The article from the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the urgent need for a transformation in how care and support systems are structured for older adults.

WHO noted that there is a global demographic shift towards on aging population. By 2030, it is projected that one in six people will be aged 60 and older.

Many health and social care systems are not adequately equipped to meet the needs of older individuals. Issues such as lack of accessibility, insufficient trained personnel, and fragmented services hinder effective care.

WHO advocates for a more integrated and person-centered approach to care, which includes not only health services but also social support systems. This approach should respect the dignity of older people and promote their independence.

The article calls for governments to implement policies that address the challenges faced by older adults. This includes increasing investment in age-friendly infrastructure, enhancing training for caregivers, and improving access to healthcare services.

Involving older adults in the planning and delivery of services is crucial. Their insights can lead to more effective and relevant care solutions.

The thinking behind a high-risk pool was to provide a safety net for people with pre-existing conditions and encourage insurers to offer coverage through state funding, mandates or federal grants. This means that the government would have to pay into the high-risk pool with enough subsidies to keep premiums affordable for people, otherwise insurance premiums would be raised for sick people. This model is in contrast to a single-risk pool model whereby younger, healthier people would help offset the cost of older individuals who typically have more chronic conditions. 

This article is interesting to me because it shows a clear connection between education policy and labor policy affecting health policy. It is a powerful example of how governments can to channel educational programs to support the health workforce. From what I noticed observing legislative policy in my state in the US, funding educational programmes or changing certain certification requirements to reduce barriers seemed like popular ways to reduce shortages in key fields. This article confirmed to me that it is a universal tactic to support essential fields.

This article is interesting to me because I've learned a lot about Ireland's unique 2-tiered healthcare system this semester. However, the article goes on to say that SF's plan takes a "dramatic set" towards transitioning to a one-tier universal system. The transition from private to social care in the US has been such a long and improbable fight, so I am curious to see if a transition from a two-tier to one-tier system in Ireland is feasible and how far SF's proposed plan could go in order to make that a reality. I also noticed that all of the tenants of this plan correlate with the core areas of health that we've been looking at and discussing in this module, so it appears to be a comprehensive reimagining of Ireland's current system.

The new law is interesting to me because the formulation and implementation of this law reflect how lawmaking evolves in response to practical challenges, how it mediates between state power and individual rights as well as between collective security and personal freedom, and how it addresses health inequalities in society through mandatory legal provisions on special care and wage protection.

This article is interesting to me for a number of reasons:

1. When we think of malnutrition we often think of starvation or undernourishment. The challenge of obesity is one which can perhaps go under the radar a bit more and may be more difficult to correct and challenge. For example, is this resolved by increased household income, education or increased regulation in the food industry?

2. The UNICEF study itself is interesting in the way it has presented its conclusions. UNICEF say that increased participation in sports cannot offset unhealthy diets. However, surely this contributes to a reduction in obesity? There are also other factors such as COVID and increased food prices which do not seem to have been considered by UNICEF, I would be interested to see how they conducted the study.

3. The sheer numbers!

Over 1,000 patients of memory clinics in the UK are being recruited for a study which aims to detect the disease earlier using a £100 blood test. The test is used to detect one of the main proteins in Alzheimer’s called p-tau217. 

The study will take place over the next 2-3 years. 

Doctors believe that when Alzheimer’s patients are diagnosed - and therefore treated - earlier, the effects of the disease can be slowed with the help of interventional medication.

However, at the present moment, getting a diagnosis for Alzheimer’s can take years. PET scans and lumbar punctures, the tests currently used to detect Alzheimer’s accurately are not only costly for the health service, it creates a burden on the service. 

The NHS says results received from this blood test are as accurate as the current diagnosis model with the PET scans and lumbar punctures. 

The goal of this trial is to provide more diagnosis earlier and to make getting a diagnosis more accessible. 

50 per cent of patients in the trial will receive their results within three months, with the remaining half receiving their results after 12 months. This will allow for more timely decisions for care according to the researchers.  

California, Washington, and Oregon announced earlier last week that they would be forming their own public health coalition in order to deliver credible information about vaccine safety. This comes after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated their COVID-19 vaccinations to be more restrictive due to distrust in the vaccine's safety and effectiveness despite these claims being widely dismissed by experts in the field.

While the West Coast is coming together to help others see the value in vaccines, Florida's surgeon general just recently eliminated vaccination mandates in all public schools.

I found this article extremely interesting because it genuinely baffles me to see people be against modern medicine and vaccines. Additionally, it is so painful to think about the children in states like Florida (as I'm sure others will follow suit) who will be the ones to suffer the most due to these conspiracy theories.

I find this article interesting as it brings to mind the worldwide Thalidomide scandal of the 1950s and 1960s. It is difficult to comprehend that despite concerns being raised in the late 1980s, and a link discovered to birth defects and disablilties, the drug continued to be prescribed for women as recently as 2015.

In the UK, an inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of the medication was completed in 2024 and made a recommendation of redress for patients impacted.

If the government shuts down, millions of Americans may have to pay more for health insurance or lose some health coverage.

Democrats say they will not approve any spending bills unless cuts to Medicaid are canceled and financial help for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance plans is extended. They warn that without these changes, insurance costs will go up.

Former President Donald Trump told Republicans not to make a deal with Democrats. But Senate leader John Thune hopes Congress can pass a short-term funding plan to keep the government running until Thanksgiving.

Republicans have only a small majority in Congress, so they still need both parties to work together to pass a bill. Democrats, pushed by activist groups, are focused on protecting healthcare programs, which could decide how much people pay for insurance.

If there is no agreement reached, the shutdown could affect many government services and force Americans to pay higher health insurance premiums or risk losing access to care. Both parties are under pressure to find a solution, but the dispute over healthcare funding is making a deal difficult to reach.

The reason why I chose this article was, there is a direct impact on millions American. If the government can't act wisely and quickly, Americans will face an expensive health insurance. In addition, it can also led to fewer access to get care.

I find this article useful because it redefines the traditional hospital system to a more humane system of delivering healthcare and beyond that to patients who require treatments as well as counselling without the stress of facing the system loopholes which sometimes can cause them more stress than relief. With good implementation of this initiative, health and mental health both can be made more accessible to persons in need.

This article is a great example of the ways in which levels of government can co-operate to achieve better healthcare outcomes for citizens. While Canada gives control over how healthcare is delivered to its provincial units, the federal government can still direct policy objectives through agreements providing funds for care and medications. In an article published a couple days after, it notes that Ottawa is now going to the table with other provinces to finalize agreements for these medications. Agreements between the federal government and provinces to provide important medications for conditions like diabetes are key to improving well-being and reducing the impact of other financial stressors. It is great to see multiple levels of government working together to achieve healthcare goals, and it is admirable to see the federal government working to achieve Canada's healthcare goals of universality and equal access.

The issues discussed in this article are incredibly important due to their time-sensitive nature. If Americans, especially those in positions of political power, do not act quickly to re-instate competent leaders at the CDC, diseases will spread rapidly and affect the most vulnerable populations (children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses/disabilities). Additionally, Americans will not be the only people to face the consequences of extreme erosion at the CDC. Due to budget cuts at the CDC and termination of foreign aid contracts, international programs that provide life-saving medicine have already experienced limitations on the quantity and quality of care they can provide. Thus, the US has an obligation to support not only American public health, but international public health.

This article also showcases the growing frustrations of CDC employees, who just last month experienced a shooting at the headquarters in Atlanta with little-to-no news coverage or national attention. The shooting was linked to distrust of vaccines, which has had increased discussion lately due to RFK publicly and repeatedly undermining vaccines, the CDC, and science in general. Accordingly, concerns of personal safety, job security, and power to do their jobs in a satisfactory way are all valid reasons why CDC staff are leaving en-mass. However, with the rapid loss of health experts, increasing public distrust of scientists/health professionals, and continued budget cuts to public health programs, I am deeply concerned about the future of the CDC and public health in the U.S.

Additional articles from commentary:

• https://apnews.com/article/africa-us-aid-cdc-funding-appeal-4461c57c2d64da682f9dd4994b9c173d

• https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/12/us/cdc-atlanta-shooting-shots-windows

The Irish government has attempted beforehand to reform disability care, such as disability allowance to be on a means tested basis, a reform proposal later scrapped under pressure from disability rights advocates. Disabled people would be quantified according to their ability to work and be given allowance according to which tier they belonged to - a move of rationalization characteristic of the capitalist State form. This is the view of the State as an agent looking down on people from its privileged position and attempting to quantify them according to a process of economic calculation. This was an import of the UK system - showing how the European Union and associated member states, within that economy tend to adopt similar patters. One economic unit will tend towards integration as a spillover effect and a self reinforcing cycle of interconnectedness. Disability rights advocates considered this proposal to be set up in order to push people to work, even if their disability does not fully allow them to.

What is the relevance of this to the article? It is all part of a neoliberal, austerity-driven agenda. Healthcare, whether private or "public", is ran based on the profit motive. Irish healthcare has been under pressure to adapt to the market economy, and is underfunded, in order to cut costs. Other social institutions such as universities or housing also underwent this process of transformation. We can identify the lack of support for marginalized identities (as they are always the first to face cuts) as originating from neoliberal economic policy. The government, now under pressure, is working to fix the issue of children having to wait a long time for disability assessment. This has been long a topic of discussion within Irish media. The HSE employs external companies (outsourcing-insourcing) to help grapple with the underfunding - but this just pushes the problem onto companies that charge a lot of money which taxpayers pay. They are ending the use of external companies - but this does not solve the problem. What is needed is funding for the healthcare system itself, or waiting lists will increase.

A recent study argues that we don’t always need brand-new patient preference surveys to make decisions in medicine and regulation. Existing studies if well done can be repurposed for new contexts. The researchers of University of Twente reviewed 777 published studies that asked patients what they value in their treatments. They found many that share similar methods or clinical focus, making it easier to combine results for broader insights. Especially in more uniform disease areas (like type 2 diabetes), there’s high potential to “pool” past data or translate findings to new questions. In more variable areas (e.g. cancer, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis), it’s harder—but still possible with careful handling. Some challenges remain such as inconsistent reporting, variations in how clinical outcomes are defined, and gaps in data for certain decisions. These limit how easily old studies can be reused. In conclusion, this reuse could save time, money, and effort; help keep patient views central even when new studies are costly; and encourage better standardization in research.

As a result from a governmental project called 'Less is More', eleven scientific medical associations will soon remove thirteen common forms of care from their guidelines. This will effect hundreds of thousands of patients and is expected to save up to 70 million euros. Examples cut from standard forms of provided care are treatments related to appendicitis or minor strokes. Professor Sjoerd Repping, in charge of the project, explains that doctors provide a lot of care of which efficacy has never been scientifically proven. He states that: "No longer: we will continue to do this until there is evidence that we can stop providing this care. But: there is no evidence that this form of care is useful, so that is why we are not doing it." (Van Der Geest, 2025).

Interestingly, some patient advocacy groups are in favour of this measure. They counter the popular believe that patients are never satisfied with the amount of care they receive, wanting more and more. "If it is possible to provide less care without compromising quality, this is beneficial for both the patient and healthcare as a whole."

It is interesting to me that governmental goals of reducing the money spend on healthcare, doctors interest of providing adequate and qualitative care and patients interests seem to line up. This news article, therefore, seems to counter much of the literature and common knowledge on conflicting interest within the provision of healthcare within healthcare systems.

Van Der Geest, M. (2025, September 4). Het mes gaat in de onnodige zorg: deze handelingen gaan artsen niet meer uitvoeren. De Volkskrant. https://www.volkskrant.nl/wetenschap/het-mes-gaat-in-de-onnodige-zorg-deze-handelingen-gaan-artsen-niet-meer-uitvoeren~bbe92388/

over 500 people impacted by dementia were also surveyed (waiting for diagnosis, family members etc.), with 37% waiting over a year before seeking help. 71% received a diagnosis from their gp within two years and 22% received their diagnosis over two years after their initial gp visit. In June, Alzheimer’s Research UK introduced its Dementia Unseen campaign, which advocates for GP referrals to specialists to take place within a six-week window, with diagnosis and treatment plans within 18 weeks.

This article is noteworthy to me as it presents both sides of the issue: patients who experience lengthy wait times before and after diagnosis, and healthcare professionals who feel unable to provide appropriate care. It emphasises that systemic flaws impact actual people and families, not just data. The drive for quicker treatment plans and referrals also seems highly pertinent because it calls into question how health systems strike a balance between resources, speed, and care quality.

Why then the reverse against this trend in India? Results have shown that awareness campaigns and improved facilities mean cancers are often detected earlier among women. This is assisted by the fact that male cancers are generally more aggressive and tied to tobacco and alcohol consumption and are thus less responsive to treatment. Men are also less likely to seek medical assistance earlier.

Regional disparities also at play, for example in that in India's North-East state Mazoram's Aizawl district, healthcare outcomes are worse than in the rest of the country (experts say this is due to lifestyle differences and not hereditary cancers).

This article was interesting to me as it highlighted how societal differences can have a huge impact on the healthcare outcomes of a country, which is what we would intuitively expect. However, I would be interested to know what exactly sets India apart in this regard. The reasons given around women obtaining more cancer than men is based on reasoning which would not be unique and is presumably a global issue. I would be curious to see in future years if these trends start happening in other countries, or if they persist in India.

Finally, just in relation to a country like India which is so vast, we often think of health disparities across countries but of course they exist intra country too. Some states or regions will always naturally lag behind due to their lack of resources or constraints. It is an important point to think about how we address these disparities not only across countries but across regions within countries.

These estimates were projected by the Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI).

NHI is calling for ‘decisive action’ to address the needs of Ireland’s aging population. 

This issue is especially pronounced in Ireland due to the number of nursing homes closures. 

NHI's Chief Executive said to keep up with demand, 1,000 beds would need to be added each year, every year until 2040, with special focus paid to rural areas of the country to minimize rural health inequalities. 

To put this in perspective, HSE this year said its opening 160 new beds. 

NHI is the national representative body for the private and voluntary nursing homes sector, which delivers care to around 27,000 residents, representing more than 84% of all long-term care beds in the country. 

HSE, Ireland’s public provider, manages about 6,377 beds in contrast. 

However, the Government seems to be devising a response to this crisis, albeit in the beginning stages. 

The Minister of State for Older People, Kieran O'Donnell, was in attendance at NHI’s conference this week and shared that the long term care capacity plan is being prepared and should be published by the end of the year.

O'Donnell also shared that an independent Commission on Older People is due to produce a report soon which will include an analysis of long term residential care.

According to the relevant plan, families are entitled to an annual childcare subsidy of 3,600 yuan (approximately 506.8 US dollars) per child, covering the first, second, and third children, until the child reaches the age of 3. Guo Yanhong, Deputy Director of the NHC, noted that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), economic support in the childcare sector has been expanded in multiple dimensions: childcare for children under 3 years old and children’s education expenses have been included in special additional deductions for individual income tax, with the monthly deduction standard raised from 1,000 yuan to 2,000 yuan per child.

Guo Yanhong added that all provinces across China have incorporated assisted reproductive technology projects into medical insurance reimbursement, while supporting policies such as free preschool education and housing support have also been implemented. In addition, all provinces have extended maternity leave and parental childcare leave to allow parents more time to care for infants and young children.

What attracts me to this news is that in response to China’s declining birth rate, the country has adopted a series of service and guarantee measures, aiming to address the "cost burden" (e.g., childcare fees, medical expenses) and "time constraints" (e.g., caregiving pressure) that affect the birth rate. However, similar to the situations in Japan, South Korea, and many other countries, in addition to the impact of economic factors, shifts in intergenerational attitudes and other factors also play a significant role in the declining birth rate. Meanwhile, there is a widespread view in China that the amount of childcare subsidies is still too low relative to the cost of raising a child—merely a drop in the bucket.

This article is useful in my understanding, as it relates to growing public health related problems and how difficult is to come up with useful solutions. A state which is so dependent on its water bodies, for bathing, for drinking water even for nose rinses as it has been a ritual among the people, is battling with a rare disease they could have never imagined before. The public health authorities are trying different measures like early detection, putting up of sign boards, chlorination of waters, and spreading awareness to people but still the complexity is so unique that there is no one sure short solution until there is a treatment available for the disease. The article ends with lesson about climate change and how it is responsible for growing health challenges all over the world where even the rarest pathogens may not stay rare for long. This itself is a really powerful statement we should wonder about.

It is an advanced technology that can help to brain send and receive information without using their body (Hands free interaction).

If it succeed it can actually help to people with paralysis controlling robotic limbs. Also, it can actually help for communication that many patients that can't speak and listen.

It is not officially worked successfully. However, Chinese administration said that they will continue work on BCI with full of support with financially.

In addition, they announced that the standardization (define common terms, safety standards) will begin on 1st of January, 2026 and the most advanced technical improvement will be ready by 2027. Furthermore, by 2030, they will be globally reached.

The reason why I interested in this article was, I thought this kind of technology is far from now. When I was watching 'Black Mirror' more specifically the episode called 'White Christmas', I had a fear that high speed technologies are helping us but in other way, they are killing us. Life is always a double edge sword. So, from my perspective, BCI is an advanced technology that can help some people's life easier. On the other hand, it also has surgery risk, economic issues etc (I don't think BCI would be cheap. So, only some people who has money would use it.)

The US has been aiding Afghanistan for decades, but Trump justified these actions by saying there were reports of most of this money going directly to the Taliban. He also denies anyone has been negatively affected by these clinics closing down.

This article genuinely broke my heart because it touches on many topics that are important to me. This incident, as well as the others the article talks about, directly ties in a country's (lack of) access to healthcare, women's reproductive health, and the racism that is allowing this to be seen as acceptable.

I was particularly interested in this article because it reports on a potential departure from current healthcare policy in the UK. The NHS proudly offers free healthcare services to citizens of the UK. What would the response of the public be if a change like this occurred? This may also result in different healthcare access across the country, which I think would inspire massive debates and upheavals in a country that is used to receiving relatively similar healthcare across the board. Coming from a country where healthcare delivery is centralized, it does result in different solutions and delivery depending on where you live. I would expect similar results in the UK, which the population is not used to.

I also believe that this solution could be effective in making better use of health funding, especially with continued inefficiencies with the NHS system. By devolving these powers to local authorities, they can direct funding to preventative care that they already have institutions in place for, allowing them to expand these efforts and save money in the long-run on curative care. I could also see it being easier for local authorities to handle issues of medical malpractice or mismanagement, as powers for delivery are being given to smaller units that have more time as a resource on their hands.

I'm also curious as to why this change is happening now, after almost 100 years of a fully centralized healthcare system? Is it due to the current status of the global economic system, or trends towards more localized service delivery?

Kenvue have reported a sharp drop in share prices over the weekend as a consequence.

I find it worrying and puzzling, that these claims and allegations are so easily made and widely disseminated and it is another example of policy decisions being made without clear, strong evidence. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is one of the most commonly used medications during pregnancy. Claims about its safety can significantly impact how millions of pregnant women manage pain or fever—both of which can also pose risks to fetal health if untreated. The unfounded theories of Trump and Kennedy raise concerns about the spread of medical misinformation and undermines the public's trust in the medical profession.

One potential solution is for employers to offer tuition assistance, which is not unsurprising because medical education is one of the most expensive types and notorious for having significant student loan debt. Additionally, employers can prevent burnout by creating personal relationships with their staff to check in on appropriate case loads, problematic patients, and future career goals. Offering additional education and career advancement opportunities through the company is also another way employers can reduce turnover rates and maintain a strong group of talented, experienced healthcare

workers.

It's important to note that burnout and staffing shortages are not new phenomena, but are reaching a 'crisis' level scale. As US and global populations continue to become elderly and increasingly dependent, healthcare workers will become even more vital. However, since it takes timely training to become a healthcare worker, it would be much more beneficial to focus on preventative measures and how to retain staff rather than looking at replacing current employees.

In the Netherlands, all citizens are required by law to be (privately) insured. For this insurance everyone has to pay a monthly premium which starts around €160,-. Additionally, there is a €385,- healthcare deductible per year which people have to pay for if they make use of their insurance. People are insured and fully covered for costs that exceeds this deductible.

Recently our government, led by right-wing party the PVV, proposed to cut the deductible fee by half, making the economic barriers for poor people to seek out and receive healthcare lower. However, two thirds of Dutch citizens are against this plan, as (private) health insurers claimed they need to increase the monthly premium to pay for this reduction.

The article is relevant to this course because the distribution of the systems' (and therefore individuals') costs to provide healthcare is seen within the balance of the premiums and deductibles. Healthy and rich people would probably be in favour of low premiums as they don't use the deductibles as much as poorer and less healthy people. The governments' plan would be beneficial for the equity of the system, making healthier people pay more in comparison to less healthier people.

The is Northeast Public Health Collaborative is comprised of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and also includes New York City. This initiative resembles the West Coast Health Alliance which is comprised of four West Coast states. The West Coast Health Alliance went beyond the current federal recommendations and encouraged all adults and children to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

These coalitions reflects a need to combat the recent vaccine limitations imposed by Robert F Kennedy in his role of 

Health and Human Services Secretary, as RFK jr is skeptical of vaccines. As seen last week’s padlet task, RFK discouraged pregnant women from receiving the Covid vaccine and those not at high risk but stated that those who want it can get it (this greatly reduces the opportunity for people to receive it because not all pharmacies would go against federal recommendations and there’s an increased likelihood that insurers won’t cover the vaccine costs).

i chose this article as it expanded upon the growing issue of skepticism of vaccinations within the current administration of the US, but highlighted how some of the democratic majority states have banded together in various coalitions to ensure that citizens receive more accurate healthcare vaccination recommendations that go beyond the current federal policy

Augusta Medical Group blamed the bill for its closure as did Rural health.

The bill is Framed as favouring the rich and towns and cities neglecting rural areas, and putting jobs at risk.

It gives Democrats the chance to campaign on fighting against the bill and working in favour of companies like Augusta Medical Group and Rurual Health.

It shows the divsivness of healthcare which Trump described in his first term as more complicated than expected.

This article is interesting to me as the Government does not seem to have learned lessons from the building of the National Children's Hospital in Ireland, which has been significantly delayed. The Government has also made broad statements in relation to its intention to progress capital projects within the country as part of the National Development Plan - surely it would be prudent to prioritise projects which are already behind schedule or projects which need to be re-scoped. Interesting to hear rhetoric from Oireachtas Committees as I have attended these myself in the past and I am aware of how answers are not necessarily designed to provide information.

Lastly, in relation to the public contracts for consultants, which I looked into further. It designates consultants to "work 8am-10pm Monday to Friday and 8am-6pm Saturday as part of their core 37-hour week" and any work outside of this would be at the behest of the consultant in their private practice. On the face of it, aligned with the goals of slaintecare, this move seems like a step forward for Irish healthcare if we want to achieve universal healthcare within the country.

What interests me about this news is that this multi-level policy implementation—from the national level down to schools—embodies the value of preventive public health in enhancing the overall health literacy of the public. It also reflects the shift from "treating diseases" to "fostering health" in the health policies of many countries today, breaking the limitations of single medical intervention.

I find this article interesting because it exposes the connection between infectious diseases and social issues like homelessness, immigration, and incarceration. It also highlights how health inequalities affect vulnerable groups who struggle to access basic care, and how preventable illnesses can escalate without targeted investment, planning, and equity in healthcare access.

While the monsoon season in summer is normal for the country, this year climate experts say its effects have been exacerbated by a severe heatwave that caused the glaciers to melt faster than normal.

According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, South Asia is one of the world’s climate crisis “hotspots” where people are 15 times more likely to die from climate effects.

Standing water affects many aspects of life in Pakistan, from crop damage to closed roads, which both have knock on affects for food access.

Additionally, the charity WaterAid, “Half of all water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in some of the hardest-hit areas of Pakistan have suffered substantial damage, and there are already reports of thousands of people suffering from dysentery.”

Dysentery is a highly infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea with blood, fevers, abdominal cramps and life-threatening dehydration. Children and elderly are most at risk for developing severe symptoms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says rural people are feeling the effects of the flooding most acutely and estimate that 1,400 health facilities have been fully or partially damaged by the flooding. Access to care, the WHO says, is a major challenge following the storms as many people and children face malnutrition for the reasons listed here.

Pakistan prior to the flooding was seeing a rise in cholera cases, and experts warn that the standing water will also increase the mosquito population, leading to a potential rise in malaria and dengue fever.  

Health labelling means health warning and information is added to labels on bottles and cans of alcohol like direct link between cancer and alcohol, calorie and alcohol content, weblink for health information on alcohol. WHO endorses health warning as key component of comprehensive alcohol policy. This measure was originally to become a legal requirement for producers from May 2026 but has now being delayed till 2028 with the government attributing delay to increased pressure on drinks industry due to US trade tariffs. The author strikes a contradiction between policy enactment and policy implementation and the gaps in between caused due to industry lobbying, conflicting interests of public health vs profit, cost of implementing labelling, lack of high-level leadership.

I find this article interesting as it sheds light upon the complexity of policy making where so many factors are playing a role. Even after enactment of labelling policy by the Irish Government, the differing opinions of the industry and the fight between public wellbeing and private profit making never really ends.

There is also a very low number of younger doctors choosing to specialize in cancer surgery.

Several factors explain why younger generations avoid this specialty:

• Huge workload and high stress

• Long and complex surgical procedures

• Fewer young doctors due to the overall aging population

The shortage also varies by region. Urban areas such as Tokyo, Saitama, and Chiba have not yet faced this problem, but rural areas are experiencing a sharp decline in cancer surgeons.

The Japanese government is attempting to improve working conditions, particularly by limiting workloads, but these efforts have not yet been successful.

I am interested in this news because Japan, as an island nation, has traditionally been largely independent, but the aging population is creating serious workforce shortages.

For example, Japan plans to welcome 500,000 Indian immigrants to work over the next few years, a policy that has sparked public protests.

I am curious about how Japan will address these problems without relying heavily on immigrants given its aging society.

Is it finally time for Japan to accept foreign workers on a larger scale, or are there alternative solutions to this challenge?

As one of Ireland's major industries, a decision like this against their pharmaceutical industry would create mass unemployment and drastically change global trading relationships. More importantly, the tariffs could result in massive increases in costs for live-saving medications, and may result in cutbacks on research and innovation into new medications.

I originally heard this story on RTE over the weekend, and was first shocked by the insanely high tariff proposed. Reading more on the story, however, I was struck thinking about the impact decisions like these can have on everyday people. This is especially true of the United States, where many people have to pay out of pocket for certain medications; tariffs like these would make medications incredibly expensive, even more so than they already are. Ireland could have potentially responded by matching the United States' tariff as well, and it got me thinking: are countries prepared to respond to the tariff wars waged by Trump within their healthcare system? If tariffs are placed on medications shipped around the world, are public systems prepared to take on higher costs, or will there be cuts to healthcare budgets? It's also very sad to me that ideology can have such a swift impact on the rest of the world's health and healthcare systems, and that it is also at stake with these kinds of political fights.

I found this article extremely uplifting and brought a tear to my eye after they shared personal stories with people who have been affected by this disease. I truly hope that within my lifetime we are able to see even more breakthroughs like this with other degenerative diseases.

This article discusses new research about the risks of secondary cancers for breast cancer survivors. The researcher looked at second primary cancers in 475,000 women between 1993 and 2016. They found that 20 years post breast cancer diagnosis 14 in 100 will develop non breast secondary cancer. This compares to 12 in 100 women in the general population. Cancer of the second breast posed the most risk - with 6 in 100 likely to develop second breast cancer in the other breast compared to 3 in 100 women in the general population. The paper found that treatment accounted for approximately 2% of all observed cancers. Prior to this study little reliable data was available to breast cancer patients - this added to the difficulty of their diagnosis and treatment. The research also includes patients which is integral to ensuring patient centred care.  

I enjoyed this article as it has addressed a gap in the care of breast cancer survivors and has also contributed to a patient ‘friendly’ package to ensure that breast cancer patients are more informed about the true risks associated with their care options. 

I chose this article as it is a clear example of how government budgets may effect healthcare. In this instance, the decision was made not to impose vat on private healthcare but it also emphasises the pressure government officials may face when times are tough and how they might choose to decrease healthcare budget, or impose higher taxes on it to better the budget overall

Democrats are campaigning heavily against Donald Trump's immigration policies as well as his "Big Beautiful Bill".

This article is a highlight of a strong liberal arguing point - coming from the Guardian, a liberal newspaper and quoting the Democrats - immigrants are needed to fuel the economy- in this case they're needed to provide healthcare workers. I do believe more evidence needs to be given as to why foreign nationals make better healthcare workers - and the Conservative argument against the Liberal talking point.

The antimicrobial resistance (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) become increasingly resistant to usual treatment. Consequently, the necessary hospital admissions, amputations and deaths would increase due to the inefficacy of these treatments. This is currently already seen with urinary tract infections in the elderly.

While the Netherlands is increasingly hesitant ad cautious in prescribing antibiotics, other countries may be less careful. Resistant bacteria's know no borders and may therefore come to the Netherlands.

This article is interesting to me as it shows the unavoidable cross-over of public health and healthcare systems. While Dutch policy might be aimed at decreasing the risk of antibiotic resistance, in aims of keeping a sustainable and affordable system, developments worldwide influence it's efficacy.

This article is interesting to me as it shows that while there are clear benefits to improving technology within a Health Service such as the NHS, there are also caveats which come alongside it such as the potential negative effects of advancements in technology. For example, the roll out of this scheme will provide additional costs for the NHS (staffing and the technology), for which the funding base will need to be found somewhere (increased taxation or reduced services elsewhere). There is also the inevitable outcome of introducing any new technology, that older members of society could be potentially excluded from the service, due to their lack of digital awareness and activity. This point is something which will need to be focused on even more in the future as medical technological advancements occur at a quicker rate than ever before.

In India several of the states have concerning number of cases, among them West Bengal take a lead by 67% of children followed by 64% in Sikkim, 55% in Nagaland, 57% in Assam, and 50% in Jammu & Kashmir have Triglycerides. For children under 10 years it is normal to have under 75 mg/dL triglycerides.

This article is interesting to me as it shows the glimpse of the future children not just in India but all over the world. With the increasing use of AI and gadgets among young children the physical activities are decreasing. Children prefer playing video games and staying home this in turn will cause growing concerns for the future. It is interesting to see how the government in India will do to reduce this issue.

He continues to practice as an Opthalmologist in his native Romania, despite having “limited understanding” of sterility procedures and that attempts to train him in administering injections had failed.

An investigation by the Irish Times and others found that doctors found guilty of serious medical misconduct, including sexual abuse of patients and severe malpractise leading to death of patients in some cases, are easily sble to obtain a medical licence in another country.

An taoiseach Micheal Martin says thta responsibilty lies with The Medical Council.

The chair of The Irish Patients Association said that under EU regulations "patients have an explicit right to information about healthacre providers sanctions."

I am interested in this article as it raises the question as to who is responsible for the regulation of healthcare professionals. It exposes systemic failures in how doctors are regulated across international borders and the fact that there is very poor or non existent communication between county's regulatory bodies. This has implications for patients safety and quality of treatment received. The lack of communication undermines trust in medical professionals and the systems in place which are supposed to oversee regulation and accountability.

The company aims to increase awareness about weight management and highlight Xinermei's ability to reduce liver fat.

Beyond weight management, Xinermei has secured approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for treating type 2 diabetes, with plans to expand into additional indications . Its user-centric design includes a painless injection pen with a hidden needle and single-use disposal, addressing patient anxiety about injections and reducing contamination risks . The drug is priced competitively: a 4-pack of 6mg injection pens has a recommended retail price of 2,920 yuan (approximately $411), positioning it between Wegovy ($400/month) and Mounjaro ($900/month) in China’s premium prescription weight loss market .

What interests me about this news is that as this type of weight-loss drug continues to flood into the market, the health risks fueled by aesthetic anxiety, regulatory loopholes, and commercial interests are also spreading. I have previously come across news reports of related incidents: some healthy individuals, in their blind pursuit of a slimmer figure, are driven by this "quick-fix" of drug use to purchase such weight-loss drugs privately. Even though most weight-loss drugs fall into the category of prescription-only drugs, regulatory oversights exist both in online and offline channels.

India, known as the 'pharmacy of the world', has faced scrutiny for its quality of pharmaceutical exports with its cough syrups being linked to child deaths in Cameroon, Gambia and Uzbekistan previously in the last few years. India supplies 40% of generic medicines used in US, 25% in Britain and more than 90% in African countries. The contaminated batch of cough syrup was distributed only within India, so falling outside the scope of a 2023 rule for tests on exports to make sure the impugned chemical is within prescribed limits.

This article is concerning for many reasons. If so many times the quality of cough syrups and other pharmaceuticals in India have been under scrutiny and no regulatory reforms have been made to increase testing, then can we say that there is breach of responsibility on part of the State as well the fact that the manufacturing companies are repeating their lapses. Is it enough to just to take criminal action against the company?

I found this article extremely interesting because during my middle school/high school experience, there was a large number of my peers who vaped. A lot of people think that because there are flavors like cotton candy, mango, etc., vapes aren't harmful at all. Though this is obviously not true and there are many people my age who have had lungs collapse and other medical complications from being addicted for the past 10+ years. We were supposed to be the generation that stopped nicotine addiction, but here we are.

The article emphasises that BreastCheck offers mammograms every two years for women aged 50–69. While most women receive normal results, a small number are called back for further assessment, and some of these may require treatment for breast cancer. By operating both permanent centres and mobile units, BreastCheck aims to make screening accessible to communities across the country. Additional support is available for those who need extra time, interpreters, or accessible information. Appointment details can also be viewed through the HSE Health App, which provides practical information about preparation and travel.

The programme is designed for women without symptoms. Anyone noticing changes such as lumps, unusual discharge, or changes to the nipple or breast skin should contact their GP without delay. Women can help ensure the service runs smoothly by confirming they are registered, keeping their contact details up to date, letting BreastCheck know if they cannot attend, and requesting extra support if needed. Since it began, BreastCheck has delivered over 2.5 million mammograms. With the population growing, around 100,000 more women are eligible now than six years ago. To meet demand, the programme is expanding capacity. While they do so, BreastCheck are prioritising those waiting longest for appointments, adding extra sessions, and recruiting more staff. Most women are screened within the target two-year period, and uptake currently sits at 72%, which was above their 70% target.

This article resonated with me as breast cancer is something myself and every woman/afab individual have worried about at some point in their lives.

I chose this article first for the exciting news of this breakthrough. It is also a reminder, however, of the lengthy road ahead before we can get to the point of providing a large-scale cure for HIV. I wonder what sort of push it would take to ensure we could appropriately distribute this medication around the world. HIV disproportionately affects those in the Global South, so in order to eradicate HIV as smallpox was once eradicated, large global efforts will be required to push this project. In the case of smallpox, this was led by the World Health Organization. I also wonder if a cure like this for HIV would receive as widespread attention as something like the COVID-19 vaccine. I would hope so, however HIV is associated with the Global South and the gay community, while all people were impacted by COVID-19. While these are very early stages in the discovery of an HIV cure, there are many questions I believe we should be asking to ensure the world is prepared to distribute this cure.

However, appearing before the Health Committee in the Oireachtas last week, Ireland's health minister warned that this spending trajectory is not sustainable and attributes the rise in spending to higher demand for new drugs like Ozempic and chemotherapy medicines.

He urges the HSE to reevaluate what drugs the Department will support to get spending under control: "So there is an enormous challenge in terms of how to figure out what to support, how to support.”

He also shared that he and his team are in active negotiations with pharmaceutical companies to bring drug prices down.

But he stressed this is an issue health systems across the globe are having to contend with: “There’s a very... difficult budget challenge which all countries now face. If you looked at the ongoing growth of drugs that have been approved for reimbursement, combined with new drugs that are coming on stream, it creates “an incredible challenge for us”.

How they can combat infections and bacterias? It can defeat them because the implants layers are made by iodine so, it can reduce bacterial risk. Also, hip surgery is considered one of the most serious and life threatening surgery but thanks to this iodine-treated inflammation, it is considered that mortality rate would decrease.

This improvement aims to reduce infection related complications during and after procedures. In addition, it is one of the biggest steps in hip surgery, because it can make implants safer (which can less infections) and also helping patients to recover quicker.

The reason why I interested in this news was because it is world's first hip replacement treatment using iodine to prevent infections. From my perspective, this implant can help many patients and also can save many lives.

Also, this big development can set a high standard for implants around the world.

Personally, I heard many procedures failed because of the infection. But when I read this news, I was grateful because we can actually be relieved of infections thanks to iodine-treated implants.

Bird flu can be fatal for birds, but human infection only occurs through very close contact. Currently it is a rare and mostly unharmful disease for humans. However, some experts state that the bird flu could develop into the next global pandemic: https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2025/02/23/bird-flu-if-left-unchecked-this-could-very-well-become-the-next-pandemic/.

The Netherlands is currently (successfully) experimenting to vaccinate birds and prevent mass cullings and chickens being caged for months at a time. While the executed trials have promising results, the meat and eggs of the vaccinated chicken are only sold on the Dutch market due to trade barriers.

This article does a good job explaining the context of the U.S. shutdown in regards to healthcare for both Republicans and Democrats. It also explains how the current recess in the House (which is impacting the shutdown because no votes are happening) is likely to prevent a vote on the Epstein files from being released. It's shameful how American healthcare is being weaponized to further the Republican's agenda.

She wants waiting lists cut as well a cut in cost for healthcare workers. She says she meets constituents struggling to make ends meet on healthcare.

Sinn Fein offer a range of alternatives for the healthcare system in Ireland.

With the budget coming up it'll be worth watching too see if Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Independents give into the Senators demands and what they're response will be. I also find it curious that she wants a cut in the cost of healthcare workers - would that be cutting their pay too?

This is seen as a victory towards 'equitable healthcare', as it removes the prospect of additional financial pressure and ensures access for vulnerable people.

This article was interesting to me as it is about equitable healthcare - a topic discussed in class and has different interpretations. Whilst the dropping of the levy is a protective mechanism for those who would be financially affected , the proposal was a bid to tackle rising healthcare costs and the funding gap. Whilst access to healthcare is important - the services need to be funded adequately.

Women have a higher risk than developing dementia than men, and while other factords have been known to contribute to this risk, including longer lifespan, this study explores the association of women's reproductive and hormonal status with dementia.They have found that post menopausal HRT can be associated with a lower risk. The study was initially designed to look at cardiovascular disease in women as they age, and the authors acknowledge that the results in relation to oestrogen requires further validation.

I found this article interesting, as Ireland has recently added HRT to the Drugs Payment Scheme, meaning that HRT is freely available for all women. It made me wonder if there was any knowledge of this link before this was introduced, as it could have a major benefit for public health in Ireland. Dementia care is a massive concern, with year on year rises in the numbers of people diagnosed and requiring care. At the moment, there are numerous trials into drugs to treat Alzheimers and dementia, but as yet, there is no curative treatment available. The preventative effect of HRT could be hugely beneficial in the future, and could have very positive financial implications for the Health Service. The introduction of free HRT was viewed by many as a 'vote winner', and so it is very interesting to think that perhaps it is in fact a very astute strategy and investment in the future!

Also women in rural areas and disabled women don't find services or equipment tailored for their needs are available.

There were also language barriers and interpretation problems.

Even though the Department said €180 million was put towards women's health these issues exist meaning that sexism - while not intentional - still exists in Irish healthcare.

I find this article highlights that Ireland is still a long way from being fully equal and lots of research is needed. Gaps can easily be found in healthcare.

The article is interesting to me, as AI advancements are being made in all aspects of our lives, the lines will need to be drawn about where responsibility lies and strong regulation will need to be inserted, to create clear guidelines on who has ultimate responsibility on the use of these tools.

Aside from this, I am curious about how in general advancements in AI will be able to assist the health services in future years. Can AI tools such as automated reception/resource planning and medical analysis tools ease the burden on public health systems and be the solution to the ever rising costs?

Furthermore, in Sub-Saharan Africa, youth death is rising because of infectious diseases, injuries, and road accidents.

Also, the world’s youth are facing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which actually account for two-thirds of all ill health.

Among the young generation, mental health is becoming one of the biggest factors that can affect their lives. Especially in wealthy countries, many young people suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

So, according to this article, governments and healthcare leaders have to be concerned and take action quickly. How should they take action? They have to invest in youth-centered public health, integrate healthcare systems, and continue global health funding for low-income countries.

The reason why I am interested in this topic is that in my country, youth death is also becoming a very concerning factor. Many Mongolian young people are experiencing depression and stress, as well as alcohol use, and they commit suicide because of school bullying, social bullying, family violence, etc.

In Asian countries, therapy is not as developed compared to Western countries. So, in my opinion, many Asian kids cannot share how they feel, what problems they are facing, and other things with their parents and friends. Therefore, they choose death because they feel there is no one who can understand their situation and problems.

So, from my perspective, therapy should be improved in Asian countries, and the governments should pay for it. What I want to say is that therapy should be free so teenagers can go whenever they need help.

This initiative, spearheaded by the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA), addresses the core challenge of integrating cutting-edge treatments—such as oncology immunotherapies and rare disease biologics—into a reimbursement framework strained by fiscal constraints on public spending.

For multinational firms like Novo Nordisk and Roche, the policy requires a mixed strategy that blends NRDL bulk discounts with commercial-market premiums. This may cut profit margins by 15–20%, but gives access to around 200 million middle-class insured consumers in major cities.

For domestic companies such as Innovent Biologics, the reform strengthens their first-mover advantage: a projected 41% catalog share by 2027 could generate about RMB 20 billion in additional revenue—provided they can meet NHSA’s volume-based pricing requirements.

This news interests me because the Commercial Health Insurance Innovative Drug List reform aims to bridge the gap between the rapid development of high-cost therapies and equitable access to medicines for China’s large population. By allowing commercial insurers to cover such treatments, the reform helps ease the financial pressure on the national healthcare fund while encouraging greater private sector participation.

This week Fiji was the 26th country to eliminate the disease as a public health concern and the 58th country to eliminate at least one NTD, which include dengue, leishmaniasis, leprosy, rabies, schistosomiasis, and others. 

Trachoma can be spread through personal contact, contact with contaminated surfaces and through flies who have been in contact with infected persons. Symptoms of the disease include scarring, in-turning of the eyelids, and blindness. 

The communities most at risk for contracting this disease are communities without access to clean water, and where sanitation is limited. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Fiji since 2012 has undertaken a "series of robust, internationally supported surveys and studies, including population-based prevalence surveys and laboratory testing, to understand the local epidemiology of trachoma and distinguish it from other causes of eye disease.” 

The organisation attributes the country's coordinated action across villages, health facilities and regional platforms to eradicate the disease. 

Euthanasia will be performed so that their death occurs in a "painless, peaceful, and respectful manner".

Uruguay has a history of passing socially liberal laws, legalising marijuana, same-sex marriage and abortion. Some 62% of Uruguayans were in favour of euthanasia legalisation and most opposition to euthanasia came from the Catholic Church.

Daniel Sturla, the archbishop of Montevideo, told the Catholic News Agency that the bill "instead of contributing to valuing life, contributes to thinking that some lives are disposable, and that is why we believe it is fundamentally bad". Beatriz Gelós, a 71-year-old woman who has been living with neurodegenerative ALS for two decades, said that the law was "compassionate, very humane". She said opponents "have no idea what it's like to live like this". While Uruguay becomes the first country in predominantly Catholic Latin America to allow euthanasia through legislation, Colombia and Ecuador decriminalised the practice through Supreme Court decisions.

This is interesting to me because there are a lot of debates globally on euthanasia on moralistic grounds with some people claiming active euthanasia to be 'murder'. In India, also there has been a lot of debate about the issue and as of now only passive euthanasia is allowed in the very strict sense for the removal of life-saving equipment for a person to die naturally. The question is between personal liberty and the right to choose death and the role of State in it.

stress in known to produce hormones like cortisol and adrenaline which puts our body into 'fight or flight' mode but in a woman body if it's elavted for a long period it causes body's natural balance to be disrupting.

This problem not just growing in India but its becoming a global problem. It is not just adults being affected by it but young teenagers in their puberty are also falling into this group.

One other problem that the article brings up is the added pressures of social media. We have unlimited access 24/7 to different faces and people, ultimately making it extremely easy to compare ourselves with others. Though a facelift/cosmetic procedures may feel good in the moment to fix our insecurities, what good does it do really if we still have this same access?

I found this article very interesting because I am pretty heavily against cosmetic surgery and this made me so upset to see that people in my generation are feeling like they need a procedure typically done to someone 40-50 years their senior. Women already feel a crazy amount of pressure to look good, and so that combined with an exploitative industry that is potentially even life-threatening is so maddening.

With our discussion of the governance of care systems this week, I was particularly interested in this article. How can we govern mental health care in the most effective way? It seems like a long-standing issue - after all, a stigma has been attached to mental health issues for many years, and treatment methods were very dangerous and dehumanizing. It seems like two of the facilities mentioned in the article are run by the HSE. Perhaps these regulatory issues are issues of strong enforcement by institutions. I wonder if funding is a piece to look at here as well? How well-funded are these institutions, and are they set up for success by the healthcare system? Overall, policy will mean nothing if regulations are not followed at these mental health facilities, where you would especially want to see safety prioritized. What are some other ways to strengthen enforcement of policy, or to encourage facilities to improve their conditions?

Two of the bigger liberal parties, D66 and VVD, chose to freeze the basic health insurance package that every Dutch citizen is obligated to have. Therefore, newly developed treatments, for example for cancer, would no longer be covered for people that don't pay for supplementary packages.

While healthcare hasn't been a key-topic within elections for a long time, due to the choices of the parties mentioned, two of the biggest polling parties, GL-PvdA and D66 clashed in a national debate last Sunday. While the financial assessment of D66' programme show a freezing of the basic package, front runner Rob Jetten claimed that they would continue to fund for newly developed treatments. This was called out by the front runner of labour party GL-PvdA, Frans Timmermans, who claimed that Jetten was lying.

This article is relevant to me as it shows how democracy, politics and governance intertwine.

This article discusses the Sligo CC looking to get the Irish Government "to award Section 39 workers the same rate of pay as and entitlements as their Section 38 colleagues who deliver the same service" showing the need for equality still needed for Irish healthcare staff.

An argument made by "Cllr Gibbons added, “They can put 40 years into a job. It is very wrong. They are taking an awful lot of burden off the HSE. They should be rewarded the same and I will keep bringing it up until the Government sees sense”". This shows a lack of equality has existed for a long time in the HSE. While there've been many complaints from Irish citizens regarding the operation of the HSE due to patients needs not being met, it's evident staff also isn't. While it can be strongly argued there's a lack of equality among sick people in Ireland, there's equally a lack of equality among those who treat them.

Diagnosis currently requires a laparoscopy, the new framework will help to speed up the process as on average it takes about 6-9 years to get a diagnosis. The framework sets out an increase in excision surgeries - the gold standard' and a new financial support system for patients who need to seek care abroad. The specialist services in Ireland are not adequate to cope with patients needs

This article interested me because my research project is on endometriosis and it is promising to see an official framework in place. This framework also reflects the importance of advocacy and public patient involvement in the healthcare system.

Annually the HSE provides funding of approximately €3 billion to almost 3,000 agencies for the delivery of a range of healthcare related services. The majority of this funding, €2.44b goes to serve 44 agencies (known as Section 38 agencies) primarily in the acute hospital and disability sectors.

Section 38 workers are classified as public servants and therefore are entitled to standard salary scales for the health sector They also have access, in the main to a public service pension scheme. However despite doing the same tasks, section 39 workers aren’t classified as public servants and therefore do not have the same entitlements.

This is a big issue as it restricts section 39 workers from having the same financial security despite doing the same kind of work.

This begs the question as to why this is the case and how it has an easy policy fix to rectify this issue.

This is exactly what is discussed in the article- users may not consistently need an inhaler, so this new device can measure whether an inhaler is actually helping and needed. Additionally, it measures that an inhaler is being used correctly, which is a significant issue for inhaler users. It also tracks inhaler effectiveness over time, which allows doctors and patients to see a clearer story when determining next steps for asthma.

This article interested me as I was curious as to what angle this would be approached in terms of the hypothesis that fitness apps could be doing more harm than good. My overall thoughts on this and similar situations like this is that there needs to be some form of self-accountability from people, who shouldn't need to be waiting for the next app off the shelf to provide them with the motivation to get fit. In terms of the negative benefits, be that motivational or otherwise, there is no necessity for people to use these apps at all so I believe this a little bit of a non problem.

In relation the accountability aspect, I think this is important to keep in mind for other health issues such as alcohol use, smoking etc. If for example, there was an app which helped some people quit smoking, but this app did not work for another group of people, it is still providing a net good vs any 'harm' it provides to those it does not work for.

Discrimination is common based on age, ethnicity sexual orientation, disability and gender identity. Whilst the government have begun to invest in Women's Health they policies and plans need to be inclusive and consider marginalised women as well.

This article was interesting because it reflects the difficulty in addressing what is an equitable healthcare system. Despite investment in Women's Health people are still not getting the basic care they require. This is a systems issue and represents a broader health issue then women's health as many rural and marginalised communities do not have adequate access to healthcare

A higher incidence of asthma is being seen among children – about a third in this region, compared to the 5-10% in the rest of the country. Among adults, 30 or 40 years ago, in 90% of cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the culprit was smoking or the use of tobacco. Now, as much as 50% of COPD cases are the result of indoor and outdoor air pollution.

A Chicago study involving lakhs of patients that was published in 2023 said that the average lifespan of Indians is reduced by 5.3 years, and average lifespan of Delhiites is reduced by 11.9 years.

Air pollution not only affects our lungs, but also other systems like the heart, brain, kidneys, intestines, the endocrine system, and immunity at large. There is an increased incidence of heart attacks and brain attacks, and there is more hypertension and diabetes. There is some evidence that even rheumatological diseases like rheumatoid arthritis are more severe.

The article sheds light on the harmful and even sometimes deadly effects of such high levels of air pollution. Delhi has been facing the air pollution problem each year and they recently tried to do a cloud seeding trial to create artificial rain which failed due to lack of moisture in the air. This recurring issue each year is a health emergency in itself and should be taken seriously by the authorities.

The problem here is the regulation of medical professionals, as well as shortages of doctors. By focusing on "efficiency" of servicing patients, the Quebec government is creating an even greater problem with doctors looking to leave the province. This problem is presented as having the potential to create significant damage to the healthcare system in Quebec, resulting in longer waitlists to see specialists and family doctors. While doctor shortages are a long-standing issue, this law is very new, having just been tabled and passed last week. The issue here of regulation and governance is causing an unintended consequence for Quebec as Quebecois doctors look to practice medicine elsewhere. The control that provinces in Canada have over healthcare, including the regulation of doctors, leads to these kinds of issues occurring. If doctor regulation was more centralized, these differences wouldn't result in potential care inequalities in provinces. I wonder how this will play out for New Brunswick and Ontario - will these provinces see better outcomes in healthcare if doctors do move to practice medicine?

I found this article extremely relevant as right now in the U.S. there are so many people who are caught up in this ridiculous political war; the article cites that if these subsidies aren't granted, over 4 million Americans will become uninsured. I find it very frustrating that the American people are suffering due to the ego and political games of the House and Senate right now.

The archipelago's health ministry announced it would be illegal for younger generations to use, buy or sell tobacco within the country.the main focus of this law is to protect the younger generation from tabacco harm. According to Ahmed Afaal, vice chair of the archipelago's tobacco control board told BBC" that it is a good step towards a generation of tobacco-free citizens". The new ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age prior to sale. the reason Mr Afaal bought up thiss ban is because according to him "these new stylish gadgets are tactics of the industry to approach the younger generations to uptake addictive processes"

Last year, the Maldives made it illegal for anyone to import, sell, possess, use or distribute electronic cigarettes and vaping products, regardless of age.

additionally, Tourists coming to visit the Maldives' islands will also have to adhere to the law and this law infact had a positive outcome as touristism did not drop down, infact, they are projecting more than 2m [tourists] in the next year.

Moreover, Plans by New Zealand to pass a generational smoking ban were scrapped in 2023 after a new government took power. The move was seen as a blow to many health expert and maori people in particular, who have one of the highest smoking rates. Last year, the UK's then-Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, had hoped to introduce a law that would ban young people born on or after 2009 from smoking.

The reason i find this article intresting is because we can finally see many countries taking this seriously, from the very begning there was the fear of the future generation health almost every second youth are smoking without realizig the consequences.

This focus comes amid significant demographic shifts in the Asia-Pacific region: by 2050, nearly a quarter of the region’s population will be 60 years of age or older—a structural change that not only strains public systems but also unlocks the potential of the silver economy and technology-driven growth. Statistics from South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety show that by 2024, the number of people aged 65 and above in South Korea will exceed 10.24 million, accounting for 20% of the total population, making South Korea a "super-aging" society.

On October 23, the China-Japan-South Korea Elderly Care Technology Case Database was officially launched in Beijing. Led by the China Research Center on Aging (CRCA), the project is jointly supported by Kyung Hee University’s Institute of Aging and Technology in South Korea and the Japan International Exchange Center. According to CRCA, the database aims to build a sustainable, technology-driven cooperative ecosystem for elderly care services among China, Japan, and South Korea—three countries all facing the challenge of rapid population aging. Through this platform, the three parties will jointly conduct annual case collection and release, host thematic seminars, and promote the implementation of innovative solutions.

What interests me about this news is that China, Japan, and South Korea are all confronting the issue of societal aging, and there is significant room for mutual learning among the three countries in addressing many social challenges. I have previously read books on Japan’s population aging, including its elderly care security system. In fact, many of the problems China is currently experiencing in its aging society were encountered by Japan much earlier, so China has much to learn from Japan’s experiences.

The report suggests that by encouraging walking and cycling we could reduce the number of cars on the road by 680,000 per day in Ireland’s five largest cities, which would go towards meeting the goal of reducing transport emissions by half by 2030.

The chair of the alliance, stated that modern lifestyles are increasingly sedentary with more and more people sitting at desks and in cars for most of the day and that including active travel into daily routines would improve both public health and the environment.

I find this article interesting as it brings together a number of different policy areas, health, climate, transport and planning. The €1.13 billion annual healthcare cost shows that sedentary lifestyles don’t just affect individuals, they are having major economic consequences for the whole country. The report highlights how sitting and car dependency have become built into Irish life, from commuting to work to how children travel to school, showing that this is not just a lifestyle preference, but has become a societal norm. Promoting walking and cycling is presented as a solution that could improve health, reduce emissions, and save money all at once. It also poses a link between these new norms and environmental challenges.With Irelands stated target to cut emissions by 50% by 2030, this article shows how making small changes to daily routines cuold have large national impact.

Given that 80% of rare diseases are genetic and 70% of these appear in childhood, patients often endure long diagnostic delays and limited treatment options, with 30% of affected children dying before age five. The proposed “patient-focused regulatory framework” seeks to accelerate testing, manufacturing, and approval, enabling access to personalised therapies. The new model will be co-developed with health bodies, researchers, and patient groups, with a draft expected in spring 2026 for public consultation.

Why I chose this article:

I chose this article because it highlights how regulatory reform can directly improve patient access to life-saving treatments, demonstrating how healthcare policy and innovation intersect to address unmet medical needs. It was also disheartening to hear how few rare diseases in the UK actually have pre-approved treatments. Which begs the question if the patients would travel elsewhere for treatment

The study proved that adults who have lower activity daily (around 3000 steps or lower), they would have faster memory decline. Even slow daily activity, such as slow walking or doing chores daily would help for the brain.

This research proved that physical activity can help reducing Alzheimer, but also directly links to brain support. Also, the researchers suggested that walking is budget friendly because you don't have to pay anything but you will get more healthy life.

The reason why I chose this topic was because my grandfather (97 years old) is facing with Alzheimer since last year. My mother told me, Alzheimer's disease can have genetic components which we all might have Alzheimer when we get older. I was concerned about my future and also my mother but thanks to this research, probabilities of having Alzheimer might be declined.

Considering the patient their relationship was sexual, which the nurse denies. Due to the circumstances and evidence, the tribunal for the healthcare professionals (Tuchtcolleges voor de Gezondheidszorg) ruled that a sexual relationship had occurred, but that even a friendship would have been inappropriate. Therefore the nurse was removed from the Register of Professions in Individual Health Care (BIG), and was barred from ever working in healthcare again.

This case shows how quality of care and ethical considerations are handled within the Dutch self-regulatory system for health professionals. The disciplinary tribunal for healthcare professionals is composed of lawyers and professionals with the same occupation as the people that are accused of the misconduct. Therefore quality of care has a self-regulatory aspect.

Some pharmacies were previously charging as much as £30 for emergency oral contraception.

Of the new scheme, the NHS said this was “one of the biggest changes to sexual health services since the 1960s” and “a gamechanger in making reproductive healthcare more easily accessible for women”.

There are around 10,000 pharmacies in the country with 4 in 5 people living within a 20 minute walk of one.

Easy access to the morning-after pill used to be through a "postcode-lottery" with some people able to access it through the pharmacy (with a fee), whilst others had to go through their GP.

The national commissioning of this drug now makes access more equal for people across England.

This article focuses on how polls found most Americans find healthcare unaffordable. I find it particularly revealing that Americans would be happy to get a new insurance not tied to their company.

Many Americnas have had to ration to afford healthcare.

Allison Sesso, president and CEO of Undue Medical Debt told the Hill “This is a common ground issue that you know is resonating with people. Health care is clearly unaffordable,” showing how wide an issue it is in American politics and business.

To conduct "the survey, 1,319 voters in the 2024 general election were included in a 12-minute national survey. The survey was conducted from Aug. 21 to Sept. 2. The results have a margin of error of 3.63 percentage points". This shows healthcare may have had a large influence over weather to support Donald Trump or Kamala Hariss.

Like with many other issues in America, healthcare has become politicised that it's hard to find the right solution to it. As of now, it's hard to consider healthcare an American luxury.

She won the $250,000 Prime Minister's Prize for Science, which is in it's 26th year and Australia's most prestigious award for achievements in scientific research, innovation, and teaching.

She mentioned the importance of the award in an age of anti-science, especially seen in the U.S. currently. She emphasized how important it is to connect with other scientists and build a strong, reliable network of scientists to work with and nourish scientific work.

This article interested me as if I had not worked for the mental health commission (where you apply to make an AHD), I would not be aware of this myself. As the article states, more awareness is needed as it could benefit a lot people to retain their agency later in life. I would be interested to know if there is similar application of this across other nations/what is done outside of Ireland. Should we utilise public advertisements more? With the decline in people watching terrestrial TV, there is potentially an opportunity to partners with streaming companies to advertise on these platforms.

Parents describe extreme distress as children’s needs intensify during the wait. In some cases, leading to crises requiring emergency hospital visits or CAMHS intervention. Professionals, including Dr Patricia Byrne of the College of Psychiatry and the Children’s Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon, argue that this delay represents a profound systemic failure that risks turning manageable issues into chronic mental health disorders. They warn that the current backlog not only prolongs children’s suffering but also overwhelms already stretched secondary services.

The HSE acknowledges the challenge, noting a 62% increase in referrals since 2017 and a shortage of psychologists across 181 centres nationwide. This issue is especially noteworthy for discussion as it raises ethical, policy, and social justice concerns surrounding equitable access to mental health care. It exemplifies how structural underinvestment in early intervention services perpetuates inequality, undermines prevention efforts, and exacerbates long-term mental health outcomes for vulnerable children in Ireland.

This comes after new figures show about a third of Year 5 children had unhealthy levels of excess weight on the island.

The Health Improvement Commission (HIC) is working to tackle kids' unhealthy eating habits with school initiatives like a healthy snack programme.

They also run a programme called "eat well" which provides information on where parents and young people can find healthy foods.

Health experts also shared data that shows students at state schools have worse diets - and are more at risk for excess weight - than their counterparts in private schools.

HIC's Director of Public Health said she welcomes the calls for a ban on promotions in supermarkets of unhealthy foods, "I welcome public discussion around measures such as restricting the placement of products high in fat, salt and sugar in prominent store locations like aisle-ends and checkouts."

Crucially, this system is not designed to replace doctors but to “algorithmize expert experience,” turning the intelligent system into a “digital hub” for medical institutions. It can assist in diagnosis, participate in research and teaching, and form a closed loop of “learning-diagnosis-feedback.” This marks a significant shift in China’s medical AI, moving from single-application tools toward systemic integration and from tool-based innovation to systemic transformation.

What makes this news interesting to me is that AI has inevitably entered the healthcare sector—both in China and around the world—being used for tasks such as in-person consultations and improving the collection and organization of medical data. However, the boundaries of AI usage urgently need to be defined and controlled. For instance, as mentioned in this news report, AI can only play a supportive role and must not replace certain actual diagnostic and treatment processes, such as doctors' in-person consultations. This is because during an in-person consultation, doctors do more than just understand the patient's condition; the interaction between doctors and patients also serves other purposes, such as influencing the patient's psychological perception of their illness.

This is a great example of a swift health response in coordination with international organizations. This is a "wicked" problem, both in combatting Ebola virus as well as getting international actors to act quickly. The article frames this within the context of larger Ebola virus outbreaks across the African continent in the past decade. I think organizations have learned a lot about the virus and how to best connect with communities, including training local staff. This will hopefully create a sustainable solution by allowing community members to speak to preventative health measures. The story mainly discusses the service delivery for care like vaccines, but I think there is a larger role to play for international leaders. How can we respond to the potential high mortality of Ebola outbreaks even faster, before an outbreak even begins? The outbreak in Bulape was caught quickly, which saved many lives. Is there ways to save all the lives of those who may contract Ebola in a village like Bulape, however? Perhaps there are programs that can be built with MSF and the WHO to implement vaccination programs and care education for very remote communities.

There was always negative side of drinking coffee because many people believed drinking coffee might contribute to hearth rhythm disorder. However, conversely, the US research team is proving that regular coffee drinkers had a significantly lower incidence of AF compared with non coffee drinkers.

The research hasn't finished and not fully proved but the scientists believe coffee's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds may help reduce stress and improve heart muscle function.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) affects millions death worldwide and it is one of the biggest contributor to cardiovascular complications. If this study confirmed fully, this study would change whole negative idea about coffee and also doctors might advice to patients to drink more coffee to improve heart health.

The reason why I chose this article is because it is interesting that my parents think that coffee is bad for health. My parents are non drinkers so, they were always mad at me when I drink coffee daily. But, if this research is proved to be true, I can finally debate with my parents and also, I will try to persuade them to consume coffee too if it is beneficial to heart!!!

Also, this article is showing that there are many unproven misunderstanding news around the world relating to anything. As I mentioned before, even I thought coffee might be bad for health but, it might be actually good for heart and reduce risk of stroke and heart failure which is great news!

The authorities have launched a tiered emergency system that restricts construction, bans diesel generators, and limits vehicle entry when pollution hits severe levels. The government has also introduced crop-burning control subsidies with limited success. A cloud seeding effort last month failed to trigger artificial rain and cut pollution levels.

This is not just a climate change problem, but it is a health emergency and it is a recurring problem which must be dealt with immediately. I recently read that China once had a similar pollution problem and they want to share how they have successfully handled the problem. There have been videos on social media about how the government is just spraying water on the air quality monitors to manipulate the readings. Previously, the problem impacted elderly persons or sensitive groups, but now young people are having cough and are being hospitalised. The life span of people is reducing and thousands are dying each year solely due to air pollution. What more does the government need to take the issue seriously.

Now The obesity drugs will be sold at discounted prices on the direct-to-consumer TrumpRx, a government-run website set to launch by January.

On TrumpRx, Wegovy and Zepbound will start at $350 per month on average, and drop to $250 within two years, administration officials said. The Medicare prices of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound will be $245.10% of Medicare. Along with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, Eli Lilly's weight-loss pill, orforglipron, will be sold for $149 for the lowest dose, Eli Lilly said in a statement. The company's Zepbound medication will cost $299 for a starting dose. beneficiaries will be eligible for expanded access to GLP-1 drugs, and will only pay $50, according to senior administration officials.

I chose this article because it highlights the unfortunate reality of our world today. While this drug was introduced with the intention of helping people, in truth, it seems to cause more harm than good. Every medicine has side effects to some degree, but creating drugs that alter the body so significantly can lead to more serious and damaging consequences.

In my opinion, our leaders should consider alternative approaches—such as requiring every school and university to include a mandatory 30-minute jogging session each day. For older adults, an app could be developed to track their steps, with monthly rewards or prizes for a few lucky participants. The prize could even be something exciting, like a fully paid two-day vacation to a domestic destination. This would motivate people of all ages to stay active and push themselves toward better health.

This article calls President Trump and the GOP out on failing to deliver healthcare.

It calls Donald Trump out on many things - failing despite the popular idea among Republicans to replace Obamacare, not carrying through on the promoise he made last year during his debate with Kamala Haris to make healthcare more affordable.

Trump's healthcare faulure has led to government shutdown - something the Democrats are happy to keep going in order to push the GOP on the issue.

GOP Senate leader is fearful Trump's healthcare failire could cost the GOP next year.

This article further highlights the uncertainty around healthcare in America and how it's an issue that has not escaped political divide. Questions need to be asked as to why Trump and the GOP keep failing on the issue - though CNN is probably not the best place to go for an objective view on that.

An example can be found in the city of Utrecht (where I'm from :)), as 2 large providers of maternity care stopped their services about 3 years ago, after an acquisition by private equity. This resulted in a shortage of providers in the entire city. However, the municipality identified that the shortage was the largest in 2 low-income neighbourhoods. The councillor of Healtcare in Utrecht mentions that this is a result of providers being allowed to choose which patients they want to service. As providers don't want to force their staff to work in 'problematic neighbourhoods' out of fear for discontent, this creates an imbalance.

This case shows how regulated competition and universal access can be in tension. The liberty from providers to choose who and where they want to offer their services results in inequality.

This article is of interest to me for a few different reasons.

It shows how the impact of the HSE’s recruitment embargo and the shortage of radiographers can have real, negative effects on cancer detection and patient outcomes. There are also calls to lower the age of first screening to 45, to reflect the changing epidemiology, with more women being diagnosed younger. There is also an economic factor, in that early detection and treatment reduces treatment costs and eases the burden on the health system. Also the fact that uptake of appointments is so low points to social and practical barriers that need to be addressed.

I found this article very interesting because it not only is talking about the structure of healthcare systems in the U.S., but also the overlap with immigration. The numbers that the administration are reporting are not only false or grossly misinformed, but it is making life harder for both citizens and officials alike. This also comes during the government shutdown which is already wasting precious resources that federal programs have.