MIL-OSI Economics: New research: AI could make breast cancer screening more accurate and easier

Source: Microsoft

Headline: New research: AI could make breast cancer screening more accurate and easier

At Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, we’ve been working with partners at the University of Washington, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and other institutions to explore whether artificial intelligence can help bring greater clarity, accuracy, and trust to breast cancer screening.

This week, our joint research team released the results of a new study published in Radiology, detailing a promising AI approach that aims not just to detect cancer—but to do so in a way that radiologists can trust and patients can understand.

The challenges with current breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. In the United States alone, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Early detection through screening is the most powerful tool available to save lives, with a 20% to 40% reduction in mortality for women aged 50-69—yet it remains an imperfect science.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is among the most sensitive screening tools available, especially for women at higher risk. But for all its sensitivity, MRI comes with serious trade-offs: high rates of false positives, significantly increased anxiety for patients, and unnecessary biopsies. The problem is especially acute for the nearly 50% of women who have dense breast tissue—a condition that not only increases the risk of breast cancer but also makes it harder to detect abnormalities through traditional imaging methods like mammograms.

Too often, these challenges translate into a troubling equation: more scans, more uncertainty, and more follow-up procedures that turn out to be unnecessary. In fact, only a small fraction—less than 5%—of women undergoing breast MRI screening are ultimately diagnosed with cancer.

A smarter model, built for the real world

The model—called FCDD (Fully Convolutional Data Description)—is based on anomaly detection rather than standard classification. That’s an important shift. Instead of trying to learn what every possible cancer looks like, the model learns what normal breast scans look like and flags anything that deviates.

This approach is particularly effective in real-world screening settings where cancer is rare and abnormalities are highly varied. Across a dataset of over 9,700 breast MRI exams, the model was tested in both high- and low-prevalence scenarios—including realistic screening populations where just 1.85% of scans contained cancer.

Here’s what we found:

Improved accuracy in low-prevalence populations: FCDD outperformed traditional AI models in identifying malignancies while dramatically reducing false positives. In screening-like settings, it achieved double the positive predictive value of standard models and cut false alarms by more than 25%.
Exceptional explainability: Unlike most AI models, FCDD doesn’t just give a “yes” or “no”—it generates heatmaps that visually highlight the suspected tumor location in the two-dimensional MRI projection. These explanation maps matched expert radiologist retrospective annotations with 92% accuracy (pixel-wise AUC), far exceeding other models.
Generalizability across institutions: Without retraining, the model maintained high performance on a publicly available external dataset and an independent internal dataset, suggesting strong potential for broader clinical adoption.

Making AI impactful, not just impressive

This model is more than a technical achievement. It’s a step toward making AI useful in clinical workflows—providing triage support, reducing time spent on normal cases, and focusing radiologists’ attention where it matters most. By improving specificity at high sensitivity thresholds (95–97%), the model could help reduce unnecessary callbacks and biopsies, easing emotional and financial burdens for patients.

Importantly, the code and methodology have been made open to the research community. You can explore the project here: GitHub Repository, and the paper here.

As with all AI in healthcare, the path to impact requires more than algorithms. It requires trust. Trust is built not only by performance metrics but also by transparency, interpretability, and a clear understanding of the clinical context in which these tools are deployed.

Where we go from here

We still have work ahead. The model will need to be tested prospectively in larger, diverse clinical populations. But the results are promising—and they mark an important shift in how we think about the role of AI in medicine. Rather than asking doctors to trust a black box, we’re building models that shine a light on what they see and why.

“We are very optimistic about the potential of this new AI model, not only for its increased accuracy over other models in identifying cancerous regions but its ability to do so using only minimal image data from each exam. Importantly, this AI tool can be applied to abbreviated contrast-enhanced breast MRI exams as well as full diagnostic protocols, which may also help in shortening both scan times and interpretation times,” said Savannah Partridge, Professor of Radiology at the University of Washington and senior author of the study. “We are excited to take the next steps to assess its utility for enhancing radiologist performance and clinical workflows.”

AI will not replace radiologists. But with the right design and oversight, it can give them sharper tools and clearer signals to increase confidence in evaluating difficult cases.

Breast cancer is a global challenge. With AI, we have a chance to detect it earlier, reduce unnecessary interventions, and ultimately save more lives. That is a future worth building toward—one pixel, one scan, and one breakthrough at a time.

MIL OSI Economics –

July 16, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: Ukraine: Civilians under fire in record numbers as attacks surge

Source: United Nations 2-b

According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, at least 139 civilians have been killed and 791 injured so far in July alone.

“The devastating physical and psychological impact on civilians of repeated attacks in this and other conflicts cannot be captured by numbers alone,” said OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell on Tuesday.

Escalating attacks

On the night of 12 July, Russian forces reportedly launched nearly 600 Shahed-type unmanned attack and decoy drones, along with 26 missiles, killing two civilians and injuring 41.

Damage was reported across multiple regions, including Chernivtsi, Lviv, Cherkasy, Volyn and Kirovohrad – all far from active combat zones. Earlier that same week, Russian forces reportedly launched a record-breaking 728 long-range drones in a single 24-hour period.

June marked the deadliest month for civilians in over three years.

“People are having to spend hours sheltering (…) in basements, corridors and available refuges such as metro stations,” said Ms. Throssell. “In some cases, they’re unable to get to shelter at all.”

Health under pressure

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) meanwhile has verified 2,504 attacks on health facilities and personnel in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022.

These strikes have hit hospitals, ambulances and first responders, including in so-called “double tap” attacks where secondary strikes follow the initial impact.

“This means more than two attacks every day…Healthcare is not a safe place for patients and healthcare workers,” said Dr. Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine.

Access to healthcare remains especially limited in frontline areas, where personnel and supplies are scarce.

Only 69 per cent of residents in those areas have seen a primary care doctor, compared to 74 per cent nationally. WHO mobile teams operating in 82 locations have conducted more than 7,500 consultations in 2025 so far.

The psychological toll is also wearing people down. A recent assessment found that seven out of 10 people reported anxiety, depression or severe stress over the last 12 months, while one in two said they had experienced significant stress in just the past two months.

To address this, WHO and national partners have trained more than 125,000 health workers and expanded mental health services through more than 220 community resilience centres.

Despite continued deliveries of trauma kits and medical supplies by UN and humanitarian partners, the response remains critically underfunded. As of mid-July, only 35.5 per cent of the required $129 million for 2025 has been secured, leaving more than two million people without adequate medical support.

Call for accountability

In Geneva, Ms. Throssell highlighted the UN human rights chief’s calls for an immediate end to hostilities and for efforts toward a just and lasting peace.

“The Russian Federation’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine must urgently be halted and work on a lasting peace in line with international law must intensify,” Volker Türk said in a statement.

The High Commissioner emphasized that any sustainable solution must include accountability for serious human rights violations, the return of deported children, protection for civilians in occupied areas, humane treatment of prisoners of war, and restoration of humanitarian corridors.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 16, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Schumer, Sanders Urge ED Secretary McMahon to Reverse Interest Hike on Student Loan Borrowers Amid Rising Costs

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
July 15, 2025
ED will increase the student loan balances of eight million Americans by $300/month on average.
Senators: “You should immediately reverse this policy so that millions of borrowers are not forced to pay billions of dollars in unnecessary interest charges.”
Text of Letter (PDF)
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, urging the Department of Education (ED) to immediately reverse its recent decision to resume charging interest to the nearly eight million student loan borrowers currently in a forbearance after enrolling in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan.
“This decision will be devastating for millions of American families,” wrote the senators. “The average borrower enrolled in SAVE will be charged hundreds of dollars in interest each month, amounting to over $27 billion in unnecessary costs placed on borrowers across the country over the next year alone.”
SAVE is an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan designed by the Biden Administration to make federal student loan payments significantly more affordable for millions of borrowers, which would have cut many borrowers’ monthly payments in half. Last year, as a result of litigation pursued by Republican state attorneys general, Republican-appointed judges blocked the implementation of the SAVE plan, forcing the eight million borrowers who had already enrolled in SAVE into a forbearance. In response, the Biden Administration implemented a safeguard that prevented these borrowers from accruing interest during the pause.
On July 9, 2025, Secretary McMahon announced that borrowers in the SAVE forbearance would begin accruing interest again. The decision came despite a backlog of 1.5 million unprocessed IDR applications, meaning that SAVE borrowers will likely be unable to switch to another IDR plan that would allow them to make progress toward debt relief. Instead, they will be stuck in forbearance with no way to avoid accumulating interest. And once the forbearance period ends, many of these borrowers’ monthly payments will be higher due to the extra interest charges that will have accumulated and compounded over time.
ED’s new policy appears to be based on a false premise. The press release announcing the new policy claimed that it was required by a court order. But no court has told ED to resume charging interest, and the Administration has the legal right under the Higher Education Act to pause interest payments for borrowers in the SAVE forbearance. In fact, courts have even cited the interest-free forbearance as justification for continuing to temporarily suspend SAVE while litigation is ongoing.
“It defies logic and the law that a months-old preliminary injunction against SAVE, which makes no mention of the interest-free forbearance, requires you to start charging interest to millions of borrowers in forbearance now,” wrote the senators. “You should immediately reverse this policy so that millions of borrowers are not forced to pay billions of dollars in unnecessary interest charges.”
Due to the impacts this policy will have on millions of student loan borrowers, the senators demanded Secretary McMahon answer their questions about this new policy and the staggering IDR application backlog by July 28, 2025:
“Under your leadership, ED has continuously failed student loan borrowers, jacking up costs and ripping up consumer protections,” concluded the senators. “This new policy is another example of the Trump Administration’s deliberate disregard for the millions of Americans shouldering student loan debt across the country.”
Senator Warren launched the Save Our Schools campaign in a coordinated effort to fight back against President Trump’s attempts to abolish the Department of Education:
On July 14, 2025, Senator Warren joined a letter to the director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, and the Department of Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, demanding that the department stop blocking nearly $7 billion in funds for K-12 schools, including for afterschool programs.
On July 3, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in submitting an amicus brief for NAACP v. US, arguing to the United States District Court District of Maryland that President Trump’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education (ED) violate separation of powers and lack constitutional authority.
On June 10, 2025, Senator Warren met with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and delivered over 1,000 letters to McMahon that the senator had received from people in all 50 states who were worried about the Secretary’s efforts to dismantle ED.
On June 9, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in pushing the Acting Inspector General of ED to open an investigation into new information obtained by her office, revealing that DOGE may have gained access to two FSA internal systems, in addition to sensitive borrower data.
On May 20, 2025, Senator Warren and 27 other senators pushed for full funding for the Office of Federal Student Aid.
On May 14, 2025, Senator Warren led a Senate forum entitled “Stealing the American Dream: How Trump and Republicans Are Raising Education Costs for Families,” highlighting the consequences of Secretary Linda McMahon’s reckless dismantling of the Department of Education (ED) and President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” for working- and middle-class students and borrowers.
On May 13, 2025, Senator Warren agreed to meet with Education Secretary Linda McMahon and promised to bring questions and stories from Americans across the country to highlight how the Trump administration’s attacks on education are hurting American families.
On May 6, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted the consequences of President Trump and Secretary Linda McMahon’s reckless dismantling of the Department of Education for American families in a Senate forum.
On April 24, 2025, Senator Warren launched a new investigation into the harms of President Trump’s attacks on the Department of Education, seeking information on the impact of the Trump administration’s actions from the members of twelve leading organizations representing schools, parents, teachers, students, borrowers, and researchers.
On April 10, 2025, following a request led by Senator Warren, the Department of Education’s Acting Inspector General agreed to open an investigation into the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.
On April 2, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Mazie Hirono, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon regarding the Department of Government Efficiency’s proposed plan to replace the Department of Education’s federal student aid call centers with generative artificial intelligence chatbots.
On April 2, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren launched the Save Our Schools campaign to fight back against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education (ED) and highlight the consequences for every student and public school in America.
On March 27, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led a letter to Acting Department of Education Inspector General (IG) René Rocque requesting that the IG conduct an investigation of the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.
On March 20, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders led a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to slash the capacity of Federal Student Aid to handle student aid complaints.
On February 24, 2025, in a response to Senator Warren, Secretary McMahon gave her first public admission that she “wholeheartedly” agreed with Trump’s plans to abolish the Department of Education.
On February 11, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim sent Linda McMahon, Secretary-Designate for the U.S. Department of Education, a 12-page letter with 65 questions on McMahon’s policy views in advance of her nomination hearing.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15 July 2025

Contact: Jin Choi

Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), a member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy following up on comments and commitments the Secretary made related to Alzheimer’s disease research at the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing on “The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget” on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) funds 35 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) across the country. Since the start of the Trump Administration and DOGE’s attacks on critical research, 13 ADRCs have experienced funding reductions of $65 million in 2025. Currently, another 14 ADRCs are up for renewal in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

The letter clarifies the facts about the status of federally-funded Alzheimer’s research after Secretary Kennedy suggested that what the Congresswoman shared about these cuts was untrue.

“It’s extremely disappointing that our nation’s top health official was unaware of devastating cuts to research that prevents access to clinical trials and other critical services for people living with devastating Alzheimer’s and their caregivers,” said Rep. Barragán. “I urge Secretary Kennedy to honor his words and ensure full funding of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers up for renewal in 2026. These Centers are funded with bipartisanship support in Congress. This should be a non-partisan priority. Families battling Alzheimer’s can’t afford funding delays, conspiracy theories, or ideological budgets. They need answers, treatments, and hope now.”

The letter also urges a commitment in writing following an exchange during the hearing when Congresswoman Barragán asked Secretary Kennedy to commit to fully funding the 14 ADRCs up for renewal in FY26, and the Secretary responded that is something he was willing to work together on.

About Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers

Established in 1984 as NIH Centers of Excellence, the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCS) are conducting research and translating scientific advances into improved diagnosis and care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. ADRCs have supported access to over 325 clinical trial opportunities between 2017 and 2022, provided evaluations and diagnoses for nearly 30,000 individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment since 2005, and offered a range of supportive and informational resources, including referrals to clinical trials, for ADRC research participants living with dementia and their caregivers as well as for professional providers. Although each Center has its own area of research emphasis, the ADRCs work together as a network to enhance research, sharing new research ideas, approaches, diseases, and samples.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025

MIL-OSI: Chalk River Laboratories Becomes First GLP-Certified Laboratory in Canada to Offer Pre-Clinical Radiopharmaceutical Studies

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CHALK RIVER, Ontario, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, is pleased to announce that the Chalk River Laboratories has become the first Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) certified laboratory in Canada that is capable of performing radioactive work and pre-clinical radiopharmaceutical contract research. The enhanced certification follows a Standards Council of Canada (SCC) audit that granted CNL full GLP recognition, a designation that adheres to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) protocols, and standards required by national and international regulators, including Health Canada and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.

GLP recognition demonstrates that CNL meets internationally recognized standards for laboratory studies, ensuring the reliability, reproducibility, and integrity of the data generated, and is critical for laboratories conducting radiopharmaceutical testing and evaluation. CNL can now perform GLP compliant studies within its Biological Research Facility (BRF) and its Analytical Chemistry laboratories, through capabilities the are unique in Canada to perform radiopharmaceutical testing and evaluation. This presents a wide range of new and exciting commercial and partnership opportunities to Canada’s national nuclear laboratory.

“Securing GLP recognition for the Chalk River Laboratories is a significant milestone that comes at a time when the global radiopharmaceutical industry is experiencing exceptional growth and Canada is playing an industry defining role,” commented Dr. Marie-Claude Gregoire, Head of CNL’s Isotopes, Radiobiology and Environment Directorate. “Given our capabilities to safely access and manage a wide range of radioactive materials, it also distinguishes CNL from other contract research organizations in Canada, positioning the Chalk River Laboratories campus as a ‘one-stop shop’ to conduct innovative pre-clinical radiopharmaceuticals studies. Overall, we believe this designation fulfills an unmet need in the Canadian and global radiopharmaceutical market and will further expand what has been a growing source of revenue for CNL.”

Administered by the SCC, GLP recognition ensures a high degree of quality assurance and data integrity for laboratory contract research and enables full traceability and curation of information. In recent years, CNL has expanded its preclinical and radiopharmaceutical capabilities and launched collaborative programs to advance knowledge and pursue new commercial opportunities. This includes GLP analytical and toxicology studies, formulation optimization, biodistribution studies, in-vitro assays and other pre-clinical studies conducted on behalf of pharmaceutical companies, government bodies, and regulatory agencies. GLP studies is a phase of preclinical research conducted prior to clinical trials in humans, and typically yields information about a drug’s safety and toxicity in animal models.

The GLP studies and preclinical research is largely carried out at CNL’s BRF, which is a 1,600 m² state-of-the-art facility designed to support animal and animal tissue-based studies, featuring capabilities that support radiation, radionuclide and carcinogen-based testing and experimentation that are unique in Canada. The BRF houses environmentally controlled, specific pathogen-free laboratories dedicated to biological research, which includes cell and molecular biology, histology and tissue processing, hematology, tissue culture and animal procedures. This facility houses over 20,000 mice at full capacity. With full GLP recognition now in place, the facility will increasingly serve as a national facility dedicated to advancing innovative, next-generation radiopharmaceuticals, medical isotopes and cancer treatments towards clinical testing and real-world use.

“Recent advances in radioligand therapy are enabling better outcomes for cancer patients. This is driving a rebirth of the radiopharmaceutical industry and spurring unprecedented growth, with current forecasts estimating that this market would grow from a $9.3 Billion market in 2023 to a $42 Billion market by 2033,” commented George Baidoo, CNL’s Technical Director, Health in Business Development. “The message that we want to send to the radiopharmaceutical industry today is that CNL can work with radioactive materials within GLP certified laboratories, a very unique capability that addresses an unmet need in the industry. By leveraging the assets of Canada’s national nuclear laboratory, CNL can provide needed preclinical radiopharmaceutical R&D services, coupled with GLP capabilities, to help advance and accelerate new therapies from bench to bedside.”

CNL’s Biological Research Facility and Analytical Chemistry services are part of a broader series of laboratories and programs that CNL maintains in health studies and dosimetry services, including animal studies, isotope production and processing, targeted radionuclide therapies, and waste management solutions. For more information on CNL’s research in health sciences, including its Biological Research Facility, please visit www.cnl.ca/health.

About CNL

As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector, and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

To learn more about CNL, please visit www.cnl.ca.

CNL Contact:
Philip Kompass
Director, Corporate Communications
1-866-886-2325
media@cnl.ca

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/45b7fbd5-d415-449c-85b9-c0dcb4006b03

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15 July 2025

Contact: Jin Choi

Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), a member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy following up on comments and commitments the Secretary made related to Alzheimer’s disease research at the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing on “The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget” on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) funds 35 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) across the country. Since the start of the Trump Administration and DOGE’s attacks on critical research, 13 ADRCs have experienced funding reductions of $65 million in 2025. Currently, another 14 ADRCs are up for renewal in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

The letter clarifies the facts about the status of federally-funded Alzheimer’s research after Secretary Kennedy suggested that what the Congresswoman shared about these cuts was untrue.

“It’s extremely disappointing that our nation’s top health official was unaware of devastating cuts to research that prevents access to clinical trials and other critical services for people living with devastating Alzheimer’s and their caregivers,” said Rep. Barragán. “I urge Secretary Kennedy to honor his words and ensure full funding of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers up for renewal in 2026. These Centers are funded with bipartisanship support in Congress. This should be a non-partisan priority. Families battling Alzheimer’s can’t afford funding delays, conspiracy theories, or ideological budgets. They need answers, treatments, and hope now.”

The letter also urges a commitment in writing following an exchange during the hearing when Congresswoman Barragán asked Secretary Kennedy to commit to fully funding the 14 ADRCs up for renewal in FY26, and the Secretary responded that is something he was willing to work together on.

About Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers

Established in 1984 as NIH Centers of Excellence, the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCS) are conducting research and translating scientific advances into improved diagnosis and care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. ADRCs have supported access to over 325 clinical trial opportunities between 2017 and 2022, provided evaluations and diagnoses for nearly 30,000 individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment since 2005, and offered a range of supportive and informational resources, including referrals to clinical trials, for ADRC research participants living with dementia and their caregivers as well as for professional providers. Although each Center has its own area of research emphasis, the ADRCs work together as a network to enhance research, sharing new research ideas, approaches, diseases, and samples.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15 July 2025

Contact: Jin Choi

Rep. Barragán Follows Up on Exchange with HHS Secretary Kennedy on Alzheimer’s Research During Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), a member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy following up on comments and commitments the Secretary made related to Alzheimer’s disease research at the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing on “The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget” on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) funds 35 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) across the country. Since the start of the Trump Administration and DOGE’s attacks on critical research, 13 ADRCs have experienced funding reductions of $65 million in 2025. Currently, another 14 ADRCs are up for renewal in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

The letter clarifies the facts about the status of federally-funded Alzheimer’s research after Secretary Kennedy suggested that what the Congresswoman shared about these cuts was untrue.

“It’s extremely disappointing that our nation’s top health official was unaware of devastating cuts to research that prevents access to clinical trials and other critical services for people living with devastating Alzheimer’s and their caregivers,” said Rep. Barragán. “I urge Secretary Kennedy to honor his words and ensure full funding of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers up for renewal in 2026. These Centers are funded with bipartisanship support in Congress. This should be a non-partisan priority. Families battling Alzheimer’s can’t afford funding delays, conspiracy theories, or ideological budgets. They need answers, treatments, and hope now.”

The letter also urges a commitment in writing following an exchange during the hearing when Congresswoman Barragán asked Secretary Kennedy to commit to fully funding the 14 ADRCs up for renewal in FY26, and the Secretary responded that is something he was willing to work together on.

About Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers

Established in 1984 as NIH Centers of Excellence, the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCS) are conducting research and translating scientific advances into improved diagnosis and care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. ADRCs have supported access to over 325 clinical trial opportunities between 2017 and 2022, provided evaluations and diagnoses for nearly 30,000 individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment since 2005, and offered a range of supportive and informational resources, including referrals to clinical trials, for ADRC research participants living with dementia and their caregivers as well as for professional providers. Although each Center has its own area of research emphasis, the ADRCs work together as a network to enhance research, sharing new research ideas, approaches, diseases, and samples.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Health Subcommittee Chairman Griffith Visits SWVA Rural Health Care Providers

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

ICYMI: Health Subcommittee Chairman Griffith Visits SWVA Rural Health Care Providers

In his first public actions since being named Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA) visited multiple rural health care providers in Virginia’s Ninth District. For information on each visit, please see below:

Wednesday visit to Lee County Community Hospital with Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger.

Wednesday visit to Clinch Valley Medical Center.

Wednesday visit to LewisGale Hospital Montgomery.

Thursday visit to Connect Health + Wellness.

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 Departmental update WHO prequalifies the first triple diagnostic test for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis, a milestone toward global disease elimination goals

Source: World Health Organisation

On 10 July 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified the first bundled set of three in vitro rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) capable of simultaneously detecting HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis – three major infections that pose serious risks to maternal and child health.

The prequalification listing of the Determine™ Antenatal Care Panel is expected to facilitate timely and expanded access to testing in communities where pregnant women often face significant barriers to early diagnosis and essential maternal health care. This advancement also supports the global initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, HBV and syphilis as a public health problem – a critical effort known as triple elimination.

HIV, HBV and syphilis are not only leading causes of preventable illness and death but also carry a high risk of vertical (mother-to-child) transmission during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Early diagnosis during pregnancy is therefore crucial. Timely testing allows pregnant women to access appropriate treatment, prophylaxis and supportive care, significantly reducing the risk of complications and transmission to the infant. WHO recommends that all pregnant women be tested at least once for these three pathogens – and as early as possible – during pregnancy.

“Ensuring rapid access to quality-assured diagnostic tests is essential to protecting the health of vulnerable populations, including pregnant women,” said Dr Rogério Gaspar, Director of WHO’s Department of Prequalification and Regulation of Medicines and Health Products. “This milestone reflects our continued commitment to accelerating the availability of safe, effective and quality health innovations where they are needed most.”

To date, WHO has prequalified three dual HIV/syphilis RDTs and continues to monitor a growing pipeline of multiplex diagnostic tools. Assessing these innovations remains a strategic priority, as they offer the potential to further strengthen integrated testing efforts. The newly listed product can build on the successful scale-up of dual HIV/syphilis RDTs and existing WHO guidance to support broader access to integrated antenatal screening.

As health systems face growing resource constraints, integrated approaches such as multiplex testing are increasingly vital. They have the potential to simplify service delivery, reduce costs and improve testing coverage, especially in low-resource and high-burden settings.

WHO is currently developing global guidance on multiplex testing to support countries in effectively deploying this panel, and other emerging multiplex diagnostics. The guidance will offer evidence-based recommendations on when, where, and how to use multiplex tests to maximize impact, and answer questions on the viability of further multiplex self-testing.

“Rapid multiplex tests like this mark a new era for diagnostics as they have potential to transform service delivery and population health. By aligning product prequalification with programmatic guidance, WHO is helping countries implement innovations smarter and faster through working across departments. With our multiplex testing guidelines coming soon, we can turn innovation into impact,” said Dr Meg Doherty, WHO Director of the Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes.

Designed for use by trained health-care providers at the point of care, the Determine™ Antenatal Care Panel is currently intended specifically for pregnant women aged 12 years and older. It enables simultaneous testing for HIV-1/2 antibodies and HIV-1 p24 antigen (Determine™ HIV Early Detect), hepatitis B surface antigen (Determine™ HBsAg 2), and syphilis antibodies to Treponema pallidum (Determine™ Syphilis TP). Each test is qualitative, visually read, and uses capillary whole blood from a finger-prick – providing a practical, efficient tool to aid in the diagnosis of HIV, HBV, and syphilis during pregnancy.

This listing reflects the strong, ongoing collaboration between WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes and the Department of Prequalification and Regulation of Medicines and Health Products. Together, they are working to accelerate access to high-impact tools and ensure they reach the people who need them most.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 16, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 Departmental update New WHO guidance on HIV disclosure for children and adolescents

Source: World Health Organisation

Despite some advancements in achieving key milestones towards ending AIDS in children and adolescents, progress remains slow and major challenges continue to hinder the attainment of global targets. Disclosure is a continuing challenge for these groups, with limited evidence for effective interventions.

Disclosure refers to the process by which children and adolescents are made aware of their own HIV status, enabling them to share this with others safely and when ready, and empowering them to be engaged in and lead decision-making about their own health. Disclosure, when done the right way, can lead to significant benefits, increased social support, reduced stress and improved mental health. Although they are a driver of improved clinical outcomes, disclosure decisions can be particularly complex, with important considerations to be weighed up concerning potential risks and benefits. To address these gaps, an up-to-date understanding of the evidence on disclosure interventions for this age group is necessary.

WHO has released new guidance to help children and adolescents living with HIV navigate disclosure. Since the guidance released by WHO in 2011, no practical tools have been made available for ministries of health, health-care providers and their teams.

“With this new document, WHO is responding to country requests to support the implementation of evidence-informed activities guiding safe and quality disclosure. This new guidance provides an overview of disclosure interventions that are developmentally appropriate, address layered stigma, promote caregiver-client communication, and facilitate supportive health and community systems both pre- and post-disclosure for policy-makers, health workers, caregivers, children, adolescents and the community at large” says Wole Ameyan, WHO Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes.

The updated guidance outlines safe approaches and proven interventions, presented in 2 parts.

The first part presents findings from a scoping review of 25 interventions supporting HIV status disclosure to, and by, children and adolescents aged 6-19. These include disclosure-specific and disclosure-inclusive interventions.

“All children and adolescents have the right to and need for information that helps them make sense of their world,” said Nicola Willis, Executive Director, Zvandiri, a community-based organization in Zimbabwe. “Yet many living with HIV have lacked this vital support. This new guidance reminds us that discussing their HIV status with them is an essential component of their treatment and care. Evidence-based approaches exist and it’s time to prioritize their implementation to improve mental health and viral suppression.”

The second part outlines emerging considerations, gaps and key actions on adolescent development and autonomous decision-making; stigma and rights-based approaches; measurement, monitoring and evaluation; building support systems across families and communities; and the need for innovation in an evolving epidemic. It offers health workers, policy-makers, and other practitioners and researchers working with vulnerable populations, an overview of evidence integrated with rights-based approaches centred on child and adolescent well-being in the process of disclosure.

“This new guidance offers clear, actionable examples and a strong summary of updated, context-specific interventions,” said Luann Hatane, Executive Director, Paediatric-Adolescent Treatment Africa (PATA). “We look forward to sharing it across our network and incorporating the case studies into our capacity-building efforts.”

Disclosure is both a personal decision and a means to safeguard health outcomes, especially for younger populations. The social, relational, and systemic considerations emerging from the evidence are central to promoting safe disclosure.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 16, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 Departmental update Integrating HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections with primary health care: learning from countries

Source: World Health Organisation

Countries are facing acute challenges and new opportunities in how HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STI) services are funded and delivered. In recent years and months, efforts to strengthen country ownership, integration and sustainability have accelerated as donor funding declines.

Many countries are increasingly adopting a primary-health care (PHC) approach to address HIV, viral hepatitis and STI epidemics as part of a broader holistic and people-centred approach to health.

A new policy brief Integrating HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with primary health care: learning from countries highlights progress and lessons learned from efforts to converge, link and integrate these services with PHC in several low- and middle-income countries.

The overall experiences from selected countries in this brief – Angola, Botswana, Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Pakistan, Rwanda, Viet Nam, and Zambia – show varied challenges, approaches and outcomes aligned with the 4 strategic and 10 operational levers described in the WHO/UNICEF PHC Operational Framework.

Acting on only 1 or 2 levers limits impact and reach in the context of complex ecosystems. Countries that prioritized 4 or more areas at the same time – across both strategic and operational levels – achieved the most sustainable results. The integration of disease-focused responses and services with PHC has led to improved access to services, enhanced service delivery, stronger community engagement, improved health outcomes and sustainable financing.

The policy brief recommends strengthening coordination and governance through strong political leadership, securing sustainable funding, and adopting a health system–focused approach. It advocates for task sharing within the health workforce and emphasizes meaningful community engagement to build trust and ownership. Addressing stigma and discrimination is a key priority, alongside leveraging digital technologies to improve service delivery. Finally, it highlights the importance of engaging the private sector to support innovation and expand reach.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 16, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Mental Health Care for Farmers, Rural Communities

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the Farmers First Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation to address the mental health epidemic in rural America and expand access to critical mental health care for our nation’s agricultural communities. The legislation would increase support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), which Senators Baldwin and Senator Ernst successfully included in the 2018 Farm Bill.
“Wisconsin’s farmers and ranchers work hard every day to keep their businesses running and our Made in Wisconsin agricultural economy moving forward. But too often, the stress, isolation, and physical demands of this job leave them with nowhere to turn when it all gets to be too much,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m working to make sure our farmers and rural communities have the resources they need because no one should have to fight these battles alone.”
“Iowa farmers work tirelessly from sunrise to sundown – rain or shine – to feed and fuel the world. Their work isn’t easy, and mental health issues, including suicide, are too common in our agriculture community, which is why I’m working to ensure farmers have better access to mental health resources,” said Senator Ernst.
The Farmers First Act would reauthorize the FRSAN, a program that connects farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture workers to stress assistance programs and resources. Through FRSAN, state departments of agriculture, state extension services, and non-profits receive funding to establish helplines, provide suicide prevention training for farm advocates, and create support groups for farmers and farm workers. The Farmers First Act would increase funding for the program, authorizing $15 million per year for the program for the next five years, up from $10 million and allowing grantees to hire additional staff to support farmers, including behavioral health specialists to provide counseling to agricultural workers, and bolstering grantees’ efforts to address the unique needs of different farming populations, including Veteran farmers and farmers of color.
The Senators are introducing the bill as suicide, mental health challenges, and stress are on the rise in agricultural and rural communities. Farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association. Four regional centers established through FRSAN are currently increasing access to farm stress services, including expanding access to hotlines, training Americans in rural areas to recognize the signs of depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation, and creating support groups for farmworkers.
In addition to Senators Baldwin and Ernst, the Farmers First Act of 2025 is co-sponsored in the Senate by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Susan Collins (R-ME). The bill was also introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04) and Angie Craig (D-MN-02).
The Farmers First Act is endorsed by National Farmers Union, National Rural Health Association, National Milk Producers Federation, Agriculture Retailers Association, The National Council, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, Organic Trade Association, American Psychological Association Services, NCBA CLUSA, Farm Credit Council, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Organic Farmers Association, National Pork Producers Council, American Soybean Association, Midwest Dairy Coalition, Farm Aid, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, National Organic Coalition, Farmer Veteran Coalition, and American Farm Bureau Federation.
“From trade uncertainty to labor shortages and natural disasters, many stressors are weighing heavily on the minds of farmers and ranchers. Resources supported through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network are more critical now than at any time in recent memory. Farm Bureau appreciates Representatives Craig and Feenstra, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their tireless commitment to supporting farmer and rancher mental health across the country,” said Sam Kieffer, Vice President, Public Policy, American Farm Bureau Federation.
“Farming can be incredibly stressful, and too many rural communities still don’t have the mental health support they need,” said National Farmers Union President Rob Larew. “The Farmers First Act will help get essential resources to farmers who are struggling. We thank Senators Baldwin and Ernst and Representatives Feenstra and Craig for leading the charge and urge Congress to reauthorize FRSAN with increased funding.”
“FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative is extremely appreciative of the work of Senator Tammy Baldwin, as well as others, in addressing the mounting mental health and wellness challenges facing our nations farmers. There are so many variables out of the control of the farmers that work hard to supply multiple facets to consumers. Volatility of markets, weather, regulations, and numerous other things out of their control and then add the lack of rural resources, makes this very important part of our world feeling vulnerable and alone. The Farmers First Act would make the access to resources easier and more financially viable for our nations farmers,” said the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.
“The Farmer Veteran Coalition strongly supports the reauthorization of the Farmers First Act. Expanding and strengthening the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network is essential to ensuring farmers, ranchers have access to the mental health resources they need to thrive. We commend Representatives Feenstra and Craig, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst, for their bipartisan leadership in prioritizing the well-being of those who feed our nation. This bill will provide critical support for agricultural producers facing stress, isolation, and mental health challenges, and we urge swift passage this Congress,” said Jeanette Lombardo, CEO, Farmer Veteran Coalition.
“Farmers are daily facing the changing and unpredictable weather patterns that can devastate the best laid plans. They must deal with rising cost of inputs, uncertainty about trade, uncertainty about support services, uncertainty about the role of the USDA and managing difficult financial decisions against a backdrop of uncertainty around the domestic economy. Organic dairy farmers care for the environment, care for their livestock and for the health and welfare of their family and their customers every day. Dairy farming is many times a solitary occupation and farmers need access to all the resources possible to deal with the stress and uncertainty in their lives. We wholeheartedly support the Farmers First Act and all the assistance it can provide to care for our farm families,” said Ed Maltby, Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance.
“Farming and the financial insecurity associated with farming can be very stressful. Farmers dealing with stress-related mental health challenges often feel stigmatized if they seek help, which only compounds the problem. We applaud Representatives Feenstra (R-IA) and Craig (D-MN) and Senators Baldwin (D-WI) and Ernst (R-IA) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Farmers First Act to increase resources available to farmers and rural communities to address mental health challenges,” said Steve Etka, Policy Director, Midwest Dairy Coalition.
“Ensuring sufficient access to evidence-based mental health services continues to be a challenge in many rural and agricultural communities, in many cases a challenge that has endured over generations,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. (APA Services). “The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program continues to be a lifeline to many of these communities. APA Services applauds Representatives Feenstra and Craig and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their efforts to ensure adequate mental health resources in rural communities, and we ask Congress to swiftly enact the Farmers First Act.”
“Farmers and ranchers across the United States face unique and extreme stresses in their work to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. NASDA applauds the bipartisan Farmers First Act, which bolsters access to critical mental health resources through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. State departments of agriculture play an important role in coordinating FRSAN operations and NASDA looks forward to continuing to support these invaluable activities,” said NASDA CEO, Ted McKinney.
“Farming is a stressful job, even in good times, and rural residents often face unique barriers to seeking mental health care,” said Christy Seyfert, Farm Credit Council president and CEO. “FRSAN brings valuable stress assistance services and expertise to the farm and ranch communities most in need of resources. Farm Credit commends Ranking Member Craig, Representative Feenstra, and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their leadership on the Farmers First Act.”
“Farmers face incredible stressors in their day-to-day work and often feel as though the weight of the world rests on their shoulders as they navigate tough times while maintaining farms that have been passed down through multiple generations of family members,” said Kenneth Hartman Jr, National Corn Growers Association President. “Yet, they often find it hard to access the mental health tools they need to cope with these challenges. That’s why we are deeply appreciating for the sponsors of this legislation for working to extend mental health resources to growers through this important legislation.”
“The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network helps provide essential support to our nation’s producers,” said Doug O’Brien, President and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association. “The National Cooperative Business Association applauds the bipartisan leadership to increase access to mental health services for rural communities while providing a critical lifeline to our farmers and ranchers.”
A one-pager on this legislation can be found here. Full text of the bill is available here.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025

NHAI releases second sustainability report, showcases green milestones

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has released its second consecutive Sustainability Report for the financial year 2023–24, reaffirming its strong commitment towards environmental sustainability and responsible infrastructure development.

The report, launched by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, highlights NHAI’s integrated framework for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and its alignment with India’s global commitments under the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative and the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a sustainable future.

Despite a 20% rise in National Highway construction in FY 2023–24, NHAI has successfully reduced its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Intensity from 1.0 MTCO2e/km to 0.8 MTCO2e/km, indicating a clear decoupling of construction growth from emissions.

Promoting a circular economy remains central to NHAI’s efforts. In the reporting year, more than 631 lakh metric tonnes of recycled and reused materials — including fly ash, plastic waste, and reclaimed asphalt — were utilized in highway construction.

Afforestation and plantation have also received a major push. Over 56 lakh saplings were planted in FY 2023–24 and 67.47 lakh saplings have already been planted in 2024–25, taking the total tree plantation count to over 4.69 crore since the rollout of the Green Highways Policy, 2015. This large-scale plantation has helped create substantial carbon sinks and enhanced the environmental balance along India’s highways.

The report also documents NHAI’s conservation initiatives under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, with 467 water bodies rejuvenated across the country. These efforts have revitalised local water resources and supplied nearly 2.4 crore cubic metres of soil for road construction, yielding estimated savings of around ₹16,690 crore.

Water use intensity in water-stressed regions has dropped by 74% compared to previous levels. Additionally, the authority has implemented best practices to mitigate the impact of highways on wildlife and minimise man-animal conflicts.

On the social front, NHAI has reinforced inclusive and safe work practices. All direct employees and contract workers are now covered under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management Framework. The organisation also recorded zero instances of workplace discrimination, underlining its commitment to diversity and equity.

Technology has played a crucial role in these achievements. The AI-driven Data Lake 3.0 platform has streamlined project management and helped resolve 155 conciliation claims, resulting in an estimated saving of about ₹25,680 crore. The widespread adoption of FASTag, with a penetration rate of 98.5%, has further reduced congestion at toll plazas, cutting vehicular emissions and the overall carbon footprint.