#Global Health Trends

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, has become increasingly significant worldwide and in Thailand, reflecting global trends and attracting healthcare attention. The American Cancer Society’s recent estimates reveal approximately 107,320 new colon cancer cases in the U.S. in 2025, underscoring a growing need for prevention and early detection measures. While overall colon cancer rates in older adults have decreased annually, worrying trends show a 2.4% annual increase among those under 55 from 2012 to 2021, prompting heightened awareness and strategy adaptation in fighting this disease.

The Trump administration’s recent actions, particularly under the leadership of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have raised significant concerns about the future of mRNA research. Initially hailed as a major achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA technology now faces potential setbacks due to swelling vaccine skepticism within high government ranks. This development is crucial as mRNA technology represents one of the most promising advancements in medical science with applications far beyond COVID-19.

As the COVID-19 pandemic gradually becomes a chapter in history rather than a current crisis, its profound impact on public health and public perception continues to echo globally, including in Thailand. A recent NPR report discusses how the pandemic, despite fostering incredible advances in public health, has simultaneously fueled science skepticism, particularly in relation to vaccines. This dual legacy poses challenges that resonate deeply within Thai society as well.

In the early days of the pandemic, rapid development and widespread distribution of COVID-19 vaccines marked a significant public health achievement. Initiatives such as the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed ensured vaccines were available faster than any previously developed. According to experts, such as University of Washington’s Carl Bergstrom, these vaccines saved millions of lives and demonstrated unprecedented scientific achievement. The mere possibility of mRNA technology, used in COVID vaccines, being applied to other infectious diseases represents a substantial leap forward for global health (NPR).

As Diabetes Alert Day shines a spotlight on the widespread but underrecognized condition of prediabetes, recent findings underscore the urgent need for increased awareness and early detection. Diabetes is characterized by the body’s inability to properly regulate sugar, potentially leading to severe complications like heart attack, stroke, and nerve damage over time. Despite the critical role of prediabetes as a precursor to diabetes, about 80% of individuals with prediabetes remain unaware of their condition, greatly hindering preventive efforts.