Global Scans · Social · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: In the years to come, social commerce will become more widespread and the level of personalization will improve with advanced AI solutions & chatbots. The number of worldwide social media users is projected to grow from 2.1 billion in 2016 to 2.5 billion by 2018.

• [New] The EU Anti-Poverty Strategy sets a clear path toward reaching the EU target laid out in the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan of reducing the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030, as well as helping eradicate poverty by 2050. Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
• [New] Populations in Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea do not expect honesty from their governments, so their leaders' embrace of misinformation or denial of facts do not similarly erode the social contract. Default
• [New] Alternative proteins (AP) have the potential to diversify the protein sources available for consumption while aligning with nutritional, environmental, and cultural needs and preferences. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Last week, the global food insecurity monitor IPC warned nearly 20 million people across Sudan face acute hunger this year, with more than 800,000 children at risk of severe malnutrition due to civil war, mass displacement and collapsing food and health systems. Democracy Now!
• [New] The share of older workers will continue to rise in the U.S., putting pressure on sectors such as healthcare, social services, and education. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The health disparities between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians are influenced by cultural and social determinants of health, differences in health risk factors, and equitable access to appropriate health services. AIHW Indigenous HPF
• [New] The Digital ID project is helping Indonesia build a secure digital ID app and modernize civil registration, making it easier for millions of Indonesians to access services and opportunities. World Bank Group
• [New] 1 in 4 adults are expected to have untreated cavities by 2026 - particularly in rural and underserved communities where access to affordable care remains limited, consistent with CDC trend projections. URBN Dental
• [New] Most undocumented immigrants pose no heightened risk of criminality and, in the long run, they are a critical net benefit to the U.S. economy and American communities. American Immigration Council
• [New] The FCA is warning 17 - to 25-year-old drivers about 'ghost broking' scams where criminals sell bogus insurance policies through social media and messaging platforms. FCA
• [New] U.S. Customs and Border Protection is looking to soften its proposal for more stringent social media vetting, with more details not expected until the fall. Skift
• [New] Elections Canada will continue to collaborate with Indigenous communities to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate services, with the goal of making participation in the electoral process more accessible and meaningful for all Canadians. Elections Canada
• [New] The ongoing water crisis in First Nations communities has drawn international condemnation, with human rights bodies warning that Canada's failure to ensure safe water constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights. SenCanada
• [New] The federal government - already on an unsustainable fiscal trajectory - will face an accelerating rise in the national debt, since the number of working-age people paying into the Social Security and Medicare systems will start dropping after 2030. George W. Bush Presidential Center
• [New] Long-term risks loom as the Social Security trust fund faces a projected 2032 shortfall, potentially forcing a 28% benefit cut without congressional action to stabilize funding. Ainvest
• [New] Growth opportunities are helped by government measures under the Society 5.0 initiative by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and continued investment in health cloud modernization. Dimension Market Research
• [New] The increasing demand for cash in Russian society indicates rising societal fears over internet restrictions that prevent bank card transactions amidst increasing state surveillance and fiscal policy that incentivizes Russians to use cash more often to evade rising taxes. Critical Threats
• [New] We are already a super aged society and by 2030, about one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above. ST
• [New] The World Economic Forum's skills outlook still ranks analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, leadership, and social influence among the key capability areas employers expect to prioritize, underscoring demand outside purely technical domains. Mordor Intelligence
• [New] Even after accounting for neighborhood social fragmentation, SES deprivation uniquely predicted social functioning, indicating that specific psychosocial risks associated with deprivation - such as chronic financial stress-may impair social interactions. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Social isolation and loneliness significantly raise the risk of premature mortality. The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News |
• [New] Social isolation is one of the fourteen modifiable risk factors of dementia. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] In 2026, mental health support is expected to become embedded into everyday life through workplaces, schools, apps, wearable technology, pharmacies, and community programs. campbellhealthsolution.org

Last updated: 25 May 2026