Top 10 Global Health Highlights of 2025
17 Dec 2025
1.Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
AI continues to change the healthcare landscape.
In Australia, more GPs are using AI tools to help with paperwork, and medical tools for diagnosing conditions, including skin cancer, are getting smarter. Experts believe AI will be used more in the future, but it will be important for regulators and doctors to carefully manage both the benefits and the risks.
2.Health Misinformation
False information remains a big issue.
Strong claims about common medicines and vaccines, made by well-known people, have affected public health messages. Australian health officials moved quickly to deal with these false claims, showing the need for ongoing health education efforts.
3.GLP-1 Medications
There has been a big increase in the use of drugs for weight management and diabetes, including GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Australia is about to decide on covering these drugs through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), sparking discussions on fair access and monitoring possible long-term effects.
4.Social Media Restrictions for Children
Australia introduced a rule against allowing under-16-year-olds to have social media accounts.
Most GPs support this decision, seeing it as an opportunity to talk to families about safe online behavior. However, experts warn that only laws won’t be enough to solve mental health risks.
5.Climate Change and Health
The health effects of climate change are becoming more obvious.
Higher temperatures are causing stress on mental health and leading to more deaths from heat in Australia. Doctors are asking for better training and tools to handle these growing health problems.
6.Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
AMR continues to be a serious global issue, with resistance growing in many antibiotics.
Using medicines responsibly, getting quicker diagnostic tests, and staying up to date with vaccinations are key to tackling this problem. Adding more doctors without proper controls could make the situation worse.
7.Advances in Endometriosis Testing
New blood tests are showing promise in helping diagnose endometriosis earlier.
This condition affects one in seven Australian women. Early diagnosis could help reduce past misdiagnoses and improve medical care in general practice.
8.Measles Outbreaks
Measles cases in other countries have raised worries about falling vaccination rates.
While Australia has controlled cases from travelers, GPs must stay alert, especially for younger doctors who might not have seen the disease before.
9.PFAS Exposure
More people are becoming aware of environmental chemicals, especially PFAS.
With widespread detection in people over 12 in Australia, GPs are dealing more with concerns about long-term health checks and managing exposure.
10.Social Prescribing
Social prescribing is becoming a popular way to improve community health and help people feel less isolated.
By linking patients with local resources, GPs can help improve wellbeing outside of standard medical care, which can also ease the pressure on healthcare systems.
The year 2025 has shown how global health is changing rapidly.
Australian GPs must keep up with tech changes, environmental issues, and new treatments, while still addressing public health problems.
Source: newsGP; Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP); WHO; The Lancet; Human Reproduction Journal.
