Global Scans · Good Health and Well-being · Weekly Summary

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In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

• Transferring to Barclays will be GBP 8.3 billion in unsecured lending balances - split roughly equally between credit card receivables and unsecured personal loans - as well as 2,800 Tesco employees. MarketScreener
• There is a cross-government synthetic opioid taskforce, involving the Department of Health and Social Care and HM Prison Service, which is reviewing the latest evidence to assess the risk of synthetic opioids to the UK, and exploring options for response should the level of risk escalate. The Pharmaceutical Journal
• Generative AI is poised to significantly impact the healthcare sector in 2024, with transformative benefits anticipated across various domains, from remote patient monitoring to telemedicine, and from administrative tasks to clinical decision-making. https://www.digi-corp.com
• Deloitte Global predicts a significant increase in the adoption of consumer health and wellness wearable devices, projecting shipments to reach nearly 440 million units by the end of 2024. https://www.digi-corp.com
• Preventing ill health, detecting ill health earlier when it occurs and working better together in a more personalised way for individuals and families remain central to the ambition of (at least) 5 extra healthy, independent years of life by 2035, while narrowing the gap between richest and poorest. GOV.UK
• Among industries globally, generative AI could add the equivalent of $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion annually in value across the 63 use cases it analyzed - a great opportunity and a benefit for the logistics industry as well. Logistics Management
• Spending for programs other than Social Security and the major health care programs is projected to equal 3.1% of GDP in 2025. Congressional Budget Office
• Other retailers wanted only UK eggs, which are produced to high standards and carry fewer health risks for consumers, such as salmonella, compared with eggs sourced from abroad. Farmers Weekly
• Record oil production in countries including the United States and Canada, as well as weak projected global demand have kept prices in check. CNN
• Quantum technology is recognized as a catalyst for transformational progress on a global scale, with the potential to revolutionize a broad range of industries, including finance, defence, energy, healthcare, life sciences, and more. Yahoo Finance
• The Spanish mobile industry expects today's announcement to accelerate the growth of digital services and apps, by ensuring they integrate seamlessly with national mobile networks, as well as hundreds of others around the world. Intelligent CISO
• Bank Holiday Weekends are one of the busiest periods on Irish roads, they are also one of the periods where road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision. Garda
• The global economic climate remains subdued, coupled with high geopolitical risks amid the situation in the Red Sea, high interest rates, and domestic energy prices still well above their pre-pandemic level. The Telegraph
• Concerning physical health, sleep disorders are one of the most frequent health problems among sexual minority Colombians, and gay and bisexual men are at higher risk of HIV than the general population. MDPI
• Spending on Social Security and health care will nearly double between FY 2023 and 2034, growing from $2.9 trillion to $5.3 trillion and from 10.8% of GDP to 12.7%. Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
• Contributing to the rise in deficits are the aging population and the growth in federal health care costs, which will necessitate greater spending on Social Security and Medicare. CNN
• The possible explanation for the low prevalence of health facility delivery could be that Madagascar women may not be able access the majority of healthcare facilities due to distance and cost. BioMed Central
• Further threats include hackers-for-hire carrying out corporate espionage or services and tools being accessed by hostile states and individuals who threaten UK national security. Cyber Security Review
• Humana, a key player in the healthcare sector, faces potential challenges as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposes adjustments to Medicare Advantage payment rates for 2025. DistilINFO Healthplan
• Vector-borne diseases are a global threat, with national security, economic, and health implications for the United States. US Department of Health and Human Services
• £2 million of Arts & Humanities Research Council funding is being announced today, which will support new research projects that will help to define what responsible AI looks like across sectors such as education, policing and the creative industries. FE News
• Developing an action plan to address the needs of vulnerable patients who are unable to access health services, due to travel restrictions or the fear of leaving their homes, on a timely basis during a global health emergency. European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)

Last updated: 11 February 2024