Latest news with #STADAHealthReport2025
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Brits reach record levels of burnout as GPs call for one major change
New data has shown that British women are more affected by burnout than anywhere else in Europe - with symptoms including physical exhaustion, headaches, and feelings of dread More than half of young women in the UK have experienced burnout, with the country facing higher levels of the problem than anywhere else in Europe, new data has revealed. In the UK, 56% of women between the ages of 18 to 24 said they have experienced burnout, according to the STADA Health Report 2025. Meanwhile, 44% of those aged 35 to 44 also said they had suffered from it. Both figures are significantly higher than the global average, with two thirds of Brits having dealt with burnout, compared to 34% of people across Europe. The report surveyed 27,000 people from 22 countries. Burnout has been classed as an 'occupational phenomenon' by the World Health Organization, and is described as a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. It can be caused by stress and can lead to feeling so detached and demotivated that 'it impacts your ability to function and you feel hopeless that your situation can change', Mental Health UK explains. Someone's behaviour can change due to burnout and they may appear less productive, excessively tired, irritable or isolated. They may also have difficulty concentrating and could rely on excessive alcohol or drugs, the charity says. British men are also experiencing higher levels of burnout than their European counterparts - with 43% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 36% of 35 to 44-year-olds going through it compared to men in other countries. Dr Anisha Patel, a GP and TV doctor, said that burnout is 'one of the most pressing issues facing individuals today'. She added: 'I myself have suffered from burnout and as clinicians, we're seeing more and more people at breaking point mentally, which can also impact their physical health and it's clear that our mental health services need not only more investment, but cultural change.' Despite the high levels of burnout, Brits rarely report mental health as a reason for sick leave, particularly in comparison to the rest of Europe. In fact, only 22% said they had called in sick at work due to stress. Dr Patel said: 'What's striking is how stigma continues to hold us back. Despite widespread experiences of burnout, the UK still reports low levels of people taking sick leave for mental health reasons compared to other European countries. This suggests people are still suffering in silence and in 2025, that just shouldn't be the case.' For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. In March, the health secretary revealed that the government's mental health spending amounted to £14.9 billion. Wes Streeting said that for 2025-26, this figure is expected to reach £15.6 billion, which he said 'represents another significant up lift in real terms spending on mental health'. Streeting explained that the spending would allow Labour to deliver its manifesto commitments, including recruiting 8,500 mental health staff members, modernising the Mental Health Act, providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, and creating a network of community Young Futures Hubs. The report also found that only 17% of Europeans are engaged in some sort of professional or self-help routine for their mental health and just 10% work with therapists or counsellors. It states: 'One possible reason for this low uptake – apart from accessibility, which is insufficient in most countries – may be how mental health is valued at the systemic level. Three in five (60%) Europeans think that mental and physical health are not treated equally in their country's healthcare system.' Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Women and people of colour issued warning over using AI for health advice
Certain demographics of people run the risk of receiving inaccurate or outdated medical information when asking chatbots for advice - and so should remain wary, an expert has said While artificial intelligence continues to rise in prominence and people turn to the technology for medical help, women and people of colour have been warned about following advice from chatbots. Magali Geens, who led the STADA Health Report 2025 on health trends in the UK and Europe, explained that AI will not always provide accurate health advice for women and anyone who isn't white. When we ask AI systems like Chat GPT for guidance, it will pull together studies and data from the internet to provide its response. However, this existing knowledge is often outdated. A large amount of the research into health issues has historically been centred around men, with them often being the default subjects in studies. Caucasians are also overrepresented in the available studies on the internet that Chat GPT uses to form its advice. Geens explained: 'If [women] use Chat GPT and put in symptoms, you will get data and information that is not for you.' She said that to get the best out of AI when it comes to health advice, you will need tools that are up-to-date, relevant, and that eliminate bias. Geens used specific chatbots designed for mental health problems as a good example. READ MORE: 'I use AI to make me a better dad - it helps me settle arguments and is a great teacher' Using AI like a search engine to ask for medical advice will result in you getting inaccurate information, or results that will confirm bias. You would need to provide more details, such as your height, weight, family history, and gender to get a tailored response - but many AI users are unaware of this. While AI can be a useful tool for those in rural areas to access health advice, it is vital for users to remain critical of the information they are presented with. Geens told us: 'This is a challenge that will take a few more years to crack.' Peter Goldschmidt, CEO of pharmaceutical company STADA, added that AI can provide 'information, but not competent judgement'. Women already have less trust in healthcare systems than men. According to the STADA survey of 27,000 people from 22 counties, 55% of women trust healthcare systems, compared to 61% of men. AI continues to rise in popularity and play a role in education, science, and now, healthcare. Of those surveyed, 39% said they would consider getting a medical consultation from AI instead of seeing a doctor - with most citing accessibility and convenience as the reasons why. The technology is already in use in the UK healthcare system, with the UK Health Security Agency harnessing AI to understand patient experiences, detect food-borne illness outbreaks, and make public health guidance more consistent. Dr Nick Watkins, chief data scientist at UKHSA, said that AI could 'enhance public health protection'. He added: 'As we continue to develop and refine these systems, we maintain a careful balance between embracing innovation and ensuring robust validation of AI outputs. This approach helps us harness AI's potential while maintaining the high standards expected of a national public health agency.'
