Top Good News Stories: Global Health And Wellbeing

Summary of all the top stories from around the world in November 2025 relating to health and wellbeing.

The Clean Air Era: Global air-pollution deaths fall as clean-air era begins. For the first time in centuries, global deaths from air pollution are falling; down by 21 percent between 2013 and 2023 thanks to a steep drop in household smoke as billions gained access to cleaner cooking, reports the State of Global Air. The last 18 months have seen the fastest tightening of air-quality laws in history, and several major economies - notably China, the US and the EU - are now decoupling pollution from growth.

Viewing Art is Good For You: Viewing original works of art can relieve stress, cut heart disease risk and boost immune system, first study of its kind finds.

Trachoma Eliminated: Egypt has become the seventh country in the Eastern Mediterranean region - and the 27th worldwide - to eliminate trachoma (the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness) as a public health problem, following a decade of mapping, surveillance and a nationwide implementation of the WHO’s elimination strategy.

Polio Plummets: The number of polio cases globally has plummeted by more than 99 percent in just 35 years, according to new data from the World Health Organization.

The Power of Hope: Tracking 25,000 adults over a 14-year period, researchers found that those with high levels of hope saw improved economic, employment, and educational outcomes, as well as better health and overall well-being. ​In a research summary, the study authors defined hope as distinct from optimism, which is the “belief that things will get better.” Hope, rather, is “the determination to make them better, which reflects agency and determination (grit).” They found that hopeful folks were also more resilient and adaptable, seemed less affected by negative life events, and had a stronger “internal locus of control.”

Credit: Sotheby's

Good Fortune: An almshouse in England, established in 1437 King Henry VI, is counting its blessings after it discovered that its triptych is worth millions. The money will go towards looking after more people in need.

Global Literacy: The World Bank’s latest data shows a quiet global triumph: 93 percent of people aged 15 to 24 can now read and write, up from 87 percent in 2000. In many regions, including East Asia, Latin America, and Central Europe, youth literacy has reached or neared universal levels, marking one of the most successful, least reported stories in development. It's wonderfully good news that almost all of the world's young people can now read and write.

Female Drivers in America: Currently, for vehicle safety testing, the standard “female” crash test dummy weighs 108 pounds and is 4 feet, 11 inches tall. It was created in the 1970s and is based on the smallest 5 percent of American women. No wonder female fatalities are so much higher than those of men. The good news is that new safety rules are now coming into force.

Immunisation Campaign: The UN, WHO, and Gaza’s Health Ministry have launched a life-saving, three-stage immunisation campaign to reach 44,000 children in Gaza who missed their vaccines. The drive will run from November through January, protecting children against measles, polio, pneumonia, and other preventable diseases.

Women's Bank Accounts: World Bank figures show a big rise in the number of women globally with bank accounts, a development that it said pointed to a “remarkable transformation”. According to a new World Bank report, the number of women in low- and middle-income countries who have an account has risen to 73 percent, compared to 50 percent a decade ago. “The work continues to ensure every woman who wants a financial account has access to one - and can use it to her full advantage.”