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

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.

• [New] The Companion Animal Parasite Council has released its 2026 Pet Parasite Forecast, warning veterinary professionals that vector-borne disease risk continues to expand geographically across the US, with implications for both animal and human health. dvm360
• [New] We will need a sustained moderation in healthcare inflation before becoming confident that overall inflation will converge to the Federal Reserve's (Fed) target by next year. MMA Group at LPL Financial
• [New] Awareness about the health risks linked to untreated parasite infestations is spreading quickly among pet owners, veterinarians, and online communities. Persistence Market Research
• [New] CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health develops IDLH values for workplace chemical concentrations and conditions carrying immediate, unacceptable health risks. National Law Review
• [New] Although the political and social context remains fragile, private consumption (70% of GDP) is expected to benefit in 2026 from household support measures, as well as from strong remittance flows (6% of GDP in 2024), notably from Gulf countries and the US. Coface
• [New] Investing in mental health could yield a 4:1 return, primarily through increased productivity and reduced healthcare costs for other conditions. bagrounds.org
• [New] Internationally, and within New Zealand, specialist mental health and addiction service-users experience increased risks of comorbidities and premature mortality, and poorer health outcomes, compared to the general population. SpringerLink
• [New] AI will change healthcare in 2026 by making work faster, easier, and smarter. Covenant Health Advisors
• [New] Through PFAS OUT, EPA will help protect public health by proactively engaging with water systems, states and other partners to address drinking water contamination. Environmental Protection
• [New] As reported by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, air pollution is now the second leading risk factor for premature death behind high blood pressure, surpassing tobacco and poor diet. Edie
• [New] Antimicrobial resistance remains one of the most serious global threats to public health, driven by the rapid emergence and dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens that compromise existing antibiotic therapies. Frontiers
• [New] Antimicrobial resistance has caused a global public health crisis, contributing to approximately five million deaths in 2019 and predicted deaths of approximately ten million annually by 2050. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] AI crime solving tools are being adopted at an accelerating pace by police agencies across the United States, with results that can be dramatic but that experts and civil liberties advocates say come with serious risks of false leads, wrongful investigations, and violations of due process. MEXC
• [New] Public debt is projected to reach roughly 42.5% -44% of GDP through 2026-2027 - elevated versus pre-2019 levels (28% of GDP) but well below the fiscal rule anchor of 45%, and with debt maturities above 10 years providing buffer. / Chile The Rio Times
• [New] Areas of higher canine Lyme risk often mirror areas where people contract Lyme disease, reinforcing the One Health connection between pets, people, and the environment. dvm360
• [New] Demand through 2035 will be driven by the global expansion of healthcare infrastructure, the adoption of advanced MRI technology in emerging markets, and ongoing research in scientific institutions. IndexBox Inc.
• [New] The Health Resources and Services Administration announced $125 million in funding opportunities to expand access to nutrition services and $11 million to support the rural workforce. / USA McDermott+
• [New] Initial focus will be on polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, pre-eclampsia, and endometrial cancer, which are prevalent health conditions in the UAE. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Projections from the California Future Health Workforce Commission show a shortfall of approximately 4,100 primary care physicians statewide by 2030, impacting access to health care. Washington Health

Last updated: 19 April 2026