Top 10 global health stories of 2025

By Admin

17 Dec, 2025

It’s been a busy year for the world’s health professionals. While COVID-19 has faded from daily headlines, 2025 has presented a mix of new challenges, persistent threats, and remarkable medical innovations. From artificial intelligence reshaping healthcare delivery to renewed concerns over vaccine-preventable diseases, global health systems have been tested in unprecedented ways.

Fresh political shifts, especially in the United States, have also influenced global health conversations, while long-standing issues like antimicrobial resistance continue to demand sustained attention. At the same time, scientific breakthroughs are changing lives and redefining how care is delivered.
In no particular order, here are the 10 biggest global health stories of 2025 and their broader impact.

1. AI in the Health System

Three years after ChatGPT brought artificial intelligence into the mainstream, AI is now deeply embedded in healthcare. In Australia, general practitioners are increasingly using AI scribes during consultations, significantly reducing administrative workload. New AI-driven diagnostic tools are also emerging, particularly in areas such as skin cancer detection.

Experts caution that while AI adoption will continue to grow rapidly, it brings both benefits and regulatory challenges. Managing accuracy, ethics, and accountability will remain a key task for doctors and health authorities worldwide.

2. Health Misinformation

Health misinformation became a major issue in 2025, with global attention drawn to claims made by US leadership. In September, President Donald Trump linked paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism, a claim swiftly rejected by health authorities in Australia and globally.

Although most Australian patients did not raise concerns, misinformation remains a persistent threat. Recent efforts by Australian immunisation authorities to counter doubts about vaccines highlight how vigilance against false health narratives is now an ongoing responsibility for healthcare systems.

3. The Rise and Rise of GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs

Weight loss medications, particularly GLP-1 drugs, reached record levels of use in 2025. Injectable treatments are now being joined by pill-based options, expanding access and demand.

In Australia, a key decision is pending on whether these medications should be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for obesity treatment. With WHO endorsement now in place, debates around affordability, equity of access, and long-term safety are expected to continue, especially following warnings about rare but serious side effects.

4. Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Australia’s decision to ban social media access for children under 16 has attracted global attention. The policy, supported by a large majority of Australian GPs, aims to address the growing mental health impact of social media on children and adolescents.

While the legislation creates space for families and doctors to discuss healthier digital habits, experts stress it is not a complete solution. With the law only coming into effect in December, its real impact on child mental health will take time to evaluate, and the world is watching closely.

5. Climate Change and Health

2025 marked the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, yet climate indicators continue to worsen. For healthcare professionals, climate change is no longer a future concern but a present health crisis.

Australian GPs report rising mental health issues linked to climate anxiety, extreme weather, and environmental instability. Research published in The Lancet revealed that heat-related deaths in Australia increased by 44% over recent decades, reaching nearly 1,000 deaths annually. Calls for better training and resources for primary care are growing louder.

6. Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the most serious global health threats. The WHO’s Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report 2025 showed resistance has increased in over 40% of monitored antibiotics.

Health leaders stress the urgent need for responsible prescribing, improved diagnostics, and equitable access to medicines and vaccines. In Australia, concerns have been raised about expanding prescribing rights, with warnings that inappropriate antibiotic use could accelerate resistance and worsen outcomes.

7. A New Endometriosis Blood Test

Hope surged in 2025 for improved diagnosis of endometriosis, with research pointing to a non-invasive and cost-effective blood test showing strong predictive accuracy. This development could transform care for a condition long underdiagnosed and misunderstood.

In Australia, where endometriosis affects an estimated one in seven women, new investment and research are driving progress. Studies also show diagnoses in general practice have nearly doubled over the past decade, highlighting the growing need for GP support and awareness.

8. Measles Resurgence

Once considered eliminated in many countries, measles is raising alarm again. Outbreaks in the United States, driven by declining vaccination rates, have reignited global concern.

While Australia has successfully contained cases linked to returned travellers, the situation has challenged a new generation of GPs unfamiliar with the disease. With most confirmed cases in the US occurring in unvaccinated individuals, the resurgence has renewed focus on vaccine confidence and coverage.

9. The Rise of PFAS Concerns

Environmental health anxieties grew in 2025, particularly around PFAS, long-lasting chemicals linked to potential health risks. In Australia, reports revealed that certain PFAS compounds are detectable in more than 85% of people aged over 12.

As awareness increases, GPs are increasingly expected to guide patients through concerns, testing, and long-term health monitoring, placing environmental exposure firmly within everyday clinical conversations.

10. Social Prescribing Gains Momentum

Social prescribing continued to gain recognition in 2025 as a powerful tool to improve wellbeing beyond traditional medical treatments. Recognised by the WHO, the approach encourages healthcare providers to connect patients with community activities and support networks.

Australian advocates believe a national social prescribing framework could ease pressure on the healthcare system, particularly by addressing social isolation among older adults. Many GPs are now being encouraged to integrate social prescribing into routine care.

Conclusion

The global health landscape in 2025 reflects a complex mix of innovation, risk, and responsibility. From AI-driven care to climate-related health impacts, and from misinformation to medical breakthroughs, health professionals are navigating challenges that extend far beyond the clinic. What remains clear is that adaptability, evidence-based practice, and global collaboration will be essential in shaping healthier futures for all.