After US Embassy Monitors Went Offline, Air Pollution Spiked in Parts of Africa and Asia 24/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy New research found that after the US administration suspended its embassy air pollution monitoring initiative, air pollution increased by 23-33%, particularly in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where reliable monitoring data is scarce. The US’s abrupt shutdown of its embassy air pollution monitoring program in 2025 hit regions with little publicly available data the hardest, […] Continue reading -> US Medicare Pricing Policies Could Drive Global Costs and Hinder Access Worldwide 18/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A new modelling study suggests that US Medicare “Most-Favored-Nation” policies on drug prices would cut Medicare spending on brand-name drugs, but potentially incentivize companies to increase prices or delay new drug launches elsewhere. Efforts to control the cost of government spending on drugs culminated in a Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) policy, a Trump administration initiative which ties […] Continue reading -> Twenty Five Years After 9/11 Attacks, New Center To Uncover Impact on Youngest Survivors 11/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A new CDC research center aims to better understand the possible health effects of those 21 years or younger at the time of their 9/11 exposure. For the past two decades, the World Trade Center (WTC) health program has pioneered research exploring the health effects of people exposed to the toxic dust and trauma of […] Continue reading -> US Proposal to Eliminate PAHO Funding Raises Alarm Over Health Security in Americas 03/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A group of senior national security and health officials contend that cutting funding to the regional health organization will cripple the Western hemisphere’s ability to defend itself against disease threats. The oldest multilateral health organization in the world, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is fighting many of the same health threats it did at […] Continue reading -> Five Years after Landmark Diabetes Initiative: Cause to Celebrate but Even More to Accomplish 08/06/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Global Diabetes Compact aims to improve diagnosis, care, and access to life-saving medications for those with diabetes. Already, countries in high-burden regions have improved along these key metrics. But as the number of people living with diabetes is projected to increase nearly 50% globally by 2050, much more needs to be accomplished. In a […] Continue reading -> Historic WHA Resolution on Fatty Liver Disease Opens Door for Integration into National NCD Strategies 29/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Steatotic liver disease (SLD) was recognized as a “missing piece” of the global noncommunicable disease response in a milestone World Health Assembly resolution last week. With countries making extraordinary progress in combating viral hepatitis, SLD, formerly known as fatty liver disease, is now the fastest-growing chronic liver disease – but far less recognized. Experts and […] Continue reading -> Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Decades After Ottawa Charter on Determinants of Health, a Question of Combating Commercial Influences 24/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Three emerging threats to health: the commercial, digital, and climate determinants of health played centre stage at an event 40 years after a WHO charter shifted the focus of health from individual lifestyle choices to broader social and environmental determinants. Commercial formula company practices are just one case study of how structural factors like marketing […] Continue reading -> Indoor Air Pollution: The Invisible Health Risk to Children, Older People and Vulnerable Groups 22/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy While the health harms of biomass cookstoves, and the smoke they produce inside the homes of developing countries has received significant attention in the past two decades, a wide range of chemical and pathogenic air pollutants create hazards in modern homes and buildings – also threatening health. Investments in ventilation, air filtration, monitoring, and clean […] Continue reading -> ‘A String of Erratic Decisions’: National Science Foundation Advisory Board is Abruptly Dismissed 28/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The White House has fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the group that advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), in what some observers described as another example of the Trump Administration’s ‘blunt force approach’ to reshaping the nation’s science-based institutions. As of Monday evening, the White House still had not provided […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
US Medicare Pricing Policies Could Drive Global Costs and Hinder Access Worldwide 18/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A new modelling study suggests that US Medicare “Most-Favored-Nation” policies on drug prices would cut Medicare spending on brand-name drugs, but potentially incentivize companies to increase prices or delay new drug launches elsewhere. Efforts to control the cost of government spending on drugs culminated in a Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) policy, a Trump administration initiative which ties […] Continue reading -> Twenty Five Years After 9/11 Attacks, New Center To Uncover Impact on Youngest Survivors 11/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A new CDC research center aims to better understand the possible health effects of those 21 years or younger at the time of their 9/11 exposure. For the past two decades, the World Trade Center (WTC) health program has pioneered research exploring the health effects of people exposed to the toxic dust and trauma of […] Continue reading -> US Proposal to Eliminate PAHO Funding Raises Alarm Over Health Security in Americas 03/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A group of senior national security and health officials contend that cutting funding to the regional health organization will cripple the Western hemisphere’s ability to defend itself against disease threats. The oldest multilateral health organization in the world, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is fighting many of the same health threats it did at […] Continue reading -> Five Years after Landmark Diabetes Initiative: Cause to Celebrate but Even More to Accomplish 08/06/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Global Diabetes Compact aims to improve diagnosis, care, and access to life-saving medications for those with diabetes. Already, countries in high-burden regions have improved along these key metrics. But as the number of people living with diabetes is projected to increase nearly 50% globally by 2050, much more needs to be accomplished. In a […] Continue reading -> Historic WHA Resolution on Fatty Liver Disease Opens Door for Integration into National NCD Strategies 29/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Steatotic liver disease (SLD) was recognized as a “missing piece” of the global noncommunicable disease response in a milestone World Health Assembly resolution last week. With countries making extraordinary progress in combating viral hepatitis, SLD, formerly known as fatty liver disease, is now the fastest-growing chronic liver disease – but far less recognized. Experts and […] Continue reading -> Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Decades After Ottawa Charter on Determinants of Health, a Question of Combating Commercial Influences 24/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Three emerging threats to health: the commercial, digital, and climate determinants of health played centre stage at an event 40 years after a WHO charter shifted the focus of health from individual lifestyle choices to broader social and environmental determinants. Commercial formula company practices are just one case study of how structural factors like marketing […] Continue reading -> Indoor Air Pollution: The Invisible Health Risk to Children, Older People and Vulnerable Groups 22/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy While the health harms of biomass cookstoves, and the smoke they produce inside the homes of developing countries has received significant attention in the past two decades, a wide range of chemical and pathogenic air pollutants create hazards in modern homes and buildings – also threatening health. Investments in ventilation, air filtration, monitoring, and clean […] Continue reading -> ‘A String of Erratic Decisions’: National Science Foundation Advisory Board is Abruptly Dismissed 28/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The White House has fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the group that advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), in what some observers described as another example of the Trump Administration’s ‘blunt force approach’ to reshaping the nation’s science-based institutions. As of Monday evening, the White House still had not provided […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Twenty Five Years After 9/11 Attacks, New Center To Uncover Impact on Youngest Survivors 11/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A new CDC research center aims to better understand the possible health effects of those 21 years or younger at the time of their 9/11 exposure. For the past two decades, the World Trade Center (WTC) health program has pioneered research exploring the health effects of people exposed to the toxic dust and trauma of […] Continue reading -> US Proposal to Eliminate PAHO Funding Raises Alarm Over Health Security in Americas 03/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A group of senior national security and health officials contend that cutting funding to the regional health organization will cripple the Western hemisphere’s ability to defend itself against disease threats. The oldest multilateral health organization in the world, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is fighting many of the same health threats it did at […] Continue reading -> Five Years after Landmark Diabetes Initiative: Cause to Celebrate but Even More to Accomplish 08/06/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Global Diabetes Compact aims to improve diagnosis, care, and access to life-saving medications for those with diabetes. Already, countries in high-burden regions have improved along these key metrics. But as the number of people living with diabetes is projected to increase nearly 50% globally by 2050, much more needs to be accomplished. In a […] Continue reading -> Historic WHA Resolution on Fatty Liver Disease Opens Door for Integration into National NCD Strategies 29/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Steatotic liver disease (SLD) was recognized as a “missing piece” of the global noncommunicable disease response in a milestone World Health Assembly resolution last week. With countries making extraordinary progress in combating viral hepatitis, SLD, formerly known as fatty liver disease, is now the fastest-growing chronic liver disease – but far less recognized. Experts and […] Continue reading -> Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Decades After Ottawa Charter on Determinants of Health, a Question of Combating Commercial Influences 24/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Three emerging threats to health: the commercial, digital, and climate determinants of health played centre stage at an event 40 years after a WHO charter shifted the focus of health from individual lifestyle choices to broader social and environmental determinants. Commercial formula company practices are just one case study of how structural factors like marketing […] Continue reading -> Indoor Air Pollution: The Invisible Health Risk to Children, Older People and Vulnerable Groups 22/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy While the health harms of biomass cookstoves, and the smoke they produce inside the homes of developing countries has received significant attention in the past two decades, a wide range of chemical and pathogenic air pollutants create hazards in modern homes and buildings – also threatening health. Investments in ventilation, air filtration, monitoring, and clean […] Continue reading -> ‘A String of Erratic Decisions’: National Science Foundation Advisory Board is Abruptly Dismissed 28/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The White House has fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the group that advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), in what some observers described as another example of the Trump Administration’s ‘blunt force approach’ to reshaping the nation’s science-based institutions. As of Monday evening, the White House still had not provided […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
US Proposal to Eliminate PAHO Funding Raises Alarm Over Health Security in Americas 03/09/2026 Sophia Samantaroy A group of senior national security and health officials contend that cutting funding to the regional health organization will cripple the Western hemisphere’s ability to defend itself against disease threats. The oldest multilateral health organization in the world, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is fighting many of the same health threats it did at […] Continue reading -> Five Years after Landmark Diabetes Initiative: Cause to Celebrate but Even More to Accomplish 08/06/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Global Diabetes Compact aims to improve diagnosis, care, and access to life-saving medications for those with diabetes. Already, countries in high-burden regions have improved along these key metrics. But as the number of people living with diabetes is projected to increase nearly 50% globally by 2050, much more needs to be accomplished. In a […] Continue reading -> Historic WHA Resolution on Fatty Liver Disease Opens Door for Integration into National NCD Strategies 29/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Steatotic liver disease (SLD) was recognized as a “missing piece” of the global noncommunicable disease response in a milestone World Health Assembly resolution last week. With countries making extraordinary progress in combating viral hepatitis, SLD, formerly known as fatty liver disease, is now the fastest-growing chronic liver disease – but far less recognized. Experts and […] Continue reading -> Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Decades After Ottawa Charter on Determinants of Health, a Question of Combating Commercial Influences 24/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Three emerging threats to health: the commercial, digital, and climate determinants of health played centre stage at an event 40 years after a WHO charter shifted the focus of health from individual lifestyle choices to broader social and environmental determinants. Commercial formula company practices are just one case study of how structural factors like marketing […] Continue reading -> Indoor Air Pollution: The Invisible Health Risk to Children, Older People and Vulnerable Groups 22/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy While the health harms of biomass cookstoves, and the smoke they produce inside the homes of developing countries has received significant attention in the past two decades, a wide range of chemical and pathogenic air pollutants create hazards in modern homes and buildings – also threatening health. Investments in ventilation, air filtration, monitoring, and clean […] Continue reading -> ‘A String of Erratic Decisions’: National Science Foundation Advisory Board is Abruptly Dismissed 28/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The White House has fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the group that advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), in what some observers described as another example of the Trump Administration’s ‘blunt force approach’ to reshaping the nation’s science-based institutions. As of Monday evening, the White House still had not provided […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Five Years after Landmark Diabetes Initiative: Cause to Celebrate but Even More to Accomplish 08/06/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Global Diabetes Compact aims to improve diagnosis, care, and access to life-saving medications for those with diabetes. Already, countries in high-burden regions have improved along these key metrics. But as the number of people living with diabetes is projected to increase nearly 50% globally by 2050, much more needs to be accomplished. In a […] Continue reading -> Historic WHA Resolution on Fatty Liver Disease Opens Door for Integration into National NCD Strategies 29/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Steatotic liver disease (SLD) was recognized as a “missing piece” of the global noncommunicable disease response in a milestone World Health Assembly resolution last week. With countries making extraordinary progress in combating viral hepatitis, SLD, formerly known as fatty liver disease, is now the fastest-growing chronic liver disease – but far less recognized. Experts and […] Continue reading -> Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Decades After Ottawa Charter on Determinants of Health, a Question of Combating Commercial Influences 24/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Three emerging threats to health: the commercial, digital, and climate determinants of health played centre stage at an event 40 years after a WHO charter shifted the focus of health from individual lifestyle choices to broader social and environmental determinants. Commercial formula company practices are just one case study of how structural factors like marketing […] Continue reading -> Indoor Air Pollution: The Invisible Health Risk to Children, Older People and Vulnerable Groups 22/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy While the health harms of biomass cookstoves, and the smoke they produce inside the homes of developing countries has received significant attention in the past two decades, a wide range of chemical and pathogenic air pollutants create hazards in modern homes and buildings – also threatening health. Investments in ventilation, air filtration, monitoring, and clean […] Continue reading -> ‘A String of Erratic Decisions’: National Science Foundation Advisory Board is Abruptly Dismissed 28/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The White House has fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the group that advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), in what some observers described as another example of the Trump Administration’s ‘blunt force approach’ to reshaping the nation’s science-based institutions. As of Monday evening, the White House still had not provided […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Historic WHA Resolution on Fatty Liver Disease Opens Door for Integration into National NCD Strategies 29/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Steatotic liver disease (SLD) was recognized as a “missing piece” of the global noncommunicable disease response in a milestone World Health Assembly resolution last week. With countries making extraordinary progress in combating viral hepatitis, SLD, formerly known as fatty liver disease, is now the fastest-growing chronic liver disease – but far less recognized. Experts and […] Continue reading -> Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Decades After Ottawa Charter on Determinants of Health, a Question of Combating Commercial Influences 24/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Three emerging threats to health: the commercial, digital, and climate determinants of health played centre stage at an event 40 years after a WHO charter shifted the focus of health from individual lifestyle choices to broader social and environmental determinants. Commercial formula company practices are just one case study of how structural factors like marketing […] Continue reading -> Indoor Air Pollution: The Invisible Health Risk to Children, Older People and Vulnerable Groups 22/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy While the health harms of biomass cookstoves, and the smoke they produce inside the homes of developing countries has received significant attention in the past two decades, a wide range of chemical and pathogenic air pollutants create hazards in modern homes and buildings – also threatening health. Investments in ventilation, air filtration, monitoring, and clean […] Continue reading -> ‘A String of Erratic Decisions’: National Science Foundation Advisory Board is Abruptly Dismissed 28/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The White House has fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the group that advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), in what some observers described as another example of the Trump Administration’s ‘blunt force approach’ to reshaping the nation’s science-based institutions. As of Monday evening, the White House still had not provided […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Longer Pollen Seasons, Extreme Heat and Wildfires – The Climate Change Cost to Lung Health 25/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The growing impact of climate change on respiratory health, including through longer pollen seasons, wildfires and more exterme heat, was the focus of an high-level event on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, organized by the Geneva Health Forum and Health Diplomacy Alliance. The event followed on the heels of a […] Continue reading -> Decades After Ottawa Charter on Determinants of Health, a Question of Combating Commercial Influences 24/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Three emerging threats to health: the commercial, digital, and climate determinants of health played centre stage at an event 40 years after a WHO charter shifted the focus of health from individual lifestyle choices to broader social and environmental determinants. Commercial formula company practices are just one case study of how structural factors like marketing […] Continue reading -> Indoor Air Pollution: The Invisible Health Risk to Children, Older People and Vulnerable Groups 22/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy While the health harms of biomass cookstoves, and the smoke they produce inside the homes of developing countries has received significant attention in the past two decades, a wide range of chemical and pathogenic air pollutants create hazards in modern homes and buildings – also threatening health. Investments in ventilation, air filtration, monitoring, and clean […] Continue reading -> ‘A String of Erratic Decisions’: National Science Foundation Advisory Board is Abruptly Dismissed 28/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The White House has fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the group that advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), in what some observers described as another example of the Trump Administration’s ‘blunt force approach’ to reshaping the nation’s science-based institutions. As of Monday evening, the White House still had not provided […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Decades After Ottawa Charter on Determinants of Health, a Question of Combating Commercial Influences 24/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Three emerging threats to health: the commercial, digital, and climate determinants of health played centre stage at an event 40 years after a WHO charter shifted the focus of health from individual lifestyle choices to broader social and environmental determinants. Commercial formula company practices are just one case study of how structural factors like marketing […] Continue reading -> Indoor Air Pollution: The Invisible Health Risk to Children, Older People and Vulnerable Groups 22/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy While the health harms of biomass cookstoves, and the smoke they produce inside the homes of developing countries has received significant attention in the past two decades, a wide range of chemical and pathogenic air pollutants create hazards in modern homes and buildings – also threatening health. Investments in ventilation, air filtration, monitoring, and clean […] Continue reading -> ‘A String of Erratic Decisions’: National Science Foundation Advisory Board is Abruptly Dismissed 28/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The White House has fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the group that advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), in what some observers described as another example of the Trump Administration’s ‘blunt force approach’ to reshaping the nation’s science-based institutions. As of Monday evening, the White House still had not provided […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Indoor Air Pollution: The Invisible Health Risk to Children, Older People and Vulnerable Groups 22/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy While the health harms of biomass cookstoves, and the smoke they produce inside the homes of developing countries has received significant attention in the past two decades, a wide range of chemical and pathogenic air pollutants create hazards in modern homes and buildings – also threatening health. Investments in ventilation, air filtration, monitoring, and clean […] Continue reading -> ‘A String of Erratic Decisions’: National Science Foundation Advisory Board is Abruptly Dismissed 28/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The White House has fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the group that advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), in what some observers described as another example of the Trump Administration’s ‘blunt force approach’ to reshaping the nation’s science-based institutions. As of Monday evening, the White House still had not provided […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
‘A String of Erratic Decisions’: National Science Foundation Advisory Board is Abruptly Dismissed 28/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The White House has fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the group that advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), in what some observers described as another example of the Trump Administration’s ‘blunt force approach’ to reshaping the nation’s science-based institutions. As of Monday evening, the White House still had not provided […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts