall 
SHARP DECREASE since 2019 
Deficit of .86 years remaining in 2024 relative to 2019

Drug overdoses Major contributor to Life Expectancy Deficit
since 1990
American Life Expectancy falling behind that of other Developed Countries (1000, 1001)

UK

Licence for Botox Clinics
Government crackdown on dodgy Cosmetic practitioners
Age Restrictions will be implemented for certain procedures

Many procedures marketed as non-surgical but invasive and carry Serious risks
BBL (Brazilian Butt Lifts) filler most HIGH risk – filler injected into buttocks 

Dangerous Complications, Pain and Permanent Scarring after Treatment by rogue operators (1002, 1003)

USA

Typos and slang in Patient Messages can trip up AI models  

Non clinical information which mimic how people really communicate leading to a HIGH percentage of Women erroneously advised not to seek medical care 
(1004, 1005)

UK

Government Major Overhaul 
Fast Track Scheme to Tackle Asylum Backlog with Refugees

Plans to jail smugglers using Social Media to promote services
Advertising Channel Crossings or Fake Passports

 July 2025 
25,000 arrived in Small Boats 
Record for this point in the year (1006)

GLOBAL

British Medical Journal experts call for Global Action 
to see Lived Experience as Essential Expertise 

Knowledge gained by being a Patient, Relative or Caregiver 
to be VALUED EQUALLY to other Experts 
To ensure Healthcare is 
Relevant | Responsive | Effective | Efficient | Resilient | Equitable | Fully Inclusive 
(1007, 1008)

CHINA

Repetitive Negative Thinking 
particularly its core features, play important transdiagnostic role in co-occurrence of 
Depression and Anxiety symptoms in Children

Prevalence of Depressive and Anxiety symptoms in Children are INCREASING 
(1009, 1010)

SPAIN

Long-term Weight Loss associated with Eating Earlier in the day 

Time we Eat Meals 
can impact our Energy Expenditure, Circadian Alignment and Metabolism 
(1011, 1012)

UK

Minimally Processed Foods (MPFs) more effective for Losing Weight 
1^st Interventional study comparing UPF and MPF diets in ‘real world’ conditions 

SIGNIFICANT greater improvements in the number of cravings in MPF diets 

Reductions in Fat Mass and Total Body Water 
No change in Muscle or Fat-Free Mass – Healthier Body Composition Overall
(1013, 1014)

EUROPE

Violence as a Service 
Typical 4 Stage Process
Instigator – person who orders and finances the crime. 
Usually based abroad and are removed from the scene of the planned attack.
Recruiter – Intermediary who identifies and approaches potential perpetrators, via Encrypted Messaging Apps, Gaming/Chat Platforms. 
Typically, available around the clock to push, persuade, or pressure their targets.

Enabler – Organiser who provides the conditions for the crime to happen – logistics, tools, contacts, and financial arrangements. 

Perpetrator – person who physically commits the crime. In many cases, usually a minor with no criminal record – chosen precisely because of their perceived invisibility to Law Enforcement. (1015)

UK

54 MILLION Inflatables Left on Holiday 
20.9 MILLION Tonnes of Plastic

51% Purchase New Inflatables to take on Holiday
36% Admit they only use once 

Most Abandoned Items on Holiday
32% Sandals/Flip Flops/Beach Shoes 
24% Sunglasses
22% Beach Mats/Towels
20% Books (1016)

 

INCREASE in Drink Driving Fatalities on roads over past decade

16% of ALL Road Deaths last year – Drink Driving was a factor 

Record Number of Collisions
Drugs playing an INCREASING role (1017)

CHINA

‘Robot Olympics’ – 280 Teams from 16 Countries 
Humanoid Robots Race, Play Football, Crash And Collapse

Robot Specific Challenges Tackled 
from Sorting Medicines, Handling Materials to Cleaning Services 
China investing BILLIONS in Humanoids and Robotics due to an ageing population and competition with U.S. advanced technologies (1018)

UK

Regional Accents Dying Out 
Children pick up American phrases from TikTok, Netflix, Disney, Gaming and Music 

Adopting the accent ‘prevalent’ in TV and on the Internet
Some Voice Assistance in Cars respond to Americanisms 

Accents Dialect will Shift (1019)

GLOBAL

Human Connection to Nature 
60% Decline in 200 years 
Levels will Continue to Decline 

Parents no longer passing on Engagement with Nature to Children 

Sheffield
4 minutes on average – Time spent in Nature Spaces each day (1020, 1021)

 

Global Burden – Female Breast Cancer
Incidence and Mortality across 185 countries

2022
2.3 MILLION new cases 
670,000 Deaths 

2050
38% INCREASE in new cases
68% INCREASE in Deaths 

Disproportionately impacting low Human Development Index (HDI) countries 
(1022, 1023)

CHINA

Urumqi, Xinjiang

First study to systematically reveal network characteristics of Anxiety, Depression and Pregnancy Related-Stress in Pre-Natal Women 

19% pre-natal Depression 
26% pre-natal Anxiety
92% Pregnancy–Related Stress Symptoms (1024, 1025)

UK

Too Few Permanent Nurses on Hospital Wards
Longer Inpatient Stays | Re-Admissions | Patient Deaths
 New Long–Term Study

Ward Nurses
CONSISTENTLY under–staffed for 5 full days after admission – 
69% INCREASE in length of stay

April 2015 – March 2020 Study Period
Eliminating Understaffing of both Registered Nurses and Nursing Support Staff –
6,527 Deaths avoided in 5 years
44,483 years of life in Good Health would be gained (1026, 1027)

USA

Hidden Steroids in Arthritis Supplements Raise SERIOUS Adrenal Concerns 
Over the counter Supplements unlabelled and linked to Serious Endocrine Disorders 

83% Clinical Signs of Cushing Syndrome 
66% Central Obesity 

66% exhibited symptoms of Adrenal insufficiency 
including Nausea, Vomiting, Fatigue and Abdominal Pain 
especially after discontinuing Supplements

Adrenal Insufficiency – Potentially Life Threatening Condition (1028, 1029)

 

Teenagers with Higher levels of PFAS prior to Bariatric Surgery 
regain MORE weight afterwards

PFAs are Manufactured Chemicals used in Consumer Products that accumulate in the body over time – linked to a range of Health concerns

INCREASED Weight circumference up to 5 years After Surgery 
Kidney Problems | Liver Damage | Various Cancers

Public Water supplies are the greatest source of Exposure (1030, 1031)

 

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease – main cause of Liver–related Death
MORE THAN DOUBLED last 20 years 

Greater share of Heavy Drinkers compared to 20 years ago
Women | Adults 45 and older | Living in poverty | those with Metabolic Syndrome 

Raises risk of Diabetes / Stroke / Coronary Heart Disease (1032, 1033)

UK

England and Wales
Childhood Verbal Abuse – Similar Impact as Physical Abuse
Large Retrospective Study – 20,000 Participants

64% INCREASE in Low Mental Well-Being as an Adult 
in those that experienced Verbal Abuse (1034, 1035, 1036)

GLOBAL

Prevalence of Verbal Abuse Substantial RISE
Physical Abuse has halved 

1 in 3 Children experience Verbal Abuse 
1 in 6 experience Physical Abuse from Family And Caregivers 
(1035)

CANADA & USA

Anxiety and Depression MORE Prevalent in College Students with Autism 
Data – 150,000 students | 342 universities | 1,400 students with Autism 

65% with Autism suffer with Anxiety 
48% report Depression (1037, 1038)

AUSTRALIA

High Tobacco Excise – Soaring the Black Market
$10 BILLION illegal Tobacco Industry wiping out Legitimate Businesses

50% of products sold are illicit excise-evading Cigarettes

Nicotine Consumption including Vaping
ALL-TIME HIGH

Since February 2024 
150% RISE in Violent Robberies due to Tobacco Related Crime

2019 
55% INCREASE in Excise over 3 years
Illicit Smoking took off
Tobacco Excise Revenue to the Government collapsed (1039)

UK

Over-Medicalising Every Day Life Events
Growing Trend Signing People Off Work with Anxiety and Depression

Welfare Claims linked to Mental Health CONTINUE to RISE
would benefit from social contact and routine rather than isolation 

3,000 people a day signed off
no longer have to look for work (1040)

GLOBAL

Strong Evidence
Teenagers’ Vaping link to INCREASED risk of Smoking and Health issues 
CONSISTENT Association between Vaping and Subsequent Smoking 

Marijuana Use | Drug Use | Alcohol | Asthma | Cough | Injuries | Mental Health 

(1041, 1042)

SWEDEN

Metabolic Syndrome 
40% INCREASED risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease 
Large study 467,200 people | 15 years 

Metabolic Syndrome – Collective term for several Risk Factors 
Abdominal Obesity 
High Blood Pressure 
Elevated Blood Sugar Levels 
Abnormal Blood Lipids
Cardiovascular Disease (1043, 1044)

UK

Sleep Problems – Age 14 
linked with Self-Harm Behaviours at that age and Future age 17 

70% of Teenagers get INADEQUATE Sleep 
Inconsistent Sleep Patterns 

Self-harm in Adolescents
MAJOR Public Health concern with Rates RISING 

Poor and Fragmented Sleep
often a marker Preceding or co-occurring with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours (1045, 1046)

USA

2014 – 2023 
Firearm Suicides INCREASING at an Alarming Rate 

40% of Suicides among Older Women involved Firearms

50% of All New Gun Owners are Women

90% age 65 or older who died by Firearms Suicide in this decade were Men
MEN are 13 times MORE likely to die by Firearm Suicide than Women (1047, 1048)

 

66% of Women in Child bearing years –INCREASED Risk for Birth Defects

Lifestyle Risk Factors
Low levels of Vitamin B9 
Unmanaged Diabetes
Exposure to Tobacco smoke 

Health defects, cleft palates and defects of the brain and spinal cord are among the problems that could be headed off if women took steps to improve their health prior to pregnancy (1049, 1050)

GLOBAL

€66 MILLION in Counterfeit Cash
Major International Haul – 18 Countries

Investigators gain deeper understanding
Criminal Methods and Trafficking Routes (1051)

SPAIN

HIGHLY structured Criminal Network dismantled
Smuggling Migrants from Algeria to the EU 

€1 MILLION on Acquiring and Manufacturing High Speed Boats 

€7,000 Migrants pay – one-way journey from Algeria to Spain (1052)

USA

80% of Neurologists Prescribing Drugs for Multiple Sclerosis
RECEIVED PHARMA INDUSTRY CASH 

Those in receipt were likely to prescribe that company’s drugs if sums involved were larger, sustained and more recent. 

34% greater likelihood of Doctor prescribing the drug if payment was within last year

HIGH Volume Prescribers
MORE likely Beneficiaries 

Multiple Sclerosis – LARGEST Neurological Drug Expense (1053, 1054)

UK

£40 BILLION – ANNUAL COST OF PTSD
INCREASINGLY Common Condition 

Does Not Include All Indirect Costs 
Homelessness 
Unemployment
Absenteeism
Presenteeism 
Social Worker Costs d
Domiciliary Care 
Disability Living Allowance 
Family Support Services
Premature Deaths (1055, 1056)

USA

Age 20–54
PRE-DIABETES IS SIGNIFICANT AND LIFE-THREATENING

Literature INCONSISTENT
Conflicting Evidence about Pre–Diabetes and Mortality association 
(1057, 1058)

 

Physicians with MORE Patient Complaints
MORE likely to receive LARGER non-research Payments from Industry
New Cross-Sectional Study across the U.S. 

68% accepted at least one payment

HIGHER Complaint Category – INCREASINGLY likely to receive LARGER Payments

Industry Payments to Physicians 
Can Influence Clinical Decisions – Creating Potential Professional Conflicts (1059, 1060)

 

Patients with Advanced Cancer receiving Treatment
Care received NOT ALIGNED with their Personal Care goals 

37% report Treatment Focus on prolonging life 
NOT Actual Care or Comfort and Relieving Symptoms which was their Preference

Level of Dis– connect between Patients’ goals and the Level of Care received 
(1061, 1062)

UK

North of England
Poor Diets Fuelling Health Crisis 
Risk of Obesity and High Blood Pressure

Highest Mortality rates in England
32% Adult Obesity
HIGH numbers of Fast Food outlets contributing
Families under Increasing Pressure 
Children growing up without consistent access to Healthy Food

Poor Diets linked to HIGHEST RATES 
Cancer | Diabetes | Heart Disease | Food Insecurity (1063, 1064)

 

NHS
£11.4 BILLION a year 
Treating and Managing Obesity

£74.3 BILLION annually
wider Social Costs due to ill Health (1065)

USA

Childhood Asthma linked to certain Fatty Foods

Saturated long chain fatty acids can cause neutrophilic Asthma Independent from Obesity 

Neutrophilic Asthma more difficult to treat than allergic Asthma
Symptoms MORE severe and likely to cause patients to land in a hospital 
(1066, 1067)

UK

England and Wales
1 in 10 aged 16 and over
Victims Of Domestic Abuse | Sexual Assault | Stalking 
New Data – Office for National Statistics 

First time estimate of combined Prevalence of all 3 Crimes 

5.1 MILLION experienced one of the Crimes
3.2 MILLION were Women (1068, 1069)

 

England and Wales
3,000 Crimes a year logged as Honour Based Abuse 

Lowest Conviction Rate
48% Honour Based Abuse 
53% Forced Marriage 
75% Domestic Abuse 

1 in 2 Prosecutions Fail 

24% Victims/Witnesses’ Withdrawal
22% Evidential Gaps (1070, 1071)

 

Child Benefit Payments 
Clampdown on those that Continue to Claim when they have moved abroad 

THOUSANDS MORE FRAUDULENTLY CLAIMING 
200 Officials now Working on stopping this

£17 MILLION in Wrongful Payments Stopped by 15 officials in less than 1 year

6.9 MILLION receive Child Benefit

£9.5 BILLION – Benefit Overpayments in one year (1072)

 

Royal Mail still missing Delivery targets 
After sale of the company to Czech Billionaire 

First and Second Class Mail lag behind
17% First Class mail delivered late

Long Struggle to Deliver Mail on time 
£16 MILLION fine in the past 2 years 
Failing to meet targets (1073)

111,000 Asylum applications in the 12 months
HIGHEST figure since records began in 2001

91,000 awaiting Decisions on their Asylum Claims 

88% Arrivals in Small Boats 
Half from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Sudan and Syria. 

Protests outside Hotels have turned Violent 
32,059 Asylum Seekers in 210 hotels (1074, 1075)

GLOBAL

Regular Intake of Turmeric 
will help with Type 2 Diabetes and Pre–Diabetes Weight loss

Despite Potential Benefits – Not to be used as a standalone (1076, 1077)

USA

12% of Population using Weight Loss Drugs
Mainly Women aged 50 – 64 

Diarrhoea and Nausea
Common side effects of Weight Loss Injections 
(1076, 1077)

AUSTRALIA

Common Painkillers linked to Antibiotic Resistance
Ibuprofen and Paracetamol amplifying resistance when used together

World Health Threat 
SIGNIFICANTLY increased Bacterial mutations making E. Coli HIGHLY resistant to the antibiotic (1078, 1079)

USA

Older adults with Heart Failure, Stroke and Hypertension 
SIGNIFICANT declines in Cardiovascular Health scores 

During Pandemic 
Evident Seniors were dis–proportionately impacted by Cardiovascular Disease
(1080, 1081)

UK

Number of schools Collapsing into Administration
DOUBLED this year after the Government’s VAT changes 

20% VAT applied to Private School Fees 
abolishing the sector’s charitable status 

Across All Sectors 
£25 BILLION RISE in Employers’ National Insurance Contributions
(1082)

 

Large-Scale Smuggling of Weight Loss Products on the RISE

January 2024 – June 2025
18,316 illegal Weight Loss and Diabetes medications seized by UK Border Force 

Unregulated Online Sellers, Beauty Retailers and Social Media Platforms 
INCREASINGLY being used to sell Counterfeit Weight Loss Injections

Supply to a growing Black Market 
Criminals exploiting RISING DEMAND (1083)

 

Research that affects people’s lives should Reflect Realities

BMJ now require ALL submitting authors to indicate how they have involved Patients and the Public in their Research 

Clinicians and Patients 
Both Types of Expertise Matter (1084, 1085)

GLOBAL

Menopause mis-information is Harming Care 
Commercial Hormone Testing un-necessary and does not Improve Care 

SHARP RISE in Commercial Services for Women Seeking Relief 
Tests cost Hundreds of $
Marketed as Necessary (1086, 1087)

UK

50% Adult Workers want input on how AI is developed and used in Workplaces  

51% Public concerned about impact of AI and new technologies on their Jobs

62% Workers aged 25 – 34 especially worried about impact of AI on their jobs

Leaving Employees in the dark fuels Negative Speculation 
Have leaders using Artificial Intelligence
This visibility bridges the Trust gap and turns uncertainty into Inclusion
(1088)

GLOBAL

HIGH consumption Alcohol and Sugar Drinks 
associated with INCREASED risk of Hair Loss

Nutrients and Specific Foods and Supplements 
crucial for maintaining hair follicle well-being (1089, 1090)

USA

Gap in Medical Care for 4 and 5 year olds with ADHD

Young children prescribed ADHD drugs as soon as Diagnosed
contravenes Treatment Guidelines

MORE Side Effects than in Older Children
Irritable Emotional Aggressive 

Before age 6
Children’s Bodies do not fully metabolise the drugs (1091, 1092)

UK

Average Worker Mentally drained 4 hours into the day
Mondays most Difficult

70% of Gen Z ‘underestimated’ how draining start of the day can be 

1 in 20 Struggle 1 hour After Starting Work 
77% rely on Boosts to get through the day 
Coffee ~ Fresh Air ~ Sweet Treat – First One Needed 9.03am (1093)

GLOBAL

6,000 New Words Added to Cambridge Dictionary
reflect changes in today’s world including Increasing Home Working 

Internet Culture Changing the English language 

Social Media Slang Terms 
Skigidi
Trad Wife 
Delulu
Mouse Jiggler – Remote Working when you are Not (1094)

 

Couples who meet Online Less Happy in Love 
6,000 individuals study

 Meeting Offline – Similar Characteristics 
Internet has a Limitless Pool – leading to Choice Overload 

‘Swipe Culture’ Prevalent
PRIORITY is Physical Attractiveness over more thorough Selection Process

Early Users of Online Dating sought Lifelong Partners
Modern Users INCREASINGLY Pursue Casual Relationships (1095)

 

7 MILLION deaths each year due to Tobacco Exposure

24% GLOBAL RISE 
Smoking/Chewing Tobacco/Secondhand Smoke (1096)

1.3 BILLION Tobacco users Worldwide
80% live in low-and-middle income countries (1097)

UK

£10 BILLION Government investing in NHS Digital Transformation 

52% Adults would NOT consider using AI for Medical Consultation  

61% DO NOT trust AI to deliver Accurate and Safe Health Advice  

68% Trust Pharmacists 
GPs are the Most Trusted Health Professionals 
Clear preference for face-to-face Interaction and Clinical Expertise (1098)

EUROPE

Active Across Continents 
Criminal network using Brazil nationals in Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation

Since 2017 operated across Brazil and Ireland involved in –
Recruitment | Transportation | Accommodation | Advertisement 
Overall control of Female victims from South America (1099)

ECUADOR

Criminal Network supplying Cocaine to EU groups 
Violence and Death driven by Territorial Disputes over Routes 

9.3 tonnes of Cocaine seized 

Private Security Companies used as fronts to recruit individuals already linked to their Criminal Structure (1100)

UK

Hidden Body Fat linked to Faster Heart Ageing 

Excessive Amount of Visceral Adipose Tissue 
Fat found deep inside abdomen around Stomach, Intestines and Liver 

Linked to INCREASED Inflammation in the Body (1101, 1102)

 

Teenage Loneliness Triggers Reward Seeking Behaviour
Late Teens Very Sensitive to the Experience of Loneliness

After few hours without Social Interaction 
SIGNIFICANTLY more Effort to get Rewards

When Connecting with others is not possible
prone to seeking Alcohol or Recreational Drugs (1103, 1104)

IRELAND

Hospital Admissions for Eating Disorders in Children
Doubled in 5 years 

2018 – 2022
121% RISE in Hospitalisations for under 18s 
Sharp spike during Pandemic 

91% of Admissions for children in Psychiatric Hospitals
Anorexia Nervosa/Atypical most common Eating Disorder

89% Admissions to Acute Medical Hospitals were Female (1105, 1106)

 

Gen Z and Millennials 
44% of New Bingo Customers are under 35 

79% interested in non-alcohol plans 
82% want more Active Nights Out 

80% seeking Novel Social Experiences 

Bingo appeals to this Demographic 
Low Cost | High Entertainment Value | Social Atmosphere | Chance to Win Prizes (1107)

USA

Smartphone on the Toilet 
46% HIGHER risk of Hemorrhoids

66% use Smartphones on the Toilet 
5 X MORE likely to spend more 5 minutes on Toilet

Younger adults especially prone to Habit 

Smartphone Users 
LESS weekly Exercise than non-users

Study bolsters Common Sense Advice to restrict use to under 5 minutes (1108, 1109)

 

Deaths from High Blood Pressure related Kidney Disease
25 year analysis

48% RISE in past 25 years
MORE men died from Hypertensive Kidney Disease

HIGHEST death rates are among Blacks and Hispanics 
States in South had HIGHEST Death Rates (1110)

 

NO AMOUNT of Illicit Substance, Alcohol or Tobacco is safe during Pregnancy

Some Falsely perceived as Harmless like Marijuana and Vaping Nicotine 

Prevalence of Substance Use among Pregnant Women remains HIGH

2018 – 2021 Overdose Deaths
TRIPLE for Pregnant and Recently Pregnant Women

50% of Women seeking Treatment for Substance Use Disorders have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 
HIGH Risk of experiencing Physical and Sexual Abuse (1111)

 

Higher Blood Pressure in Childhood link Serious Health Conditions 

40% – 50% HIGHER risk of early Cardiovascular Death in Adulthood

Age 7
Higher Blood Pressure MORE likely to die from Cardiovascular Disease mid-50s 
(1112, 1113)

UK

Disposable Vape Ban NOT WORKING 
200,000 Vapes mixed with General Recycling 

Vape firms have launched cheap reusable devices 
Vapers just buying more – instead of refilling and recycling
‘Bombs in Bins’
Devices causing chaos, problems and more fires for Waste Industry than ever before
Vapes should be returned to Stores or Recycling Centres for Specialist Handling

£1 BILLION a year Cost to UK Waste Industry (1114)

 

Import Tax Exemption
£3 BILLION worth of small parcels shipped to UK from China

2024/25
Low-Value Small Package Imports DOUBLED 
Fast Fashion and Consumer Goods Retailers Avoid Custom Duty (1115)

 

285,000 CRIMES WENT UNRECORDED LAST YEAR

66% unrecorded Crimes disproportionately affect Women and Girls

37% unrecorded Violent Crimes affected Women and Girls

2021 – 2025 
51% Anti-Social Behaviour offences were recorded targeting a specific Individual or Group (1116)

 

Femicide Census Report 
51% Women killed by Current or Former Male Spouse or Partner 

40% were taking steps towards leaving or had left Relationship when killed

57% of male perpetrators had known History of Violence against Women or were subject to monitoring or restrictions when they were killed (1117, 1118)

NEW ZEALAND, USA & UK

Sleep BIGGEST contributor to Young Adults’ Well-Being 
Understanding what Lifestyle Factors support Well-Being (1119, 1120)

USA

Commonly available items being used in Preteens’ Self-Harm 

50% RISE in rate of instances reported to poison centres

4–FOLD INCREASE suspected Suicide and Self-Harm intent

Since 2000
398% INCREASE Age 11
343% INCREASE Age 12

Rates of Ingestion likely Under Reported (1121, 1122)

UK

NHS England 
6.23 MILLION on waiting list for Treatment

48% trapped in an Invisible Waiting List Crisis

3 MILLION not seen by anyone since referred by GP
Waiting for 1^st Specialist Appointment/Diagnostic Test 

1 MILLION already waited 18 weeks without any Care (1123)

 

Travellers Avoid Baggage Fee 

72% check in with Over-Weight/Oversize Items
54% wear Extra Outfits
28% wore 3 or 4 layers of Clothing 
13% squeeze Outfits into Pillowcases disguised Travel Pillows 

Age 25 – 34 
36% pack No Underwear to make room for more ‘important items’
(1124)

GLOBAL

Age 15 and Older
44% with Diabetes are UNAWARE of their condition 

UNDER-DIAGNOSIS greatest among young adults

Those Diagnosed 
42% had Blood Sugar Levels managed 

Substantial Regional Diagnosis and Treatment disparities 

2050
1.3 BILLION expected to be living with Diabetes (1125, 1126)

CENTRAL SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Less than 20% of people with Diabetes aware of their condition 
(1125)

EUROPE

Drug-Resistant Fungus 
spreading RAPIDLY across European hospitals 

2013 – 2023
4,000 cases reported 
RISING SIGNIFICANTLY in 18 countries

True Toll likely Unreported (1127)

USA

Women with History of Cervical Cancer
DOUBLE the risk of developing Anal Cancer
Risk does not go away – Actually INCREASES with age over time 
Age 65 – 74 
Rate of Diagnosis SO HIGH it actually surpassed the widely accepted threshold for recommended routine screening (1128, 1129)

AUSTRIA & COLOMBIA

Criminal Network forced Colombian Women into Sexual Exploitation
Severe Physical Violence and Threats against Family members back home

Women Exploited by Coercion, Deception and Abusing their Vulnerabilities 
Victims’ services on offer advertised – via Adult sexual websites

VAST SUMS OF ILLICIT FUNDS GENERATED (1130)

AUSTRALIA

Type 2 Diabetes directly alters Heart Structure and Energy systems 

Diabetes actively worsens Heart Failure – 1^st research offering new insights 

Disrupts key Biological processes and reshapes the Heart Muscle 
distinct molecular changes to heart cells and structural changes to the muscles 
(1131, 1132)

USA

80% Adults have Trouble Falling Asleep on Sundays (1133)
American Academy of Sleep Association 

UK

Britain
67% Adults experience Sunday Anxiety
74% among Age 18 – 24 

Most Common Triggers
Work Stress
Lack of Sleep
Overwhelming To-Do Lists (1133)

UK

Monday Specific Anxiety 
23% HIGHER Cortisol levels 

This association was Prevalent among Working and Non-Working Older Adults 
(1133, 1134)

USA

Meat from Shark species at Risk of Extinction

93% ambiguously labelled or mis-labelled entirely
Contains HIGH levels of Mercury – SERIOUS risks to Human Health

Shark meat sold for as little as $2.99 per pound
Meat from 11 different Shark species 

MAJOR GAP IN SEAFOOD TRANSPARENCY AND CONSUMER SAFETY 

Sharks harvested for meat and products such as Squalene – 
commonly used in Moisturising Skincare Products (1135, 1136, 1137)

 

California 

1 in 3 American Indian and Alaskan Native adults experienced Moderate or Serious Psychological Distress in past year

61% Not seen a Medical Provider

Latino and Multi-Racial American Indian and Alaskan Natives 
68% experienced Problems with –
Family Relationships | Job Duties | Socialising | Household Chores (1138)

GLOBAL

1990 – 2021
Eating Disorders Marked INCREASES in Global Burden 
Age 10 – 24 

Women have HIGHER Eating Disorder Prevalence
Men Exhibit Faster Growth rates indicating a shifting burden 

Age 20 – 24
Eating Disorder peaks showing RAPID GROWTH 

Australasia – HIGHEST burden
East Asia – HIGHEST INCREASE (1139)

UK

British workers taken 2 Working Weeks OFF SICK in the past year
HIGHEST LEVEL in 15 years

RISE in Long-Term Health Conditions 
Ageing Workforce | Mental Health issues | Significant Stress
Contributes to Falling Productivity and a Widening Productivity Gap

8.7 MILLION WORKING AGE PEOPLE HAVE DISABILITIES

£400 MILLION WEEKLY COST TO THE UK ECONOMY (1140)

 

Nurses Scared 
Violence against Accident and Emergency Staff DOUBLES in 5 years 

Nurses Punched, Spat at and Threatened with Acid 
ATTACKS HAPPENING EVERY HOUR 

Due to Lengthy A & E waits – Corridor Care – Chronic Under-Staffing 

2019 – 2024
12 hour or more waits INCREASED 20 times

2024
4,054 Physical and Violent incidents (1141)

 

Major Law to Criminalise
Small Boat Smuggler Ads
Creation of Fake Travel Documents
Explicitly Promising Illegal Working Opportunities 

80% Migrants used Social Media during illegal journey
Many end up Working illegally (1142)

EUROPE & USA

Cannabis Users 
4 times risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes within 5 years 
4 MILLION adults – Large Real World Study

SIGNIFICANT HIGHER Diabetes rates 
among users after adjusting for other Health factors (1143)

AUSTRALIA

GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs pose HIDDEN RISKS for Young Women 
Originally developed to manage Type 2 Diabetes 

2022
90% Prescriptions issued to Women without Diabetes

Potential Risks during Pregnancy and associated risks to Unborn Babies
GLP-1 users are not using effective contraception (1144, 1145)

USA

High intake Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs)
linked to Systemic Inflammation
Strong predictor of Cardiovascular Disease – New Study 

Age 50 – 59
26% HIGHER risk of Elevated Inflammatory Markers 
80% HIGHER risk of Obesity
60% of the daily calorie intake of U.S. adults are UPFs 

SIGNIFICANT RISE in Colorectal Cancer – particularly Young Adults 
Increased Consumption of UPFs contributing factor (1146, 1147)

SPAIN & ITALY

Beta Blocker Therapy has no effect on incidence of Death from any cause 

Beta Blockers – Standard Treatment for 40 years 
after an uncomplicated Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) with preserved Heart function has NO CLINICAL BENEFIT for patients

Sub Study 
Women have Worse Outcomes
HIGHER risk of Heart Attack, Death or Hospitalization for Heart Failure (1148, 1149, 1150)

UK

Large Social and Economic Inequalities Persist among Doctors
New 10 year Study  

6 X GREATER likelihood of becoming a Doctor  

HIGHLY over-represented within Medicine 
coming from a Professional Background than a Working Class Background 
(1151, 1152)

USA

Male Babies Circumcised for Lifelong Health Benefits recommended
World Health Organization | American Academy of Paediatrics
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2012 – 2022 
Newborn Male Circumcision rates Dropped SIGNIFICANTLY 
Regardless of Scientific Evidence supporting Health Benefits  

Likely Cause
Parental Distrust of Medical Advice
End of Medicaid coverage for Routine Neonatal Male Circumcisions 
(1153, 1154)

SWEDEN 

How tall a child will be is decided in the first 2 years  

67% difference in Adult Height between individuals determined by Early Life
60% attributed to Birth Size
37% to Average Height of Both Parents (1155, 1156)

FINLAND

Heart Attacks may be an Infectious Disease 
Pioneering Study Demonstrated For The First Time  

Infection can trigger Myocardial Infarction 
Dormant Bacteria cannot penetrate the Biofilm Matrix 
but a viral infection can activate the Biofilm (1157, 1158)

USA

Chronic Liver Disease known as MASLD – 3 Risk Factors IDENTIFIED

Greatest Risk of Death
40% with High Blood Pressure
25% Pre-Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes
15% lower level HDL Cholesterol (1159, 1160)

 

2011 – 2020 
41,380 Excess Deaths caused per year from Wildfire Smoke Emissions 

2050
70% INCREASE in deaths from wildfire smoke 

$608 BILLION in annual damages due to Deaths related to Wildfire smoke  

Deaths from wildfire smoke result from inhaling complex mix of chemicals 
Contributing to Deaths up to 3 years after the Initial Exposure
Health impacts far greater than Scientists previously estimated (1161, 1162)

 

Oral Microbes linked to INCREASED risk of Pancreatic Cancer 

 27 species of Bacteria and Fungi in Mouth 
3.5 times GREATER risk of developing Pancreatic Cancer 
Bacteria can travel through swallowed saliva into the Pancreas

Clearer than Ever
Brushing and Flossing Teeth can protect against Cancer (1163, 1164)

UK

Single High-Fat Meal can Impair Blood Flow to Male Brains 
INCREASED risk of Stroke and Dementia

Restricts Blood flow around Body – Blood Vessels become stiffer

Post-Prandial Lipaemia
Much waking life spent in Post-Meal State – when Fat Levels are Elevated (1165, 1166)

 

Hiring Qualified Candidates With Migraine 
41% Board Level Executives very concerned 
34% Senior Managers
24% Business Owners

60% think Migraine is just a ‘Bad Headache’ 

58% avoid disclosing they have Migraines to employers and colleagues
due to concerns about not being taken seriously (1167, 1168)

USA

Optimum Daily Eating Window for longer life identified
HIGHER Mortality Rates 
11 – 12 hours LOWEST Mortality Risk (1169, 1170)

EUROPE

Criminal Network Dismantled 
Smuggling migrants from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatia and other EU countries 

Communicated via Encrypted Messaging Apps 
to keep Criminal activities under the radar (1171) 

 

4 tonnes Cocaine seized – 2 Major operations
Innovative Concealment Methods 
Shifting landscape of Global Trafficking routes

Latin America
Cocaine production has reached UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS 

Europe has emerged as Primary market for Cocaine
Wholesale prices – currently at LOWEST level ever (1172)

GLOBAL

22 countries | 8,000 Data sets
to analyse Images of unidentified Abused Children and safeguard them 

51 Sexually Abused Children identified over 2 weeks 
from Toddlers to Teenagers – different Nationalities 

Exchange of Child Sexual Abuse material MORE FREQUENT than the past
likely due to accessibility and large storage capacity of Mobile Phones
(1173)

UK

England 
300,000 INCREASE in Antidepressants Prescribed 

4^th Quarter 2024 – 2025
23,100,000 Items Prescribed 
7,030,000 Patients

3,490,000 Drugs Prescribed for Psychoses and related disorders 
1,230,000 for Dementia 
£8.4 MILLION Cost

965,000 Prescriptions for CNS stimulants and ADHD Drugs
£44 MILLION – BIGGEST INCREASE (1174)

USA

Soccer heading does most Damage to Brain area critical for cognition 
SIGNIFICANTLY greater micro-structural damage 

Junction between white and gray matter in the outermost brain layer behind the forehead, sustains the most damage (1175, 1176, 1177)

 

Emergency Departments
Death rates INCREASED after Hospitals acquisition by Private Equity Firms 

Deaths linked to Hospitals Reducing Salaries and Staffing
Intensive Care Units and Emergency Departments – Staffing-Sensitive areas  

Findings amplify For-Profit Ownership model in Heath Care delivery
(1178, 1179)

GLOBAL

Deaths and Disability from Heart Disease continue to RISE SHARPLY 
Mainly caused by High Blood Pressure, Obesity and elevated Blood Sugar Levels

2023
80% all Deaths and Disability related to Cardiovascular Disease 
1 in 3 deaths 

140% RISE since 1990 for DALY – 
Disability Adjusted Life Years (1180, 1181)

UK

Severe Pregnancy Sickness
raises the risk of Mental Health 

50% INCREASED risk in 13 conditions
including Post-Partum Psychosis and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 

Risks DOUBLED for –
Wernicke’s Encephalopathy (neurological condition due to Vitamin B1 deficiency) 
Refeeding Syndrome 
Eating Disorders
Depression – particularly Post-Partum Depression(1182, 1183)

UK & USA

ANY LEVEL OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
INCREASES THE RISK OF DEMENTIA

Most Comprehensive Study to Date
2.4 MILLION Participants 
45 Individual Studies (1184, 1185)

UK

70% RISE in number of Full-Time Paid Carers
1.9 MILLION carers doing 35+ hours per week 

15% RISE in Requests for Care – Demand Outpaces Supply
2.5% INCREASE in Supply only 

Majority coming from Working Age Adults INCREASINGLY Needing Care

Age 16 – 64 
31% INCREASE in requests (1186)

 

46% Workers worked or currently Working in Toxic Environment 

Workplaces fuelled by 
Bullying | Stress| Relentless Pressure | Favouritism 

Managers identified as Leading Source of Toxic Behaviours

30% do not feel able to raise concerns 
76% left at least 1 job due to a toxic culture 
40% walked away from multiple roles same reason 

89% believe Workplace Culture can be improved through 
Leadership Behaviours ~ Communication ~ Training ~ Better Employee Protections 
(1187)

 

Britain
Caesarean Births RISE to RECORD HIGH latest NHS audit
50% involved Caesarean section and use of Instruments

Trends include: 

More women giving Birth later in life 
Obesity 
Increase in pre–existing Maternal conditions 

Contribute to more Complex Pregnancies, particularly Women from ethnic minority groups and those experiencing Deprivation (1188, 1189)

 

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Warning 
Trend of Students hacking their own school and college IT systems
for fun or as part of dares

Majority of so-called “insider” cyber attacks and data breaches in Education settings originate with Students

57% Hacks and Breaches carried out by Children

33% Breaches involved Students illegally logging into Staff computer systems
guessing passwords or stealing details from teachers 

44% of Schools reported a Cyber Attack in the last year (1190)  

NEW ZEALAND

Baby And Toddler Foods Mis-Leading 
Marketing aimed at convincing parents that products are a Healthy choice

Claims Easy and Convenient option that promotes the Child’s Development
60% images of Fruit 
40% images of Vegetables
in reality there is a very small amount (1191, 1192)

UK & EUROPE

Linked to LOWER Childhood Inflammation 
Clean Air ~ Natural Spaces ~ Healthy Diets ~ Strong Social Bonds 

Environments influence Immune regulation protein and cellular level 
Supporting Cardiometabolic, Respiratory and Neurodevelopment Health in Children
(1193, 1194)

SWEDEN

Missing 1^st  Screening Appointment
linked to HIGHER risk of Breast Cancer Death 

40% HIGHER long-term risk of dying from Breast Cancer
mainly due to delayed detection 

Mammograms can detect Breast Cancer early – often before a lump is felt (1195, 1196)

UK

Loneliness and Anxiety 
fuel Smartphone and Social Media Addiction in young adult ‘Night Owls’

40% students exhibit signs of Social Media Addiction
young women particularly HIGH risk (1197, 1198)

 

Gen Z

Leaning towards One Parenting Trend when raising their Children
Rejecting model of “Gentle Parenting” 

41% Focused on Cycle-Breaking Parenting
Stop repeating patterns they experienced during their upbring
Parents prioritise Healing their Trauma 

Other Common Styles Of Parenting Trends include 
Prioritising Real-World Consequences and Forming Strong And Emotional Bonds

84% Parents say their styles have evolved as their child get older 
(1199, 1200)  

EUROPE & USA

‘Ghost Vacationing’ Latest Career Trend 
proves more checked out at work than ever

Taking time off WITHOUT OFFICIALLY informing Employer

33% Europeans taken UNANNOUNCED TIME OFF WORK
20% Burnout or Mental Health (1201)

 

60% Workers use Sick Days WITHOUT being Physically ill
Using the time off to catch up on errands and because they “need a break” (1201)

SAUDI ARABIA

Stress drives Compulsive Buying Behaviour among Adults 

Public Health concern 
Compulsive Buying driven by Emotional Distress and Cognitive Distortions
Serves as Temporary Escape by Providing Momentary Relief Or Gratification 
(1202, 1203)

GLOBAL

March 2023 to 2025
Generation Z
RISE in Alcohol consumption across 15 Key Markets

70% U.S consumed Alcohol in last 6 months
76% UK
83% Australia 

Generational Recalibration
This is not a simple return to the past – it is a complex blend of: 
Coping | Compensation | Identity Expression | Socioeconomic Constraint 

Alcohol is a Short Term Mood Boost 
RISING levels of Anxiety, Depression and Loneliness (1204, 1205)

USA

National Trends in Disability Employment 
New ALL TIME HIGH in Labour Force Participation Rate 

38% of the population are people with Disability in the Workplace 

25% of All Unemployed are Long-Term Unemployed 
385,000 INCREASE over the year (1206, 1207)

TAIWAN 

Pre-School Teachers 
Job Burnout | Employee Silence | Work Fatigue | Disengagement

Employee Silence SIGNIFICANTLY impacted Job Burnout 
Mediated by Work Fatigue

Disengagement – Lack of enthusiasm/involvement in Work Tasks 
Employees choosing Silence rather than seeking Help (1208, 1209)

UK

97% Autistic Adults over 60 UN-DIAGNOSED Largest Review to date

Age 40 – 59 
89% never had condition identified 

HIGHER RATES of Physical and Mental Health conditions
Challenges with Employment, Relationships and Wellbeing (1210, 1211)

 

England 
2024/25
124,210 Families faced Homelessness
SYSTEM FAILING
70,630 are Single-Parent Households
4 x more likely to be Homeless or at imminent risk of Homelessness (1212, 1213)

USA

In-Home Firearm Homicides
Rates DOUBLED among Children and Adolescents since 2010

24% Paediatric Firearm-Related Homicides occurred at Home
63% under age 12 were killed at Home

Domestic Violence and Child Abuse SIGNIFICANT risk factors
Parents most common assailants for these Homicides (1214, 1215)

KOREA & USA

99% have at least one risk factor Above optimal level before Heart Attack, Stroke and Heart Failure

Large–Scale Study
9.3 MILLION Korean and 7,000 U.S. adults followed up over 20 years

Global Study REFUTES notion that Cardiac events Strike Without Warning
(1216, 1217)

SWEDEN

Post-Partum Women 
HIGHER risk of Depression and Psychosis 

5 – 15 Weeks After Childbirth 
20% HIGHER risk of Depression 

First 5 Weeks 
6 – 7 times HIGHER risk of Psychosis (1218, 1219)

USA

28% Children experience School Avoidance
sign of Emotional Distress

Age 10 – 13 
Most common and when Children transitioning to different Schools 

1 in 3 parents report that their child missed more than a week of school
due to Fear or Anxiety 

42% Children said they were not Physically well enough to attend 

20% were too Exhausted (1220) 

 

RATES OF EXTREMELY SEVERE OBESITY
ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY INCREASING

1 MILLION Americans – 60kg/m² or greater BMI
less likely to get Cancer Screenings and Preventative Care

2 – 3 X GREATER incidence of MAJOR comorbid conditions 

40% of Speciality Clinics turn away Patients weighing 465 pounds 
Lack Examination Tables, Chairs and Gowns (1221, 1222)

 

Changing Clocks twice a year disrupts Circadian Rhythms
leading to HIGHER rates of Stroke and Obesity 

Days AFTER clocks go forward in March
MORE Heart Attacks and Fatal Traffic Accidents 
Permanent Standard Time healthier than Seasonal Waffling (1223, 1224)

 

HIGH Concentration of THC associated with –
Psychosis | Schizophrenia | Cannabis Use Disorder
Other Mental Health Outcomes 

Findings Reinforce Previous Conclusions
Higher THC INCREASES risk for adverse Mental Health outcomes (1225, 1226)

UK

Shift Work linked to INCREASED risk of Kidney Stones 
1^st study to Comprehensively Evaluate – 220,000 data analysed  

Under Age 50
15% HIGHER risk and those who had Low Levels of Manual Labour 

Potential Mediators Identified
Smoking | Sleep Duration | Sedentary Time | Body Mass Index | Fluid Intake 
(1227, 1228)

ASIA

Psychological Distress is Related to All Internet-Related Addictive Behaviours and Quality Of Life – Public Health Concern 

Gaming | Gambling | Social Media | Social Networking | Shopping | Substance Abuse | Pornography

Taiwan 
HIGH Social Media Addiction 

Hong Kong 
HIGH Substance Abuse (1229, 1230)

EUROPE

Mortality associated with fine particles from Wildfires 
93% UNDERESTIMATEDnew study provides Solid Evidence
Data 32 European countries 

Human-Driven Climate Change
one of the main causes for RISING Frequency and Intensity of Wildfires 
(1231, 1232)

USA

Rheumatoid Arthritis begins BEFORE the Pain
New Ground breaking 7 Year Study 

HIDDEN PHASE STARTS SILENTLY 
years before symptoms and joint swelling

Body Fighting an Invisible Internal Battle – Well Before Joint Swelling From Inflammation Appears (1233, 1234)

UK

Campaigners target Councils calling for a 4 day week 
One Local Authority has become Britain’s first to adopt the pattern permanently 

Thousands of Private Sector Workers on Shorter Working Weeks and Same Pay 
(1235, 1236)

GLOBAL

Focus on Weight Loss alone for Obesity can do harm

Largely ineffective
in providing sustained long-term Weight Loss and reducing Cardiovascular events or death 

Societal weight bias has adverse effects on Mental Health (1237, 1238)

UK

Companies mis-leading patients with “outrageous claims” about banking baby teeth – 4 Companies offer Service through 1 Laboratory

Lack of Evidence 
to support using dental pulp stem cells to treat patients for Autism and Diabetes 

Tooth Stem Cell Banking are sent milk teeth 
$2573 cost (1239, 1240)

 

Rising Thefts
Phone Retailers lock shop doors while Trading 

First half of 2025
967% INCREASE in Theft incidents compared to same period in 2024

Alarming surge of Aggressive Robberies in Store
particularly across London and the South-East

Groups masked enter and threaten staff to access stock cages to steal devices 
(1241)

94% Gen Z’s face work-related micro-stresses

69% say stepping out and chat with a shopkeeper could help lift their mood

Young professionals are constantly navigating low-level Tensions at Work 

“Boss Breaks” – Local shops participating 
to give young professionals Space to pause, reset, take a breath and get back into the day with a clearer head (1242)

 

Growing problems with e-bikes and e-scooters
Causing SIGNIFICANT Fear and Anxiety for blind and partially sighted people

Making streets nightmare due to obstruction 
Reckless parking of e-scooters and e-bikes
92% blind people forced to walk on the roads (1243)

 

£72 MILLION worth of Cocaine seized by UK Border Force 

One Tonne hidden inside – 
2 Industrial Generators | 40 tonnes of equipment combined 
£700,000 value of Machinery 

Organised crime groups using sophisticated methods to evade detection 
(1244, 1245)

USA

Heart Disease RISK INCREASES 
for U.S. immigrants the longer they live in the U.S. 

Contributors to Increased Risk 
U.S. Dietary And Lifestyle Habits 
Barriers to Preventative Care 
Stress – Financial Hardship and Unstable Work

80% have at least one CVD Risk Factor (1246)

SOUTH SUDAN

Government Systemic Corruption 
BILLIONS STOLEN in Past Decade 

$25 BILLION oil inflow since 2011 
hardly any money goes to Essential Services resulting in” 

Widespread Malnutrition | Collapsing Health Systems | Mass Exclusion from Education 

CORRUPTION is the engine of South Sudan’s Decline (1247, 1248)

UK

55% age 8 to 11 own a Smartphone 

To STOP Pupils using Mobile Phones 
£54,000 Group of Schools Forced to Spend on Lockable Phone Pouches 
Implementing a Ban DID NOT WORK – kids ignored
Addicted to Devices – Sneaking off to Toilet to scroll 

11 hours a day on average Teenagers spend on Screens (1249)

 

ONE can of High Caffeine Energy Drink SAME as 4 cans of coke

Fuelling Anxiety and Depression in Children 

8 in 10 Parents want Ban on Sale of High Caffeine Energy Drinks to Children 
100,000 Children consume at least one of these drinks a day (1250)

 

£318,000 Children’s Homes charging per year for each Child in Care

2023 – 2024 
£3.1 BILLION Residential Care Costs
96% INCREASE since 2019 – 2020

Driven by RISING DEMAND, PROFIT DRIVEN MARKET and Limited placements – especially for children with complex needs 

7 in 10 of the biggest providers owned or part-funded by Private Equity Firms 

£63,000 – Local Council’s charged for one week’s single placement

Many Children are in Care Homes that don’t meet their needs (1251, 1252)

USA

Ohio 
42% Deceased Drivers in Motor Vehicle Crashes TEST POSITIVE THC
Active THC FAR EXCEEDS Most State Impairment Limits 

HIGH rate of THC remained CONSISTENT over 6 years 
Unaffected by states Legalization of recreation Cannabis during study period 
(1253)

GLOBAL

1 IN 5 ADDICTED TO TOBACCO

2024
1.2 BILLION Worldwide using Tobacco 
4 in 5 Tobacco users are Men

Decline since 2010 
However, the RISE in vaping threatens to undermine this 

100 MILLION now vaping globally – many under age 15 
New Nicotine products – Industry aggressively targeting young people (1254)  

EUROPE

HIGHLY Specialised Organised Crime Network For Luxury Hybrid Cars 
Dismantled in Belgium, Italy and Spain – Stolen Cars worth Millions

Components Shipped To International Illegal Markets 
Bodywork | Battery packs |Mechanical parts (1255)

 

Counterfeit And Sub-Standard Food
13 Organised Crime Groups dismantled in Global Operation
31,165 Checks and Inspections 

€95 MILLION seized

Taken Off the Market
11,566 TONNES of Food including Meat and Seafood 
1.4 MILLION litres of Beverages 

Infiltrating Waste Disposal companies with the intent to get access to Expired Food awaiting destruction.
New falsified dates on packages printed (1256)

 

Illegal Trade of Endangered Glass Eels 
21 Countries Target Organised Crime Groups
Disrupted flow of live eels destined for illegal farms in Asia

DNA testing in U.S. and raids in France expose Global reach of LARGE SCALE Trafficking Networks (1257)

USA

Kids are not getting as much Sleep as their Parents think 
Latino Children get the Least amount of rest

83% parents believe that their Child is sleeping the right amount 
14% of children met National Sleep Guidelines 

Parents are NOT AWARE how long it takes them to fall asleep or how often they are waking through the night (1258, 1259)

UK

Diet and Regular Soda Drinks Linked to Liver Disease
Diet versions are often hailed as Healthier

1 can of soda linked to HIGHER risk of MASLD
Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

50% GREATER risk with Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

60% GREATER risk with low or non-sugar-sweetened beverages (1260)

AUSTRALIA

HUGE Toll of Extreme Pregnancy and Nausea 
Profound Emotional and Physical Toll of Extreme Morning Sickness 

50% affected Women considered Terminating Pregnancy
90% thought about not having more Children 
HIGH rates of Anxiety and Depression linked (1261, 1262)

UK

High Street Slot Machine Shops
Pay Staff Bonuses linked to how much Gamblers Lose 

Highly Addictive Slot Machines 
linked to HIGHER rates of Addiction compared to other Gambling formats 

1,451 Adult Gaming Centres
open 24 hours a day – Spread through country in recent years 
Concentrated in the Most Economically Deprived Areas (1263)

DENMARK

52% on Weight Loss Drugs Quit Within 1 Year 

More Likely To Quit
Younger | Men | Living in Poorer areas | Chronic health issues |
Previously used Gastrointestinal or Psychiatric Medications

18% stopped within 3 months 
31% within 6 months 
42% after 9 months 

Under age 30 
48% more likely to stop within the 1^st year (1264)

UK

Not drinking enough Water linked to Stress-Related Issues 

INCREASED risk of 
Metabolic | Renal | Cardiovascular | Disease | Depression | Diabetes

Drinking Less than 1.5 litres per day 
50% HIGHER cortisol response to Stress (1265, 1266)

 

Middle-Class Shoplifters on the RISE
Disturbing Trend in Retail Crime 

£2.2 BILLION added to the costs of Retailers from Shoplifting

NOT Stealing out of necessity – Have Professional Jobs 
High-End items Stolen simply for the Thrill 

October 2025 
22% RISE in shoplifting offences compared to same period last year
Self-Service Check Outs making it easier to steal (1267)

USA

Pregnancy-Related Cardiovascular Complications on the RISE 

Prevalence of Pre-Existing 
Cardiometabolic Comorbidities | CVD | Rates Pregnancy-Related CV ComplicationsHIGH and TRENDING UPWARDS for past decade

Women with heavier burden of pre–existing comorbidities and CVD 
MORE likely to develop Complications during Pregnancy (1268, 1269)

 

Ultra-Processed Food Addiction Among Older Adults
Especially Generation X women

MORE likely to report
Being Overweight and have fair or poor Mental Health or Physical Health

Age 50s to early 60s
21% of women meet the criteria for Food Addiction 

Rates are far HIGHER than adults 10 or 20 years earlier, who only encountered Ultra Processed food in adulthood (1270, 1271)

UK

Risk of Liver Disease 
INCREASED by drinking one can of fizzy drink per day 
50% MORE AT RISK of developing MASLD
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease 
MASLD linked with being Overweight as well as conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, Heart and Circulatory Disease

1 in 5 living with the Disease
80% of those are Undiagnosed (1272)

LITHUANIA

Artificial Intelligence tools 
Worse than Doctors and Nurses at Prioritising Emergency Room Patients 

Rapid Development of AI in the Medical realm – 
Health Workers should not outsource decisions about Care of Emergency Patients whose lives are at risk (1273)

DENMARK

BAN on Social Media platforms for children under 15 

Almost all 7^th grade age 13 or 14 own a cellphone
Mobile phones and Social media are stealing our children’s childhood
We have unleashed a monster – Denmark Prime Minister (1274)

UK

Government drop Healthy Eating plans and promotions after lobbying by world’s ultra-processed firms
Repeatedly demanded Government to drop plans to promote minimally processed foods

£112 Billion combined turnover of UPF Food and Drink Federation companies
Promotions on minimally processed and nutritious foods would be game changing making it more affordable for families and improving the diets of millions (1275)

USA

Protein Powder Shakes contain HIGH Levels of Lead
66% contain more lead in a single serving
Results worse than last time Products tested 

Multi-Billion dollar Wellness craze driving sales 
Spawning new crop of protein fortified foods 
Saturate Supermarket and Social Media 

Federal Regulations do not require supplement makers to prove their Products are Safe and there are NO Federal Limits for the amount of heavy metals they can contain (1276)

 

Fentanyl-Stimulant Overdose Deaths surge

2015 to 2023 
1,470% INCREASE in Overdose deaths among age 65 and over 

Fentanyl-stimulant combination Deaths
9,000% INCREASE in Fentanyl-Stimulant Combination Deaths
Mortality Trends now mirror those of Younger Populations 

Among Older Adults
stimulants such as Cocaine and Methamphetamine became the most frequently co—involved substances surpassing Alcohol, Heroin and Benzodiazepines (1277)

UK

Racism and Sexism alarmingly Normalised in the NHS
Discrimination remains rife 

Extensive Evidence of bias and mis-treatment – affects public and staff well-being

£31 – £33 MILLION health inequalities leads to productivity loss
£20 – £32 MILLION of lost Taxes and Increased Welfare Payments 
£5.5 BILLION in Direct Healthcare Costs (1278, 1279)

GLOBAL

WIDESPREAD and INCREASING Resistance to Common Antibiotics 
23 MILLION Bacterial Infections Analysis World Health Organization 

2018 – 2023 
40% RISE worldwide 

South-East Asian & Eastern Mediterranean Regions
1 in 3 reported Infections Drug Resistant (1280, 1281)

USA

Emergency First Responders at 9/11 World Trade Centre
3 FOLD HIGHER risk of Lung Cancer 

HIGHER among those with greater risk of Exposure Severity
Dust fumes from Burning Toxic Materials and Sewage Odours (1282, 1283)

GLOBAL

Loneliness or Social Isolation linked to lower odds of Cancer survival 
Study of 1.6 million Cancer patients 

Loneliness associated with 
34% HIGHER risk of Death from any cause

11% INCREASED risk of Death from Cancer itself 

50% patients with Cancer affected by Loneliness (1284, 1285)

UK

26% of University Physics Departments at risk of Closing 

4 out of 5 Departments making staffing cuts 
60% expect courses to be reduced 

Behind Financial Pressures
Erosion in the value of Domestic Tuition Fees 
Falling Numbers of International Students (1286) 

USA

DRAMATIC INCREASE in adults who meet new definition of Obesity 

20% INCREASE in the prevalence of Obesity under this New Classification

70% of Adult Population now considered to have Excess Fat 

Adults aged 70+
80% are impacted by Obesity (1287, 1288)

 

Pickleball Related Eye Injuries Have INCREASED Dramatically 

45% RISE in 2024 from the previous year
19.8 MILLION participated in the sport

Age 50 or older
70% of ALL Eye Injuries
Orbital fractures | Retinal detachment | Globe trauma | Black eyes (1289, 1290)

 

First Large-Scale Evidence – 5.4 MILLION study of Older Americans
Internal Migration linked Significantly better Health outcomes   

Adults who stayed in Birth state 
22% HIGHER odds of Disability (1291, 1292)

AUSTRALIA

COMFORT FOOD used to cope with Chronic Pain

70% report using comfort food to cope once a month 
Chocolate ~ Ice-cream ~ Salty snacks
INCREASES odds of gaining weight which in turn can worsen pain

40% met the criteria for Obesity
52% use food for pleasant Experience 
50% to provide Distraction 
39% to reduce Emotions (1293, 1294)

GLOBAL

1 in 5 people Live with Chronic Pain
(1293)

UK

April 2024 – March 2025 
735 Police Officers sacked and barred from returning to Service

24% INCREASE on previous year 

Dishonesty
Discriminatory Behaviour 
Unlawful Access of Disclosure of Information 
Inappropriate Communications
Sexual Offences
Misconduct (1295, 1296)

 

England
1.16 BILLION Prescription items Dispensed from Community Pharmacies 
£10.4 BILLION reimbursed to Pharmacies

Upward Trend continues 4^th year running
despite number of Pharmacies falling – lowest level in 10 years 

£7.43 MILLION Pharmacies paid for Contraception Service Fees (1297)

USA

Providing Practical Help to a Friend
linked to positive mood among Older Adults in Daily Life 
Cooking a Meal ~ Helping with Household Chores ~ Picking up Medication

Friendships bring Joy – Important for 
Widowed | Divorced | Single | Childless (1298, 1299)

UK

Britain 
Brew-Crastination 
1 in 10 CANNOT FOCUS more than 5 minutes 

Biggest Productivity Killers 
27% Procrastinate MULTIPLE times an hour 
Gen Z worst offenders – average attention span 19 minutes 

52% Social Media Doom-Scrolling
online scrolling wasting most people’s time 

32% idling while making Tea
preventing from getting work done (1300)

 

Microdosing Latest Trend 
‘Off-Label’ Use of Weight Loss Drugs spreading from U.S. to U.K

1.25 MILLION take the Drugs – Most users buy Privately 
NHS have restricted Treatment to most Obese patients only

80% users are Women
Also being used to help curb Alcohol consumption (1301)

 

Met Police dismantle International gang
Largest ever operation against Phone Thefts 

2,000 Stolen Devices discovered
40,000 stolen mobile phones smuggled from UK to China

London
40% of All Phones stolen were Exported
Phones stolen TRIPLED in the last 4 years (1302)

 

Age Discrimination rife in the Workplace
New Office for National Statistics figures

Britain
Jobless Rate at the HIGHEST level for 4 years 

50s and 60s
Insecurity | Lost confidence | Wasted experience | Undervalued

Depression
Financial strain after Redundancy | Forced to take low paid or part-time Work (1303)

NETHERLANDS

Mental Health patients with Skin Conditions 
linked to HIGHER risk of worse outcomes 

25% with Initial Skin Conditions had Suicidal thoughts or attempts 

Skin conditions linked to greater Depression and poorer well-being at follow-up

Already Known 
30% –  60% with Skin Conditions showed Psychiatric symptoms (1304, 1305)

USA

1 in 10 children play outside once a week or less

68% engage in make-believe or pretend play 
65% read or listen to books 
60% watch TV or videos 
31% video games or other media play (1306)

UK

34% Children do not play outdoors after School 

20% do not play outside at Weekends 

Not Engaging In Outdoor Play 
linked to Obesity Anxiety and Depression (1307)

EUROPE & NORTH AMERICA

Wide Variation in Physical Side-Effects of Antidepressants

Large Scale Study 

Europe and North America
20% prescribed Antidepressants 
50% people weight gain occurred

21-beat-per-minute difference in heart rate between different Drugs (1308, 1309)  

UK & USA 

Online Fitness Influencers
Fuelling Parallel Unlicensed Weight Loss Drug Market

Drug sold is still in clinical trials and illegal to sell  

Thriving trade of cross-platform Social Media sales
Followers urged to message privately for supplier links 
Sellers give conflicting answers (1310)

UK

FREE Laptop or similar Device for Unemployed who lack Digital Skills 
AND Tailored Training to Access Jobs and Online Services

Recruitment now almost all Online 
Human touch is still very much needed (1311)

 

Saunas are the Latest Employee Benefit Trend
Headache for HR Teams | Robust Risk Assessment needed
(1312)

SWEDEN

Stress Caused by Family Structure Changes in Infancy 
TRIPLE the risk of Psoriasis in later life 

Death, Divorce, Separation during 1^st year of life
also new adult and/or a new/step-sibling can add to Stress 

Psoriasis – Chronic Autoimmune Disorder 
Rapid Skin Cell Growth and Inflammation (1313, 1314)

USA

‘Tech Neck’ among young Smartphone users 
 linked to early-onset Spinal Problems and Chronic Pain

Silent Pandemic which is reshaping our spine
Situation will worsen without Widescale Intervention 

Neck Pain
4^th leading cause of years lived with a Disability (1315)

INDIA

Forward Head Posture and Shoulder Mobility among college students
SIGNIFICANTLY associated with heavy Smartphone use (1315)

JAPAN

ANY AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL CAN INCREASE BLOOD PRESSURE
Large scale study 

Even Low Levels Of Alcohol Consumption 
Associated with Higher Blood Pressure and consistent across all Alcohol types 

Beneficial Changes in blood pressure associated with Stopping Alcohol 
(1316, 1317)

UK

Fatigue – Leading Cause of Road Traffic Accidents

20% of crashes related to Fatigue 
MORE than drink driving collisions
Driving whilst Tired even more dangerous than Drunk Driving 

38% admit that they have driven even when extremely Tired 

Age 18 – 34
MOST likely to drive while Tired 
46% feel sleepy whilst driving

45% of London has Tired Drivers – HIGHEST level

Drivers MOST likely to be Tired
2am – 6am and 2pm – 4pm (1318)

USA

RISE in Cost of Health Insurance – 3^rd year running
$27,000 for Family Plan if Insurance from Employer

Driving the Increase – 
Higher Spending on Chronic Diseases 
Weight Loss Drugs high costs
Hospital Bills going up 
Healthcare Costs Rising Faster than Inflation (1319)

UK

Major illicit Weight Loss Medicine Production Facility dismantled
Record seizure by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 

First Illicit Production Facility discovered in the UK
Sophisticated packaging and manufacturing equipment recovered

Tens of Thousands of Empty Pens
2,000 Unregulated pens due to be sent to customers (1320, 1321)

 

£500 MILLION in ‘hidden debts’ Students owe Universities 
NOT the Official Government Student Loan 

Unpaid Accommodation | Library Fines | Emergency Hardship Loans
Maintenance Loans too Low to meet Real Living Costs (1322)

EUROPE

Caller ID Spoofing 
Increasingly Common Tool used for Online Fraud and Social Engineering Scams 

Criminals falsify information displayed on phones
€850 MILLION Lost Worldwide each year

64% of cases are Phone Calls and Text Messages 
Primary Entry Point for Scams

Fraudsters Impersonate Banks | Government Agencies | Family Members
(1323)

USA

Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes or Both
INCREASED risk of Diabetes 
VAPING RISING – particularly among Youth

Hispanic and Black populations in poor Socioeconomic conditions 
Risk of Diabetes or Prediabetes even GREATER

using E-Cigarettes and Cigarettes together 
28% INCREASED risk of Prediabetes (1324, 1325)

GLOBAL

BOWEL CANCER RISING FAST IN UNDER 50s
Large Global analysis

Colorectal Cancer – only Cancer INCREASING FASTER than older adults 

5 of 13 Cancers analysed over 15 years in young and older adults
75% of countries Cancer incidence INCREASED

INCREASE in Younger Adults
Rates of Thyroid | Breast | Kidney | Endometrial | Leukaemia
(1326, 1327, 1328)

UK

2024
Record High Deaths Homeless

23% INCREASE in Deaths among homelessness people since 2022
(1329)

Landmark Renters’ Rights Act now Law
BAN on No Fault Evictions

England
11 MILLION Private Renters – 
Act will give Stronger Protection (1330)

USA

Stillbirths HIGHER than previously reported 
Often occurs with No Clinical Risk Factors 

1 in 150 Births ending in Stillbirth 
1 in 112 in Low Income areas
1 in 95 births in areas with Higher proportions of Black families 

70% occurred in Pregnancies with at least 1 clinical risk factor
e.g., Chronic Hypertension (1331, 1332)

AUSTRALIA

Type 2 Diabetes linked to DOUBLE the risk of Sepsis
Large Study

Men and under 60s most at Risk 

Past studies found risk of Sepsis increased 2 to 6-fold in those with Type 2 Diabetes 

Sepsis – one of the leading causes of Death globally 
83% INCREASED risk of death linked to Smoking (1333)

USA

Alarming Blood Sugar Levels seen among Kidney Dialysis Patients 
LARGEST study to date of real-time-blood-sugar patterns 

Continuous Glucose Monitors revealed Abnormalities in people with Kidney failure (1334, 1335)

UK

Experts warn of RISING use of AI for Mental Health support
sliding into Dangerous abyss

People INCREASINGLY turning to AI chatbots for help
Therapists seeing the Negative impacts

Emotional Dependence 
Exacerbating Anxiety symptoms 
Self-Diagnosis
Amplifying Delusional thought patterns
Dark thoughts 
Suicidal Ideation 

People in 20s using Chatbots as “pocket therapist” 
Feel Anxious if they don’t consult on Basic things like which coffee to buy or what subject to study at college (1336)

USA

Illinois Legislation 
Prohibiting use of AI in Therapy and Psychotherapy Services

Protecting Patients from Unregulated Unqualified AI Products 

Protecting jobs for Health providers and vulnerable children
RISING concerns over AI chatbot use in Youth Mental Health Services 
(1337)

TAIWAN 

Pigeon Racing 
Drugs | Smuggling | Abductions

Competitors kidnapped and then offered for Ransom
Performance enhancing drugs are given to the pigeons
Cloning tracking chips to send 2^nd bird over finish line  

200,000 Breeders-Trainers 
80 Regional Clubs 
1 Million Birds Per Year Racing

98% of Pigeons lost at sea in open ocean races (1338) 

UK

Breakfast Timing linked to Significant Health Outcomes
20 year study 

Consistent Later Breakfast 
associated with Physical and Mental Health Conditions 

Oral Health Problems | Sleep Disturbance | Depression | Increased Fatigue
Increased Risk Of Death (1339, 1340)

GERMANY & CHINA

15 MILLION tonnes of pharmaceutical products sold to China from Germany  

33 MILLION tonnes from China sold to Germany

76% of All Antibiotic Active Ingredients imported to Germany – from China 

80% of chemical supply for Diabetes medication Metformin – from China 

Manufacturers have to produce as cheaply as possible
Cheapest option usually abroad (1341, 1342)

UK

90% of Clinically Urgent Patients to be seen by GPs on the same day
New Target @NHS England 

British Medical Association warned – Simply NOT realistic
Practices Struggling to meet Demand
Profession going through an Unemployment Crisis (1343)

USA

HIGHER Mortality Rates found in Military Veterans 
with Epilepsy After Traumatic Brain Injury – study 210,000 veterans

Skull or Facial Fractures 
18% HIGHER risk of Death 

Localised Brain Injury
16% HIGHER risk (1344, 1345)

UK

2.6 MILLION have ADHD
2 MILLION UNDIAGNOSED
Clear Evidence of Under-Diagnosis (1346)

GLOBAL

Countries with HIGHEST rates of ADHD 
Haiti
Belize
Guyana 
Dominican Republic 
Suriname 
Jamaica 
Bahamas
Dominica (1347)

UK

London
100-TONNE FATBERG removed from sewer by Thames Water
1 month for water engineers to chisel Toxic mass
Blockage mainly wet wipes by congealed with oil, fat and grease 

3.8 BILLION wipes cleared each year
£18 MILLION cost each year

Britain
48% pour Fats, Oils and Grease down Drains  (1348)

 

Halloween 
£2 BILLION Spending 
Social Media heavily influences

£100 MILLION spent on Sugar Confectionery 

£1.4 MILLION on pumpkins – 4 weeks prior 

91% bought something Halloween related last year 

37% Growth on Retail Spending on Halloween 
Despite cost of living pressures Halloween continues to prove resilient (1349)

USA

Halloween – 2^nd most popular celebration after Christmas
Outranked Easter and New Year’s Eve 

72% go all out with Costumes, Parties and Trick or Treat 

23 hours Families spend Preparing Activities 
6 hours dedicated to preparing Food and creating Outfits (1350)

GLOBAL

Self-Diagnosed ADHD 
MORE Negative self-image and internalised stigma reported

Seek Online validation more often
Digital age has fuelled surge in ADHD self-diagnosis 

Turning to online platforms for Mental Health information (1351, 1352)

SWEDEN

Vitamin D deficiency INCREASES risk of complicated deliveries 

Clear link between Osteomalacia (a form of bone softening) caused by a Vitamin D deficiency and 5-fold INCREASED risk of emergency Caesarean sections or the need for vacuum assisted delivery (1353, 1354)

GERMANY

Dopamine INCREASES the willingness to wait for Rewards 
New research addresses the gap in earlier studies 

Dopamine’s effect on waiting for Rewards are not from changes in basic decision processes but from how future Rewards are valued over time
(1355, 1356)

USA

Drinking Water Aids In Weight Loss 
Prevents Kidney Stones, Migraines and Urinary Tract Infections

Controls Diabetes, Blood Glucose Levels and Low Blood Pressure 

Research support the benefits of staying hydrated (1357)

 

Generation X Women born 1965 – 1980
1 in 5 show signs of Addiction to Junk Food 

Ultra-Processed Diet linked to Rising Obesity Rates 
73% of the country’s food supply is UPF
40% of Adults are Obese (1358)

 

Alarming RISE in severe Diverticulitis under age 50 
2005 – 2020 Analysis 5.2 million Hospitalisations 

52% relative INCREASE in younger patients admitted with complicated Diverticulitis 
Same age group had similar increases in Colorectal Cancer diagnosis
(1359, 1360)

UK

Children in Long-Term Workless Households 
9 year HIGH

2024
Children Without a Parent in Work – Fastest INCREASE On Record

1.2 MILLION Children with Parents Jobless for over a year 

Children of Workless Families 
Twice likely to be in relative Poverty 
4 times likely to go without Basic Goods and Services (1361)

Sickness Benefits system exploding
£100 MILLION by 2030 (1361)

USA

Social Sycophancy AI chatbots huge problem 
Forming relationships with chatbots, people do not get challenged if their behaviour is harmfull

Chatbots endorsed users’ actions
50% MORE than humans did

Validates views and intentions even when Irresponsible, Deceptive or Self-Harm mentioned (1362, 1363)

UK

Government borrowing in September – Office for National Statistics 
£20.2 BILLION – HIGHEST for 5 years 

Long Term Borrowing Costs – August 2025
HIGHEST level since 1998 

6 months of Financial Year Borrowing 
£99.8 BILLION – 2^nd highest since records began in 1993

95.3% Gross GDP Public Sector DEBT
at levels not seen since the early 1960s (1364, 1365)

 

Women over age 16 
215,000 reported Rapes in the past 5 years

2.97% of Sex Attacks end in suspect being charged (1366)

 

UK High Streets 
Bad Bathrooms Blocking Business Growth 
76% Customers report Toilet conditions reflect overall Hygiene Standards

61% never return or recommend a Restaurant, Pub, Café or Bar
71% more likely to return if Bathroom is clean 
50% will leave a tip if clean Bathroom (1367)

 

Junk Food flooding young people’s Social feeds
New Digital Influence study

Constant stream of (HFSS) – High Fat, Salt and Sugar Content

39% engage in HFSS posts by liking, commenting or sharing 
Numbers HIGHER for Influencer content than Adverts from Businesses 
Seeing Images can Trigger Cravings (1368, 1369)

UK

Thousands of Stolen Goods recovered – Metropolitan Police 
Food, alcohol, phones and gaming consoles

Largest operation on organised shoplifting gangs with links to Drugs and Violence 

Shops buying goods stolen from major retailers and re-selling at cheaper prices (1370)

CANADA

Mental Health Hospitalisation Rates
HIGHER after Abortion than deliveries

Elevated risk – Psychiatric disorders | Substance use | Suicide attempts 
Under age 25 and patients with pre-existing mental illness most at risk

Risk of Mental Disorders is greatest within 5 years of abortion (1371)

UK

Porn is fully integrated into British society

MEN

82% watch it
91% watch Porn at home 
34% admit they accessed before age 15
55% hide it from partners 
64% Porn has caused issues with erectile dysfunction 
59% Porn negatively affected relationship and sex life (1372)

GLOBAL

ASTRONOMICAL RISE in Porn consumption Worldwide

August 2024 – August 2025
8.93 BILLION searches for Porn decade HIGH

40% RISE in 2 years (1372)

JAPAN

Prisoners
History of daily/regular Methamphetamine use SIGNIFICANTLY linked to:

History of Psychiatric Consultation
Sexually Transmitted Infections 
Daily/Regular Tobacco Smoking 
Daily/Regular Thinner Inhalation of a Solvent-Based Inhalant (1373, 1374)  

URAGUAY

Largest Rice Exporter 
95% Production Exported
30,000 Rice Workers | 500 Growers and Farms
$500 MILLION profit 

Widespread and ill-controlled use of agrochemicals affecting Employee’s Health 
Cancer | Lung Disease | Miscarriages (1375)

UK

35% Adults seek Therapy at some point in their life
42% report there is a stigma attached to Counselling

18% are comfortable talking to an AI chatbot 

Therapy in last 2 years
62% Anxiety 
51% Stress
50% Depression 
28% Confidence, Self-Esteem, Support
26% Sleep 

54% report Loneliness having an impact on Mental Health

Age 16 – 25
72% report Loneliness (1376)

GLOBAL

CRIMINAL NETWORKS MIS-USING CREDIT CARD DATA 
4.3 MILLION Cardholders 
193 Countries 
€300 MILLION damages

19 MILLION Fake Online Subscriptions 
created on Professionally Operated Websites designed to evade search engine indexing, accessible only through direct URLs or links

Websites offering Pornography, Dating and Streaming services (1377)

FINLAND

Medication-Related Burden (MRB)
44% with Chronic conditions find Medication Therapy a burden

MOST common with 
Diabetes | Heart Disease | Rheumatic Disease | Other Musculoskeletal Disorder 

Greatest Burdens caused by 
Fragmented Care | Cost of Medicines | Adverse Drug Reactions (1378, 1379)

GLOBAL

10 – 15 minute continuous Walking
Beneficial for Cardiovascular Health more than bouts of less than 5 minutes 

LOWER risk of Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease – Heart Attack and Stroke 
10,000 steps recommended by Health Professional Not necessary (1380, 1381)

UK

Widespread Undetected Sensory Health Issues 
25% over 50s have Vision impairment in at least 1 eye
76% have Hearing Loss
81% never undergone a Hearing Test
36% with Glaucoma unaware of their diagnosis

£58 BILLION – Cost of Sensory Loss annually (1382, 1383)

 

Britain
Criminals claim ways to get a Driving Licence without Exams 
Scammers via Social Media platforms exploiting Driving Test delays 

£850 to skip the queue

September 2025
668,128 people had a practical driving test booked (1384)

MALDIVES

Under age 18
First Country to BAN Smoking for entire Generation 
Permanently from buying, using or sold Cigarettes or any Tobacco products

Lifelong ban for anyone born on or after 1 January 2007 

E-cigarettes already banned for people of ALL ages
Ban applies to Residents and Tourists (1385, 1386)

GLOBAL

Adults using Melatonin for 1 year 
90% HIGHER chance of incident Heart Failure over 5 years 

2 Melatonin prescriptions filled at least 90 days apart 
82% HIGHER chance 

3.5 times MORE likely to be Hospitalised for Heart Failure 
Twice as likely to Die from any cause (1387)

USA

Daily Nicotine Vaping DOUBLED among Adolescents who vaped 

2020
15.4% youth vaped daily 

2024
28.8% youth vaped daily 

53% tried but Unable to Quit 

Signs of worsening Addiction
Becoming Heavy Users
Vaping within 5 minutes of waking up
Using other substances including Alcohol and Cannabis (1388, 1389)

EUROPE

Childhood Obesity and Overweight MAJOR concern
World Health Organization 

ALARMINGLY HIGH levels
37 Countries | 470,000 Children | Age 6 to 9

Age 7 – 9 
1 in 4 Overweight 
1 in 10 Obesity 

Rates MUCH HIGHER in Southern Europe
1 in 5 children living with Obesity 

41% have sweets more than 3 times per week (1390)

USA

Heavy Alcohol use linked to risk of Brain Bleed

3 or more Alcoholic drinks a day 
Larger deeper brain bleeds at a younger age
MORE signs of Small-Vessel and Blood-Pressure related Brain Damage

Brain Bleed is one of the most Lethal and Disabling conditions known to human beings (1391, 1392)

UK

Cheap DIY Botox-like injections available illegally online 
Self-administering and not licensed for use 
Risk of Eyelid Droops, Infection and Botulism 

900,000 Botox injections carried out in the UK each year 
Botox jabs have become a routine procedure for many

England
41 recent cases of Botulism Poisoning (1393)

ASIA

Southeast Asia – Intense Sand Mining 
Contemporary World built on Sand 

100 MILLION tonnes removed every year 
Ecosystems severely disrupted by removal for Domestic and International markets 

GLOBAL DEMAND for Sand GROWING RAPIDLY
Sand extracted from developing countries used to develop and expand richer nations (1394, 1395)

SINGAPORE

Last 200 years
Singapore imported enough sand to INCREASE its landmass by 25%
(1394)

UK

England 
Changing patterns of Heart Diseases shown before, during and after the Pandemic – 57 million data analysed 

During Pandemic Trends 
Marked RISES in prevalence of conditions like Ischaemic Stroke and Heart Failure

HIGHER Rates of Cardiovascular Complications, New-Onset Cardiovascular Disease and Disruption to Routine Care (1396, 1397) 

 

September 2025
RETAIL SALES RISE unexpectedly – HIGHEST levels in 3 years

Release of iPhone 17 
Computer and Telecommunications product sales grew strongly 

Strong ONLINE DEMAND for Gold by Internet Jewellers (1398)

 

54,000 Cancer cases linked to Nitrates 
Scientists demand ban on Supermarket Bacon and Ham

Devastating Human Financial Cost 
£3 BILLION to treat preventable Cancers past decade 

5,400 Bowel Cancer cases a year caused by eating Processed Meats
£59,000 Treatment Cost For Each Patient (1399)

USA

Black adults face 1^st Hospitalisation for Heart Failure 14 years earlier than white patients
Hispanic patients hospitalised 8 years earlier 
Asians – 3 years earlier 

2016 – 2019 
42,000 Patient Records | 713 Hospitals 

Insurance | Unemployment | Education Levels (1400, 1401)

FINLAND

Voting Behaviour in Elections 
STRONGLY linked to Future risk of Death 

STRONGER determinant of Health than Education 

Not Voting 
73% HEIGHTENED risk of Death from any cause among Men 
63% among Women (1402, 1403)

UK

54% Professionals experience workplace ‘culture rot’ 
Gradual decline of an organisation’s values and culture that lead to a Toxic or Dysfunctional Environment
Top Indicators 
41% receive Limited Incentives or Rewards 
36% Poor Collaboration across Company 
23% Unclear or Broken Down Communication (1404)

 

81% Employers report Company-Wide Cost Cutting Measures have SIGNIFICANTLY weakened Workplace Culture  

75% employees admitted leaving job due to workplace culture issues
(1405) 

 

Worrying New Trend 
Anorexia patients hospitalised and using ‘skinny jabs’

Purchased online and delivered the next day
No checking of patient’s doctor’s details 

78% of Care Providers report patients admitted using weight-loss injections over the last year

With injections they stop eating completely – organs start failing. 
End up in a much more critical state as a result

Anorexia – HIGHEST mortality rate of any mental illness (1406)

GLOBAL

Social Apnoea – Newly identified Sleep Disorder
70,000 Worldwide Study

Spike in Weekend Obstructive Sleep Apnoea severity 
driven by Lifestyle Choices and Irregular Sleep Patterns 

Disruptions on Weekends
Late Nights 
INCREASE in Smoking and Alcohol consumption

47% INCREASED risk of worse Sleep Apnoea with 45 minutes extra Sleep

24% HIGHER risk on weekends with those under age 60 (1407, 1408)

USA

Strong link between Type 2 Diabetes and Hearing Loss
Complication that often goes unrecognised and unscreened 

Prevalence among Type 2 Diabetes patients
40% to 71% Patients experiencing Hearing Loss

4 x HIGHER risk of Hearing Loss for those with Type 2 Diabetes 

Patients with Diabetes diagnosis more than 10 years
Prevalence of Hearing Loss SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER (1409, 1410)

 

Poverty and Debt in early Adulthood linked to Premature Death 

Poverty-level Family Income over 2 decades from young to mid–adulthood
Significantly Higher risk of dying prematurely 

RISING unsecured Debt like Credit Card – linked early life Financial Hardship and
89% HIGHER risk of Death (1411, 1412)

 

People with High Blood Pressure
TWICE as likely to take Medication regularly when offered DAILY chances to win cash rewards 

71% took the Medication regularly for the financial incentives
Improvements did NOT last once the rewards stopped 

Study Participants 
54.5% Obese 
46.5% Type 2 Diabetes (1413, 1414)

UK

Gen Z Drowning in Probation Period Anxiety 
Double the rate of Psychological Distress in probation period 

Job Paranoia crippling thousands of Employees

Cycle of Self-Doubt and Failure

56% Graduates report not equipped or ready for Job market

98% young people dealing with BURNOUT symptoms (1415)

EUROPE

Cybercrime Infrastructure taken down 
1,025 Servers
20 Domains seized  

3 larger Cybercrime Enablers also taken down –
One of the biggest infostealers with a Key role in International cybercrime

Responsible for infecting hundreds of thousands Worldwide with Malware 
Many unaware of infection on their systems (1416)

UK

Chocolate flavour coating instead of Chocolate
Popular Biscuit now contains MORE palm oil and shea oil than Cocoa 

Ghana and Ivory Coast over the past 3 years 
Cocoa prices soared after poor harvests in key growing areas

Added cost prompted Manufacturers to use tactics from making bars and biscuits smaller to reducing Cocoa content to keep prices down (1417)

USA

Migraine risk linked to disruptions in Daily Routine 

Surprise to the Body 
strongly linked to HIGHER risk of Migraine attack within 12 to 24 hours
Excess Food/Drink | Late Night | Fights | Stressful Incident | Traumatic Experiences | Unexpected Good/Bad News | Severe Mood Swings 
56% INCREASED risk within 12 hours
88% INCREASED risk within 24 hours (1418, 1419)

UK

Pushy Parents – BIGGEST problem in Sports performance
Abuse towards Officials and Children 

Growing concern Pressure and Abuse is hampering competitive Sport

Parents banned from attending Sport events due to concerning behaviours around performance and winning at all costs

Problem going on for years
Level of Abuse and Behaviour have got worse (1420)

IRELAND

Ketamine FAILS to outperform placebo – Major Depression trial 
NO BENEFIT to patients hospitalised with Depression 

Depressive Disorders
24% of all adult admissions to Psychiatric Services (1421, 1422)

GLOBAL

Depression recognised by the World Health Organization as the leading cause of Disability (1421)

UK

Most visited Pornography site on the Internet 
77% visitors down following introduction of Online Safety Act in July 2025 
Rigorous age checks for sites hosting sexually explicit material 

240,000 Adult Websites 
8 MILLION users per month 

 VPNs used to get around Age or Identity (1423)

 

400 Children Prescribed Weight-Loss Injections by NHS
Youngest 9 years old 

GLP-1 medications to under 18s if – 
Living with Severe Obesity 
Have serious health complications as a result of their weight
All other interventions have failed (1424)

USA

Ultra-Processed Foods – connection to Bowel polyps 
Bowel polyps can develop into Bowel Cancer if left untreated

UPFs – 
Ice-cream
Biscuits
Mass produced breads 
Breakfast cereals 
Instant soups
Carbonated drinks 
Fruit-flavoured yoghurts (1425, 1426, 1427)

NORWAY & SWEDEN

Smoking linked to INCREASED risk of all subtypes of Type 2 Diabetes 

Smoking of any duration SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASES risk of developing 
ALL 4 subtypes of Type 2 Diabetes 

Even having smoked in the past INCREASES risk
2 X MORE likely to develop Severe Insulin-Resistant Diabetes

Heavy Smoking DOUBLES risk (1428)

UK

Armed Forces Sexualised Behaviours and Sexual Harassment
90,000 Military Personnel Official Statistics
Wide Spectrum of Harassment – Verbal to Physical

Females MORE likely to experience ALL types of Sexualised Behaviours

Last 12 months
67% of Military Women experienced at least 1 sexualised behaviour 
63% were from the Royal Air Force 
69% Navy 
69% Army 

71% of Females from other ranks were more likely to have experienced a sexualised behaviour compared to Female Officers (1429, 1430)

USA

Women who have been stalked – 66,000 women data analysed
HIGHER risk of Heart Disease and Stroke 

Being Stalked or obtaining a Restraining Order – 
70% MORE likely to report Cardiovascular Disease

1 in 3 Women have been stalked in their lives 

Sexual Assault and Workplace Harassment linked to High Blood Pressure (1431, 1432)

UK

Unemployment rates RISE to HIGHEST level in 4 years 
2020 – Official jobless rate was last higher in height of Pandemic 

HMRC report falling number of Workers on firms’ payrolls

1.8 MILLION now Unemployed
1 MILLION young people NOT in Education, Training or Employment
(1433)

USA

Dallas
Vaping Prohibited in Public and Enclosed Spaces 
Bars – Workplaces – Parks – Areas designated as no-smoking zones 

95% of Tobacco users started before age 21
5,700 Children starting to Vape EVERY DAY  

1.6 MILLION Middle and High School Students use E-Cigarettes (1434)

UK

37% adults turn to AI to help with Mental Health issues or Well-Being 

66% use general-purpose platforms for AI 
Not mental health-specific programmes 

Due to over-stretched services – turning to Chatbots for their Well-Being 
Risk of exposing vulnerable people to Serious Harm (1435)

GLOBAL

RISE in Chronic Diseases in Pets
modern lifestyle challenges create new Health concerns  

Growing Epidemic Mirrors Patterns in Human Health  

40% Dogs have Osteoarthritis 
60% Cats 
Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats – Prevalent 

Obesity and Diabetes
Sedentary Lifestyles and Overfeeding Contributing to Metabolic Disorders (1436, 1437)

CHILE

Soccer Fans Viewing Soccer Matches involving Favourite Teams
HEIGHTENED Brain Activity link Reward and Stress when fans’ teams succeed or fail

Higher activation in reward systems’ regions when participants teams scored against rivals. Effects strongest in highly fanatic participants.

Roots of Fanaticism start early (1438, 1439)

USA

Daytime Sleepiness Common Problem – 
Impact of Sleepiness in multiple areas of Life 

72% adults report often affects Daily Activities 
60% Mood 
53% Stress or Anxiety 
42% Work Productivity

36% Women – Household Management affected by Sleepiness

56% Adults use Caffeine to combat Sleepiness

Age 25 – 44
Sleepiness affecting their Relationship (1440)

 

RISE in Temperature-related Deaths 

1999 – 2024
69,713,971 Deaths 

69,256 Heat and Cold related Deaths 
Extreme temperature recorded as underlying or contributing cause

Temperature-related Mortality rates HIGHER in more recent years 
Age 65+ and males – HIGHER temperature related mortality (1441, 1442)

UK 

Eating Disorders Complex and Long-Lasting
HIGHER risk Poor Physical and Mental Health and Premature Deaths 

Anorexia ~ Bulimia ~ Binge Eating 

Within first years of being diagnosed
6 x more likely to develop Renal Failure 
7 x more likely to develop Liver Disease

SIGNIFICANTLY heightened risk of 
Osteoporosis | Heart Failure | Diabetes | Depression | Self-Harm 

Elevated risks can persist for years even after recovered from an Eating Disorder
(1443, 1444)

 

7 MILLION adults hit by a Scam in last year

1 in 5 SIGNIFICANTLY affected by Financial Loss
7 MILLION knew of one or more who had been deceived by a scam 

26% targeted while Online Shopping 
Fake websites | Counterfeit Goods | Non-existent Goods

42% contacted through Social Media
35% have Fear being scammed again (1445)

UK & EUROPE

‘Gamification’ of HIGHLY DANGEROUS content
Racist and Xenophobic propaganda shared on Gaming and Gaming–Related platforms removed by Europol

Perpetrators re-enact Terrorist Attacks, School Shootings and Execution scenes in 3D gameplay

Videos edited with violent extremist jargon, chants or suggestive emojis and then disseminated on commonly used mainstream Social Media platforms for even wider reach (1446)

EUROPE

€47 MILLION in Crypto traced to disrupt Digital Piracy Services

Cutting edge online advanced investigative tools used to identify potential infringements

69 Sites Identified and Targeted (1447)

USA

Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries – HIGHER risk developing Chronic Disorders regardless of Age | Location of the Injury | Prior Health status 

Patients returning to clinics with 
Hypertension | Stroke | Depression | Diabetes | Increased risk of Death (1448, 1449)

JAPAN

Older Japanese adults
Diminished Hand Function linked to HIGHER risk of long-term care 
14 year Study – 1st in the world 

Decline in Fine Motor Ability of Hands and Fingers and Lower Limb Function
Lower Limb Function is essential for walking and standing. 

Decline substantially contributes to a need for Nursing Care (1450, 1451)

USA

Veterans Suicide rates remain HIGH 
in those with Traumatic Brain injuries 

Post–911 Veterans
1 in 5 experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury

140,000 Veterans have died by Suicide since 2001
Majority involve Firearms

ELEVATED risk for Cancers of the Nervous System 
Glioblastoma in Female Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (1452, 1453)

EUROPE

Cannabis now the MOST widely used illegal drug
(1454)

USA

3 in 10 who use Cannabis have Cannabis Use Disorder
Half of U.S. states legalised Marijuana for recreational use for adults (1455)

NETHERLANDS

Compelling Evidence 
Poor Sleep linked to HIGH risk of injury when running 
Sleep is a critical yet overlooked component of injury prevention 

Runners focus on Mileage, Nutrition and Recovery Strategies 
Sleep usually bottom of the list 

68% risk of sustaining an injury over a 12 month period
90% of runners experience an injury at some stage 

Vulnerable to Injury
Shorter Sleep duration | Lower Sleep Quality | Sleep problems (1456, 1457)

GLOBAL

Running Extremely Popular in Recreational Sports Activities 
620 MILLION run on a regular basis (1456, 1457)   

USA 

1 in 10 adults have a Cancer diagnosis in their Lifetime
HIGHEST since 2008 when tracking started

2009 – 2019 
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE 

Under Age 50
Breast Cancer for women on the RISE

INCREASES in incidence of 14 Cancer types (1458, 1459)

ARGENTINA

Record RISE in Syphilis cases
HIGHEST levels since Systematic reporting began

20.5% INCREASE this year 
Continuing an upward Trend 
Rise is across all Regions 

Driven Largely by Young People
76% of cases involved ages 15 – 39 

Highest Rates 
Age 20 – 29 

Music and Social Media Videos 
show or normalize sex without condoms (1460)   

BRAZIL

Midlife Adults
Artificial Sweeteners linked to faster Cognitive Decline in Midlife Adults

Accelerated cognitive decline particularly verbal fluency and global cognition 

Growing body of evidence on the long-term effects of Artificial and Sugar alcohol-based sweeteners (1461, 1462)

CANADA

Cannabis use – Compelling Evidence 
linked to harm in Fertility of Females undergoing Fertility Treatment

THC and its metabolites create a negative effect on egg quality with IVF associated with chromosome segregation errors in both oocytes and embryos (1463, 1464)

NIGERIA

Increasing Trend
HIGH Prevalence of Skin Lightening in under 5s

Children under 2 
Twice as likely recipients of skin lightening attempts compared to older children

80% exposed to skin bleaching products 

Products contain Endocrine system disruptors 
Aesthetic preferences trumped knowledge of health risks 

Mothers who used Skin Lightening Creams 
15 times more likely to use on their Children (1465, 1466)

GLOBAL

1 in 10 without Coeliac Disease/Wheat Allergy 
report Gluten/Wheat sensitivity Large Systemic Review Meta-Analysis 
More common in Women 
SIGNIFICANTLY more likely to occur in those with Anxiety, Depression and Irritable Bowel Syndrome 

Fatigue or Headache experienced when eating Gluten or Wheat (1467, 1468)

UK

Military called in to clear Driving Test backlog

Pandemic closed Driving Test Centres
Thousands in the queue, still not cleared 

650,000 waiting to take their tests despite – 
Weekend test slots
Bringing older examiners out of retirement 
Simplifying the booking system

Driving Test Fraud
TRIPLED since start of 2025
Scammers taking advantage of the huge backlog 
Tests being sold on ‘closed’ Social Media groups at a premium (1469, 1470)

 

Lone Asylum Seekers disappear soon after arriving
Arrive in small boats or hidden in backs of lorries

345 gone missing in recent years from Home Office operated Hotels
Council data obtained 

Albanian Children largest group to go missing 
Followed by Afghans and Iranians (1471)

 

Offshore North Sea Oil Workers Must Lose Weight or Face Losing Job 

124kg 
Maximum weight for clothed worker to carry by rescue helicopter Emergency

2,277 workers weighed OVER this limit (1472)

USA

Untreated Sleep Apnoea 
Twice as likely to have Parkinson’s 

1999 – 2022
11 MILLION U.S Military Veterans’ Health records examined 
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) recommended (1473, 1474)

 

Many who die by Suicide are Not Depressed
50% who die by Suicide have No diagnosed Psychiatric risk factors 

Study results challenge Common Beliefs about Suicide risk 
new approaches needed urgently (1475, 1476)

UK

Government Soft Drinks levy extended to Protect Children and Improve Health
Milkshakes ~ Flavoured Milks ~ Milk Alternative Drinks with Added Sugar 
Sweetened Yoghurt Drinks ~ Ready to Drink Coffees ~ Chocolate Milk Drinks 

£11.4 BILLION a year – Obesity Crisis Cost to NHS (1477, 1478)

 

HR Professionals experiencing Growing Pressure 
overstretched as Teams shrink and Responsibilities grow

61% HR professionals report after spending time supporting others’ well-being – little energy for their own>

59% under more Emotional strain than last year  

Top Emotional Pressures 
42% Supporting Staff through Burnout and Well-Being concerns 
40% Supporting Staff to manage constant change and uncertainty 
36% Balancing Commercial demands with Employee needs (1479)

EUROPE & NORTH AMERICA

Famous Singers 
33% MORE likely to die younger compared with non-celebrity Musicians 

Psychological Stressors of Fame 
Lack of Privacy 
Intense Public Scrutiny 
Punishing Schedules 
Pressure to Perform

Stressors fuel Mental Health problems
Harmful Coping Mechanisms that contribute to a hastened Death

Fame – a Chronic burden that amplifies existing Occupational risks 
Fame is so detrimental that it overrides any potential benefits associated with High Socioeconomic Status (1480, 1481)

GLOBAL

Black Friday 
9 out of 10 Retailers taking part this year 

Permanent restlessness acts as breeding ground to make the event more attractive 

Young people feel the most – 
Anxiety | Feeling of Scarcity | FOMO 

Focus on what is missing – object, goal, desire 
Shopping is a momentary way to fill that void (1482)

UK

Flexpectation 
86% of Workers Demand Flexible Hours
4 days a week 

93% would take action if no longer allowed to work Remote or Hybrid

44% reject work that does not offer flexible hours

51% schedule personal appointments in work hours 

72% Generation Z and Millennials interested in micro-shifting
working in short non-linear blocks in line with their energy, duties or productivity

44% partake in Coffee badging
going to the Office for a few hours to show their face and then going Home (1483)

PHILIPPINES

2.3 MILLION more metric rice consumed than the country produced 

Widening gap 
Rice output largely stagnant since 2017 
18% shortfall locked Philippines into deeper dependence on imported rice
(1484, 1485)

GLOBAL

Growing Diabetes Threat 
252 MILLION worldwide unaware they have Diabetes
HIGHER risk of serious complications and early death 

Type 1 Diabetes
1.8 MILLION children and young adults under age 20 
3.4 MILLION deaths annually 

1 in 8 at HIGH risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes 
3 in 4 adults with Diabetes live in low and middle income countries (1486)

High-Income North America
HIGHEST rates of Diabetes diagnosis (1487)

UK

Poor Sleep clear link to Accelerating Brain Aging 
MORE likely to have brains that appear older than they actually are
INCREASED inflammation in the body partly explains the association (1488, 1489, 1490)

GLOBAL

Ultra-Processed Foods Harm Every Major Organ
New Lancet Report 

UPFs rapidly replacing fresh food in Children and Adult diets 
80% of diet comprising of UPFs typical in some, particularly Young people, less well-off and are from disadvantaged areas

Key driver
Growing RISE globally of UPF industry 
Restructuring Systems for Profitability Above All Else (1491, 1492)

EUROPE

Un–diagnosed HIV is RISING 
Silent Crisis fuelling transmission 

Half of diagnosis are given too late for effective Treatment
33% of cases – virus was already at advanced stage

Late Diagnosis
80% Bosnia | Herzegovina
74% North Macedonia
68% Croatia 
66% Sweden 

2.6 MILLION diagnoses reported since the 1980s (1493)

 

EU Markets
16.6 MILLION packages of fake and harmful toys taken off
€36.8 MILLION worth of Counterfeits seized

FAKE TOYS ARE POISONING, DEAFENING AND INJURING CHILDREN
Criminal Networks remain Highly Active in Counterfeiting Toys 

Global Toy Market Value 
€300 BILLION annually
2^nd most Counterfeited Industry Globally (1494)

UK

NHS Locally Employed Doctors 
trapped in insecure “gig economy” contracts

9 in 10 NHS Trusts 
use contracts that deny Doctors Training and fair Pay progression 
(1495, 1496)

 

Pre-Teen Smartphone Use linked to –
Depression Obesity Insufficient Sleep

Age 12
64% owned a smartphone
60% HIGHER odds of insufficient sleep 
40% HIGHER odds of Obesity 
30% HIGHER odds of Depression (1497, 1498)

 

Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome gets formal Clinical identity
Chronic Cannabis Use – common trait in Emergency rooms over past decade

Abdominal Pain and Severe or Prolonged Vomiting
Users experience cyclically 3 or 4 times a year – Costing thousands $ each time (1499)

UK

£5.5 BILLION model classified fit for Army deployment
Troops given Medical Treatment for Hearing problems in final tests

Delay in introduction of the armoured vehicle for several years
concerns about Deafness, Noise and Vibration (1500)

 

RISE of deepfake Pornography in Schools normalised Worldwide 
AI generates deepfake nude images or videos 

‘Nudity’ apps MORE Prevalent 

75% incidents under age 14 
Images created by pupils, often peers (1501, 1502)

 

26% RISE in Departures of Overseas-Trained Doctors 

42% of entire NHS medical workforce qualified Overseas 

Increased denigration and abuse directed at migrants in UK
Significant reason for the RISE in Foreign Medics leaving

Return to 1970s and 1980s style racism in Britain – 
Socially Acceptable to be Racist (1503)

USA 

Ultra-processed Foods
linked to HIGHER risk of pre-Diabetes in young adults 
Elevated blood sugar linked to Insulin Resistance 

10% Increase in UPF consumption –
64% HIGHER risk for Pre-Diabetes
56% HIGHER risk for glucose regulation problems (1504, 1505)

MALAYSIA

Disturbing Trends in Mental Health adolescent girls and young women 
Body Image issues drive Binge Eating 

SIGNIFICANT correlation 
between High levels of Body Dissatisfaction and Increased Anxiety

Relentless Pressure from Media to conform to specific Beauty Standards 
(1506, 1507)

UK

England 
No-fault Evictions to be banned
End to “bidding wars” | Calling time on rogue Landlords

Changes Will End Fixed-Term Tenancy Contracts
11 MILLION Renters move to “rolling” Agreements  (1508)

 

England and Wales 
Abortion rate hits RECORD HIGH 
3 in 10 Pregnancies end in Termination

2022
251,377 Abortions 
HIGHEST number since Abortion Act 1967

61% under age 16
HIGHEST percentage of Conceptions leading to Abortion 
Emergency Contraception remains an underutilised resource (1509)

LEBANON

Patterns and Prevalence of Depression, Tobacco and Caffeine use 
University students among different majors
31% experienced some level of Depression 
Architecture Students 
HIGHEST levels of Depression

Tobacco use HIGHER among non-medical majors
Caffeine HIGHER among Health and Non-Medical Students

Chocolate	Coffee
92% male	71% male
98% females	80% females (1510, 1511)

EUROPE

Maternal Eating Disorders
26% heightened risk of Children’s Asthma 

Irrespective of –
Type of disorder (Anorexia or Bulimia)
Presence of co-existing Depression/Anxiety 
Timing of Child’s exposure (Pregnancy or after Birth) (1512, 1513)

GERMANY

Beer Belly linked to Heart Damage – More Common in Men 
Large New Study 

Abdominal Obesity
associated more harmful changes in Heart structure than overall body weight 

Abdominal Fat Affects Breathing And Lung Pressure (1514)

USA

Obesity speeds up Alzheimer’s development 

Increase in Blood Biomarker (BBM) Values 
95% faster progression in individuals with Obesity 

1^st time relationship been shown between Obesity and Alzheimer’s (1515)

 

Alarming number of invasive Breast Cancers in Younger Women 

Age 18 to 49 
20 – 24% of all Breast Cancers diagnosed from 2014 – 2024
80% invasive

Breast Cancer in younger women not rare – 
when it occurs, often more serious (1516) 

33% of Breast Cancer cases involved High Grade Tumours (1517)

 

Common Nerve Painkillers linked to mis-diagnosed Heart Failure 

Prescriptions DOUBLED in a decade

Side Effects from Painkillers are treated with a second medication
Leg swelling leading doctors to suspect Heart Failure, which then leads them to prescribe diuretics that can cause Kidney Injury, light headedness and falls.

Prescribing cascades are an under-recognised driver of Polypharmacy among older adults (1518, 1519)

UK

England and Wales 
31% of Women Abused as Children
26% of Men 

13.6 MILLION equivalent to 3 in 10 people
experienced Emotional, Physical, Sexual Abuse and Neglect 

10.6 MILLION Emotional Abuse
7.7 MILLION Physical Abuse

1 in 7 Women experienced Sexual Abuse 
94% were abused only by males (1520, 1521) 

SWEDEN

Heavy Periods and Vegan Diets
SIGNIFICANTLY raises risk of Anaemia in Teenage Girls 
53% reported Heavy Bleeding 

Adolescent girls require more iron due to Hormonal changes 
Iron deficiency symptoms include physical fatigue and cognitive difficulties (1522, 1523)

DENMARK

People under 50 with Diabetes
7 times HIGHER risk of Death by Sudden Cardiac Death 

Type 1 Diabetes
3.7 times more common
14.2 years shorter life expectancy

Type 2 Diabetes 
6.5 times more common
7.9 years shorter life expectancy

INCREASE in risk especially noticeable among Younger Adults
Usually rare in the young (1524, 1525)

EUROPE

Europeans Burned Out 
€16.9 BILLION  companies spent on Workplace Wellness initiatives in 2023 

Programs FAIL to address structural issues known as Psychosocial risks:
Long Hours | Job Strain | Job Insecurity | Lack of Recognition | Bullying

Employers reluctant to address psychosocial issues in workplace

Surge in Mental Health issues after Pandemic
especially those caused by or related to Work 

50% of workers in 30 countries say they have excessive workloads  

€100 BILLION per year cost to European Union
Depression and Heart Health issues caused by work-related Stress (1526)

GLOBAL

NO EVIDENCE of any benefits from antibiotics for Common Cold
or persisting acute purulent rhinitis in children or adults 

Common Colds caused by a Virus
THEY DO NOT RESPOND TO ANTIBIOTICS (1527, 1528)

USA

Ultra-Processed Foods linked to Over-Eating 

Late Teens/Early 20s
after 2 weeks on Diet of high in ultra-processed foods 
Continued taking excessive calories even when not hungry 

Most Excess calories come from snacking 
Snacking when not hungry important predictor of later weight gain in young people

Age 15 – 24 
65% of daily calories are UPFs (1529, 1530)

 

Scromiting – INCREASINGLY common condition – Screaming and Vomiting 
Pain associated with a condition caused by Chronic Marijuana use 

24 U.S. states and Washington D.C legalised recreational Marijuana
Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome on the RISE as use more popular

Minors treated with CHS (1531) 

 

Depression raises risk of Epilepsy and complicates Treatment 
90,000 in the study with newly diagnosed Epilepsy 
Those with Depression:
2.5 times HIGHER risk of later Epilepsy diagnosis

40% more likely to fail first anti-seizure medication within first few months IF they stop taking it, switch to another drug or supplement it with another drug  

Those with both Epilepsy and Depression:
65% more likely to have Anxiety 
42% Sleep Disorders
20% Psychosis
18% Bipolar Disorder (1532)

 

Circadian Rhythm Disruption
linked self-diagnosed of Mental illness

Self-Diagnosis emerging phenomenon influenced by Social Media

Research findings will now have implications for College Students, Shift Workers and those with No regular Sleep schedule (1533, 1534, 1535)

EUROPE

Fructose intake makes it harder to fight infections 

Proof for the first time that immune cells react strongly to bacterial toxins after Fructose consumption 

Body MORE susceptible to Inflammation 
Especially sugary drinks and sweets (1536, 1537)

UK

Britain
693,000 left last year 
898,000 arrived  

1,469,000 arrived in 2023 

75% from Pakistan / Bangladesh / Nigeria / Eritrea / Afghanistan 

June 2024 – June 2025 left Country
59,000 aged 16 – 24
52,000 aged 25 – 30 
Motivation behind Emigration Trend unknown 

50% Asylum seekers came illegally
41,000 claimed Asylum on another type of visa e.g., study
15,000 International Students came then claimed Asylum (1538)

 

A & E departments under siege
200,000 attended Accident and Emergency last year 
Minor ailments that could be treated by GP or pharmacist 

Sore throat | Blocked nose | Itchy skin | Hiccups | Earaches | Ingrowing toenails 
(1539, 1540)

 

England
School Attendance remains in crisis 

Absence Rates
50% above pre-pandemic levels  

1 in 5 Children classified as persistently Absent 
Duvet Days
Time off for Emotional Rest increasingly accepted
75% parents allow this at least once a year 

33% Parents report 
they are more relaxed about school absences than 5 years ago

Increasingly Common reasons for missing School 
Term-time holidays ~ Family visits ~ Cultural outings (1541)

JAPAN

Young students Suicide cases hit RECORD HIGH last year 

Age 6 to 22
Suicides increased compared with the previous year

Age 15 to 29
3,125 died by Suicide last year
5^th year in a row numbers surpassed 3,000

Age 21
Peak in Suicide numbers 

Age 15 – 29 – RISE in women
65% due to Drug overdoses (1542)

GLOBAL

New guidelines for treating Migraines in Emergency Departments
Occipital Nerve blocks should be offered in Emergency Departments to treat Acute Migraine – to reduce reliance on Opioids

Opioid use remains common in Headache-related Emergency Department care
(1543, 1544)

USA

Children’s Social Media use 
linked to decline in ability to concentrate

Social Media entails constant distractions 
INCREASE in inattention symptoms for those who spent significant time on platforms
(1545, 1546)

UK

Energy Drinks link INCREASE Heart Disease and Stroke risk 
Daily habit multiple high-caffeine energy drinks – SIGNIFICANTLY raise Stroke risk 

British Medical Journal case report 
Patient’s consumption 8 cans per day
Numbness in hands, fingers, foot and toes after 8 years 

Lack of Awareness – Cardiovascular danger
Some products contain up to 500ml of Caffeine in single serving (1547, 1548)

USA

Young Americans still smoking Tobacco and Cannabis 

Age 12 – 34 using Nicotine, Tobacco or Cannabis
Co-use of multiple forms concerning 

Trends 
Females have high risk of patterns of Cannabis and Tobacco use as males (1549, 1550)

 

Uterine Fibroids linked to elevated Heart Disease risk 
10 year study | 2.7 million women 

Long-term Heart Disease risk 
81% HIGHER in those diagnosed with Uterine Fibroids

Risk persisted among all ages and races
Heart Disease risk strong in women under age 40 (1551, 1552)

MYANMAR

World’s main source of illicit Opium 

Opium Poppy cultivation – HIGHEST level in decade 

17% RISE in past year
Conflict and Economic hardship – more farmers illicit trade
Price has Doubled (1553, 1554)

SWEDEN

Large scale illegal Gambling and Money Laundering Violent Criminal Network
Europol targeted

Criminal Business Model combined: 
€20 MILLION – Legal Gambling turnover
Money Laundering Services for the network and other Criminal groups 
Drug Trafficking – reinforcing group’s influence in local and regional markets (1555)

GLOBAL

Cryptocurrency Fraud network – International Takedown

€700 MILLION Laundered

Fake Cryptocurrency Investment platforms
Sophisticated Advertisements promising High Returns 

Criminal Call Centres 
Social Engineering used to put pressure to make more payments by showing Inflated Returns on Fake Trading Platforms (1556)

AUSTRALIA

Trend
Athletes statistically more likely experience Disordered Eating and Exercise Behaviours

Gap between Recreational Athletes’ Perceived Fitness and Body Image 

67% have Anxiety if unable to access Healthy Foods 
88% experience Guilt after eating Unhealthy Foods (1557)

USA

Nevada
Drug Overdoses RISE

Fentanyl still the leading cause of Overdose in Southern Nevada

2020 – 2023
93% INCREASE in Fentanyl-related deaths 

2016 – 2021
279% INCREASE in Fentanyl-related deaths 

Arizona and Hawaii
INCREASE in Overdose Deaths (1558)

 

Following Major Surgery in Older Adults
Dehydration – one of the most frequent occurring symptoms
More Complications
Longer Hospital Stay
Other Age–Related Conditions 

During Hospital Stay For Major Surgery 
1 in 9 develop new Geriatric Syndrome 
2-fold INCREASED risk of Death within a year (1559, 1560)

CANADA

Paediatric Trauma Centres
1 in 4 Children with Major Traumatic Injuries not cared for

Strong Evidence
Improved Clinical Outcomes with care in Paediatric Trauma Centres compared to Adult Centres (1561, 1562)

UK

Growing Popularity of Women
with high levels of Alcohol pre-pregnancy

71% consume alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks during Pregnancy

60% say advice about alternatives is lacking
Using Internet and Social Media for information

69% Pregnant women feel included in social events with Alcohol (1563)

GLOBAL

Mandatory strength warm–ups for Female Athletes
To prevent first time and repeat leg injuries
Across all ages and levels of competitive sport
Mandatory mouth guards and Encouragement of properly fitted Sports Bras (1564, 1565)

 

Landmark International study
Hospitals investing in Nurse Staffing and Supportive Work Environments

SUBSTANTIALLY lower rates –
Physician Burnout
Job Satisfaction
Intent To Leave

20% – 40% Physicians reported intentions to leave their Hospital positions

45% Physicians Currently Experiencing High Burnout (1566)

USA

Alcohol SIGNIFICANTLY linked to Cancer risk
Even moderate drinking carries a bigger Cancer risk

Heavy Daily or Binge drinking – strongly linked to multiple Cancers  
Breast Cancer | Colorectal | Liver | Oral (1567, 1568)

 

Fentanyl designated as a Weapon of Mass Destruction
President Donald J. Trump

Lethal Dose
2 milligrams equivalent to 10 – 15 grains of table salt

Age 18 – 45
Fentanyl is the Leading Cause of Death (1569, 1570)

 

Age 50+
1 in 5 use Cannabis products then drive within 2 hours

27% used Cannabis daily

72% Men more likely to drive afterwards compared to Women

Cannabis for Mental Health Reasons
TWICE likely to Drive after using Cannabis

52% use Cannabis due to a Mental Health or mood related motive
67% cited a sleep-related motive

Cross-Generational issue
Awareness campaigns focus on young people (1571, 1572)

SPAIN

Female Footballers during Menstruation
Longer Recovery Times if Injured
Injuries also more severe
3 x more days lost due to recovery (1573, 1574)

INDIA

Fastest Ultra-Processed Food Sales Growth
Surging Obesity and Diabetes cases

40-FOLD RISE in Retail Sales for UPFs from 2006

2006		2019
$0.9 BILLION		$38 BILLION

Aggressive Marketing to drive Consumption
Obesity has DOUBLED in Men and Women (1575, 1576)

GLOBAL

Greater use of AI chatbots
HIGHER Loneliness and Socialising LESS with people

33% of Teenagers use AI companions for Social Interaction
1 in 3 would use for Serious Conversations over Human Interactions

Learning to form emotional bonds with entities that lack capacity for Care (1577, 1578)

UK

England
79% NHS Trusts treating Patients in Corridors or Temporary Escalation Spaces

1 In 5 Emergency Department Patients
cared for in Corridors or Waiting Rooms
LARGE STUDY SHOWS THIS IS WIDESPREAD AND ROUTINE (1579, 1580, 1581)

Catastrophic Effect
Disconnect between NHS guidance and Real World starkly Exposed (1579, 1582)

EUROPE

ALL Forms of Nicotine are Toxic to the Heart and Blood Vessels
regardless of how consumed – Cigarette ~  Vape ~ Pouch ~ Shisha

Dramatic Rise in use Vapes, Heated Tobacco and Nicotine Pouches
particularly Adolescents and Young Adults

67% Young Adult vapers have never smoked before
Call for a ban on flavour, social media and influencer advertising (1583, 1584)

 

Los Angeles Fires trigger RISE in Emergency Department visits
SIGNIFICANT difference during the first 90 days of a fire

Emergency Department Visits
118% INCREASE in General Illness

46% INCREASE in Heart Attacks
24% INCREASE in Pulmonary Illness (1585, 1586)

 

Anxiety and Depression
32% HIGHER risk of Cardiovascular Disease with both conditions
Driven by Stress-related Brain activity | Nervous System dysregulation | Chronic inflammation

HIGHER risk of Heart Attack or Stroke (1587, 1588)

UK

Abdominal Fat and Muscle Loss

83% INCREASED risk of death age 50 or older

Combination Dangerous –
Sarcopenic Obesity – Loss of Muscle Mass while gaining Fat throughout Body (1589, 1590)

NEW ZEALAND

Rugby linked to INCREASED risk of Alzheimer’s and other Dementias

Male High-Level Rugby Players
22% INCREASED risk developing Alzheimer’s and other Dementias later in Life

Back Line Players – Greater risks than Forwards
Risks GREATER at International or Professional level (1591, 1592)

GLOBAL  

Scuba Diving Tourism
$20 BILLION Annual contribution to Global Economy
124,000 Jobs across 170 Countries

Marine And Coastal Tourism
Major segment of Ocean Economy
Substantial Revenue from Diving depends on Healthy Ocean Ecosystems (1593, 1594)

USA

Hidden Toll of Substance Use Disorder:
$93 BILLION annual cost of Lost Productivity

$45 BILLION – Inability to Work
$25 BILLION – Absenteeism
$12 BILLION – Presenteeism
$9.6   BILLION – Lost Household Productivity (1595, 1596)

CANADA

Traumatic Brain Injuries in Older Adults
Most common cause is sustaining a fall

69% INCREASED risk of subsequent Dementia in first 5 years

Vision changes | Slurred speech | Disorientation | Muscle weakness
Loss of Consciousness | Post-Traumatic Amnesia (1597, 1598)

GLOBAL
Getting enough Sleep and staying Active

70,000 People Worldwide | 28 MILLION days of Real-World Health Data
Researchers found MOST STRUGGE to achieve both
Linked to Higher risks of Chronic Disease and Weight Gain

Less than 13% meet recommended Sleep and Physical Activity targets (1599, 1600)

USA

Few Parents offer Teenagers guidance on Healthy Eating during Holiday season

1 in 3 find it difficult to talk to Teenagers about Food and Weight

50% report their Teenager is overweight   

 33% say their Teenagers eat out of Boredom or engage in Mindless Eating (1601, 1602)

 

Dietary Fats linked to SEVERE form of Asthma
Lipids or Fats in Obesity-causing foods cause Asthma-like Lung Inflammation

Link between Childhood Obesity and Neutrophilic Asthma
A non-allergic type of Asthma that is more difficult to treat

Asthma is one of the most Chronic Diseases in Children (1603, 1604)

AUSTRALIA

World first Social Media BAN for users under age 16

Fines up to Aus $49.5 MILLION if Companies do not take reasonable steps to prevent young people from creating or keeping accounts

Researchers will study effects on Mental Health, Social Interactions and Political Engagements (1605, 1606)

CHINA

City Childhood Linked to Early Puberty in Girls

Lasting differences in Adult Brain Structure and Personality
Adult Brain And Personality Traits link Mental Disorders in Women (1607, 1608)

USA

Widespread mis-interpretation of widely used Patient Health Questionnaire
Questionnaires used as standard since 1990s for triaging Mental Health symptoms
Confusing for most people who use it

Patients need someone to clarify what the Questions are asking
Psychologists and other Care providers then create Treatment plans based on poor data from Patients who misunderstand how to answer (1609, 1610)

 

Any amount of Cannabis – impact Emotional Health and Academic Performance

1 in 5 high School Students currently use Cannabis

Teenagers smoking Marijuana only a few times show signs of withdrawal and worsening mood

Adolescents who used Cannabis once or twice a month reported HIGHER rates of Depression-like symptoms, Anxiety and impulsive Behaviour

Daily Users
4 X MORE likely – Poor Grades and frequently disengage from School activities (1611, 1612)

 

Harmful Medical Advice from Social Media Influencers
Powerful shaped by Platform Algorithms And Commercial Incentives

Influencer Advice can be Subject to Bias 
Lack of Medical Expertise or Relevant Knowledge
Industry Influence ~ Entrepreneurial Interests ~ Personal Beliefs

Such advice can cause psychological, physical, financial and systemic harm – from inaccurate self-diagnosis and inappropriate treatments to unnecessary spending and higher healthcare costs

70% Young Adults in U.S. follow Influencers
40% purchased Products based on their recommendations (1613, 1614)

 

Loneliness dramatically INCREASES risk of Depression and poor Health

50% who say they feel Lonely have Clinical Depression
80% experience some level of Loneliness

5-fold INCREASE in Depression risk for those who felt lonely ‘always’ (1615, 1616)

 

Holiday Romantic Movies
to Celebrate the Season
help deal with Stress and Loneliness
Escape the troubles of the World
Escape their Busy lives
Enjoy a story with Happy Endings
appeal to Fantasies of Ideal Relationships, Ideal World And Happy Holiday Season

Escapism – immerse into an Alternative Reality and provide Temporary Relief from Holiday Stressors (1617, 1618)

 

Americans Struggling
Big Medical Bills dragging Money and Health down

2018 – 2022
27% faced High Medical Expenses or skipped needed Healthcare because they could not afford it

53% died with Overwhelming Unpaid Medical Bills (1619, 1620)

 

Stress And Social Struggles Fuel America’s Obesity Crisis
Diet and Exercise are not the only Driving Factors

Prevalence continues to RISE at an alarming rate
40% of American adults have Obesity
$173 Billion annual Healthcare costs

1999 – 2020
Obesity-related Cancer Deaths TRIPLED (1621, 1622)

UK

Britain
54% admit Secret Spending without telling their Partners
Clothing most common Secret Purchase

Men	Women
Alcohol	Beauty products and appointments
Gambling	Cash to children
Gifts for friends and family	Giving to friends and family

Gen Z spend MORE in Secret (1623, 1624)

 

Quiet Divorce is a Compromise
Couples check out of Marriage without formally Separating
Subconsciously Uncoupling ~ Living Together Separately

Many years of Loveless Marriage – Living in a state of Deep Resigned Unhappiness

Real life stories give Reasons Why people don’t Divorce –
Children | Illness | Financial Dependence (1625, 1626)

 

Nitrates in Processed Meat like ham and bacon linked to Cancer

50,000 British people had Bowel Cancer since 2015

£3 BILLION cost to NHS for treatment of the Disease

£59,000 a year – Cost of treating patients with Colorectal Cancer (1627)

 

Pensioners evicted from Care Homes – at risk of Homelessness

‘Revenge evictions’ are Common and Hidden Practice

August 2024 to September 2025
7,261 living in Nursing and Residential Homes given an Eviction Notice

70% of Residents in Care Homes have Dementia (1628)

 

Gen Z risk becoming left-behind generation concerning Health
25% living in Poverty – Crucial Driver of Poor Health

Age 16 – 24
RISING Obesity levels

2022
37% Obese

Age 17 – 19
Mental Health conditions are the Major Issue

Age 15 – 24 between 2011 and 2021
Disability Numbers MORE than doubled (1629)

GLOBAL

$16.7 BILLION Smart-Toy Market

• Artificial Intelligence Bots or Toxics present hidden dangers
• Tests show AI toys can have Disturbing Conversations
• Unsafe or Counterfeit Toys bought Online
• Children attached to Bots
• No research and no regulation of AI toys
• Can record/analyse sensitive conversations even when they appear to be off (1630, 1631)

UK

SUBSTANTIAL RISE in use of Nicotine Pouches in the last 5 years
Driven by young Men aged 16 – 24

69% use other Nicotine products like Vapes and Cigarettes
Currently NO Age Restriction on the Sale of Nicotine Pouches
UNKNOWN whether effective in helping to quit smoking

Germany and Netherlands
Nicotine pouches are banned (1632, 1633)

USA

New Year Fitness Resolutions start with Healthy Sleep
New Report from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine

59% Report Eating Well-Balanced Diet helps Sleep
42% Morning Exercise Helps Sleep

Sufficient Sleep SIGNIFICANTLY reduces the risk of Chronic Illness (1634, 1635)

UK

400 Drown each year
Alcohol consumption known risk factor in Drowning cases
Current safety measures inadequate to protect those participating in night life

‘Alarming’ number of deaths at Bristol Harbour
Young Men including a Police Officer recently (1636)

 

England
Women with severe post-birth bleeding
HIGHEST level for 5 years since records began

19% RISE in Post Partum Haemorrhage
16,780 cases despite falling birth rates
SEVERE BLOOD LOSS LEADING CAUSE OF MATERNAL DEATHS WORLDWIDE

Births are becoming MORE complex
with HIGHER Obesity rates and more Older mothers (1637)

NEW ZEALAND

‘Unofficial Shutdown’ concerns over Extremely Long Summer Break

Shuts down for Christmas and New Year then through to March

Even when businesses physically back – many are ‘easing into it’
Debate about whether this is affecting the Country’s Productivity (1638)

UK

First 9 months of this year
62% RISE in Digital Stalking
Tech used to Exert Coercive Control

Digital Violence ‘Stalkerware’ used to track Victims and Control Online Banking
Cheap and readily available software
Hidden Microphones and Cameras in Homes (1639)

JAPAN

Northwest of Tokyo
67-Vehicle Expressway pileup on icy surface
Heavy snow warning issued

Single-vehicle Accident triggering collisions stretching 300 metres
20 vehicles caught fire – some charred beyond recognition (1640)

MEXICO

Interoceanic Train Derailed
241 passengers | 9 crew  | 98 injured | 13 killed

Designed to modernised rail link connecting Pacific port to Gulf coast

Plan to develop area into Strategic Trade corridor expanding Ports, Railways, Industrial Infrastructure to compete with Panama canal (1641)

UK

Mid-December 2025
309 Earthquakes recorded this year
Above average for Earthquake figures (1642)

USA

Cannabis products Ineffective for Pain Management

High levels THC also HIGH side effects like Sedation Nausea Dizziness
Products containing CBD – NO Improvement in Managing Pain (1643, 1644)

 

Social Media
AI Deepfakes of real doctors spreading Health mis–information
Real footage taken from Internet, then pictures and audio reworked

Videos to impersonate experts to sell supplements with unproven effects

Bots that encourage Suicide – AI being used (1645)

UK

70% aged 16 – 29 want to Work From Home
Gen Z Anxious and terrified of Working in Office with others

38% Dread Small Talk
30% Anxious About Phone Calls
42% Experienced Anxiety to Interact with New People
60% Struggle to Work with Older People (1646)

 

 

 

References