Our Scans · (ZY.2.06) Health Science · Weekly Summary

• [New] EPA will lower the primary (health-based) annual PM2.5 standard from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9.0 µg/m3 to reflect new science on harms caused by particle pollution. Bergeson & Campbell PC
• [New] As of 2026, numerous individuals across America will have access to improved mental health options due to collaborative efforts between science, technology, and policy to create innovative treatments that have not been available before now. The Minds Journal
• [New] Africa still faces ongoing challenges in infrastructure, funding, and local capacity, all of which are critical to fully realising the potential of data science to enhance health research outcomes. Nature
• As regional governments invest in nutrition science and microbiome research, Asia Pacific is expected to become a global hub for personalized, healthy-aging innovations. Persistence Market Research
• Nutrition and Nestle Health Science will be combined, while there's now a more holistic approach to food, doing away with separate reporting units for confectionery and prepared foods. Just Food
• The biotech and health tech sector by 2026 will be buzzing with breakthroughs that sound like science fiction - except they are real. SiliconSnark
• Administration cuts and science politicization would increase food safety risks, with career scientists expressing concerns about political interference in technical public health decisions. RealTime DemTrends
• By fostering a spirit of collaboration and openness, the genomics field significantly contributed to the global fight against COVID-19 and set a new standard for how science can address global health threats. MDPI
• Consumers are taking greater control of their health and expect companies to provide effective, science-backed solutions. NutraIngredients-USA.com
• Driven largely by emerging breakthroughs in molecular diagnostics and targeted drug development, longevity science is accelerating toward clinical reality, making the opportunity for radical health extension a central theme in the 2026 GESDA Science Breakthrough Radar. GESDA Global
• The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has unveiled the Biosafety and Biosecurity Strategy 2026-2030, marking a new era in Africa's pursuit of safe science, responsible innovation and resilient health security systems. Africa CDC
• WMO has a 2023-2033 Implementation Plan for Advancing Climate, Environment and Health Science and Services to meet rising demand for its expertise. World Meteorological Organization

Last updated: 23 March 2026