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NO DOGS LEFT BEHIND AND SOS GALGOS BUILD STRATEGIC ALLIANCE TO HELP SAVE THE VOICELESS GALGOS IN SPAIN

No Dogs Left Behind

No Dogs Left Behind (NDLB), the US-based international non-profit foundation, a leader in global emergency response and advocate for global animal welfare laws beyond borders, has established a strategic alliance with SOS Galgos. The Barcelona-based rescue organization is fighting on the front lines in Spain for the voiceless Galgo (Spanish greyhound). The alliance will help bring awareness about the Galgo in Spain to dog lovers in North America and around the world and aims to expose the atrocities to Galgos and stop a new amendment to the current animal welfare laws in Spain which would threaten to exclude Galgos as a protected animal. Thousands of Galgos, a sighthound that resembles the greyhound, used for hare coursing are abandoned or brutally killed at the end of the hunting season in February each year. For example, some estimates put the number of galgos mistreated or abandoned at over 80.000 in 2021 alone. “Spain has no right to exclude the galgos from its animal welfare laws,” explains Jeffrey Beri, founder of No Dogs Left Behind. “We are working closely with SOS Galgos to shine a light on these voiceless dogs. No Dogs Left Behind is very excited at the prospect of our first Galgo called Aitana, arriving in New York. Aitana will act as an ambassador for this important movement. We are their voice; we will scream louder until change happens.” “Spain has a very bad reputation for animal cruelty. Tragically, very few people outside the country are aware of the treatment and abuse that these animals endure,” states Anna Clements, Director & co-founder of SOS Galgos. “Some of the animals rescued by SOS Galgos are extremely traumatized and restoring their trust in humankind is a long process. We are proud to have found homes for thousands of galgos all over Europe, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. So many more Galgos need our help.” A new Animal Welfare Law is currently before the Spanish Parliament. There is however public outcry about a government-backed amendment to exclude galgos and other working dogs from this law. Recently, a large gathering of protesters assembled in front of the Spanish Parliament building demonstrating against the proposed amendment. The demonstration included a protest bus blazened with the words “same law for all dogs” and a picture of a galgo being hanged, alongside an illustration of the governing Socialist Party’s logo, with their fist and roses modified to show both the cruelty to and beauty of this fragile breed. The bus has been circulating around Madrid for 7 days. About the Galgo: The Galgo, a member of the greyhound family, is a unique and peaceful dog. They make wonderful family pets and are content to live in most any setting, even in urban apartments. They are social dogs and feel most secure in a multi-dog family. Their exercise level is no more or less than most dogs. About No Dogs Left Behind: No Dogs Left Behind (NDLB) operates boots on the ground in East Asia, fighting on the frontlines to rescue dogs from the illegal dogmeat trade. NDLB works hands-on with local activists through emergency response, pulling dogs directly from slaughterhouses, dogmeat trucks, wet markets and traffickers. NDLB’s mission extends beyond borders, advocating for the creation and enforcement of animal welfare laws, and raising awareness for a cruelty-free, sustainable world in which no animal is violated, exploited, tortured or slaughtered for commercial goods or profit. With nearly 500 survivors in its care, No Dogs Left Behind operates sanctuaries in Dayi and Gongyi in East Asia and Toronto, Canada. Learn more about No Dogs Left Behind at www.nodogsleftbehind.com. Follow No Dogs Left Behind on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok. About SOS Galgos: Established 22 years ago, SOS Galgos is a registered charity which helps Spanish greyhounds (Galgos) in distress find suitable homes. The charity prioritizes rescue and adoption, but it is also heavily involved in legal work aimed at improving Animal Welfare laws. Thirdly, the organization has a strong role to play in giving animal welfare classes to school children of all ages, either at its rescue center in Barcelona or by visiting the schools themselves. These classes promote empathy, compassion, giving and sharing to help create better all-round citizens in the community. Although its Rescue and Education Center is based in Barcelona, the charity operates on a national level answering to appeals for help to rescue galgos from all corners of Spain. These calls come mostly from members of the public who contact the organization’s hotline number through the charity's website www.sosgalgos.org Follow SOS Galgos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact Details No Dogs Left Behind Sherry Sung +1 855-665-0888 sherry@nodogsleftbehind.com Company Website http://www.nodogsleftbehind.com

October 04, 2022 11:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Development of New Drugs to Target Lyme and Other Infectious Diseases Subject of a New Webinar Now Available From Quidel Corporation

Quidel Corporation

Lyme disease is the fastest-growing vector-borne disease in the United States, and its increased prevalence is challenging the scientific community to look for new ways to diagnose and treat this worrisome infection. One answer is found in the discovery of novel drugs; and the breakthrough efforts taking place in this arena are the subject of a new webinar made available by Quidel Corporation, the California-based diagnostic health care manufacturer known for successfully developing rapid diagnostic health solutions. The 90-minute webinar, available free at https://education.quidel.com/category/lyme-disease, will explain what a small molecule drug is and how it works, identify the methods used to unearth a new drug by high-throughput screening, and discuss how to recognize the complexities involved in developing a new drug for infectious disease in general. It will also provide an overview as to the current antibiotics used for treating Lyme disease and explore how powerful new drugs—novel inhibitors—can selectively target Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacterium that causes Lyme disease). The webinar is PACE-accredited and sponsored in collaboration with Global Lyme Alliance. Conducting the webinar is Timothy Haystead, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and cancer biology at Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Haystead’s current research is focused on the use of chemical biology approaches to define novel drug targets. These drug targets are focused on the treatment of hypertension, obesity, cancer, inflammatory and infectious disease. Dr. Haystead received his Ph.D. from the University of Dundee, Scotland; and he completed post-doctoral work in pharmacology at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle. The new webinar is the latest in an ongoing series sponsored by Quidel that has featured noted scientists, researchers and physicians discussing issues surrounding the prevalence of Lyme disease in America, including ways to reduce the chances of infection, early detection and treatment options. The timing and relevance for these webinars is particularly important as Lyme disease is on the rise to record numbers with approximately 476,000 new cases annually in the United States alone. Quidel is the diagnostic health care manufacturer behind the industry’s most rapid and reliable in-office test for Lyme disease, Sofia ® 2 Lyme FIA. It is the only FDA-cleared rapid point-of-care test on the market, which provides the patient and physician with indicative results in as few as three minutes, as opposed to days, which has historically been the norm (and during which time organisms can spread and become systemic). It can be performed in the privacy of a doctor’s office or local clinic; and it is the only test that can get results from a simple finger prick of blood. About Quidel Corporation Quidel Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEL) is a leading manufacturer of diagnostic solutions at the point of care, delivering a continuum of rapid testing technologies that further improve the quality of health care throughout the globe. An innovator for over 40 years in the medical device industry, Quidel pioneered the first FDA-cleared point-of-care test for influenza in 1999 and was the first to market a rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test in the U.S. Under trusted brand names, Sofia®, Solana®, Lyra®, Triage® and QuickVue®, Quidel’ s comprehensive product portfolio includes tests for a wide range of infectious diseases, cardiac and autoimmune biomarkers, as well as a host of products to detect COVID-19. With products made in America, Quidel’ s mission is to provide patients with immediate and frequent access to highly accurate, affordable testing for the good of our families, our communities and the world. For more information about Quidel, visit quidel.com. Contact Details Jim Yeager +1 818-264-6812 jim@breakwhitelight.com Company Website http://Quidel.com

October 04, 2022 06:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Innersense Organic Beauty Launches Bright Balance Collection

Innersense Organic Beauty

Award winning hair care brand Innersense Organic Beauty is expanding their range with two new products, Bright Balance Hairbath and Bright Balance Conditioner. This collection is a clean, deeply hydrating, silicone-free alternative to traditional purple toning shampoos and conditioners on the market. Each product is specifically formulated with Certified Organic Ingredients to nourish blonde, gray and bleached hair while neutralizing brass and yellow tones in all hair textures. Bright Balance Hairbath thoroughly but gently cleanses hair without stripping natural oils, while working to tone and brighten hair. Bright Balance Conditioner works to deeply hydrate and moisturize strands. Both products are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fatty acids and work synergistically to cool color without drying or damaging hair. Formulated with a custom crafted pigment blend, Bright Balance Hairbath and Conditioner provides the perfect amount of color correction for the most neutral tone possible. This collection also utilizes more effective natural carriers that help pigment adhere to hair for better color saturation and wearability. Key ingredients in the Bright Balance Hairbath include: Monoi Oil: extracted from the petals of the Tahitian Gardenia, this Vitamin-E rich oil moisturizes and helps shield hair from environmental damage Apple Extract: a natural nourisher, this humectant helps attract and retain moisture for softer and smoother hair Witch Hazel: the bark and leaves of this ancient medicinal plant include anti-inflammatory properties that gently cleanse hair and remove any color-dulling residue Organic Rice Syrup: known for its concentration of fortifying amino acids, this natural extract promotes hair elasticity Key Ingredients in the Bright Balance Conditioner include: Organic Rice Bran Oil: extracted from the rice kernel’s outer shell, this highly emollient, antioxidant oil bolsters color longevity and overall hair health Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil: a unique blend of minerals, vitamins and fatty acids to aid with hair thickness, softness and resilience Organic Coconut Oil: full of antioxidants to promote hair longevity while moisturizing strands deeply Avocado Oil: high in fat, minerals and antioxidants to help repair dry and damaged hair “We wanted to formulate a collection specifically to nourish and tone gray, blonde and bleached hair without silicones or other common cosmetic ingredients that build up over time and compromise overall hair health,” says Greg Starkman, Founder of Innersense Organic Beauty, “we are always looking for cleaner, healthier solutions using Certified Organic Ingredients to keep hair healthy and balanced.” Bright Balance Hairbath and Conditioner formulations are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO and cruelty free. Bottles are created using 100% Post Consumer Recycled Plastic. Innersense Organic Beauty is a certified B-Corp organization and received their Climate Neutral Certification, to measure and offset its carbon footprint, while also reducing its emissions over time. Bright Balance Hairbath retails for $30 (10 oz) and $80 (32 oz ) and Bright Balance Conditioner retails for $32 (10 oz) and $90 (32 oz). The collection will be available on October 3rd at innersensebeauty.com and in-store at specialty retailers such as Credo Beauty, The Detox Market, Beauty Heroes, and Aillea. About Innersense Organic Beauty Beauty professionals Greg and Joanne Starkman founded Innersense Organic Beauty to bring clean, pure, toxin-free, and salon-quality hair care made with Certified Organic Ingredients to salons, stylists and consumers. The clean, sustainable hair care brand’s products include shampoo, conditioner, scalp scrubs, styling and treatment products for all hair types. For more information, visit innersensebeauty.com. Contact Details BPCM Archita Patel +1 281-725-2121 archita@bpcm.com Company Website https://innersensebeauty.com/

October 03, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Administration Announced Ending Hunger, Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity, and Reducing Diet-Related Diseases and Disparities

Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine

Joining initiatives announced by the administration at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) and its partner, the Miraglo Foundation, are committing to pledge nearly $4.5 million for health provider education, joining more than $8 billion pledged by other aligned business entities, civic organizations, academic institutions, and philanthropic leaders to end hunger and to reduce nutrition-related disease by 2030. The two organizations have been in conversation with the White House and are aligning in support of the United States Department of Health and Human Services federal programming and coordination efforts related to food and nutrition insecurity and nutrition-related diseases. Specifically, the White House’s plan to end hunger and reduce nutrition-related disease by 2030, and programming outlined by the federal government around integrating nutrition and health, as well as, empowering all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices. AIHM and the Miraglo Foundation, under the leadership of Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACC, ABOIM, and Founding President of AIHM, have committed to fundraising $4.5 million for 10,000 scholarships in fundamental nutrition education and 60 scholarships for the AIHM integrative health fellowship program for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers. The AIHM 1000-hour fellowship program offers an inter-professional and comprehensive understanding of integrative health and medicine, which includes clinical nutrition education. AIHM's leadership and board are also committing in-kind hours supporting this commitment and the White House's new strategies. ''We are fully committed to providing access to programs that improve nutrition and healthy lifestyle education for health care providers, including macro and micro nutrition, physical activity, sleep restoration, connection and community, and resilience," said Tabatha Parker, Executive Director, AIHM. "We believe that healthcare will not transform to a model that focuses on lifestyle solutions for chronic disease without the training of healthcare providers and the education of health to consumers," states Dr. Guarneri, AIHM Founding president. AIHM and the Miraglo Foundation commit to fundraising for scholarships worldwide and providing access to programs that complement conventional medical education for healthcare professionals. The two entities envision more healthcare schools with programs addressing these gaps in education. For more information, or if you'd like to support AIHM and the Miraglo Foundation's commitment, please go to www.aihm.org or www.miraglofoundation.org. About AIHM Founded in 1978, the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) is the leading interprofessional organization for traditional, complementary, and integrative health practitioners worldwide. In 2021, AIHM merged with the Academic Collaborative of Integrative Health (ACIH). Together, they are working to advance integrative health on a global scale and transform health and wellness through education, leadership, collaboration, research, and advocacy. About Miraglo Foundation The Miraglo Foundation is a California-based 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity founded in 2011 by two pioneering integrative healthcare providers, Mimi Guarneri, MD and Rauni Prittinen King, RN, MIH after years of traveling to impoverished communities around the world. "We found out that the only way to make an impact on people's lives is by training existing healthcare providers in healthy lifestyles and serving underserved communities, locally and globally. The White Houses' plan to end hunger and reduce lifestyle related diseases by 2030 fits with our mission and experience," states Rauni Prittinen King RN, MIH, Miraglo Foundation, President. Contact Details AIHM Caitlin Marinaro +1 858-240-9033 cmarinaro@aihm.org Company Website https://aihm.org

October 03, 2022 06:08 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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2022 Taitung Blue Ocean Daily—Taitung’s First Ever Long-Distance Outrigger Canoe Challenge Rediscovers the Glory of the Austronesian Origin Point

Taitung County Government

TAITUNG, TAIWAN - Media OutReach - 30 September 2022 - Taitung launched its new Taitung Blue Ocean Daily festival on September 17 at four of the county’s iconic maritime venues: Shanyuan Bay, Jinzun, Flowing Lake, and Green Island. There will be 5 weeks of activities between these famous locations. Many paid a visit to Shanyuan to witness the spectacle that is the Outrigger Canoe. For this year’s event, Kimokeo Kapahulehua (Unkle K), an international expert from Hawaii, was invited to share his story about how his Austronesian ancestors thousands of years ago sailed from Taiwan to Hawaii on canoes. Unkle K arrived in Taiwan to sail on the Outrigger to further connect with his ancestors. On Thursday, 22 September, the Taitung County Government collaborated with Kimokeo Foundation in Hawaii, and the local Duli tribe to undergo the challenge to sail a long-distance on an outrigger canoe on Taiwanese waters for the first time. The canoe departed from the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean and sailed towards the traditional waters of the Duli tribe, establishing a meaningful milestone for the 2022 Taitung Blue Ocean Daily. Taitung County Government collaborates with the Kimokeo Foundation from Hawaii, and the local Duli tribe to undergo first-time long-distance outrigger canoe sailing on Taiwanese waters. The Austronesian Culture feat. Indigenous Tribal Life Experience was held on Thursday, September 22, marking the first time Taiwan has ever sailed in the Pacific Ocean along the coast on an outrigger canoe. When the outrigger canoe sailed near Pacefongan, the traditional waters of the Duli tribe, sailors blew through conch shells to announce their visit. Meanwhile, the people shoreside responded friendly by blowing bamboo horns in a canoe welcoming ceremony. After the outrigger canoe successfully landed on the shore, the elders presented the oarsman on the outrigger canoes with the traditional Amis ornaments to express their welcome. The outrigger canoe was named Pera (meaning the sea water splits) after the rocks on the river mouth at the Duli tribe as a means to re-establish tradition and camaraderie among the islands of the Austronesian tribes. After the canoe welcome ceremony, the Duli tribe invited the representatives from the Kimokeo Foundation of Hawaii to visit the Amis Folk Center to conduct a house worship ceremony and fired blanks from bamboo cannons to salute and bless the visitors as well as to share the legacy of the Amis culture. The Taitung County Government claims that Taiwan is the home of the Austronesian tribes. Taitung is home to 6 Austronesian tribes: Paiwan, Bunun, Rukai, Pinuyumayan, Yami (Tao), and Kavalan tribes. As Taitung is the only county with the most indigenous tribes in Taiwan, these tribes help form Taitung’s diverse local culture. As the Austronesian tribes have over 3000 years of history building connections and friendships amongst the island nations by sailing across the Pacific Ocean on outrigger canoes, hence Taiwan is the homeland of the Austronesians. The Taitung County Government intends to re-create the cultural legacy of the Austronesian tribes and introduce the diverse tribal cultures, the longest and the most beautiful coastline in Taiwan, as well as the unique charm of the local seaside city to the world. For more information, please visit Taitung Blue Ocean Daily’s FB page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083162535238 Contact Details Hsu Yi-Chung w2034@taitung.gov.tw

September 30, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Understanding Inherited Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing

YourUpdateTV

For certain cancers that disproportionally or exclusively affect women, like breast and ovarian cancer, there is a bias to focus on the mother’s side of the family tree in health conversations. And for many, especially previvors – people living at risk of a particular disease but not yet diagnosed – that seemed like enough. But as research has evolved and our understanding of inherited risk has deepened, it has become clearer that genetic risk on our dad’s side of the family can also increase an individual's breast and ovarian cancer risk. Recently, Cancer Previvor Jen Culton and Board-Certified Physician Assistant, Skyler Jesz, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss inherited risk from dad’s side of the family and some tips to help you take a proactive approach to your health. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/0cFRDhC4JHs A recent survey from Myriad Genetics,, a leader in genetic testing, underscores that dad’s side of the family is often overlooked, and much more: More than a third of women do not feel knowledgeable about their father's side of the family. Only 30% of women are very comfortable speaking with their father about their potential risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer, compared to 57% being very comfortable speaking about it with their mother. This is much lower in comparison to the almost 80% of women who consider themselves knowledgeable about their mother’s family health history. 48-year-old Jen Culton sought genetic testing in 2013 after her older sister’s breast cancer diagnosis to find out if she might be at risk. Results showed that she carries a BRCA1 gene mutation and is at increased risk of developing the disease. The news came as a surprise. Jen knew her mother’s health history and it didn’t include cancer. What she didn’t know then: her father’s family history of cancer; the gene mutation came from him. She used this information to take proactive measures to address her risk. For more information, visit myriad.com/knowyourrisk About Jen Culton: Jen Culton is a 48-year-old living previvor. She is at risk for breast and ovarian cancer and came to learn about it in unexpected and surprising ways. It began with her sister Mickey Marasco. Mickey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. Her doctors recommended she undergo genetic testing, and it was discovered that she carries a BRCA1 gene mutation. While undergoing cancer treatment, Mickey had one request: that all six of her siblings undergo genetic testing as well. The siblings went for testing together, and two of Mickey’s sisters (Jen being one of them) were also found to carry the same BRCA1 mutation. For Jen it came as a surprise. She knew her mother’s side did not have a history of cancer. Later she learned that her father’s side did and the gene mutations actually came from their father’s side of the family. But the family’s story doesn’t end there. Jen has three biological daughters – 26, 19, and 10 – who are now facing a similar reality. Genetic testing confirmed that Jen’s oldest daughter is not BRCA1 positive. Her second daughter, however, inherited the BRCA1 mutation from Jen, as well as an ATM gene mutation from her father. Her chances of developing cancer are extraordinarily higher than that of the average woman, up to 87% for breast cancer. With this knowledge, she’s ready to face what’s next, and is considering what proactive measures she should take for her health – just like her mom and her aunts, also BRCA1 positive who sought out proactive measures to manage their risks, and all three are now thriving. About Skyler Jesz, Board Certified Physician Assistant: Skyler Jesz is an Omaha native. She attended the College of Saint Mary, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She moved away from Omaha for the first time to attend the physician assistant program at Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa. Upon completion of the program, Skyler began her career in the primary care setting, working in a private family practice just outside of Omaha. After more than four years as a primary care provider, she transitioned to her current OBGYN setting. Skyler loves being part of a medical practice that puts patients first and uses the most up-to-date research and recommendations to provide comprehensive and compassionate care. She has a passion for preventative medicine, including genetics and cancer risk assessment. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 29, 2022 03:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Sports Media Veteran Mike Stricoff Joins Playmaker as Senior Advisor

Playmaker

Playmaker, a leading social media sports and entertainment content platform, today announced that Mike Stricoff, a sports media veteran and digital content producer, will be joining the company in a senior advisory role. Stricoff will contribute to the continued expansion of Playmaker’s short-form content offerings on social media platforms such as Snap Discover, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Stricoff brings more than a decade of expertise within sports media along with him to Playmaker. Most recently, he spent more than five years at Snap Inc., playing a vital role in all sports content partnerships and programming. Earlier in his career, Stricoff worked as a producer at both Fox Sports and MLB Network. “Mike has an unbelievable knowledge base and network built up from his many years leading sports content at Snap,” said Playmaker CEO Brandon Harris. “He’s going to be able to offer a new, higher level perspective on our content strategy and open doors for us to create massive new partnerships.” Given his prior experience, Stricoff’s primary goal with Playmaker will be around its ongoing partnership with Snap. Currently, Playmaker has more than 30 shows on Snap Discover, garnering roughly 50 million views per month. Stricoff will play a crucial role in fostering critical relationships for expansion, as well as content development, strategy and evaluation. “During my time at Snap, I watched Playmaker grow from having a few compelling sports shows on Discover to being a real force for creating excellent mobile-first content across verticals,” said Mike Stricoff. “They have a talented team that understands young audiences and deploys innovative storytelling techniques in order to reach them. I am excited to help fuel their already impressive growth trajectory in any way that I can.” Stricoff is the 30th addition to Playmaker’s team in 2022, joining leaders from brands such as TMZ, Captiv8, Overtime, Genius and more. About Playmaker Playmaker is a new-age media, talent and merchandise company, owning 40 million followers across social media, 50+ athletes under management and more than 20 shows on Snap Discover. Verticals include sports, betting, entertainment, basketball and esports. Contact Details Alex Shapiro +1 732-770-9395 ashapiro@hotpaperlantern.com

September 29, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Landmark Global Review of the Engineering Response to Covid-19 Calls for Action to Ensure Future Pandemic Resilience

Engineering X

Engineering X review of pandemic preparedness identifies key vulnerabilities Senior leaders endorse the need for comprehensive action by policymakers, business and academic leaders worldwide Systemic barriers—including a lack of collaboration mechanisms, insufficient data and skills, and limited understanding and consideration of the role of engineering—reduced the ability of engineers to deliver timely and effective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a comprehensive review of the global engineering response, published today by Engineering X. The findings of the global review will today be presented to senior delegates from 30 countries during the annual conference of the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences in Versailles, France. The Global review of the engineering response to COVID-19: lessons learned for preparedness and resilience, produced in partnership with Dalberg Advisors, was conceived by the Engineering X Pandemic Preparedness programme at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2020 to learn lessons and make recommendations to ensure that a more systemic engineering response is put in place to improve preparedness for future pandemics. Ensuring that datasets and data systems used for decision-making are up-to-date and bias-free, equipping emergency response task forces with more engineering capability, and encouraging the use of open science and data sharing standards are just three of the actions recommended by the review group. Informed by data, case studies and comment from more than 40 countries, the review highlights the breadth of contributions made by engineers and engineering globally in responding to key challenges across sectors, disciplines, geographies, and across pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. It calls on governments, policy makers, public health actors, academia and funders, along with the engineering community, to identify and close structural gaps in resilience against future pandemics, to invest in skills, training and capacity of engineers all around the world, and to develop robust platforms for collaboration within engineering and between engineering and other disciplines. The review highlights transformational innovations in low resource contexts as well as world-changing advances in medical and communication technologies, the pivotal role of data collection, distribution and management, and the importance of applying a systems lens to complex multifaceted challenges. It identifies six major challenges during COVID-19 where engineers made key contributions: Providing high-quality and timely data in near real-time and in appropriate formats, leveraging big data and mobile data for modelling and contact tracing. Innovating rapidly to provide novel health solutions, in collaboration with scientists and clinicians, such as in the design of PPE, diagnostics, breathing aids, vaccines and digital health tools. Designing products and services for diverse environments and user bases to reduce inequality of access and outcomes, such as customised PPE or wastewater testing and vaccine delivery for low-resource settings. Pivoting existing industrial capacity and building new capacity to ramp up production of essential medical and non-medical products such as alcohol manufacturers making hand sanitisers and expanding local vaccine manufacture. Upgrading and streamlining global supply chains to help delivery of essential medical and non-medical products, such as cold chains and drones for last mile delivery of vaccines. Bolstering and ensuring the resilience of societal systems and infrastructure, such as energy and water supplies, or expanding connectivity and digital solutions for remote education or working. The report identifies key drivers that made engineers especially useful during the COVID-19 response, such as rallying around a shared sense of purpose, which empowered them to take risks and to innovate in unprecedented timeframes. For example, engineers from University College London (UCL) designed a breathing aid prototype in under 100 hours and partnered with Mercedes AMG, who repurposed their Formula 1 factories to produce 1,000 devices a day. The open-source design has been made available to local manufacturers around the world. Professor Peter Guthrie OBE FREng, Chair of the Engineering X Pandemic Preparedness board that commissioned the review, said: “As the COVID-19 virus and its impact continues to evolve, there is a need to reflect on the efficacy of our response to it so far and how things might be handled better in the future. Our hope is that we can use the insights provided by this truly global overview of the engineering response to COVID-19 to better integrate engineering skills and habits of mind into resilience policies and structures all around the world, to improve our recovery from the virus, and to help us on the path to a safer, more prepared and resilient future.” Professor Rebecca Shipley OBE, Director of the UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Co-Lead of the UCL Ventura CPAP breathing device programme, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the pivotal role that engineers play in responding to public health emergencies and resilience planning. There are important lessons that we must learn around understanding the needs of providing healthcare in diverse, global settings and working collaboratively across sectors, listening and building trust. Now is the time for governments and international organisations to act on these lessons.” Sir Richard Feachem KBE FREng, Professor Emeritus of Global Health at the Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a reminder that a global emergency requires a global response, and that no single country or discipline can tackle a crisis alone. This report reinforces this message and focuses on the role of engineering in this fight. It calls on the global community to learn lessons and act to improve our future pandemic response—creating better mechanisms for global collaboration and coordination, engaging with stakeholders from across disciplines, and developing the skills needed to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics.” End NB This press release and the Executive Summary of the global review are both available in French, Spanish and Arabic here: engineeringx.raeng.org.uk/pandemic-preparedness Notes for Editors Dalberg Advisors (2022). Global review of the engineering response to COVID-19: lessons learned for preparedness and resilience. Engineering X (founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering and Lloyd’s Register Foundation). ISBN: 978-1-909327-56-6 CAETS, the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences, annual conference is being held in Versailles near Paris, France, 26–30 September 2022. Engineering X is an international collaboration, founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, that brings together some of the world’s leading problem-solvers to address the great challenges of our age. Our global network of expert engineers, academics and business leaders is working to share best practice, explore new technologies, educate and train the next generation of engineers, build capacity, improve safety and deliver impact. The Engineering X Pandemic Preparedness Programme, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering, is supporting the UK and global engineering community to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic through global sharing of lessons on disruptive solutions and best practice approaches in the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery from pandemics. The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age. The Academy, working with our partners in the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC), provided advice to government on a range of areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact Details Royal Academy of Engineering Pippa Cox +44 20 7766 0745 Pippa.Cox@raeng.org.uk Company Website https://engineeringx.raeng.org.uk/

September 29, 2022 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NYC Health + Hospitals Put Healthier Plant-Based Meals Front and Center

Better Food Foundation

Today at the White House Conference on Hunger, Health, and Nutrition, NYC Health + Hospitals unveiled plans to make healthier, plant-based meals the default for all hospitals in New York City. For years, medical associations like the American Institutes of Cancer have recommended whole food, plant-based diets because they significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, but our healthcare system has been slow to adopt these recommendations as best practices. Today’s announcement puts NYC Health + Hospitals at the forefront of a growing trend in healthcare to acknowledge the central role that food and nutrition plays in the lifestyle-related diseases that plague tens of thousands of New Yorkers. A team from Greener by Default, an initiative of the Better Food Foundation, worked closely with hospital administrators to facilitate the transition. Greener by Default flips the script by centering plant-based foods by default while giving diners the choice to opt into meat centered options. This strategy aligns with the global health community’s dietary recommendations and allows institutions to spotlight healthier food choices, meet institutional carbon reduction goals, and offer more culturally inclusive meals. “Ninety-five percent of patients in the pilot program responded positively to NYC Health + Hospitals’ incredible new menus that reflect New York’s rich cultural diversity,” said Katie Cantrell, Co-Director of Greener by Default. “These menus are a welcome shift from typical hospital foods that Americans famously dread. Meals like sancocho, a zesty burrito bowl with jicama slaw, and Southern black-eyed peas with plant-based cornbread aren’t just healthier, they’re tastier too.” More Sustainable Our food system accounts for one-third of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Studies have shown that adopting plant-forward diets is necessary to meet the Paris Climate Agreement, as the carbon footprint of plant-based meals is on average half that of animal-based meals. NYC Health + Hospitals serves approximately 4 million meals annually, so offering the default veg menu for lunch and dinner is expected to transition 600,000-800,000 meals from meat to plant-based each year. More Inclusive With nearly 70% of Americans trying to eat more plant-based protein, plant-based defaults are a simple way to meet this growing demand. These menus are more inclusive of diverse diets practiced by Americans for cultural, health, or ethical reasons: 30-50 million Americans are lactose intolerant, many religions encourage vegetarianism or restrict consumption of certain animal products, and a growing number of people are embracing “flexitarianism.” Greener by Default Greener by Default, an initiative of the Better Food Foundation, applies behavioral economics research to food policy, empowering institutions to serve inclusive, sustainable plant-forward food. Visit www.GreenerByDefault.com for free downloadable resources and to schedule a free consultation for your hospital, university, corporation, or anywhere else that meals are served. ### Contact Details Katie Cantrell +1 323-828-7040 Katie@BetterFoodFoundation.org

September 28, 2022 03:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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