Our Scans · (LF.3) 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] NHS organizations across England are being encouraged to adopt AI-powered notetaking tools, which early trials suggest could free up clinicians to spend nearly a quarter more time with patients. UKAuthority
• [New] The transition to digital records will eliminate the need for service leavers to chase paperwork or wait for health records to reach their NHS providers, fulfilling a government commitment to improve support for veterans. UKAuthority
• [New] The U.S. severing its ties with the WHO will cause ripple effects that linger for years to come, with widespread implications for public health. The Conversation
• [New] Thousands of dams in the United States may be at risk of failure, and they could have major public health and economic impacts. Live Science
• [New] Spending priorities focus on medical care, projected to top $165 billion, as well as modernizing the VA's computerized patient records system. Stars and Stripes
• [New] Within five years, blood tests designed to identify Parkinson's disease at an early stage could begin to be tested in healthcare systems. ScienceDaily
• [New] Lowering sodium levels in packaged and prepared foods could lead to major improvements in heart health and prevent large numbers of heart attacks, strokes, and premature deaths in France and the United Kingdom. ScienceDaily
• [New] Travel medicine has become increasingly complex as new health risks and evolving pathogens emerge globally. insuremeright
• [New] Recent US aid cuts and other global health disruptions demand an urgent new set of Africa-led strategies to build resilient, locally-driven health innovation systems and foster long-term progress. News-Medical
• [New] Africa's health future hinges on its ability to finance and commercialise its own medical innovations, rather than rely on increasingly uncertain international funding, African science leaders have warned. News-Medical
• [New] Primary care will be part of a new $50 billion national movement to improve health and health care for rural Americans. Medical Economics
• [New] Digital Health (an advisory group supporting the digital transformation of Jersey's health and care system) will introduce Patients Know Best in 2026 - a citizen-facing platform which gives people direct access to their hospital test results and appointments. States Assembly
• [New] The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projected a 10% national RN shortage by 2027, with some regions anticipating gaps up to 24%. Campus Security Today
• [New] If Malta begins to implement the Sexual Health Strategy in full the country could see concrete improvements in sexual and reproductive services. MaltaToday.com.mt
• [New] The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma requires that trauma centers have a structured approach to identifying patients at risk for mental health conditions. LWW
• [New] Home health and personal care aide jobs are projected to grow by about 20-25% this decade, much faster than average, largely due to the increasing number of seniors needing assistance. / USA The Seniors Center
• [New] Healthcare support occupations are projected to be the fastest-growing occupational group in the U.S. from 2023 to 2033. The Seniors Center
• [New] With more treatments entering the workforce and more diagnoses occurring, cancer care will disrupt health care spending in 2026 and beyond. Moreton
• [New] The more than 4 million lost healthy life years estimated for 2040 correspond to roughly five hours of lost full health for every person on Earth. Deutsche Welle
• [New] Combining all measures in a full system change was shown to be the most effective method, reducing the global health burden of plastics by 43% in 2040. EurekAlert!

Last updated: 02 February 2026