Tag: 3BL

Originally published on EdWeek Market Brief

By Emma Kate Fittes

2. Upskilling Teachers For AI

By 2030, IBM predicts that around 80 percent of tasks in major employment sectors, including education, will be influenced by AI, said Justina Nixon-Saintil, chief innovation officer for the tech company.

As with any new technology, companies will encounter about a third of teachers who grasp AI very quickly and see the benefit of it, she said. Another third will be cautiously curious. And the final third will require more guidance to show them the value and bring them along.

“Just like you need to be upskilled in the workforce… teachers have to upskill themselves,” Nixon-Saintil said. “For them to understand how to use it responsibly — and also how we can make a difference for students — they need to skill themselves and understand fundamentals of AI and AI ethics.”

When asked in recent EdWeek Market Brief surveys what specific features they want in AI products, support for teachers to become adept in using the tech was a top priority for U.S. K-12 officials.

Advancements in technology are not slowing, Nixon-Saintil said during a presentation at Bett. Advanced forms of cyber technology are also evolving, and rapid gains in quantum computing are “right around the corner,” she said.

“Before you know it, we have to learn and understand what quantum is,” Nixon-Saintil said. “That’s why lifelong learning is so imperative.”

Read more

The Global Electronics Council® (GEC) invites leading organizations to apply for the 2025 EPEAT® Purchaser Awards. The award recognizes excellence in procurement practices and celebrates organizations that have optimized their purchasing strategies with EPEAT registered products, unlocking measurable savings and efficiency gains.

In 2024, previous award recipients achieved:

$103 million in cost savings, demonstrating how purchasing EPEAT registered IT products reduce lifetime product costs, from energy consumption to waste disposal.Energy savings of 2,141 GWh, equivalent to powering 176,269 U.S. households in a year.567,188 metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions, comparable to taking 121,453 cars off the road annually.

Why should you apply for the EPEAT Purchaser Awards?
EPEAT registered products offer more than environmental benefits—they’re engineered for efficiency, durability, and reduced operational costs by companies that prioritize responsible practices, including in their supply chain. By choosing the EPEAT registered products, organizations save on energy bills, extend product lifecycles, and minimize overall product expenses. Whether it’s electronics for office use or larger investments like photovoltaic modules and inverters, the EPEAT ecolabel helps purchasers achieve more with less.

How to Qualify for the 2025 Awards
To participate, organizations must:

Purchase EPEAT registered products that meet performance and sustainability criteria.Include EPEAT preferences in procurement policies and contracts.Report on the volume of EPEAT registered purchases.

GEC provides resources to simplify the process, including templates for procurement policies, vendor engagement tips, and additional resources to help your organization expand EPEAT adoption across all product categories.

Apply Today and Stand Out
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but to qualify for the 2025 celebration, submissions must be received by April 4, 2025. Visit globalelectronicscouncil.org/epeat-purchaser-awards to start your application and discover how your organization can gain recognition for its smart procurement strategies.

Don’t miss this chance to showcase your leadership in efficient and impactful electronics purchasing.

NEW YORK, February 5, 2025 /3BL/ – The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) announced today the appointment of several new members to its Governance Council, a coalition of global thought leaders, doctors, public health professionals and business executives who uphold the integrity of the WELL Standard development process, and accelerate market transformation through expert input.

The WELL Standard is a library of over 500 evidence-based, design, policy and operational strategies that can improve the health and well-being of people. To date, WELL is being utilized across nearly 6 billion square feet of real estate globally at over 74,000 commercial and residential locations in 136 countries.

“Since 2020, IWBI’s Governance Council has served to both safeguard and accelerate the WELL movement,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI. “Its members have shaped public health and policy outcomes and informed our cutting-edge work in social sustainability, while upholding the rigor and relevance of WELL and reinforcing IWBI’s global leadership. Our exceptional new members strengthen this legacy of transformative impact. We are honored to have such esteemed professionals join us in advancing people-first places.”

New Council Members include:

Jane Burns, Enterprise Professor, The University of MelbourneRick Fedrizzi, Executive Chairman, IWBI | Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building CouncilAli Khan, CEO, SHAPE GlobalDr. Tauni Lanier, Director, Sustainability and Economic Growth/International Projects Group, BDO LLPAna Karen Mora, Sustainability Director, ESG Lead, Fibra UnoBrendan Owens, Principal, Black Vest Strategy | Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment + Department of Defense Chief Sustainability OfficerChrissa Pagitsas, CEO, Pagitsas AdvisorsSigrid Zialcita, CEO, APREA

“The connection between mental health, well-being and the environments where we live and work has never been clearer,” said Enterprise Professor Jane Burns, The University of Melbourne. “IWBI’s mission to integrate health and well-being strategies into the fabric of organizations and communities resonates deeply with my lifelong commitment to the inclusion of lived experiences and fostering resilience. I am thrilled to join the IWBI Governance Council.”

“Throughout my career, I have been committed to solutions that equally benefit people and the planet,” said Rick Fedrizzi, Executive Chairman, IWBI, and Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “We are in a time when the health of our buildings and communities has never been more critical to the well-being of the people who occupy them. Serving on IWBI’s Governance Council gives me an additional opportunity to expand this work and continue driving meaningful change.”

“For 15 years, I’ve been dedicated to helping organizations unlock the full potential of their greatest asset—their people,” said Ali Khan, CEO, SHAPE Global. “Driving measurable flourishing by creating the conditions where people and businesses can excel paves the way for innovation and explores the art and science of the possible. I’m excited to bring this perspective to IWBI’s Governance Council.”

“As an expert in sustainable finance and environmental economics, I’ve seen how integrating sustainability into business strategies creates long-term value,” said Dr. Tauni Lanier, Director, Sustainability and Economic Growth/International Projects Group, BDO LLP. “With a focus on ensuring that sustainability indicators bring measurable value to organizations, I am pleased to serve on IWBI’s Governance Council and contribute to the organization’s expanding work in this area.”

“We know that environmental, social and governance factors can transform organizations and drive lasting impact,” said Ana Karen Mora, Sustainability Director, ESG Lead, Fibra Uno. “With experience in stewarding financing behind the first sustainability-linked bond in Latin America, it’s becoming more commonplace that sustainability and financial performance go hand in hand. I’m honored to join IWBI’s Governance Council as we work to advance the organization’s efforts in integrating ESG principles into the built environment.”

“I’ve dedicated my career to advancing sustainability, security, resilience and well-being across the built environment. Our buildings and communities should empower people to thrive, and I’ve worked to shape global green building practices and policy at the highest levels of government to achieve this goal,” Brendan Owens, Principal, Black Vest Strategy. “As a member of the IWBI Governance Council, I’m eager to contribute to furthering the organization’s mission, ensuring buildings and communities worldwide support both ecological and human health.”

“The built environment is one of the most complex and impactful sectors when it comes to driving sustainability and business growth,” said Chrissa Pagitsas, CEO, Pagitsas Advisors. “Through my work, I’ve seen how innovative social strategies can unlock new opportunities, while ensuring sustainability is at the core of long-term success. I’m excited to join IWBI’s Governance Council to help shape the future of the built environment, creating value that transcends industries and empowers communities.”

“As the real assets sector evolves, so does the opportunity to integrate well-being and performance into every facet of the built environment,” said Sigrid Zialcita, CEO of APREA. “With a focus on real estate and infrastructure, I’ve seen firsthand how innovative strategy can drive long-term value and resilience. I am honored to join IWBI’s Governance Council and contribute to shaping the future of sustainable development across Asia Pacific and beyond.”

These leaders join a distinguished group to total 18 members hailing from nearly 10 countries in every region of the world, including:

Dr. Richard Carmona, M.D., MPH, FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States; Chair, IWBI Governance CouncilCheryl Durst, Executive Vice President and CEO, International Interior Design Association (IIDA)Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBIStephen Huddart, Adjunct Professor, Gustavson School of Business, University of VictoriaYasushi Kinoshita, Representative Member, Eminence Partners G.K.; Co-chairperson, Green Building Japan (GBJ)Alessandro Miani, President of the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA), Professor of Environmental Prevention, University of MilanAlison Omens, President, JUST CapitalAvi Rajagopal, Editor-in-Chief, Metropolis MagazineDavina Rooney, CEO, Green Building Council of AustraliaKhoi Vo, Chief Executive Officer, American Society of Interior Designers

Formally constituted in February 2020, the Governance Council recently ratified the WELL Coworking Rating in spring 2024. Members serve a two-year term on a volunteer basis.

About the International WELL Building Institute 
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. IWBI is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate citizenship initiative, and helps companies advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the use of WELL. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

Contact:

media@wellcertified.com

View original content here.

International Olympic Committee news

19 January will mark one year since the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024, the beginning of an event that highlighted outstanding athletic performances, the remarkable dedication of volunteers, and the engagement of young people in sport. K-pop performances played a prominent role in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of Gangwon 2024, as well as the Let’s Play Winter Festival, showcasing Korean culture both domestically and internationally.

The Winter YOG Gangwon 2024 brought together over 1,800 talented young athletes representing 78 National Olympic Committees (NOCs). Featuring 7 sports and 15 disciplines, the event attracted some 270,000 spectators across nine venues. Taking advantage of the winter sports legacy created by PyeongChang 2018, the organisers made use of 7 out of 12 venues from the Olympic Winter Games. The YOG were widely enjoyed by local fans, as reflected in a survey where 86% rated their experience an 8 or higher out of 10.

Gangwon 2024 not only excelled on-site, but also set new standards for digital engagement. It surpassed previous YOG records on the Olympics’ digital platforms, attracting over 810,000 online users and amassing 323 million engagements across the official @Olympics channels.

To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the YOG Gangwon 2024 and celebrate their successful hosting, Gangwon Province is organising a special “Homecoming Day” event for its volunteer community. The celebration features a variety of activities, including sports and cultural events, discussions with Olympic medallists and live concerts. Additionally, the Gangwon 2024 virtual volunteers’ community page has been launched, providing a dedicated platform for volunteers to stay connected with each other and remain engaged with the Olympic community.

Gangwon 2024 was also marked by the dedication of its volunteer community. A total of 1,984 volunteers contributed to the Games across various zones, including event and ceremony protocol, athlete support, sports management, media coordination and regional guidance. These volunteers gained invaluable experience in organising a major sporting event, while enjoying the opportunity to witness spectacular performances firsthand. The IOC President, Thomas Bach, expressed his gratitude to the “Gangwon Shine Crew” for their remarkable efforts in a video message to Gangwon 2024 volunteers.

Building on the legacy of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games, the PyeongChang Legacy Foundation (PLF) drove a variety of initiatives to inspire athletes and young people from around the world to engage in winter sports. These efforts led to impressive results, with 39 participants of PLF projects qualifying for the Winter YOG, two of whom, from developing winter nations, went on to win medals at Gangwon 2024. Agnes Campeol from Thailand won a silver medal in women’s monobob, while Jonathan Lourimi of Tunisia took home a silver in men’s monobob.

Among these initiatives, the “New Horizons Academy,” organised by the PyeongChang Memorial Foundation and PyeongChang County, aims to promote winter sports globally. The programme focuses on supporting athletes from countries with limited winter sports infrastructure, offering them the opportunity to train at specialised camps. Of the young athletes who attended these camps, 25 – representing five sports and nine NOCs, including Colombia, Thailand and Tunisia – went on to compete at Gangwon 2024.

The Dream Programme, a legacy initiative from PyeongChang 2018, plays an important role in bolstering sports participation and ensuring accessibility for all. Held annually for 10 days between January and February, the programme provides immersive training opportunities for youngsters aged 13 to 23 from developing countries. Since 2004, the initiative has hosted 2,500 participants from 97 nations, with 150 of them going on to become international athletes. Notably, 14 athletes who competed in Gangwon 2024 were alumni of this programme.

Since the pre-YOG period, Gangwon 2024 has prioritised introducing local youth to winter sports and providing opportunities for accessible sports practice. Since 2020, the Soohorang and Bandabi Sports Camps have engaged 30,000 students, including 12,263 in the season leading up to the Games. These camps provided equal opportunities for disabled and non-disabled participants, featuring activities such as Olympic values education, cultural immersion, and Para ice hockey.

The PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation, which created tangible benefits through diverse cultural and educational initiatives ahead of the YOG, has evolved into the PyeongChang 2018 and Gangwon 2024 Legacy Foundation. This transition aims to ensure the delivery of long-term benefits of the YOG. Eight legacy programmes from Gangwon 2024 will continue, promoting sport among future generations and creating lasting benefits for the host region.

Authored by Baker Tilly’s Darren R. Jones, Mark Scallon, John A. Rogula, and Corey Parker

Life sciences companies navigate a complex industry where innovation and patient care intersect with strict regulations and financial challenges. To succeed, organizations must proactively identify, manage and mitigate risks across all facets of their operations, from research and development to commercialization. Establishing robust risk governance mechanisms not only protects value but also enables life sciences companies to focus on delivering life-changing innovations to patients.

Addressing risks with a comprehensive framework 

The dynamic nature of the life sciences industry requires a tailored enterprise risk management (ERM) framework. This framework must address the unique challenges life sciences organizations face, including regulatory hurdles, adapting to shifting market dynamics and operational complexities. By proactively identifying and addressing these risks, organizations can better navigate evolving threats and seize growth opportunities.

Financial: Examples of financial risks include cover reporting, compliance and transactional challenges. Maintaining robust internal controls and adapting to Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) compliance are essential. Effective oversight of chargebacks and rebates, transparency in financial operations and accurate reporting are critical components of financial risk management.Operational: Operational risks arise from flawed or inefficient processes. For the life sciences industry, this includes ensuring mature and scalable quality programs, managing contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) dynamics and streamlining interactions with healthcare providers (HCPs), research institutions and other stakeholders to ensure seamless operations.Regulatory: Adhering to legal and regulatory requirements is a fundamental aspect of risk management for any life sciences organization. This includes implementing controls to oversee HCP engagements and third-party relationships while ensuring compliance with disclosure and transparency mandates. Additionally, organizations must prioritize quality management, pharmacovigilance and global market access to maintain product integrity and navigate complex regulatory landscapes across regions.External: Third-party collaborations introduce unique risks that require careful oversight. This involves evaluating vendor capabilities, ensuring compliance and balancing operational efficiency with risk mitigation in outsourced research (CROs), outsourced manufacturing, co-licensing agreements and distribution arrangements. Proper due diligence and continuous monitoring are essential to maintaining quality, regulatory adherence and business continuity.Strategic: Strategic risks influence decision-making processes critical to the company’s direction. Key considerations include optimizing customer engagement, strategy implementation and balancing product pipeline priorities with trial designs and evidence generation. Additionally, addressing workforce challenges such as hiring, retention and cultivating a cohesive culture is vital. Establishing governance structure aligned with the organization’s stage of development is fundamental to long-term success.Technology: The life sciences industry increasingly relies on data throughout especially throughout drug discovery, clinical development and commercialization. As organizations navigate this data-heavy landscape, technology risks become more critical. Companies must enhance IT capabilities to support compliance, quality and regulatory processes, while protecting sensitive data with robust security and privacy measures. In markets like rare disease and specialty pharmaceuticals, ineffective use of technology and data can result in significant opportunity costs. Optimizing technology to align with focused marketing and sales efforts is essential for successful commercialization and mitigating risks.

Managing risk across the organizational lifecycle 

The risk landscape for life sciences companies evolves as they grow from research-focused startups to global commercial entities. Proactive risk management at each stage of the lifecycle ensures sustained growth and compliance.

Discovery: During preclinical and early clinical trials, organizations focus on demonstrating viability while navigating anti-kickback regulations, patient identification challenges and securing evidence to support studies.Development: As companies advance, establishing strong relationships with contract research organizations and key opinion leaders (KOLs) becomes essential. Preparing for commercialization requires developing robust governance structures.Commercialization: Post-launch, companies must scale operations while maintaining compliance. Key priorities include enhancing safety protocols and addressing risks related to market access, HCP engagement, transparency reporting and fair market value (FMV) considerations.

Scalable solutions for growth 

To navigate the complexities of risk management effectively, life sciences companies must adopt scalable solutions that adapt to their growth journey This involves:

Early risk identification: Anticipating challenges during the discovery and development phases.Governance evolution: Establishing a culture of compliance and accountability that grows with the organization.Strategic partnerships: Leveraging relationships with vendors, CROs and KOLs to drive innovation while mitigating risks.

Comprehensive ERM solutions for life sciences 

Navigating the complexities of risk management requires a strategic approach tailored to the unique challenges of the life sciences industry. With inherent industry risks and substantial nuance to strategic execution as the industry innovates new go-to-market models, building a strategic ERM program to proactively identify, categorize and prioritize risks and opportunities across the enterprise requires significant time and resources, especially without specialized experience.

Baker Tilly brings deep industry knowledge and experience in implementing ERM solutions, helping clients effectively identify, prioritize and mitigate risks while uncovering opportunities. Our objective and tailored approach, grounded in leading practices, enables organizations to connect seemingly unrelated risks and opportunities across strategy, finance, operations, technology and compliance. As a result, our clients are better positioned to minimize potential losses, create stakeholder value, maintain financial stability, and foster innovation.

Contact Baker Tilly to learn more

For more information on this topic or to learn more about enterprise risk management solutions for life sciences companies, contact a Baker Tilly specialist.

WHAT:  
Whole Kids, a project of Whole Foods Market Foundation dedicated to improving children’s nutrition and wellness, has opened its annual Garden Grant to offer financial assistance for a new or existing edible educational garden located at a K–12 school in the U.S. or Canada. Today through March 5, K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada are invited to apply for grants of $3,500 each to support edible learning spaces on school campuses. Grants will be awarded in the late summer of 2025.

WHY:  
Through the Whole Kids Garden Grant program, outdoor spaces are turned into powerful hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity, and support classroom curriculum.

WHEN:  
The application window is open now through Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 11:59pm CST.

WHERE:  
Applicants can apply online at wholekidsfoundation.org/gardengrant.

DETAILS:  
The Whole Kids Garden Grant program is one of the organization’s longest-running annual grant programs and has provided more than $20,872,000 in grants to support over 8,700 edible learning spaces since 2011. Both new and previous Garden Grant recipients are encouraged to apply. This year, through a collaboration with Newman’s Own Foundation, recipients that opt in via the Garden Grant application will be considered for a monetary grant in addition to the Whole Kids’ $3,500 award. Grant recipients will be selected and notified in August 2025. The organization will be hosting a Garden Grant Q&A Webinar at 3pm CST on Thursday, February 20, 2025, (Register here). To learn more about the Whole Kids Garden Grant program including complete eligibility details, visit: wholekidsfoundation.org/gardengrant.

###

About Whole Kids 

Whole Kids enhances children’s wellness by improving access to nutritious foods, supporting healthy food education, and building professional development to sustain those changes. Whole Kids is a project of Whole Foods Market Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Austin, Texas. For more information on Whole Kids’ school programs including gardens, salad bars, beehives, school food transformation, and nutrition education for teachers and staff, visit wholekids.org. For ongoing news and updates, follow Whole Foods Market Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, X (Formerly Twitter), or LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Nikki Newman-Sobhani 
Nikki.Newman@wholefoods.com

The theme of this year’s Data Privacy Week was: Take Control of Your Data. At Gen, we want to motivate you to do just that. As every aspect of our lives increasingly moves into the digital realm, understanding data privacy is becoming an essential life skill for all of us. Despite being asked to ‘accept all cookies’ or ‘share location’ daily, many of us are unsure about exactly what these actions do. Once something is posted online, it can remain there indefinitely, and its impact may resurface in unexpected ways. Taking proactive steps now can prevent future regrets.

Push Your Understanding: What Does ‘Accepting all Cookies’ Really Mean? 

This action allows a site to track your browsing history, location and other personal data even across other websites. Companies can then use this information to create a profile for you and sell it to advertisers. While in most cases this data is used for legitimate purposes that don’t present any risk to you, in the worst-case scenario, this information could also end up in the hands of cybercriminals.

Going Deeper: Have you Heard of the Privacy Paradox? 

There is growing discussion around the Privacy Paradox – the discrepancy between our attitude about online privacy and our actual behavior. This manifests as you or I expressing significant privacy concerns but then taking little action to protect ourselves.

Several recent surveys indicate that the vast majority of respondents have significant concerns about their online privacy and security. However, these concerns often fail to translate into meaningful action. As an example, according to a 2023 report from Pew Research, only 49% of U.S. adults report stopping using a digital device, website or app over worries about how their personal information was being used and only 44% chose to use a browser or search engine that didn’t track activities.

Ultimately, we often prioritize convenience while underestimating the risks, especially when the consequences of privacy breaches feel abstract or distant. These risks, however, are tangible and can have real-world implications. For instance, the financial and emotional toll of a ransomware attack is comparable to that of a burglary. Just as we secure our homes, we should approach our digital safety with the same level of seriousness and diligence.

Take Action: Secure Your Data 

Data Privacy Week is a great time to take steps to secure your digital footprint. Here are two things you can do in just five minutes to take control of your data.

Review and update your privacy settings. Review your privacy settings on major platforms that you use often (for example, social media apps and browsers). Disable unnecessary permissions such as location tracking, microphone access, sharing full photo libraries or sharing personal information.Clear your cookies and cache. Regularly clearing your cookies and cache helps remove stored data that websites use to track behavior and reduces your digital footprint. Simply click on “Settings” in your browser and navigate over to privacy and security controls to make these changes.

At Gen Digital Inc., we’re dedicated to privacy protection and the Cyber Safety of our nearly 500 million users every day. Learn more about our dedication to privacy protection here. And for more tips on how to protect yourself online, check out these posts from two of our trusted Cyber Safety brands Avast and Norton.

Abbott

New survey shows 40% of people living with diabetes have skipped or missed a doctor’s appointment due to shame or stigma170% of people with diabetes said supportive comments from others can significantly boost their motivation to manage their condition1Abbott launches film that highlights challenges of living life with diabetes

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Feb. 4, 2025 /3BL/ — ‘One cupcake won’t kill you,’ ‘I’m going to get diabetes just looking at that,’ ‘That person doesn’t look like they have diabetes.’ New survey results and a film released today by Abbott highlight how everyday comments like these may affect people living with diabetes.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/abbott/9294252-en-abbott-above-the-bias-film-aims-to-reduce-stigma-about-diabetes

People living with diabetes – which now includes 1 in 6 adults in America2 – face many barriers to receiving care. Survey data reveal that the misconceptions and stereotypes around the condition can weigh heavily on the minds of those living with diabetes, creating one more barrier and potentially preventing them from managing their health.1

“How many times have we heard ‘That looks like diabetes on a plate’ when we’re watching a movie, eating at a restaurant or scrolling through social media?,” said Dr. Susan Guzman, Behavioral Diabetes Institute co-founder, clinical psychologist, and diabetes specialist. “After more than two decades of research and working with people managing diabetes, I can tell you that misconceptions around diabetes take a real toll on people. If we want to help people have healthier lives, we have to recognize where and how bias around diabetes exists and promote a compassionate and fact-based understanding of diabetes.”

Data1 from a survey of more than 2,600 people living with diabetes across eight countries, including the U.S., highlights they may not be getting the care they need due to the shame and stigma around their condition, which can lead to real and often unnoticed health consequences:

Diabetes Stigma is an Issue: Nearly 70% believe there is stigma associated with their condition.1Diabetes as a Punchline: 85% of people living with diabetes say they have seen inaccuracies about diabetes in the media, including on TV shows, movies, and social media, and 40% of people felt that diabetes is often used as the punchline of a joke.1Shame Causes Silence: Almost 25% have avoided sharing their diagnosis with family or friends out of embarrassment or concern.1Health Consequences: 40% have skipped or missed a doctor’s appointment due to shame or stigma.1

Additional biometric testing revealed that nearly 40% of individuals had an elevated physiological response to stigmatizing statements, even if they don’t show outward signs or expressions.1

Food Elicits the Most Significant Response: The question, “Should you really be eating that?” prompted the strongest biometric response, causing elevated heart rate and increased perspiration — similar to the stress of a job interview or a first date.1

But while words can hurt, they can also help.

Support Leads to Progress: The survey also revealed nearly 70% believe supportive comments from others can significantly boost their motivation to manage their condition.1

Above the Bias
Abbott’s new Above the Bias initiative aims to help others see the world from the perspective of someone living with diabetes. The initiative builds upon efforts by several diabetes organizations, patient advocacy groups, and experts that continue to work to reduce stigma about diabetes.3 People can learn more about Above the Bias and watch the film at AboveBias.com.

“From the very early days of Libre, it’s been our job to make living with diabetes easier,” said Chris Scoggins, executive vice president of Abbott’s diabetes care business. “But technology alone can’t fix every barrier that people face. We’re committed to doing our part, but we can’t do it alone. We need the ongoing help of others to support people living with diabetes, so they can get the care they need to manage their health.”

About FreeStyle Libre:
Abbott continues to pioneer ground-breaking technology to support people living with diabetes. The company revolutionized diabetes care 10 years ago with its world-leading FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring portfolio, which today is used by about 7 million people in more than 60 countries.4 People use Libre to see their glucose numbers in real-time, providing insights into how food, activity, or insulin impacts their glucose to help them make progress on their health goals.

About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader and continues to pioneer ground-breaking technology and initiatives to support people live more fully at all stages of life. The company revolutionized diabetes care 10 years ago with its world-leading Libre continuous glucose monitoring portfolio, which today is used by 7 million people in more than 60 countries.4 Abbott’s other technologies span the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at Abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Abbott Media:
Katie Walker, Katie.Walker@abbott.com

Abbott Financial:
Michael Comilla, Michael.Comilla@abbott.com

Product for prescription only; for Important Safety Information, please visit FreeStyleLibre.us.

Data on file. Research conducted by Savanta on behalf of Abbott between May and August 2024 was executed in three distinct phases among people with diabetes across Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the U.S.National Diabetes Statistics Report, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Diabetes Statistics Report | Diabetes | CDCJ. Speight, E. Holmes-Truscott, M. Garza et al. Bringing an end to diabetes stigma and discrimination: an international consensus statement on evidence and recommendations. Published January 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00347-9Data on File. Abbott Diabetes Care.

International Olympic Committee news

The International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) reached a major milestone last week: now in its third year of implementation in India, OVEP has engaged more than 12 million children across the country.

To mark the occasion, the Olympic Museum, which manages the programme, welcomed children and teachers from Assam, India, to Lausanne, Switzerland, one year after OVEP was implemented in their state. The delegation, organised through the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), participated in the museum’s 43rd annual Olympic Week, which features sports and cultural activities for kids.

New Holland, a CNH brand, continues to expand the development of dealerships in Latin America with the help of Corporación de Maquinaria S.A. 

The brand’s Global President, Carlo Lambro, and the Regional Vice President for Latin America, Eduardo Luis, were both present for the inauguration of the first Smart Dealer in the country, focused 100% on the customer experience.

The new Smart Dealer, located in Salto, covers 1,400 square meters and has highly trained personnel to accompany the customer and support their needs in an attentive and fast way. In addition, the new branch incorporates multiple sustainability initiatives, such as electric forklifts, an electronic file system to reduce paper use, LED lighting in all facilities and systems for collecting all used oil in the workshops, among others.

“This inauguration is a new opportunity for New Holland in the region and especially in Uruguay. The new dealership concept that we have been implementing demonstrates our interest in strengthening the bond with customers, accompanying them at all times and providing them with the best tools to achieve their goals,” said Juliano Mendonca, New Holland’s marketing manager for Latin America.

This new dealership concept implemented by the brand in recent years concentrates commercial offices, workshop, spare parts warehouse, Intelligence Center and cafeteria, among other novelties that strengthen the bond with the customer and provide effective service.

The Intelligence Center is one of the most outstanding features of Smart Dealers, as it allows you to remotely monitor and manage agricultural machinery in the field. In this way, potential problems can be anticipated in real time, optimizing producers’ time and resources.