Latest news with #globalhealth
Malay Mail
17 hours ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Hong Kong Baptist University Showcases World-Leading Research in Digital Health & Systems Medicine at THE Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025
HKBU's "Well-being Zone" showcases interdisciplinary global health, with sessions like Tai Chi, Baduanjin, and Mindfulness Karate reflecting its "exercise is medicine" approach to holistic well-being. Interdisciplinary Movement & Mindfulness: Tai Chi, Baduanjin and Mindfulness Karate sessions demonstrated HKBU's "exercise is medicine" philosophy. Tai Chi, Baduanjin and Mindfulness Karate sessions demonstrated HKBU's "exercise is medicine" philosophy. Real-Time Digital Well-being Research: Participants had the unique opportunity to contribute live data for Professor Christy Cheung's pioneering studies, which explore how digital tools can effectively measure mindfulness and enhance overall well-being. Participants had the unique opportunity to contribute live data for Professor Christy Cheung's pioneering studies, which explore how digital tools can effectively measure mindfulness and enhance overall well-being. Expert-Led Talks: Distinguished HKBU academics presented cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. Topics included critical global health trends, advancements in mental well-being, and innovative applications of Chinese Medicine and AI in modern healthcare. Distinguished HKBU academics presented cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. Topics included critical global health trends, advancements in mental well-being, and innovative applications of Chinese Medicine and AI in modern healthcare. Reflection & Rejuvenation Spaces: Thoughtfully curated "chill-out" relaxation areas, massage corners and a juice bar provided spaces for participants to experience a reboot of the body and the mind. HKBU scholars presented cutting-edge research on global health and Chinese Medicine at GSDC 2025. ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 June 2025 – Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) illuminated the path to global well-being as the Global Health Innovation Partner and sponsor of the Health and Wellbeing Track at the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2025, from June 16-19, 2025. At this gathering of over 5,000 global thought leaders, HKBU presented its comprehensive, interdisciplinary strategy for health and well-being, spearheaded by its Health & Drug Discovery research aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, HKBU's vision for health transformation drives from data to actionable insight. It comprehensively integrates mental and digital well-being, real-time analytics, and innovative interdisciplinary approaches. This includes blending traditional Chinese Medicine with cutting-edge sciences like chemical biology and data analytics, complemented by advancements in environmental, physical, and social sciences.A highlight of HKBU's presence was the 6,000-square-foot "Well-being Zone", thoughtfully designed to embody the principle that health is holistic and interconnected. This innovative Zone brought the concept of interdisciplinarity to a global audience by seamlessly integrating diverse fields, from martial arts and mindfulness to cutting-edge digital health monitoring:Highlighting HKBU's research strength in the transformative power of technology for global health,, emphasised, "HKBU's recent top-50 global ranking in databases, design automation, and artificial intelligence underscores our collaborative ethos. By integrating advanced AI methodologies with clinical, pharmaceutical and social-science expertise, we are optimising diagnostics, accelerating drug discovery and enhancing surgical assistance. This interdisciplinary approach reinforces Hong Kong's reputation as a global hub for cutting-edge research and higher education.", highlighted HKBU's strategic edge, "Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to lead East–West integration in digital health and systems medicine. HKBU combines the rigour of life sciences with robust Chinese Medicine research, underpinned by advanced data analytics. This powerful synergy enables us to tackle complex health disparities at biological, social, and environmental levels, and build resilient, equitable health systems to meet future global challenges."In addition to numerous insightful presentations and the interactive experiences, HKBU Provost Professor Martin Wong gave a keynote at the session entitled "Reframing Sustainability through the Lens of Chinese Heritage and Innovation" convened by the China Education Association for International also released theReport ( in collaboration with Elsevier. This report examines the development and evolving research landscape of Chinese Medicine and its growing influence on modern #HKBU The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Associated Press
17 hours ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Hong Kong Baptist University Showcases World-Leading Research in Digital Health & Systems Medicine at THE Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 June 2025 – Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) illuminated the path to global well-being as the Global Health Innovation Partner and sponsor of the Health and Wellbeing Track at the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2025, from June 16-19, 2025. At this gathering of over 5,000 global thought leaders, HKBU presented its comprehensive, interdisciplinary strategy for health and well-being, spearheaded by its Health & Drug Discovery research cluster. HKBU's 'Well-being Zone' showcases interdisciplinary global health, with sessions like Tai Chi, Baduanjin, and Mindfulness Karate reflecting its 'exercise is medicine' approach to holistic well-being. Firmly aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, HKBU's vision for health transformation drives from data to actionable insight. It comprehensively integrates mental and digital well-being, real-time analytics, and innovative interdisciplinary approaches. This includes blending traditional Chinese Medicine with cutting-edge sciences like chemical biology and data analytics, complemented by advancements in environmental, physical, and social sciences. A Hub for Holistic Health A highlight of HKBU's presence was the 6,000-square-foot 'Well-being Zone', thoughtfully designed to embody the principle that health is holistic and interconnected. This innovative Zone brought the concept of interdisciplinarity to a global audience by seamlessly integrating diverse fields, from martial arts and mindfulness to cutting-edge digital health monitoring: HKBU scholars presented cutting-edge research on global health and Chinese Medicine at GSDC 2025. Highlighting HKBU's research strength in the transformative power of technology for global health, Professor Martin Wong, Provost & Chair Professor of Computer Science, emphasised, 'HKBU's recent top-50 global ranking in databases, design automation, and artificial intelligence underscores our collaborative ethos. By integrating advanced AI methodologies with clinical, pharmaceutical and social-science expertise, we are optimising diagnostics, accelerating drug discovery and enhancing surgical assistance. This interdisciplinary approach reinforces Hong Kong's reputation as a global hub for cutting-edge research and higher education.' Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research & Development), highlighted HKBU's strategic edge, 'Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to lead East–West integration in digital health and systems medicine. HKBU combines the rigour of life sciences with robust Chinese Medicine research, underpinned by advanced data analytics. This powerful synergy enables us to tackle complex health disparities at biological, social, and environmental levels, and build resilient, equitable health systems to meet future global challenges.' In addition to numerous insightful presentations and the interactive experiences, HKBU Provost Professor Martin Wong gave a keynote at the session entitled 'Reframing Sustainability through the Lens of Chinese Heritage and Innovation' convened by the China Education Association for International Exchange. HKBU also released the 'Evolving Legacy: Decoding the Scientific Trajectory of Chinese Medicine' Report ( in collaboration with Elsevier. This report examines the development and evolving research landscape of Chinese Medicine and its growing influence on modern healthcare. Hashtag: #HKBU The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Zawya
18 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
DISD students speak at H20 Global Health Summit in Geneva
Dubai – A group of six students from the German International School Dubai (DISD) were honored today at the prestigious H20 Summit at the WHO headquarters in Geneva. Launched in 2018 by the G20 Health and Development Partnership, the H20 Summit is a global platform supporting the agendas of the G20 and G7, bringing together leaders and stakeholders to advance health and development priorities. DISD students were invited on stage this morning to present gifts to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In a deeply moving moment the students Lara Gutmann and Luca Erkol then delivered speeches that captured the urgency and passion of a new generation calling for global health equity. 'Listening to the voices of the future generation is vital to achieve health for all,' said Lara, reflecting on the DISD-hosted G20 youth simulation. 'We all deserve to live in good health, no matter the economic status of the country we call home.' Luca reinforced this message with a compelling appeal to G20 leaders: 'If global challenges are youth challenges, then global solutions must also be youth solutions,' he said. 'Global health – and youth health – is not just an agenda item; it is a commitment to all of the people not represented here… securing their future generations' right to dream.' The DISD student delegation was publicly commended in the opening keynote by South Africa's Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, who thanked them for their commitment and for hosting a Model G20 simulation on public health earlier this year in Dubai. 'I would also like to thank the students from the German International School Dubai… for their commitment in discussing and elevating the importance of global and public health for our future generations,' Dr. Motsoaledi said, highlighting their contribution in a video address to summit delegates. On May 8, DISD students took part in a G20 Simulation Workshop on Post-Pandemic Global Health, led by Hatice Küçük Beton, Executive Director of the G20 & G7 Health and Development Partnership. Organized by their teachers Sitem Kolburan and Louisa Willgrass, the workshop allowed students to assume the roles of world leaders, debate pressing health challenges, and explore the complexity of global diplomacy. Key topics included pandemic preparedness, the marketing of unhealthy food to children, and sustainable healthcare. A video documenting the simulation, including student reflections and a statement from Hatice Beton on the importance of youth engagement, was selected for presentation at the H20 Summit. Hatice Beton said in the video 'I was surprised very positively. They were so energized and really had concrete ideas, … and I think they can really drive some impact with some of the ideas they came up with today.' In a remarkable development, the Health Minister expressed interest in reviewing the students' recommendations for potential inclusion in the official G20 agenda when world leaders gather in Johannesburg in November 2025. The students' proposal – presented as a Model G20 Leaders' Declaration - included initiatives such as: A Global Youth Health Fund to support education and healthy lifestyle campaigns. A youth for health program integrating health education into school systems, and mobile health clinics in underserved regions across Africa and Southeast Asia. 'This moment shows the true impact of youth-led dialogue,' said Sitem Kolburan, the students' class and English teacher of the German International School Dubai. 'We are incredibly proud of our students for representing DISD and the youth of the world with such clarity, courage, and conviction.' With this international recognition, DISD is eager to further amplify youth voices and expand engagement with local and global partners. The school welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with media to share this inspiring milestone in student-led leadership and diplomacy. Media Contact: Corinna Rösner Head of Marketing and Communications DISD - German International School Dubai |
New York Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Times
Regulators Approve a Twice-Yearly Shot to Prevent H.I.V. Infection
The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved a twice-yearly injection that provided a near-perfect shield against H.I.V. infection in clinical trials. The approval is among the most anticipated developments in the prevention of H.I.V. But it arrives during deep cuts to global health programs that were expected to purchase and distribute the drug in low-income countries. To what extent the drug, called lenacapavir, can now be rolled out is uncertain. 'We're on the precipice of now being able to deliver the greatest prevention option we've had in 44 years of this epidemic,' said Mitchell Warren, executive director of the international H.I.V. prevention organization AVAC. 'And it's as if that opportunity is being snatched out of our hands by the policies of the last five months,' he said. With much less money available, governments abroad may instead choose to prioritize treatment of the infected. 'We were so excited about the possibilities,' said Dr. Linda-Gail Bekker, who led a clinical trial of the drug. 'I don't think any of us envisaged this year going quite the way it has.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Zawya
7 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Breaking the HIV bottleneck: Why sub-Saharan Africa must lead the way?
The global fight against HIV-1 has often been framed as a success story of science, funding and international collaboration. But as the virus evolves, so too must our strategy. A recent commentary in nature reviews microbiology, led by Dr Monray Williams of the North-West University (NWU) in South Africa, issues a stark warning: global complacency must end, and sub-Saharan Africa must be placed at the centre of the research agenda, or risk losing control of the HIV-1 epidemic. Dr Monray Williams Despite accounting for more than two-thirds of global HIV-1 infections, sub-Saharan Africa remains a research blind spot. Most studies continue to focus on subtype B, common in the West, but representing only 12% of global cases. Subtype C, which is responsible for over half of global infections and dominant in sub-Saharan Africa is significantly understudied. This imbalance, argues Dr Williams and his co-authors, undermines the development of effective treatments, vaccines, and, ultimately, a cure. The message is sobering. HIV-1's remarkable diversity, driven by its error-prone replication and frequent recombination, makes understanding its many forms crucial. Subtype-specific variations influence everything from disease progression and drug resistance to vaccine effectiveness. Yet, 54% of global sequence data derives from subtype B, compared with a mere 15% from subtype C. Even key viral proteins, such as gp120 and Nef, are far better characterised in subtype B. Dr Williams, a researcher in the biomedical and molecular metabolism research unit at NWU, puts it plainly: 'We cannot end a global pandemic by studying just a fraction of its biology.' The data he and his colleagues present are stark. The Congo Basin, thought to be the origin of the HIV-1 pandemic, holds the highest viral diversity, yet remains largely unexplored. These unstudied lineages may contain forms resistant to current interventions or capable of fuelling future outbreaks. South Africa, among the countries hardest hit by HIV, ranks third globally in research output. Yet even here, subtype B dominates scientific focus. Subtypes A, D, and numerous recombinant forms, each with distinct clinical and epidemiological profiles, are dangerously under-analysed. The commentary warns that this neglect could prove disastrous if new variants arise with increased transmissibility or drug resistance. However, the authors do not stop at diagnosis. They propose a bold corrective strategy aptly named Harness to address these disparities and reshape the global health research landscape. At its core is the principle of self-reliance. African countries must strengthen their own research capabilities by investing in local laboratories, biobanks, genomic surveillance systems, and, critically, the training of future scientists. Alarmingly, Africa currently contributes just 2% of global biobank authorship, a shortfall that threatens sustained progress. The paper also advocates for deeper South–South collaboration. By exchanging data, tools, and expertise within Africa and across the global South, the continent can pioneer a fairer, more representative research model. Funding, too, should reflect disease burden – not the preferences of external donors. Too often, foreign aid distorts priorities in favour of Northern concerns, leaving African researchers underfunded and marginalised. Structural reform is essential to challenge the dominance of Northern institutions in setting the global health agenda. African-led research must be ethical, accountable, and community-driven – sensitive to the cultural and socio-economic realities that shape public health. As Dr Williams and his colleagues argue, reducing stigma, ensuring equitable access, and listening to affected communities are as vital as gene sequencing. Recent cuts to global health initiatives such as PEPFAR have heightened the need for regional autonomy. Yet Dr Williams sees opportunity amid retreat. 'This is the moment for Africa to reclaim agency over its health future,' he writes. This is not merely a scholarly contribution, it is a rallying cry. The end of the HIV-1 pandemic will not be dictated from Brussels or Boston alone. It will emerge from the laboratories, clinics, and communities of Africa if the world is wise enough to invest accordingly. The science is conclusive. The politics, as ever, remains the harder struggle.
