#Prevention

In a landmark global analysis, researchers report that women bear a larger genetic burden for major depressive disorder than men. The findings come from the largest sex-stratified genome-wide analyses to date and suggest that the genetic architecture of depression differs by sex, with implications for how Thai clinicians, policymakers, and families think about prevention, screening, and treatment. For Thai readers, this breathes new life into conversations about how biology, culture, and environment interact to shape mental health — and why one-size-fits-all approaches to depression care may not be enough.

A new analysis suggests that using a newer cardiovascular risk model could dramatically shrink the number of middle-aged adults who should consider aspirin for heart disease prevention. The study, which applied the Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease EVENTS (PREVENT) equations to a national sample, found that far fewer people would be eligible for aspirin than when using older risk calculators. In the United States, among adults aged 40 to 59 without cardiovascular disease, 8.3% were identified as aspirin candidates under the traditional pooled cohort equations, but only 1.2% qualified under PREVENT. Among those who met the older criteria, nearly nine in ten would not meet PREVENT’s threshold, and of the roughly 7.6 million adults who reported taking aspirin for prevention, about 97% did not meet PREVENT’s eligibility.

In a world where most people feel they have no time for long workouts, new research points to a surprisingly simple route to better health: microbursts of vigorous activity scattered throughout the day. The core message is strikingly clear: you don’t need hours at the gym to gain meaningful health benefits. Brief, intense moments—just a few minutes here and there—could add up to longer lives and lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and early death. For Thai readers juggling work, family, and daily chores, this could be a realistic, practical path to healthier living without overhauling daily schedules.

A new study reveals that nearly every major cardiovascular event—heart attack or stroke—is preceded by identifiable warning signs and risk factors. The research, which analyzed thousands of cases from South Korea and the United States, shows that more than 99% of heart disease incidents involved at least one measurable risk factor such as high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, high cholesterol, or smoking. What makes the study notable is that it looked at patients’ medical data across a broad population, not just individuals already flagged as at risk, suggesting there may be fertile ground for earlier intervention and prevention. The implications are profound for health systems in Thailand, where cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death and disability, and where prevention and early detection have long been central policy goals.

A new analysis of nearly 34,000 U.S. veterans suggests that taking nicotinamide, a widely available form of Vitamin B3, is linked to a meaningful reduction in non-melanoma skin cancers among people who have already had skin cancer. The biggest benefit was seen in those who started the supplement after their first cancer diagnosis. Participants who took 500 mg of nicotinamide twice daily for at least one month experienced about a 14% overall reduction in future skin cancers, with a striking 54% risk drop among those who began after their initial cancer. The cancers most affected were basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, the two most common non-melanoma forms. Importantly, the study did not assess melanoma.

A growing body of international research suggests that regular physical activity may shield the eyes from age-related diseases such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The latest evidence indicates that more vigorous exercise tends to offer greater protection than light activity, with possible mechanisms including improved ocular blood flow, reduced oxidative stress, and better metabolic health. For Thailand, where the population is aging and access to eye care varies across regions, these findings carry practical implications for families, schools, workplaces, and public health policy.

A major new look at two large health studies suggests that even tiny bursts of intense activity—about one minute a day for less-fit individuals and around four minutes for fitter people—can significantly lower the risk of dying from any cause over several years. In broad terms, the healthier, more active you are at the outset, the more you stand to gain, but the message is clear: incidental, vigorous activity tucked into daily life matters, even if it isn’t structured exercise at a gym. The findings come from analyses of decades of health data in the United States and the United Kingdom, where researchers tracked how small doses of vigorous movement performed during ordinary daily activities relate to mortality risk. While the results stop short of proving cause and effect, they point to a promising, highly accessible path toward longer life for people juggling busy schedules, chronic work demands, and urban living.

Three easy tests you can do in your own living room are gaining attention from researchers as a practical way to gauge health and longevity without stepping into a clinic. Based on recent work that builds on the idea of at-home fitness screening, these tests aim to translate complex medical assessments into simple, repeatable checks that households can perform weekly or monthly. The core promise is straightforward: by measuring how you move, balance, and sustain effort in a few minutes, you may uncover early signs of frailty, cardiovascular risk, or functional decline long before more dramatic symptoms appear. For Thai families juggling work, caregiving, and aging relatives, such home-based checks could become a useful, inexpensive gateway to safer, proactive health management.

A longevity physician’s claim that exercise is the single most important habit for preventing heart disease is now echoed by a growing body of recent research. Across hundreds of clinical trials and comprehensive reviews, regular, structured physical activity consistently lowers the risk of heart disease and death. When exercise includes both aerobic activity and strength training, the benefits appear even stronger, notably for blood pressure, body composition, and overall cardiometabolic health. For Thai readers facing rising non-communicable diseases and a fast-paced urban lifestyle, this evidence lands with clear implications: movement isn’t just good for fitness—it’s a core line of defense for heart health.

A large European study has found that a simple combination of three healthy lifestyle changes can slash the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 31 percent over six years. The triple approach is straightforward: follow a Mediterranean-style diet, cut daily calories by about 600, and engage in regular moderate physical activity with professional support for weight management. The results also showed meaningful improvements in weight and waist size among those who adopted the plan. While the research took place in a European population, its implications reverberate far beyond borders, offering practical guidance for Thai adults who face rising rates of diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

A fresh analysis drawing on international mortality data shows a startling trend: Americans aged 25 to 44 are dying at higher rates than their counterparts in every other wealthy nation. In 2023, researchers reported that a sizable share of those deaths qualify as “excess” deaths—deaths that would be unlikely if the United States experienced the same death rates as its affluent peers. The findings come from a long-term comparison of death records spanning several decades, using publicly available data and a widely used mortality database. The headline is provocative, but the message goes deeper: life expectancy gaps between the United States and its global peers are not simply a matter of overall wealth. They reflect structural forces—economic inequality, access to care, and social conditions—that disproportionately weigh on younger adults.

A new study raises important questions about the health effects of extreme endurance running, including potential precancerous changes in the colon. For Thailand’s growing running community, the findings call for careful interpretation and practical guidance from healthcare professionals.

In Thailand, running has become a beloved activity that blends fitness with charity and temple-based community events. Many families view long-distance running as a virtuous pursuit aligned with Buddhist values of caring for the body. The new findings therefore carry broad relevance for runners and their households, not just individual athletes.

A small new study found high rates of precancerous colon polyps in marathon and ultramarathon runners. The research raised questions about extreme exercise and early-onset colorectal risk (New York Times) (New York Times).

The finding matters because many Thais run for health and for charity. The result may change how doctors advise endurance athletes in Thailand.

An oncologist in Virginia recruited 100 runners aged 35 to 50 for colonoscopies. He saw almost half with polyps and 15 percent with advanced adenomas (New York Times).

A groundbreaking medical investigation has uncovered disturbing correlations between extreme endurance running and precancerous colon abnormalities, potentially transforming how physicians advise Thailand’s rapidly expanding marathon community. The research challenges decades of assumptions about exercise and cancer prevention, revealing that even activities traditionally considered purely beneficial may carry hidden health risks that demand immediate attention from Thai healthcare providers.

The study’s implications resonate powerfully throughout Thailand, where marathon participation has surged dramatically in recent years, with charitable running events becoming deeply embedded in temple culture and community fundraising traditions. Thai families increasingly encourage running as virtuous physical activity that aligns with Buddhist principles of caring for the body, making these unexpected findings particularly significant for a population that views distance running as inherently healthy and spiritually meaningful.

A dual STI crisis is emerging in Thailand, threatening hard-won gains in sexual and reproductive health. Syphilis cases are climbing again, while antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea challenges current treatment norms. Public health officials warn that urbanization, changing social patterns, and evolving sexual behavior could accelerate transmission among high-risk populations.

According to international surveillance, these trends require immediate attention. The consequences are grave: syphilis can harm pregnant women and unborn babies, and drug-resistant gonorrhea risks turning a previously manageable infection into a persistent health burden for individuals and the health system. Thailand must respond with streamlined testing, effective treatment, and culturally sensitive outreach.

A large, multi-year study tracking more than 11,000 individuals across four Western nations reveals that many relationships slowly fade over years before final separation. The research identifies a two-stage decline: a long preterminal phase of gradual satisfaction loss, followed by a shorter terminal phase of rapid detachment before breakup. The finding suggests that timely support can improve outcomes, a message with significant relevance for Thai families facing evolving social norms and rising divorce rates.

China’s extraordinary mobilization against a rapidly expanding chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong province—featuring drone surveillance, standing water fines, and enforced isolation measures—reflects the serious global health threat posed by this mosquito-borne virus in 2025. With hundreds of thousands of cases reported worldwide and local transmission now documented across multiple continents, chikungunya represents an urgent public health concern for Thailand, where competent mosquito vectors and tourism-dependent communities create significant vulnerability to imported and sustained transmission.

A large clinical trial in the United States followed 2,111 older adults and showed that structured lifestyle changes can moderately improve thinking and memory over two years. The POINTER study combined exercise, brain-healthy nutrition, cognitive training, social activity, and cardiovascular risk management. It found that facilitator-led, high-intensity programs yielded slightly greater cognitive gains than self-guided approaches. The results were published in JAMA and highlighted at an international dementia conference.

In Thailand, where more than 20% of citizens are aged 60 and over, these findings offer practical, scalable approaches to protect brain health. The study’s implications extend beyond individuals to public health planning as Thailand adapts to an aging population and rising demand for dementia-related care.

Evidence-based exercise protocols targeting pelvic floor muscles can significantly reduce incontinence, improve quality of life, and prevent future complications when combined with supporting core and glute strengthening movements. Recent expert guidance from pelvic floor physical therapists reinforces decades of clinical research demonstrating that targeted muscle training represents first-line therapy for pelvic dysfunction affecting millions of adults worldwide.

For Thai readers, where population aging and cultural practices surrounding pregnancy and postpartum care significantly influence pelvic health outcomes, understanding these evidence-based interventions becomes particularly relevant. The three-exercise approach offers accessible, low-cost prevention and treatment strategies that can be safely initiated at home while complementing professional healthcare when symptoms develop.

A new study from Edith Cowan University shows that a single 45-minute exercise session can trigger muscle-derived proteins that significantly slow the growth of aggressive breast cancer cells in the lab. Blood serum collected right after resistance training and after high-intensity interval training (HIIT) reduced the proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer cells by up to about 30 percent when applied to cultured cells.

This research adds biological context to a large body of evidence linking physical activity with lower breast cancer recurrence and mortality. For Thai readers, where breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, understanding how exercise may influence cancer biology is especially relevant for survivorship care and prevention strategies.

Groundbreaking research from Edith Cowan University demonstrates that a single forty-five minute exercise session can trigger release of muscle-derived proteins that significantly inhibit aggressive breast cancer cell growth in laboratory settings. The study, involving thirty-two breast cancer survivors, found that blood serum collected immediately after both resistance training and high-intensity interval training reduced triple-negative breast cancer cell proliferation by up to approximately thirty percent when applied to cultured cancer cells.

A global chikungunya surge in 2025 has exposed how quickly a mosquito-borne outbreak can strain health systems. In Guangdong, China, authorities implemented aggressive measures—drone surveillance, standing-water fines, and early isolation—to curb transmission. These actions offer crucial lessons for Thailand, where Aedes vectors and tourism-driven communities heighten vulnerability to imported and local transmission.

Chikungunya rarely proves fatal, but its hallmark is sudden, debilitating joint pain that can linger for months. With Aedes mosquitoes sharing the same habitats that spread dengue and Zika, Thailand faces meaningful public health and economic risks if the virus takes root. Thai health authorities, travelers, and communities must act now to strengthen prevention, surveillance, and care.

Pelvic floor training can reduce leakage, boost quality of life, and support overall core health when paired with movements that strengthen the hips and glutes. Leading pelvic floor physiotherapists reaffirm decades of evidence showing targeted muscle training as a first-line approach for pelvic dysfunction that affects many adults worldwide.

For Thai readers, aging populations and postpartum practices shape pelvic health outcomes. The three-move routine offers affordable, home-based prevention and treatment strategies that complement clinic care when symptoms arise.

A landmark clinical trial involving 2,111 older adults demonstrates that structured lifestyle interventions combining exercise, brain-healthy nutrition, cognitive training, social engagement, and cardiovascular risk management produce measurable improvements in thinking and memory over two-year periods. The U.S. POINTER study, published in JAMA and presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, found that higher-intensity, facilitator-led programs generated small but statistically significant additional cognitive benefits compared to self-guided approaches.

For Thailand, experiencing rapid population aging with more than one-fifth of citizens now over sixty years old, these findings offer practical strategies for preserving cognitive health and reducing dementia risk through scalable community-based interventions. The study’s significance extends beyond individual benefit to public health policy implications as Thailand develops comprehensive responses to demographic transitions and increasing healthcare needs associated with cognitive decline.