The year 2025 has been marked by significant advancements and challenges in health, from revolutionary weight-loss treatments to disappointing news regarding prostate cancer screenings. Among the most discussed topics were injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy, which have captured public attention as key solutions for obesity.
Groundbreaking Discoveries in Medicine
In a landmark development, British doctors announced a potential breakthrough in treating Huntington’s disease, an incurable genetic disorder affecting one in 12,500 people in the UK. Scientists at University College London and the pharmaceutical company uniQure successfully conducted a clinical trial of the experimental gene therapy AMT-130. The results indicated that the therapy could reduce disease progression by an astonishing 75 percent in the trial group. Study leader Professor Sarah Tabrizi hailed the findings as “truly a game-changing result.”
Weight-loss medications have also seen substantial attention, with prescriptions for drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic doubling to approximately 2.7 million from 2024 to 2025, as reported in June by The Sun. The National Health Service (NHS) began rolling out Mounjaro through general practitioners, although the rollout could take up to 12 years to reach only 200,000 patients, primarily targeting those classified as severely obese. In contrast, private demand surged, with over 1.5 million patients opting for these treatments.
Research continues to unveil the broader health benefits of these medications. A study from Clalit Health Services in Israel found that patients taking these GLP-1 receptor agonists had a 41 percent lower risk of developing cancer compared to those losing weight through surgery. Another trial by Harvard University showcased that these drugs halved the mortality risk for heart failure patients compared to conventional treatments. As anticipation builds for further advancements, results from a promising jab, retatrutide, expected next year, could redefine weight-loss therapies.
Screening Challenges and Mental Health Concerns
In January, the NHS made a significant change by lowering the starting age for life-saving bowel cancer screening, known as FIT testing, to 50. This adjustment allows around four million additional people to participate in two-yearly tests, marking a considerable achievement for health advocates and campaigns, including the No Time 2 Lose initiative supported by the late Dame Deborah James.
Yet, not all health news was positive. Last month, UK government advisers decided against implementing mass prostate cancer screenings. Despite advocacy from various charities and public figures, including Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, only a limited group of men with specific risk factors will qualify for testing. This ruling has raised concerns about the potential impact on early detection and treatment of prostate cancer.
Mental health issues remain a pressing concern, particularly among younger populations. A survey conducted by the campaign group Health Equals revealed that individuals aged 16 to 24 are now twice as likely to experience mental health problems compared to previous generations. The Office for National Statistics reported that 23 percent of adults currently experience heightened anxiety levels, a significant increase since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, dental health continues to decline in England, with recent findings indicating that 41 percent of adults show signs of tooth decay, a figure reminiscent of statistics from three decades ago. Dr. Nigel Carter of the Oral Health Foundation warned of the implications, stating, “Unless we act now, we risk a generation living with worse oral health than their grandparents.”
Amid these challenges, exciting advancements in reproductive health emerged from researchers at Oregon Health and Science University. In September, they announced the successful growth of human embryos in a laboratory setting using DNA derived from skin cells. While still in the early research stage, this development could pave the way for new reproductive possibilities, including offering solutions for women facing infertility and enabling same-sex couples to have children sharing both parents’ genetic material.
The developments of 2025 illustrate a complex landscape in health, characterized by transformative breakthroughs coupled with significant challenges. As advancements continue to reshape the medical field, the focus remains on addressing ongoing health issues affecting diverse populations worldwide.
