Health & Fitness
ProPhotonix is pleased to announce it will exhibit its latest innovations at Booth 4040, Photonics West 2026, taking place January 20–22 in San Francisco, USA. Visitors can explore the recently launched IP67, Digital Photon PRO Laser Module, and the newly developed UV Pro Test Kit, a...
The redesigned platform delivers faster load times and a streamlined customer experience, helping families more efficiently find mental health treatment, dual-diagnosis care, educational support, life-skills, coaching, and transitional living options for their child, teen, or young adult....
Drives personalized, appropriate adoption of early detection innovations as evidence, guidelines, and testing capabilities evolve CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- CancerIQ, the leading precision health company focused on cancer early detection, today announced a new risk-based...
New CRO, CFO, and SVP of Client Experience join to scale AI-powered platform and deepen impact for more than 14 million members worldwide MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- LifeSpeak, a leading digital wellbeing platform trusted by over 1,000 organizations globally, today...
Klondike Agricultural Products has just patented a "smart" seed capsule and the high-speed robotic engine required to build it, an innovation that could render crop failure a thing of the past. By combining nutrient-packed survival pods with precision vacuum-needle robotics, this...
Solution leverages healthcare price transparency data and market-leading actuarial adjustments to boost underwriting performance. BOSTON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Deerhold, a company offering advanced healthcare data management and solutions to support healthcare price...
New AI audio onboarding turns setup into a conversational coaching session instead of a boring form fill. ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Most fitness apps greet users with static forms and endless taps. LunaFit is turning that process upside down with what it...
Appointment deepens firm's work with families and leaders navigating wealth, leadership transitions, and generational complexity SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Insights Squared Consulting Group (Insights2) today announced the addition of Dr. Joshua Schultz, Psy.D., a...
Oula's collaborative care model demonstrates how integrating midwives and OBGYNs creates better outcomes for patients and providers. BROOKLYN, N.Y., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Oula, a collaborative maternity care practice that provides comprehensive gynecology and pregnancy care,...
Dedicated to the Pickleball Community, Brand Expands Product Line with Additional Format Option MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Compass Health Brands today announced the expansion of its Picklebalm™ product line with the introduction of Pain Relief Spray,...
The Hackensack Meridian Building, a healthcare center at MetroPark in Hackensack, New Jersey, welcomed its first patients in March 2025. PENETRON ADMIX SB, a crystalline waterproofing admixture, was specified to provide long-term protection from high groundwater levels for the center's...
HepQuant, a leader in developing noninvasive, blood-based, quantitative testing to assess liver health, presented oral and poster data findings at the 2026-MASH-TAG conference January 8-10, 2026, Park City, UT. The presentation by Dr. Gregory T. Everson titled "Understanding the...
This Signals a Transformational Leap Forward for the Company and the Future of Diagnostic Medicine IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- EmeritusDX, one of the nation's fastest growing leaders in cancer diagnostics molecular testing hematopathology and precision medicine,...
Collective of athletes, footwear designers, and movement experts introduce NAMU, a recovery brand shaped by real athletic needs LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- NAMU, an athlete founded recovery brand dedicated to restoring natural movement after training and competition,...
Norstella, a leading global provider of pharma intelligence solutions, announced today that healthcare industry leader Fred Hassan has been appointed Executive Chair. NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Industry leader to help guide growth of parent company to Citeline,...
Optimizing Clinical Outcomes for Patients WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Clinical ink announces an exclusive perpetual license agreement with Observia to offer the SPUR™ Adherence Solution for US patients with cardiometabolic disease, expanding our existing...
Mirabo Biotechnology and CMP Scientific announced a strategic partnership to co-develop an AI-powered, automated CE-MS platform for the analysis and prediction of antibody clipping variants and post-translational modifications (PTMs). By integrating CMP's CE-MS expertise with Mirabo's...
The Magnetic Universal Adaptor (MUA) adds magnetic KDC SmartSled integration to compatible smartphones, enabling professional barcode scanning and RFID without a dedicated case. Supporting fast pairing and KDC1000/1100/1200 charging cradles, it offers a flexible, future-ready solution for...
Veteran managed care leader brings deep experience across health systems and MSO platforms to support CVL's continued growth LAFAYETTE, La., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Cardiovascular Logistics (CVL), a leading physician-led cardiovascular platform, has appointed Nancy Probst as...
Acquisition solidifies footprint across eight sites of care in Tennessee, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Ohio NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Albaron Partners, a lower middle market healthcare private equity firm, has completed the acquisition of an infusion franchisee platform...
Today, the conflict in Sudan reaches its 1000th day, with over 20 million people requiring health assistance and 21 million desperately needing food.
Nearly three years of continuous violence, severe access constraints, and reduced funding have turned Sudan into the worst humanitarian crisis globally. An estimated 33.7 million people will need humanitarian aid this year.
The health system has been severely damaged by ongoing fighting, increasingly deadly attacks on health care, mass displacement, lack of essential medical supplies, and shortages of health personnel and funding. Despite sustained efforts by WHO and partners to restore and revive health services across the country, more than one third of health facilities (37%) remain non-functional, depriving millions of people of essential and lifesaving health services.
Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, WHO has verified 201 attacks on health care, resulting in 1858 deaths and 490 injuries. These attacks, which violate international humanitarian law, undermine access to lifesaving care and put health care workers, patients and caregivers at grave risk.
“One thousand days of conflict in Sudan have driven the health system to the brink of collapse. Under the strain of disease, hunger and a lack of access to basic services, people face a devastating situation,” said WHO Representative in Sudan, Dr Shible Sahbani. “WHO is doing what we can, where we can, and we know we are saving lives and rebuilding the health system. Despite the challenges, we are also working on recovery of the health system.”
The level of displacement is unprecedented. An estimated 13.6 million people are currently displaced, making Sudan the largest displacement crisis in the world. Fueled by poor living conditions, overcrowding in displacement sites, disrupted health and water, sanitation and hygiene services, and a breakdown of routine immunization, disease outbreaks are spreading, compounding the crisis. WHO is currently supporting the response to outbreaks of cholera, dengue, malaria, and measles, with cholera being reported from all 18 states, dengue from 14 states, and malaria from 16 states. Access to preventive and curative care, including for the management of chronic conditions and severe malnutrition, remains limited.
WHO works with Sudan’s Federal and State Ministries of Health and partners to improve access to critical health services across Sudan and rehabilitate the health system. Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, WHO has delivered 3378 metric tons of medicines and medical supplies worth about US$ 40 million, including diagnostic supplies, treatments for malnutrition, and diseases such as cholera, malaria, dengue, and emergency surgery, to 48 health partners for lifesaving operations. About 24 million people have received cholera vaccinations, and WHO has supported the country to introduce and scale up malaria vaccines. Additionally, more than 3.3 million people have accessed health care at WHO-supported hospitals, primary health care facilities, and temporary mobile clinics. More than 112 400 children with severe acute malnutrition with medical complications have received treatment at functional stabilization centres, all of which receive lifesaving WHO nutrition supplies. State and National public health laboratories have been equipped and strengthened to confirm disease outbreaks and enable a rapid response.
“As the relentless conflict renders some areas inaccessible, particularly in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, the population’s health needs continue to increase,” Dr Sahbani said. “To meet these mounting needs and prevent the crisis from spiraling out of hand, WHO and humanitarian partners require safe and unimpeded access to all areas of Sudan, and increased financial resources.”
Ultimately, WHO calls parties to the conflict to urgently work towards a ceasefire and peace for the people of Sudan.
The second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, jointly organized with the Government of India, concluded today in New Delhi, marking a major milestone for global health as it drew over 16 000 online registrations and brought together 800 delegates from more than 100 countries, including ministers from over 20 nations. Combined with a strong line up of 160 speakers, the global traditional medicine community shared insights on how traditional medicine (TM) can strengthen health systems with more safe, evidence-based, and affordable care.
The energy in Delhi was palpable as ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and practitioners came together to advance the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034. The Summit was not just about dialogue – it was about action. WHO unveiled the Traditional Medicine Global Library, a first-of-its-kind digital platform consolidating 1.6 million resources on TM, from scientific studies to Indigenous knowledge. With advanced features like Evidence Gap Maps and an AI-powered tool, TMGL GPT, the Library promises to transform access to trusted information and accelerate research worldwide.
Innovation took centre stage with the launch of Health & Heritage Innovations (H2I), an initiative to nurture breakthrough ideas that bridge traditional practices with cutting-edge technologies such as AI, genomics, and digital health. From over 1000 submissions, 21 finalists were announced at the Summit and will enter a year-long acceleration programme to refine prototypes, receive scientific and regulatory guidance, and connect with policy-makers and investors.
WHO also announced the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (STAG-TM), a new advisory body to guide the Global Strategy. Comprised of 19 independent experts, STAG-TM will shape research priorities, develop standards, and advise on integration into health systems. At its inaugural meeting during the Summit, the group set urgent priorities: evidence generation, preservation of traditional knowledge, digital innovation, and capacity building.
Countries rallied behind the Delhi Declaration, with commitments from 26 Member States, signaling a new era for traditional medicine. This collective pledge focuses on integrating traditional medicine into primary health care, strengthening regulation and safety standards, investing in research, and building interoperable data systems to track outcomes. It’s a shift from recognition to results – ensuring traditional medicine is not a parallel system but a driver of universal health coverage.
“Through the Delhi Commitment, countries have agreed not only on why traditional medicine matters – but on how to act,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Traditional medicine can help to address many of the threats to health of our modern world: the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases; inequitable access to health services; and climate change. It can help to support care that is person-centred, culturally grounded, and holistic.”
Looking ahead, WHO will work with Member States to turn these commitments into reality– scaling access to trusted knowledge, accelerating innovation, and embedding TM into health systems everywhere. The Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 charts a bold course toward a future where care is more inclusive, culturally grounded, and resilient.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Brazil for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, making it the most populous country in the Americas to achieve this historic milestone. This accomplishment reflects Brazil’s long-standing commitment to universal and free access to health services through its Unified Health System (SUS), anchored in a strong primary health-care system and respect for human rights.
“Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a major public health achievement for any country, especially for a country as large and complex as Brazil,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Brazil has shown that with sustained political commitment and equitable access to quality health services, every country can ensure that every child is born free of HIV and every mother receives the care she deserves.”
The milestone was marked during a ceremony in Brasília, attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha, and the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Dr Jarbas Barbosa, along with representatives from UNAIDS.
Meeting validation criteria
Brazil met all the criteria for EMTCT validation, including reducing vertical transmission of HIV to below 2% and achieving over 95% coverage for prenatal care, routine HIV testing, and timely treatment for pregnant women living with HIV. In addition to meeting the targets of the validation, Brazil demonstrated the delivery of quality services for mothers and their infants, robust data and laboratory systems, and a strong commitment to human rights, gender equality and community engagement.
The country implemented a progressive, subnational approach by first certifying states and municipalities with over 100 000 inhabitants, adapting the PAHO/WHO validation methodology to its national context while maintaining coherence across the country.
The evaluation, supported by PAHO, was conducted by independent experts who reviewed data, documentation, and health facility operations. Findings were then assessed by WHO’s Global Validation Advisory Committee, which formally recommended Brazil’s validation for elimination.
“This achievement shows that eliminating vertical transmission of HIV is possible when pregnant women know their HIV status, receive timely treatment, and have access to maternal health services and safe delivery,” said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO. “It is also the result of the tireless dedication of thousands of health professionals, community health workers, and civil society organizations. Every day, they sustain the continuity of care, identify obstacles, and work to overcome them, ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations can access essential health services."
Part of a broader initiative
Over the past decade (2015-2024), more than 50 000 pediatric HIV infections have been averted in the Region of the Americas as a result of the implementation of the initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Brazil’s success is part of the broader EMTCT Plus Initiative, which seeks to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and congenital Chagas, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNAIDS. It is embedded within PAHO’s Elimination Initiative, a regional effort to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030.
"I am delighted that Brazil has just been certified by WHO/PAHO for eliminating vertical transmission – the first country of more than 100 million people to do so,” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director. “And they did it by doing what we know works –prioritizing universal health care, tackling the social determinants that drive the epidemic, protecting human rights, and even – when necessary – breaking monopolies to secure access to medicines."
Global context
Brazil is one of 19 countries and territories worldwide that have been validated by WHO for EMTCT. Twelve of these are in the Region of the Americas. In 2015, Cuba became the first country in the world to be validated for EMTCT of HIV and the elimination of congenital syphilis. Other countries in the Region include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2017; Dominica in 2020; Belize in 2023; and Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024.
Outside the Americas, countries validated for EMTCT of HIV include Armenia, Belarus, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The World Health Organization (WHO)’s Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, jointly organized with the Government of India, opens today, bringing together government ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and practitioners from more than 100 countries. The Summit is expected to announce major scientific initiatives and new commitments aimed at advancing the implementation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, centred on stronger evidence, better regulation, systems integration, collaboration and community engagement.
Traditional medicine (TM) encompasses codified and non-codified systems that predate biomedicine and have continued to evolve for contemporary use. For many, TM remains the main source of health care—locally accessible, affordable and bio-culturally aligned—and for many more, it is a preferred, personalized and more natural health option. Nearly 90% of WHO Member States (170 out of 194) report that 40–90% of their populations use TM.
“WHO is committed to uniting the wisdom of millennia with the power of modern science and technology to realise the vision of health for all,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “By engaging responsibly, ethically, and equitably, and by harnessing innovation from AI to genomics, we can unlock the potential of traditional medicine to deliver safer, smarter, and more sustainable health solutions for every community and for our planet.”
Strengthening evidence, regulation and integration of TM into health systems
In a world facing increasing challenges to health systems, nearly half of the global population – 4.6 billion – lack access to essential health services, while a quarter – over 2 billion people – experience financial hardship to access health care. Integrating TM into health systems is critical to expanding access and choice to affordable, people-centred health care and advancing UHC, ensuring everyone can receive health care they need without financial strain.
Emerging evidence indicates that integrating TM into health systems can deliver cost efficiencies and improve health outcomes. Such integration emphasizes prevention and health promotion, contributing to broader health benefits such as more appropriate use of antibiotics.
Achieving effective integration requires robust science, global standards for quality and safety, and strong regulatory mechanisms. “We need to apply the same scientific rigour to the assessment and validation of biomedicine and traditional medicines, while respecting biodiversity, cultural specificities and ethical principles,” said Dr Sylvie Briand, WHO Chief Scientist. “Stronger collaborations and frontier technologies – such as AI, genomics, systems biology, neurosciences and advanced data analytics – can transform how we study and apply traditional medicine.”
Advancing innovation, investment and sustainable benefits
TM underpins fast-growing global industries, such as herbal medicines. All TM formulations, and more than half of biomedical pharmaceuticals, originate from natural resources, which remain a vital source for new drug discovery. Indigenous Peoples safeguard around 40% of the world’s biodiversity while representing just 6% of the global population. Advancing TM requires addressing Indigenous rights, fair trade, and benefit-sharing considerations.
Despite TM’s widespread use and vital role in stewarding natural resources for health and well-being, less than 1% of global health research funding is dedicated to TM. To help close the knowledge and research gaps, WHO is launching the Traditional Medicine Global Library, the first of its kind, featuring more than 1.6 million scientific records spanning research, policies, regulations and thematic collections on diverse TM applications.
Developed in response to calls by Heads of State during G20 and BRICS meetings in 2023, the Library also provides equitable online access to peer-reviewed content for institutions in lower-income countries through the Research4Life initiative. It also supports countries in documenting TM with intellectual property protections and in building scientific capacity to drive innovation.
“Advancing traditional medicine is an evidence-based, ethical and environmental imperative,” said Dr Shyama Kuruvilla, Director a.i. of WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre. “The Global Summit fosters the conditions and collaborations required for TM to contribute at scale to the flourishing of all people and the planet.”
The Summit (17–19 December 2025, New Delhi) will also announce new commitments from governments and other stakeholders, alongside a call for a global consortium to address systemic gaps and accelerate implementation of the Global TM Strategy at scale.