TikTok health trends: Do they actually work?

A condition once considered universally fatal, Trisomy 18 (also known as Edwards syndrome), is now seeing some children survive beyond infancy thanks to medical interventions, determination from families, and a bit of luck. While most babies with the genetic disorder still pass away shortly after birth, a growing number are defying the odds—highlighting shifts in medical perspectives and parental advocacy.

Editor’s Note: This story challenges long-held assumptions about Trisomy 18, offering hope to families facing this diagnosis. It underscores how medical advances and relentless care can rewrite expectations for rare conditions, sparking conversations about ethical treatment decisions and resource allocation in pediatric care.

U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dipped slightly last year, while the number of children granted exemptions from vaccines hit a record high, continuing a concerning trend of declining immunization coverage.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a bureaucratic statistic—it’s a red flag for parents and health officials. Fewer vaccinated kids mean higher risks of outbreaks for diseases like measles, which can spread fast in schools. The rise in exemptions suggests growing vaccine hesitancy, which could undo decades of progress in preventing deadly childhood illnesses. If this trend keeps up, we might see more preventable diseases making a comeback.

A recent global study analyzing multiple published articles reveals that increasing temperatures are negatively impacting students' academic performance, with prolonged heat exposure linked to poorer cognitive outcomes.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just about uncomfortable classrooms—rising heat is actively harming learning. As climate change worsens, students worldwide could face long-term setbacks, making this a pressing issue for schools, policymakers, and parents alike.

Former President Donald Trump plans to bring back the Presidential Fitness Test, a program that encourages physical activity among students. The initiative, which was previously discontinued, aims to promote health and fitness in schools.

Editor’s Note: This story matters because it signals a potential shift in national priorities around youth fitness. The revival of the program could impact school curriculums and spark debates about the role of government in promoting health. Whether you see it as a positive step or political symbolism likely depends on your views of Trump’s policies. Either way, it’s a move that could get people talking about fitness in education again.

A former nurse's legal challenge to block the registration of England's first private gender clinic for teenagers has been dismissed by the High Court, allowing the clinic to move forward.

Editor’s Note: This ruling is significant because it affects access to gender-affirming care for young people in the UK. While some see private clinics as a necessary option amid long NHS wait times, others worry about oversight and ethical concerns. The decision keeps the conversation going about how best to support transgender youth.