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Delaware hospital leaders discuss cost of care at healthcare summit
Leaders from across Delaware’s healthcare arena met last week for an all-day summit to discuss challenges facing their industry.
How officials are preparing for Election Day disruptions
Election officials have spent months preparing to run the 2026 vote — and bracing for what could disrupt it. They’re training workers, tightening security and readying legal challenges for threats that could stretch well beyond Election Day.
Political parties dump $3+ million into Wausau-area Assembly race
More than $3 million has poured into the race for Wisconsin's 85th Assembly District, where Republican incumbent Pat Snyder faces Democratic challenger John Kroll. Much of that money comes from the state political parties, fueled by wealthy donors on both sides. With control of the Wisconsin Assembly at stake, The Badger Project examines who's funding the Wausau-area race and how the candidates' fundraising stacks up ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Trucking surveys ask: How does driver health affect industry operations?
Drivers face “unique” challenges, such as finding healthy food and being physically active, the American Transportation Institute says.
AI presents risks, opportunities for women
Artificial intelligence could pose particular challenges for women in insurance because they hold many of the administrative roles susceptible to automation, but the technology also presents…
Gubernatorial candidate Fazio tours Monroe businesses
MONROE, Conn. --- As Connecticut's gubernatorial race came down the final stretch last week, incumbent Democrat Ned Lamont's Republican challenger, State Sen. Ryan Fazio, made stops in Monroe Friday, as both candidates attended events along the campaign trail. Fazio toured Biomerics, Sippin Energy Products and Galbo Provisions Inc., with a stop for lunch at Lake
Dem challenger defeats Indiana House GOP leader in stunning upset
A virtual unknown has unseated one of the most powerful Republicans in Indiana elected office.
Willie Wilson challenges Johnson signatures as candidates line up to block opponents from the ballot
Lobbyist John Kelly will have to prove he lives in Chicago to make the ballot, and Susana Mendoza faces a challenge, too.
Thermo Fisher JIC finalists explore coastal science at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
The 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC) brought together 30 of the nation’s brightest young scientists…
Northeastern students speak about voting for the first time
First- and second-year Northeastern students discuss voting for the first time, from excitement and research challenges to navigating ballots and systems.
First ‘Challenger Center’ planned for Iowa to boost space science education
Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo plans to build a space education center for Iowa middle-schoolers. Bids are being taken on a project that will bring Iowa’s first Challenger Center to c…
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Arizona on Election Day
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs of Arizona is seeking a second term on Election Day, but faces a challenge from Republican Rep. Andy Biggs. Voters in Arizona will also be deciding
Scientists Discover That a Giant Bird Thought Extinct for Thousands of Years Never Actually Disappeared
Ancient DNA analysis has challenged a 150-year-old belief about a giant bird thought to have disappeared after the last Ice Age. For more than 150 years, scientists believed that enormous crane bones found in European caves belonged to a giant bird species that disappeared after the last Ice Age. Now, ancient DNA has overturned that
First 'Challenger Center' planned for Iowa to boost space science education
Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo plans to build a space education center for Iowa middle-schoolers. Bids are being taken on a project that will bring Iowa’s first Challenger Center to campus, honoring the seven astronauts killed in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The 32 other centers nationwide are run by a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit […]
A crash course to grow your business? Metro Chamber is taking applications
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Multnomah County small businesses looking for help amid growing challenges can apply now for some expert training. Portland Metro Chamber is taking applications for the next Ad...
Incumbent DA reelected by 3 to 1 margin in Hancock County
Incumbent District 7 top prosecutor Bob Granger of East Blue Hill swept up nearly three times as many Hancock County votes as his challenger, Steven Juskewitch, a Dedham attorney, on
New Harris Poll Findings Highlight Persistent Gaps in Maternal Mental Health Care - Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health
New national survey findings reveal that maternal mental health challenges are common, yet many mothers receive inadequate support, information, and access to care. From gaps in postpartum follow-up to limited provider conversations and barriers to treatment, the findings underscore the need for a healthcare system that recognizes and responds to mothers’ mental health needs throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Conversations with Candidates: Bailey emphasizes financial accountability, government transparency in comptroller bid
Democratic challenger for state comptroller Jessica Bailey is seeking to improve public oversight of finances and make spending records more accessible.
Live Results: Alaska Senate midterm election
Voters in Alaska are deciding between incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola.
NY archbishop, archdiocese, healthcare ministry join in suit over state's assisted suicide law
New York Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks, the Archdiocese of New York and ArchCare Catholic healthcare ministry have challenged New York's assisted suicide law.
Strengthening Japan–India partnership for science and innovation
A recent international conference at Hokkaido University brought together researchers from Japan, India, and beyond to explore collaborations that can help tackle challenges in food, health, and materials science.
Money out of Politics ballot measure faces First Amendment challenge
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy argues provisions of the proposal violate the First Amendment. It filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday.
Judge rules against former Harvard business professor Francesca Gino in tenure case
A federal judge has sided with Harvard in a lawsuit brought by former professor Francesca Gino, who challenged the university’s decision to revoke her tenure.
Business luncheon explores economy
At a Dorset luncheon, state chamber leaders said health care, housing, taxes and permitting challenges are delaying hiring and investment.
Incumbent Republican Dave Zimmerman handily wins 99th House District
Republican Rep. Dave Zimmerman was reelected to an eighth term in Pennsylvania’s 99th House District on Tuesday with 68% of the vote. He defeated Democratic challenger Ethan Gabrick, who received
Can a National Political Wave Reach the County Legislature?
In a heavily Republican New York county, Democrats are mounting an unusually large challenge in races that rarely attract much attention, testing how far national political engagement extends into local elections.
Satellite images show what may be behind Microsoft AI buildout delays
Satellite images reveal potential delays at two Microsoft AI data center projects, highlighting power and permitting challenges facing neoclouds.
California professors challenge Trump administration over canceled science grants
Three researchers claim the National Science Foundation targeted federally funded projects involving climate change, diversity and STEM education.
Real-World Weight Journeys: Exploring Health Experiences to Improve Care
(Feature Impact) A number on a scale tells only part of the story. Living well is also about having energy, feeling your best and enjoying a good quality of life. Yet each person’s path is different, and lifestyle changes, medicines and other approaches to managing weight can affect health in different ways. TNCMS.AdManager.render({region: 'fixed-big-ad-top-asset', slot: 1, fold: "above"}); No two weight-management journeys look the same. Some people are taking their first steps toward healthier habits. Others are balancing health conditions, caring for family members, coping with stress or exploring new treatment options. Along the way, they may find support that helps them succeed or encounter obstacles that make progress more difficult.These stories provide valuable insights into what it takes to improve health in everyday life.That’s the idea behind the American Heart Association’s Healthy Living BEYOND Weight Study. By learning directly from adults across the country, researchers aim to better understand the challenges, motivations and factors that shape weight and health outcomes over time. The goal is to generate insights that can help improve support, inform care and empower more people to live healthier lives.What Factors Influence WeightNearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults are overweight and 2 in 5 are obese, according to the National Institutes of Health. Weight is shaped by many factors, including:Genetics and hormonesAccess to healthy food, safe places to exercise and healthcareChronic stress and mental healthMedications and metabolismCommunity conditions, as where you live can influence your ability to live a healthy lifeHow Joining a Study Can Make a Difference Led by the American Heart Association, the Healthy Living BEYOND Weight Study is open to U.S. adults with a BMI of 25 or higher, including those who have tried lifestyle changes, weight-management medicines or weight-loss surgery. By sharing information about their health and daily lives, participants can help researchers better understand how to improve care.Interest in newer weight-loss medicines, such as GLP-1s, has grown rapidly. While these treatments are helping many people, researchers are still learning about their long-term effects and how they fit into everyday life. People who currently use or previously used a GLP-1 may be eligible to participate and help generate insights that could improve care for others.Reasons to Join This StudyBy joining this study, participants can help researchers better understand the long-term impact of treatments, identify what helps people succeed and uncover the challenges they face along the way. The information they share can help fill important gaps in research, shape better and more compassionate care and guide future health recommendations.According to the Pew Research Center, 31% of U.S. adults report they’re online “almost constantly.” The study is conducted entirely online, making participation convenient and easy. It can be completed from home on a schedule that works best for each participant.Consider these reasons to participate:Your story matters. By participating, you may help build knowledge that can improve care, guide health recommendations and help people live healthier lives.It’s easy. The study is conducted entirely online, making it simple to join and stay involved at your own pace.It’s safe and respectful. All data is collected with your informed consent, protected by privacy safeguards and handled according to rigorous ethical and scientific standards.You won’t be alone. Millions of people are navigating weight and health challenges. By sharing your journey, you can help researchers better understand what works, what support is needed and how to shape better and more compassionate care for others.Learn more and consider signing up at Heart.org/GoBeyond.Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
Live Results: Mississippi Senate midterm election
Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is being challenged by Democrat Scott Colom as she seeks a second full term.
Trump’s Arch Faces New Legal Challenge From Virginia and D.C.
The two jurisdictions contend that President Trump’s proposed 250-foot arch is “flagrantly unlawful,” citing concerns over traffic, the environment and historic preservation.
Jets’ Breece Hall shares inspiring message on social media
Extra perseverance should be a requirement for any member of the modern-day New York Jets, but Breece Hall has faced other challenges besides frequent losing at the NFL level . The 25-year-old running back suffered a torn ACL and meniscus injury about midway through an impressive 2022 rookie campaign and is currently working his way back from a […] The post Jets’ Breece Hall shares inspiring message on social media appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Can Warp Sciences use robotics and AI to reshore chemistry contract research?
Start-up plans to use AI and robotics to compete with low-cost CROs
Vikes Views: Who Ya Got? Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
The undefeated Minnesota Vikings will have their biggest challenge of the year as they head to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Lions. It will be strength against strength when the high-powered Lions offense is on the field against the best defense in the league. Series Record: 82-45-2 Road Record: 37-27-1 Largest Win: […]
Virginia and D.C. sue over Trump's arch, adding to legal challenges as government wants work to begin
There are now three lawsuits calling for a halt to potential work on a monument that would rise 250 feet on a patch of grass off the bridge that spans the Potomac River, connecting the city with Arlington National Cemetery.
CDs are back, but they come with a modern problem
With CD sales on the rise again, collectors are finding new challenges to enjoying their favorite tunes in the modern audio landscape.
With World Of Warcraft: Forever, Blizzard Had To Reconnect With What Made WoW Great In The First Place
Making World of Warcraft: Forever was a unique challenge for Blizzard's developers.
AFGHS co-signatory countries ask health care users to help fill the financing gap
Hundreds of thousands of Ugandans living with HIV on antiretrovirals could be targeted for user fees or community health insurance schemes requiring modest premium payments, according to the April 2026 version of the country’s America First Global Health Strategy implementation narrative.1 As part of the “sustainable financing for the private not for profit sector” strategy, 491 facilities will be targeted for a phased introduction of user fees and scale up of community health insurance programs.2 In the Ugandan context, PNFP facilities include faith-based hospitals and other health facilities, US missionary organizations and centers of excellence—services that are often co-located at government facilities but run with additional financial and technical resources. 402,000 people—or about 28 percent of the total Ugandan adult PLHIV population on treatment—get ART from the private not for profit sector. The selected facilities provide the majority of ART and prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services. The plan doesn’t give the total number of clients served by the 491 facilities, so it is not possible to give a precise number. But the majority of 402,000 is a figure in the hundreds of thousands—hence the estimate I’m using.3 The April draft of the Ugandan implementation plan narrative is the only one I’ve been able to review. But the government of Uganda is not alone in turning to health care users to help fill the financing gaps caused by the abrupt withdrawal of US funds. In July 2025, the Government of Liberia introduced user fees for previously free services including “registration, accommodation, patient feeding, hospitalization, and a wide range of surgical and diagnostic procedures.”4 Earlier that year, Liberia rolled out a revolving drug fund designed to stabilize drug supplies by “allowing patients to pay a small fee for standardized, quality medications,” according to a Ministry of Health press release.5 (Both of these approaches had been proposed in the National Health Policy 2022-2031; media coverage explicitly connects the launch with the US foreign aid cuts.) The health financing strategies proposed by Uganda and established in Liberia are qualitatively different from user fees officially adopted by specific health facilities to cover funding shortfalls caused by the new US approach.6 The latter is a stopgap, adhoc change. The former is a national governmental adoption of policies that pass costs on to health care users, despite evidence that such approaches can exacerbate inequities and leave deficits unfilled. Two countries does not make a pattern, but they do point to urgent questions: Have other countries, including Liberia, included user fees or community health insurance schemes in their implementation plans? If so, do any of these narratives have what Uganda’s lacks: a fall-back plan in place in case these strategies for sustainable health systems fail to deliver—as they have before? I wonder if you think about it Subscribe Predictable pitfalls Both community-based health insurance and user fees are as old as the hills. And after decades of people climbing up these hills, duking it out, climbing back down—neither strategy has shown the results the Ugandan implementation plan is counting on. This is, in fact, a hill some folks are willing to die on. (You knew I’d get there, right?) In November 2025, an African-led team of health system experts published a paper directed at low- and middle income country governments trying to figure out how to create self-sustaining health systems. The money wasn’t coming back. It had been more than nine months since the season of freezing, waivering and wood-chippering; two months since AFGHS tumbled into the world touting co-financing requirements and reductions in future US government health aid. Governments were looking for strategies for sustainable, self-financed health systems, the authors wrote. For countries considering user fees and community health insurance to fill the financing gaps, they had a simple message: Don’t. On user fees, the paper states: “Reliance on user fees is ultimately a regressive and inequitable approach. It places a disproportionate burden on the poor and undermines health system goals of equity and financial protection. […] There is overwhelming evidence that user fees mobilise very limited resources for the public health sector, making it an inefficient mechanism for revenue mobilisation.” On community health insurance: “Attempting to shift the burden of funding previously donor-funded services, such as HIV care and management, and TB treatment, onto contributory schemes would exacerbate their fragility and fail to protect the population.”7 The WHO says that community-based health insurance “cannot be expected to provide a major source of funding or coverage,” and noted that most schemes offer only moderate benefit to individuals paying into them, and exclude the poorest segment of the population.8 And yet, the US-Ugandan implementation plan says that community health insurance is “the central pillar of this [PNFP] sustainability strategy” and that this approach that will generate “pre-paid pooled funding at facility and community level [that] improves financial risk protection for households, reduces catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditure, and generates structured, transparent revenue streams that can progressively absorb recurrent costs including health worker salaries.” Unfortunately, Uganda’s own history suggests the pillar might not be able to bear this weight. Ugandans Have Been to this Rodeo Before—and Some Want Their Money Back Uganda introduced its first community health insurance scheme in 1996 with support from international donors.9 Thirty years later, somewhere between 0.2 and 0.3 percent of the population is covered by CHI; just over 1 percent has any kind of health insurance.10 User fees were universally introduced in 1993 as a condition of a World Bank loan.11 They were abandoned in 2001, and in 2004—the year I moved to Uganda to watch the free HIV program get underway—a definitive study found that the fees did not improve health systems and outcomes.12 In 2004, most clinics and hospitals had ‘free’ and ‘fee for service’ options for getting care.13 The fee for service, or “cash and carry” programs had often been established in the years prior to PEPFAR and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. People who could afford to paid for the drugs, often at facilities in the private-not-for-profit (PNFP) sector. When free drugs arrived, some people who’d been paying kept on doing so, perhaps because of shorter wait times, greater confidentiality, convenience or other factors. But in the year that I spent visiting the same clinics around the country week after week—including a “center of excellence” that maintained separate days for cash and carry clients and those accessing free ARVs—lots of people who had been paying tried to switch to the free option. They’d paid because they had no other choice. They’d sold pieces of family land, begged family members for loans, bought pills by the week, and sometimes by the day. Or they were just cash-strapped, like most of us, and wanted the funds for other things. 14 Twenty-two years later, this hasn’t changed. Ugandans pay out of pocket for 30-40 percent of their health care costs, leading one paper to declare that “falling ill is more than a health crisis. It is a financial emergency.”15 One recent study found that up to 48.5 percent of households dealing with tuberculosis sold something, took out a loan or dug into savings to defray the costs of TB care—which is supposed to be universally free.16 The Ugandan implementation plan does anticipate challenges. It proposes a phased approach, with 187 facilities introducing user contribution systems in Year 1, 152 in Year 2, and 153 in Year 3. Willingness to pay and feasibility studies will precede roll out; fees will be tiered by region, and a waiver system is proposed to ensure that no one has to pay who is unable to. Moreover, the plan provides for quarterly reviews of epidemiological data to “ensure that user contributions do not compromise epidemic control gains, ART continuity for the client cohort, TB case management, or PMTCT services.” Alt text: A screenshot of a table included in the implementation plan narrative that is the subject of this stack. It’s got a fetching pink bar at the top. It uses the abbreviation “CHI” which is Community Health Insurance, and FBO which is Faith Based Organizations, and it details the number of facilities that will implement user fees with waivers and community health insurance schemes over the five years of the agreement. As I said in the footnote, this is a super interesting document with a lot of other rich material. Tell me what you see—and what you would have focused on. And if you’ve seen something like this, or anything else that strikes you, in another implementation plan, tell me that too. You can use the Substack message platform or try me on Signal at @endaplague_again.25 (because @mercoonfan was, weirdly, taken). But the plan doesn’t fully explain what will happen if this approach doesn’t work out. Yes, progress will be monitored, and corrective action triggered. However, there is no specified funding replacement if premium and fee revenue prove inadequate. Instead, the authors write, “Currently, COEs serve a total client cohort of over 180,000 across 28 facilities. In the initial years, the U.S. Government (USG) will provide financial support for clients; over time, user fees generated by COEs will become the primary source of funding for sustaining their services.” Failure does not really seem to be an option. Health insurance schemes are more acceptable to the Ugandan population than user fees. Members of Parliament and civil society traveled to Ethiopia to see how that country’s scheme worked. In a follow up report, a veteran civil society group recommended allowing the “health insurance ecosystem to grow organically and [to] keep reviewing the law and regulations as this growth takes root.”17 One study found that more than three-quarters of Ugandans were willing to join a health insurance program.18 However, coverage of community-based health insurance is minimal, as is coverage of any kind of insurance—including private plans.19 A national health insurance scheme bill has been stalled for several years and presently sits with President Yoweri Museveni.20 Community-based health insurance scheme that do exist are expanding in number, but losing enrollees. Between 2022 and 2026, the number of community-based health financing schemes across the country increased by 42 percent, while the number of people enrolled decreased by nearly 11 percent.21 None of this means that community-based health insurance should not happen in Uganda—or that people do not want insurance. It doesn’t even mean that user fees and waivers won’t ever work. But there is highly relevant evidence from Uganda and the surrounding region that it is quite optimistic to describe community health insurance and user fees as central supports for sustainable financing in any sector of the health system. And now for the best-case scenario In the best-case scenario22, the Ugandan approach does exactly what it sets out to do, and so does the Liberian fee structure and revolving pharmacy fund—though I’ve not confirmed that these are in the MoU. In one best-case scenario, Uganda is an outlier, and user fees and community health insurance are not recurrent pillars of self-sustaining financing in other countries’ implementation plans. In another best-case scenario, all countries that include these strategies enjoy success beyond anyone’s evidence-informed wildest dreams: reliable funding generated by health care users fees, great health care outcomes for everyone, no exacerbation of inequities, no crippling household debt. No sold land, repurposed school tuition or high-interest loans. In the best-case scenario, not one of the hundreds of thousands of Ugandans living with HIV receiving antiretrovirals from 491 PNFP facilities misses a refill or leaves care because of user fees or community health insurance premiums. This is the best-case scenario for these people for their own health, and for their families. It is also the best-case scenario if Uganda wants to stay on the path to eliminating HIV as a public health threat. According to the country’s most recent data, 96.5 percent of people living with HIV on antiretrovirals are virologically suppressed. Epidemic control depends ensuring that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of those individuals are on ART, and 95% of those individuals are virologically suppressed. Uganda is still struggling with the first “95"—a frankly abysmal 85.3 percent. If HIV epidemic control and the attendant prevention of new infections, avoidable suffering and premature death matter, the country cannot afford to lose any clients who are currently in care.23 As I write this a couple hours before the polls close for the US elections in the city I live in, I say with soul-deep sincerity: I am rooting for the best-case scenario. I think it’s safe to say that we all are.24 I think it’s also safe to say that if the US and co-signatory governments have inked plans that lead to successful expansion of community health insurance and strategic use of user fees, we all would like to know, now, so that we don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate when success happens. The implementation plan narratives have to enter the public domain. They are the fullest expression of a strategy co-created by two governments. There are assumptions and details that people living in the US and co-signatory countries need to understand that are not available in the MoUs or, to date, in the Congressional Notifications. Some of these details can help other countries that are, as I write this, still working on implementation plans. Others, like a solid count of how many other countries have plans for expanding user fees or health insurance, are important for regional and global health architecture reform initiatives. No matter how this election night turns out, there will be a slew of new Congressional member orientations, briefings and talking points papers in the next few months. Release of implementation narratives should be a bullet point in every context that AFGHS is discussed. These documents can be redacted so that procurement sensitive information isn’t disclosed. There is much more historical precedent for sharing such documents than there is for relying on user fees to fill health financing gaps. Let’s look at the information together so we can hope for the best and prepare for, you know, the other thing. Alt text: A substack first: a bicep selfie! It’s my arm - peachy-white skin, black shirt (flannel, notch neck, too hot for this appallingly balmy November weather, if you’re wondering) and a sticker that says I VOTED 2026. Beige letters on red for I voted. Beige on blue for 2026. You bet I did.25 In your wildest dreams. Subscribe 1 This is a really, really rich 95 page document. There are fascinating ideas and detailed plans in it. It is all worth reading AND I have, in this post, highlighted an instance of content that could pose challenges and certainly posits success of strategies that haven’t worked before. I would love to hear what readers’ see that’s interesting and should be lifted up as something to check for in other implementation plans. I will also shortly be adding a static page to the substack site where implementation plan documents will live. I will put the url into this footnote and it will also be there on emilybass.substack.com by the end of the week. Uganda Implementation Narrative Section 4 April 22 2026 Draft 1.51MB ∙ PDF file Download Download 2 User fees are costs charged for visits, labs, medicines or other health services, usually at the time they are provided. Community health insurance, or community-based health insurance, is what the World Health Organization calls “micro insurance,” which is health insurance targeted at low-income people. 3 As usual (by which I mean always), please prove me wrong. 4 https://smartnewsliberia.com/liberias-ministry-of-health-announces-2025-hospital-service-fees-for-public-facilities/?utm 5 https://moh.gov.lr/news/2025/grand-cape-mount-leaders-residents-embrace-new-community-pharmacy-program/?utm 6 https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/09/hiv-usaid-pepfar-africa-foreign-aid-cuts-mission-hospitals/?utm 7 https://gh.bmj.com/content/10/11/e021270 8 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/community-based-health-insurance-CBHI 9 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2827475/ 10 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10861328/#b3-jpmph-23-110 11 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC527704/ 12 Same citation as the footnote 2 - the article is called “Learning from failed health care reform in Uganda.” To which I say: If only. If. Only. 13 There is a whole taxonomy of user fees to be aware of, if not commit to memory. Out of pocket costs are everything that someone pays for themselves. In this Stack, user fees are planned and policy-supported out of pocket costs. There are also out of pocket costs that people pay to buy drugs or receive tests or health care assessments that would be free if the drugs were on the shelves, or the machines or kits were available, or the staff were on site. A user fee is usually designed to be modest, pegged to willingness to pay, and may be waiveable at the point of care for anyone who is unable to do so. The costs for things that would otherwise be free are whatever the market will bear and people either have to pay them or go without. Out of pocket costs for services and stuff that aren’t available in public facilities are different again from bribes or unofficial fees that some health workers may impose, even though most are indefatigable, tireless and tired, and devoted to their clients. 14 For the record—which really is these footnotes—I would give a whole stack of fridge magnets for a systematic analysis of the economic and social impact of the Mass Unemployment Event in AFGHS countries among the very people who used to be able to afford and cover user fees, both for themselves and vast family networks. Locally employed USAID technical staff, house cleaners, caregivers, drivers and technicians were financial anchors for cousins, friends, friends’ children, friends’ childrens’ cousins, teachers, pastors, neighbors and so many other kinds of kin. Aid recipients lost direct funding; many other people who had not been aid recipients, but parts of the elaborate care webs that function as safety nets for so many people, lost crucial support too. And that’s even before we get to the people who worked at the hotels and restaurants and bars where people employed by the US and its implementing partners used to spend disposable income. Those businesses have lost revenue; those folks have lost jobs. It will be some time coming—and someone will have to fund this work—but I do hope it happens. And I hope, as usual, to be proven wrong. 15 https://eprcug.org/blog/how-out-of-pocket-healthcare-costs-keep-driving-ugandans-into-poverty/ 16 Another straight-to-the-point journal article title. Households experiencing catastrophic costs due to tuberculosis in Uganda: magnitude and cost drivers. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32938411 17 https://www.cehurd.org/download/technical-policy-brief-on-community-health-insurance-scheme/?wpdmdl=13661&refresh=6ae9122f5d4ed1793659439 18 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10125197/ 19 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10861328/#b3-jpmph-23-110 20 https://ugandapost.news/uganda-to-make-health-insurance-mandatory-by-2026/ 21 https://shu.org.ug/download/235 22 With a nod, tip of the stack hat, and wag of the Mercoon tail to a deeply valued reader who told me that I have a tendency to speculate about the worst-case scenarios a little too much of the time. 23 https://news.mak.ac.ug/2026/10/uphia-2025-shows-ugandas-hiv-status-awareness-gap-despite-strong-treatment-outcomes/ As you’ll see in the next footnote, I’ve already written a subSubstack on another topic, so I will be brief with regard to the study referenced in this article. The Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment, or UPHIA, will never happen in this way again. For more than a decade, PHIAs have been supported by the US government as a way to generate accurate estimates of country progress on key HIV indicators. They are a holdover from the PEPFAR program that was laser focused on ensuring US taxpayer dollars subsidized progress in pandemic control. There may be other population-level surveys and the data may even be publicly released, as the entire set of FY2026 MER data have not. But PHIAs will never happen again. If you’re wondering whether the estimates of HIV progress at country level might get less reliable….you’re not alone. 24 Ooh baby, I hate “we” in almost all forms. But sometimes I go there, when I am looking for company, which I am. Because this Stack moves into the somewhat-uncharted territory of assessing what the implementation plan narratives may suggest about co-signatory countries’ roles and responsibilities to the people living within their borders. The MoUs, specimen and data sharing agreements were templates. Countries’ answers fit into pre-specified questions that did not include, “how are you going to fill financing gaps and stabilize your health system as this plan unfolds?” In contrast, the implementation narratives are open form—the product of co-creation between the two governments. Co-creation can mean lots of things, but nothing leads me to believe that implementation plans are ghost-written by the US government, or that contents were imposed by the US counterparts. Instead, I think the parts of the plans that read like country government initiatives are endorsed, if not initiated by, those governments. For instance, the Ugandan implementation plan narrative describes plans for revenue-generation through fees charged for equipment calibration, repair and maintenance provided through Uganda’s National Equipment Calibration Laboratory, and laboratory accreditation through the Uganda National Accreditation Service (UGANAS), targeting private sector, PNFP, research and academic clients. That’s super specific and also quite ambitious. It doesn’t read like an American idea. There’s also a provision for solar panels, and other stuff that feels country owned and driven. This is where it gets interesting. If co-creation is the case, then both the US and co-signatory governments are accountable for the contents and the outcomes. Most discourse about AFGHS to date has focused on the decisions that America has made, or demanded that other countries make. The AFGHS architects have monopolized the hot seat. As they should, in so many ways. America absolutely created the conditions under which countries needed to come up with health financing strategies to fill unanticipated, catastrophic funding gaps. And with not-too-long a lens, we can look back and see that America is also on the hook for its role in the Bretton Woods institutions that made user fees and health system fiscal austerity conditions of loans during the era of structural adjustment. But in the here and now, it is not at all clear to me that the US is requiring Uganda or any other country to implement specific approaches to sustainable financing. Instead, it is as the authors of that paper up in footnote 6 suggest: African governments have agency. As implementation plans roll out—whether or not the narratives are shared—it will be important to understand what this agency looks like and what it means for people, including the poorest of the poor. And it will be important to figure out how to talk about it safely, respectfully and critically in places other than the literal and metaphorical footnotes. 25 This week’s song is “Once upon a time” by the Moody Blues. (I know, this is gonna be a weird, largely banger-free end of 2026 playlist. HMU with requests.) AND please do watch the video and appreciate the truly amazing opening sequence—a drum kit wasteland, a coupla plastic bags, a bit of sand. Sort of like the hill where fiscal austerity policies that put costs on health care users might go to perish. But then there’s a lady with amazing hair. It’s worth it.
Hakeem Jeffries is on track to make House speaker history. But major challenges lay ahead
Hakeem Jeffries is now on a clear path to be elected House speaker in January, a position that effectively hands him control of a newly resurgent Democratic party in President Donald Trump’s final two years in power.
NBA Fans Outraged Over Adam Silver’s Latest Idea
The NBA fans are pushing back against Adam Silver’s interest in shorter games, and their objections go beyond simply resisting change. A post from NBACentral, citing Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, revived discussion of the commissioner’s preference for 40-minute contests. Several responses challenged whether cutting basketball is the right solution to the league’s problems.The replies showed […] The post NBA Fans Outraged Over Adam Silver’s Latest Idea appeared first on HEAVY.
Former Pasadena mall to become $75M health center as city faces healthcare access challenges
Harris Health is converting the former Dillard’s at Pasadena Town Square Mall into a $75 million, 60,000-square-foot Pasadena Square Health Center to consolidate three existing clinics and improve healthcare access.
Street Medicine at Ohio State works to expand health care access for Columbus’ unhoused population
Without stable housing, accessing health care can become a challenge for people experiencing homelessness. Ohio State Street Medicine, a student-led nonprofit organization, works to close that gap by providing medical care directly to unhoused individuals in Columbus. The organization holds six outreach events a month, offering services such as wound care and addiction medicine treatment. […]
Astor Services embraces small wins in children's mental health
The nonprofit serves about 8,000 children and families across 11 counties, but faces staffing, reimbursement and access challenges as needs grow more complex.
Employers urged to rethink hiring practices
Iowa employers facing a shrinking pool of available workers will need to look beyond traditional recruiting practices, invest more heavily in developing talent and find new ways to retain experienced employees as retirements accelerate in the coming years, workforce experts said during the Business Record’s recent Jobs Outlook panel discussion. The challenges are significant. U.S.…
Emboldened Democrats gear up to challenge Trump over Iran war, Gulf business ties
Democrats are weighing options to enforce Congress’ authority to declare war.
How a scientist went from hero to traitor in a US water crisis
When the water in Flint, Michigan, became contaminated with dangerous levels of lead, Dr Siddhartha Roy, then a third year PhD student, was part of the team of scientists who publicly contradicted state and federal claims that it was safe. He became a local hero until a new piece of research challenged the idea that children in Flint had been left permanently brain damaged by the crisis. His adherence to the evidence, no matter who it offended, has earned him the 2026 Maddox prize, which recognises individuals who stand up for science and evidence, despite challenges or hostility. He tells Ian Sample how he reflects on his experience in Flint, and why he lost friends as a result of his work there
Will a Republican loss make Trump more unpredictable?
From the Black Sea to the U.S. midterm elections and Serbia's political future, Russia is attempting to reshape its trade routes while the West grapples with a growing number of challenges...
SHRO One Health Research Group Strengthens Its International Scientific Network and Advances Environmental Sentinel Research at Ramazzini Days 2026
The Ramazzini Days 2026 provided an important opportunity for scientific exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue on environmental health, disease prevention, and the scientific challenges associated with the protection of human and environmental health.
New Report Examines Best Practices in Mobile Health Operations
The report examines common program models and services, operational challenges, and promising practices for developing, strengthening, and sustaining mobile health programs.
Virginia and DC sue over Trump's arch, adding to legal challenges as government wants work to begin
The legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s proposed memorial arch are mounting.
Janeese Lewis George is Washington's next mayor. Now come the challenges, starting with Trump
Janeese Lewis George joins a small group of democratic socialist municipal leaders.
Meet the Notable Leaders in Communications for 2026
These professionals excel at connecting organizations to audiences, at crafting messages that strike the right tone and at elevating their brands in the midst of complex challenges.
Mental health fair supports community, offers activities
Participants in the mental health-themed 5K held at Nay Aug Park on Saturday were up for the challenge—not simply to finish well, but to fight the stigma surrounding mental health. Lisa Evanofski of Wilkes-Barre came in last in her c…
Mavs at Spurs Preview: Wemby Vs. 'Dangerous' Dallas Combo
Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg joins Kyrie Irving to challenge Victor Wembanyama’s surging Spurs, as Dallas seeks revenge and a statement win in this high-stakes, nationally televised rivalry.
Texas Governor race: Greg Abbott in fierce battle with Gina Hinojosa
Gina Hinojosa mounts the most serious challenge Greg Abbott has faced as he seeks a historic fourth term as Texas governor.
New report highlights the challenges of growing North Carolina's health workforce
The NC Center on the Workforce for Health says North Carolina needs to train more nurses, nursing assistance, and emergency medical technicians while retaining people who already work in those professions.
Chargers Defense Needs to Stick Together Amid Derwin James News
After falling to 0-7 with a loss to the Rams, the Chargers face another challenge without Derwin James. The defense must find a way to stay together, step up and continue competing despite a season full of adversity.
MIT scientists break a 20-year rule and unlock never-before-seen crystal structures
MIT scientists have challenged two decades of conventional thinking by discovering that flexible molecular connections, rather than rigid ones, can unlock entirely new ways to arrange nanoparticles. The breakthrough could lead to a new generation of designer materials with unusual properties and applications in electronics, medicine, and energy.
A tale of two airports in Campbell County
Lynchburg Regional Airport secured $13 million in FAA grants for expansion, while Brookneal-Campbell County Airport faces funding cuts and operational challenges.
It’s time to reunite
Election season is over. Most of us exercised our constitutional right to choose representatives for office who best reflected our values and those we believed were best prepared to lead and solve the very real challenges facing our state, nation and county. The 2026 election season was full of both extreme highs and extreme lows. […]
CData Software Recognized as Challenger in Gartner's 2026 Magic Quadrant for Data Integration Tools
CData’s platform connects and governs access to hundreds of enterprise systems for people, applications and AI agents CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Nov. 4, 2026 — CData Software today announced that it has been positioned as a Challenger in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data Integration Tools. CData is the only vendor positioned in the Challenger […]
Workshop will explore “Placing HIV Back at the Heart of the Health and Development Agenda”
A workshop and multi-stakeholder dialogue “Placing HIV Back at the Heart of the Health and Development Agenda: The Role and Leadership of Religious Actors in Addressing Financial and Gender-Related Challenges,” is underway from 4-6 November in Lomé, Togo.
The Best Time to Fix Your Business Is When Things Are Going Well by Nathan Tayloe
There's a pattern I've noticed working with growing businesses over the years. Conversations about what needs to change rarely happen when things are going well. They tend to happen when growth slows, a competitor starts winning business, or something that used to work stops producing the same results. By then, the decisions are often harder, more expensive, and more urgent than they needed to be. It's understandable. When revenue is growing, customers are coming in, and employees are busy, there's little incentive to question what's working. Leaders have plenty to manage without creating new challenges for themselves. Running my own business has taught me that it's easy to get caught up in what's happening today and put off improvements you know will matter tomorrow. Those periods of success may actually be the best opportunity a business has to make meaningful improvements. When Success Makes Change Less Urgent Most businesses have things they know could be better. The challenge is finding a compelling reason to address them when everything appears to be working. Maybe the company has outgrown its original positioning. Perhaps internal processes haven't kept pace with growth, or the customer experience has become inconsistent as the organization has expanded. These issues don't necessarily prevent a business from growing. Strong demand can make them easier to overlook, especially when teams are focused on keeping up with the work already coming in. Over time, small inefficiencies become accepted ways of operating. Outdated processes remain in place because they've always worked well enough, and opportunities to improve get pushed aside in favor of more immediate demands. The business continues moving forward, but some of the things supporting that growth aren't getting stronger along with it. The Advantage of Acting Early When a business is performing well, leadership has something valuable: options. There's more flexibility to invest, experiment, develop people, and make thoughtful decisions without the pressure of an immediate problem that needs solving. Compare that with trying to make the same changes when revenue is declining, or the market has shifted. Investments become harder to justify, timelines get compressed, and decisions that could have been made strategically become urgent responses to circumstances. I've seen businesses postpone improvements for years because there was never a particularly good time to address them. Eventually, circumstances decide for them, often when they have fewer resources and less flexibility to respond. Growth Changes What a Business Needs This is especially relevant in a growing market like Wilmington, where new businesses, new residents, and continued investment are creating opportunities across the region. As organizations grow, the expectations placed on them change. Customers expect greater consistency, employees need clearer processes and opportunities, and leadership has to make decisions that support a larger, more complex business. What worked when a company was smaller may still work today, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will support where the organization wants to go next. Sometimes the most valuable improvements are the ones that prepare a business for demands it hasn't experienced yet. That might mean: Strengthening internal processes before they become bottlenecks Developing leaders before the organization depends on them Improving the customer experience before inconsistencies affect retention Revisiting positioning before the market outgrows the company's story None of these changes requires a crisis. They require recognizing that a growing business needs to keep evolving, even when current performance gives leadership little reason to worry. Use the Good Years Wisely Successful businesses don't need to constantly reinvent themselves. There's value in knowing what works and having the discipline to build on it. There's also value in occasionally asking whether the business is as strong as its current performance suggests. Are there problems we've learned to work around instead of solving? Are we still operating the way we did several years ago, even though the business has changed? What would we improve today if we weren't waiting for something to go wrong? Success creates the freedom to ask those questions and act on the answers. The businesses that make the most of that opportunity are often better prepared for whatever comes next. The strongest businesses don't need a crisis to recognize an opportunity to improve. They use the good years to prepare for the years ahead. — Learn more about how we help organizations strengthen their positioning, align their strategy, and prepare for what's next at tayloegray.com, or reach out directly at nathan@tayloegray.com.
Another little-known candidate in the Alaska Senate race points toward secretive effort to hurt Republicans
Newly created PACs are spending millions to attack Republican incumbents in Alaska and Ohio from the right and to promote longshot conservative challengers.
FMS Trainer Expands Into Business Aviation
Heading365 has signed Aviation Academy Austria as launch customer for Challenger 350/3500 FMS trainer at EATS.
Community power-building is challenging health inequities in Fresno
Fresno Building Healthy Communities (Fresno BHC) began with a realization that the challenges residents brought to local advocates could not be addressed in isolation. What started as an informal coalition focused primarily on health care access grew as its members recognized how closely health is connected to housing, food, transportation, land use and other conditions … Continue reading Community power-building is challenging health inequities in Fresno
Pancho Claus to give his final performance, citing health and financial challenges
Reyes created Pancho Claus in 1981, drawing on the film "Zoot Suit" and the lowrider culture popular at the time for the character's look.
Want to Lose Weight? Why Mixing Cardio And Strength Training Beats Any Single Workout
FRIDAY, Oct. 30, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Searching for the single best workout to help you lose weight? There isn’t one, a sports medicine doctor says, because the smartest approach is mixing different types of exercise. Switching between workout styles keeps the body challenged, which helps it keep ...
Mueller earns Global Challenge Award
A brief conversation with a fellow high school student led Raya Mueller to write an essay that earned her a scholarship and connected her with fellow students driven to make the world a better place.
Michigan's 'money out of politics' measure passes, faces legal challenge
Unofficial results from the New York Times show Proposal 2 received support from 81% of Michigan voters.
Virginia and D.C. sue over Trump's arch, adding to mounting legal challenges
Texas hemp lawsuit challenges “trace” Delta-8 enforcement rules
Hemp businesses say uncertainty over Texas’ Delta-8 rules has reduced sales and left products vulnerable to seizure.
Hard topics, closed books: Banned authors challenge Texas school restrictions
DALLAS — A historian by training, Candace Fleming never guessed she would become a children’s author — until she started reading to her two sons. She fell in love with
Economic headwinds mounting for Maine family-owned businesses
Rising costs, labor shortages and governmental red tape all pose challenges for family-owned businesses in Maine.
Latest science in climate change assessment
AT WATER’S EDGE King Salmon flooding. Cal Poly Humboldt Photo HUMBOLDT – Climate change presents significant challenges for California’s North Coast, where Humboldt Bay is experiencing the state’s highest rate of sea-level rise. A new report brings together the latest climate science with local and Tribal knowledge to help communities prepare and develop solutions. The
The event putting connections and resources in the hands of small business owners
Running a small business comes with big challenges. Daylan Dove visited The Experience in Salt Lake City.
Top federal prosecutor in Alaska says criminal probe underway over would-be spoiler Senate candidate
The Department of Justice also filed with the court a list of proposed questions it seeks to compel the Peltola campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to answer about their reported role in recruiting the challenger Dan. J. Sullivan.
Ian Wright Stunned Liverpool Were Not Awarded Spot Kick
The Arsenal legend admits the Gunners escaped punishment at Anfield after Jurriën Timber’s controversial challenge on Alexander Isak went unpunished during a historic defensive masterclass.
‘Challenger Center’ planned for Waterloo to boost space science education
Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo plans to build a space education center for Iowa middle-schoolers. Bids are being taken on a project that will bring Iowa’s only Challenger Center to ca…
Featured Interview on BRN: Kerrigan on CHOICE Arrangements - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
BRN Interview Featured on TheStreet, Yahoo Finance, MSN and Other National News Platforms SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan joined Jeffrey Snyder of the Broadcast Retirement Network (BRN) to discuss the state of America’s small businesses and a promising solution addressing the persistent challenge of affordable health coverage: CHOICE Arrangements (formerly ICHRAs). Kerrigan highlighted […]
Business Software Alliance Ups In-House Lobbying Costs By $110K
Business Software Alliance raised in-house lobbying costs $110,000 in Q3, including work on the PREVAIL Act, a patent-challenge proposal. Read more.
Jesse Minter's first 7 Ravens games reveal progress, major concerns
Jesse Minter's Ravens are 4-3 after seven games. Here's what's working, what's not and the biggest challenges facing Baltimore's first-year coach
Opinion: Anthropic’s stark warning makes the case for taking AI out of Silicon Valley’s hands
Anthropic's IPO filing warns of catastrophic risks. An attorney who has challenged AI companies argues for federal control over the technology.
Learning to LEAP: Building business confidence for nature-related assessment and disclosure
Nature loss is a material business risk. Companies increasingly face expectations from investors, regulators, customers and clients to understand and manage their nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities. Yet for many organizations, the challenge is not awareness of nature-related disclosures but their implementation in a focused, practical and business-relevant way. Learning to LEAP draws
Klobuchar blows past Demuth in donations from top business leaders
Corporate chiefs and out-of-state executives helped fuel the Democrat’s fundraising, while Republican challenger Demuth drew heavily from privately held Minnesota firms.
Before the Gender Gap Had a Name, Ms. Saw Women’s Political Power Coming: Six Stories From the Archives on the Power of Women Voters
A record 590 women filed to run for the U.S. House during the 2026 election cycle. Women candidates are also poised to make history in gubernatorial races across the country: Deb Haaland could become the nation's first Native American woman governor in New Mexico, while Keisha Lance Bottoms could become the first Black woman governor in U.S. history if elected in Georgia. Yet women still hold only about 28 percent of seats in Congress. And the stakes of this election—from reproductive freedom and immigration enforcement, to voting rights and the future of constitutional equality—extend far beyond the number of women elected. For more than five decades, Ms. has documented the growing power of women voters, candidates and elected officials. We've tracked the gender gap, challenged the barriers facing women in politics and explored what it would mean to build a democracy that represents all of us. These six selections from the Ms. Archive trace that history—from the earliest predictions of women's political power, to today's calls to fundamentally remake American democracy. (Full access to these selections and the entirety of 50+ years of issues of Ms. is available via the Ms. Magazine Archive on ProQuest, from Clarivate.)
Virginia and DC sue over Trump's arch, adding to legal challenges as government wants work to begin
The legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s proposed memorial arch are mounting, with the District of Columbia and Virginia suing in federal court Saturday as the administration says construction could begin as early as next week.
These 8 Modern Pony Cars Deliver Supercar Performance
Pony cars that can rival supercar performance include the 2014-to-2015 Camaro Z/28, 2020-to-2022 Shelby GT500, and 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170.
Lewiston’s mayor faces runoff after a tumultuous year in city politics
Challenger Rick LaChapelle had 45.7% of votes to 35.3% for Mayor Carl Sheline, according to unofficial results.
Darline Graham rips opponent as 'paid political activist' ahead of tight midterm faceoff
South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham joins 'Fox & Friends' as her race against Democratic challenger Annie Andrews remains locked in dead heat.
VITAS Healthcare reports strong Q3 growth despite cost concerns
Growth in admissions and patient revenue contributed to strong third quarter earnings for VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s largest provider of hospice and palliative care services. But rising labor and fuel costs and challenges with the acuity mix caused a drag on the company’s overall financial performance.
At risk in-person postpartum mums' groups saved
The Happy Mums Foundation supports women experiencing postpartum mental health challenges.
Has Kyle Smith Built an NCAA Tournament Team at Stanford?
Smith has won 41 games in two seasons at Stanford but has yet to reach the NCAA Tournament. With a revamped roster and a 13th-place preseason ranking in the ACC, his next challenge is turning progress into a March Madness bid.
Pharr Manufacturing Roundtable Examines Industrial Growth and Workforce Challenges
Growing demand for skilled workers, increasing automation, and competition for manufacturing investment are challenging the Rio Grande Valley's industrial expansion, according to government, business, and education leaders who gathered in Pharr to discuss how the region can prepare for new industries and emerging technologies.
Northern New Jersey county officials meet in Sussex County to discuss rising health insurance costs, other challenges
VERNON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — County officials from across northern New Jersey gathered in Sussex County for a regional meeting focused on shared government priorities, including rising health insurance …
Amanda Marie Green, Austin Rogers focus on economic challenges impacting CD 2 voters
Could the Panhandle contest be the sleeper race to watch in Florida this cycle?
World Conference on Traditional Medicine 2026 delivers landmark outcomes for global health
Expert Committee Meeting members at the World Conference on Traditional Medicine 2026© WHOThe World Conference on Traditional Medicine 2026 concluded in Beijing on 18 October with several key outcomes aimed at strengthening global cooperation for health and well-being. These included the adoption of the Beijing Initiative on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Traditional Medicinal Plant Resources, the promotion of the New-Era Shennong Herbal Project, and the publication of the Report on artificial intelligence empowering global traditional medicine development (2026). The conference also marked the establishment of the Global Alliance for Traditional and Integrative Medicine (GATIM) to foster international scientific collaboration.The biennial conference, held on 17–18 October at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, was co-hosted by the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, the National Health Commission, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the National Medical Products Administration. WHO joined the Conference as co-sponsor, aligning with the country’s Healthy China initiative, which is overseen by President Xi Jinping. The initiative seeks to expand inclusive, high-quality health services, drive innovation in traditional medicine, and reinforce the principle that a healthy population is fundamental to national prosperity and strength. H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, addressed the opening ceremony, emphasizing the critical role of traditional medicine as a unique force in safeguarding human health and advancing civilization. "Traditional medicine has followed a distinctive path of development through long-term practice," Li stated. He called on the international community to strengthen cooperation, make better use of global traditional medicine resources, and jointly address challenges to human health. Premier Li also highlighted the necessity of harnessing science and technology to accelerate the innovative development of traditional medicine. He announced that China would promote the digital and intelligent transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and encourage active participation from both Chinese and foreign research institutions and enterprises. Furthermore, he expressed China's willingness to expand pilot programs to open up the medical service sector and work with all parties to advance the development of Belt and Road medicinal resources conservation centre.Addressing the Conference participants via a video message, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said, "This is not a choice between tradition and science. It is about bringing knowledge systems together through research, innovation, regulation and quality assurance. We need stronger evidence on what works, for whom, and under what conditions."Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, addressed the opening session, underscoring the importance of integrating traditional medicine into mainstream health systems in line with the call of the WHO Global Strategy on Traditional Medicine 2025–2034. In the closing session, Dr Shyama Kuruvilla, Director of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, expressed appreciation for the achievements of the conference, where different world views and scientific and programmatic advances were exchanged with a clear focus on practical action to advance traditional medicine for the health and well-being of people and the planet.The conference, held under the theme Technology Empowerment and Integrated Development: Advancing Traditional Medicine for All, featured a government forum, ministerial round table and eight parallel forums to advance all four objectives of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034: strengthening evidence, ensuring safety through regulation, integrating traditional, complementary and integrative medicine into health systems, and realizing its value through action across sectors.Over the two-day event, nearly 2000 participants, experts and scholars from 103 countries and areas, including 16 ministerial-level health officials, delivered over 150 high-level speeches and reports. Discussions covered key areas such as the integration of traditional medicine into international health systems, evidence-based development, drug regulation and the application of artificial intelligence in traditional medicine.
Jersey close out Challenge League with Qatar win
Jersey end their victorious ICC Challenge League campaign with a 34-run win over Qatar in Nairobi.
Now, the hard part: Jocelyn Benson has big plans. Michigan has big problems
From low reading scores and sagging wages and an aging population, Michigan faces a host of challenges identified by readers through Bridge Listens. What to expect from the governor-elect.