#CommunityHealth

A new nationwide study reveals that pastors, traditionally seen as frontline counselors in their communities, are now providing less counseling than a decade ago, have fewer resources for referrals, and are increasingly isolated with their own struggles. The Lifeway Research survey, involving over 1,500 evangelical and Black Protestant pastors across the United States, underscores an important shift in how spiritual leaders participate in mental health care—a development with broad implications for faith communities worldwide, including Thailand.

A growing wave of psychological research and theory is turning the spotlight away from the individual mind and highlighting the profound impact of relationships on mental health. New arguments from the field of relational psychology challenge the traditional view that mental disorders are rooted solely within the individual, calling for a social and interpersonal understanding of mental wellbeing—a perspective with sweeping implications for how Thai society approaches mental health care.

A groundbreaking US medical research project has received a $3.4 million boost to study a simple but powerful idea: how prescribed exercise, woven into healthcare routines, can prevent and treat chronic diseases. The findings from this ambitious study could offer valuable lessons for Thailand, where non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are major public health challenges with rapidly rising rates.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded the University of South Carolina (USC) School of Medicine Greenville a substantial grant to investigate their innovative program—Exercise is Medicine Greenville. The program centers on connecting patients with chronic conditions to accessible, community-based activities like those at local YMCAs, aiming to integrate physical activity referrals directly into primary healthcare settings. The research will focus on evaluating referral rates, analyzing cost-effectiveness, and assessing impact on key health metrics including blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight. The collaboration includes USC School of Medicine Greenville, Prisma Health, YMCA of Greenville, and Foothills Area YMCA, reflecting a close partnership between medical and community organizations (Greenville News).

Even if your vocal talents are miles away from Beyoncé’s, the evidence is clear: singing is profoundly beneficial for the brain and overall mental health. Recent research, including new findings covered by The Washington Post in June 2025, highlights that singing—regardless of skill—unleashes a cascade of positive neural and psychological effects. For Thais, whose rich culture already embraces community singing in temples, schools, and festivals, embracing these benefits could be a key part of wellness routines and social healing in a fast-paced era.

A new landmark study has clarified the minimum physical activity needed to significantly lower the risk of high blood pressure—a health crisis affecting millions globally, including in Thailand. Research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine highlights that at least five hours of moderate exercise per week, double the current global health guidelines, is the most effective defense against developing hypertension over a lifetime (Earth.com).

This breakthrough will resonate strongly in Thailand, where hypertension—the so-called ‘silent killer’—is on the rise, affecting approximately one in four adults and being a leading cause of deadly heart attacks and strokes (WHO Thailand). Given the local diet, urban lifestyles, and conventional beliefs about aging, the study’s clear message on physical activity could shift public health strategies, inspire renewed commitment, and save countless lives across the kingdom.

When a Thai centenarian crossed the finish line at the Taiwan World Masters Games in May, winning four gold medals just before his 106th birthday, the world took notice. The 105-year-old athlete, now hailed widely as Thailand’s oldest competitive runner, has become more than a sporting marvel—he embodies a lifestyle that scientists are racing to understand: how regular exercise, even started late in life, shapes health and longevity in aging societies like Thailand (Inquirer Sports; The Economic Times). Behind the international headlines, Thai researchers are now building a body of evidence showing how structured exercise programs can transform the trajectory of aging—reducing chronic disease, shrinking waistlines, and boosting quality of life in communities across the kingdom.

As Thailand’s population ages rapidly, maintaining physical activity among older adults has become a public health priority. Recent research highlights not only the physical benefits of regular exercise but also the crucial role of motivation and tailored support in keeping seniors active—and independent—well into their later years. The latest findings, spotlighted in a report by Deseret News and supported by both scientific and Thai-specific studies, reveal that community, enjoyment, and personal meaning are key elements for seniors to keep moving (Deseret News, News-Medical.Net).

In recent findings drawing international attention, health experts emphasize that regular exercise isn’t only about building muscles or shedding weight—it’s a vital contributor to mental wellness. As Thais navigate the pressures of modern life, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, understanding how sweat and strength can combat depression and anxiety holds new urgency. The latest research compiled from authoritative sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mayo Clinic, and leading academic institutions, demonstrates that physical activity can play a key role in both preventing and relieving common mental health concerns—a message that could reshape well-being strategies for individuals and communities across Thailand (KXAN).

A promising new study has shed light on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as an effective, affordable treatment for people whose depression persists despite standard care, with implications for improving support strategies in Thailand’s mental health services. The research, recently highlighted by The Conversation, found that MBCT could fill a crucial gap for the so-called “missing middle”—patients left behind after common therapy and medication fail to fully relieve their symptoms.

Around 30% of people living with depression face an unyielding daily struggle: even after therapy and medication, the fog of low mood, fatigue, and hopelessness lingers. This phenomenon not only takes a toll on individuals, but also affects Thai families, workplaces, and the broader economy, echoing trends observed globally. Depression, already a leading cause of disability in Thailand, imposes significant direct and indirect costs on society, including lost productivity and higher health care expenditures (WHO Thailand).

Recent findings underscore the critical role of exercise in slowing the progression and managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, according to a 2024 analysis in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. Contrary to earlier beliefs that medication alone is central to the management of Parkinson’s, a growing body of research highlights how regular, vigorous physical activity may significantly reduce both the severity and speed of symptom progression. For Thai readers—with the nation’s ageing society and increased diagnosis of chronic conditions—these findings offer actionable hope and clear guidelines for living with and managing the disease.

In an age of mounting mental stress worldwide, new research and celebrity testimony are converging to spotlight actionable tools for living with anxiety. At the recent New York Times Well Festival in Brooklyn, a panel featuring acclaimed singer-songwriter and Broadway star Sara Bareilles, a leading psychology professor from the University of California, Berkeley, and the host of the popular podcast “10% Happier” outlined practical ways in which anxious individuals can reclaim their sense of peace. The conversation, which built on the latest well-being science, is especially relevant as anxiety rates continue to rise—reflecting a pressing concern for many Thai readers following the global mental health crisis.

A new international study has sent shockwaves through the medical community: as little as three minutes per day of moderate “incidental activity”—everyday movements like taking the stairs, walking briskly, or even performing household chores—could be enough to meaningfully reduce an individual’s risk of cardiovascular events and premature death. The findings, published in the journal Circulation and widely reported in the global press, signal a powerful new approach to heart health, especially for those unable to engage in structured exercise routines (Medical News Today).

Menopause, often viewed as a period of decline in women’s health and relationships, is being re-examined in light of recent research and expert perspectives. Contrary to long-standing myths, the latest findings suggest that menopause can mark the beginning of a renewed journey in intimacy and wellness, encouraging women to embrace this life stage with confidence and proactive self-care. These insights, showcased in an influential op-ed recently published by a wellness advocate in South Africa, have resonated globally, including among Thai health professionals and women’s rights advocates.

In a world captivated by youth, the extraordinary story of Richard Morgan—a 93-year-old Irishman with the athletic physique and energy of a man half his age—offers a powerful counternarrative. Recently profiled in the Journal of Applied Physiology and featured widely in international media, Morgan’s journey upends traditional beliefs about aging and sets out a roadmap for lifelong health that resonates across cultures, including in rapidly aging Thailand (source, Washington Post).

Morgan did not begin his rigorous physical regimen until the age of 70, an age when most imagine retirement means slowing down. Yet, within two decades, he had not only remade his body—now boasting 80% muscle and just 15% body fat—but also become a four-time world champion in indoor rowing for his age group. Scientists who examined Morgan found his heart, muscle mass, and lung function mimicked those of a healthy 40-year-old. In a supervised 2,000-meter rowing test, his heart rate soared to 153 beats per minute, a level of exertion rare even among younger athletes, underscoring his cardiovascular health.

As the sunshine returns to Thai neighbourhoods and parks, the simple act of walking is stepping back into the fitness spotlight – and this time, with robust science to back it up. A wave of new research featured in global health media and the latest scientific reports confirms what personal trainers and doctors have long hinted: walking, whether a gentle stroll or a brisk walk, is real exercise, packed with powerful benefits for both body and mind (CNET).

A recent discovery in Greenville, North Carolina has put public health surveillance techniques in the spotlight: wastewater samples from a local sewage plant have tested positive for Mpox, the virus formerly known as monkeypox, specifically identifying the clade I strain. The samples, collected between late March and early April, point to the potential presence of the virus in the community, even though no clinical Mpox cases have been officially reported so far. Local health officials are now urging healthcare providers to be vigilant for possible symptoms and to quickly report any suspected infections (WRAL; ABC11).

A groundbreaking initiative out of the University of Virginia is shedding new light on how tailored exercise and nutrition interventions can significantly ease menopausal symptoms, offering a practical alternative—or complement—to medication for many women. The research, detailed in a recent University of Virginia news release, comes at a crucial time when menopause is being discussed more openly, but many women still face anxiety, confusion, and debilitating symptoms as they navigate this transitional stage of life. With an estimated 8 million women in Thailand either entering or passing through menopause each year, these findings arrive with substantial relevance for Thai society (source).

A recent breakthrough study suggests that low- to moderate-intensity aquatic exercise can significantly improve both physical and psychosocial well-being in people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), bringing new hope for a condition often marked by persistent fatigue and limited treatment options. Published on April 17, 2025, and led by Dr. Suzanne Broadbent, Associate Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, this randomized controlled trial (RCT) challenges the longstanding caution against physical activity for ME/CFS patients—a group that also includes a high proportion of those battling fibromyalgia symptoms.

A critical mental health program designed to support Massachusetts children and teenagers grappling with severe mental health issues faces potential termination due to budgetary constraints. Slated for significant cuts in Governor Maura Healey’s budget proposal, this program’s potential closure is raising concerns among stakeholders about its impact on vulnerable youth.

The Intensive Residential Treatment Program, at risk along with its 72 total beds for young children and adolescents, focuses on long-term treatment and holistic family healing. A mother, whose child benefitted from the program, moved by sharing her experience, credits it with saving her child’s life. Her child, now 25, has overcome severe challenges like suicidality, self-harm, and trauma through the program’s intensive support, which she believes was pivotal in changing their life trajectory. “In-patient hospital stays were short-term, mostly focused on stabilization,” she explained. In contrast, the program offered prolonged support, crucial for sustainable recovery and mental stability.

Nestled in the heart of Thai forests and markets under local names such as “จอง,” “สำรอง,” and “พุงทะลาย,” the brown, almond-like dried fruit of the Scaphium scaphigerum tree has long held a revered place in Thailand’s herbal medicine chest. For generations, this indigenous botanical—found in everything from refreshing summer drinks to traditional remedies for coughs and constipation—has provided both sustenance and hope for wellness. Now, with a resurgence of scientific inquiry into Southeast Asian folk medicine, Scaphium scaphigerum is gaining new attention at the dynamic crossroads of ancient healing and modern pharmacology.