In our weekly good news round-up, we feature three positive stories from across the week that showcase remarkable innovation, breakthroughs, and progress within the realms of healthcare, sustainability, equity and inclusion, workplace wellbeing, social impact and more.
As writer Jonathan Freedland puts it in his Guardian column this week, “there are plenty of good arguments for reducing your social media consumption, but overexposure to bad news is one of them…” In a world often dominated by negativity, he makes a compelling case for “willed optimism,” reminding us that “finding light in the darkness does not just happen, you have to work at it.”
On that note, here are three positive stories for the week of 16 to 22 December, 2024, reminding us of the positive change happening around the world.
70 is the new 60: Study reveals better health in older age
Research published in Nature Aging has revealed that older adults in England are experiencing unprecedented levels of physical and mental health. The study indicates that individuals in their late 60s today exhibit similar functional abilities to those in their early 60s a decade ago, suggesting that “70 really may be the new 60.”
The study analysed data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, focusing on various functional abilities, including cognitive, locomotor, psychological, and sensory capacities. Findings show that age-related declines in these areas are less steep than in previous generations, reflecting major improvements in health across different birth cohorts from 1920 to 1959.
These health advancements are attributed to factors such as better education, improved sanitation, enhanced nutrition, and medical progress. However, researchers caution that future trends may be influenced by rising obesity rates and other health challenges.
RELATED: Redefining Later Living
WATCH: Iain Cassidy, CEO at u3a, shares the benefits of lifelong learning and how we can promote positive ageing.
‘Martha’s Rule’ proves lifesaving with new NHS data
A groundbreaking policy empowering patients and families to demand a second medical opinion is saving lives, having been introduced earlier this year. New NHS data reveals that “Martha’s Rule,” introduced after the tragic death of 13-year-old Martha Mills, is saving lives by ensuring critical cases receive timely attention.
The initiative allows patients or their loved ones to request an urgent clinical review if they feel their concerns aren’t being addressed, providing a vital safety net. Early figures show the policy is transforming patient care, highlighting its potential to build trust and improve outcomes across the healthcare system.
Read more of the story here.
Montana Supreme Court sides with young activists in landmark climate ruling
Montana’s Supreme Court has ruled in favour of 16 young activists, affirming their right to a clean environment. The court upheld a lower court’s decision in a 6-to-1 ruling, declaring that the state violated the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs, aged 5 to 22, by banning the consideration of climate impacts in energy policy decisions.
The lawsuit challenged a 2011 state law that prevented environmental reviews from factoring in climate change when approving new projects, like power plants. The ruling cited Montana’s 50-year-old constitutional clause guaranteeing a clean and healthful environment.
The plaintiffs, led by 22-year-old Rikki Held, argued that climate change is already harming Montana’s environment and will continue to do so.
This landmark case is the first of its kind to be ruled on by a state supreme court, although similar climate lawsuits are ongoing across the US.
