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."

US President Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law Vanessa Trump recently revealed that she is now cancer-free.

The former wife of Donald Trump Jr also shared the early signs of the disease she experienced before getting diagnosed. The 48-year-old is now undergoing surgery and radiation.

Vanessa Trump Reveals Early Signs Before Breast Cancer Diagnosis

In an interview with her daughter, Kai Trump and radiologist Dr Nicole Saphier for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Vanessa said that she was unusually exhausted for months before getting diagnosed in April 2026. She said that even normal activities in her routine would leave her spent.

“I would love to go and get my Starbucks, and then two hours later, I would feel exhausted,” she said.

Vanessa also said she experienced constant arm pain for several months before noticing something in her left breast

She was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, a common form of breast cancer in which cancer cells surface in the milk ducts and spread into breast tissue.

Vanessa underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumour, followed by three courses of radiation treatment. In an update shared in October, she said a recent breast MRI came back clear. “I'm finally cancer-free,” she said.

Vanessa shared that she will need regular scans in the coming years to monitor her health.

Also read: Jessie J 'Healing' After 2nd Breast Reconstruction Surgery: Why Some Patients Need Multiple Procedures

Is Extreme Fatigue An Early Sign Of Breast Cancer?

Fatigue is a symptom of various health conditions, but it can also occur in people with cancer. Fatigue related to cancer may feel more intense than normal tiredness and may not improve with adequate sleep or rest.

However, just fatigue is not a reliable sign of breast cancer. It can be due to various other causes like anaemia, thyroid disorders, sleep problems, infections, stress and other medical conditions.

Vanessa's diagnosis puts focus on the importance of paying attention to unusual changes in the body, especially when they occur alongside other symptoms.

Also read: Breast Cancer Awareness Day: Experts Explain Most Overlooked Breast Changes That Can Delay Diagnosis In Men

Breast Cancer Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Breast cancer does not present in the same way in everyone. Some people may notice a lump, while others experience changes in the breast or surrounding areas like armpits or arms. Warning signs of breast cancer include:

• New lump or thickening sensation: A lump in the breast or underarm that feels different from the surrounding tissue.
• Changes in breast size or shape: Newfound edema or a change in appearance of the breast is also a sign.
• Changes in skin: Dimpling, puckering, redness or skin that resembles the texture of an orange peel.
• Nipple changes: A newly inverted nipple, unusual discharge, or changes in the skin around the nipple.
• Stubborn pain: Ongoing pain in the breast or underarm that is unusual for the individual.
• Arm pain: Arm pain is not a typical breast cancer symptom. But unexplained pain, especially accompanied with changes in breast, warrants medical assessment.

Dr Saphier emphasised that breast cancer can present differently from one person to another. “When it comes to breast cancer, it's not one size fits all. It feels different for everyone,” she said.

A person should not wait for a lump to become large or painful. Anyone who notices a new breast lump, nipple change, or changes in skin should consult a healthcare professional.

Screening mammograms can help detect breast cancer before symptoms appear, but the appropriate screening schedule depends on age, risk and local guidelines. prioritise their health and seek timely checks.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, yet sex-specific cardiovascular risks often go unrecognized.

Four medical societies — the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine — have issued new guidance to help clinicians identify these risks early and improve heart health in women and girls.

The guidance highlights heavy periods, irregular menstrual cycles and pregnancy complications as potential indicators of cardiovascular risk. It also introduces a “Female Life Stages” framework to guide prevention from puberty through menopause and beyond.

“Women experience their health care across clinical specialties, but it often is fragmented or disconnected,” said Sadiya S. Khan, chair of the collaborative writing group and professor of cardiovascular epidemiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

What Does The New Guidance Include?

Also read: This Common Heart Attack Risk Starts Silently In Healthy People In Their 20s

Progress in preventing cardiovascular deaths among women has stalled over the past two decades. The new framework identifies four life stages as opportunities for early risk detection and prevention.

• Perimenarche (ages 8–15): The transition around the first menstrual period.
• Ovarian cycling (ages 15–44): The stage when regular ovulatory and hormonal cycles are established.
• Perimenopause (ages 45–51): The transition marked by irregular cycles and hormonal changes.
• Postmenopause (age 51 onward): The years after menopause, defined as 12 months after the final menstrual period.

Pregnancy, at any stage, is also described as a biological “stress test” that can reveal previously unrecognized cardiovascular risks.

Women's Heart Risks: Heavy Periods And Irregular Cycles

The guidance recognizes menstrual patterns as a female-specific vital sign. Heavy or irregular bleeding may indicate cardiovascular risk, including risks associated with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Women's Heart Risks: Perimenopause And Postmenopause

Read More: 100% Blockage At 18, 25% Patients Under 40: On World Heart Day, Cardiologists Reveal An Alarming Heart Attack Pattern

Changes in cholesterol and metabolic health during perimenopause may signal rising cardiovascular risk. Early identification and preventive action may help reduce future risk.

The years after menopause can also account for up to 40% of a woman’s lifetime. Most heart attacks, strokes and heart failure events occur during this stage, according to the guidance. More than 80% of these events are considered preventable through early action.

Women's Heart Risks: Pregnancy Complications And Mental Health

Anxiety, depression and eating disorders can contribute to poorer cardiovascular health. The framework urges clinicians to consider psychosocial factors alongside hormonal and cardiovascular health.

High blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age infants and stillbirth are recognized as female-specific cardiovascular risk enhancers.

The 2026 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology cholesterol guideline also includes pregnancy-related factors in cardiovascular risk assessment.

Only about 60% of U.S. women with high blood pressure-related pregnancy complications receive follow-up care for their blood pressure within six months of delivery. The collaborating societies are calling for action to close this gap and ensure cardiovascular risks identified during pregnancy receive continued attention.

Need For Dedicated Women's Heart Care Centers

The societies propose a national network of Comprehensive Centers of Excellence for Women’s Cardiovascular Care, focused on clinical care, professional education, research and community engagement.

They also call for greater inclusion of women in research, increased funding for women’s health and better translation of evidence into clinical practice.

There’s a new update in Novo Nordisk Vs Eli Lilly lawsuit over weight loss ads. On Monday, a US judge ruled in favour of Eli Lilly, rejecting Novo Nordisk’s request to block the Zepbound maker’s advertisements. The Danish drugmaker claimed that those advertisements were false and misleading, which affected markets with tens of billions of dollars of annual sales.

Eli Lilly Can Continue Running Ads Amid Novo Nordisk’s Lawsuit

US District Judge Zahid Quraishi in Trenton, New Jersey, said that Novo Nordisk must not receive a preliminary injunction, as they have failed to prove that Eli Lilly's ads threatened their sales, marred its goodwill, or caused irreparable damage to clinical reputation.

Talking about Novo Nordisk's claim of irreparable harm, Quraishi said they were "inadequate to warrant ⁠the extraordinary relief it seeks."

Quraishi also said that Novo Nordisk's case is "less than persuasive" based on a "very preliminary record.” Not considering these merits, the judge passed the ruling after a two-day hearing in August.

In his 25-page decision, Quraishi said that even though Novo Nordisk's witnesses were reliable, Eli Lilly's ads had a negligible market impact between April and July. The judge also said that Novo Nordisk's business remained stable.

The judge also said that monetary compensation could help Novo Nordisk if it faces any "nontrivial harm" due to absence of ⁠injunction.

Novo Nordisk had reported combined sales of about $32 billion for obesity medicines and Ozempic in 2025, according to the court papers. The drugmaker intends to regain market share in the United States for its injectable obesity drugs, a market that could exceed $100 billion by the end of the decade.

According to Reuters, Novo Nordisk said, “While we are disappointed with the court’s decision, today's ruling did not decide the question of whether Lilly's advertising is false and misleading, and this litigation is still ongoing. Everyone deserves clear, accurate and up-to-date information when making decisions about their health.”

Denying any wrongdoing, Eli Lilly said it welcomed the court’s decision.

Also read: GLP-1 Drugs Ozempic, Zepbound Use Rises 24-Fold Among American Women After Childbirth

What Is The Lawsuit About?

In July, Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk had filed a lawsuit against Eli Lilly in the US District Court in New Jersey, alleging the company violated federal and state false advertising and unfair competition laws, including the Lanham Act, through nationwide advertising campaigns for its obesity drug Zepbound and diabetes treatment Mounjaro, according to media reports.

Alleging that Eli Lilly’s ads used outdated comparisons,Novo claims Lilly's advertisements:

• Compared the highest approved doses of Zepbound and Mounjaro with lower doses of Novo's Wegovy and Ozempic.
• Omitted data on the newer 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy, which, as per Novo, delivers greater weight loss.
• Relied on older clinical trial data that no longer reflects current approved dosing.

Eli Lilly rejected the allegations, saying its advertisements accurately reflect findings from its SURMOUNT-5 clinical trial. According to the company:

• The study, completed in 2024, compared 10 mg and 15 mg doses of Zepbound with 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg doses of Wegovy.
• Novo's 7.2 mg Wegovy received US FDA approval only in March 2026, after the trial had concluded.

More About GLP-1 Therapies

Also read: Eli Lilly's Experimental GLP-1 Pill Shows Promising Weight Loss

In December 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its first guideline on the use of GLP-1 therapies for obesity, describing the condition as a chronic, relapsing disease affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide.

It recommends GLP-1 therapies may be used for long-term obesity treatment in adults, excluding pregnant women. Treatment should be combined with structured lifestyle interventions, including a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and behavioral support to improve outcomes.

Dr. Vivek Bindal, Principal Director & Head at Max Institute of Minimal Access, Bariatric & Robotic Surgery, said, “Newer anti-obesity medicines, including GLP-1-based and related therapies, have significantly expanded the options available to patients. They can support meaningful weight loss and improve metabolic health when combined with appropriate nutrition, physical activity and behavioural support.”