World is off track to meet “Triple Billion” health targets, according to WHO
This month, the World Health Organization reported that the world is not on track to reach most of the Triple Billion targets and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals. The targets involve one billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage (not on track), one billion more people better protected from health emergencies (not on track), and one billion more people enjoying better health and wellbeing by 2025 (progress, but issues remain). Using data from 174 countries, the report shows some progress towards the 46 targets, however there are serious, widespread shortfalls–Health Policy
Why is exercise good for you? Scientists are finding answers in our cells
Exercise is medicine! There are decades of evidence showing that physical activity leads to healthier, longer lives. But researchers are just starting to build a picture of the vast maze of cellular and molecular processes that are triggered throughout the body during, and even after, a workout. Some of these processes dial down inflammation, whereas others ramp up cellular repair and maintenance. Exercise also prompts cells to release signaling molecules that carry a frenzy of messages between organs and tissues: from muscle cells to the immune and cardiovascular systems, or from the liver to the brain–Nature
The battle over the risk of ultra-processed foods. The food industry’s strategy is “deny, denounce, delay”
The rising concern about the health impact of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has recast the debate around food and public health, giving rise to books, policy campaigns and academic papers. It presents the most concrete challenge yet to the business model of the food industry, for whom UPFs are extremely profitable. The industry has responded with a ferocious campaign (and huge spending) against regulation to influence policymakers. For instance, US lobbying data from non-profit Open Secrets found that food and soft drinks-related companies spent $106 million on lobbying in 2023, almost twice as much as the tobacco and alcohol industries combined. Their strategy is “deny, denounce and delay,” and it’s proved successful. Just a handful of countries, including Belgium, Israel and Brazil, currently refer to UPFs in their dietary guidelines. But as the weight of evidence about UPFs grows, public health experts say the only question now is how, if at all, it is translated into regulation–The Financial Times
We all need solitude. Here’s how to embrace it.
An experts’ take on solitude, which is very different from loneliness. Most of us do require a balance of solo and social time, and the question is: how to recognize when we need more solitude, and how to incorporate it into our life? Their conclusion in a nutshell: alone time can help us reduce stress and manage emotions, but we must be very intentional about it. One cardinal rule: let’s put our phone aside–The New York Times
A Striking Stat:
In 2024, 82% of consumers in the US, 73% in the UK, and 87% in China reported wellness as a top or very important priority in their lives. The focus keeps increasing: more than half of consumers say they prioritize wellness more than they did a year ago.
McKinsey’s Future of Wellness research, surveying over 5,000 consumers in the UK, US, and China.
