As per the latest data released by Transforming Access to Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO) and the Policy Institute at King's College London, the number of UK students reporting mental health difficulties tripled. The estimate reveals that around 300,000 students could now be experiencing mental health struggles. Of the total, 18% of students reported some kind of mental health issue in 2024.

As per the reports, this estimate is triple what was reported in 2017, where it was at 6%. Experts also say that Covid-19 pandemic is "often considered to have contributed to this, it does not explain the ongoing rise in mental health difficulties." Another reason could also be the "changing definition and increasing openness about mental health" which has led to a rise in numbers. The report notes, "This trend pre-dates the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. Although these factors play a part in students' deteriorating mental health, they cannot therefore be the only explanation."

How Did The Report Conclude?

The report drew data collected over the latest Student Academic Experience Survey of 93,212 students. From the survey, it was found that there exist significant disparities between demographic groups, with women being twice as likely to report mental health difficulties, about 22% as compared to men, at 11%.

What Did The Results Reveal?

The results revealed that students who identified as LGBTQ experienced the highest rates of mental health challenges. This has actually lessened the hope that conditions for LGBTQ students are improving, which may not have been a positive case.

Of them, 42% are bisexual and lesbian students, whereas last year it was 35% and 32% respectively. The report also noted that mental health difficulties among lesbian women and gay men rose three times the rate of straight people, and among bisexual and asexual people, it was twice as high. For trans students, the number jumped from 25% in 2023 to 40% in 2024.

Is The LGBTQ+ Prone To Mental Health Crisis?

As per the Child Mind Institute, being LGBTQ+ does not cause mental health problems, but because these kids often face factors like rejection, discrimination and violence, they are at a higher risk of challenges including depression, anxiety, and even attempting suicide.

A UTAH Health study quotes Anna Docherty, PhD, LP, assistant professor of psychiatry at Huntsman Mental Health Institute that, "likely with any identity, feeling different - or worse, unaccepted as you are is a significant risk factor of mental health struggle." The data reveals that LGBTQ+ teens are six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression than non-LGBTQ+ identifying teens. They are also more than twice as likely to feel suicidal and more than four times as likely to attempt suicide. In the US alone, 48% of transgender adults report that they have considered suicide in the last year, compared to 4% of the overall population.

What Do These Findings Mean?

TASO's academic lead and professor of public policy at King's College London, Michael Sanders said, "LGBTQ students and women bear the brunt of the rise in declining mental health and urgent action is needed to understand and address these trends."

Women who are conflicted while choosing between an injectable contraceptive, a copper intrauterine device (IUD) or a hormonal implant may not need to worry about its impact on human papillomavirus (HPV).

What Is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. While many HPV infections go away on their own without causing problems, some high-risk types can persist and increase the risk of cervical cancer in the long run.

Before this study, scientists debated whether hormonal contraceptives could affect a woman's immune response, making it easier to contract HPV or harder for the body to clear the infection.

Birth Control Choice May Not Influence HPV Risk

According to a new study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Africa, your choice of contraception may not have an impact on the risk of contracting HPV.

Researchers found that women using a commonly used injectable contraceptive known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), copper IUDs, and levonorgestrel implants had similar chances of contracting HPV and clearing existing infections.

About The Lancet Study

Also read: You Can Still Get HPV If You're Not Sexually Active

The researchers examined data from women who participated in the large ECHO (Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes) clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three contraceptive methods:

• Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM) injectable contraceptive

• Copper IUD

• Levonorgestrel implant

They then compared how often women acquired HPV during the study and how often those who already had HPV were able to clear the infection naturally. The analysis found no meaningful differences between the three contraceptive methods.

Women using the injectable contraceptive were no more likely to acquire HPV than those using a copper IUD or a hormonal implant. Similarly, women across all three groups cleared HPV infections at comparable rates.

Significance Of The Study

Also read: Teplizumab: UK NHS To Roll Out World-First Drug To Delay Onset Of Type 1 Diabetes

Earlier studies finding the link between hormonal contraceptives and HPV have reported mixed results. Some suggested that hormonal birth control might increase the risk of HPV infection or make infections last longer, while others found no clear outcomes.

This new research provides stronger evidence because it is based on a randomized clinical trial. The findings suggest that the type of contraceptive a woman chooses is unlikely to have an impact on her risk of getting HPV or her body's ability to clear the infection.

Women Can Take Control Of Their Contraceptive Choice

The study allows women to choose between these commonly used contraceptive methods based on factors such as effectiveness, convenience, side effects, and personal preference, rather than concerns about HPV risk.

However, experts stress that no contraceptive method protects against sexually transmitted infections, including HPV. Using condoms can help reduce the risk of HPV and other STIs.

The human papillomavirus causes more than 200 known infections. While some types lead to benign skin warts, others are responsible for severe health threats, such as cervical, throat, anal, and penile cancers. The HPV vaccine provides strong protection against the most lethal strains, avoiding long-term health complications.

The HPV vaccine helps the immune system recognize and fight off high-risk strains of the virus before they cause harm. It protects against:

• Genital warts

• Cervical cancer

• Vaginal, vulvar, anal, and penile cancers

• Mouth, throat, head, and neck cancers linked to HPV

Experts also stress that HPV vaccination and regular cervical cancer screening remain the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer and detect abnormal changes early.

People in the UK can, from today, access the Wegovy weight loss pill through pharmacies with a doctor's prescription. It is the first oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medicine approved in the UK for weight loss.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the tablet on June 11, marking the first oral GLP-1 treatment available in the country for obesity management.

"Having met the MHRA's rigorous standards of safety, quality and effectiveness, the semaglutide tablet has been approved in the UK for weight loss and weight management," Julian Beach, Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA, said in a statement.

"As with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, this is a prescription-only medication," Beach added.

Novo Nordisk called it an "important milestone for obesity care in the UK".

"For the first time, people living with obesity have access to a GLP-1 treatment in a daily pill, allowing them the choice and flexibility of oral treatment to support their long-term weight management," said Sebnem Avsar Tuna, General Manager at Novo Nordisk UK.

Wegovy Weight Loss Pill: Who Is Eligible?

Also read: US Medicare Set To Cover GLP-1 Drugs For Weight Loss: All You Should Know About Eligibility, Costs

The semaglutide (Wegovy) tablet can be prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for adults who:

• Have obesity (BMI of 30 or above), or
• Are overweight (BMI between 27 and 30) and have at least one weight-related comorbidity.

Wegovy Weight Loss Pill Dosage

Patients must begin with the lowest dose of 1.5 mg once daily, which can be gradually increased to:

• 4 mg
• 9 mg
• 25 mg

People currently taking 2.4 mg weekly semaglutide injections privately can switch directly to 25 mg semaglutide tablets once daily.

Wegovy: How To Take The Tablet

Read More: This 45-Minute Weight-Loss Procedure May Work Better Than Semaglutide Pills, Study Claims

According to the MHRA, the tablet should be:

• Taken whole on an empty stomach after fasting for at least eight hours.
• Swallowed with a small sip of water.
• Followed by no food or drink for at least 30 minutes, as eating or drinking sooner reduces the drug's absorption.

Patients are advised to carefully follow the instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet.

How Does Wegovy Work?

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the action of the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone released after eating.

It acts on areas of the brain that regulate appetite by:

• Helping people feel fuller for longer.
• Reducing hunger.
• Decreasing food cravings.

Wegovy: Is It Available On The NHS?

Not yet. Although the medicine has received MHRA approval, it is not currently available through the NHS.

The MHRA said NHS availability will depend on the usual evaluation process by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

NICE said Novo Nordisk has not yet formally approached it, but that it is in active discussions with the company, BBC reported.

Wegovy Weight Loss Pill: What Are The Side Effects?

The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal and include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Vomiting

The MHRA said it will continue to monitor the medicine's safety and effectiveness. Anyone experiencing side effects should speak to their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse and report them through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Pharmacies Expect High Demand

Community pharmacies say they are preparing for a surge in demand following the launch. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) urged patients to obtain the medicine only from regulated pharmacies following a proper clinical consultation.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is battling one of its deadliest Ebola outbreaks in recent years. While it is driving innovation in medical science with new clinical trials and diagnostic tests, it is also a stark reminder of the urgency to contain the outbreak as soon as possible.

What Makes This Ebola Outbreak Deadlier?

According to the latest data, the death toll in DRC has now crossed 500 with at least 1,528 cases that are reported and confirmed.

While Ebola is not a new disease, the current outbreak stands apart because it is being caused by a rare strain of the virus, Bundibugyo.

Unlike previous outbreaks dominated by the Zaire strain of Ebola, the current epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is a much less common species of the Ebola virus family.

The rarity of the strain has created unique scientific and emergency public health challenges, as there is currently no licensed vaccine designed to protect against Bundibugyo Ebola virus.

During outbreaks caused by the Zaire strain, vaccination became an important part of outbreak control. In the current epidemic, however, public health officials are being forced to rely heavily on rapid diagnosis, infection prevention, surveillance, and existing medical care.

Read more: Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Grips NYC After At Least 14 Cases Reported Across 2 Neighborhoods

Bundibugyo Ebola Virus: Latest Developments

WHO Clears First Diagnostic Test

In a major scientific breakthrough, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently added the first molecular diagnostic test for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus to its Emergency Use Listing (EUL).

The test detects the virus's genetic material in blood samples, enabling laboratories to confirm infections more quickly and accurately.

First Treatment Trial Underway

WHO and its partners have launched the first clinical trial specifically evaluating treatments for Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease.

Researchers are testing the experimental monoclonal antibody MBP134, the antiviral drug remdesivir, and a combination of both to determine whether they can improve survival.

About Bundibugyo Ebola Virus

The Bundibugyo virus was first identified in Uganda in 2007 and has caused only a few outbreaks since then. As infections have been relatively uncommon compared to the Zaire strain, researchers have had limited opportunities to develop vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tests.

Due to this, healthcare workers have been compelled to rely primarily on rapid isolation of patients, intensive supportive care, contact tracing, and strict infection prevention measures to slow transmission.

Currently, Eastern DRC is the hotspot for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, where conflict, population displacement, skepticism, and insecurity have made it difficult for health workers to reach affected locations.

Here, access to healthcare still remains uneven in many areas. Additionally, movement of people across districts and states in the country can accelerate the spread of infection significantly.

As scientists race to validate new diagnostics and evaluate experimental treatments, the Bundibugyo outbreak is becoming more than a public health emergency. It is also serving as a critical test of how quickly the global health community can develop and deploy new tools against an emerging infectious disease.