The Global Pulse

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I am a high school student looking to change the future of medicine.
    • The Sun Is Not Your Friend

      The Sun Is Not Your Friend

      I did track, high jump and triple jump, which means I’m outside in the Florida sun a lot. So I had to look into this one for selfish reasons.

      Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, according to the CDC. And about 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are linked to UV rays from the sun. That’s a huge chunk of cancer that comes down to one thing we can actually control.

      The Skin Cancer Foundation has advice specifically for outdoor athletes and runners: use SPF 50+, reapply every two hours (or after you sweat a lot), and remember that bad sunburns when you’re young raise your risk of skin cancer later. Basically, the burns you get now can come back to haunt you in 20 years.

      I’ll be honest, I used to never wear sunscreen at practice. Now it’s just part of my kit, like spikes and a water bottle. It takes 30 seconds and it’s one of the easiest pieces of prevention there is. A tan is not worth a cancer scare down the road.

      Bottom line: Sunscreen is 30 seconds of prevention against the most common cancer in the country.

      Read more: Sun protection for runners and athletes — The Skin Cancer Foundation

    • Why Clean Water Is Still a Global Problem

      Why Clean Water Is Still a Global Problem

      Clean water is something many people think is normal. In places like the United States, we can turn on the sink and drink water without thinking twice. But in many parts of the world, clean water is still a serious problem. Millions of people do not have access to safe water, and this affects their health and daily lives in many ways.

      One reason clean water is still a global problem is because of where people live. In some countries, communities are far away from rivers or water systems. People may have to walk long distances just to get water for drinking or cooking. The water they collect often comes from lakes, rivers, or wells that are dirty. This water can contain bacteria and parasites that make people sick.

      Another big issue is poverty. Many countries do not have the money or resources to build good water systems. Pipes, filters, and water treatment plants are expensive and need regular care. When governments cannot afford these systems, people are left with unsafe water. Poor communities are usually the ones hit the hardest, which makes the problem unfair.

      Dirty water causes many health problems. People can get diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid from unsafe water. These illnesses may not sound very serious, but they can be deadly, especially for young children. Many children around the world die each year from water related illnesses that could be prevented with clean water.

      Clean water problems also affect education and work. In many places, children spend hours collecting water instead of going to school. Adults may miss work because they are sick or caring for family members who are ill. This keeps families stuck in poverty and makes it hard for communities to improve their situation.

      Climate change is making the problem worse. Floods can contaminate water sources, and droughts can dry them up completely. As the climate continues to change, clean water will likely become even harder to find in some regions.

      Even though the problem is serious, there is hope. Organizations around the world are working to build wells, improve sanitation, and educate people about clean water. Simple solutions like water filters and protected wells can save lives. Clean water should not be a luxury. It is a basic human need, and solving this problem can help improve health, education, and quality of life around the world.

    • Why Prevention Matters More Than Treatment

      Why Prevention Matters More Than Treatment

      When people think about health, they usually think about going to the doctor when they are sick. While treatment is important, prevention matters even more. Preventing problems before they start can save time, money and stress. It can also help people live longer and healthier lives.

      Prevention means making choices that lower the risk of getting sick to begin with. This includes eating healthy foods, exercising, getting good sleep, and going to regular check-ups. These things may seem small, but they make a big difference over time. For example, staying active and eating well can help prevent diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Once someone has these conditions, they often need medication or long-term care, which can be hard and expensive.

      Treatment usually happens after a problem has already caused damage. Even the best treatments cannot always fully fix something that has gone wrong. Preventing illness helps avoid pain and suffering that treatment cannot always erase. It is better to stop a problem early than to try to fix it later.

      Prevention also helps society as a whole. Fewer sick people means less strain on hospitals and doctors. It also lowers healthcare costs for families and communities. When people stay healthy, they can focus more on school, work, and enjoying their lives.

      In the end, prevention is about taking care of yourself before something goes wrong. It may not feel urgent, but it is one of the smartest choices a person can make.

    • Obesity Rates Across the World

      Obesity Rates Across the World

      Obesity is a growing health issue around the world, but it does not affect every country in the same way. Obesity is usually defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, and it increases the risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

      Globally, obesity rates have risen quickly over the past few decades. The World Health Organization reports that worldwide adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, and today over one billion people live with obesity. However, where people live makes a big difference. Some countries have very high obesity rates, while others have much lower ones.

      Countries in the Pacific Islands, such as American Samoa, Tonga, and Nauru, have some of the highest obesity rates in the world, with well over half of adults classified as obese. In contrast, many countries in East and Southeast Asia, such as Japan and Vietnam, have much lower obesity rates. High-income countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom tend to have higher obesity rates than many low-income countries, although this gap is changing over time. The map below shows some of the details by country.

      Several factors help explain these differences. In wealthier countries, people often have easier access to processed foods that are high in sugar and fat, and many jobs involve sitting for long periods. In some developing countries, obesity used to be more common among wealthier people, but it is now increasing among poorer populations as diets and lifestyles change.

      Overall, obesity is a global problem, but it looks different from country to country. Understanding these differences can help governments and communities create better plans to improve health and prevent obesity in the future.

      The global obesity crisis explained in three maps | Semafor
    • How Stress Can Lead to Health Problems

      How Stress Can Lead to Health Problems

      Stress affects the body in more ways than most people realize, and understanding this connection can help people take better care of their health. When someone feels stressed, the body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are helpful in short bursts, like when you need to react quickly to danger, but they can cause problems when they stay high for a long time. If someone is dealing with ongoing stress, it can slowly wear down different systems in the body.

      One major effect of long term stress is on the immune system. The immune system is supposed to protect the body from infections, but high stress levels can weaken it. This makes it easier to get sick and harder to recover. People who are stressed a lot often notice they catch colds more easily or feel run down even when they are sleeping enough. Stress can also make existing health problems worse, like asthma, stomach issues, or headaches.

      Another way stress affects health is through inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s way of fighting off harm, but too much of it can lead to diseases over time. Research shows that chronic stress can increase inflammation, which is linked to conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Stress can also raise blood pressure and make the heart work harder, which adds even more risk.

      Mental health and physical health are also connected. When someone feels stressed, they might have trouble sleeping, eating well, or staying active. These habits can slowly create health problems on their own. Even though stress is a normal part of life, it becomes harmful when it builds up without any breaks.

      If stress is affecting your health or daily life, it is important to talk with a trusted adult or a healthcare professional who can help you find healthy ways to manage it. What kinds of stress do you notice most often in your daily routine?

    • There’s a Vaccine That Prevents Cancer

      There’s a Vaccine That Prevents Cancer

      Most people have no idea that one of our regular vaccines literally prevents cancer. When I found that out, I was pretty surprised.

      It’s the HPV vaccine. The CDC says it can prevent more than 90% of the cancers caused by HPV, and it protects against about six different types of cancer. A study in Sweden (reported by the National Cancer Institute) found that girls vaccinated before age 17 had almost 90% lower risk of cervical cancer. Doctors basically describe HPV vaccination as cancer prevention, full stop.

      After watching cancer take someone in my family, the idea that a single shot can stop certain cancers before they ever start feels almost unreal. That’s prevention at its absolute best, getting ahead of the disease by years.

      The global health challenge is making sure everyone can actually get it, not just kids in wealthy areas. A cancer-preventing vaccine only helps if it reaches people. But the science itself is one of the most hopeful things I’ve come across writing this blog.

    • Your Heart Doesn’t Get a Day Off

      Your Heart Doesn’t Get a Day Off

      Think about this: your heart beats around 100,000 times a day, every day, with no breaks. No off-season. So it makes sense that when it has problems, it’s a big deal.

      Cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, strokes, that whole family) is the number one cause of death in the entire world. The WHO estimates it killed about 19.8 million people in 2022. And here’s the sneaky part: the biggest warning signs are things you can’t feel, like high blood pressure and high blood sugar.

      My grandmother has high blood pressure, which people call the “silent” risk for exactly that reason. You feel totally fine while it’s quietly straining your heart and blood vessels for years.

      The good news, and the reason I bring my sports stuff into everything, is that most heart disease is preventable. Moving your body, eating better, and not smoking are the main moves. When I’m training for track or lifting, I’m literally strengthening my heart. That’s prevention in real time. Your heart works for you nonstop, so it’s worth taking care of it back.

      Bottom line: Most heart disease is preventable, and the prevention is stuff you can start today.

      Read more: Cardiovascular diseases – World Health Organization

    • Vaping Is Just Smoking With Better Marketing

      Vaping Is Just Smoking With Better Marketing

      This one’s personal. My grandmother smoked for years, and it’s part of why she got pancreatic cancer. So when people my age act like vaping is no big deal, it doesn’t really land for me.

      The CDC reported that in 2024, about 1.63 million middle and high school students vaped. That made e-cigarettes the most used tobacco product among teens, and around 88% of high schoolers who vape use flavored ones. At the peak back in 2019, over 5 million teens were vaping. The flavors and the sleek designs aren’t an accident, they’re marketing aimed straight at us.

      Here’s the thing. Vaping gets sold as the clean, cool, “it’s just water vapor” version of smoking. But it’s still nicotine, which is one of the most addictive things out there, and the long-term effects on developing lungs and brains are still being figured out.

      I’m not trying to lecture anyone. I just watched what tobacco did to my family, and that’s a harder thing to forget than any warning label.

      (Heads up: this post talks about my grandmother’s illness, which is a heavy topic for me.)

      Bottom line: Vaping is smoking with a better disguise, and the addiction underneath is the same.

      Read more: E-cigarette use among youth – CDC

    • Soda Is Basically a Trap

      Soda Is Basically a Trap

      Sugary drinks are one of the sneakiest health problems out there, because they taste great and feel harmless.

      A big 2025 study from Tufts researchers (published in Nature Medicine) connected sugar-sweetened drinks to about 2.2 million new cases of type 2 diabetes and 1.2 million cases of heart disease worldwide in a single year. They estimated roughly 1 in 10 new diabetes cases trace back to these drinks. And soda companies are now pushing hardest in lower-income countries, where the health systems can least afford it.

      My grandmother has diabetes, so the diabetes part isn’t abstract for me. It’s a disease I watched up close.

      Here’s where my own stuff comes in. Since I’m trying to gain weight the healthy way, I actually read nutrition labels now, and the sugar in one regular soda is honestly shocking once you start looking. I’m not saying never drink one. I’m saying it’s a treat, not water. And water is free.

      Bottom line: Sugary drinks are an easy habit to cut, and cutting them lowers real disease risk.

      Read more: Sugary drinks linked to millions of diabetes and heart disease cases — Tufts University

    • Diabetes Is Quietly Becoming a Worldwide Thing

      Diabetes Is Quietly Becoming a Worldwide Thing

      Diabetes feels like one of those words people tune out, like it’s just a normal part of getting older. But the numbers are honestly kind of alarming.

      The WHO says the number of people living with diabetes jumped from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022. The rate basically doubled. And more than half of people with it aren’t even getting treatment. The main risk factors? Inactivity, obesity, and unhealthy diets, which means a lot of type 2 diabetes is preventable.

      My grandmother had diabetes along with high blood pressure, so I’ve seen what it does over time. It’s not just about sugar, it can lead to heart attacks, kidney problems, and worse. That’s why catching it early, or preventing it, matters so much more than waiting for the complications.

      The thing that gets me is that this is a global problem now, growing fastest in lower-income countries. It’s not an “old people” disease and it’s not just a rich-country thing. It’s everywhere, and a lot of it comes down to the same prevention basics: move more, eat real food, get checked.

      Bottom line: Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable, and prevention beats treating the damage later.

      Read more: Diabetes – World Health Organization