#GlobalTrends

A new Gallup poll finds that more Americans now believe religion is gaining influence in their society, marking a notable shift in public perception after years of secular trends. According to the June 2025 report, 34% of U.S. adults say that religion is increasing its influence in national life, up sharply from just 20% the previous year. Conversely, while a majority—59%—still think religion is losing ground, that proportion has fallen dramatically from 75% in 2024 (Gallup).

A wave of advocacy is sweeping across the education landscape as more than 250 top corporate leaders, together with Code.org—one of the world’s most influential computer science non-profits—have urged policymakers to make artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science classes a standard requirement in high schools. Their call, encapsulated in an open letter published earlier this month, highlights mounting pressure on the US and global education systems to ensure that today’s students are equipped for an era dominated by AI-powered technologies. This ambitious push, already supported by research and global industry trends, holds important lessons and opportunities for Thailand as it grapples with its own transformation in education and workforce preparation.

Walking has long been a staple in daily Thai life, weaving through the rhythms of city streets and countryside paths alike. But as urban lifestyles grow more sedentary and gym culture rises, many are left wondering whether this simple, accessible activity can genuinely help us build muscle, burn fat, or both. Recent research, highlighted in a comprehensive GQ feature, draws on a global body of evidence and new scientific studies that shed fresh light on the true impact of walking—insights that offer practical guidance for Thais seeking healthier habits.

The safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines have returned to the spotlight following new regulatory actions and heightened public debate, but the scientific community continues to reaffirm their vital role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent scrutiny, triggered by policy changes from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is prompting fresh discussion amid persistent misinformation and growing public concerns—even as evidence underscores overwhelming benefits for both individuals and public health at large (ABC News).

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 international research has spotlighted a growing crisis of loneliness among young men in the United States, with a scale and gender disparity that stands out even among wealthier Western countries. According to aggregated data from 2023 and 2024 by Gallup, one in four American men aged 15 to 34 reported feeling lonely “a lot” of the previous day—significantly higher than both the national average (18%) and the rate among young American women (also 18%) (Gallup; UPI; Fortune). Experts warn that these findings suggest not only a deepening emotional health problem among U.S. young men, but also an exceptional pattern rarely mirrored elsewhere in the developed world.

Are young people today truly the most miserable generation in modern history? This provocative question, explored in a recent analysis by The Telegraph, is resonating far beyond Britain, echoing anxieties and debates already alive in Thailand and across much of the world. International research suggests that Generation Z—those born roughly between 1996 and 2012—may indeed be facing unprecedented mental health challenges, spurring experts to consider whether today’s youth are genuinely less happy than their predecessors, or simply more open and serious about discussing mental health in an era of growing uncertainty (The Telegraph).

A rising tide of modern parenting is directly challenging the physical and verbal punishment of children, igniting new debates about child rights, parental stress, and the legal status of corporal punishment worldwide—including in England, where the issue has come under fresh scrutiny. As discussion grows following high-profile endorsements of gentle, respectful parenting, Thai families and policymakers may find themselves reflecting on the country’s own traditions, laws, and cultural attitudes toward discipline.

Miami’s public schools have embarked on the largest artificial intelligence (A.I.) classroom rollout in U.S. history, equipping over 105,000 high school students with Google’s Gemini chatbot and training more than 1,000 educators on cutting-edge A.I. tools. In a stunning reversal from initial bans on classroom chatbots, leaders in the nation’s third-largest school district say this rapid adoption is crucial to readying students for a future dominated by digital intelligence—an approach that could have profound implications for education reform in Thailand and beyond (NY Times).

A new wave of alarm is sweeping the global health community after research revealed that a severe shortage of omega-3 fatty acids threatens the well-being of millions around the world, including in Thailand. The findings, published in the journal AJPM Focus and led by a team at Case Western Reserve University, underscore a rapidly growing gap between dietary needs and omega-3 availability—a situation with stark health implications for populations who increasingly rely on modern, industrialized food systems. The research warns that 85% of the world’s population is not receiving sufficient omega-3 in their diets, a deficiency that can contribute to elevated risks of chronic diseases and developmental disorders (scitechdaily.com).

A major international survey has revealed that nearly half of teachers say the 2024-25 school year has been the most stressful of their careers—surpassing even the tumult of the pandemic era. The findings paint a stark picture of working conditions for educators, and recent research confirms many of these pressures are mirrored among teachers in Thailand, raising urgent questions about the future of the teaching profession and student outcomes locally and globally.

A new report reveals that childhood food insecurity remains a pressing and unevenly distributed problem across the United States, with alarming rates in some rural communities. According to Feeding America’s latest annual “Map the Meal Gap” study, released on May 14, 2025 and first reported by Axios, nearly one in five American children—estimated at about 14 million—live in food-insecure households. In certain rural counties, over 40% and up to 50% of children experience food insecurity—meaning their families struggle to reliably access enough nutritious food for a healthy, active life (Axios, Feeding America).

A sweeping body of recent research from the United States is sounding the alarm: boys and young men are increasingly struggling, not only in their education but also in their mental health and transitions into adulthood. While girls and young women surge ahead in academic achievement and social maturity, many young males are reporting feelings of being undervalued and adrift. These challenges, documented in a comprehensive analysis published in The New York Times, reflect a significant gender gap with implications that extend far beyond U.S. borders—including Thailand, where similar trends have emerged in recent years (nytimes.com).

An unprecedented coalition of over 250 CEOs from leading global companies has called for urgent action to prioritize artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science as core components of K-12 education, highlighting what may become a transformational trend in global education policy. The open letter, published this week in The New York Times, was co-signed by the heads of major technology, retail, and mobility companies — among them Microsoft, Etsy, and Uber — and warns that countries not investing in these skills risk losing their economic edge in the rapidly evolving AI era (TechCrunch).

A striking new study has revealed that nearly a third of college students in the United States are planning to drop out of university, citing emotional stress and mental health challenges as key factors. This finding, reported in El Adelantado, underscores the growing mental health crisis facing young people in higher education—a trend with far-reaching implications, including for students and educators in Thailand.

This surge in student stress has come to the forefront as college life post-pandemic presents fresh hurdles, from academic pressures and financial worries to pervasive feelings of isolation. For Thai readers, these findings mirror familiar concerns in local universities, where recent surveys suggest that emotional wellbeing is an increasing challenge for both faculty and students. As societies in both the U.S. and Thailand compete in a globally demanding education landscape, the mental health toll is increasingly hard to ignore.

Rising food prices in the United States are making it harder for Americans to maintain a healthy diet, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey that highlights the growing challenge of nutritious eating amidst persistent inflation. With 90% of American adults acknowledging that the cost of healthy food has climbed in recent years, and nearly 70% saying these prices are directly impacting their ability to eat well, the survey reveals an urgent national health concern that has ripple effects far beyond US borders, including in Thailand.

A newly released study has ranked Louisiana as the riskiest state in America for sexual health, highlighting sharp regional disparities and a crisis of healthcare access that has implications for public health responses in the United States. Utilizing an analysis of sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates, teen birth rates, reproductive health resources, and state-level reproductive rights policies, the report has brought national attention to alarming sexual health trends particularly concentrated in southern states.

A global coalition of more than 250 CEOs, including leaders of top technology and business firms such as Microsoft, Airbnb, Salesforce, and LinkedIn, has publicly called for artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science (CS) classes to become standard graduation requirements in high schools across the United States. Organized by the nonprofit Code.org and the CSforALL coalition, the letter—published on May 5, 2025—marks the start of the “Unlock8” campaign, which aims to ensure all students are equipped with foundational digital skills for the rapidly evolving AI-driven economy (Axios; PR Newswire).

A new survey from the Pew Research Center reveals a complex portrait of American eating habits in 2025, highlighting how escalating food prices and evolving lifestyles are making healthy eating more challenging for many. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the balance between taste, convenience, affordability, and healthiness, revealing key insights that resonate even for readers in Thailand navigating their own nutrition landscapes.

As the cost of food continues upward, 90% of surveyed US adults acknowledge that healthy food has become more expensive in recent years. Nearly seven in ten say these price increases make it more difficult to maintain a healthy diet, with lower-income individuals feeling the pinch most acutely. The survey, conducted among 5,123 adults, captures shifting priorities and the struggle to eat healthy in a world saturated by rising obesity, proliferating food delivery options, and ever-changing dietary advice from social media influencers (pewresearch.org).

A landmark bill that would allow North Carolina high school students to substitute advanced mathematics with computer science for graduation and university admissions requirements has cleared a major legislative hurdle, sparking debate about the future direction of education in the digital age. House Bill 415, which passed the North Carolina House Education committee on Tuesday, is now moving on to the House Rules committee, bringing the state a step closer to overhauling its math curriculum requirements and aligning education with the needs of a modern workforce (WRAL).

A groundbreaking new study is challenging longstanding demographic wisdom by asserting that humanity’s current fertility rate is now too low to guarantee survival—even if average births per woman meet the historical “replacement” level. The research, led by a Japanese scientist and published in the journal PLOS One, argues that the global average of 2.1 children per woman simply isn’t enough. Instead, it suggests that a fertility rate of 2.7 is the true mark required to ensure humanity’s long-term prospects, a conclusion that carries serious implications for countries like Thailand, where the fertility rate is well below these thresholds.

As conversations around political extremism resurge globally, new research and public debates are highlighting the enduring lessons drawn from the history of fascism—reminding both policymakers and the public in Thailand and beyond of the dangers posed by authoritarian and ultranationalist ideologies. Scholars and civic commentators are intensifying calls for Thai society to critically engage with the multifaceted origins, rise, and traumatic impacts of fascist movements in the 20th century, warning that disregarding these histories risks allowing similar patterns to re-emerge in different forms.

A long-lost fragment of the Soviet Union’s deep-space ambitions has resurfaced in the news, as experts confirm that a probe launched over 50 years ago is expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere in May 2025—drawing the attention of scientists, policymakers, and the public alike. This remarkable event serves as both a testament to the durability of Cold War-era technology and a reminder of the growing issue of space debris as nations continue to reach for the stars.

A renewed debate over reproductive rights has taken center stage across the United States, prompting policymakers, healthcare leaders, and advocates to examine the present and future of women’s health access. Amid growing restrictions and legal challenges nationwide, a recent ‘Women’s Health Policy Briefing’ led by a state legislator in Rochester has brought these issues sharply into focus for local communities—mirroring conversations unfolding globally, and in Thailand.

The briefing, organized by a state senator in Rochester, comes at a time when reproductive healthcare, particularly abortion rights, faces increasing headwinds. According to the event’s official summary, the session was designed to update the public and stakeholders on the changing legal landscape and policy developments related to women’s health services, including contraception access, abortion laws, maternal care, and sexual health education (nysenate.gov). Organizers highlighted that as more U.S. states enact restrictive measures, communities across the country—and internationally—are closely watching, seeking guidance on ensuring safe, equitable healthcare for women.