CaribPR Wire

CARIBPR WIRE, BELIZE CITY, Belize, March 11, 2026: Belize has taken a significant step toward ensuring that every person in the country has access to quality, affordable eye care, with the official launch of the World Health Organization (WHO) SPECS 2030 initiative.

The national launch and planning workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology, the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Participants convened to assess the current state of eye health services in Belize, identify gaps, and chart a clear path forward.

“With the launch of the WHO SPECS 2030 initiative, Belize advances in its commitment to ensuring that every citizen can access quality eye care. Preventable vision impairment should not limit a child’s learning, a person’s ability to work, or an individual’s quality of life. Through its adoption, we are reinforcing our national vision for a stronger, more equitable health system that leaves no one behind,” said Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister for Health and Wellness. WHO’s SPECS 2030 initiative provides countries with a structured approach to strengthening refractive error services across five areas:

• Services — improving access to refractive services
• Personnel — building the capacity of personnel to provide refractive services
• Education — promoting public awareness about eye health
• Cost — reducing the cost of eyeglasses and services
• Surveillance — strengthening data collection and research

For Belize, the initiative translates into three clear priorities at the country level. First, convening all relevant eye health stakeholders — across the public and private sectors — to agree on national priorities and key areas of action. Second, developing a SPECS 2030 integration plan with measurable targets that can be embedded within Belize’s broader health and eye care strategies. Third, establishing a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress, review data regularly, and improve services over time. “Belize is demonstrating how global frameworks like WHO SPECS 2030 can be translated into practical, country-led action. The Foundation’s role in this effort is to support technical implementation — from strengthening refractive services to building local capacity and improving service delivery models. We are proud to stand alongside Belize as it advances a more integrated and accessible eye care system,” said Daniele Cangemi, Head of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, Latin America. Progress will be measured against a defined set of indicators, reported every three to five years through the WHO Global Status Report. These include the reach of school eye health programmes for early detection, the availability of refractive services within the public health system, the size and scope of the eye care workforce, and the degree to which costs are covered through health insurance or other financial protection mechanisms. At the impact level, Belize will track effective cataract surgical coverage and effective refractive error coverage through population-based surveys and health system data. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology welcomes the WHO SPECS 2030 initiative from the BCVI and MOHW in collaboration with PAHO and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation. We are committed to strengthening our partnership and collaboration with BCVI and the MOHW as we work together to prevent avoidable blindness and expand support services through existing Primary Care and Rehabilitation Programs for children who are blind. The Ministry congratulates and applauds BCVI for its ongoing dedication and commitment to Belize’s visually impaired community,” commented Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology. BCVI, working alongside MOHW, the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and the initiative’s national and international partners, will lead coordination and follow-up to ensure that commitments made at the workshop translate into meaningful progress on the ground. The launch of SPECS 2030 reflects Belize’s commitment to universal health coverage and to a future where no Belizean loses the ability to learn, work, or thrive because of a vision condition that could have been corrected. About the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation is a registered charitable organization dedicated to eliminating uncorrected poor vision within a generation. As part of EssilorLuxottica’s commitment to universal vision care, the Foundation works to expand access for millions in underserved communities worldwide. It is also the Global Collaborating Partner of the World Health Organization’s SPECS 2030 initiative, which focuses on refractive error, myopia prevention, and improving access to vision care in low-resource settings. Find out more at: onesight.essilorluxottica.com

About the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of blindness and the provision of comprehensive eye care services. Established in 1981, BCVI works in partnership with the Ministry of Health & Wellness to deliver accessible, affordable, and high-quality eye care across the country. Through a network of clinics and outreach programmes, BCVI provides services including eye examinations, refractive error services treatment of eye diseases and rehabilitation support for those who are irreversibly blind.

Special initiatives focus on children, persons with diabetes, and underserved communities, ensuring that no Belizean is left behind in accessing essential eye care and support for independent living.

BCVI collaborates with local and international partners to strengthen Belize’s eye health system and advance equitable access to services for all. For more information, visit: www.bcvi.org

Belice avanza en la salud ocular nacional con el lanzamiento de la iniciativa SPECS 2030 de la OMS

CARIBPR Wire, CIUDAD DE BELICE, Belice, March 11, 2026: Belice ha dado un paso significativo para garantizar que todas las personas del país tengan acceso a atención ocular de calidad y asequible, con el lanzamiento oficial de la iniciativa SPECS 2030 de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). El lanzamiento nacional y el taller de planificación reunieron a representantes del Ministerio de Salud y Bienestar (MOHW), el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Exterior, Educación, Cultura, Ciencia y Tecnología, el Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), la Fundación OneSight EssilorLuxottica, la Organización Mundial de la Salud y la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Los participantes se reunieron para evaluar el estado actual de los servicios de salud ocular en Belice, identificar brechas y trazar un camino claro hacia adelante. “Con el lanzamiento de la iniciativa SPECS 2030 de la OMS, Belice avanza en su compromiso de garantizar que todos los ciudadanos puedan acceder a atención ocular de calidad. La discapacidad visual prevenible no debería limitar el aprendizaje de un niño, la capacidad de una persona para trabajar o la calidad de vida de un individuo. A través de su adopción, estamos reforzando nuestra estrategia nacional de un sistema de salud más fuerte y equitativo que no deje a nadie atrás”, dijo Hon. Kevin Bernard, Ministro de Salud y Bienestar. La iniciativa SPECS 2030 de la OMS proporciona a los países un enfoque estructurado para fortalecer los servicios de error de refracción en cinco áreas:

• Servicios: mejorar el acceso a los servicios de refracción
• Personal: desarrollar la capacidad del personal para proporcionar servicios de refracción
• Educación: promover la conciencia pública sobre la salud ocular
• Costo: reducir el costo de los anteojos y servicios
• Vigilancia: fortalecer la recolección de datos e investigación

Para Belice, la iniciativa se traduce en tres prioridades claras a nivel nacional. Primero, convocar a todos los actores relevantes de la salud ocular, tanto del sector público como privado, para acordar prioridades nacionales y áreas clave de acción. Segundo, desarrollar un plan de integración SPECS 2030 con objetivos medibles que puedan incorporarse dentro de las estrategias generales de salud y atención ocular de Belice. Tercero, establecer un marco de monitoreo y evaluación para seguir el progreso, revisar los datos regularmente y mejorar los servicios con el tiempo. “Belice está demostrando cómo marcos globales como SPECS 2030 de la OMS pueden traducirse en acciones prácticas lideradas por el país. El papel de la Fundación en este esfuerzo es apoyar la implementación técnica, desde fortalecer los servicios de refracción hasta desarrollar capacidad local y mejorar los modelos de prestación de servicios. Estamos orgullosos de estar junto a Belice mientras avanza hacia un sistema de atención ocular más integrado y accesible”, dijo Daniele Cangemi, directora de la Fundación OneSight EssilorLuxottica, América Latina. El progreso se medirá contra un conjunto definido de indicadores, reportados cada tres a cinco años a través del Informe Global de la OMS. Estos incluyen el alcance de los programas de salud ocular en escuelas para detección temprana, la disponibilidad de servicios de refracción dentro del sistema de salud pública, el tamaño y alcance de la fuerza laboral de atención ocular y el grado en que los costos están cubiertos mediante seguro de salud u otros mecanismos de protección financiera. A nivel de impacto, Belice seguirá la cobertura quirúrgica efectiva de cataratas y la cobertura efectiva de error de refracción a través de encuestas poblacionales y datos del sistema de salud. “El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Exterior, Educación, Cultura, Ciencia y Tecnología da la bienvenida a la iniciativa SPECS 2030 de la OMS del BCVI y MOHW en colaboración con OPS y la Fundación OneSight EssilorLuxottica. Estamos comprometidos a fortalecer nuestra asociación y colaboración con BCVI y MOHW mientras trabajamos juntos para prevenir la ceguera evitable y expandir los servicios de apoyo a través de los programas existentes de Atención Primaria y Rehabilitación para niños ciegos. El Ministerio felicita y aplaude a BCVI por su dedicación y compromiso continuo con la comunidad de personas con discapacidad visual en Belice”, comentó Hon. Francis Fonseca, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Exterior, Educación, Cultura, Ciencia y Tecnología. BCVI, trabajando junto con MOHW, la Fundación OneSight EssilorLuxottica y los socios nacionales e internacionales de la iniciativa, liderará la coordinación y seguimiento para garantizar que los compromisos asumidos en el taller se traduzcan en avances significativos sobre el terreno. El lanzamiento de SPECS 2030 refleja el compromiso de Belice con la cobertura universal de salud y con un futuro en el que ningún beliceño pierda la capacidad de aprender, trabajar o prosperar debido a una condición visual que podría haberse corregido. Acerca de la Fundación OneSight EssilorLuxottica La Fundación OneSight EssilorLuxottica es una organización benéfica registrada dedicada a eliminar la visión deficiente no corregida en una generación. Como parte del compromiso de EssilorLuxottica con la atención universal de la visión, la Fundación trabaja para expandir el acceso para millones de personas en comunidades desatendidas en todo el mundo. También es el Socio Colaborador Global de la iniciativa SPECS 2030 de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, que se centra en el error de refracción, la prevención de la miopía y la mejora del acceso a la atención visual en entornos con pocos recursos. Para más información: onesight.essilorluxottica.com Acerca del Consejo de Belice para Personas con Discapacidad Visual El Consejo de Belice para Personas con Discapacidad Visual (BCVI) es una organización nacional sin fines de lucro dedicada a la prevención de la ceguera y a la provisión de servicios integrales de atención ocular. Establecido en 1981, BCVI trabaja en asociación con el Ministerio de Salud y Bienestar para ofrecer atención ocular accesible, asequible y de alta calidad en todo el país. A través de una red de clínicas y programas de extensión, BCVI proporciona servicios que incluyen exámenes oculares, servicios de corrección de error de refracción, tratamiento de enfermedades oculares y apoyo a la rehabilitación para personas que son ciegas de manera irreversible. Iniciativas especiales se enfocan en niños, personas con diabetes y comunidades desatendidas, asegurando que ningún beliceño quede atrás en el acceso a la atención ocular esencial y apoyo para una vida independiente. BCVI colabora con socios locales e internacionales para fortalecer el sistema de salud ocular de Belice y promover el acceso equitativo a los servicios para todos. Para más información visite: www.bcvi.org

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CARIBPR WIRE, PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, September 18, 2025: International health experts are today urging Caribbean policymakers to embrace safer nicotine alternatives as a major new report reveals their life-saving potential worldwide.

The landmark study, The Safer Nicotine Revolution: Global Lessons, Healthier Futures, shows that smoke-free alternatives such as vapes and nicotine pouches are cutting smoking rates dramatically and producing measurable improvements in public health: fewer deaths, fewer cases of chronic disease and fewer years lost to disability.

Dr. Delon Human, a co-author of the report and leader of Smoke Free Sweden, said: “This ground-breaking research represents a substantial public health opportunity for the Caribbean, where more than one in five adults still smokes.

“By integrating safer nicotine alternatives like vapes and oral pouches into tobacco control strategies, Caribbean policymakers could prevent thousands of premature deaths, with their citizens as the eventual beneficiaries.”

The report, which comes ahead of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) conference (COP11) in Geneva in November, reveals:

• Sweden has cut smoking to just 5.3%, the lowest in Europe, by making snus and nicotine pouches widely accessible. Swedish men now have 61% lower lung cancer rates than the EU average, and overall cancer deaths are a third lower. Without snus, smoking-related male mortality would have been 70% higher.

• Japan has halved its cigarette sales since the introduction of heated tobacco products a decade ago. Smoking prevalence dropped from 21% to 16%, and health modelling suggests switching just half of smokers to heated tobacco could prevent 12 million cases of smoking-related disease.

• The UK has integrated vaping into NHS quit-smoking services, with smoking rates falling from 20.2% in 2011 to 11.9% today. Real-world data already show declines in cardiovascular deaths, cancer mortality, COPD cases and smoking-related hospital admissions.

• New Zealand halved its smoking rate in just six years after legalising and promoting vaping and heated tobacco, while vaping prevalence rose more than fourfold. Almost 80% of daily vapers are ex-smokers. COPD hospitalizations have fallen nearly 30% and smoking-related cardiovascular deaths are down 20%.

“These figures make one thing clear: safer nicotine alternatives are saving lives today,” said Dr. Human.

“COP11 is a moment of truth. If Parties adopt harm reduction within the framework of the FCTC, millions of lives could be saved worldwide. This report should be essential reading for every policymaker in Geneva.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARIBPR WIRE, PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, September 10, 2025: International health experts are urgently advising for immediate policy reform in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, insisting on the adoption of life-saving tobacco harm reduction strategies. They point to a proven global blueprint that has already empowered more than 150 million people to quit smoking.

Analysis from Smoke Free Sweden shows that more than 14 million lives can be saved globally by 2060 if governments act decisively to integrate tobacco harm reduction into traditional control methods. For the Caribbean, this depends on the speed with which governments can act. Adopting safer nicotine alternatives like vapes and oral pouches will prevent thousands of needless, premature deaths, but only if the correct policies are enacted now.

This urgent call to action is set against a backdrop of stubbornly high smoking rates, with nearly one in three men in Trinidad and Tobago and 11% of men in Barbados still dangerously addicted to cigarettes.

“Policymakers face a clear choice: lead a public health revolution or fail their citizens. The strategies to make smoking obsolete by making less hamrful alternatives accessible, affordable and acceptable are proven,” said Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden and a former secretary general of the World Medical Association. “Act now to save thousands of lives. ”

For example, in the United Kingdom, smoking rates fell by 41% as vaping became a popular alternative. Japan saw cigarette sales plummet by more than 40% following the introduction of heated tobacco products. Meanwhile, Sweden, which adopted safer alternatives decades ago, is on the verge of becoming officially ‘smoke-free’ and has the lowest rate of smoking-related death in the European Union.

“Let us use the evidence we have at hand. A constructive, evidence-based approach in the Caribbean will yield life-saving results. We are not just urging, but demanding that policymakers look at this global blueprint and act decisively. Hesitation will be measured in funerals,” Dr. Human added.

This demand for a science-backed policy shift comes just ahead of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control conference (COP11), where Caribbean delegations have a duty to champion public health innovation over outdated, ineffective and ideological dogma.

“For too long, the debate has been crippled by misinformation that ignores a fundamental truth: people smoke for the nicotine, but they die from the tar in combustibles,” said Dr. Human. “By denying smokers access to products that are up to 95% less harmful, governments are actively protecting the lethal cigarette trade. It is past time to put public health first and implement policies based on science, not fear.”

About Smoke Free Sweden:

Smoke Free Sweden is a movement which encourages other countries to follow the

Swedish model when it comes to Tobacco Harm Reduction. Sweden’s smoke-free

success can be attributed to its open attitude towards regulated alternative nicotine

products.

For more information on Sweden’s successful approach to becoming a smoke-free

nation, please visit www.smokefreesweden.org

Notes to editors:

Contact:

Smoke Free Sweden

Jessica Perkins

[email protected]

www.smokefreesweden.org

This collaboration aims to accelerate advanced biobanking infrastructure and incorporate genotype-based biomarkers into regional clinical and translational research. The initiative will focus on identifying the genetic basis of hereditary disorders that disproportionately affect Caribbean populations, including hemoglobinopathies, oncogenic mutations, and metabolic syndromes.

By leveraging the region’s distinct genomic diversity and The UWI’s strong research capacity, the partnership is poised to drive precision medicine approaches tailored to Caribbean communities. This will improve diagnostic accuracy, enhance therapeutic targeting, and lead to better health outcomes across the region.

“This collaboration represents an important step forward in The UWI’s mission to elevate health research in the Caribbean,” said Dr. Damian Cohall, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences. “Through this partnership, EarlyHealth will not only support capacity-building efforts, such as laboratory enhancements and regulatory training, but help empower our scientific community to bring cutting-edge research closer to the people of the Caribbean, while contributing to the global scientific landscape.”

“We are excited to leverage our global sponsor network alongside The UWI’s deep understanding of Caribbean health needs, to create new clinical research opportunities for the region,” said Mr. Shaquille Williams, Director of Business Development for the Caribbean Region.

This strategic alliance underlines EHG’s and The UWI’s commitment to advancing evidence-based healthcare solutions for the Caribbean, while positioning the region as an emerging contributor to global pharmaceutical and biomedical innovation.

This initiative, facilitated by the Embassy of Barbados in the United Arab Emirates, highlights the growing importance of commercial diplomacy in a fast-changing multi-polar world.

About EarlyHealth Group

EarlyHealth Group is a global pharmaceutical company specializing in research, clinical trial management, and commercialization, driven by a core mission to make healthcare accessible.

Learn more at www.early-health.com

About The University of the West Indies

The UWI has been central to Caribbean development for over 75 years. Today, it is an internationally respected institution with five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Global Campus, with global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c05e5bc6-18e8-4683-9579-c17d3b248e3e

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands, Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Prospect Hill Recovery and Wellness Center announces today that they have opened its doors and are accepting clients for treatment of Addictions and Mental Health.

Prospect Hill Recovery and Wellness center is a luxury, boutique residential treatment program. Our program is designed for healing in your recovery journey with compassionate concierge services. Each client is supported and empowered to find their best self within an individualized clinical and wellness program while enjoying the serenity of the beautiful Caribbean. Each guest will enjoy private, high-end accommodations.

A day in the life at Prospect Hill Includes a beautiful blend of individual and group clinical therapies, medical evaluations and assessments, peer support groups, a variety of indoor and outdoor wellness activities, sober outings, and island-centered community exploration. Our team of experts will create a customized recovery and wellness plan, purposeful daily habits, and routines as well as learning more about yourself and the world around you. The journey of one may be completely different from another as each program is custom-tailored to everyone’s unique needs.”

“Our team is thrilled to be opening our campus today. We are excited to share our intimate and innovative program with our arriving clients. Sustainable change is something we are all deeply passionate about. Prospect Hill is truly a unique space to begin healing. “stated  Co-Founders Michael DelGiacco and Dr. Lindsy Waggner, PhD.

Located on the island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, on a breathtakingly beautiful and quiet three acres, Prospect Hill Recovery and Wellness Center is a private, all-inclusive and integrated care facility with luxury amenities. The owners have transformed a West Indian-inspired estate to this unique luxury residential treatment program. Prospect Hill features seven private guest and bathrooms, an outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness center with Peloton bike, tennis and basketball courts, spa, medical and clinical spaces, and a fully staffed kitchen featuring plant-forward dining. See for yourself through our: Campus Tour — Prospect Hill Recovery & Wellness Center, St. Croix.

Executive Director Kimberley Causey-Gomez, MSW, expressed that, “it is the time of year when many are in need of a fresh re-start “.  If you or a loved one needs treatment, call us at (321) 238-8811 for a consultation today. Our small size of only seven individuals at a time allows our multidisciplinary team to assess and develop a highly personalized treatment plan for each client.”

For more information, please visit the Prospect Hill Recovery and Wellness Center website, www.prospecthillrecovery.com or on our social media pages (Facebook/Instagram).

International accreditation recognizes exceptional standards of quality and patient care. Baptist Health International is proud to have supported ImSan to reach this significant milestone in Aruba

MIAMI, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Baptist Health International partner in Aruba, Instituto Medico San Nicolas (ImSan), has earned hospital accreditation by the Joint Commission International (JCI). Globally recognized as the gold standard in healthcare quality and patient safety, JCI accreditation signifies ImSan’s commitment to providing exceptional medical care, adhering to rigorous international standards, and continuously striving for excellence. ImSan is the first hospital in Aruba and the Dutch Caribbean, as well as the fourth in the entire Caribbean region, to receive this prestigious recognition.

To obtain the accreditation, ImSan underwent a five-day on-site review in June. A team of JCI reviewers evaluated compliance with hospital standards across various areas, including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, medication management, and individual rights and responsibilities. In addition to their own observations and interviews, the reviewers conducted patient tracers, which followed patients through the course of their care while receiving services.

With its multidisciplinary team of medical experts, Baptist Health International, part of Baptist Health South Florida, offered comprehensive advisory services, assessments, training, and readiness support to ImSan in preparation for the JCI survey.

“We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Rajnherc and the ImSan team on its remarkable achievement of obtaining Joint Commission International accreditation. Through our long-standing partnership, ImSan has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence in healthcare,” said Rogelio E. Ribas, M.D., corporate vice president of Baptist Health International. “This accreditation is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire ImSan team. We are proud to be part of ImSan’s journey and look forward to continued collaboration in advancing healthcare excellence in Aruba and the Dutch Caribbean region.”

Baptist Health International has had a relationship with ImSan for more than 10 years, providing consulting services and guidance throughout various expansion projects. These include the construction and relocation of the dialysis department; the completion of three operating rooms; the opening of the medical surgery area; the construction and launch of Aruba’s first radiation oncology unit, in collaboration with Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute; and the design and construction of the facility’s new central energy plant. Baptist Health International also facilitated the renovation of ImSan’s Eye Center and Clinic, Emergency and Radiology departments, building lobby and support areas.

“With continuous support and inspiration from our partners at Baptist Heath International, we embarked on our journey to excellence. Striving for excellence in healthcare is like reaching for the stars should you only reach the moon you have already made a giant leap forward,” said Joel Rajnherc, director of ImSan. “Achieving JCI accreditation is the ultimate testimony to the success of that journey.”

This accomplishment reinforces ImSan’s position as a trusted healthcare provider that is dedicated to delivering top-quality services to all its patients and positions the hospital as a leading healthcare institution in the region.

About Baptist Health International
Baptist Health International is one of the largest hospital-based international programs in the United States, with more than 13,000 international patient visits at Baptist Health facilities from the Florida Keys to Palm Beach County. Baptist Health International is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality services for international physicians and their patients, including hospital admissions, outpatient medical exams, medical second opinions and physician consultations, as well as concierge services. For more information, please visit https://baptisthealth.net/international-services.

For more information on Baptist Health International’s collaborations and advisory services, please visit https://baptisthealth.net/international-services/international-healthcare-professionals/international-collaborations or email [email protected]

About Miami Cancer Institute
Miami Cancer Institute brings to South Florida access to personalized clinical treatments and comprehensive support services delivered with unparalleled compassion. No other cancer program in the region has the combination of cancer-fighting expertise and advanced technology — including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean, and one of the only radiation oncology programs in the world with each of the newest radiation therapies in one place — to diagnose and deliver precise cancer treatments that achieve the best outcomes and improve the lives of cancer patients. The Institute offers an impressive roster of established community oncologists and renowned experts, clinical researchers and genomic scientists recruited from the nation’s top cancer centers. Selected as Florida’s only member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer (MSK) Alliance, Miami Cancer Institute is part of a meaningful clinical collaboration that affords patients in South Florida access to innovative treatments and ensures that the standards of care developed by their multidisciplinary disease management teams match those at MSK. For more information, please visit https://cancer.baptisthealth.net/miami-cancer-institute.

Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health Cancer Care, the largest cancer program in South Florida, with locations from the Florida Keys to the Palm Beaches.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 27,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. The organization includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Instituto Medico San Nicolas
Instituto Medico San Nicolas (ImSan) is a 22-bed medical facility for hospital care located in San Nicolas, Aruba. Specializing in the treatment of patients with chronic noncommunicable disease, its services and support areas include an emergency department, three operating rooms and medical surgery department, a diabetic center, a full-service eye center and clinics, dialysis, radiology, radiation oncology, pharmacy, central sterile and the ambulance operations for the island. For more information, please visit https://www.imsan.aw/

About The Joint Commission
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve healthcare for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating healthcare organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 21,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2156809/BH_Congratulates_ImSan_on_Accreditation_Award.jpg
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2156808/BH_International_Logo.jpg
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2156810/ImSan_Logo.jpg

CARIBPR WIRE, BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 13, 2023: In response to two World Health Organization (WHO) evaluations of aspartame, one of the most thoroughly researched ingredients in the world, released today, the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) applauds the WHO’s reaffirmation of aspartame’s safety by its leading scientific body responsible for evaluating the safety of food additives, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). These conclusions are consistent with the findings of over 90 global food safety agencies who have confirmed aspartame’s safety, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), that has reviewed aspartame twice, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“JECFA has once again reaffirmed aspartame’s safety after conducting a thorough, comprehensive and scientifically rigorous review” said ISA Secretary General Frances Hunt-Wood. “Aspartame, like all low/no calorie sweeteners, when used as part of a balanced diet, provides consumers with choice to reduce sugar intake, a critical public health objective.”

As part of its comprehensive assessment, reconfirming the safety of aspartame, JECFA examined IARC’s conclusions and found no concern for human health. Importantly, IARC is not a food safety body and its 2B classification does not consider intake levels nor actual risk, making an IARC review far less comprehensive than the thorough reviews conducted by food safety bodies like JECFA and potentially confusing for consumers.

To put this in context, IARC’s 2B classification puts aspartame in the same category as kimchi and other pickled vegetables. IARC would be the first to say that they don’t suggest people should stop using kimchi at meals.

As part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle, aspartame can be used to further public health objectives on sugar intake reduction and ultimately assist in weight and diabetes management, as well as with dental health.

ENDS

RESPUESTA A LAS REVISIONES DEL ASPARTAMO DE LA ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DE LA SALUD

CARIBPR WIRE, BRUSELAS, July 13, 2023: En respuesta a las dos evaluaciones del aspartamo, uno de los ingredientes más exhaustivamente estudiados del mundo, por parte de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) publicadas hoy, la Asociación Internacional de Edulcorantes (ISA) aplaude la reafirmación de la OMS sobre la seguridad del aspartamo por parte de su destacado organismo científico responsable de evaluar la seguridad de los aditivos alimentarios, el Comité Mixto de Expertos en Aditivos Alimentarios (JECFA) de la FAO/OMS. Estas conclusiones son coherentes con las conclusiones de más de 90 agencias de seguridad alimentaria de todo el mundo que han confirmado la seguridad del aspartamo, incluidas la Autoridad Europea de Seguridad Alimentaria (EFSA), que ha revisado el aspartamo dos veces, y la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de Estados Unidos (FDA).

“El JECFA ha vuelto a reafirmar la seguridad del aspartamo después de llevar a cabo una revisión exhaustiva, completa y científicamente rigurosa”, afirma la Secretaria General de la ISA, Frances Hunt-Wood. “El aspartamo, como todos los edulcorantes bajos en calorías/sin calorías, si se usa como parte de una dieta equilibrada, ofrece a los consumidores la posibilidad de reducir la ingesta de azúcares, un objetivo fundamental de salud pública”.

Como parte de su completa evaluación, que reconfirma la seguridad del aspartamo, el JECFA examinó las conclusiones de la Agencia Internacional para la Investigación del Cáncer (IARC) y no ha encontrado ningún motivo de preocupación para la salud humana. Es importante destacar que la IARC no es un organismo de seguridad alimentaria, y que su clasificación 2B no toma en cuenta los niveles de ingesta ni el riesgo real, lo que hace que la revisión de la IARC sea bastante menos completa que las exhaustivas revisiones realizadas por organismos de seguridad alimentaria como el JECFA, y que pueda confundir a los consumidores.

Para poner esto en contexto, la clasificación 2B de la IARC sitúa al aspartamo en la misma categoría que el kimchi y otros vegetales encurtidos. La IARC debería ser la primera en aclarar que no está sugiriendo que la gente deba dejar de tomar kimchi en las comidas.

Como parte de una dieta y un estilo de vida general saludables, el aspartamo puede ser útil para promover los objetivos de salud pública de reducción de la ingesta de azúcares y, en definitiva, ayudar en el control del peso y el tratamiento de la diabetes, así como con la salud bucodental.

FIN

Innovation born from Anguillan ingenuity has earned seven USPTO utility patent awards since the pandemic, showing that even in challenging times, human creativity and determination know no bounds.

CARIBPR Wire, The Valley, Anguilla, Tues. May 23, 2023: Dr. Hughes, an Anguillan plastic surgeon has co-invented a method for unassisted robotic surgery at the quantum scale. Far from being a play on words, the invention aims to eliminate human error from one of medicine’s most ambitious and intricate skills – surgery. The surgical innovation represents the second patent for Hughes in the month of May, a noteworthy achievement, considering that only 13% of issued patents are awarded to doctoral scientists and engineers, and multiple patent grants are even rarer. Technology and societies evolve with innovation, robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced anatomic imaging, and programmatic processes have advanced substantial over the last decade. While surgical advancements have historically lagged, this latest invention is positioned to transform the field of microsurgery, enabling techniques to operate at the atomic scale, well beyond the limits of human dexterity and traditional surgical instruments. This invention, entitled “Unassisted Robotic Surgery Employing Paramagnetic Halo Metallofullerenes as Minimally Invasive, Precision Scalpels or Micronization Particles through Magnetic Field Manipulation and Targeted Exenteration Patterned by Programmed 3D Imaging Using Needle or Magnetic Energy Access and Microelectronic Semiconducting in Non-stationary Wafer-less Space” addresses the complexities and challenges of human biology, encompassing minuscule glands, intricate anatomic pathways, microscopic neuroanatomy, and nanoscale pathophysiology (Patent No. 11,653,984). Dr. Hughes, a board-certified plastic and general surgeon, envisions early utility of this breakthrough as a potential cure for chronic dry eye disease, which affects nearly half of the population due to clogged eyelid glands. The innovation could redefine the limits of surgery and patient care, enabling treatment of previously untreatable conditions and unlocking new possibilities for challenging procedures that have been hindered by the limitations of human hands and macroscale surgical instruments, such as deep brain surgery. Hughes Medical Center offers a comprehensive suite of procedures using a healthcare model that features both local and visiting specialists that deliver globally recognized care. Their diverse and dynamic practice of physicians from the West Indies, United States and Europe foster deep connections with Anguillan patients, providing exceptional care alongside intellectual engagement.  In addition to this patent accolade, Dr. Hughes has two additional inventions under review that focus on weight loss and malnutrition mitigation and stunting in children. His motivations towards these major health challenges are regionally charged, as childhood stunting affects nearly 30% of the population in nearby Haiti while antithetically 20% of children in this same population experience obesity. Dr. Hughes emphasizes the importance of fostering innovation in the West Indies. “Our West Indies family of nations must break from our economic past by using our creativity and hardscrabble environment as inspiration and motivation. Our most favored competitive asset is our endemic abilities, and we must teach our children to read, first and foremost, and secondly, fuel our kids with STEM education.” Dr. Hughes went on to explain the need for local manufacturing of inventions in the Caribbean, highlighting that high technology factory floorspace requirements are significantly smaller for innovations like the upcoming malnutrition solution and cure for stunting. He cited a previous invention for mitigating STDs and UTIs, explaining that the atomic scale matter required to meet annual global demand would only fill up a kitchen cabinet or two, showcasing the potential for the region to become a hub for advanced manufacturing. In 2023, Anguilla emerges as a hotspot for innovation and invention, propelling the region to new technological heights and industrial possibilities. This resurgence harkens back to the days of the “sea island cotton era” and the first resident cottonseed removal gin, now proudly displayed at the Anguilla Heritage Collection Museum in the East End. The cotton gin, once a significant capital investment equivalent to purchasing multiple homes, highlights the historical importance of Anguilla’s cotton yield and its role in British textile industry dominance. The island’s rich industrial past also includes the Sombrero phosphate mines, which employed 130 Anguillan workers and produced the fertilizer that replenished the depleted soils in the U.S. Southern States following the American Civil War. This vital contribution helped save the war-weary, hungry, and disheveled population from starvation. Although the lucrative mineral lease payments made directly to the war-depleted UK crown coffers have never been formally acknowledged or credited, they remain an unforgettable part of Anguilla’s ancestral legacy. EDITOR’S NOTE: A photo of Dr. Lowell for use with this article is available HERE CAPTION: Dr. Lowell Hughes, an Anguillan plastic surgeon has co-invented a method for unassisted robotic surgery at the quantum scale.

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CONTACT: Terry Earl Brady Principle at A.T. Research Partners Email: [email protected] Phone: +1-336-217-5163 Address: PO BOX 1639, The Valley, AI AI-2640, British West Indies SOURCE: AT Research Partners [www.atresearchpartners.com]

Risk Mitigation of Infectious Disease Transmission from Incidental and Intimate Contact Using Atomic Scale Molecular Disruption and Biocidal Halo-fullerenes Delivered via Topical, Flushing and Enteral Mechanisms,

US Patent No. 11,638,720; May 2, 2023.

CARIBPR WIRE, The Valley, AI / May 02, 2023 / During COVID-19 havoc, Anguillan inventors worked to prevent hospital acquired infections (HAIs), but also broadly, urinary tract (UTIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). These biocides are atomic scale matter without mutagenic consequence or antibiotic microbial resistance (AMR). Atomic scale reactions kinetically destroy viral, bacterial, and fungal species.  Atomic physics prevents interference with anatomy and cell biology. Utilities are presurgical sterilizing scrubs, injections, phlebotomy or IV therapy as preventive measures against HAIs. The UTI epidemic (million cases a day) was disturbingly newly identified by eating meat and paradoxically colonizing the urinary tract. An aqueous suspension using diuresis renal flushes may prevent colonization including STDs.

Every government house understands microbe infections as the leading cause of untimely deaths, sepsis, and forecasted to become the leading cause of “all deaths”. Sepsis is overtaking cancers, heart-failure, accidents, and other causes cumulatively. Microbe infested planet Earth showed that COVID-19, and a 2^nd pathogen was usually present with pandemic death.

Regionally, Dr. Hughes is a Renaissance surgeon and polymath and a University of the West Indies graduate. Returning to his academic roots with this patent (lifegoal) and a broader objective for the Caribbean and Anguilla. He is coinventor of 3 other filings and awards hopefully forthcoming.

Dr. Hughes, speaking provenance-wise, “Our hardscrabble childhoods and ancestry gave us cleverness and skills that make us inventors. Knowing the ropes of intellectual property will diversify our economy, technologically” — “Our unspoiled youth grow up outdoors using imagination with boating, fishing, and machinery repair. — We must teach our schools and children about “cognitive property” — out-of-thin-air — and bolsters STEM education.”

This invention is the 5^th since the COVID 19 Pandemic with “The Valley, AI” address. A British Overseas Territories innovation—hothouse, — and beyond. Had these inventions emerged in “The City of London or Slough” knighthoods would have followed.

Topically, a UK economist published the scourge of sepsis by UK Prime Minister appointment; lookup: “Jim O’Neill”. His reports depict morbidity and mortality including the £100s of trillions of AMR, sepsis cost. Jim O’Neill: now “Lord Jim O’Neill” (deservingly), but no invention nor infectious disease decline.

IMAGE FOR USE WITH PRESS RELEASE: Dr. Lowell Hughes of Anguilla

CONTACT:

SOURCE:

AT Research Partners [www.atresearchpartners.com]

ABC Paediatrics to be the first to unveil the device at their medical facility on 11/1/22

CARIBPR WIRE, MIAMI, FL., Thurs. October, 27, 2022: The first ever portable hematology analytical instrument by Sight Diagnostics called the OLO has been installed in the Caribbean to provide near-immediate Complete Blood Count (CBC) results to patients of Trinidad and Tobago, especially within the areas of the critically ill, oncology, and pediatrics. The CBC analyzer that accelerates the time to diagnosis and treatment will be deployed at ABC Paediatrics on November 1 at a gathering of country officials in conjunction with the medical community. This cutting-edge technology is meant to replace the bulky Flow Cytometers in low-volume and critical-need point-of-care testing (POCT) sites and settings.

A CBC test is the most elemental of medical laboratory tests and therefore, the “base camp” for diagnosing a medical condition. Up until this point, the residents of CARICOM and Trinidad and Tobago’s more remote areas had a long and involved process for getting CBC tests completed as the current method requires multiple steps, facilities, and large flow cytometer instruments at central labs. While highly accurate and fast, they proved expensive to buy and keep. With the introduction of the OLO, medical facilities won’t have to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to acquire a flow cytometer.

The 22-pound device measuring 12.7 inches x 11.2 inches x 10 inches will bring readily available, portable, and cost-effective CBC testing without compromising the accuracy of the blood test. This device will only require two drops of blood from a finger prick of a patient aged three months or over versus the usual blood vial, though sample collection from a traditional blood collection tube is also possible. In addition, it will only take minutes to deliver results via a touchscreen interface, printout, or email.

Johann Ali, Managing Director of the distributor companies, says, “We’re known for bringing revolutionary technology to the Caribbean, and we’re incredibly honored to be involved with the distribution of the first method for ‘digitizing’ blood to the region.  Sapphire Export Group is the authorized distributor in the CARICOM region, while in Trinidad and Tobago, the product will be sold through JT Rapid Diagnostics, Ltd.  Both are pioneers in rapid point-of-care diagnostics in the Caribbean for more than 30 years. Making this happen will be ABC Paediatrics, a group pediatric practice in St. Augustine, Trinidad led by Dr. Leonardo Akan, who was Chief Resident at Jackson/U Health in Miami, Florida, and Dr. Tricia Jailal, who trained in the UK. Both doctors, executives from the manufacturer, and city officials will be present during the deployment, led by Sight Diagnostics, Inc. In addition, executives of Sapphire Export Group, LLC and JT Rapid Diagnostics, Ltd will be on hand for questions.

The historical deployment will take place at 10:00 am on November 1, 2022, at ABC Paediatrics #139 Eastern Main Road, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. For questions contact Johann Ali, representing both distributors, by email at [email protected].

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ABOUT SIGHT DIAGNOSTICS

Founded in 2011, Sight Diagnostics® is a blood diagnostic company that combines machine vision and AI to improve health through fast, convenient, and pain-free diagnostic testing. Sight’s technology, developed over almost a decade of research, represents innovations in blood sample preparation and optics, as well as advancements in chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science. Sight’s first product, Parasight ™, has been used to detect malaria in almost 1 million tests across 24 countries. Sight OLO®, Sight’s latest blood analyzer aimed at improving how Complete Blood Count (CBC) tests are performed, received FDA 510(k) clearance for use in moderately complex settings. With just 2 drops of blood obtained from a finger prick or venous sample, OLO digitizes each blood sample with more than 1,000 high-resolution images to provide accurate, lab-grade CBC results in minutes. Across Europe and the US, OLO has been adopted by both public and private healthcare institutions. Sight has also established partnerships to bring OLO to market in Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia. Sight is committed to applying its AI-based technology to transform health systems in a world where decentralized diagnostics play an increasingly important role in patient outcomes. For full indications for use and safety information, please visit https://sightdx.com/en-us.

ABOUT JT RAPID DIAGNOSTICS, LTD.

JT Rapid Diagnostics, Ltd. is a manufacturer representative focused primarily on the medical, oil and gas, and hospitality & food safety industries. JT Rapid has been a pioneer in rapid point-of-care diagnostics in the Caribbean for more than 30 years. Our founder brought modern, home-based patient-managed diabetes care to the Caribbean region in 1984, and we have led the way since. Today, we are the sole distributor of top-rated, exceptionally high-quality products for multiple points of care and critical-need areas of public and industrial health. For more info, visit https://jtrapid.com/.

ABOUT SAPHIRE EXPORT GROUP, LLC.

Sapphire Export Group is a manufacturer representative focused primarily on the medical, oil and gas, and hospitality & food safety industries, and services all of CARICOM including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos Islands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarteen/Saint Martin.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Image for use with this article can be accessed HERE

The global partnership offers hospitals a range of complementary solutions and services for the migration, consolidation, protection, accessibility, and interoperability of healthcare data.

WOBURN, Mass., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – BridgeHead Software, the Healthcare Data Management company, today announced a strategic partnership with leading healthcare IT services provider, CereCore^®. The collaboration offers integrated delivery networks (IDNs), health systems, and independent hospitals a range of data solutions and IT services that help ensure clinical care teams have the data they need to provide quality patient care and smooth hospital operations.

Digital transformation initiatives have accelerated across the healthcare industry, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. BridgeHead and CereCore are both deeply experienced in serving the healthcare market. Their complementary solutions support hospitals throughout the process of managing and protecting patient and healthcare operations data and migrating to the Cloud.

Through this global partnership, BridgeHead and CereCore are expanding the options for hospitals to gain a fully-managed healthcare data solution focused on these common challenges:

• Safeguarding clinical data through a backup and disaster recovery managed service will help support the continuity of patient care. Using the BridgeHead RAPid Data Protection solution, mission critical systems such as an electronic health record (EHR) can be recovered from a cyberattack, system outage, data corruption, accidental data deletion or natural disaster.
• Providing clinical and operational leaders access to archived healthcare data in a cost-efficient manner can lead to more informed decision making. Using BridgeHead’s FileStore^™ (also part of the RAPid Data Protection suite), healthcare operators and leaders have a cost-effective solution to actively store, retain, and manage their vast array of unstructured data.
• Consolidating and centralizing clinical data stored outside of the EHR supports quality patient care. The managed service using BridgeHead’s HealthStore^®, an independent clinical repository, can give providers and clinical care teams direct access to patient data in context via the EHR or other primary systems. Not only will HealthStore^® create a vendor neutral archive (VNA) that can underpin an enterprise imaging strategy, but it will allow healthcare organizations to retire a wide variety of duplicate or replaced systems.

“CereCore has expertise in public and private Cloud hosting, and our partnership will provide more opportunities for BridgeHead solutions to be deployed in flexible and varied ways – offering on premise, fully Cloud, or hybrid Cloud options,” said Jim Beagle, President and CEO at BridgeHead Software. “Both of our companies have been immersed in healthcare IT for more than 20 years and have a shared vision to enable healthcare organizations with technology solutions that improve clinical and operational efficiency whilst providing a futureproof blueprint for the long-term management of patient data.”

“The power of today’s healthcare applications lies within its data – the ability to consolidate it, protect it, analyze it and make it available to healthcare providers around the clock,” said Curtis Watkins, President and CEO of CereCore. “BridgeHead provides a suite of healthcare data technology solutions that gives the healthcare organizations we work with a wider range of options. Like us, they have an acute understanding of the key challenges facing healthcare providers today as they continually strive to enhance patient care against a backdrop of legislative change, economic uncertainty, and cost constraints. Perhaps even more importantly, BridgeHead Software is a partner organization who shares our vision for making a tangible difference in the way clinical care teams use technology to deliver improved clinical outcomes and better overall patient experience. Their long-standing position in the healthcare industry pioneering high quality data management and protection solutions makes them a great match for CereCore.”

“The partnership between CereCore and BridgeHead comes at a time where there is a real shift in the healthcare market,” said Beagle. “Though the effects of the pandemic are still being felt by healthcare providers and continue to have a significant global impact, it has also accelerated digital transformation initiatives – especially those concerning the long-term management of data. With the rapid pace of emerging technologies, the value that data can bring in improving care and driving efficiency is evident. CereCore and BridgeHead, together, are able to offer customers ‘tried and tested’, cost-effective, and comprehensive data management solutions, with an array of deployment options (including a fully managed service), all provided by trusted healthcare IT experts. By allowing BridgeHead and CereCore to do what they do best, frees our customers from operational data management tasks to focus on the hospital’s highest priorities.”

CereCore provides IT services that make it easier for hospital operators to focus on transforming healthcare through technology. With a heritage rooted in top-performing hospitals, we provide IT and application support, technical professional and managed services, IT advisory services, and EHR implementation and consulting to hospitals and health systems. Find more information at https://cerecore.net.

With over 25 years’ experience in data and storage management, BridgeHead Software is trusted by over 1,200 hospitals worldwide. Today, BridgeHead helps healthcare facilities overcome challenges stemming from rising data volumes and increasing storage costs while delivering peace of mind around how to consolidate, store, protect, and share clinical and administrative information.

BridgeHead’s Healthcare Data Management solutions are designed to work with any hospital’s chosen applications and storage hardware, regardless of vendor, providing greater choice, flexibility and control over the way data is managed, now and in the future. For more information, visit http://www.bridgeheadsoftware.com or follow on Twitter at @BridgeHeadHDM.

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$4.5 Million in Grant Funding Expands New Alzheimer’s Early Detection and Healthcare System Preparedness Efforts

CARIBPR WIRE, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, May 23, 2022 — The Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative (DAC), the organization leading an unprecedented global response to Alzheimer’s disease, today announced the recipients of a grant program aiming for early detection of cognitive symptoms. The early detection grants total $4.5 Million from 8 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The grants are an initiative of the DAC Healthcare System Preparedness Project, which aims to advance how healthcare systems worldwide detect, diagnose, treat, and care for people with or at risk for Alzheimer’s.

Grantees are located throughout the US, Brunei, Kenya, Germany, Japan, Canada, Cuba, and Armenia. Several grants will focus on expanding cognition screening and training for primary care providers. Others are harnessing innovative technologies to utilize optometrists and pharmacists. This will expand the pool of frontline workers available to screen for early detection, and reduce the unnecessary use of  specialist care. Another deploys a mobile clinic to offer direct clinical support or equip digital tablets to volunteer workers to rapidly improve detection  rates.

According to George Vradenburg, Founding Chairman of the Board, Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, “Each grant will bring unique and measurable benefits to its local health system and community and, through DAC’s global learning network, will also spread their learnings broadly around the world. Finding new and innovative ways to advance early detection is paramount to improving healthcare systems’ abilities to provide better care today, and to prepare for the future availability of treatments.”

The grant application process was extensive, with DAC receiving 76 responses from 21 countries in two months. A diverse panel of experts, including a family member of an Alzheimer’s patient living with the disease, served as an independent review committee for these grants:

• Tarun Dua (Global) – World Health Organization
• Wendy Weidner (Global) – Alzheimer’s Disease International
• Ricardo Allegri (Argentina) – University of Buenos Aires & World Dementia Council
• Chirine Chehab (Lebanon) – American University Hospital of Beirut
• Lori Frank (United States) – RAND Corporation & New York Academy of Medicines
• Ryoji Noritake (Japan) – Health and Global Policy Institute
• Terry Fulmer (United States) – John A. Hartford Foundation
• Chandresh Harjivan (Canada) – Family member of an Alzheimer’s patient

“Early detection of cognitive decline is critical for patients and families and I am excited to see the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative tackling this challenge with their Health System Preparedness Initiative,” says Chandresh Harjivan, a family member of an Alzheimer’s patient. “I was honored to be asked to be part of such an esteemed review committee and am very happy that families living with the disease were part of the evaluation process.”

A summary of each grant can be found below.

About the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative

Launched at the World Economic Forum’s 2021 meeting on The Davos Agenda, The Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative is a multi-stakeholder partnership committed to aligning stakeholders with a new vision for our collective global response against the challenges Alzheimer’s presents to patients, caregivers and healthcare infrastructures. Convened by The World Economic Forum and The Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer’s Disease (CEOi) and fueled by a mission of service to the estimated 150 million families and half a billion people inevitably impacted by this disease by 2050, DAC is a collaborative for the benefit of all people, in all places.

About DAC’s Healthcare System Preparedness Project

DAC’s Healthcare System Preparedness Project (DAC-SP) is funding innovative approaches that measurably increase rates of cognitive screening, early detection and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s through pilot projects and early detection grants. The pilot projects are: AdventHealth Central Florida, FL, USA; Municipality of Volta Redonda, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Alzheimer Scotland; University of the West Indies (UWI), Caribbean Institute for Health Research, Jamaica; Kobe University, Japan; INGER/National Institute of Geriatrics, Mexico; and, Indiana University School of Medicine/Indiana University Health, IN, USA. These initiatives are incorporated into DAC Learning Labs, a network of governments and public health and healthcare system leaders, to share best practices that can be scaled globally.

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***PLEASE NOTE: Click here to view a recorded discussion with some of the grant recipients, in which over 500 global leaders from 53 countries tuned in to learn about early detection. Click here to be kept informed about updated information regarding the DAC initiative.

Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Early Detection Grants

Toronto Memory Program and RetiSpec (Canada)

This project implements the world’s first screening model that leverages collaboration between optometry and a local Alzheimer Society chapter to enable accessible identification of individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and referral to a qualified clinician, facilitating a faster diagnosis. The two community-based entry points include: (1) optometry clinics, where individuals can receive a non-invasive RetiSpec retinal scan for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease; and (2) the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, where individuals can undergo cognitive assessment.

Ludwig-Maximillans University (Germany)

Partners with two Universities, a health and social care charity, and three industry partners to conduct three screening types on seniors in Germany. This study will identify the best screening method by offering digital cognitive assessments, SCD questionnaire screening, and blood AD biomarkers testing to different groups. This study will also generate a patient registry to enroll patients in the global cohort and clinical trials workstreams, establish a fluid biobank, and train Artificial Intelligence diagnostic systems to better analyze speech patterns.

University of Havana (Cuba)

Provides a two-month training to primary care providers to integrate tablet based cognitive assessments Brain Health Assessment (BHA). The care provider will be assisted by informants, meaning a family-member or other person close to the patient, to help primary care providers determine if a dementia diagnosis is warranted.

Avant Institute (US – Multiple States)

This project implements Cognivue Clarity, a self-administered 10-minute cognitive performance screening tool, to increase access to digital cognitive screening assessments in 20-30 Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network (CPESN) pharmacy sites across rural, urban, and underserved communities throughout the United States. This project provides training and onboarding for pharmacies to use Cognivue to screen patients and evaluate the results to make further recommendations and referrals.

Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation (Kenya)

This project redeploys existing volunteer staff in the Strengthening Responses to Dementia in Developing Countries (STRiDE) project and trains community health workers to screen 2,400 people aged 60 and above. Workers are equipped with tablets to conduct the screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI-D) cognitive assessment and informant interview, word list recall task, and Euro-Dementia scale. Ultimately, results will inform health system policy and practices in Kenya.

Alzheimer’s Care Armenia (Armenia)

This cognitive screening education programs utilizes a van that has been outfitted as a multidisciplinary mobile clinic to offer educational programs and work with local clinical staff to screen for cognitive issues using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA). The program provides citizens who test positive for cognitive decline with healthcare resources and offers workshops to caregivers on providing support.

Advocate Aurora Health (US- Illinois)

This project aims to educate primary care providers on the importance of early cognitive screening and provide them with EPIC electronic health record-based digital testing tools to manage their patients efficiently. Clinicians get access to continuing education programming, eConsult support services, and participate in a monthly Project ECHO-type case conference to discuss topics on dementia.

Kobe City Pharmaceutical Association (Japan)

This project evaluates the value of pharmacy-based digital cognitive tests. It combines the cognitive test with a regular healthcare consultation to increase regular cognitive testing, the rate of early detection of cognitive decline, and timely and accurate diagnosis of dementia in local community-based healthcare system.

University of Washington (US- Washington)

This project expands the pilot site success of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Kickstart, Assess, Evaluate and Refer (KAER Toolkit, 2020 Edition) into a fully operational Cognition in Primary Care (CPC) protocol in seven new primary care clinics across the University of Washington. The CPC model includes provider education training and incorporates two validated tests, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) and the Ascertain Dementia 8-Item Informant Questionnaire (AD8), and a structured Cognitive Checklist. This model checks for comorbidities of dementia and provides guidance on follow-up counseling and referrals to community resources.

Demensia (Brunei)

This project will perform a pilot test of community screening and information in Senior Citizen Activity Centers, followed by a focus group discussion to select an initial paper-based cognitive assessment. The project will systematically involve communities at grassroots levels – senior citizen activity centres, engagement of village heads and community centres, targeting older people and those with dementia risk factors. Community links formed by the association are available for multisectoral support with this initiative. Other project activities also include training of field workers regarding community screening and cognitive assessment and training workshops for primary care (followed by relevant specialties).

American Academy of Physician Associates and Cleveland Clinic (US – Ohio)

Through partnership with The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Physician Associate (PA) Foundation, and Cleveland Clinic, this project develops cognitive assessment toolkit for non-specialist medical practitioners to be trained in administering screenings, interpreting results, communicating those results and offering additional provider and patient resources. The pilot implementation will be followed by outcomes reporting and dissemination of the toolkit to the network of PA schools and all Cleveland Clinic locations.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) (US – Massachusetts)

This project uses a systems redesign approach, working with approximately eight teams across a range of settings on testing and measuring the results of intervention strategies that increase assessment rates. IHI will build and operate a learning community to encourage peer learning among participating teams, provide guidance, and teach scientific improvement methods to facilitate the teams’ testing. Project outputs include a prototype set of interventions, implementation guidance, and an associated measurement set that will be ready to share and scale more widely.