Tag: 3BL

Whirlpool Foundation recently joined community and state officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of “Project T,” a transformative redevelopment initiative in Benton Harbor, Michigan, also home to Whirlpool Corporation’s global headquarters. This initiative, a public-private partnership, will redevelop the site of the former Mercy Hospital to construct 14 duplex buildings, marking Phase 1 of a project that will deliver up to 77 new homes when complete and will help revitalize a Benton Harbor neighborhood.

“Project T” is a collaborative effort, developed in partnership by Renovare Development and Harbor Habitat for Humanity, with support from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the Michigan Growth Office, the City of Benton Harbor, and Whirlpool Foundation. A Whirlpool Foundation grant, combined with local tax programs and funding from MSHDA, has been instrumental in making this project a reality.

“Whirlpool Corporation has called Benton Harbor home for more than a century, and our investment in this project reflects our belief in this community’s future,” said Marc Bitzer, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation. “By supporting sustainable design and attainable homeownership, we’re helping create opportunities for families and ensure thriving neighborhoods for the long term.”

Phase 1 will include 28 two- and three-bedroom homes designed for families earning 60–120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Six of the homes will be built to Zero Energy Ready standards, with planning supported by Whirlpool Corporation’s sustainability team, integrating sustainable features throughout the site. This comprehensive approach, combined with specialty mortgage products, down payment assistance, and grants, is designed to empower families to build equity, strengthen stability, and, in the long term, create generational wealth.

Phase 2 will introduce 39 rental units, anchored by a childcare center. This holistic vision for the campus ensures that families not only have access to quality housing but also the essential support systems needed to thrive.

In addition to supporting the community of its global headquarters, Whirlpool Corporation has more than a quarter century relationship with Habitat for Humanity International, and Bitzer was elected to serve on Habitat’s board earlier this year. 

For more information on Project T, please visit projecttbentonharbor.com. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation’s support of Habitat for Humanity, visit whirlpoolcorp.com/hfh.

Whirlpool Foundation
Since 1952, the Whirlpool Foundation has been making real, positive differences in local communities where Whirlpool Corporation families live and work. This is accomplished through two central pillars: House+Home. “House” supports a decent and affordable place to live and plan for the future, and “Home” focuses on creating thriving, resilient communities with the essential services, quality education, and job training needed to help people dream bigger and do better. The Foundation has an absolute commitment to equality and fairness and takes an innovative approach to social investing that prioritizes impact with measurable results.
 

View original content here.

October 7, 2025 /3BL/ – Novata, a leading sustainability data management platform for private markets, today announced the acquisition of Atlas Metrics, a top European sustainability performance and reporting platform.

This strategic move expands Novata’s global reach and unites two complementary companies to meet the growing demand from investors and corporates for trusted, efficient, and scalable sustainability data solutions.

Together, Novata and Atlas Metrics now supports more than 400 clients and 13K+ companies worldwide, equipping investors, banks, and corporates with the tools they need to collect, report, and act on sustainability data.

Since its founding in 2021, Atlas Metrics has become a market leader across Europe, serving hundreds of banks and a broad range of venture capital firms. Its award-winning technology combines scalable architecture with intuitive workflows and AI-driven insights to simplify sustainability reporting and risk identification. With Atlas Metrics, Novata strengthens its European presence, deepens partnerships with financial institutions, and accelerates product innovation for clients globally.

“This acquisition is an important step toward building the global leader in sustainability management,” said Alex Friedman, CEO & Co-Founder of Novata. “By welcoming Atlas Metrics into the Novata family, we’re delivering on our mission to transform sustainability data into business resilience. Together, we have the scale, technology, and global expertise to help companies and investors turn ESG data management, regulatory readiness, and benchmarking into drivers of long-term value creation.”

As sustainability expectations evolve and the marketplace consolidates, organizations are seeking market-leading partners with proven technology and global expertise who will be around for the long-term. To support this next phase of growth, Novata recently completed an additional fundraise, underscoring strong market confidence in its mission and momentum. The round was led by S&P Global, with participation from Hamilton Lane (Nasdaq: HLNE), Motive Ventures, The Ford Foundation, and Novata co-founders Alex Friedman and Josh Green.

“From the start, we saw a natural alignment with Novata, both in mission and in culture,” said Wladimir Nikoluk, CEO of Atlas Metrics. “Atlas Metrics has always believed that sustainability management should be simple, scalable, and rooted in technology. Joining Novata lets us deliver on that belief at global scale, giving our clients across and beyond Europe the innovation, efficiency, and trust they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape.”

The integration of Atlas Metrics’ technology and Novata’s platform simplifies sustainability management and unlocks long-term value for companies and investors alike. With teams now in New York, London, Berlin, and Singapore, supported by a strong balance sheet and world-class partners, Novata combines local expertise with global scale, giving clients the perspective and connectivity they need to manage complexity across markets.

For more information about the announcement, visit Novata’s website.

About Novata

Novata is the private markets’ sustainability management partner. We empower tens of thousands of companies to achieve their sustainability goals with our trusted data management platform and advisory practice—because it’s good for business and it’s good for the planet. Learn more at www.novata.com.

About Atlas Metrics

Atlas Metrics is a leading all-in-one platform for non-financial performance. Atlas helps over 3,000 banks, companies and investors measure, communicate, and amplify their impact with automations, AI, secure data sharing, and advanced analytics. Learn more at www.atlasmetrics.io.

Contacts

Katie Stueber, Novata
press@novata.com

Lauren Maupetit, Atlas Metrics
press@atlasmetrics.io

Published by Las Vegas Sands on October 4, 2025

October 7, 2025 /3BL/ – Sands and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) have awarded $5,000 scholarships to 10 students at HACU-member schools, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and University of North Texas (UNT), to support their preparation for careers in the hospitality industry.

Sands Hospitality Advancement Scholarships provided through HACU, the only national association representing Hispanic-serving institutions, represent Sands’ commitment to building a thriving hospitality industry workforce.

UNLV and UNT students who are majoring in hospitality or are interested in a career in the industry and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 were eligible to apply for the scholarship.

“HACU’s partnership with Sands providing scholarships for students working toward careers in the hospitality industry has proven to be a great success in supporting their aspirations,” HACU Interim CEO David Mendez said. “These scholarships pave the way to success for students in their educational pursuits toward their future careers and give potential employers an educated, well-prepared workforce.”

Sands’ engagement with HACU for hospitality scholarships is one of the company’s many hospitality education initiatives, which include the Sands Hospitality Scholarship Program in Singapore, the Sands Hospitality Immersion Program in Las Vegas, the University of North Texas Las Vegas Study Tour, contributions to higher education institutions in Macao, on-property and industry-supported training opportunities for students and hospitality professionals, and mentorship and instruction from company leaders.

“We provide students with financial resources for their hospitality studies to empower their success, as well as ensure our industry has strength, depth and diversity in talent for the future,” Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, said. “We wish our recipients a successful semester and a future that is ripe with the opportunities our multifaceted industry can bring.”

Sands’ focus on hospitality education is a core component of its 2021-2025 ambition to invest $200 million in workforce development, which the company surpassed a year early at the end of 2024.

“Though our workforce development target was met, the commitment is continuous, and supporting hospitality education in our regions and corporate headquarters is a top priority,” Reese added.

To learn more about Sands’ workforce development and hospitality education initiatives, read the company’s latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.

To learn more about Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, visit https://www.hacu.net.

Sustainability isn’t a destination. It’s a journey of continuous improvement.

That’s why we created the Higg Brand & Retail Module (Higg BRM): to help brands and retailers track their progress, set goals, and make data-driven decisions that matter. And for Cascale members, there’s an even bigger advantage: exclusive access to our Higg BRM Benchmark.

Now in its third year, the Higg BRM Benchmark is available through our Member Analytics Portal (MAP). It’s not just another set of numbers — it’s a powerful tool to see where your company stands, how you measure up against industry peers, and further refine your roadmap. With benchmarking, we don’t just want you to ask “how are we doing?” — we encourage you to ask “how do we lead?”

Developed by Cascale, Higg BRM benchmarking complements our existing Higg BRM assessment by providing:

• Comprehensive analysis of your ESG performance across Environmental, Social, and Governance pillars
• Aggregated peer comparisons to better understand where your organization stands
• Data-driven insights to highlight critical areas for improvement
• Year-over-year performance to demonstrate progress and identify opportunities

When you stack your Higg BRM scores against peers and industry leaders, the data tells a compelling story. By comparing Higg BRM scores with other companies and industry leaders, brands can take their ESG analysis to the next level to make more informed decisions. If your organization falls below the industry average, benchmarking highlights where you can make the case for greater resources and improvements. If you’re ahead of your peers, it provides the evidence you need to safeguard budgets and showcase your leadership. With these insights, you can sharpen priorities, track real progress, and make data-driven decisions that strengthen both performance and credibility.

The Value of Higg BRM Benchmarking

We acknowledge the challenge of translating data into action. We designed the benchmarking feature to provide data insights that can be shared among internal teams and leadership in order to foster conversations, determine resource allocation, identify critical hotspots, and further develop a roadmap derived from a comprehensive view of your company’s sustainability efforts.

We understand that no two companies are on the same journey, so all use cases will look different — but every organization needs to evaluate where they’re at to understand where they’re going. That’s the power of benchmarking. Benchmarking is available to all Cascale members who complete the Higg BRM according to our membership requirements timeline, giving you the tools to track progress, learn from peers, and accelerate your sustainability journey year after year.

How Can Benchmarking Elevate Your Performance? 

The benchmark transforms numbers into a narrative your teams and leaders can act on, helping you:

• Share actionable insights with internal teams and leadership
• Make smarter decisions about resource allocation
• Identify critical hotspots in Environmental, Social, and Governance practices
• Develop a detailed roadmap from year-over-year performance trends

By leveraging Higg BRM benchmarking, you can turn insights into action, drive continuous improvement, and stay ahead in your sustainability journey.

As sustainability expectations, regulations, and priorities continue to evolve, one thing remains clear: guesswork won’t get you far. You need data-driven insights to make informed decisions. Our benchmarking gives you the clarity and confidence to lead with purpose and take action that drives real impact.

Higg BRM Benchmarking Learning Session 

We recently hosted a webinar for our Brand and Retailer members to dive deeper into benchmarking benefits and use cases. For deeper discussion and insights, Cascale members can visit Cascale Connect.

Verizon

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., October 7, 2025 /3BL/ – One year after Hurricane Helene’s devastation, Verizon announced it is erasing an additional $5 million in consumer debt for thousands of North Carolinians still rebuilding their lives. This second round of relief, which Verizon is implementing through a partnership with ForgiveCo, brings the company’s total debt relief for the region to $15 million.

To bring widespread attention to the ongoing recovery needs of the community, Verizon partnered with the University of North Carolina and Hall of Fame Coach Roy Williams to make the announcement during the UNC-Clemson Football game at Kenan Stadium Saturday.

This announcement follows Verizon’s initial commitment in January 2025, where the company cleared $10 million in debt for 6,500 families across Western North Carolina. This new effort underscores Verizon’s sustained promise to stand with the community, providing critical financial relief long after the initial storm response.

“When we first announced our support in January, we made a promise that we would continue to stand with Western North Carolina through its recovery. We are still here, and we are fulfilling that promise,” said Verizon Atlantic South Market President, Leigh Anne Lanier. “The path to rebuilding is a marathon, not a sprint. We hope that by lifting this financial burden, we can provide families with the breathing room they need to move forward and continue building a resilient future.”

“Recovery in western North Carolina is a team sport, and I am grateful to Verizon and Coach Williams for their continued commitment,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This relief will help more western North Carolinians get back on their feet after Helene.”

For Coach Williams, a Western North Carolina native who personally called families to announce the initial debt relief, this second wave of support represents a true commitment to his neighbors and friends.

“A year ago, I saw firsthand how Hurricane Helene devastated such a large portion of our state. People lost everything, and the path to recovery felt impossible. Verizon’s initial help was a blessing, but this second round of support demonstrates a level of commitment that is equally commendable. It gives people a new sense of hope and the chance to rebuild their lives and communities,” Williams said. “I’m proud to be a part of this effort, and I want to thank Verizon for showing what it truly means to stand by neighbors in their time of need.”

The debt relief will be implemented by ForgiveCo, which purchases and abolishes applicable debt for those in need. The process is automatic, with recipients selected at random and notified that their debt has been cleared – no strings attached, and no action required

“Verizon’s unwavering commitment to Western North Carolina has been remarkable. By extending their support to $15 million in debt relief, they are proving that true recovery means standing with families long after the storm has passed,” said Craig Antico, CEO of ForgiveCo. “ForgiveCo is honored to help deliver this impact, and we are proud to stand with Verizon for the people of North Carolina.”

Verizon’s commitment to the state extends beyond disaster recovery and includes an ongoing strategic partnership with the University of North Carolina, focused on fostering innovation for students and the community.

About ForgiveCo:

ForgiveCo provides business advisory services to corporations for acquisition, administration, and cancellation of consumer debt, alongside advisory services in branding, goodwill creation, and bulk debt management – “Transforming debt into goodwill™.”; They amplify a brand’s equity by erasing billions of dollars of debt for millions of people, activating community and hope in individuals. To learn more, please visit: forgiveco.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C., October 7, 2025 /3BL/ – North Carolina’s ArtSpace Charter School today announced the selection of DreamBox Math by Discovery Education to support math instruction in grades K-8. This new digital resource will be used by teachers in the school to enhance instruction and accelerate student achievement in math. Discovery Education is the maker of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world.

Located in Swannanoa, North Carolina, ArtSpace Charter School offers a complete education through an integrated curriculum centered around the visual and performing arts and utilizing an experiential approach. The gifted faculty at ArtSpace Charter School believes in a family-centered, cooperative approach to education that encourages family involvement and community service to nurture responsible citizenship.

Following the closure of their school due to Hurricane Helene, ArtSpace sought a digital math solution that would not only support the recovery of lost learning but also accelerate achievement through student-centered learning experiences. Following a comprehensive review of potential solutions, the ArtSpace Charter School team selected DreamBox Math by Discovery Education for classroom use.

DreamBox Math is a K-8 online math program that supplements core instruction in the classroom or at home and is independently proven by several third-party research organizations to increase math achievement. DreamBox Math by Discovery Education adapts dynamically to the learner, providing tailored instruction within a highly engaging, gamified learning environment. DreamBox Math lessons are available in both English and Spanish and are standards-aligned.

Along with actionable reporting and tools that empower differentiation for all learners, DreamBox Math offers teachers content-specific professional learning and provides administrators critical insights into student progress. With DreamBox Math, every student is empowered to independently engage in interactive problem solving so they can develop conceptual understanding, apply a variety of strategies, and gain competence and confidence in mathematical reasoning and skills.

“Our students lost 24 days of learning as they grappled with the impacts of Hurricane Helene,” said Dr. Sarena Fuller, Executive Director of the ArtSpace Charter School. “To support the recovery of their lost learning and to improve their overall learning trajectory in math, we wanted to select an adaptive math solution that would support the success of our students, and we are excited to integrate DreamBox Math into our classroom instruction.”

In addition, all educators using Discovery Education’s digital resources have access to the Discovery Educator Network or DEN. A global community of education professionals, the DEN connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration.  Recently, the DEN celebrated 20 years of connecting educators to their most valuable resource: each other. Educators interested in learning more this powerful professional learning community and joining the DEN can visit the DEN homepage here

“Discovery Education is proud to support the ArtSpace Charter Schools’s efforts to improve teaching and learning in math, said Kimberly McCullough, Discovery Education Account Executive. “The integration of DreamBox Math into their curriculum will yield academic benefits for their students, and we are excited to support their work.”

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

###

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions help educators engage all students and support higher academic achievement. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools that are effective, engaging, and easy to use, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Learn more at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contact 
Stephen Wakefield 
Discovery Education 
Phone: 202-316-6615 
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com

Sustainable remediation goes beyond cleaning contaminated sites—it’s about supporting climate resilience, circular economy principles, and healthier communities. In this episode, we explore why traditional remediation methods are no longer enough, the opportunities of nature-based and in situ approaches, and the global collaboration driving innovation in this field. We hear from host Phil Dillard, joined by co-host Beatrice Bizzaro, Water Stewardship Technology Lead at HPC Italy and the Inogen Alliance Global Water Working Group Leader. Together, they speak with: Jason Lagowski, Senior Consultant at Antea Group USA and Gabriele Cerutti, Technology Leader Geologist at HPC Italy.

Listen now

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Rethinking EHS: Global Goals. Local Delivery.

The key to a sustainable future lies in our ability to coordinate global efforts built on the foundation of local expertise. So how can those of us passionate about protecting planet and people harness this knowledge and turn it into practical solutions on a worldwide scale?

On this podcast, we’ll traverse the globe to unearth the stories of EHS and sustainability communities making an impact on the ground. We’ll share compelling stories from biodiversity and energy transition to workplace safety and more; expert insights, on topics such as PFAS and CSRD, and diverse perspectives to highlight tangible solutions and share innovative strategies to drive change.

Whether you’re an EHS practitioner, a sustainability specialist, or a leader striving to improve your organization, join us, as we explore the path forward and Rethink EHS.

Brought to you by Inogen Alliance.

Listen to Season Two Now

Rockwell Automation announced that its recently extended collaboration with Avvale and ESGeo will help industrial companies more easily address growing social, regulatory, and investor expectations regarding sustainability reporting and performance.

The collaboration combines Rockwell’s operational technology (OT) data capabilities, Avvale’s expertise as a system integrator partner – specializing in ERP and digital transformation – and ESGeo’s enterprise solution for non-financial disclosures.

Avvale plays a key role in bridging the gap between technology and business outcomes. With a deep understanding of industrial processes, it assists companies in implementing robust and tailored solutions that ensure smooth integration and alignment with sustainability and operational objectives. Its expertise accelerates the adoption of digital solutions, ensuring that organizations maximize the full potential of their investments in automation and data.

“Expanding our offering to Level 4 – the top level of the automation pyramid – allows us to offer even broader support to our customers, allowing them to more easily automate data collection and sharing, and improve sustainability outcomes,” said Emmanuel Guilhamon, vice president of sustainability at Rockwell Automation. “We’re helping them make their operational data work twice as hard, by using it to create actionable insights that support both compliance and business value.”

The cloud-based ESGeo platform works with Rockwell software solutions to aggregate, contextualize, and report data from automation systems, supply chains, and enterprise sources, to support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting. It replaces manual data collection and spreadsheets and will help manufacturers unlock the wealth of untapped information and insights contained within their day-to-day operational data.

Avvale, with its expertise in the integration and digital transformation of industrial processes, assists companies in designing and implementing customized solutions, helping ensure rapid, seamless adoption with immediate value.

ESGeo strengthens the collaboration by providing a cloud-based, certified digital governance suite for ESG data. It offers organizations a centralized suite to collect, validate, and communicate non-financial data and ESG metrics.

“With Rockwell’s technology and Avvale’s expertise, we offer solutions that enhance operational efficiency, optimize productivity, and accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies,” said Fabrizio Fiocchi, CEO and founder of ESGeo. “This collaboration focuses on integrating sustainability into business operations. With this solution, companies not only meet their international regulatory compliance goals but also optimize their social and environmental performance, creating long-term value for the business.”

The integration of ESGeo with business operations not only enables more efficient compliance with regulatory requirements but also facilitates the management, governance, and enhancement of impacts, risks, and opportunities through a direct link to operational processes.

A choice of deployment options is available. Customers can engage directly with ESGeo, or work with Rockwell and its PartnerNetwork™ system integrator, Avvale, to integrate the necessary systems.

Originally published on The Drum
By The Drum Team, Editorial

After launching the list at The Drum Live, we then invited attendees as well as our global readership to have their say on who should be named The Rebel 50’s most rebellious marketer.

The results are in and we can reveal now that Ned Duggan has come out top.

Duggan has weaponized censorship with the Bacardi brand’s ‘100% Additive-Free Tequila’ campaign, turning regulatory restrictions into a creative statement.

Click here to read more on The Drum

In 2024, Viatris provided medicines addressing the top 10 of the WHO’s leading causes of death globally.

We have taken a deliberate approach to expand access to our wide portfolio across geographies and income levels, where we seek to build and establish sustainable markets by nurturing innovation and competition. Our reach is enabled by a strong global infrastructure that serves patients in more than 165 countries and territories.

Viatris’ current companywide access goals run from 2022 to year end 2025. The goals seek to advance access and reach of digital and global healthcare professional (HCP) education and provide access to ARV treatments for patients living with HIV. To drive progress on these goals and make a meaningful impact, we pursue holistic approaches, partnerships and cross-sector collaborations.

Putting Patients First: Advocacy

Those living with a disease or having experienced an urgent medical need know first hand that treatment does not begin or end with a medicine. In many cases, people need advocates on their side, helping to address barriers to diagnosis and treatment, promoting health infrastructure and training and supporting patient education and disease awareness. Poor health literacy and misinformation are examples of barriers to diagnosis and treatment adherence. Viatris works with partners across geographies to help improve health literacy.

We work closely with organizations including the Boomer Esiason Foundation, the MS Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and many others to support patients. Examples of this work follow:

• In Australia, Viatris collaborates with the Eczema Association Australasia to develop patient education materials on allergic rhinitis.
• In Washington, D.C., Viatris supported Patients Rising’s “We the Patients Week on Capitol Hill,” a legislative conference with 60 patient advocates from over 20 states meeting with 70 congressional offices advocating for health care policies focused on addressing barriers and inequities to care.
• Viatris supports the MS Foundation’s month-long MS awareness campaign, which includes information on how to support your immune system, gender differences in MS and how to advocate for more research funding. This work included distributing information toolkits to about 70,000 patients and the presentation of two live and four virtual education events.
• In the U.S., Viatris backed the implementation of The CHEST organization’s First 5 Minutes® program, which aims to provide clinicians with tools and strategies to build rapport, practice empathetic listening, and navigate cultural differences effectively. Through e-learning modules and practical exercises, the program teaches techniques like cultural humility and compassionate communication, tailored to conditions like COPD.
• In Europe, Viatris supports the Active Citizenship Network (ACN), a civil society organization representing more than 200 professional societies and patient organizations in the EU, and its annual European Patients’ Rights Day. Viatris has been a key partner in helping ACN strengthen patient voices in healthcare.
• Viatris supports the Allergy & Asthma Network: English and Spanish COPD Virtual Conference Series, a program providing education, including for Black and Hispanic communities about COPD and engage patients and caregivers in research.
• We support the We Are ILL organization to support and educate Black women diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Supporting Healthcare Workers for More Resilient Healthcare Systems

Healthcare workers, especially those in primary care, are essential to improving the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. They are often the first point of contact for people seeking healthcare services and key for people accessing the care they need. Demand for healthcare workers is growing, and it’s estimated there will be a shortage of about 15 million healthcare workers by 2030, with needs especially acute in low- and LMICs.¹

In 2024, we continued our dedicated work with partners across the world to empower healthcare workers to contribute to more resilient and healthier systems. Viatris supports programs, education and resources both at a local level as well as through digital resources that are more broadly accessible. We work to leverage medical partnerships and thought leadership to help local standards of care and optimize patient outcomes.

One of our platforms for medical professionals is Viatris Connect Medical. In 2024, the hub was available in 20 countries and provided programs including accredited continuing medical education programs, certification programs, congress highlights, in-depth therapy reviews, patient educational resources and podcasts. The platform also provides access to pocket-sized clinical guidelines and scientific journals. Since the platform’s launch, more than 13,000 professionals have had access to Viatris Connect Medical. In 2024, users interacted with the platform approximately 22,800 times. Viatris Connect Medical has been recognized externally for providing HCPS a unified experience across multiple geographies.

Brazil and Saudi Arabia launched Viatris Connect Medical in 2024 so that healthcare professionals (HCPs) can have access to the latest medical advances. In Brazil, we developed and made available six educational programs with a cross-specialty approach, leveraging digital strategies to enhance reach and promote learning.

With the support of our global partners, including the American College of Cardiology, the World Heart Federation, and the NCD Alliance, our free, online educational platform for healthcare workers, the NCD Academy, has continued to expand. In 2024, three new courses were added to the extensive portfolio: Foundational Concepts in Care Integration for NCDs; HIV and Lifelong Care; and Vaccine Preventable Diseases. The new courses represent the interrelated nature of health challenges and how integrating care across infectious and chronic diseases can unlock significant benefits within the healthcare system, resulting in better care for patients.

The value of the platform rests on HCPs knowing of it and using it, so we worked on growing awareness of the academy beyond primary care practitioners. We partnered with groups including the European Specialist Nurses Organisation (ESNO), the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the World Organization of Family Doctors and others to reach nurses, pharmacists, general practitioners and medical students. We also collaborate with local scientific societies to raise awareness and provide access in their countries.

NCD Academy courses have now been translated into more than 15 languages, including English, Chinese, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, Greek, Serbian and Polish. More than 30,000 individuals have an NCD Academy account, an increase of more than 6,000 users in 2024 over the previous year. The total number of patients impacted since the launch of NCD Academy is approximately 115 million.²

Our HCP Access Goal Goal: Impact 100 million patients via HCP education and outreach regarding prevention, diagnosis and treatment options for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and other important chronic conditions to improve outcomes through the NCD Academy by the end of 2025.* Our Progress: More than 30,000 individuals have an NCD Academy account, an increase of more than 6,000 users in 2024 over the previous year. The total number of patients impacted since the launch of NCD Academy is ~115 million.2 *Our ability to make progress on our goals depends on several factors, some of which are outside of our control.

Beyond these programs, Viatris works in a variety of ways to empower healthcare workers, integrate care for patients and address health inequities across geographies. Viatris has been actively engaging healthcare professionals across various regions to enhance patient care and address NCDs.

• In Ukraine, Viatris partnered with professional societies to raise awareness of diseases and treatment adherence, reaching over 10,000 healthcare professionals.
• In the Middle East, Viatris organized the HEAL Conference, which included over 70 experts and 13,000 healthcare professionals, and announced a collaboration with New York University of Abu Dhabi to address NCDs in the UAE. Viatris also hosted the HEAL Forum Qatar 2024, focusing on NCD care standards.
• In China, Viatris sponsored a panel at the 4th Pain Summit to improve clinicians’ understanding of pain management.
• In Morocco, Viatris hosted the VI’ATELIER summit, gathering over 150 healthcare professionals to discuss topics such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, mental health, erectile dysfunction and pain.
• In South Korea, more than 2,200 HCPs participated in various virtual focus groups to discuss topics related to NCDs.
• In the Emerging Markets Asia region, more than 700 healthcare professionals participated in a master class on cardiovascular risk, pain and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
• Viatris also partnered with Younger Lives to expand access to the Diabetes Age tool in Spain, Greece and Romania, promoting healthy behaviors and therapy adherence.
• In Europe, Viatris Medical Affairs explored generational differences in health perceptions and healthcare decision-making, advocating for tailored healthcare delivery models.

New NCD Academy Courses in 2024 Foundational Concepts in Care Integration: By addressing the complex challenges within the healthcare sector, the course aims to equip future HCPs with the essential skills needed to address and mitigate the impacts of NCDs. HIV and Livelong Care: The course highlights the importance of continuous care for people living with HIV/AIDS and explores the interrelation between HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases. Vaccine Preventable Diseases: The course explores how vaccines address the intersection of communicable and NCDs to support global health goals.

Promoting Integration of Care

By integrating care, healthcare providers can optimize their time and resources, offering more comprehensive treatment that enhances patient access to healthcare services. Traditionally, infectious diseases and NCDs were treated as separate issues, an approach which overlooked the interrelated nature of health challenges. Integrating care across infectious and chronic diseases can unlock significant benefits within the healthcare system and offer better care for patients.

Viatris has supported research identifying gaps and potential solutions in the integration of NCD care for people living with HIV for several years, leveraging our institutional knowledge and footprint in both the NCD and HIV communities. Most recently, in 2024, in partnership with the NCD Alliance, Viatris collaborated on the release of a third publication, focused on real-life patient experiences. “A collection of the lived experiences of people living with NCDs and HIV” was released at the International AIDS Conference in June 2024, featuring first-hand accounts by people living with HIV and one or more NCDs. The paper highlights first-hand experience of the barriers patients faced in managing conditions and accessing care, as well as their resilience in the face of such challenges. The paper was also discussed at an NCD Alliance side event at the United Nations General Assembly and the Global NCD Alliance Forum.

Other ways we are promoting integration of care include the following:

• In Germany, Viatris published a scientific paper contributing to growing evidence supporting the importance of influenza vaccination for adults with underlying medical conditions. The insights provided can inform policymakers, healthcare providers and public health officials working to help improve vaccination rates and protect the health of vulnerable populations.
• In the UK, there is an effort to “shift care to the left” by treating more patients in primary care and reducing referrals to specialists because of the long wait time associated with accessing specialized healthcare providers. Viatris is supporting this effort by providing education to improve general practitioners’ skills and confidence in managing common conditions in the community, releasing pressure in secondary care.

Addressing Aging and the Burden of NCDs

Around the world, people are living longer, adding to the growing burden of NCDs for healthcare systems. The UN declared ‘2021-2030 the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing’ to help address health inequities that contribute to this burden and improve the lives of older people.³

Generational differences play a significant role in shaping health perceptions, decision-making, technology use and attitudes toward preventative health. Viatris and external experts have examined these differences across six generations in a published report titled “Generational differences in healthcare: the role of technology in the path forward.” The paper proposes strategies including integrating digital health solutions and employing generationally sensitive communication approaches to ensure fair access to healthcare services and promote patient empowerment. The research underscores the necessity for a comprehensive, inclusive approach to healthcare delivery to address the changing patient demographic and enhance public health systems.

In China, for example, the aging population is exacerbating the need for a more comprehensive chronic disease management system. About 18% of the population was 60 years or older in 2020, a number estimated to grow to 40% by 2050.⁴ In 2024, Viatris China supported Dyslipidemia Diagnosis and Treatment Medical Consortium Demonstration System Project to establish a new prediction model for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and optimize the management of high cholesterol based on a tiered healthcare approach. More than 2,500 demonstration centers and community hospitals across 29 provinces participated, enrolling more than 670,000 patients.

Viatris China also leveraged its resources and expertise to build interdisciplinary platforms, collaborating with various partners to explore new models for the integrated management of chronic diseases and comorbidities. With Viatris’ support, the Blue Book on Comprehensive Chronic Disease Management for Healthy China was finalized in November 2024. It will serve as a desk reference and practical guide for chronic disease professionals in China.

In Spain, the Viatris Foundation raised awareness of the country’s aging population and increasing prevalence of chronic disease through a new report, the findings of which were discussed during a session at the Spanish Congress of Deputies. The “Parliamentary Session on the Future of the National Health System” highlighted the demographic and financial challenges of the Spanish National Health System (NHS) amid a Spanish population in which almost 1 in 4 people will be 65 or older in seven years.⁵ The report advocates for the NHS to explore optimizing pharmaceutical spending, support personalized dosing systems as a relevant initiative, promote prevention policies, increase the number of trained professionals, integrating care models and advance digitalization.

Promoting Health Equity for People Living with Multiple Sclerosis Viatris supports initiatives to address existing health inequities to help ensure healthcare for all. These initiatives include better understanding the barriers to treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). Viatris’ teams in the U.S. set out in 2024 to implement and assess initiatives that promote equitable healthcare delivery and empower MS patients in decision-making. These efforts focused on expanding patient engagement tools, analyzing race/ethnicity-based disparities, and educating providers on culturally competent care. Additionally, the goal was to identify and overcome provider-reported barriers to engaging patients in shared decision-making (SDM). Several initiatives were implemented, including the PRO Connect Patient Engagement Tool in community MS clinics and race/ethnicity sub analyses to understand disparities in SDM. Longitudinal surveys measured the lasting impact of SDM resources, while educational programs such as webinars and town halls trained providers on health equity strategies. These initiatives are designed to improve patient-centered care and increase provider awareness of health equity issues in connection with MS. The longitudinal surveys indicated that providing SDM resources led to more patients from varying backgrounds participating in treatment decisions, and providers gaining confidence in SDM procedures. We believe the scalability of these interventions could help ensure broader adoption in healthcare setting, leading to sustained improvements in MS care.

View the full Viatris 2024 Sustainability Report.

^{Sources:
[1] Global Health Workforce Labor Market Projections for 2030 | Human Resources for Health}

^{[2] The calculation methodology for 2024 was updated to better reflect the cumulative patient impact of NCD Academy learners over multiple years. Under the prior year methodology, patient impact was calculated by multiplying the number of HCP learners by the average number of patients treated weekly (as self-reported by HCP learners upon registering for NCD Academy) by 50 working weeks. Using the prior year methodology, calculated patient reach would have been 92.5 million. For 2024, patient reach is now calculated at an individual HCP learner level by multiplying the number of patients treated per week, as self-reported by the individual HCP learner upon registering for NCD Academy by the number of weeks the individual was enrolled in NCD Academy (in some cases, multiple years). Patient reach for each individual learner is summed to arrive at total patient reach. Patient reach includes unique patients as well as repeat patient encounters.}

^{[3] Aging Health}

^{[4] Aging population in China – statistics & facts | Statista} 

^{[5] Seniors in Spain – statistics & facts | Statista}