Providing every child with a healthy, sustainable school meal could significantly cut global hunger, prevent diet-related deaths, and reduce the environmental impact of diets, according to new research by University College London (UCL).

Scientists estimate that extending school meal coverage from the current level of about one in five children to all children worldwide by 2030 could reduce the overall prevalence of undernourishment by around 24 percent. The modelling study suggests such an approach could also prevent more than one million deaths each year from diet-related diseases and cut the number of people lacking essential vitamins by roughly 120 million.

“Our modelling shows that healthy and sustainable school meals can generate substantial health and environmental gains in every region of the world,” said Marco Springmann, the corresponding author of the study and modelling lead for the Research Consortium at UCL’s Institute for Global Health. “The evidence is clear: investing in school meals is both effective and economically sound.”

The study compared current school meal coverage with a scenario in which all children receive at least one meal a day. Researchers examined the potential effects on nutrition, long-term health, greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, and calculated the cost savings from improved health outcomes and reduced environmental damage.

Results show that environmental benefits depend on meal composition. School meals aligned with healthy and sustainable dietary recommendations—emphasizing vegetables and limiting meat and dairy—combined with reduced food waste, could cut food-related environmental impacts by roughly half. The study also examined costs, estimating additional spending equivalent to about 0.1 percent of national income in high-income countries and up to 1 percent in low-income nations. However, reductions in healthcare costs and climate-related damages were found to largely offset these investments.

Currently, school meal programs feed approximately 466 million children every day, representing around 70 percent of the global public food system. Experts warn that achieving universal coverage will require strong political commitment and consistent funding, especially in low-income countries, where fewer than one in ten children receive school meals.

“School meals are not just a nutrition programme – they are a powerful lever for transforming food systems,” said Silvia Pastorino, diets and planetary health lead for the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition and a researcher at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. “When meals are healthy, sustainable and linked to food education, they improve children’s wellbeing today and foster long-term sustainable habits, while helping countries protect biodiversity, reduce emissions and build resilient communities.”

The research consortium is part of the School Meals Coalition, an initiative led by France and Finland, formed in 2021 after more than 100 countries pledged to provide a healthy school meal for every child by 2030. The consortium is also developing a “Planet-Friendly School Meals Toolkit” to help countries evaluate costs, health benefits, and environmental impacts of sustainable school meal programs, with first results expected in spring 2026.

This year has seen a series of major medical advancements that could transform health care for millions around the globe. Euronews Health reviewed leading medical journals to highlight some of the most promising developments, from gene editing to organ transplantation and novel vaccine technologies.

In February, scientists performed the world’s first personalised CRISPR gene-editing therapy on a baby with a rare and often fatal genetic disorder. The procedure involved directly editing faulty genes in the infant’s liver. While the child will require lifelong monitoring, the treatment has significantly reduced his dependence on medications and improved his quality of life. By November, the baby’s mother reported that he had begun walking and reaching other developmental milestones. Researchers hailed the procedure as a major breakthrough, suggesting that CRISPR could benefit other patients with genetic disorders in the future.

Messenger RNA, or mRNA, vaccines also continued to make headlines in 2025. Building on the success of COVID-19 vaccines, researchers tested mRNA technology against influenza, HIV, genetic diseases, and cancer. Early trials showed that HIV vaccines using mRNA could stimulate neutralising antibodies, which help the immune system defend cells against viral infection. While larger trials are needed, scientists say these developments demonstrate the broad potential of mRNA technology to tackle multiple diseases.

In the field of organ transplantation, xenotransplantation — the transfer of organs between species — achieved notable progress. In a milestone procedure, a genetically modified pig liver was transplanted into a 71-year-old man who could not receive a human liver due to liver disease and cancer. The patient survived for 171 days, showing that pig organs can perform critical functions in humans. Scientists believe that such transplants may one day reduce the shortage of donor organs, complementing ongoing experiments with pig kidneys, lungs, and hearts.

A breakthrough in dementia research also emerged in the United Kingdom, where scientists used living human brain tissue to study Alzheimer’s disease in real time. By exposing healthy brain cells to amyloid beta, a toxic protein linked to the disease, researchers observed how cell connections deteriorate at early stages. This approach could accelerate the development of treatments for dementia, which currently has no cure.

Finally, weight loss drugs used to treat obesity and diabetes showed potential benefits for other conditions, including addiction and certain psychotic disorders. Studies suggest these drugs may improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and affect the brain’s reward system. However, pharmaceutical companies caution that they are not universal solutions. In November, Novo Nordisk reported that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, had no effect on cognition in patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

These five medical advances highlight the rapid pace of scientific progress in 2025, offering hope for patients and families facing a range of serious health challenges.

Heavy use of phones, tablets, and gaming consoles has been linked to anxiety, depression, poor attention, and even obesity, according to public health experts. As school holidays approach, concerns are rising that children may spend the break glued to screens, potentially affecting their mental and physical health.

Jay Maddock, a professor at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health, said extended device use can have serious consequences for young people. “Kids today are spending an amazing amount of time on social media, on gaming and other devices, and this leads to a lot of negative health outcomes like anxiety and depression, but can also contribute to obesity and poor physical health as well,” he explained.

The warning comes amid new regulations in Australia banning under-16s from using major social media platforms, including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and Threads. Children cannot create new accounts, and existing profiles are being deactivated. The policy, the first of its kind, has drawn international attention, with countries like Denmark considering similar restrictions.

Maddock encourages parents to adopt a more “retro” approach to school holidays, drawing inspiration from family routines in the 1980s and 1990s. For families in colder climates, outdoor activities such as sledging, ice skating, or winter walks can be safe and enjoyable with proper clothing. “There’s a saying that there is no bad weather, just poor clothing choices. So add more clothes, and you’ll be nice and warm,” he said. Even without snow, he recommends scavenger hunts, geocaching, or evening walks to admire holiday lights.

Spending time outdoors offers measurable health benefits. Research shows that exposure to nature can improve mood, attention, and immune function. A UK study involving over 19,000 participants found that at least 120 minutes per week in nature increased the likelihood of reporting good health by 59 percent and boosted overall well-being by 23 percent. “The benefits from nature can come in a very short amount of time,” Maddock said. “Prioritise frequency over duration.” Short outdoor breaks, even as brief as five minutes, can have a positive impact, particularly in the morning.

For times when cold weather keeps children indoors, Maddock suggests activities that foster family connection rather than passive screen use. Classic board games such as Boggle or Yahtzee can provide hours of entertainment, while reflective exercises like sharing favourite moments from the past year can strengthen relationships and improve well-being.

“Whatever you do, try to keep off those devices, keep them limited as much as possible, and have a healthy and happy winter break,” Maddock advised. His recommendations highlight the importance of balancing technology with physical activity and family interaction to support children’s health during the holiday season.