Health

Survey Reveals Two in Five European Workers Face Mental Health Risks

Published

3 months ago

November 27, 2024

RTX

A recent survey by TELUS Health has revealed that nearly 40% of European workers are at risk of developing mental health conditions, with factors such as gender, age, socio-economic status, and national circumstances playing key roles.

The survey assessed 500 workers in each of six countries—France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands—and categorized individuals scoring below 80 on its mental health index as being at high risk. Spain emerged as having the highest percentage of workers at risk (48%), followed by Poland (45%) and Italy (43%). In contrast, the Netherlands recorded the lowest proportion of high-risk workers at 24%.

Influencing Factors in Mental Health

The study identified several factors contributing to mental health risks, including local circumstances, cultural differences, and systemic infrastructure. Poland’s proximity to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine was highlighted as a stress factor, given its geographic and political implications.

Gender disparities were also notable, with women reporting mental health scores over five points lower than men. Paula Allen, global leader and vice president of research and insights at TELUS Health, attributed this to financial inequities, employment challenges, and disparities in healthcare responses.

“There are clear differences in the world experienced by men and women, including under-recognized health issues such as endometriosis and menopause,” said Allen. She also noted that women often report negative experiences with healthcare providers, further affecting their mental well-being.

Physical and Financial Factors

The survey found a correlation between physical activity and mental health. Workers who exercised regularly reported better mental health scores, while those who were largely inactive—spending six or more hours sitting daily—had significantly lower scores. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate exercise per week to maintain health.

Financial security also emerged as a major determinant of mental health. Workers without emergency savings were three times more likely to experience anxiety or depression, with an average mental health score of 42 compared to 62 for those with savings. “Lack of emergency savings creates chronic anxiety, undermining optimal well-being,” Allen explained.

The Role of Employers

Employers can play a pivotal role in improving workers’ mental health by fostering supportive environments. Allen stressed the importance of integrating physical and mental health initiatives, such as resilience training, health guidance, and cultural alignment with occupational health standards.

“A sustainable framework for employee well-being benefits everyone and enhances organizational outcomes,” Allen noted, urging businesses to prioritize mental health in workplace policies.

The findings underline the pressing need for comprehensive approaches to address mental health challenges among European workers.

Health

Global Obesity Rates Expected to Soar by 2050, Study Warns

Published

3 days ago

March 4, 2025

RTX

A new study published in The Lancet projects that by 2050, nearly 60% of adults and 31% of children and young people worldwide will be overweight or obese, marking a sharp increase from previous decades. The research highlights a growing health crisis, with experts warning of serious consequences for global well-being.

A Worsening Trend

According to the study, 3.8 billion adults and 746 million young people are expected to be overweight or obese by mid-century. This marks a significant rise from 1990 figures when 731 million adults and 198 million young people were classified as overweight or obese. The findings show that each new generation is gaining weight earlier and faster than before.

For example, in high-income countries, 7% of men born in the 1960s were obese by the age of 25, but this percentage increased to 16% for men born in the 1990s and is expected to reach 25% for those born in 2015. This trend is fueling an epidemic linked to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Emmanuela Gakidou, one of the study’s authors, called the obesity crisis a “monumental societal failure.”

Global Hotspots for Obesity

The study identified several countries as obesity hotspots. In 2021, over half of the world’s overweight or obese adults were concentrated in just eight countries:

China (402 million)
India (180 million)
United States (172 million)
Brazil (88 million)
Russia (71 million)
Mexico (58 million)
Indonesia (52 million)
Egypt (41 million)

Future growth in obesity rates is expected to be driven by population increases in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Among high-income nations, the United States, Chile, and Argentina are projected to have the highest obesity rates. In Europe, Greece is forecasted to have the highest levels of obesity by 2050, affecting 48% of women and 41% of men.

Impact on Healthcare Systems

As obesity rates climb, so do associated health risks. The study estimates that by 2050, one in four obese adults worldwide will be over 65, adding further strain on global healthcare systems. The effects are already being felt in countries like the U.S., Australia, and parts of Europe, where obesity-related health complications are lowering life expectancy and quality of life.

Despite these alarming trends, research suggests that only 7% of countries worldwide have healthcare systems prepared to tackle the rising obesity-related health burdens. Experts warn that without intervention, obesity will continue to drive millions of premature deaths annually from conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Rising Obesity Rates Among Young People

The research also paints a troubling picture for younger generations. While most young people in 2050 are expected to be overweight rather than obese, childhood and adolescent obesity rates are set to increase by 121%.

Obesity is expected to rise sharply in North Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as in large nations such as the U.S. and China. Among high-income nations, Chile is forecasted to have the highest childhood obesity rates, while the U.S. will lead in obesity among young adults (ages 15-24). In Europe, Greece and San Marino will have the highest rates among boys and girls, respectively.

Dr. Jessica Kerr, one of the study’s authors, emphasized that interventions are still possible, saying, “If we act now, we can prevent a complete transition to global obesity for children and adolescents.”

Calls for Policy Changes

Experts argue that addressing the crisis requires more than just medical treatments. The study measured obesity using body mass index (BMI), a widely used metric, but one that some researchers say should be replaced with more precise health indicators.

Meanwhile, new weight-loss drugs, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have been hailed as potential game-changers, but experts caution that medications alone cannot stop the obesity epidemic.

Johanna Ralston, CEO of the World Obesity Federation, warned that tackling obesity requires comprehensive policy changes. Strategies such as food labeling, taxation on unhealthy foods, and better urban planning to encourage physical activity are crucial to combating the crisis.

“We can’t just treat our way out of it. We need to change the way we approach food and exercise as a society,” Ralston said.

The findings underscore the urgent need for a global, multi-pronged strategy to address the obesity epidemic before it becomes an even greater public health catastrophe.

Health

Study Finds Medical Test Promotions on Social Media Could Mislead Patients

Published

4 days ago

March 3, 2025

RTX

Sydney, Australia – A new study has found that influencer posts promoting medical tests on social media are often misleading, raising concerns about overdiagnosis, unnecessary treatments, and mental health impacts for patients.

Researchers analyzed over 900 posts on Instagram and TikTok, focusing on influencers with more than 1,000 followers. The study, led by Dr. Brooke Nickel from the University of Sydney, revealed that more than 80% of posts had a promotional tone, while only 6% cited scientific evidence about the effectiveness of the tests being advertised.

Concerns Over Medical Misinformation

Dr. Nickel warned that many of these tests, promoted under the guise of early screening and personal health control, are unnecessary for most people.

“The vast majority of these posts were overwhelmingly misleading,” she stated. “They are marketed as a way to take control of your health, but the science backing their efficacy is often shaky.”

The study examined social media posts about five specific medical tests, including:

Full-body MRI scans
Genetic testing claiming to detect early signs of 50 cancers
Gut health tests
Testosterone level tests
Ovarian reserve (egg count) tests

One of the primary risks associated with unnecessary medical testing is overdiagnosis, where healthy individuals are diagnosed with conditions that would never cause them harm.

Influencers Driving Overuse of Medical Tests

The research found that more than half of influencer posts encouraged followers to take action and get tested, yet only 6% mentioned the risks of overdiagnosis.

Dr. Ray Moynihan, an assistant professor at Bond University in Australia, described the situation as “a public health crisis.”

“Social media is an open sewer of medical misinformation,” he said. “This exacerbates overdiagnosis and threatens the sustainability of health systems.”

Financial Incentives and Regulatory Concerns

The study also revealed that 68% of influencers promoting these medical tests had financial interests, such as paid partnerships or discount codes, creating a potential conflict of interest.

“One of the key themes influencers use is ‘knowledge is power,’ but much of the information is cherry-picked,” Dr. Nickel explained. “When it comes to health, getting the full picture is essential, and half-truths can be dangerous.”

However, the study also noted that posts made by physicians (around 15% of the total sample) were generally more balanced, with fewer promotional tones and more emphasis on potential risks.

Call for Stricter Regulations

Given the widespread promotion of misleading health information, researchers emphasized the need for stronger regulations on social media platforms to prevent misinformation and protect public health.

“There must be greater oversight to ensure medical advice shared online is accurate and evidence-based,” Dr. Moynihan concluded.

Health

Countries Eye WHO Exit Despite Legal Uncertainty

Published

1 week ago

February 26, 2025

RTX

Several world leaders, including Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, have expressed their intentions to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), following the United States’ decision to leave the global health body last month. However, the legal complexities of such a move present an unclear path forward.

No Clear Exit Mechanism in WHO Constitution

Unlike other international organizations, the WHO’s constitution—an international treaty signed by nearly every country—does not include a formal withdrawal clause. The organization was founded in 1946 with the intention of fostering universal cooperation in global health, making the idea of member states leaving a legal gray area.

“The idea in the field of public health was for the WHO to be as universal as possible,” said Stéphanie Dagron, an international law professor at the University of Geneva.

While the U.S. reserved the right to exit when it joined in 1948, no such provision exists for other nations. This means countries like Argentina and Hungary face legal uncertainty in their attempts to leave.

How Countries Could Withdraw

Despite the lack of a formal exit clause, international law provides some guidance. The 1969 Vienna Convention states that if a treaty does not specify withdrawal terms, member states must provide one year’s notice before leaving.

This suggests that Argentina and other nations would have to navigate a year-long process before officially cutting ties with the WHO, potentially slowing down their exit plans.

Pedro Villarreal, a researcher in global health law at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, noted that while no clear precedent exists, withdrawal is still legally possible. “The fact that an international treaty does not envisage withdrawal does not mean that countries cannot withdraw,” he explained.

Inactive Status: A Middle Ground?

While an outright departure remains uncertain, historical precedent suggests that nations could instead take on an “inactive” status. When the Soviet Union stopped participating in the WHO in 1949, it was not seen as a formal withdrawal but rather as a period of inactivity. The USSR later rejoined in 1956 without needing to ratify the constitution again.

Whether countries like Argentina or Hungary could follow a similar path remains an open question. Steven Solomon, the WHO’s principal legal officer, acknowledged the ambiguity, saying, “The question of whether withdrawal is possible, and if so, how it would be given effect, and under what conditions, is a matter of interpretation.”

Potential Consequences of Withdrawal

If countries were to go inactive or withdraw, they would face significant consequences. Member states are required to pay annual fees, and those that stop contributing could lose their voting rights at the World Health Assembly. More importantly, they may also forfeit access to WHO-backed health programs and initiatives.

For nations with struggling healthcare systems, this could mean reduced support in areas such as disease prevention, vaccine distribution, and emergency health response.

What Happens Next?

For now, no formal withdrawal requests have been submitted, and the topic is not currently on the agenda for the WHO’s next World Health Assembly in May.

“At the moment, it’s a political announcement,” Dagron said, emphasizing that any final decisions on withdrawal will likely involve further legal and diplomatic negotiations.

As more countries weigh their options, the global health community is left watching to see how this unprecedented situation unfolds.