Emerging Health Threats

As we move through 2025, our world is facing a variety of health challenges. From old diseases making a comeback to new threats on the horizon, it’s becoming clear that staying informed and prepared is more important than ever.

1. “Old Diseases” are Returning

You might think diseases like whooping cough or measles are things of the past, but sadly, they’re back. In the UK, a baby recently passed away from whooping cough, a disease that vaccines can prevent (The Guardian, 2025). I would highly recommend reading my blog post titled, The Importance of Preventive Care to learn more about vaccinations! There was a measles-related death and another whooping cough outbreak in 2024 that claimed 11 children. Vaccination rates have dropped, with only 83.7% of five-year-olds receiving both MMR doses, and 81.4% getting the four-in-one booster that protects against pertussis (The Guardian, 2025). Pregnant women’s vaccination rates also fell from 76% in 2016 to 59% in 2024, though they’ve recently rebounded to 73% (The Guardian, 2025).

2. Parasites are Returning

A more unusual threat has appeared in the U.S. from New World screwworm, which is a flesh-eating parasite. A traveler from El Salvador brought the first confirmed human case in the country (NYP Post, 2025). These larvae burrow into open wounds and feed on living tissue. Thankfully, the public health risk is considered low, but it’s still a serious concern for livestock and agriculture (NYP Post, 2025).

3. Chagas Disease is Spreading

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites, has long been considered a problem only in parts of Latin America. But evidence shows it’s quietly spreading in the U.S., especially in southern states like Texas (Beatty, Hamer, Moreno-Peniche, Mayes, & Hamer, 2025). Bugs called “kissing bugs” carry the parasite and can enter homes, infecting both humans and animals. Cases in dogs are particularly common, and humans aren’t immune. It’s a reminder that some “foreign” diseases aren’t so foreign anymore.

4. Antibiotic Resistance Isn’t Slowing Down

Antibiotic resistance is still a huge problem. In the U.S., around 2.8 million people get infections from resistant bacteria every year, and at least 35,000 die as a result (CDC, 2023). The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the problem because antibiotics were often overused during viral infections. Resistant strains like MRSA, CRE, and C. diff continue to make hospitals dangerous places for some patients (CDC, 2023).

5. Climate Change Brings New Bugs

Climate change isn’t just about weather—it’s affecting our health too. Warmer temperatures are helping mosquitoes that carry dengue, Zika, and chikungunya spread into areas that were previously safe (Continental Hospitals, 2025). At the same time, diseases like avian flu are becoming more common because ecosystems are shifting, bringing humans into contact with animals carrying these pathogens (Continental Hospitals, 2025). It’s a reminder that the environment and human health are deeply connected.

6. Mental Health

Lastly, the mental health crisis is growing. Conflicts, displacement, and global stressors are taking a toll on people everywhere. There’s a bigger push this year to integrate mental health care into primary healthcare, especially for vulnerable populations. Addressing mental health isn’t just compassionate—it’s essential for building strong communities (Project HOPE, 2025).

From old diseases making a comeback to new threats we’ve never faced, 2025 is showing us that staying healthy requires vigilance, preparation, and smart public health policies. Knowing what’s out there and taking proactive steps can save lives, and help us all navigate an increasingly complicated world of health risks.

I hope this blog post was informative about the emerging health diseases in 2025 and has helped shaped your overall understanding of the topic! Please follow improvedcare_ on Instagram to be notified for our next post!

References:

Beatty, N. L., Hamer, G. L., Moreno-Peniche, B., Mayes, B., & Hamer, S. A. (2025). Chagas Disease, an Endemic Disease in the United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 31(9), 1691–1697. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/9/24-1700_article

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/biggest-threats.html

Continental Hospitals. (2025). Emerging Viral Threats in 2025. https://continentalhospitals.com/blog/emerging-viral-threats-in-2025/

Project HOPE. (2025). 4 Health Issues We’re Watching in 2025. https://www.projecthope.org/news-stories/story/4-health-issues-were-watching-in-2025/

The Guardian. (2025, August 31). British Baby Dies from Whooping Cough as Vaccination Rates Fall. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/aug/31/british-baby-dies-from-whooping-cough-as-vaccination-rates-fall

NYP Post. (2025, August 25). US Confirms Nation’s First Travel-Associated Human Screwworm Case.

https://nypost.com/2025/08/25/us-news/us-confirms-nations-first-travel-associated-human-screwworm-case-connected-to-central-american-outbreak/