NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Next steps to improve flood resilience for the Wairau community

    Source: Auckland Council

    Auckland Council is looking to progress a comprehensive flood resilience (blue-green) network to significantly reduce flood risks across the Wairau catchment in Auckland’s North Shore.

    A proposed business case for design, consenting and early enabling works for improved flood resilience in Wairau will be presented to the Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee on 3 April.

    The decision at the committee will enable design and consenting required for this work to begin – a further business case will be required before full delivery of the project can progress.

    Protecting against future flooding

    As part of this broader initiative, AF Thomas Park (home to Takapuna Golf Course and other recreational facilities) is being considered for redevelopment into a recreational flood storage wetland, detention basin and overland flow path. In this proposed option the park would remain a critical recreational asset whilst forming the cornerstone of a blue-green network.

    North Shore Ward Councillor Richard Hills acknowledges that potential changes to the park is a tough conversation for the current users of the park but says this is about protecting against future flooding and potential loss of life and property.

    “The Wairau Valley, Milford, Sunnynook and Tōtara Vale make up the worst affected area from the January 2023 floods,” says Cr Hills.

    “This area experienced tragic loss of life alongside tens of millions of dollars in property damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and community facilities – volunteers rescued 69 people in the Wairau Valley alone.

    “We asked council staff to investigate all possible options to help reduce the flooding impacts and staff strongly believe the options presented in the business case are the best opportunities to ensure long-term flood resilience against future events.

    “I understand potential changes to AF Thomas Park is upsetting to our golfing community and those further afield that regularly use this course. As part of the design process, the council and local boards will work with the community, to understand the future public use of the reserve, alongside providing much needed flood protection and safety for our community.

    “And I’d like to thank all those involved, including central government, the local boards, Mayor and councillors, who all back this option to go forward to business case and consultation stages.”

    What is being proposed?

    As part of the Making Space for Water programme, co-funded by local and central government, a comprehensive blue-green network for the Wairau Valley is proposed.

    This aims to integrate multiple flood management systems to restore natural processes, enhance drainage, and create recreational spaces that serve as flood storage areas during extreme weather events.

    The current business case covers two stages of works as part of a long-term holistic approach to reducing flooding risks across the Wairau catchment.

    Taking a phased approach ensures that the needs of the community are considered and that the project aligns with their vision for a safer and more resilient Wairau Valley.

    Stage 1 Initiatives

    The first stage of the Wairau catchment blue-green network focuses on the design and consenting of critical flood management infrastructure at AF Thomas Park.

    • This stage includes the development of a recreational flood storage wetland and detention basin.
    • This will act as a natural sponge to capture and hold excess water during heavy rain events.
    • By slowing the flow of water and releasing it gradually, this system reduces pressure on surrounding areas prone to flooding.

    Stage 2 Initiatives

    Stage 2 of the proposed blue-green network will focus on several key initiatives in and around land being acquired as part of the Category 3 buy-out programme in Milford and Tōtara Vale.

    • This will include improvements to informal overland flow paths, stream widening and daylighting to enhance natural flow.
    • In addition, some minor upgrades will be made to existing detention facilities.

    Upon completion of both stages, 261 dwellings and three large retirement villages will have flood risk reduced including 35 properties removed from high flood risk. Additionally, 3,900m² of commercial floor area will also see a reduced flood risk.

    This comprehensive network will also protect critical infrastructure such as key roads, power substations, and wastewater systems while providing vibrant recreational areas with walking paths and amenities, similar to Greenslade Reserve.

    “By enhancing flood resilience across the catchment, the project will support the safety, economic stability, and quality of life for the community,” says Cr Hills.

    How will this project reduce flooding?

    The Wairau Valley area suffered significant flooding during the severe weather events in early 2023 resulting in extensive flood damage to residential and commercial properties, including the Eventfinda Stadium. The Wairau Stream channel above and below AF Thomas Park could not convey the volume of water during the event, putting a high number of properties at risk.

    Tom Mansell, Auckland Council Head of Sustainable Partnerships (Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience) explains the reasons that this first stage is a critical step for the Wairau blue-green network.

    “The redevelopment of the park would provide the equivalent to 220 Olympic-sized swimming pools or 550 million litres of water storage in a flood event, which is a significant increase from the park’s current 60 million litre capacity,” says Mr Mansell.

    This would protect downstream residential properties as well as road flooding to Nile, Waterloo and Alma Roads in Milford – which are access points for North Shore Hospital and Westlake Boys and Girls High Schools.”

    Working with the community

    Early engagement has informed the business case. This is just the first step amid a staged engagement approach and will not be the only opportunity for the community to be part of this significant project.

    “If this business case is approved by the council, there will be more opportunities for engagement and for the community to be involved in the design,” says Mr Mansell.

    “We will need to work collaboratively with mana whenua, a variety of funders and members of the community, taking a catchment-wide approach to ensure the right outcomes are achieved for the community over the short and long-term.”

    “As part of this work, we will engage with community and key stakeholders to review both the golfing and wider recreation needs of the North Shore. This will inform how we develop this space into a vibrant recreation area for the community to enjoy and there will be time to consider the full range of options. It’s really important that we get the balance right and we can only do that by working with the Wairau community.”

    Planning and prioritisation for future projects

    Many communities were heavily impacted by the severe weather events of early 2023. Further areas across Tāmaki Makaurau continue to be assessed and prioritised for future blue-green works.

    You can find out more information about these projects on the council’s website or you can reach out to the team at bluegreen@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

    About Making Space for Water

    The Making Space for Water programme includes a range of initiatives to reduce flood risk to Aucklanders. Part of this is building new flood resilient infrastructure to enhance stormwater assets and green spaces to deliver increased flood management.

    Auckland Council is sharing some of the cost of flood resilience projects with central government as part of a $2 billion co-funding agreement for storm recovery. These are subject to business case approvals from both the council and the government, and projects must demonstrate a flood risk reduction for the wider community, not just individual properties.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Safety changes driven by ACT party ideology

    Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

    Health and Safety changes driven by ACT party ideology, not evidence said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff.

    Changes to health and safety legislation proposed by the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden today comply with ACT party ideology, ignores the evidence, and will compound New Zealand’s dismal health and safety performance.

    “It’s disappointing to see the Minister has ignored the widespread consensus on what New Zealand needs to do to improve its poor track record and instead has chosen to carve out small businesses from good health and safety practices,” Wagstaff said.

    “Exempting small businesses from best practice health and safety makes no sense when we know that small business are riskier and need more support.

    “The Government seems to think the biggest obstacle to our poor productivity and health and safety outcomes is too many road cones. It’s no wonder New Zealand can’t get ahead when our leaders in Government seem so out of touch, and have no credible responses to these challenges.

    “Given the massive challenge we have as a country to improve our health and safety performance, it’s astounding the Minister would target the use of road cones and expect WorkSafe to focus its scarce time and energy on creating a hotline.

    “The Minister has been quick to cut support for important issues like modern slavery, and sat on her hands on other important health and safety concerns, like banning engineered stone. It would seem that this Government is more concerned about road cones than either of these issues.

    “What’s worse is that these changes are being justified on the basis of cutting red tape for economic growth. Good business know that proper health and safety is not a compliance cost.

    “On average there is a workplace fatality every week, another 20 are killed from occupational disease, and thousands more are incapacitated by injuries. Nothing in these proposals signals an intent to improve these numbers,” said Wagstaff. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study looking at the effect of 4:3 intermittent fasting versus calorie restriction on weight loss

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine looks at the effect of 4:3 intermittent fasting on weight loss. 

    Dr Maria Chondronikola, Principal Investigator and Lead for Human Nutrition, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, said:

    “This is an intriguing study on a topic that has attracted significant scientific and public interest. The study is of high quality and its conclusion regarding the effect of 3:4 IMF on weight loss is well-supported. The results indicate that the 3:4 IMF group achieved significantly greater weight loss after 12 months, most likely due to a greater reduction in calorie intake during the 12-month intervention. It remains unclear whether the superior improvements in marker of insulin sensitivity observed in the 3:4 IMF group were due to greater weight loss or if they resulted from a direct effect of intermittent fasting.

    “The press release does not fully capture the study’s findings with complete accuracy. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of blood pressure, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, or fasting glucose levels. This is not surprising, as the study was not specifically designed to assess the effects of 3:4 IMF on cardiometabolic health.

    “Nonetheless, it is possible that 3:4 IMF, when combined with an intensive behavioural support program led by a dietitian, may lead to superior weight loss outcomes compared to standard caloric restriction.”

     

    Dr Adam Collins, Associate Professor of Nutrition, University of Surrey, said:

    Does the press release accurately reflect the science?

    “The press release is lifted from the abstract, and so is a faithful summary of the study. However, it does not provide explanations or context for these findings.

    Is this good quality research?  Are the conclusions backed up by solid data?

    “The robustness of this study is in the administration of the two dietary approaches within a supported behavioural programme for weight loss.   The authors have also used an interesting objective measure of energy (calorie) deficit achieved across the intervention using estimates of energy expenditure and changes in body composition (fat and lean tissue).

    “The study’s main finding was that a 4:3 approach gives more weight loss than conventional calorie restriction,  despite participants prescribed the same overall calories.  Yet, this is not a magic property of the 4:3 approach per se, but because they achieved a bigger calorie deficit. The dietary intake data reveals some clues as to why this may be the case, based on what wasn’t measured, as much as what was.     Those assigned the 4:3 diet were only requested to record their intake on “fast” days, but we know from early studies on intermittent energy restriction (especially alternate day fasting), that there is a tendency for some people to eat less on non fast days too, whether that’s unconscious or subconscious.   Hence, measuring intake on fast days only may underestimate true intake. In contrast, adherence to continuous calorie restriction (i.e. every day) can be variable as seen from their dietary intake data.  Adherence to any diet over 6-12 months is challenging at the best of times, but this may explain why the 4:3 group were closer to the calorie deficit target overall. Nevertheless, it does support the notion that, in the real world, intermittent energy restriction protocols outperform conventional everyday calorie restriction both in terms of compliance and results (i.e weight loss).

    How does this work fit with the existing evidence?

    “Studies on this type of intervention are not new but it is interesting to see a recent study published on this 4:3 form of intermittent fasting, or more specifically, intermittent energy restriction (IER).  Especially given that interest in intermittent fasting has shifted  towards time restricted eating approaches (restricting eating windows to extend the “fast” within each 24 hour period). It reaffirms the fact that IER can be an effective and sustainable weight loss intervention. 

    When viewed in the round, you could argue that the difference in weight loss between these groups is not that large, given this was over a 12 month intervention.   But it does allude  to a more interesting feature of intermittent fasting which is the independent metabolic benefits it may provide.   Indeed, this has been a focus of our studies in this area.  A study we conducted 10 years ago,  similarly randomised participants to either continuous or intermittent energy restriction (a 5:2 protocol) of the same overall calorie prescription.  Crucially, follow up measurements were taken once participants had a 5% weight loss, to control for differences in weight lost.   The study was specifically powered to examine differences in markers of metabolic handling and health and suggested that the intermittent energy restricted approach gave more favourable improvements in metabolic handling of a meal. 

    Have the authors accounted for confounders?  Are there important limitations to be aware of?

    “The authors have been careful to caveat their findings within the limitations of their study, and have mainly focussed on the primary outcome of weight loss. They stress that the study was not powered for the secondary outcome measured related to cardiometabolic risk, nor that the findings can be generalised across the whole population,  as outcomes may vary  by gender, age, ethnicity, disease state, or underlying disorders or eating behaviours.

    What are the implications in the real world?  Is there any overspeculation?  

    “The research reaffirms that IER can be an effective and sustainable weight loss intervention, but within each group the extent of weight loss was highly variable, suggesting it may not be the best for everyone.  The authors themselves acknowledge this in their conclusion: “Future studies should evaluate biological and behavioural predictors of response to both 4:3 IMF and DCR to provide insight for personalization of dietary recommendations for weight loss”

    ‘The Effect of 4:3 Intermittent Fasting on Weight Loss at 12 Months’ by Catenacci et al. was published in Annals of Internal Medicine at 22:00 UK time on Monday 31st March. 

    Declared interests

    Dr Maria Chondronikola “I am currently leading a intervention study on the effects of time restricted eating in cardiometabolic health https://trestudy.org.uk/#:~:text=Dr.,in%20the%20UK%20and%20worldwide.”

    Dr Adam Collins “No conflicts of interest to declare on this”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Free open access needs to be the norm for Canadian research

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Richard Hayman, Associate Professor & Digital Initiatives Librarian, Mount Royal University

    Public access to research generates new ideas, informs policy decisions and fuels innovation and technological development. Open access to knowledge helps address social issues, enhance democracy and reduce inequality.

    These are key reasons why publicly funded research should be available to the public.

    Millions of research dollars

    The federal government’s 2024 budget shows that Canadian taxpayers have funded over $16 billion in research and development since 2016. Each year, millions of those research dollars flow from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

    These publicly funded federal agencies each offer unique grants and programs covering different research disciplines. When they work in unison, such as when setting research guidelines and policies that apply across all three agencies like the one described in this article, they are collectively known as the Tri-Agency. This money is an investment is Canada’s future, and researchers and their institutions rely on Tri-Agency funding to conduct and share their research.

    In 2015, the Tri-Agency implemented its open access (OA) policy requiring that most published research articles funded by Tri-Agency grants should be openly available in some format, and free to anyone anywhere, with no sharing or distribution restrictions.

    For Canadians and readers around the world, that means no subscription fees or paywalls. This mandate enshrined the principle that publicly funded research should be available to the public. It reached across disciplines by including research supported by all three funding bodies.

    Strengthening the open access mandate

    Following consultation with researchers, institutions, publishers, libraries, Indigenous advisers and others, the Tri-Agency released a draft revision of its open access policy in February 2025. This update explicitly mentions that Canadians at large are part of the research audience.

    Key improvements include eliminating the 12-month embargo period that allowed publishers to delay open access, and requiring researchers to use open copyright licenses (like Creative Commons). Authors must also maintain copyright over their works, including secondary publishing rights. Together these provisions ensure that research can be accessed, shared and used.

    The Tri-Agency plans to implement the new policy in January 2026, leaving some time for final revisions. This presents an opportunity to make the mandate even stronger.

    There is a need for researchers seeking national funding to commit to reporting on the openness of their research.
    (Shutterstock)

    Creating opportunities from open policy pitfalls

    Unfortunately, the revised policy repeats some mistakes from the past. Addressing just two key areas will improve accountability and transparency, and reinforce the commitment to making publicly funded research available to the public.

    1. Meaningful monitoring and reporting: A weakness in the existing and revised policy is a lack of effective compliance measures. Research evidence shows that mandating open access reinforces compliance compared to just recommending that authors to make their research open. Many Canadian researchers are meeting this mandate, but overall the Tri-Agency has a significant open access compliance problem.

    Even the Tri-Agency itself doesn’t know whether authors are meeting the current mandate.

    After a decade, the mandate doesn’t seem to be very effective. And nothing in the proposed revisions empowers authors or institutions to track and report on the open access status of their publications, or demonstrate they’ve met their open access expectations.



    Read more:
    Why we need open-source science innovation — not patents and paywalls

    Instead of repeating past shortcomings, a commitment to reporting and monitoring at organizational and Tri-Agency levels would help. There’s an opportunity here for collaboration.

    The Tri-Agency could commit to monitoring open access outcomes, and researchers seeking national funding could commit to reporting on the openness of their research. This would improve adherence, allow the Tri-Agency to highlight the benefits of public research funding, give Canadian researchers some time in the spotlight and strengthen public trust in our institutions.

    2. Reduce financial barriers and incentivize open access: Academic publishing is dominated by a small group of commercial scholarly publishers who profit by controlling access and distribution of research articles. These same publishers have successfully monetized open access by using article processing charges, or APCs.

    Under this model, authors must pay an extra publication fee to the journal to make their article open access, and many researchers are using research funds to pay expensive fees instead of directing that money toward more research. Similar to compliance rates, the Tri-Agency doesn’t know how much of their funding is being redirected to publishers as publication fees.

    These fees benefit for-profit publishers but are a barrier to research sharing. This is not the first call to remove the fees, and Canadian researchers themselves question whether research funds should be used to pay these costs. Worldwide, increasing publication costs are straining research funds and increasing inequities around who gets to publish.

    We have an opportunity to implement real change by requiring free open access in the updated mandate. With nearly 100 open research repositories registered in Canada, and over 13,000 fee-less journals registered in the Directory of Open Journals, paying to publish is unnecessary. The Tri-Agency could also limit the use of agency funding to pay these fees.

    Now is the time to act

    I am an academic librarian engaged in open publishing, and a researcher subject to the same funding mandate. In my professional opinion the policy updates prove that the Tri-Agency is committed to change.

    Now is the time to make the open access mandate stronger, by improved monitoring and by directing researchers toward free open access publishing options.

    The power to make these changes and put solutions in place all rests with the Tri-Agency. It’s in their hands. The fact that this policy is being revised right now means it’s the perfect time to explicitly support free and open access to research paid for by Canadians.

    As the Tri-Agency weighs feedback from recent public consultations, let us hope that policy-makers, universities, libraries, publishers and individual researchers will come together to make free and open access the norm.

    Richard Hayman has received SSHRC funding in the past. The views expressed here are his own and in no way influenced by SSHRC or any other organisation.

    – ref. Free open access needs to be the norm for Canadian research – https://theconversation.com/free-open-access-needs-to-be-the-norm-for-canadian-research-252584

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Recovery program opens, supports healing for people in northern B.C.

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    More people living with substance-use challenges now have access to treatment and recovery with the opening of the new Northern BC Therapeutic Community in Prince George.

    The recovery program has 25 publicly funded treatment and recovery beds and opened on March 13, 2025, following building renovations and program updates.

    “People living in B.C.’s northern communities need access to treatment and care as close to home as possible,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “As we expand services around the province, it is essential that people in remote communities can also connect with the right recovery options. These new beds in Prince George mean that more people will be able to access treatment and recovery services, while removing some of the significant barriers faced by people living in rural and remote communities.”

    The Northern BC Therapeutic Community is located 30 kilometres southwest of Prince George on the former Baldy Hughes site. It provides a safe environment for individuals to build community while focusing on recovery from substance-use challenges, and equips participants with the tools needed to sustain long-term success in their post-care journeys.  

    “When people need support in their recovery journey, every barrier removed helps them get closer to reaching their goals,” said Jonny Morris, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association of B.C. “The new publicly funded treatment and recovery beds will help people access the supports they need, while staying closer to home – closing the distance and removing the financial costs that could otherwise hold them back. We are grateful to work with the Province of B.C. and Connective Support Society in providing these accessible, life-changing supports.”

    The Therapeutic Community is operated by Connective, a community-based social services non-profit organization working throughout B.C. and Yukon to create safe, healthy and inclusive communities. Program stays will last between six and 12 months, with after-care services available for one year after program completion. This new holistic model focuses on rebuilding physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being using personal and social responsibility within the recovery community as a vehicle for growth and development.

    “As the toxic-drug crisis continues to cause tremendous harm in our communities, it is critical that we diversify the range of supports available for long-term recovery and stability,” said Mark Miller, CEO, Connective. “We are eager to offer this vital northern resource to those facing substance-use challenges, and to contribute our experience in response to this urgent and under-served need.”

    These 25 beds are part of the 180 publicly funded beds announced in January 2024 and surpasses that for a total of 190 beds. Since 2017, the Province has added more than 750 substance-use beds, bringing the total number of publicly funded substance-use beds throughout B.C. to 3,778.

    The Province is expanding treatment and recovery options in all regions of B.C. so more people can find the pathway to recovery that works for them. Adding bed-based services is one part of the government’s work to build up the entire continuum of mental-health and substance-use care for people to get the right support for them.

    Quotes:

    Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions –

    “The network of full-service support and care for people battling substance use is increasing in B.C. The opening of this therapeutic community removes an obstacle for people in northern communities seeking help and relief from substance-use challenges.”

    Debra Toporowski, parliamentary secretary for rural health –

    “No matter where people live in B.C., they should have access to treatment and recovery care. The opening of the Northern BC Therapeutic Community means that now people in northern B.C. have expanded access to treatment when they are ready to take the first courageous step in their recovery. These 25 beds represent hope and healing for people struggling with substance-use challenges and provide life-saving care for those seeking support.”

    Learn More:

    To find mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C., visit: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/

    To see the new data snapshot on mental health and substance use in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/mental-health/building_a_mental_health_and_substance_use_system_of_care_snapshot.pdf

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peritoneal Dialysis Set Correction: Baxter Issues Correction for MiniCap Extended Life Peritoneal Dialysis Transfer Sets Due to Risk of Patient Exposure to Higher Than Allowable Levels of Toxic Compound NDL-PCBA and/or NDL-PCBs

    Source: US Food and Drug Administration

    On February 20, 2025, Vantive (formerly Baxter Kidney Care) notified its customers that no PCBs were detected in MiniCap Extended Life PD transfer sets, and PCBAs were found at levels not posing a risk for patients over six months old for essential dialysis treatments. For patients under six months, health care providers should prioritize the use of platinum-cured silicone tubing or other alternatives that may be available. If no alternatives are available, health care providers should prioritize the use of shorter transfer sets.

    This recall involves correcting certain devices, and does not involve removing them from where they are used or sold. The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it without correction.
    Affected Product

    Product Name:

    MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp
    MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp – Extra Short

    Unique Device Identifier (UDI)/Product Code/Lot Numbers:

    MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp

    MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp – Extra Short

    What to Do

    Do not stop dialysis treatment or routine transfer set replacements for people who need them.

    On February 20, 2025, Vantive (formerly Baxter Kidney Care) notified its customers of the following recommendations:

    For patients younger than 6 months of age, health care providers should prioritize the use of platinum-cured silicone tubing sets or other alternatives that may be available.

    If no alternatives are available, health care providers should continue to connect the peroxide-cured silicone tubing sets and prioritize the use of shorter transfer sets.
    If the health care provider currently uses peroxide-cured silicone tubing for their patients, they do not need to have it replaced early, as data demonstrates that PCBA levels decrease over treatment time.

    For patients older than 6 months of age, health care providers are advised to continue using both the peroxide-cured silicone tubing version and/or the platinum-cured silicone tubing version of the MiniCap Extended Life PD transfer sets, as neither is anticipated to present safety risks related to PCB or PCBAs.

    On October 21, 2024, Baxter sent all affected customers an Important Medical Device Correction letter recommending the following actions:

    Continue providing dialysis treatments to patients as peritoneal dialysis systems are critical to patient care.
    Do not replace current MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Sets (those with peroxide cured silicone tubing) early as data demonstrates that PCB and PCBA levels decrease over treatment time.
    Use platinum-cured silicone tubing versions of the MiniCap Extended Life PD transfer sets once they are available.
    Acknowledge receipt of the notice on the customer portal at https://BaxterFieldActionCustomerPortal.onprocess.com if communication came directly from Baxter, even if you do not have any inventory.
    If product was purchased from a distributor, respond to the supplier according to their instructions.
    Forward a copy of this notice to any facilities that may have received this product.
    Dealers, wholesalers, distributor/resellers, and original equipment manufacturers that distributed product to facilities should notify customers of this notice and check the associated box in the customer portal.

    Reason for Correction
    Baxter is correcting MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Sets based on recent recalls by other manufacturers related to the potential risk of exposure to non-dioxin-like (NDL) polychlorinated biphenyl acids (PCBAs) and NDL polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) when using certain peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis devices. Baxter is in the process of evaluating whether the source of PCBAs and/or NDL PCBs in those recalls (the silicone tubing manufacturing process using a chlorinated peroxide initiator) is present in MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Sets. The company is also transitioning certain components in the sets from peroxide-cured silicone tubing to platinum-cured silicone tubing. NDL PCBAs and NDL PCBs are not detected in medical devices with this modified version of silicone tubing.
    The use of affected product may cause serious adverse health consequences months to years after exposure, including endocrine dysfunction, liver issues, neurobehavioral changes, skin problems (acne, rashes), male infertility, and death.
    There have been no reported injuries and no reports of death.
    Device Use
    The Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Sets are used during peritoneal dialysis therapy to transfer peritoneal dialysis solution to the patient catheter from the source solution bag.
    Contact Information
    Customers in the U.S. with questions about this recall should contact Baxter Renal Customer Care at 800-284-4060, press option 3.
    Additional FDA Resources

    FDA Letter to Health Care Providers
    Related FDA recall classification summaries

    FDA’s Enforcement Report Entries:

    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp EX Short, Part Number T5C4484; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number 5C4482; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number 5C4482EJ; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number 5C4482S; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number 5C4483; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number R5C4482; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number R5C4482E; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number R5C4483; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number R5C4484; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number T5C4482; use in Peritoneal Dialysis

    Medical Device Recall Database Entries:

    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp EX Short, Part Number T5C4484; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number 5C4482; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number 5C4482EJ; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number 5C4482S; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number 5C4483; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number R5C4482; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number R5C4482E; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number R5C4483; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number R5C4484; use in Peritoneal Dialysis
    Baxter MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Set with Twist Clamp, Part Number T5C4482; use in Peritoneal Dialysis

    Unique Device Identifier (UDI)
    The unique device identifier (UDI) helps identify individual medical devices sold in the United States from manufacturing through distribution to patient use. The UDI allows for more accurate reporting, reviewing, and analyzing of adverse event reports so that devices can be identified, and problems potentially corrected more quickly.

    How do I report a problem?
    Health care professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems they experienced using these devices to MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

    Content current as of:
    03/31/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Signs Bills Into Law Creating More Housing Coloradans Can Afford, Designating State Agaricus Julius, The Emperor Mushroom Formerly Known as Prince, as the State Mushroom

    Source: US State of Colorado

    Governor Polis also signed a law to increase healthcare access for children with disabilities and complex medical conditions

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis signed the following bipartisan bills into law during a ceremony in the Governor’s Office.

    HB25-1093 – Limitations on Local Anti-Growth Land Use Policies, sponsored by Representatives Rebekah Stewart and Carlos Barron, and Senators Matt Ball and Nick Hinrichsen.

    “We are building on our historic progress to break down government barriers that block new housing so that we can build more housing that Coloradans can afford. This bill will help unlock the housing supply, lower costs, and expand access to homes for Coloradans and families. We know that cost of housing is a top concern for Coloradans, and I am proud to sign this legislation to continue lowering costs for hardworking families,” said Governor Polis.

    HB25-1091 – Designation of State Mushroom, sponsored by Representative Jacque Phillips and Senator Kyle Mullica.

    “Today, Agaricus Julius, or the Emperor Mushroom Formerly Known as Prince, joins the iconic Rocky Mountain Columbine, Lark Bunting, Bighorn Sheep, Colorado Blue Spruce, and others as a symbol of our beautiful state. Designating a state mushroom helps us celebrate the important and diverse plants and animals that make up and strengthen the lands and ecosystems that make the landscapes of our state so vibrant and inspiring. Our state mushroom has coloring similar to a portobello, a cherry-almond aroma, and it’s delicious,” said Governor Polis.  

    (Photos Courtesy of the Denver Botanic Gardens)

    Finally, Governor Polis signed HB25-1003 – Children Complex Health Needs Waiver, sponsored by Representatives Rebekah Stewart and Max Brooks, and Senator Lisa Cutter.

    “In Colorado, we are committed to ensuring every child has access to the high-quality care needed to live a healthy life. This new law will increase access to important services for kids with disabilities and complex medical conditions, help administer services more efficiently, and lower the cost. In our Colorado for all, everyone should have access to the care needed to thrive, and this bill does exactly that,” said Governor Polis.

    Governor Polis also signed the following bills administratively:

    • HB25-1131 – Eliminate Student Cap at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Program, sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Dusty Johnson, and Senators Cathy Kipp and Byron Pelton. This bill is bipartisan.
    • HB25-1063 – FDA-Approved Crystalline Polymorph Psilocybin Use, sponsored by Representatives Anthony Hartsook and Kyle Brown, and Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet. This bill is bipartisan.
    • HB25-1070 – Electroconvulsive Treatment for Minors, sponsored by Representatives Mary Bradfield and Gretchen Rydin, and Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet. This bill is bipartisan.
    • HB25-1040 – Adding Nuclear Energy as a Clean Energy Resource, sponsored by Representatives Alex Valdez and Ty Winter, and Senators Dylan Roberts and Larry Liston. This bill is bipartisan.
    • HB25-1009 – Vegetative Fuel Mitigation, sponsored by Representatives Tisha Mauro and Junie Joseph, and Senators Lisa Cutter and Nick Hinrichsen. This bill is bipartisan.
    • HB25-1015 – Ability to Pay Bond Online Clarifications, sponsored by Representatives Javier Mabrey and Yara Zokaie, and Senators Robert Rodriguez and Julie Gonzales. This bill is bipartisan.
    • HB25-1016 – Occupational Therapist Prescribe Medical Equipment, sponsored by Representative Katie Stewart, and Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Janice Rich. This bill is bipartisan.
    • SB25-180 – Population Growth Calculation, sponsored by Senators Barbara Kirkmeyer and Judy Amabile, and Representatives Rick Taggart and Emily Sirota. This bill is bipartisan.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces Six Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions, Fills One County Office Vacancy

    Source: US State of Missouri

    MARCH 31, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced six appointments to various boards and commissions and the appointment of the Andrew County Circuit Clerk.

    Tannah Buhman, of St. Joseph, was appointed as the Andrew County Circuit Clerk.

    Ms. Buhman is currently serving as the interim circuit clerk for the Andrew County Circuit Court having been appointed by the Presiding Judge after a year as deputy court clerk. She previously worked as a patient care representative for Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Missouri, and holds certifications as a Certified Nurse Assistant and Certified Medication Technician.

    Paul Fitzwater, of Potosi, was appointed to the Missouri Sentencing Advisory Commission.

    Mr. Fitzwater currently serves as a member of the Board of Probation and Parole and is a former state representative for Iron, Washington, Wayne, and Reynolds counties. Before entering public service, he owned and operated Fitzwater and Son Concrete Contracting. Fitzwater is also a retired teacher and coach with nearly 30 years of experience in education. He is an active member of several organizations including the National Rifle Association and the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Fitzwater earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Tarkio College.

    Matthew Haase, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.

    Mr. Haase is currently the director of strategic relations for Kansas City University, having previously served as the senior director of external relations at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Haas dedicated 18 years to public service under the leadership of former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt as a senior legislative assistant in his congressional office and later as a state director in his Senate office. He was appointed to the 16th Circuit Judicial Commission by Governor Parson and currently serves on the Local Investment Commission. Mr. Haase earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Missouri State University in Springfield.

    Steven Oslica, of St. Louis, was appointed to the Missouri Community Service Commission.

    Mr. Oslica is a business consultant based in St. Louis. He previously served as executive director of the Hawthorn Foundation for Missouri, which helps to fund the sitting governor’s economic development priorities and assists in improving state operation efficiencies. His career includes over 30 years in oil and gas construction materials as a global marketing director for Pittsburgh Corning Corporation and the director of international business for H.B. Fuller. Osclica currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Culver-Stockton College and Board of Advisors for Love the Lou. Mr. Oslica earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Culver-Stockton College.  

    Victor Pasley, of Columbia, was reappointed to the Lincoln University Board of Curators.

    Mr. Pasley retired from Xerox Corporation in 2010 after a 32-year career as a member of its executive team. Prior to his corporate career, he worked as an instructor and assistant principal in Elgin Public Schools and served as a Captain in the United States Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He has served on the Lincoln University Board of Curators since 2019. Mr. Pasley earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Lincoln University, a Master of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University, and completed the Professional Management Development Program at Harvard Business School.

    Richard Popp, of Tebbetts, was reappointed to the Lincoln University Board of Curators.

    Mr. Popp is a retired Executive Vice President of Central Bank, where he was employed for 37 years. He is a member of the Missouri Bar Association and Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Popp has served as a member of the Lincoln University Board of Curators for six years. He holds two degrees from the University of Missouri: accounting and plant science. He also earned his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1977.

    John M. Raines, of Senath, was appointed to the University of Missouri Board of Curators.

    Mr. Raines’ leadership in agriculture and food spans nearly four decades, most recently retiring as president of TELUS Ag & Consumer Goods. Prior to TELUS, Raines served as the chief commercial officer at The Climate Corporation, now part of Bayer, a leading global provider of agricultural products. Raines serves on the board of directors for several companies including FMC Corporation, Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners, and TPNB Bank, as well as the advisory board for the University of Missouri Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Missouri in Columbia.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: ESO Earns NERIS V1 Compatibility Badge, Ensuring Compliance, Continuity for Fire Incident Customers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESO, a leading data services and software provider for EMS, fire departments, hospitals, and state and federal agencies, today announced it is one of the first software providers to earn the compatibility badge for the National Emergency Response Information System V1 (NERIS) through the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI).

    As one of the first software providers to earn the NERIS V1 Compatible Badge, ESO’s Fire Incident application meets all new compliance requirements under NERIS while maintaining its focus on ease of use, data accuracy and intuitive reporting. Rolling out in 2026, NERIS is set to replace the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and marks the most significant update to national standardized reporting for fire departments in decades.

    “NERIS represents a tremendous opportunity to unite fire incident reporting under a newer, more modern data standard,” said Tom Jenkins, senior advisory and research manager at FSRI. “Fire departments’ ability to easily collect, report and gather insights from incident data is as important to their own decision-making as it is to overall community safety. Compliant third-party technology providers play a critical role in making that possible.”

    As part of its ongoing commitment to empower fire departments with industry-leading data and software tools, ESO has been working closely with FSRI for more than a year to provide the documentation and technical specifications required to earn NERIS compliance and demonstrate compatibility.

    “The impending NERIS rollout has left fire departments unsure of how to best prepare. That’s why we’ve made it a core focus to support them with the resources and technology to ensure a seamless transition,” said Sam Brown, chief operating officer at ESO. “With this NERIS-compliant update, fire departments using ESO’s Fire Incident application will gain all the benefits of a truly interoperable data platform—without the implementation headaches that come from such a comprehensive migration.”

    The NERIS update comes at no additional cost to ESO Fire Incident application customers, who will have access to onboarding and training resources as limited and general availability open throughout 2025. The application will also feature new compliant workflows and full permission sets for system administrators, while maintaining CAD file integrity and archived incident search pages.

    For more information about ESO, visit www.eso.com/fire.

    About ESO
    ESO (ESO Solutions, Inc.) is dedicated to improving community health and safety through the power of data. Since its founding in 2004, the company continues to pioneer innovative, user-friendly software to meet the changing needs of today’s EMS agencies, fire departments, hospitals, and state and federal offices. ESO currently serves thousands of customers across the globe with a broad software portfolio, including the industry-leading ESO Electronic Health Record (EHR), the next-generation ePCR; ESO Health Data Exchange (HDE), the first-of-its-kind health care interoperability platform; ESO Fire RMS, the modern fire Record Management System; ESO Patient Registry (trauma, burn and stroke registry software); and ESO State Repository. ESO is headquartered in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit www.eso.com.

    About Fire Safety Research Institute
    Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, strives to advance fire safety knowledge and strategies in order to create safer environments. Using advanced fire science, rigorous research, extensive outreach and education in collaboration with an international network of partners, the organization imparts stakeholders with knowledge, tools, and resources that enable them to make better, more fire safe decisions that ultimately save lives and property. To learn more, visit fsri.org. Follow FSRI on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

    Media Contact:
    For ESO,
    Hope Sander
    Red Fan Communications
    eso@redfancommunications.com
    737-280-8783

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Sec. Kennedy Visits St. Joeseph’s School in West Virginia

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    “I commend and honor Governor Morrisey for being the first in the nation to apply for a SNAP waiver to get sodas and other sugar drinks off of food stamps. Thank you USDA Secretary Rollins for your leadership on this issue.” – Secretary Kennedy

    —

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov

    http://www.Twitter.com/HHSGov | http://www.Facebook.com/HHS http://www.Instagram.com/HHSGov
    http://www.LinkedIn.com/company/us-department-of-health-and-human-services

    HHS Privacy Policy: http://www.hhs.gov/Privacy.html

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1BU1K5QGDc

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar calls on Dr. Jitendra Singh, Seeks Greater Collaboration with Centre to Boost Biotechnology

    Source: Government of India

    Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar calls on Dr. Jitendra Singh, Seeks Greater Collaboration with Centre to Boost Biotechnology

    Centre to Extend Full Support for Andhra Pradesh’s Biotechnology Push: Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Posted On: 31 MAR 2025 4:25PM by PIB Delhi

    Andhra Pradesh’s Health Minister, Y. Satya Kumar, called on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in the national capital, seeking greater collaboration in the field of biotechnology.

    During their discussion, the two leaders explored ways to upscale biotechnology-related projects in the state and enhance ongoing initiatives with central support.

    Expressing gratitude to the Modi government for its continued assistance, Satya Kumar highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to leveraging biotechnology for healthcare advancements and industrial applications. He stressed the need for increased cooperation to bring cutting-edge innovations to the state.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh assured full support from the Centre, reaffirming that biotechnology remains a priority sector under the present government. He emphasized the transformative potential of biotechnology in sectors like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable StartUps, noting that Andhra Pradesh could play a crucial role in driving such advancements.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that, over the years, Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a key player in India’s biotechnology sector, in areas such as biopharmaceutical research, marine biotechnology, and agricultural biotech solutions. The State hosts several biotech incubators and research institutions that have been instrumental in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.

    With initiatives like the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) funding and national biotech missions, Andhra Pradesh has witnessed significant growth in biotech startups and industry partnerships, the Minister said. The renewed push for collaboration aims to further integrate the state into India’s broader biotechnology roadmap, he added.

    The meeting comes at a time when India is pushing for self-reliance in biotechnology and expanding its global footprint in research and innovation. With Andhra Pradesh seeking to strengthen its biotech ecosystem, the discussions signal a fresh impetus to state-centre collaboration in this high-growth sector.

    ****

    NKR/PSM

     

    (Release ID: 2117029) Visitor Counter : 362

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government to extend Pilot Scheme for Supporting Patients of Hospital Authority in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Health Bureau announced today (March 31) the extension of the Pilot Scheme for Supporting Patients of the Hospital Authority in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Pilot Scheme) for one year till March 31 next year, with a view to enabling eligible patients of the Hospital Authority (HA) to choose to receive subsidised consultation services at the designated collaborating healthcare institution in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The Scheme aims to provide Hong Kong people with more choices when receiving HA’s services, and is currently applicable to the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH). The Government and the HA will evaluate the effectiveness and scope of services of the Pilot Scheme each year and make necessary adjustments in a timely manner.

         From May 10, 2023 until the end February this year, a total of 5 100 eligible patients have participated in the Pilot Scheme, with over 60 per cent being elderly aged 65 or above. According to a patient survey conducted by the HKU-SZH in the end of last year, about 90 per cent of the respondents found its services satisfactory.

         To provide more targeted healthcare support to patients, the Pilot Scheme will be enhanced. With effect from tomorrow (April 1), for eligible patients participating in the Pilot Scheme to utilise the subsidy under the Pilot Scheme, they are required to attend consultations at the service departments of the HKU-SZH that correspond with the HA’s out-patient service categories for which they have follow-up appointments.

         Moreover, building on the Pilot Scheme and targeting at specific HA services, the Government is exploring the introduction of more healthcare choices of receiving services in the GBA for patients with follow-up appointments in the HA. Relevant measures will be rolled out once ready.

         The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, “The Government has long been taking forward collaborations on medical and health aspects in the GBA in accordance with the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits. The HA will continue to explore more in-depth healthcare collaborations with suitable organisations and enhance the efficiency of public healthcare services with a view to shortening patients’ waiting time.”

         Apart from the above enhancement measure, other arrangements of the Pilot Scheme upon extension will remain largely the same as those at present. Eligible patients will be required to pay on their own a consultation fee of RMB100 for each consultation received at the designated out-patient clinic of the HKU-SZH (except for specified persons whose medical fees would be waived upon verification by the HA). Such consultation fee payable by eligible patients will be adjusted on January 1 next year in accordance with the specialist out-patient consultation fee as set under the fees and charges reform for public healthcare. The Government will announce the details in due course. The remaining consultation fee will be subsidised by the Pilot Scheme, subject to a cap of RMB2,000. The validity period of the relevant subsidy is from tomorrow to March 31 next year.

         Meanwhile, the scope of subsidised consultation services under the Pilot Scheme will continue to cover out-patient services provided by the HA, namely anaesthesiology (pain clinic only); cardiothoracic surgery; clinical oncology; ear, nose and throat; eye; gynaecology; internal medicine; neurosurgery; obstetrics; orthopaedics and traumatology (orthopaedics); paediatrics; surgery; and general out-patient services. Episodic illnesses, inpatient or day inpatient, as well as Accident and Emergency services are not included under the scope of subsidised consultation services. Eligible patients are required to attend at the service departments of the HKU-SZH that correspond with the HA’s out-patient service categories for which they have medical follow-up to receive subsidised consultation services.

         The subsidy for existing patients under the Pilot Scheme will expire today. Eligible patients who wish to continue participating in the Pilot Scheme may make appointments through the existing channels whereby the HKU-SZH will make appointments at the departments that correspond with the HA’s out-patient service categories for which they have follow-up appointments. They should also complete the declaration to confirm continued participation at the HKU-SZH before receiving any subsidised consultation services. For patients who wish to cease participation in the Pilot Scheme and return to Hong Kong for follow-up consultations at the out-patient clinics of the HA, they may approach the HKU-SZH and the hospital will make referral for them to arrange follow-up appointments at the corresponding out-patient clinics of the HA according to their clinical needs.

         As for eligible patients who have not participated in the Pilot Scheme before or those who have joined the Scheme but need to have their personal information updated, they may submit their application to the HKU-SZH from tomorrow onwards.

         Details will be uploaded to the websites of the HA and the HKU-SZH later for public reference. For enquiries, citizens may also call the HA (Tel. No.: 2300 7070; Service Hours: 9am – 6pm, Mondays to Fridays, except public holidays) or the HKU-SZH (Tel. No.: (+86) 0755-86913101; Service Hours: 8am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 5.30pm, Mondays to Fridays, except public holidays).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to Youth Development Commission

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Government announced today (March 31) the reappointment of Mr Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai as Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) and the reappointments of 13 non-official members as well as appointments of 15 new non-official members, including five new non-official members appointed through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth, for a term of two years with effect from April 1, 2025.
     
    The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the YDC, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said, “The YDC has been working closely with the Government to promote cross-bureau and interdepartmental collaborations to facilitate the healthy and all-round development of young people. The YDC will continue to follow through on the guiding principles of the Youth Development Blueprint to actively implement various schemes covering different areas such as youth exchanges and internships, entrepreneurship, life planning and positive thinking. I look forward to working together with all members of the new-term YDC to nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for our country and Hong Kong, and who are equipped with a global perspective, an aspiring mind-set and positive thinking.”
     
    Mr Chan also thanked the 12 outgoing members for their contribution to the YDC.
     
    The membership of the YDC with effect from April 1, 2025, is as follows:
     
    Chairman
    ——–
    Chief Secretary for Administration
     
    Vice-Chairman
    ——–
    Mr Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai
     
    Non-official members
    ——–
    Ms Chan Wing-man
    Ms Jenny Chan Yan-yee
    Mr Duncan Chiu
    Mr Albert Chuang Ka-pun
    Mr Conrad Ho
    Ms Vivian Kong Man-wai
    Mr Rex Lai Tat-shing
    Ms Amy Lam Cheuk-yin
    Mr Lawrence Lam Chi-bun
    Dr Lam Ho-yi   
    Mr Chris Lam Ka-tat
    Dr Kevin Lau Chung-hang
    Ms Charlotte Lau Hei-lam
    Mr Victor Lau Ngai
    Ms Dana Lau Sing-she
    Ms Janet Lee Ching-yee
    Mr Jacky Lee Chiu-yu
    Ms Natalie Leung Hoi-ching
    Mr John Li Zhong
    Mr Wilson Lung
    Mr Justin Ng Hin-ching
    Mr Victor Pang Wing-seng
    Mr Nicklaus Pannu-yuon
    Ms Beatrice Sun Long-ching
    Mr Patrick Tsang On-yip
    Mr Calvin Tse Hoi-fat
    Mr Tsui Ho-yin
    Ms Grace Yu Ho-wun
     
    Ex-officio members
    ——–
    Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
    Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism
    Secretary for Education
    Secretary for Health
    Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs
    Secretary for Housing
    Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
    Secretary for Labour and Welfare
    Secretary for Security

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Harmful effects of sunbeds – E-001259/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001259/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Romana Jerković (S&D)

    Over 150 000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed every year in Europe, making it the sixth most frequently occurring cancer in the region. The Commission itself recognises that ultraviolet radiation (UVR), including that which is emitted by sunbeds, is a proven cause of melanoma, with a significant increase in risk when exposure begins at a younger age.

    As part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission initially envisaged a recommendation on reducing UVR exposure from sunbeds with an expected adoption in 2024 following a call for feedback.

    However, on 4 February 2025, the Commission announced that it would abandon this initiative, citing a lack of additional evidence to justify further measures beyond the 2014 Low Voltage Directive.

    • 1.Can the Commission elaborate on which evidence was missing, despite strong scientific evidence of the prevalence of melanoma in the EU and the risks associated with sunbeds?
    • 2.Given the established public health risks of sunbeds, how does the Commission intend to uphold its commitment to fully implement Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and address the harmful effects of sunbeds?
    • 3.Will the Commission ensure that the upcoming fifth edition of the European Code Against Cancer include a clear recommendation against sunbed use?

    Submitted: 26.3.2025

    Last updated: 31 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Effective gastric cancer screening in the EU – E-000711/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The 2022 Council Recommendation on cancer screening[1] states that screen-and-treat strategies for the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, responsible for around 89% of all gastric cancers, should be considered in countries or regions with high gastric cancer incidence and death rates. Such pilot studies are considered necessary before population-based screening programmes can be implemented.

    The Commission has been providing funding through the EU4Health Programme to the projects EUROHELICAN[2] and TOGAS[3].

    They aim to help policymakers across the EU to incorporate gastric cancer screening into their healthcare priorities and balance effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability with potential adverse long-term effects.

    Additionally, through the Joint Action EUCanScreen[4], a pilot study will look into the feasibility of integrating gastric cancer screening into colorectal cancer screening programmes.

    The EU4Health-funded project CAN.HEAL[5] is focusing on the implementation of genomics and personalised medicine in clinical practice, including non-invasive screening methods, such as next-generation sequencing and liquid biopsy.

    The Horizon Europe[6] EU Mission: ‘Cancer’[7] and the European partnership on Personalised Medicine[8] drive research into the development and uptake of as well as access to screening and early detection technologies in national healthcare systems.

    Both initiatives will cooperate with the Joint Action on Personalised Cancer Medicine which is expected to be launched in the second half of 2025.

    The latter Joint Action will also build on OncNGS[9], Instand NGS4P[10], and other Horizon Europe-funded collaborative projects, which develop and address uptake of genomics and personalised medicine.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.C_.2022.473.01.0001.01.ENG
    • [2] https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/cancer/europes-beating-cancer-plan-eu4health-financed-projects/projects/eurohelican_en
    • [3] https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/cancer/europes-beating-cancer-plan-eu4health-financed-projects/projects/togas_en
    • [4] https://www.dypede.gr/eucanscreen/
    • [5] https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/cancer/europes-beating-cancer-plan-eu4health-financed-projects/projects/canheal_en
    • [6] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en
    • [7] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/eu-mission-cancer_en
    • [8] https://www.eppermed.eu/
    • [9] https://oncngs.eu/; Focuses on research into affordable solutions to provide next generation sequencing tests for all solid tumours.
    • [10] https://www.instandngs4p.eu/
    Last updated: 31 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How to talk with children about Canada-U.S. tensions

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jean-François Bureau, Professor, School of Psychology, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    Mainstream public discourse in the first months of 2025 have been dominated by tensions between Canada and United States. These include references to Canada becoming annexed as the 51st American state and the trade war, with threats and the application of tariffs by the U.S. and counter-tariffs by Canada.

    While this political climate brings uncertainty at an international level, it comes with fear of job loss for many Canadians at a time when the cost of living is already straining many families’ finances.



    Read more:
    Canadians are feeling increasingly powerless amid economic struggles and rising inequality

    These topics may appear to be concerns for adults, but children may also feel the effects. As psychology researchers studying parent-child relationships and child mental health, we believe it is important to consider children’s potential fears and anxiety in the current political climate.

    Here, we explain why it’s important to address this topic with children, and how parents can do so in a reassuring and informative manner.

    Children’s concerns and emotions

    While the economy and politics could seem like topics that children would not really care about, recent research suggests that many children and youth actually worry about these topics.

    Back in 2020, American parents of children aged six to 17 years old were asked to rate their child’s anxiety about political news, in terms of voting issues covered in media since the 2016 election. According to the study by psychology researcher Nicole E. Caporino and colleagues, 36 per cent of children worried about the U.S. getting into war, and 37 per cent worried about their family’s finances.

    Studies suggest children worry about issues affecting their families.
    (Shutterstock)

    Similarly, studies elsewhere suggest children and youth worry about issues affecting their families. Based on these numbers, we can assume that many Canadian children also worry about the current Canada-U.S. political climate.

    Of course, it’s worth remembering not all families experience political and economic events in the same way. For example, children whose families face economic precarity are likely already living with stressors affecting their households like unemployment or food insecurity. Current tensions may also exacerbate children’s existing concerns.

    Given that children may be concerned and worried, some parents may intuitively seek to avoid the topic with children to avoid provoking more distress. However, discussing a stressful event can actually decrease the distress felt towards it.

    When children are able to talk about what concerns them with their parents, they learn important emotional regulation and coping skills. For example, they learn how to identify and understand their emotions, and how to regulate those emotions. Discussions between parents and children also help foster a climate of trust, in which children feel like they can rely on their parents in moments of need.

    Noticing, tackling children’s anxiety and fears

    Children may not always have the words to articulate their concerns in the same way that adults do. Parents should watch for anxiety symptoms in their children, which may manifest in various ways, including having mood changes, being more irritable or sad, having difficulty sleeping, being more clingy than usual, or withdrawing from activities. There are also signs that may be harder to spot.

    We present five ways to address the situation with your children:

    1. Use direct questions to understand how children feel. Direct questions can help understand how children feel. For example, you may ask: “What have you heard about what’s happening?” or “How do you feel about it?” These questions can help understand what specifically is scary to them.

    Children could be worried about no longer seeing family in the U.S., or some may even fear a military clash.
    (Shutterstock)

    This is especially important given that children tend to worry about different things than adults. For example, younger children with family in the U.S. may worry they will no longer be able to see their family members anymore. Older children may be worried about a parent losing a job, the country’s economic instability or environmental impacts. Some children may even fear a military clash.

    2. Be sensitive to how the conflict is presented. In the media, it is common to refer to the diplomatic and economic tensions as a “trade war.” While adults understand that trade wars do not involve military attacks, this concept is much more abstract for children.

    Hearing the word “war” may trigger difficult images for them, including armed soldiers, weapons and devastation. This is especially true for children with lived experience of war, political conflict or displacement.



    Read more:
    Coronavirus isn’t the end of ‘childhood innocence,’ but an opportunity to rethink children’s rights

    It’s important to reframe the conflict in ways that children can understand. For example, parents can compare the conflict between two children. Parents might say: “You know when there are two children upset with each other at school, and they have a big disagreement. Sometimes it can take a lot of time to find a solution that works for everyone. The conflict between Canada and the U.S. is a bit like that. It could take a lot of time and trouble to find a solution.”

    3. Avoid misinformation. When discussing these topics, parents should seek to clarify any misinformation and provide reassurance. They should also help ensure children receive information from credible sources rather than social media or peers, who may sensationalize or misinterpret events. Providing factual but age-appropriate explanations is a key ingredient in mitigating fear and uncertainty.

    4. Focus on co-operation and opportunities instead of boycotting.

    Many Canadian families are choosing to boycott American products. In order to ease the emotional burden on children, it can be helpful to reframe the boycott as an opportunity for co-operation. For instance, parents can highlight how they are trying to support local businesses.

    Similarly, for families with resources to travel, changes in travel plans can be framed as a way to discover new places. A parent might frame it as: “This year, instead of going to the beach, we’re going to be exploring some incredible places closer to home. We’re going to have so much fun trying new things!” This approach creates curiosity and control, not anxiety. It can also be beneficial for children’s development to learn to be more flexible with change.



    Read more:
    When Canadian snowbirds don’t flock south, the costs are more than financial

    5. Create a sense of normalcy and routine. As important as it is to validate children’s fears, it is equally important to help them maintain a sense of normalcy. Families should strive to balance discussions about the trade war and its potential ramifications with more light, mundane topics. Similarly, limiting the time that children watch the news or when it is audible can help limit further concerns from developing.

    Routines are also beneficial for children’s development and well-being. Maintaining a predictable schedule, such as a bedtime routine, can help children feel safe and less anxious. Focus on adding fun and soothing activities to the daily routine. This lets children know life goes on.

    Navigating turbulent times

    As the trade war with the U.S. plays out, parents should consider how it may impact their children’s emotions and sense of safety. Even serious conflicts such as this one don’t last forever, and solutions will come.

    In the meantime, parents can help children cope with these challenging times by offering age-appropriate explanations and encouraging resilience.

    Jean-François Bureau receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Consortium National de Formation en Santé.

    Audrey-Ann Deneault receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Centre de recherche universitaire sur les jeunes et les familles.

    – ref. How to talk with children about Canada-U.S. tensions – https://theconversation.com/how-to-talk-with-children-about-canada-u-s-tensions-252435

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Cammack & Magaziner, Sens. Capito & Markey Introduce Alleviating Barriers To Caregivers Act (ABC Act)

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Senator Shelley Moore Capitol (R-WV), and Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) introduced the Alleviating Barriers to Caregivers Act (ABC Act). The legislation would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to review their eligibility, processes, procedures, forms, and communications to reduce the administrative burden on family caregivers. The legislation would then require CMS, SSA, and CHIP to report to Congress after two years about any issues they are facing and any next steps they are taking to support family caregivers. 

    Family caregivers serve as a primary source of support for seniors and people with disabilities of all ages. In the United States alone, there are more than 48 million family caregivers. More than half of family caregivers act as an advocate for their loved one with care providers, community services, or government agencies. However, one in four family caregivers say they want help with forms, paperwork, and eligibility for services. Many report competing responsibilities while experiencing serious emotional, physical, and finance challenges.

    “America’s family caregivers work around-the-clock to provide essential care for their loved ones, and over half act as advocates on behalf of their family members. The last thing these caregivers need is more red tape that distracts from their support for those in their care,” said Representative Cammack. “I’m honored to introduce this bipartisan and bicameral ABC Act with my colleagues to lower the burden around the important medical decisions caregivers must make every day. Together we can support the 48 million caregivers that make up a critical part of our health care landscape in the U.S.” 

    “Family caregivers have a lot on their plates, devoting their lives to support others,” said Representative Magaziner. “They shouldn’t have to struggle with confusing paperwork and delays on top of their essential work. The bipartisan ABC Act will make it easier for families to get the support they need so caregivers can focus on what matters most — caring for their loved ones.” 

    “More than 1 in 4 Americans over 50 are now caregivers. I was one of these caregivers for my parents during their struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and know personally how hard it can be to balance all of the responsibilities put on individuals caring for their loved ones,” Senator Capito said. “One of the most common frustrations I hear from caregivers in West Virginia is how difficult it is to navigate federal processes and procedures. The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act would attempt to ease this often-stressful time by requiring federal agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Social Security Administration, to review their processes, procedures, forms, and communications to reduce the administrative burden on family caregivers.” 

    “Caregivers, like my father was, serve on the frontlines of our nation’s health care system by giving our families and friends the care and support they need to remain in their homes and communities with their loved ones,” said Senator Markey. “But caregivers are struggling needlessly to navigate complex, burdensome, and stressful processes each and every day while also still managing day-to-day family and professional responsibilities. The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act will help lift the weight off caregivers by clearing the red tape that so often gets in their way. I thank Senator Capito and Representatives Magaziner and Cammack for their partnership on this critical legislation.” 

    Cosponsors in the Senate include John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Mike Rounds (R-S.Dak.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.).  

    Cosponsors in the House include Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23), Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), Jared Golden (D-ME-02), Greg Steube (R-FL-17), Deborah Ross (D-NC-02), August Pfluger (R-TX-11), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), and Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16).  

    The ABC Act is endorsed by: AARP, ADA Watch/Coalition for Disability Rights & Justice, Aging Life Care Association, Alliance for Aging Research, Alliance for Retired Americans, Allies for Independence, ALS Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, American Academy of Nursing, American Association on Health and Disability, American Heart Association, American Network of Community Organizations and Resources (ANCOR), American Psychological Association Services, American Society for Transportation and Cellular Therapy, American Society on Aging, Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, Caregiver Action Network, Caring Across Generations, Child Neurology Foundation, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), Diverse Elders Coalition, Elder Services of Berkshire County Inc., Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center on Caregiving, Fight Colorectal Cancer, Gerontological Society of America, Grayce, Greater Lynn Senior Services, Hispanic Federation, Huntington’s Disease Society of America, Japanese American Citizens League, Justice in Aging, Lakeshore Foundation, LeadingAge, LifePath, Lymphoma Research Foundation, Massachusetts Councils on Aging, Medical Alley, Mystic Valley Elder Services, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, National Adult Day Services Association, National Alliance on Caregiving, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Council on Aging, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Disability Rights Network, National Down Syndrome Congress, National Federation of Filipino American Associations, National Fragile X Foundation, National Health Council, National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation, National Patient Advocate Foundation, National Respite Coalition, NMDP, OCA- Asian Pacific American Advocates, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, Senior Connection, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, Southeast Asian Resource Action Center (SEARAC), Speak Foundation, the Arc of the United States, The ERISA Industry Committee, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Third Way, USAging, Village to Village Network, and Well Spouse Association. 

    Read the text of the bill here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Myanmar earthquake tragedy ‘compounds already dire crisis’

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    Humanitarian Aid

    Entire communities in central Myanmar have been devastated and the full scale of the earthquake disaster “remains unclear”, the UN’s top humanitarian coordinator in the country said on Monday.

    Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator Marcoluigi Corsi expressed the UN’s profound sorry at the immense loss of life stemming from Friday’s 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude quakes with the death toll rising to around 2,000, according to the country’s military junta.

    “The latest reports indicate significant loss of life, widespread injuries, and many still unaccounted for as rescue operations continue,” Mr. Corsi said in a statement on behalf of the UN Country Team.

    Urgent support operation continues

    He stressed that the UN and partners continue to urgently mobilise in support of the emergency response, standing ready to assist all communities “wherever they are”.

    The earthquakes struck near Mandalay and Sagaing, with impacts felt across Bago, Magway, Nay Pyi Taw, and parts of Shan State. Hospitals are overwhelmed, while communication and transport routes have been severely disrupted.

    Thousands are sleeping in the open, fearful of aftershocks and unable to return to damaged homes.

    UN-facilitated rescue teams from around 20 countries, including sniffer dogs, paramedics and medical supplies, supported by millions of dollars in aid, continue to arrive in Myanmar – where millions were already displaced by civil war, arising from the military coup of February 2021.

    Resilience further eroded

    “Even before this earthquake, nearly 20 million people in Myanmar were in need of humanitarian assistance,” Mr. Corsi emphasized. “This latest tragedy compounds an already dire crisis and risks further eroding the resilience of communities already battered by conflict, displacement, and past disasters.”

    The UN Humanitarian Country Team is actively conducting rapid needs assessment missions in coordination with UN agencies, humanitarian partners, local authorities and community-based organizations, paying particular attention to the needs of women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, who are disproportionately affected in such disasters.

    “Beyond the immediate response, this crisis highlights the urgent need to strengthen efforts towards recovery and to invest in measures that help communities withstand future shocks,” Mr. Corsi said.

    Significant UN presence

    An initial $15 million in emergency funds has been allocated by the UN to support the lifesaving response. Medical teams, shelter materials, and critical water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) items are arriving – alongside prepositioned and supplementary food aid.

    “We have a significant presence in Mandalay and surrounding areas, and we are doing everything we can to reach people in need despite serious logistical challenges,” Mr. Corsi said. “But much more will be required in the days and weeks ahead.”

    More than ever, timely support is critical to prevent further deterioration of the crisis, he added.

    The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that it aims to support 100,000 of the worst hit with ready-to-eat meals, following by food and cash-for-food assistance to around 800,000 for the next month.

    WFP Myanmar/Chit Min Htet

    Severe damage to Naypyidaw’s road infrastructure following the ea​rthquake in Myanmar.

    Ceasefire now: UN Special Envoy

    The UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop issued a statement on Monday saying she stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar.

    “The earthquake has laid bare the deeper vulnerabilities facing Myanmar’s people and underscored the need for sustained international attention to the broader crisis.”

    Referencing the ongoing conflict which has seen military forces lose control of a majority of the country to opposition armed groups amid brutal fighting and airstrikes, she said that “all sides must urgently allow space for humanitarian relief and ensure that aid workers can operate in safety.”

    Continuing military operations in quake-affected areas “risks further loss of life and undermines the shared imperative to respond,” she continued.

    Ms. Bishop called for an immediate ceasefire by all parties, to prioritise the rescue, aid and recovery effort, including protection of civilians.

    She said she was in close contact with Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher and the UN Country Team in Myanmar who are working in partnership with neighboring countries and others, supported by the UN’s regional and global network. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Menthol cigarettes will be banned from April 1. Here’s why – and what else is changing

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Becky Freeman, Professor in Public Health, University of Sydney

    patpitchaya/Shutterstock

    New laws come into effect in Australia today that change the look, ingredients, and packaging of tobacco products.

    The Australian government passed the package of tobacco laws in late 2023, which include:

    • standardised tobacco pack and cigarette stick sizes, no more novelty pack sizes or cigarette lengths

    • updated and improved graphic health warnings and quitting advice inserts within all tobacco packs

    • warnings printed directly on cigarettes

    • banning ingredients that make tobacco taste better and easier to smoke, including menthol.

    Retailers have a three-month grace period to sell any old stock already in their stores by July 1.

    Here’s what’s behind these changes – and what needs to happen next.

    Packs warn about the harms of smoking.
    Department of Health and Ageing

    New graphic health warnings

    Cigarette packaging requirements have been stagnant since 2012, when Australia introduced plain packaging laws that banned the use of all on-pack logos and branding. This was a world-first.

    While large graphic health warnings are effective in both preventing smoking uptake and aiding quitting smoking, the effects wear out if warnings are not refreshed and varied.

    New warnings replace those from 2012.
    Department of Health and Ageing

    Cigarette packages must carry one of ten new health warnings. Fresh warnings that smoking doubles the risk of cervical cancer and leads to diabetes will be new information for many smokers.

    There are also warnings for roll-your-own, cigar, bidi and shisha tobacco packaging.

    Warnings on cigarettes

    Cigarettes themselves must now include one of eight health warnings printed directly on the filter paper.

    Canada was the first country in the world to adopt similar requirements in 2023.

    The size, shape, and colour of cigarettes has also been standardised to prevent tobacco companies from using unique cigarette designs to attract new users. Long, thin cigarettes, for example, have been marketed to women as a fashion accessory and diet tool for nearly a century.

    Warnings will now be on the sticks themselves.
    Department of Health and Ageing

    The ingredients permitted in cigarettes are also changing, with ingredients that enhance the flavour of tobacco being now banned. The long list of prohibited ingredients includes everything from cloves, to sugar, to probiotics and vitamins.

    Until now, the tobacco industry has had free reign to add ingredients that increase the palatability and attractiveness of cigarettes. This banned list also captures menthol and any ingredients that mimic the cooling properties of menthol.

    Why ban menthol?

    Menthol masks the harshness of smoke. Just like cold lollies that contain menthol to soothe sore throats and tame coughs, menthol in cigarettes prevents inexperienced smokers from reacting to the rough effects of tobacco smoke in the throat. This helps to make smoking a more pleasant experience that young users will return to.

    The introduction of crushable menthol capsules in cigarette filters has proven very popular with Australian teenagers. Teens who use these products are more likely to have recently smoked and have higher smoking intentions in the future. The new laws also explicitly prohibit these “crush balls” or “flavour beads.”

    Other counties that have banned menthol have seen drops in tobacco sales and use and increases in quitting behaviours.

    No similar reforms for the United States

    Menthol cigarettes have been heavily marketed to African American people since at least the 1950s and make up one-third of the total US cigarette market share. Tobacco control groups in the US have been advocating for a menthol ban for well over a decade.

    The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a rule banning menthol in 2022, and a 2024 US Surgeon General report highlighted that menthol products increase addiction and are:

    disproportionately used by Black people, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people, women and people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

    Under the Biden Administration, the FDA delayed issuing the final rule which meant the ban was not properly enacted before Trump was elected.

    In January 2025, the Trump administration completely withdrew the ban.

    A menthol ban in the US was predicted to reduce total smoking by 15% and the number of smoking attributable deaths among African Americans by up to 238,000.

    Reforms needed to stamp out our illicit market

    Organised criminals are operating in Australia’s tobacco supply chain to illegally import and sell tobacco products. Government action to step in and gain control of that supply system is long overdue.

    Until this year, Australia’s two most populous states didn’t even require tobacco sellers to be licensed, and Queensland only introduced licensing last year.

    Australia will need to change how tobacco is sold. It should not be so easy and commonplace to sell such an addictive and deadly product.

    Both state and national governments need timely and transparent reporting on the size and scope of the illicit market, and strict licensing of the entire tobacco supply chain.

    Businesses that sell illicit tobacco must face real consequences – not only large fines and loss of licences to operate, but also criminal charges.

    All aspects of the tobacco supply chain – from wholesalers to retailers – must be tightly controlled.

    Becky Freeman is an expert advisor to the Cancer Council tobacco issues committee and a member of the Cancer Institute vaping communications advisory panel. She has received relevant competitive grants from the NHMRC, MRFF, NSW Health, the Ian Potter Foundation, VicHealth, and Healthway WA.

    – ref. Menthol cigarettes will be banned from April 1. Here’s why – and what else is changing – https://theconversation.com/menthol-cigarettes-will-be-banned-from-april-1-heres-why-and-what-else-is-changing-251920

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Flawed medical studies can end up in doctors’ advice. We developed a tool to stop it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aya Mousa, Senior Research Fellow in Women’s Cardiometabolic Health, Monash University

    Maksym Dykha/Shutterstock

    Good health care depends on evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. They translate the best available research into recommendations that shape diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.

    But what happens when the studies underpinning these guidelines are flawed?

    Evidence suggests scientific misconduct – from fabricated or manipulated data to methodological errors and ethical concerns – is a growing problem. In some disciplines, estimates suggest as many as 40% of studies included in systematic reviews may have issues with their integrity.

    This is not just an academic issue. When flawed studies are used to guide real-world health care, the consequences for health-care providers and ultimately patients can be serious. They include unnecessary or even harmful treatments, delay or denial of other effective treatments, wasted resources and a loss of public trust in science and health care itself.

    Yet until recently, there has been no formal method to identify and manage flawed studies, before they make their way into clinical recommendations. We recently helped develop a framework that addresses this crucial gap. Published in The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine, this framework provides a step-by-step process for evaluating the integrity of studies used in clinical guidelines and systematic reviews.

    In an era of increasing concern about research misconduct, it’s a timely and much-needed advance.

    Clinical care relies on research integrity

    Randomised controlled trials are considered the gold standard in medical research.

    Their results often underpin clinical guidelines that shape day-to-day decisions in health care. But what if a randomised controlled trial contains fabricated data? Or is conducted without ethics approval? Or is retracted after being used in a previous guideline?

    A 2020 study found 44% of randomised controlled trials submitted to a major medical journal between 2017 and 2020 contained problematic or false data.

    Compounding the problem is the fact that journal editors and publishers can be very slow to respond to concerns about research integrity.

    For example, between November 2017 and April 2024, a group of researchers wrote to editors and publishers of 891 potentially untrustworthy papers published in 206 different journals. At the time their study was published earlier this year, only 30% of the papers they flagged had received an outcome – 58% of which were retracted.

    Notably, it took a median time of 38 months for editors and publishers to make a decision. In only 13% of the flagged cases was a decision made within 12 months.

    The ripple effects of this can be enormous. A review by the independent Cochrane Collaboration of nutrition interventions in pregnancy found that removing studies with integrity concerns changed the conclusions of 72% of reviews. One third (33%) needed to be updated because their guidance was no longer reliable.

    Integrity concerns vary across fields. But some, such as complementary therapies or supplements, can be particularly prone to these concerns.

    Despite this, most guideline development tools — including those from the World Health Organization — assess methodological quality, not the trustworthiness or integrity of the studies that are included.

    When flawed studies are used to guide real-world medical advice, the consequences for doctors and ultimately patients can be serious.
    Yuri A/Shutterstock

    A practical framework for safeguarding integrity

    Our framework features a six-step process for safeguarding research integrity:

    • Review: conduct a standard systematic review to identify eligible studies
    • Exclude: remove studies that have been formally retracted or are flagged with serious concerns
    • Assess: use available tools and checklists to assess the integrity of the remaining studies
    • Discuss: convene an independent integrity committee to review ratings and vote on each study
    • Establish contact: reach out to authors of high-risk studies to clarify issues or provide missing information
    • Reassess: based on responses (or lack thereof), determine whether a study should be included, excluded, or held in limbo.

    The integrity committee is central to this approach. It is a multidisciplinary group responsible for assessing studies objectively, without preconceived judgements or biases around which studies to exclude.

    Applying the framework to the real world

    Our framework was developed alongside the international evidence-based guideline for polycystic ovary syndrome.

    Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal, reproductive and metabolic condition affecting 8–13% of women of reproductive age, depending on the diagnostic criteria used. It can cause irregular menstrual cycles, elevated androgen levels, and an increased number of small follicles in the ovaries, visible on ultrasound. It is a leading cause of infertility.

    The guideline was developed with input from diverse professional and consumer groups. It was endorsed by 39 organisations across six continents.

    In making recommendations on infertility treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome, 101 studies were initially identified. After applying our framework, 45 studies were not included due to concerns about integrity. Only three authors responded to clarification requests. This illustrates the problem with transparency after publication.

    Without our framework, these problematic studies may have directly shaped recommendations and health care for women with polycystic ovary syndrome around the world.

    Our framework was incorporated into the National Health and Medical Research Council review process that approved the guidelines. It has since been applied to other guidelines in women’s health. Further scale up is planned.

    A 2020 study found 44% of randomised controlled trials submitted to a major medical journal between 2017 and 2020 contained false data.
    T.Schneider/Shutterstock

    Some drawbacks

    While our framework offers a much-needed solution, it’s not without drawbacks.

    First, the tools it relies on — such as a checklist for measuring trustworthiness in randomised controlled trials and the research integrity assessment tool — are still being refined. They also need to be validated across different research contexts.

    Second, older studies (conducted before trial registries were common) or those from countries with different ethics standards, may be unfairly penalised.

    There is also a risk that valid research could be excluded simply because authors do not respond to integrity enquiries.

    Implementing the framework can also take time. In resource-limited settings, this may be a barrier.

    But failing to assess integrity will likely cost more in the long run. It could lead to flawed recommendations, misplaced public confidence and patient harm.

    Aya Mousa receives funding from NHMRC.

    Ben W. Mol receives funding from NHMRC, MRFF as well as international competitive grants.

    Helena Teede receives funding from NHMRC and MRFF as well as international competitive grants. She is President of International Endocrine Society.

    – ref. Flawed medical studies can end up in doctors’ advice. We developed a tool to stop it – https://theconversation.com/flawed-medical-studies-can-end-up-in-doctors-advice-we-developed-a-tool-to-stop-it-253213

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Performance Audit of UPMC’s Community HealthChoices Contract Finds Reporting Delays Cost Taxpayers More Than $120,000 in 2022

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    March 31, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA

    Performance Audit of UPMC’s Community HealthChoices Contract Finds Reporting Delays Cost Taxpayers More Than $120,000 in 2022

    On behalf of Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor, Deputy Auditor General for Audits Gordon Denlinger today released the findings of a performance audit of UPMC’s Community HealthChoices contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) that found UPMC failed to update participant information, which cost taxpayers more than $350,000 in 2022– $120,000 of which DHS was unable to recover.

    “UPMC is required to report to DHS whether a person has died, went to jail or is no longer eligible to be part of the program,” Denlinger said. “DHS uses this as part of the data to set the rate it pays UPMC to provide care to people on Community HealthChoices. UPMC needs to make sure there is greater accountability in its management structure to ensure the required assessments are happening on time and regularly.”

    Speaker list:
    Deputy Auditor General for Audits Gordon Denlinger
    Leigh Ann Weaver, Performance Audit Senior Manager

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Always: ODHS services and supports for people with I/DD

    Source: US State of Oregon

    appy Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! This is a time to celebrate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their many contributions to their communities. As the month comes to a close, this year’s theme from the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Always,” reminds us that awareness and support should happen all year round, not just in March.

    At the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), our goal is to make sure everyone, no matter their abilities, has the opportunity to thrive and be included. Through our Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program, we help people with I/DD and their families by offering services that help them live fulfilling lives, discover their talents, and support their individual choices.

    To get ODHS I/DD services, people must apply and meet certain requirements. To learn more, visit our I/DD Services and Eligibility page or contact your county’s Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP) or Support Services Brokerage.

    Services for people with I/DD include:

    • Employment supports: We believe that everyone who wants to work should have support to try to find employment. ODHS offers VR services to help people with disabilities, including those with I/DD, prepare for, find, and keep meaningful jobs. These services provide job training, skill-building, and job placement support. ODHS also supports businesses in hiring and retaining employees with disabilities.
    • Family support: ODHS offers family support to help families caring for children with I/DD at home. Families can choose services that best meet their needs, like extra help with daily tasks, and training on how to support their child. The goal is to help families stay healthy, independent, and safe while providing the care their child needs.
    • Healthier Oregon (Medicaid) services: Medicaid helps people of all ages get the medical care and support they need. For people with I/DD, there may be even more services available. In Oregon, the Healthier Oregon program provides free health coverage through the Oregon Health Plan for people who meet income and other requirements – no matter their age or immigration status. This means that anyone who qualifies for I/DD services can get the support they need, including help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and getting around the community, or getting assistive technology to make life easier and more independent.
    • In-home support: Adults with I/DD can get in-home support to help them live independently and stay engaged in their community. Through a CDDP or Brokerage, eligible adults can receive help with daily tasks like personal care, meal preparation, shopping, and making their home safe and accessible.

      Just like adults, children with I/DD can receive in-home supports to help their families care for them at home. For children with very high medical or behavioral needs, Children’s Intensive In-Home Services (CIIS) and the Children’s Extraordinary Needs Program offer additional support. With the Children’s Extraordinary Needs Program, parents and guardians can receive up to 20 hours of paid care per week to help with their child’s needs (due to limited funding, this program currently has a waitlist).

    • Out-of-home services: Some people with I/DD need extra support and may live in settings outside their family home. For adults, support is available through Supported Living, 24-Hour Residential Homes, and Adult Foster Homes. Services coordinators help individuals create a person-centered plan and find the best housing option. In addition, ODHS has a Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU) that supports individuals with I/DD and mental health challenges. When people enter SACU in crisis, we focus on stabilization and transitioning them to lower levels of care, aiming for reintegration into community-based settings.

      For children, out-of-home support options include Foster Homes, Host Homes, and Residential Care Homes. These services ensure that people with I/DD receive the care, stability, and support they need while staying connected to their families and communities.

    • Service coordination: People with I/DD who are eligible for services get a services coordinator that connects with them or their families to assess their needs and create a plan that helps them thrive. An Individual Support Plan (ISP) is built around their strengths, interests, and goals, ensuring they get the right services for their health and safety. Each year, services coordinators meet with individuals and their families to review their progress and adjust their ISP as needed.

    Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the vital role that services play in supporting people with I/DD. By ensuring access to the right services and supports, we hope to build a future where everyone in Oregon, can feel safe, supported, and able to reach their highest potential. For more information about ODHS I/DD services, visit https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/idd/Pages/default.aspx.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Connecticut Delegation Reintroduce Legislation To Improve Safety Net For Small Farmers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-Conn.-01),  Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02),  Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03), Jim Himes (D-Conn.-04), and Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.-05) in reintroducing the Save Our Small (SOS) Farms Act of 2025. This legislation improves the farm safety net and expands federal crop insurance by allowing small farms to better access crop insurance policies often limited to large commercial farms to protect their business. 
    Extreme weather and other disasters can cause severe losses for farms lacking crop insurance, forcing them to depend on disaster relief. This disproportionately affects small farms, which often cannot access insurance. A recent survey by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture revealed that Connecticut farmers have lost over $50 million due to weather-related events in 2023 and 2024. The SOS Farms Act aims to provide a stronger safety net by expanding the number of farms eligible to purchase crop insurance, lower coverage costs for small farms, and directing the USDA to develop more responsive coverage options for farmers during extreme weather.
    According to the nationwide 2022 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Census of Agriculture, only 5% of Connecticut farms are enrolled in crop insurance, compared to 19% of farms nationally.
    “Small farmers in Connecticut work hard to keep their businesses running, but don’t have adequate insurance programs to protect them when extreme storms and droughts wipe out their crops. This legislation would make disaster assistance and insurance more affordable and effective, so local farmers aren’t left behind when disaster hits,” said Murphy.
    “Climate change has made it abundantly clear that we need a stronger safety net for farmers when floods, drought or other natural disasters strike. Our measure makes necessary reforms to programs that simply do not work for farmers by making coverage and assistance more accessible and affordable than before. Small farms are an essential part of Connecticut’s culture, environment, and economy—they deserve the best protection and support to recover from devastating storms,” said Blumenthal.
    “After the Connecticut River Valley was devastated by severe flooding during the summer of 2023, many small farms throughout the region lost hundreds of acres of crops,” said Larson. “The Save our Small Farms Act will better tailor our nation’s crop insurance programs to the unique needs of small to midsized farmers. Our bill will make crop insurance more affordable and accessible and reduce the paperwork burdens our farmers face to access support when disaster strikes. The entire Connecticut delegation will continue to stand together with our farmers, so they get the support they deserve and are not left on their own to pick up the pieces after a natural disaster.”
    “More and more farmers across Connecticut are facing the devastating impacts of extreme weather events. Unfortunately, the broken federal crop insurance system has let smaller farms fall through gaps in coverage and left them on the hook with major losses. The Save Our Small Farms Act reforms the crop insurance system and provides small farmers with the safety net they need to access assistance programs and recover from damages that come at no fault of their own. I look forward to once again working with my colleagues from Connecticut to ensure this issue receives the attention it deserves in Congress,” said Courtney.
    “As the backbone of our food system, small farms deserve fair access to the resources they need to thrive,” said DeLauro. “Each year, as the climate crisis intensifies, unforeseen and catastrophic weather events are becoming more and more common. This makes our efforts to protect our farmers crucial, which is why I am a strong supporter of The Save Our Small Farms Act, which will guarantee that federal programs serve all farmers, not just the largest operations. This legislation is necessary to address the gaps in our current farm safety net. I am proud to support this legislation aimed at bolstering our agricultural economy, safeguarding local producers, and creating a more resilient food supply.”
    “Each year seems to bring worse storms than the last, with Connecticut’s small farmers incurring ever-steeper crop losses because of increasingly common severe weather. The Save our Small Farms Act expands crop insurance options for small farmers and improves how the federal government provides disaster aid in times of crisis. This is a commonsense bill that brings federal agricultural policy in line with the realities of climate change and the hardships our nation’s small farmers face,” said Himes.
    “In the Fifth District, small farms help feed our communities and drive our economy. Although these farmers need assistance, our crop insurance and disaster programs too often leave them behind. And as we continue to see extreme weather patterns becoming more frequent, we must find new solutions to ensure small farm operators are protected before disasters strikes,” said Hayes. “The SOS Farms Act would expand coverage and assistance, lower costs for small farmers, and direct the USDA to develop more responsive coverage options. Small farms are an essential part of our culture, environment, and economy.”
    Specifically, the SOS Farms Act:
    Creates a streamlined application process to the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), which offers farmers the opportunity to purchase coverage for losses due to natural disasters in areas where crop insurance is unavailable. The bill provides new authority to USDA to launch pilot projects to address emerging needs and to improve data collection to support the development of new crop insurance policies.
    Producers may not be able to find an insurance policy that covers any or all of their crops, or insurance premiums may be prohibitively expensive.
    Paperwork requirements, premiums, and service fees have often kept small farms from accessing NAP coverage.
    2. Directs the Farm Service Agency to create an on-ramp from NAP coverage to a true insurance policy under the Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program (WFRP), the most comprehensive crop insurance program for small and mid-sized farms. 
    3. Expands WFRP to allow smaller farms to better access crop insurance policies by:
    Reducing paperwork requirements for applicants.
    Allowing policies for farms that use crop-rotation.
    Modifies insurance plans to improve effectiveness for specialty crop and diversified farms.
    Increases response timeliness of insurance applications.
    Requires providers and the Risk Management Agency to account for different cultivation cycles for different crops when calculating premium discounts.
    Authorizing the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to study WFRP participation by small farms that sell to local or regional markets.
    Expanding the network of insurance agents selling crop insurance policies to small farms through increased compensation
    4. Directs USDA to develop an index-based insurance policy that is responsive to crop and income losses due to extreme weather events.
    A weather index-based insurance policy uses extreme weather events as a proxy for agricultural income losses.
    This approach reduces paperwork while making the policy more responsive to losses from adverse weather conditions.
    Insurance would also be based on a farm’s income instead of the price of its crops, better aligning payouts with income losses associated with crop losses.
    Since payouts are automatically triggered by a weather event, producers would not have to fill out paperwork or wait months to receive support following a natural disaster.
    The SOS Farms Act is endorsed by the California Climate and Agriculture Network, California FarmLink, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Community Farm Alliance, Dakota Rural Action, Environmental Working Group, Farm Action, Farm Aid, Farm to Table – New Mexico, Farmshare Austin, Friends of Family Farmers, HEAL (Health, Environment, Agriculture, Labor) Food Alliance, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Kiss the Ground, Land for Good, Land Stewardship Project, Maine Farmland Trust, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Marbleseed, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, Midwest Farmers of Color Collective, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), National Young Farmers Coalition, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH), Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, Organic Farming Association, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network, Regenerate America, Renewing the Countryside, Rogue Farm Corps, Rural Advancement Foundation International, Rural Coalition, Sierra Club, Sustainable Food Center, and World Farmers.
    A one-pager of the legislation is available HERE, and the full bill text is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Idarucizumab, levetiracetam, ustekinumab: how do drugs get their names and why are they so hard to pronounce?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Craig Russell, Lecturer, Pharmacy, Aston University

    Asier Romero/Shutterstock

    If you’ve ever tried discussing medicines with friends or family and found yourself stumbling over the pronunciation — or even resorting to snapping a photo of the medicine’s packaging to show your pharmacist, instead of remembering the name — you’ve probably wondered: where do drug names come from, and why can’t they be easier to remember?

    Occasionally, drug names are short and snappy. But more often, they seem more like something from Greek or Norse mythology. While these names may seem overwhelming at first, they’re chosen with purpose, not as a way for big pharma to show off.

    Naming a new drug can resemble watching a yacht race or an American football game for the first time — chaotic and confusing, with rules and a structure that only those involved truly understand. To the untrained eye, it might seem random, but there’s a method to the madness. So, how are these names chosen?

    Most drugs typically have three names: a chemical name, a generic name, and a brand name. Each serves a different purpose.

    An example of this is the branded drug Viagra. Its generic name is sildenafil and its chemical name is 5-[2-ethoxy-5-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-methyl-3-propyl-1,6-dihydro-7H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one.

    In this example, it is clear why the chemical name is not practical for everyday use. But why have a brand name and a generic name?

    The brand name is assigned by the pharmaceutical company that develops, patents and markets the medicine. These names are chosen to be catchy and easy to remember, helping in marketing and recognition. They are usually easy to pronounce.

    Once a patent expires, other manufacturers can market the same drug under a generic name, as long as it meets the same standards of quality, safety and effectiveness.

    To avoid confusion

    Generic names were introduced in the 1950s and are the official, non-proprietary names for the active drug. Each drug has only one generic name, which ensures clear communication and standardisation worldwide.

    Pharmaceutical companies must follow strict guidelines when naming drugs, which are set by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Non-proprietary Names system.

    In the US, the United States Adopted Names Council assigns generic drug names in collaboration with the WHO. This ensures that drugs with similar functions have similar-sounding names.

    Generic drug names often incorporate stems or suffixes that denote the drug’s mechanism of action, chemical structure or target receptor, and a prefix that differentiates it from drugs in the same family.

    This is why lots of drug names share the same ending. Examples include cholesterol medicines ending in -statin, Ace inhibitors for reducing blood pressure ending in -pril, monoclonal antibody drugs ending in -mab, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (mainly used in cancer treatment) ending in -tinib.

    Despite all of this, there are still lots of drugs that are easy to mix up. Medicines that look or sound alike (known in the field as “Lasa medicines”) are a leading contributor to medication errors. So, recognising where there is risk is important.

    It is particularly important to consider the sound of the name and not just how it appears when written. Examples of Lasa medicines are Losec (omeprazole) and Lasix (furosemide), and Maprocin (ciprofloxacin) and Macrocin (erythromycin). To avoid confusion, prescriptions and labels include both the brand and generic names to help differentiate between similar-sounding medications.

    Patients should be educated about their medicines and how to use them, including the importance of checking the name and appearance of the medication before taking it.

    Craig Russell receives funding from BBSRC.

    – ref. Idarucizumab, levetiracetam, ustekinumab: how do drugs get their names and why are they so hard to pronounce? – https://theconversation.com/idarucizumab-levetiracetam-ustekinumab-how-do-drugs-get-their-names-and-why-are-they-so-hard-to-pronounce-252049

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Protein is being added to yoghurt, bread and even coffee – but is it really good for our health?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Aisling Pigott, Lecturer, Dietetics, Cardiff Metropolitan University

    Not all of these protein-enhanced food products are healthy. MAYA Lab/ Shutterstock

    Protein intake dominates fitness advice. Whether you want to build muscle, improve your fitness or watch your weight, the common advice handed out by everyone from fitness influencers to doctors is that we need more protein.

    But while protein does play an essential role in maintaining our muscle mass and overall health, all this increased attention on the importance of protein in the media and fitness circles has sparked a surge in products marketed specifically for their protein content. Some chocolate bars, ice cream, pizza, coffee and even alcoholic beverages now market themselves as protein foods.

    But our enthusiasm for protein might have gone too far. While protein is certainly important for our health, most of us don’t need these protein-enhanced foods as a regular feature in our diet. Not to mention that this marketing may lead to a “halo effect,” where consumers mistakenly equate high protein content with overall nutritional value. This effect can lead to the perception of protein-rich foods being inherently nutritious – even though many may not be.

    Protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass and immune function.

    Nutrition guidelines recommend people aim to eat around 0.75g of protein per kilogram of body weight. But some evidence suggests this recommendation may be an underestimate – and that the recommendation should be around 1.2g-1.6g per kg of body weight per day

    There’s also a strong body of evidence that suggests the amount of protein we need changes depending on our health. For instance, people need to eat more protein when they’re recovering from an illness. Research also shows that older adults should be aiming for at least 1.2g per kg of body weight in order to combat age-related muscle loss.

    Athletes also need to eat a greater amount of protein to support their training and recovery. Moreover, with the rising popularity of weight-loss drugs, strategies increasingly emphasise protein intake to minimise muscle loss while losing weight.

    But just because protein is good for maintaining muscle mass, that doesn’t mean more is better. In fact, it seems that even when we consume large amounts of protein, only a some of this is actually used by the body.

    Most of us probably need a little more protein than current guidelines suggest, but less than is often promoted by wellness influencers on social media (with some even suggesting we need up to 3g of protein per kg of body weight).

    Ironically, the necessary amount of protein suggested by emerging evidence (1.2g-1.6g per kg of body weight per day) is close to what the average protein consumption already is in most western countries.

    It’s better to try and eat a bit of protein from a whole food source at each meal.
    Margouillat Photo/ Shutterstock

    Most people can probably benefit from being more protein aware – not about how much protein they’re consuming, but about the quality and frequency of their protein choices. Ideally, we should aim to consume small amounts of protein-rich foods more often during the day.

    Current evidence suggests around 20g-30g of protein (around a handful of a protein source) at each meal supports muscle maintenance alongside physical activity.

    In an ideal world, this protein would come from whole foods (such as nuts, seeds, milk, eggs and legumes). But fortified protein products may have their space as a quick and easy snack – especially for those who may struggle to eat this much protein at each meal. It’s important to eat these foods in moderation, however.

    Ultra-processed products

    Supermarkets are full of “protein-enhanced” products. But while these products may contain additional protein, they may also contain additional sugars or carbohydrates.

    For example, protein milk often contains double the protein of regular milk. It does this by removing water or adding dried milk.

    Protein bars are another example. But depending on the brand you choose, alongside their additional protein content they may also be high in sugar.

    Many protein-fortified products share another common trait: they fall into the category of ultra-processed foods. Ultra-processed foods are commercially made products that include ingredients you wouldn’t typically find in your own kitchen.

    Research shows regularly consuming ultra-processed foods is consistently linked with poorer health outcomes – such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Current discussions around ultra-processed foods suggests uncertainty regarding whether it’s the processing itself, the poor nutritional quality of these foods or the combination of both of these factors that contribute to these negative health outcomes.

    Another issue with protein-enhanced products is that while they do indeed contain extra protein, some products may lack fibre, vitamins and essential minerals. A lack of fibre in modern diets is currently one of the biggest contributors to population-wide ill-health.

    All foods have their place within a balanced diet. But protein is only one component of overall nutritional health. The rise in protein-fortified foods as health foods is concerning.

    Protein-enhanced products are occasional foods that might support meeting protein intake, but they should not be mistaken for universally healthy foods. For people looking to reach their protein goals, choose a variety of protein sources, consider the role of convenience foods within the context of whole diet and think about other nutrients like fibre to really maximise health.

    Aisling Pigott receives funding from RCBC Wales (as part of Health Care Research Wales)

    – ref. Protein is being added to yoghurt, bread and even coffee – but is it really good for our health? – https://theconversation.com/protein-is-being-added-to-yoghurt-bread-and-even-coffee-but-is-it-really-good-for-our-health-252236

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine Cosponsors Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Fix World Trade Center Health Program Funding Shortfall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) announced he is cosponsoring the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025, legislation that would extend funding that benefits 9/11 responders and survivors.

    “9/11 was one of the most horrific and painful days in American history,” said Kaine. “It is our responsibility to permanently fund the health care program that the thousands of brave souls—who risked their lives to save their fellow Americans—rely on. I am proud to uphold our promise to never forget by supporting our first responders and survivors, many of whom continue to face grave, longstanding health issues.”

    Despite recent congressional action, the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) continues to face an impending funding shortfall. As a result, by October 2028, the program will be forced to close enrollment to new 9/11 responders and survivors seeking benefits, and existing enrollees will face direct cuts to their care and be denied medical monitoring and treatment. 

    The 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025 would update the program’s outdated funding formula to ensure adequate funding until the program’s expiration in 2090. The bill would also increase funding for data collection on 9/11-related conditions and expand access to mental health care for program members. 

    This legislation is led by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Representatives Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-2), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12). 

    Full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lt. Governor Primavera Showcases Colorado’s Leadership in Health Innovation at National Health Equity Summit

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER — Colorado continues to set the standard for digital health transformation and health equity as Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera traveled to Orlando, FL, for the Social Determinants of Health & Health Equity Summit last week.

    Representing one of the nation’s most forward-thinking states in healthcare innovation, Lt. Governor Primavera highlighted the groundbreaking work of the Colorado Social Health Information Exchange (CoSHIE) and its role in improving access to care, integrating social determinants of health (SDoH) data, and advancing health equity across the state.

    CoSHIE is a pioneering initiative that bridges healthcare and social services, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, whole-person care. By leveraging technology to seamlessly connect medical providers, community-based organizations, and public health agencies, CoSHIE is reducing gaps in care, addressing social needs, and driving better health outcomes for Coloradans.

    “Colorado has long been a leader in health care innovation, and our work with the Colorado Social Health Information Exchange is a testament to that commitment,” said Lt. Governor and Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care, Dianne Primavera. “By integrating social determinants of health into our digital health strategies, we’re ensuring that individuals receive the support they need — whether it’s food security, housing assistance, or access to mental health care — alongside traditional medical treatment. This will support our continued efforts to ensure that all Coloradans have access to high-quality, affordable health care.”

    Stephanie Pugliese, Executive Director of the Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI), emphasized the importance of community collaboration in driving CoSHIE’s success: “Colorado Social Health Information Exchange represents more than just a technological advancement — it’s a reflection of Colorado’s unwavering commitment to equity and person-centered care. By aligning state agencies, health care providers, and local organizations, we’re building a more connected and compassionate system that meets people where they are and helps improve their overall well-being.”

    Colorado’s ongoing efforts in health technology extend beyond CoSHIE, with investments in telehealth, rural broadband expansion, and data-driven policy initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes statewide. These initiatives underscore Colorado’s commitment to using technology as a force for good — ensuring healthcare is more accessible, equitable, and efficient.

    For more information on Colorado’s digital health initiatives, visit OeHI’s website.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Podcast: Attacking Endometriosis With Awareness and Research

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The UConn Health Pulse Podcast brings a variety of expertise on health topics to the general public.

    Treatable but not curable, endometriosis affects one in 10 women and girls of reproductive age. But it’s not all that well understood and recognized, and can go undetected, leading to years of avoidable suffering and causing time away from school, work, and other activities. UConn Health is part of a collaboration with The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine and the state of Connecticut called EndoRISE, which seeks to raise awareness and advance research of endometriosis. Dr. Danielle Luciano, director of minimally invasive gynecological surgery at UConn Health, and Jasmina Uvalic, EndoRISE program manager from JAX, help lead this effort.

    Having your period isn’t supposed to be so painful that you can’t function. It isn’t supposed to be so painful that you can’t go to school, that you are missing events, that you are not able to go to work or do the things that are fun for you.
    &#8212 Dr. Danielle Luciano

    Listen now:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregon Treasurer Steiner Calls On Congress To Protect Oregon And Other States From Medicaid Budget Cuts

    Source: US State of Oregon

    regon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner called on congressional leaders to protect Medicaid from budget cuts designed to fund tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. In Oregon, approximately 1 in 3 state residents get their health insurance from the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), Oregon’s Medicaid program.

    At a national news conference with other state treasurers earlier in the day, Treasurer Steiner stated:

    “Medicaid cuts will delay or deny health care, raise costs and push more families closer to financial instability and bankruptcy.

    Oregon’s economic stability is also at risk. Medicaid budget cuts or cost shifts to states will eliminate jobs, hamstring our economy and destabilize the health care system, especially in rural communities across Oregon.

    The bottom line: Medicaid works. In Oregon, Medicaid has helped slow the growth of health costs. It provides vital health coverage and senior care that most middle- and lower-income families cannot afford to live without.

    America must provide opportunity to working families who are already struggling to save for emergencies, their children’s education, and retirement – not put greater financial burdens on their shoulders. Protecting Medicaid is a vital investment in their well-being. I urge Congress to put the interests of working families ahead of another tax cut benefiting the wealthiest Americans and corporations.”

    Treasurer Steiner’s full remarks can be seen here: https://bit.ly/41N1Z0X

    Facts about Oregon’s Medicaid program:

    • Medicaid covers 1 in 3 people in Oregon (1.4 million people).
    • Today 97% of Oregonians have health coverage. Before Oregon expanded Medicaid nearly 1 in 5 Oregonians lacked health coverage.
    • 57% of Oregon children – and 45% of all births – are covered by Medicaid.
    • 2 out of every 3 nursing home residents rely on Medicaid.
    • Counties in rural areas typically have Oregon’s highest Medicaid enrollment rates. In Oregon Congressional District 2, which spans most of Oregon east of the Cascades:
      • More than 4 in 10 residents receive health care through the Oregon Health Plan (the highest percentage in the state).
      • 7 in 10 children are covered by OHP.
      • More than 110,000 adults are covered by Medicaid expansion.
    • Medicaid budget cuts under consideration by Congress could cost Oregon more than $3 billion in federal funding and put coverage at risk for more than 670,000 Oregonians.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Microsoft celebrates 50 years of employee giving program

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Microsoft celebrates 50 years of employee giving program

    Fifty years ago, Microsoft opened its doors and introduced us to a world of technology innovations that touch every part of our lives. We have grown from six buildings and Lake Bill in Redmond to offices in over 190 countries. Hundreds of thousands of people have shipped thousands of products that have made all of us more connected, efficient and innovative.

    Through all the growth, change, and technological progress, there is one common thread that ties our Microsoft employees and their communities together— Microsoft’s Give program. It’s fundamental to who we are as a company. It reflects our values and our commitment to helping every person and organization on the planet do more.

    In 2024, our contributions reached historic milestones, highlighting the shared benefits of our giving program for the nonprofits we support and for Microsoft and its employees, who tell us again and again they derive heartfelt value from our community connections. We’ve logged nearly 6 million volunteer hours and $1.3 billion in lifetime donations to Washington nonprofits.

    Giving is deeply ingrained in our culture

    It is an honor to celebrate the generosity of our employees who passionately give their time and money to support nonprofits they care about in the communities where they live and work.

    • In 2024, our employees worldwide volunteered 1.2 million hours and raised over $255 million to support 36,000 nonprofits around the world.
    • In our first full year of the Change Agent program—where employees volunteer their time to help nonprofits on their digital transformation journey—we had 1,200 employees line up to participate and the demand is growing.
    • Our employees, past and present, have donated over $3 billion since our first Give campaign and provided the equivalent of 1,277 years of volunteering to 36,000 organizations globally.

    Investing in our own backyard​

    Nowhere is this commitment to giving more evident than in Washington, our HQ state, where so many of our employees who live right here in the Puget Sound region are so deeply committed to making a difference. It shows in the numbers!

    • The total donations in 2024 to nonprofits in the state was $88 million, and over 460,000 hours of volunteer time. It’s the highest number of volunteer hours we’ve ever provided in Washington in a single year.
    • We supported 4,900 nonprofits in the state in 2024—another record.
    • Our lifetime giving in Washington state alone has surpassed $1.3 billion and Microsoft employees have logged 6 million volunteer hours.
    • The most inspiring statistic? 80% of our Washington state employees participated in our giving program – sharing their time and their personal resources.

    These numbers tell the story of impact, but it is the personal stories of our local changemakers and the nonprofits they support that tell the real story.

    What really matters

    The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is also celebrating a 50-year anniversary. What started as a regional cancer center has turned into a world-class biomedical research and clinical care institution. Microsoft and our employees have supported the critical work of Fred Hutch since the 1980s.

    Some employees have a very personal reason for their commitment to the organization. La Shanda Hurst lost her father to colon cancer when he was just 43 years old. Her support of the Hutch is rooted in her drive to make a difference. “My overall calling has to do with my life experience, losing my dad so early, and trying to drive impact.” For her, “I’m thinking about supporting causes and making an impact 365 days a year.”

    Her focus on results is echoed by many of our employees. They have shared that volunteering not only allows them to make a tangible difference in their communities but also fosters a strong sense of connection and purpose. One of our employees states the drive for impact beautifully when he said, “When my time is over on this planet, what will I say I really did to make an impact?”

    Committing to long-term impact

    Northwest Harvest is one of the country’s largest independent food banks, collecting and distributing food to more than 400 partner organizations across the state of Washington. It is also one of our top ten giving recipients—in both dollars and volunteer hours—year after year.

    Thomas Reynolds, CEO of Northwest Harvest, talks about the importance of the relationship, “The partnership with Microsoft means that there are literally thousands of people who take action on food justice issues here in Washington State. They provide financial support, their time, and their wisdom.”

    We often talk about the importance of scale. However, critical and complex issues like hunger and food security also require a long-term commitment to effect meaningful and lasting change. The continuity of our employees’ support provides a solid foundation to help the organization reach its goal of cutting hunger in half by 2028, and doing the same for the number of households struggling without enough food on the table.

    Investing in a future for everyone in the digital economy

    We believe economic growth and opportunity must reach every person, organization, community, and country. Even in a state like Washington, home to some of the largest and most influential companies globally, economic opportunities are not available to all.

    To help address the challenge, our Give program has supported the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) since its inception in 2011. WSOS removes barriers to education and helps historically excluded students create a path to high-demand STEM, health care, and trade careers in Washington state. As a first-generation college student, Douglas Lepar, Microsoft Director of Operations Program Management, experienced the same challenges as WSOS scholars. He also brings years of experience and knowledge of working in the technology field, which he generously shares with scholars through the Skills that Shine mentor program. “I’ve been so impressed and humbled by the students I have seen who, thanks to this incredible program, have managed to juggle all those things while still thriving, growing, and engaging.”

    Looking forward

    I am both grateful and inspired when I look at how Microsoft employees give to create a positive and lasting social impact. There is a tremendous amount of change in the world today, placing significant pressure on nonprofits organizations worldwide. They are grappling with immensely complex situations and are being asked to respond to more crises than ever before. Our changemakers continue to step up as advocates, allies, funders, and volunteers. Their commitment gives me hope that we can rise to today’s challenges and ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

    Tags: Give Campaign

    MIL OSI Economics –