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Racial health gaps persist in Pa., N.J. and Del. as Medicaid cuts loom, report finds
The Commonwealth Fund’s 2026 State Health Disparities Report showed health care gaps were the greatest among Hispanic residents.
A Look At Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT) Valuation After Recent Share Price Volatility
Context for Flutter Entertainment stock after recent moves Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT) has been on many investors’ radars after recent share price volatility, with the stock showing a gain over the past month but a decline across the past 3 months. At a last close of US$109.09 and a market value near US$19.3b, the company sits at an interesting point for readers comparing shorter term performance with longer term total returns, which currently reflect multi year pressure. See our latest...
US Seeks New Nominees for Key Preventive Health Panel
By Deena Beasley April 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, overseen by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., on Tuesday asked for nominations to the influential task force that decides which preventive medical care is provided at no cost to patients. The Preventive ...
IV fluids recalled over possible contamination—patients face risk of vascular complications
Particulate matter may be present in certain 1-liter containers of B. Braun Medical's Lactated Ringer's Injections. If this enters a patient's circulatory system, it could lead to a series of adverse events.
Thorndike Library talk: Transgender health through an economic Lens - College of the Atlantic
Cody van Heerden Chair in Economics & Quantitative Social Sciences Dr. Hien Nguyen. Nguyen explores questions around transgender health through the lens of economics, a discipline that has significant influence over current public health policy and debates.
Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) Is One Of The Best Dip Stocks To Buy According To Billionaires
With billionaire investments in the stock totaling $1.89 billion, Flutter Entertainment plc (NYSE:FLUT) earns a spot on our list of the best dip stocks according to billionaires. As of April 22, 2026, Flutter Entertainment plc (NYSE:FLUT) has the confidence of 80% of covering analysts, who remain bullish on the stock. Despite the 50.56% one-year decline, […]
The 10 Most Influential Entertainment Companies of 2026
Presenting the inaugural TIME100 Companies: Industry Leaders list of the world's most influential entertainment businesses of the year
Flutter Entertainment updates board committee roles
Flutter Entertainment’s 8-K/A details new board committee roles for Sally Susman and David Kenny, effective after the May 29, 2026 AGM, via RNS Exhibit 99.1.
Internet Restrictions Spur Russians to Openly Question Putin’s Moves
From beauty influencers to the token political opposition, Russians are openly questioning President Vladimir V. Putin’s moves to hamstring access.
Why Are So Many Influencers Speaking at Harvard Business School?
Posing next to the acclaimed university’s signpost has become an Instagram fixture for creators invited to campus. What’s going on?
Brain health shaped by lifetime mental, physical, environmental and lifestyle factors
Statement Highlights: An individual’s brain health is influenced by their psychological health, environment, sleep quality, social conditions and chronic health conditions over a lifetime. Life events and experiences even in early life also affect...
Scientists capture electrons forming strange patchy patterns inside quantum materials
Researchers have, for the first time, directly visualized how electronic patterns known as charge density waves evolve across a phase transition. Using cutting-edge microscopy, they found these patterns form unevenly, breaking into patches influenced by tiny structural distortions. Unexpectedly, small pockets of order persist even above the transition temperature. This reveals that electronic order fades gradually rather than disappearing all at once.
UAE Employment and Social Reforms 2026: Modernization or Business as Usual?
A flurry of employment law reforms in the United Arab Emirates—a business-friendly area that remains firmly rooted in traditional values and national identity—in recent years has caught the attention of multinational employers and expatriates alike, but do these changes represent a genuine shift toward Western-style liberalization, or are they pragmatic adjustments designed to maintain competitiveness while preserving the status quo? Below are some of the key developments and what they mean for employers operating in the region.
Inside the Full-time MBA at Canada’s Smith School of Business
What differentiates the Smith MBA experience? Learn what drew current MBA students to the Canadian business school program, and how life inside and outside the program has influenced their professional goals.
Flutter Entertainment Has Fallen 65% in a Year. Here’s Where the Stock Could Go in 2026
Flutter Entertainment has lost nearly two-thirds of its value in under a year, and Citi just became the only major firm on Wall Street to rate the stock a Sell. But 20 analysts still rate it Buy or Outperform, with a Street consensus near $188. Here’s what both camps are arguing, and why the next four days could settle the debate.
10 things you can do every day to support your brain health
Many health factors can influence brain function later in life, according to the Alzheimer's Association's annual report. Here's what to know.
Wall Street Bets: Penn Entertainment, Flutter/DraftKings, Double Down Interactive, GLPI
Penn Entertainment Macquarie’s Chad Beynon looked at Penn Entertainment on April 24: The Penn story continues to focus on the disconnect between near-term no...
The 10 Most Influential Health and Life Science Companies of 2026
Presenting the inaugural TIME100 Companies: Industry Leaders list of the world's most influential health and life science businesses of the year
The 10 Most Influential Health and Life Science Companies of 2026
Presenting the inaugural TIME100 Companies: Industry Leaders list of the world's most influential health and life science businesses of the year
Some fungi can influence the weather — and now we know how they do it
Some types of fungi borrowed a gene from ancient bacteria that gave the ability to make ice and trigger rain.
A new Tampa startup accelerator program to launch this fall
A new statewide startup accelerator program backed by Florida's most influential business leaders is taking shape with Tampa Bay tapped to anchor a health care track.
Noctua says “feel free” to 3D print your own Noctua fans after releasing public CAD models online
Noctua has long been a go-to brand for PC building enthusiasts, and now, the company has released a library of free 3D models to explore.
Cash for Clout database: Who's funding Tennessee's politics?
"Cash for Clout" is a series in the Tennessee Lookout focusing on the flow money into politic and its influence on the Tennessee Legislature.
A Supreme Court case over pesticides is bringing out the ‘MAHA moms’ — and threats of consequences for the midterms
When a group of mothers and wellness influencers, including surgeon general nominee Casey Means, was asked to go to the White House this month, some of them assumed a few staffers would hear their grievances about the health risks of weedkillers.
Hungarian Science Exhibition Opens in Washington with Katalin Karikó
A travelling exhibition celebrating Hungary’s most influential scientists has opened in Washington, featuring Nobel laureate Katalin Karikó.
Kansas City has paired 18 vacant storefronts with local businesses for the World Cup so far
A special program is bringing empty Kansas City storefronts back to life by placing entrepreneurs in prime downtown spaces to show off for an influx of international visitors. City leaders hope the program leads to long-term opportunities for small businesses and building owners.
For young founders, selfie sticks are as vital as funding
The promises and perils of becoming a startup founder-influencer
US Regional and Mid-Sized Banks Are Dramatically Reinventing Their Business Models
Regional and mid-sized banks have traditionally held stable positions within the US banking sector. But fluctuating interest rates, shifting depositor preferences, stringent regulatory requirements and technological advancements are driving many institutions to undertake significant transformations to maintain their competitive positions.
Dinner, Interrupted: Over Brunch, Journalists Reflect on a Chaotic Night
Moving to a new venue, or the East Wing? Plans for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner are fluid following Saturday’s shocking events.
Sergey Brin Confronted Gavin Newsom at a Treehouse Party — Then Launched a Political War
In a treehouse nestled in redwoods north of San Francisco, California Governor Gavin Newsom stood cold and hungry as Sergey Brin, the world’s fourth-richest man, and his wellness-influencer girlfriend told him they were leaving the state.
Flutter Entertainment Stock (FLUT) Opinions on Kenneth Dart's Stake Increase
Insider Accumulation: Social media buzz intensified around Flutter Entertainment after reports of billionaire investor Kenneth Dart boosting his stake to nearly 30% through cash-settled swaps valued at around $45 million. Traders highlighted this as a strong vote of confidence amid the stock's recent pullback from highs. The move aligns with other insiders snapping up shares at depressed levels.Technical Reversal Signals: Chart enthusiasts pointe
Style lessons I learn from my 70-year-old grandmother
My grandma's fashion tips have influenced the way I dress — from how I style accessories to how I decide whether to invest in a new garment.
Should Flutter’s Shift to U.S.-Style Governance and Blank-Check Preferred Shares Require Action From Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) Investors?
At its 2026 Annual General Meeting on May 29, held in the past relative to today, Flutter Entertainment plc approved amendments to its Memorandum and Articles of Association to align governance with common U.S. public company practices, including plurality voting in contested director elections, flexible board size, and the ability to issue blank-check preferred shares. An important implication is Flutter’s move to formalize its status as a U.S. domestic issuer under the Securities Exchange...
Saints pick WR Bryce Lance, brother of Chargers QB Trey Lance, in 4th round of 2026 NFL Draft
FF14 Evercold's 'Evolved Mode' jobs aren't a replacement, because Yoshi-P remembers what happened to Star Wars Galaxies
At Fanfest, Naoki Yoshida explains why Evolved and Reborn Mode will coexist, the alternate name for FF14 Evercold, and Norse influences.
What are peptides? FDA may ease restrictions on unproven health fad
Trendy peptide injections boasted by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and wellness influencers like Joe Rogan may soon get a boost from the FDA.
This exotic particle could finally explain why matter has mass
A major physics experiment has uncovered evidence for a strange new form of matter, where a fleeting particle gets trapped inside a nucleus. This exotic state may reveal how mass is generated, suggesting that particles can weigh less when surrounded by dense nuclear matter. The findings support long-standing theories about how the vacuum of space influences mass.
Harvard scientists link gut bacteria to depression through hidden inflammation trigger
A gut bacterium may be quietly fueling depression through an unexpected chemical twist. Researchers found that when Morganella morganii interacts with a common pollutant, it produces a molecule that triggers inflammation—something strongly linked to depression. This finding helps explain how gut microbes can influence brain health at a molecular level. It also raises the possibility of new treatments that target the immune system rather than just the brain.
Letters to Sports: Lakers looking Smart while Luke is no fluke
Readers of the Los Angeles Times give their thoughts on the Lakers' playoff run, the Dodgers, the Kings, Olympic and World Cup tickets, and more.
Has Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT) Fallen Too Far After A 52% One-Year Share Price Drop?
If you are wondering whether Flutter Entertainment's share price reflects its true worth today, it helps to start with how the stock has actually been performing. The shares last closed at US$111.57, with a 1.4% gain over the past week and 7.9% over the past month, set against a 48.9% decline year to date and a 52.1% decline over the last year. Recent coverage has focused on the sharp pullback in the share price and what it may signal about changing sentiment toward the business. This...
Triple major aims for the big leagues in sports finance
“My No. 1 goal is to be the CFO of a professional sports team,” said Ainsley Peterson, a triple-major senior graduating with bachelor’s degrees in accountancy, finance and sports business from the W. P. Carey School of Business — along with a minor in special events management.It’s an ambitious goal, but Peterson, a spring 2026 graduate from San Diego, has been building toward it for years. Her passion for both sports and finance began at a young age, shaped in part by her family’s influence.
Your daily coffee habit may be quietly reshaping your gut and mood, study finds
A new study from APC Microbiome Ireland finds that habitual coffee consumption alters gut bacteria, influencing mood, stress and cognitive sharpness.
BBC Audio | BBC Inside Science | Can we prevent the next pandemic?
Creating and manufacturing a novel vaccine capable of combatting bird flu.
ASU grad working to improve health care systems and provider experience
By Cindy Shirlley KolenyoFor Amber Catalan, health care is not just about treating patients, it is about improving the systems behind care.Growing up in a military family as a first-generation college student, Catalan saw firsthand how people — particularly veterans — navigate complex health care systems. Those experiences, together with what she witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, influenced her desire to address gaps in care delivery.
Nike Just Reissued the Original ACG Sneaker
The running shoes that inspired the Swoosh’s influential outdoors line—and helped two intrepid climbers scale K2—are back and better than ever.
How Investors Are Reacting To Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) Upgraded Earnings Momentum And Analyst Sentiment
Sphere Entertainment recently attracted attention after Zacks assigned it a Momentum Style Score of A and a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), reflecting improved analyst sentiment and positive earnings estimate revisions in the period leading up to today. This shift in sentiment highlights how changing expectations for Sphere’s earnings power and momentum profile can influence how investors view its longer-term prospects. Next, we’ll examine how this stronger earnings momentum, highlighted by upgraded...
Influential Black Political Caucus member criticizes Charlotte City Council over I-77 toll lanes
Raki McGregor, who chairs the BPC's transportation committee, said how council members act on I-77 could influence endorsements in the 2027 elections.
Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit Takeaways
Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit in Los Angeles, presented by Deloitte, brought together influential marketers, creatives and brand leaders.
Dropping the flu vaccine requirement puts U.S. military readiness at risk
Since the 1918 pandemic, the military has acknowledged the threat of influenza. Now that’s changing.
Galaxy S25 One UI 8.5 changelog leaks days before Stable rollout
Leaked changelog reveals One UI 8.5 stable update for the Galaxy S25 series will bring a noticeable visual refresh, leaning into cleaner layouts, blur effects, and more fluid elements that adapt naturally to how you use the phone daily. Galaxy AI takes center stage with smarter, more practical tools. From screening calls with Bixby to […]
Trump upended health care. Lobbyists are raking it in.
New disclosures show health industry firms and trade groups are spending more than ever to influence Washington.
Tim Cook Regrets Maps Flub, Sees Apple Watch as His Proudest Work
Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, who plans to step down in a few months, cited the launch of Apple Maps on the iPhone in 2012 as his “first really big mistake” as the company’s boss.
Brooklyn FC launches Business Alliance initiative to support local business community
Brooklyn’s strength has always been its unique mix of local perspective and global influence. No where is this strength more pronounced than in the pride our borough takes in supporting […]
The Nautilus Reading List of Science Biographies
The Nautilus Reading List of Science Biographies: These beautifully composed books usher you into the life and times of influential scientists
A little bit Black & White, a little bit Fable, Molyneux's citybuilder Masters Of Albion has the potential to break free of its influences – but it has a lot of work to do
Masters of Albion, the new game from Peter Molyneux's 22cans, draws from Fable, Black & White, and Populous, but it's worth reading to see if it's any good.
Inside Grindr’s political power play
The LGBTQ+ dating app has expanded its political presence since Donald Trump’s return to office as it seeks to flex its influence muscles on a range of policy priorities.
How can scientists visualize cellular life with greater precision? - Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Highlights Salk researchers collaborated with scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine to develop a new class of probes for imaging living cells The probes, called visible-spectrum antigen-stabilizable fluorescent nanobodies (VIS-Fbs), generate high-contrast images with minimal disruption to normal cellular activity The technology enables more precise investigation of complex biological processes, including cell signaling, development, and disease progression LA JOLLA—Fluorescent proteins have revolutionized science, enabling researchers to tag and visualize individual molecules in living cells, tissues, and animals. Using these tools, researchers have watched viruses infect cells in real time, observed cellular trash collection, and tracked the signaling that spurs tumor growth.
“Like Liquid Metal”: Scientists Create Strange Shape-Shifting Material
A simple bundle of staples reveals an unusual physical behavior, one that shifts between rigidity and fluidity depending on how it is handled.
No. 23 on the list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians: Danny Alvarez
His reputation positions him as a policy workhorse with growing influence.
Steak n Shake goes full MAHA
It's the latest sign of how Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s movement is influencing major food brands.
Pentagon makes flu shot optional for troops, rescinding requirement
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that the US military will no longer require the annual flu vaccine for troops.
13th annual list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians
Tampa Bay’s most powerful politicians navigate influence, growth, and regional change.
Flu vaccine no longer mandated for US troops, Hegseth says
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. military will no longer mandate the flu vaccine for American troops.
Oberlin Launches Rotberg Lecture in African Politics with April 22 Inaugural Talk | Oberlin College and Conservatory
Oberlin College and Conservatory has established the Robert I. Rotberg ’55 and Fiona J. Y. Rotberg ’90 Annual Lecture in African Politics, a new endowed series that will bring leading scholars to campus each year.The lecture series is designed to expand opportunities for students and the broader community to engage with the study of political development across the African continent—past, present, and future—while also reflecting Oberlin’s longstanding connections to influential African leaders and thinkers.
The Pitt and Medicaid - National Health Law Program
“Hopefully we’ll be back on Medicaid by then.” “How’d you lose it?” “They sent a redetermination letter to our old apartment. It didn’t get forwarded.” “And you haven’t been able to get it back since?” “I’ve been trying for months. To get re-enrolled, you need tax returns, pay stubs… I cut hair. My income fluctuates.” – The Pitt, Season 2, […]
When the CEO Becomes the Brand
Research suggests that Elon Musk’s political stance appears to have reshaped how different groups perceive Tesla. Overall sales trends hint at trouble. The company’s growth stalled in 2024, and deliveries fell 8.5% in 2025. But those headline numbers hide what is happening beneath the surface. When the data is broken down by political orientation and by changes in views of Musk, a more complicated pattern emerges. Among right-leaning respondents and those whose opinion of Musk has improved, Tesla’s brand appeal is significantly higher and willingness to pay exceeds that for many competing brands, including Ford, Chevrolet, and Rivian. Among left-leaning consumers and those whose view of Musk has worsened, the opposite is true: Preference and willingness to pay for Tesla drop sharply. The outcome is not a uniform decline but a polarization of demand. Some consumers appear to feel alienated, while others feel more aligned with the brand. This raises an important strategic question of whether companies can influence purchasing decisions across these divided segments by strengthening the underlying value proposition.
Behind the science: Why it pays to fight a virus on the home turf
The emergence of a nasty new virus or even an unexpected flu strain can pose a big public-health headache. Meanwhile, antiviral drug development moves at an agonizingly slow pace and cringingly high cost. But there’s a way around that.
A bizarre new state of matter may be hiding inside Uranus and Neptune
Deep inside planets like Uranus and Neptune, scientists may have uncovered a bizarre new state of matter where atoms behave in unexpected ways. Advanced simulations suggest that carbon and hydrogen, under crushing pressures and scorching temperatures, can form a strange hybrid phase—part solid, part fluid—where hydrogen atoms spiral through a rigid carbon framework. This unusual “superionic” structure could reshape how heat and electricity flow inside these distant worlds, potentially helping explain their mysterious magnetic fields.
The Death of Public Health
During the recent measles outbreak, the largest in more than 30 years, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. refused to clearly recommend the measles vaccine, saying instead that it was a “personal decision,” and that parents should “do their own research.” Similarly, during her recent confirmation hearing for United States Surgeon General, Casey Means was questioned by Senator William Cassidy (R, La). “You’re the nation’s doctor,” said Cassidy. “Would you encourage [a mother] to have her child vaccinated!” “I’m not an individual’s doctor,” Means said. “And every individual needs to talk to their doctor before putting a medication in their body.” In June 2025, Marty Makary, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said that COVID vaccines for pregnant women should be a “personal choice”, even though every other country in the world recommended the COVID vaccine during pregnancy due to a higher risk for severe disease. It doesn’t end there. On January 5, 2026, RFK Jr. reduced the number of routinely recommended vaccines from 18 to 10. For vaccines that protected against influenza, COVID, and rotavirus, parents were urged to speak with their doctors—to make an individual choice. (On March 16, 2026, in a ruling by a federal court in Boston, RFK Jr.’s revised schedule was invalidated.) What’s happening? Why are public health officials moving away from making recommendations for the public? The origin of this change might be rooted in the first two years of the COVID pandemic. In 2020, during the first year on the pandemic, we didn’t have anything to stop a virus that was killing hundreds of people a day and could be spread asymptomatically. We didn’t have antivirals until October, monoclonal antibodies until November, and vaccines until December. All we could do was restrict travel, close businesses, shutter schools, and mask, isolate, quarantine, test, and social distance. During the second year of the pandemic, when we had vaccines to prevent COVID, people couldn’t go anywhere without their vaccine cards. They couldn’t go to their favorite bar or restaurant or sporting event or place of worship without proof of vaccination. Some people were fired from their jobs for refusing to get vaccinated. For many, this was seen as massive government overreach and energized what has been called the “medical freedom movement.” Indeed, a headline in the New York Times declared, “How Health Freedom Became a Winning Rally Cry.” As expressed in the comments of RFK Jr., Casey Means, and Marty Makary, the medical freedom movement focuses on the individual not the community—the opposite of public health. In an article titled “Ethics and Social Value Judgments in Public Health,” ethicists from Yale University distinguished public health from medical freedom. “Public health policies,” they wrote, “are population oriented. Because individual health affects the health of others, public health measures regulate individual behavior to achieve population health goals. All raise questions about how individual autonomy and freedom should be balanced against public health interests…which respects individuals’ sovereignty over their bodies and actions as long as their actions do not harm others.” The medical freedom movement fails to recognize that it often limits the freedom of others. For example, a parent who is afraid to send a child to school where many of the students are unvaccinated. Or immune compromised children who depend on those around them to for protection. The question then becomes “Freedom for whom?” Is it your right, in the name of medical freedom, to catch and transmit a potentially fatal infection—and in so doing, take away the freedom of others? In Four Essays on Liberty, Isaiah Berlin sums it up best. “Liberty for the wolves,” he wrote, “is death to the lambs.” Thanks for reading Beyond the Noise! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe
RFK Jr. is in his influencer era
The real reason Trump’s health secretary is launching a podcast.
Dyson’s back with a travel-size Supersonic hairdryer
The beauty influencers are about to lose it.
New imaging technique helps scientists see the inside of living cells to study how cancer spreads and grows
New fluorescent dyes allow scientists to watch cancer activity inside living cells in real time, opening new possibilities for treatment.
William Floyd Science Honor Society Inspires Next Generation of Scientists
William Floyd High School Science Honor Society (SHS), under the guidance of Ms. Anya Swiss, high school science teacher, SHS advisor and NYS Master Teacher, recently hosted two virtual “Science Exploration Days” for elementary students across the district. During these interactive sessions, high school students led younger students through an investigation of Oobleck — a unique non-Newtonian fluid made of cornstarch and water — to explore the fundamental properties of the states of matter.
NFL insider 2026 mock draft: What we're hearing around the league
League intel points to trades, a fluid top 10 and a wide-open Round 1 -- with Jermod McCoy falling further than most expect
Lauren Reid Named to Crain’s New York Business 2026 Women of Influence List
The John Gore Organization president was recognized for breaking barriers in Broadway leadership.
Influencers Are Spinning Nicotine as a ‘Natural’ Health Hack
The influencers, many of them aligned with the Make America Healthy Again Movement, say the medical establishment has unfairly demonized the compound.
Is Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT) Starting To Look Attractive After A 50% Share Price Slide
If you are wondering whether Flutter Entertainment is starting to look attractively priced or still has more room to fall before it offers value, this article walks through what the current share price might really be telling you. The stock last closed at US$110.08, with recent returns of 4.5% over 7 days and 5.0% over 30 days, set against a much larger 49.6% decline year to date and a 50.3% decline over the past year. These price moves sit against a backdrop of ongoing attention on Flutter...
Why the Party Photography Business Is Booming
Not only are brands investing in more stylistic content, but celebrities, influencers and wealthy shoppers are hiring their own photographers to ensure a steady stream of perfectly staged pictures.
Scientists stunned as bacteria rewire DNA machinery to shape cells
Cyanobacteria—ancient microbes that oxygenated Earth and made complex life possible—are still revealing surprises billions of years later. Scientists have now discovered that a molecular system once used to separate DNA has been repurposed into something entirely different: a structure that shapes the cell itself.
New study reveals how maze-like magnetic patterns form and evolve in materials
Maze magnetic domains in soft magnetic materials strongly influence energy loss in electric motors, particularly at high temperatures. However, existing models struggle to explain their complex, temperature-dependent behavior. To address this gap, researchers developed an entropy-extended Ginzburg-Landau model combined with data-driven analysis to study these structures. The approach reveals how entropy and energy interactions drive magnetization reversal and increasing domain complexity, providing new insights into magnetic energy-loss mechanisms.
Advancing epidemic and pandemic preparedness through research readiness: SEAR Unity Studies Network Sites chart the way forward in 2026
On 25 March 2026, WHO Regional Office for the South‑East Asia Region (SEARO) convened the first meeting of the SEAR Chapter of the Unity Studies Network Meeting in 2026 to take stock of progress and plan next steps for strengthening epidemic and pandemic preparedness across the Region. The meeting focused on reviewing the ongoing adaptation of selected, standard Unity Study methodologies, sharing field implementation experiences from 2025, and identifying key priorities to guide collaborative work in 2026.Held virtually, the meeting brought together representatives from six Unity Studies network sites across five countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) as well as participants from all three levels of WHO.The meeting took place against the backdrop of ongoing regional efforts in South‑East Asia to strengthen early investigations and studies for epidemic and pandemic preparedness, with a focus on pandemic influenza and other emerging respiratory pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential. In this context, and as part of preparedness for the rapid generation of evidence, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme in SEAR (WHE/SEAR) encourages Unity Studies sites to adapt prioritized, standardized Unity Study protocols to their national contexts. This approach supports the generation of timely and reliable evidence to inform public health decision‑making during epidemics and pandemics.These efforts are supported through a combination of experience sharing, participation in the global Unity Studies network webinars, capacity‑building of the national public health workforce, and regional collaboration that promotes inter‑country, inter‑agency, and inter‑ministerial action. In parallel, sites are encouraged to explore diversified funding sources to help sustain research preparedness over the long term.Discussions highlighted the importance of WHO’s catalytic financial support through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contributions (PIP‑PC). When combined with national and institutional resources, this support enables countries and sites to maintain continuity of activities at a core level and remain prepared to respond rapidly and effectively to future epidemics and pandemics.Regional and Global Updates: Opening the session, Dr Pushpa Ranjan Wijesinghe, Programme Area Manager, Pandemic and Epidemic Management (PEM) Unit, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, highlighted the progress made in operationalizing the Unity Studies Network across the Region and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of WHO at all three levels, together with country unity studies sites. He emphasized the availability of limited but catalytic funding through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PIP‑PC) workplan at SEARO to sustain network activities in 2026, while encouraging sites to leverage additional funding sources to expand implementation.Representing SEARO, Dr Ashok Basnet, consultant, Pandemic Influenza Preparedness reported that, at the regional level, the Unity Studies Network currently includes six sites across five countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. He noted that in 2025, catalytic funding supported protocol adaptation, training, and pilot implementation. In addition, a regional Unity Studies symposium held during the Global Public Health Summit in Sri Lanka strengthened and advocated collaboration between the Unity Studies site, national decision‑making forum, relevant technical units of the ministry of health, WHO and other partners.The symposium also highlighted the role of early investigations and studies as a key component of a multi‑source surveillance system needed at country level to generate a broad range of evidence. It underscored the critical role of country Unity Studies sites and similar research entities in generating evidence to support public health decision‑making during epidemics and pandemics.Participants of the WHO GISRS Unity Studies Sites Network- SEAR Chapter Meeting 2026 (Photo credit- PEM/WHE/SEARO). SEARO also updated participants on ongoing efforts to develop a regional Unity Studies webpage and to promote participation in global knowledge‑sharing platforms, including webinars and the WHO Community of Practice. Priorities for 2026 include supporting the implementation of Unity protocols, strengthening collaboration and experience sharing across sites, documenting and publishing findings, integrating Unity Studies activities as a component of multi-source national surveillance systems, and building workforce capacity.Dr Nickle Boddington of the Global Influenza Programme (GIP) at WHO Headquarters, which coordinates the Unity Studies Network globally, provided updates on global Unity Studies activities, noting that the network has expanded to 16 sites worldwide. New and updated protocols, including rapid clinical severity assessment tools and standardized data platforms, are being developed to support implementation. The global Community of Practice has also been launched to facilitate technical exchange, and continued support will be provided to sites for protocol adaptation, ethical approvals, and readiness for early investigation during outbreaks. Updates from Unity Studies sites in SEAR in 2025Unity Studies sites shared progress and experiences in implementing protocols across diverse country contexts. Sites initiated activities in 2025 using catalytic funding from SEARO, complemented by the mobilization of internal national resources. The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Bangladesh, reported the adoption and piloting of investigation protocols on non‑seasonal influenza and emerging respiratory diseases during recent avian influenza outbreaks, demonstrating a multi‑source funding approach involving government, WHO and One Health partners.The Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR), New Delhi, India, highlighted the piloting of household transmission investigation studies, the expansion of the national Unity Studies network, and the contribution of study findings to global evidence through published outputs. The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India, shared experiences from large‑scale seroprevalence studies conducted during the COVID‑19 pandemic, recent efforts to strengthen national Unity network sites through training activities, and plans to initiate multi‑centre studies on respiratory viruses.Similarly, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, highlighted its experience in developing integrated surveillance and diagnostic protocols for multiple respiratory pathogens, enhancing readiness for targeted investigations of emerging threats. The University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, reported ongoing engagement with the Ministry of Health and exploration of additional funding sources to initiate studies. Meanwhile, the National Public Health Laboratory, Nepal, provided updates on continued coordination with national stakeholders to initiate implementation, despite delays related to the country context.Across sites, shared experiences underscored the importance of protocol adaptation, multisectoral collaboration, and sustainable funding to operationalize Unity Studies and generate evidence for public health action.Discussions and Way ForwardThe meeting reinforced key priorities for 2026, including strengthening unity studies protocol implementation, enhancing collaboration, knowledge sharing, integrating research as a component of national multi-source surveillance systems, and ensuring that generated evidence informs public health decision‑making. Participants also emphasized the importance of documentation, visibility, and leveraging multiple funding sources, and agreed on the following action points.Unity Studies Sites and WHO Country Offices:Advance adoption and implementation of at least one Unity protocol, continuing activities initiated in 2025 with catalytic funding, supplemented with other sources of funding where feasible.Document site-specific experiences, outcomes, and lessons learned; participate in regional and global knowledge-sharing platforms including WHO webinars and the Community of Practice.Work closely with ministries of health to establish unified national platforms for translating generated evidence into national public health decision-making. WHO Country Offices may facilitate technical support and complementary, synergistic funding opportunities where feasible. WHO Regional OfficeCoordinate with WHO Country Offices to support implementation of core unity studies activities by network sites through catalytic funding and provide technical guidance and virtual engagement opportunities throughout 2026.Facilitate the participation of all Unity Studies sites in the regional meeting on Unity Studies implementation in October 2026, to be held back‑to‑back with the Annual SEAR Regional PIP‑PC Meeting; develop and host a SEAR Unity Studies website; and mobilize support from academic institutions within the SEAR Unity Studies Network to support the development of regional manuscripts that showcase Unity Studies activities to scientific audiences and promote knowledge‑sharing.Explore complementary funding opportunities and partnerships to sustain and expand network activities across the Region.WHO HeadquartersProvide global technical guidance, updated protocols, and toolkits to support the implementation of Unity Studies in SEAR.Facilitate engagement of SEAR sites in global webinars, the Community of Practice, and opportunities to showcase their work.Support joint publications, inclusion of SEAR experiences in global outputs, and identification of additional funding and collaborative opportunities to strengthen Unity Studies activities.
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