#Who

A sweeping policy update from the World Health Organization aims to curb adolescent pregnancies and improve girls’ health worldwide. The guidance could reshape maternal and reproductive health efforts in Thailand, where teenage pregnancy remains a persistent challenge that intersects health, education, and social equity.

Why this matters for Thailand Adolescent pregnancy is a public health concern in Thailand, with tolls beyond childbirth. Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health notes that thousands of girls under 19 become mothers each year, risking health complications, interrupted education, and long-term poverty. In rural and low-income communities, stigma, limited access to contraception, and gaps in sex education worsen the problem. The WHO guidelines offer governments evidence-based tools—such as comprehensive sexuality education and expanded reproductive health services—adaptable to Thailand’s diverse contexts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has just unveiled an ambitious new policy guideline aimed at preventing adolescent pregnancies and enhancing the overall health of girls globally, a move that could reshape the landscape of maternal and reproductive health in countries like Thailand. With teenage pregnancy rates posing persistent risks for young people’s health, education, and socioeconomic prospects, these latest guidelines come at a crucial moment for Thai society, where the challenge remains deeply rooted and multilayered [WHO - New guideline to prevent adolescent pregnancies].

How much exercise is truly enough for good health? For busy Thai readers balancing work, family, and social life, clear guidance can be the difference between nothing and taking that first, essential step. A wave of expert-backed advice and recent research now shows that even small amounts of movement matter, and consistency beats perfection every time.

The message resonates across Thailand, where rapid urbanisation and sedentary routines are taking a toll. The World Health Organization identifies physical inactivity as a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, which remain top causes of premature death in Thailand and around the world. New guidelines from international health authorities and Thai public health groups align with a simple truth: small, regular movement yields meaningful health benefits.

In the ceaseless debate about fitness and health, a core question remains: How much exercise should a person really do every day? Recent guidance from leading global health authorities and respected experts, alongside new research summarized by The Independent and reinforced by fresh scientific evidence, offers surprisingly flexible – and encouraging – answers for Thais at every age and fitness level. The bottom line is clear: less can be more, and every move counts (The Independent).

How much exercise is truly enough for good health? For busy Thais juggling work, family, and social life, knowing exactly how much movement is needed can make the difference between doing nothing and taking that first, critical step. Now, a new wave of expert-backed advice and landmark research clarifies just how simple – and how impactful – adding regular movement can be, whether you’re a gym enthusiast or a “ชาวออฟฟิศ” (office worker) struggling for time.

Three more US states—Louisiana, Virginia, and Missouri—confirmed their first measles cases of 2025 over the weekend, pushing the current outbreak to over half of all US states and marking one of the most significant resurgences in recent years. According to a report by UPI, the total number of confirmed cases across at least 27 states has climbed to 800, with the vast majority being either unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status. This growing crisis reflects deeper global trends in vaccine coverage and highlights crucial public health lessons for Thailand, where measles cases have also risen sharply over the last two years (UPI, CDC).

A recent case in the United States is raising alarm among health experts worldwide—including here in Thailand—after a controversial physician contracted measles yet continued to practice medicine, treating children who were never vaccinated against the highly infectious disease. The case, originally reported by Ars Technica, underscored the troubling intersection of vaccine hesitancy and public health, as well as the ongoing risks posed by declining immunization rates among children.

The incident involved an American doctor known for her opposition to vaccine mandates, who was diagnosed with measles after caring for unvaccinated pediatric patients during a local outbreak. Despite clear recommendations from health authorities that infected individuals remain isolated to avoid further transmission, the doctor allegedly kept treating her young patients—many of whom were especially vulnerable to the virus due to their unvaccinated status (source).

A measles case in the United States has drawn international attention, including in Thailand, highlighting how vaccine hesitancy and public health risk intersect. A physician diagnosed with measles continued to treat children who had not been vaccinated, despite clear guidance that infected individuals should isolate to prevent further spread. The incident, originally reported by Ars Technica, underscores ongoing concerns about declining immunization rates and their impact on vulnerable populations.

According to health authorities, the doctor involved has a public stance against vaccine mandates and treated unvaccinated pediatric patients during an outbreak. Local clinics and hospitals faced heightened risk as exposure occurred in settings where unvaccinated children gathered. Public health experts stress that isolation after infection is a critical step to stop transmission, and continuing to care for patients in this state is widely viewed as dangerous and unethical.

A core question in health debates remains: how much exercise do we really need each day? Global health authorities and recent research offer flexible, encouraging guidance that fits Thai lifestyles. The message is simple: small, regular movement adds up, and every step matters.

For busy Thais juggling work, finances, and Bangkok’s pollution, the classic image of endless gym sessions or exactly 10,000 steps a day is not only daunting—it’s unnecessary. Long-term health comes from staying active in a way that fits your life. The World Health Organization’s guidelines align with this view, and large studies support it, showing that any movement is better than none.

An 85-year-old runner challenging his limits at the 28th London Marathon is capturing international attention and spotlighting new research that shatters one of the most persistent myths in health: that old age is an obstacle to exercise. While some see retirement as an end to physical activity, the remarkable story of this octogenarian marathoner signals a broader move in both science and society towards active aging — and offers invaluable lessons for Thailand’s fast-growing elderly population.

The specter of polio, a disease once on the brink of global eradication, is looming large yet again as new reports from 2025 reveal troubling spikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan, compounded by global aid disruptions and vaccine skepticism1. For Thai readers, these developments sound an urgent warning: even diseases thought to be “conquered” can return if public health vigilance lapses, offering a stark lesson relevant to Thailand’s ongoing immunization efforts and pandemic preparedness.

Polio, once nearing global eradication, now faces renewed risk as reports from 2025 highlight spikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The disruptions to aid campaigns and rising vaccine skepticism threaten progress and offer a crucial lesson for Thailand’s immunization and pandemic preparedness.

Despite decades of effort, polio has never fully left the world. The latest warnings focus on Pakistan and Afghanistan—the last two nations with active wild polio transmission. In 2024, Pakistan saw a sharp rise in cases, while Afghanistan reported dozens of infections, underscoring how operational challenges and vaccination gaps persist. Early 2025 figures show continued, though smaller, case numbers, reminding health officials that the virus can rebound with the right conditions.

A small American town’s resistance to childhood vaccinations has turned into an international public health warning, as a measles outbreak sweeps through the community, resulting in the deaths of at least two children and serious illness for many more Mirror, Apr 15, 2025. The outbreak inundated local hospitals, rekindled global debates about vaccine misinformation, and now stands as a sobering lesson for countries like Thailand, where vaccine confidence is increasingly challenged by online conspiracy theories and social media rumors.

A small town in the United States is facing a severe measles outbreak after rising vaccine skepticism. The crisis has put hospitals under pressure, claimed the lives of young children, and rekindled global debates about misinformation and public health. This incident serves as a timely reminder for Thailand, where vaccine confidence faces renewed challenges from online rumors and social media.

Measles remains one of the world’s most contagious diseases. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that a single case can spread to many others in communities without immunity, making herd protection essential. In places where vaccination rates dip below about 95 percent, outbreaks can surge quickly, threatening both individuals and the broader community. In the current case, vaccination skepticism and uneven funding for programs have contributed to lower uptake in the affected area, amplifying the outbreak’s impact.