#Telemedicine

A new wave of attention is focusing on finasteride, a prescription drug widely used by men worldwide to combat male-pattern baldness, after recent reports and research have highlighted a potential but underrecognized side effect: reduced fertility. For many men, the prospect of restoring hair growth via a daily tablet brings a significant boost of self-esteem. Yet for a minority, this medical fix may temporarily complicate their efforts to start a family, notably by lowering sperm counts—sometimes drastically.

A new wave of research and reporting highlights a worsening crisis in rural mental health care, as demand for services surges past the capacity of strained health systems in countryside communities. The latest reporting by the Minnesota Star Tribune’s editorial columnist underscores the deepening struggles faced by rural patients in accessing timely mental health support, a scenario with stark parallels for rural regions in Thailand and other countries Star Tribune.

Experts warn that the longer people wait for mental health care, the likelier it becomes they will reach a dangerous crisis. In rural Minnesota, shortages of mental health professionals and persistent stigma mean many residents only receive treatment after reaching an emergency—a predicament familiar to rural Thais and health policymakers worldwide. “Treatments are effective, but we can’t meet the needs,” said the executive director at the Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, emphasizing how insufficient resources and societal attitudes compound the mental health burden.

A growing body of research and clinical observation suggests that adult ADHD diagnosis is becoming increasingly inclusive – and contrary to common fears, it is not being overdiagnosed. As reported in a recent essay by a US clinical psychologist published on Aeon (aeon.co), the COVID-19 pandemic, rising mental health awareness, and shifts in diagnostic frameworks have all contributed to sharp increases in adult ADHD diagnoses worldwide, with profound implications for healthcare systems, patients, and policymakers, including those in Thailand.

A significant breakthrough in chronic pain management has arrived, as new research reveals that learning to control emotions can bring meaningful, sustained relief to those suffering from persistent pain. A recently published clinical trial, led by a team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and reported by Neuroscience News, found that focusing on emotional regulation—not just physical symptoms—can significantly improve quality of life for chronic pain sufferers. This development is particularly significant for countries like Thailand, where chronic pain is a widespread but often poorly addressed health concern.

New research and commentary have intensified calls for urgent action to protect reproductive health data, as recent legal cases in the United States and rapid growth of health-tracking technology expose gaps in data privacy protections with potential global implications, including for Thailand. The conversation arises amid the prosecution of individuals, such as a Nebraska teenager whose private messages were used as evidence in violating abortion laws, and the adoption of telehealth abortions and digital health tools following major changes to American abortion rights.