#Hong Kong risk reporting

[darkautomaton]

Integrating Risk Management into Corporate Culture in Hong Kong

As regulatory complexity and economic uncertainty continues rising across Hong Kong and mainland China markets, establishing risk-aware cultures has become pivotal for corporations seeking to embed resilience against crises. Beyond building risk monitoring systems, companies today need to drive mindset shifts from the leadership down to infuse vigilance and responsibility towards hazard identification at all levels.

Cultivating Risk Intelligence Starts at the Top

For most organizations, the cultural transformation necessary to view enterprise risk oversight as a shared culture rather than just a compliance activity starts with Asia regional leaders and Hong Kong senior executives. This means not only investment into formal governance through appointing Chief Risk Officers but also having CXOs like Chief Finance, Information and HR Officers spearhead training to their teams around prevailing risk landscapes and vigilance necessary in day-to-day decision making.

Incentivizing Risk Reporting from the Ground Up

Middle managers and frontline analysts will then carry this risk-aware DNA through the organizational bloodstream into daily processes. This demands establishing transparent reporting channels, securing anonymity and anti-retaliation policies to encourage surfacing of suspected risks through what-if questioning or flagging incidents that seemed“off” without fear. Especially around integrity hazards like fraud/bribery, safety hazards like harassment or mental health situations, or regulatory hazards like IP/data transfer violations, removing stigma is key.

Aligning Strategy and Operations with Risk Perspectives

Ultimately, for a risk-informed culture to stick, considerations around financial, reputational and regulatory exposures should drive strategy planning as well as operational enhancements across everything from supply chain design to cybersecurity to financial controls. Key risk indicators must be integrated into dashboards at multiple levels with drilling down to understand root causes. Frameworks like ISO 31000 or COSO provide blueprints here from setup to ongoing assessments into mitigation tracking.

With leadership setting the tone, transparency enabling ground up risk reporting without repercussions, and strategy/operations reflecting risk learnings - global companies can align around managing uncertainty as Hong Kong/China markets, regulations and technologies rapidly evolve. Risk management thereby transforms from restrictive compliance activity to enabler of sustainable advantage and resilience.

[mariacallous]

Georgians are in the streets fighting for their democracy. The Georgian Dream party, which is working to align Tbilisi with Moscow’s interests, declared victory in the country’s Oct. 26 election before the votes were even counted. Voters and election observers were harassed by Russian-funded gangs and mobsters; just after the election, protesters holding European Union flags were sprayed with water from high-powered hoses. And the person who has the iron will necessary to lead the charge against Russian-inspired authoritarianism in Georgia? A woman: President Salome Zourabichvili.

This is no accident. Across the world, women have, and are, playing incredible roles as bulwarks against the rise of authoritarianism. Moldovan President Maia Sandu is standing up to a tsunami of Russian disinformation. In Poland, women played a critical role in the effort to oust the right-wing populist Law and Justice (PiS) party. In Hong Kong, women continue to be the practical and normative face of resistance to Chinese authoritarian rule.

These are the freedom fighters of the 21st century. And yet, the U.S. national security community tends to view women’s issues as a domestic concern, frivolous, or irrelevant to “hard” security matters. For example, in 2003, discussions of securing Iraq excluded women, with a top U.S. general stating, “When we get the place secure, then we’ll be able to talk about women’s issues.” More recently, the role of women in the military has been reduced to discussions of diversity, equity, and inclusion, rather than a focus on how women have been vital to solving the United States’ most wicked national security problems—from serving on the front lines in combat to providing essential intelligence analysis. But if the overall aim of U.S. national strategy is to shore up democracy and democratic freedoms, the treatment of women and girls cannot be ignored.

Globally, women’s rights are often eroding in both policy and practice, from the struggles of the Iranian and Afghan women who exist under gender apartheid to the Kenyan women experiencing the harsh backlash of the rise of the manosphere. In tandem, there’s been a sharp rise in reports of online harassment and misogyny worldwide.

National security analysts explore issues and psychologies through any number of prisms, but Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) remains an underutilized one. One of the national security community’s core tasks is discerning signals from noise in the global strategic environment, and regressive ideas on gender and gender equality can be a useful proxy metric for democratic backsliding and authoritarian rise.

The United States’ 2023 Strategy and National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security provides the backbone for the United States to leverage WPS to counter authoritarianism. It highlights that displays of misogyny online are linked to violent action. The plan also points out that formally incorporating gendered perspectives is essential for maintaining democratic institutions at home and modeling them aboard. This includes recognizing misogyny—online or in policy—as an early indicator of authoritarian rise.

Unfortunately, WPS is often misread as simply including more women in the national security workforce. But it is more than that. It offers a framework for understanding why it is useful to take gendered perspectives into account when assessing how the actions of individuals or groups enhance national security, which is especially important at a time when authoritarian regimes are weaponizing gender in ways that strengthen their grip on power domestically and justify their aggression abroad.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin has argued that he is the guardian of traditional Christian values, telling women that they should be back at home raising children, and has been rolling back domestic violence laws at the same time. Days before invading Ukraine in February 2022, Putin said, “Like it or don’t like it, it’s your duty, my beauty,” which was widely interpreted within Russia as a reference to martial rape. Russia’s own army is built on a foundation of hierarchical hazing in which “inferior” men are degraded by their comrades. With that kind of rhetoric from the top, is it any wonder that Russian soldiers’ war crimes have included the rapes of women and children?

But Putin isn’t alone. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has consolidated media outlets to censor women’s voices, in the name of protecting traditional values. He has also used coercive financial practices to push women out of the workforce and positions of political power and into more traditional roles of wife and mother. In Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko attempted to force the deportation of the most prominent woman opposition leader and imprisoned her after she tore up her passport to prevent it. In China, where women were once told they “hold up half the sky,” President Xi Jinping has worked to undo decades of Chinese Communist Party policy on gender equality. Chinese women are now being encouraged to return home and become mothers, while feminists have been targeted legally and socially.

The WPS agenda provides the U.S. national security community with three opportunities to recognize, understand, and counter early-stage authoritarianism.

First, the United States can do a much better job of supporting women’s groups around the world as a central aspect of its national security strategy. Women’s groups are often a bellwether for authoritarian rise and democratic backsliding—as currently on display in Russia, China, Hungary, Georgia, and Belarus, where women inside and outside their respective regimes have been specifically targeted or attacked.

Women have also found innovative ways to resist the rise of authoritarian norms. In places like Moldova, women have acted as bulwarks against authoritarianism despite vicious disinformation campaigns targeting women leaders. Yet when it comes to formulating and executing strategies on national security, women’s groups are often left in the margins and their concerns dismissed.

Second, gender perspectives are essential to more fulsome intelligence gathering and analysis. The U.S. intelligence community can do a much better job of integrating gender—particularly as it relates to the treatment of the most vulnerable—as an indicator of societal and democratic health. This includes understanding how both masculinities and femininities influence decision-making and how, in turn, lived experiences act as necessary analytical tools. Training collectors and analysts of intelligence to recognize gendered indicators will provide a more robust view of the geopolitical landscape and fill critical holes in national security decision-making.

Finally, the United States must improve the participation of its national security community in WPS and feminist foreign-policy discussions. For too long, the “hard” security sector has distanced itself from more “human” security-focused endeavors and treated women’s rights as something that’s just nice to have.

Yet national security is an essentially human endeavor, and gender is a central component of what it means to be human. This is something that needs to be appreciated to better understand the many dimensions of the conflict—disinformation, online influence campaigns, and lawfare—that authoritarian regimes are waging against the United States and its allies.

[azlia-iconoclast]

All that is confirmed will be modified:

the abortion ban that already exist to state level and killed teens on texas because they got denied even in a SA situationa will now be nationwide

ending any chance to integrate minorities and just letting the hate and discrimination run rampant again without institutions to keep watch

allowing states to ban diverse number of Healthcare treatments and medications which go from gender hormones to the morning after pills

tariffs are gonna have backlash and cause countertarrifs ending many of our trade deals and evaluating the dollars

the billionares that backed trump like the ultraconservative Timothy mellon, the heritage foundation with the hyper religious agaenda or elon musk that is obsessed with hating public transport and trans people are going to have free reign to do as they please.

the ending of several institution and more privatization which includes less education subsidies for poor families, help for disabled people, subsidies for Healthcare, the weather system and report, the department of education shrinking and allowing old religious policies, the watch for the compliance of the civil rights act is going to disappear , the department of health is also going to shirk, the watch for compliance for climate change is going to disappear the DEI, EPA, and the ACA will be erased with many more, just to name the ones that are going to affect directly the most

as consequence of the mentioned institutions disappearing hate speech will basically be legal again affecting the culture and the amount of religious propaganda, discrimination while hiring and helping disable people get a job will be legally impossible

completing the genocide in gaza and continuing funding Israel expansion into Lebanon not to mention he's dividing Ukraine in 2 with a neutral zone which will cause a second bigger war because nobody is going to be conformed with that.

the peace attempts that were happening with china over Taiwan and Hong kong are now going to be closed leaving war as only option for the long future

The SCOTUS will now have 5 of 9 Supreme Court LIFETIME seats filled by Trump and the damage will be generational given the justices are young for the lifelong position and all 5 are part of the Christian nationals. Any attempt to undo what trump is going to damage with his policies will be blocked by their majority specially the medical bans and the freedom corporations will now have, so not only our full generation will suffer trump legacy but your kids and their kids

when trump took the confidential documents boxes to mar a lago when he lost last election it made him look to NATO and the 5 eyes intelligence institution (fuck them both hypocrite imperialists) complain for the security risk which means the allies will not want to share intel with the us now that he's back forcing America to have the old interventionist spionage role to get it's own, which will increase world tensions.

whether people voted for trump to punish dems not fulfilling their promises or being part of such mentioned genocides, because they hate the lgbtq and DEI or they really want to go back to the dark ages culturally and socially with christian nationalism ideology, all of them just shot themselves and everyone kids future.

Adieu à jamais Amérique, je croyais que tu changeais mais ceci est ton cœur et ton vrai visage, je pensais vivre ici plus d'un siècle et t'aider à te transformer, mais il est clair que tu choisis la Cruauté. J'ai de toute façon un dernier coup à tirer, si cela se brise au moins je mourrai enfin avant que tu ne commences ton interventionnisme mondial comme dans les années 50 encore.

[madamepestilence]

H5N1: What to know before fear spreads

What is H5N1?

H5N1 is a 1996 strain of the Spanish or Avian Flu first detected in Chinese birds before spreading globally across various avian species. H5N1 is similar to H1N1, but spreads slower and has a much higher mortality rate.

H5N1 may also be referred to as Influenza A. The American Association of Bovine Practitioners has seen fit to rename H5N1 to Bovine Influenza A Virus, or BIAV, and are encouraging others to use the same terminology.

I would not be surprised if the colloquial name among the public becomes Bovine Flu or American Flu in the coming months, and may be referred to as the Chinese Flu by the same folks who took the spark of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic as an excuse to be publicly racist to East Asian people without social repercussions.

BIAV is a virus, meaning that it is a (probably) non-living packet of self-replicating infectious material with a high rate of mutation. BIAV is structured similarly to SARS-CoV-2, having a packet of infectious material encased in a spherical shell with a corona, or crown, of proteins that can latch to living cells to inject RNA.

Image source with interactive model: ViralZone - H5N1 subtype

What is the history of BIAV?

In 1996 and 1997, an outbreak of BIAV occurred among poultry and infected 18 people in Hong Kong, 6 of which died. This seemingly isolated incident then infected ~860 people with a >50% death rate.

At the time, BIAV was known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI, and killed nearly 100% of chickens within a 48 hour period.

From 2003 to 2005, continual outbreaks occurred in China and other East Asian countries, before spreading to Cambodia, the Netherlands, Thailand, and Vietnam.

From 2014 to 2016, it began being detected in American fowl, as well as mutating the H5N6 (lethal in birds, no human to human transmission) and H5N8 (largely spread through turkeys, ducks had immunity) viruses.

BIAV has since evolved into a clade known as 2.3.4.4b, and was first detected in 2021 in wild American birds. This then caused outbreaks in 2022 among wild and domesticated birds (such as chickens) alike, but was largely being overshadowed by the pressing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at the time.

From 2022 to 2023, it was observed to be spreading among various mammals, including humans. Now, in 2024, we're having the most concerning rapid outbreak of BIAV since 2003.

BIAV is known to spread from mammal to mammal, particularly between cows and humans. BIAV may also be spread from cow to cow (highly likely, but not confirmed - this is likely the reason the virus has spread to Idaho from Texan cattle), and is known to be lethal to domestic cats and birds within 48 hours.

How does BIAV spread?

BIAV spreads through fomites - direct contact with infected animals or infected surfaces and then touching parts of your face or other orifices - as well as through airborne particulates, which may be inhaled and enter the sinuses and lungs.

BIAV is known to spread through:

Asymptomatic Ducks, geese, swans, various shorebirds

Symptomatic, may be lethal Foxes, bears, seals, sea lions, polar bears, domestic cats, dogs, minks, goats, cows, (potentially human to human, but unconfirmed - there have only been 8 potential human to human cases in 2024).

How can I protect against BIAV?

As BIAV is a type of Influenza A, existing protocols should do fine.

Current recommendations are to wash your hands vigorously after interacting with birds (I would also recommend doing this with mammals), avoid touching your face or other open orifices, and wear N95 masks.

Avoid sick or dead animals entirely - I would also recommend reporting them to your local Animal Control or veterinary centre and warning them about the infection risk. People who work with animals are recommended to also wear full PPE such as N95 masks, eye protection, gloves, and partake in vigorous hand washing.

If you suspect you've caught BIAV, seek medical attention immediately. Existing medications such as oseltamivir phosphate, zanamivir, peramivir, and baloxavir marboxil can reduce BIAV's ability to replicate.

Standard flu shots will not protect against BIAV. Remember - symptoms of BIAV may not manifest for between 2 to 8 days, and potentially infected people should be monitored for at least 10 days.

How far has BIAV spread?

BIAV is currently a global virus, though the current infection location of note is the United States.

Image Key: Dark red - Countries with humans, poultry and wild birds killed by H5N1 Deep red - Countries with poultry or wild birds killed by H5N1 and has reported human cases of H5N1 Light red - Countries with poultry or wild birds killed by H5N1

Image source: Wikipedia - Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 - File: Global spread of H5N1 map

Image source: Metro.co.uk - Map shows where bird flu is spreading in US amid new warning - File: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s H5N1 bird flu detections map across the United States

Should I be afraid?

You needn't be afraid, just prepared. BIAV has a concerningly high lethality, but this ironically culls its spread somewhat.

In the event human to human transmission of BIAV is confirmed, this will likely mainly affect marginalized communities, poor people, and homeless people, who are likely to have less access to medical care, and a higher likelihood of working in jobs that require frequent close human contact, such as fast food or retail jobs.

Given the response to SARS-CoV-2, corporations - and probably the government - may shove a proper response under the rug and refuse to participate in a full quarantine, which may leave people forced to go to work in dangerous conditions.

If this does spread into an epidemic or pandemic, given our extensive knowledge about Influenza, and the US having a backup vaccine for a prior strain of H5N1, a vaccine should be able to be developed relatively quickly and would hopefully be deployed freely without charge - we won't have to worry about a situation like The Stand.

Wash your hands, keep clean, avoid large social gatherings where possible, wear an N95 mask if you can afford them (Remember: Cloth masks are the least protective, but are better than nothing. If you can't afford N95 masks, I recommend wearing a well-fitted cloth mask with a disposable face mask over it to prevent pneumonia from moisture buildup in the disposable mask), support the disabled, poor, and homeless, and stay educated.

We can do better this time.

Further things to check out:

YouTube: MedCram - H5N1 Cattle Outbreak: Background and Currently Known Facts (ft. Roger Seheult, M.D.)

Wikipedia - Influenza A virus subtype H5N1

Maine.gov - Avian Influenza and People

CDC.gov - Technical Report: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses

Wikipedia - H5N1 genetic structure

realagriculture - Influenza infection in cattle gets new name: Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV)

[covid-safer-hotties]

The Long-term Complications of Covid-19 Infection - Published Sept 13, 2024

Context.— As the Covid-19 pandemic continues into its 4th year, reports of long-term morbidity and mortality are now attracting attention. Recent studies suggest that Covid-19 survivors are at increased risk of common illnesses, such as myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus and autoimmune disorders. Mortality may also be increased. This article will review the evidence that supports some of these observations and provide an opinion about their validity and their relevance to insured cohorts.

Background Many Covid-19 survivors report protracted symptoms, sometimes lasting 3 years or more. These are collectively called post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or long Covid. They have been frequently described.1–4 In the past year, reports of long-term complications such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure, stroke and pulmonary embolism have emerged. In some reports these established disease entities are erroneously described as long Covid, generating confusion. The distinction is important: illness reported in Covid survivors are not restricted to the long Covid cohort. Thus, they are relevant to the majority of the North American population who have been infected by SARS-CoV-2, and not just the estimated 5-10% of individuals who belong to the long Covid cohort. This paper will examine the reports of increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases in both and will examine the reported long-term increase in mortality.

Cardiovascular disease after 1 and 2 years Multiple studies have reported an increased risk of cardiovascular events at 1 year. A February 2022 analysis of 153,760 US veterans, followed for 1 year after Covid-19 infection, reported an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease (HR 1.53), ischemic heart disease (HR 1.66), thromboembolic disease (HR 2.39) and atrial fibrillation (HR 1.71).5 Risk was greatest in those hospitalized and those with pre-morbid illnesses. However, risk was also elevated in outpatients, who constituted the vast majority of the cohort. These findings have been corroborated in 2 further studies. In a 2023 analysis of 690,000 Covid-19 survivors, drawn from the TriNetX database–self-described as the world’s largest global Covid-19 dataset–there was an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease (HR 1.6), ischemic heart disease (HR 2.8), thromboembolic disease (HR 2.6) and atrial fibrillation (HR 2.4) at 1 year.6 In contrast to the VA study which examined a predominantly older male population, the subjects in this study were younger, with mean age 44, and 57% were female. Risk was higher in the >65 age group and was not limited to inpatients. In a May 2023 Lancet retrospective analysis of 535,000 Hong Kong (HK) and 16,000 UK Covid 19 survivors, similar hazard ratios were recorded for stroke (HR 1.2), ischemic heart disease (HR 1.32), atrial fibrillation (HR 1.31) and deep venous thrombosis (HR 1.74).7 However, it is worth noting that while follow-up was described as 28 months for the HK cohort and 17 months for the UK cohort, the median follow-up for the HK group was 146 days and was 243 days for the UK cohort, somewhat limiting the conclusions of true impact at 1 year. Contradicting these studies, a prospective analysis of 17,000 Covid-19 survivors in the UK Biobank, did not document an increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes amongst outpatients, with the exception of thromboembolic disease (HR 2.7).8 An August 2023 analysis of 138,000 VA Covid-19 survivors followed for 2 years– the longest follow-up period to date– reported that the risk of complications in outpatients had returned to baseline at 6 months.9 In contrast, the risk for multiple cardiovascular and thromboembolic complications in the hospitalized cohort remained elevated at 2 years. None of these 5 studies was limited to individuals with long Covid, but similar findings have been reported in this group: a recent analysis of 13,435 individuals who had been diagnosed with long Covid, based on a typical array of symptoms, reported increased risks at 1 year for ischemic heart disease (HR 1.7), ischemic stroke (HR 2.1) and pulmonary embolism (HR 3.6).10

These studies document a fairly consistent, increased risk of cardiovascular complications among Covid-19 survivors. However, important questions remain. Amongst these: does increasing population immunity and vaccination change the risk? Is the magnitude of risk similar for all SARS CoV-2 variants? Does reinfection increase the risk? Answers to some are available. Vaccination appears to attenuate the risk: a Korean study of 592,000 individuals post-Covid-19 infection, showed that vaccination decreased the risk of heart attack and stroke by approximately 50%.11 This finding was replicated in a large US cohort where major adverse cardiovascular events were reduced by a similar amount for full vaccination, and by 25% for partial vaccination.12 Thus, while vaccination does not eliminate long-term complications, it appears to provide a substantial protective effect.

Reinfection may increase the risk of sequelae. In a large US VA cohort of 440,000 Covid survivors, of whom 40,000 had one or more SARS-CoV-2 reinfections, the risk of cardiovascular disorders was increased (HR 3.02), when compared to a single infection.13 Moreover, this risk was not modified by vaccination.

The impact of different variants is less clear. Most of the described studies were conducted in 2020-2021 when delta and pre-delta variants predominated. It is unclear whether similar outcomes would characterize infection with Omicron variants, which remain dominant in most countries since November 2021. Interestingly, the risk of cardiovascular complications in the cohort of Hong Kong survivors described above, where the Omicron was the prevalent strain, was no different than among the comparator UK Biobank cohort, where pre-Omicron strains were prevalent.7

Is there extra long-term mortality after Covid-19 infection? Extra mortality has been reported by several studies.6,8,14–18 A 2021 US analysis of 400 Covid-19 survivors, documented increased mortality (HR 2.5) at 1 year.14 The additional risk was confined to individuals who had been hospitalized. In 2022, 3 studies reported excess mortality in 3 different countries. The first, an Estonian whole-population study of 66,000 Covid-19 survivors, of whom 8% were hospitalized, reported a 3-fold increase in mortality at 12 months.15 Mortality was particularly elevated in the first 5 weeks following infection. For those over age 60, increased mortality persisted until 12 months (HR 2.8). However, for those less than age 60, mortality was not increased after 35 days. The second, an analysis of 690,000 Covid-19 survivors from the TriNetX database also reported increased 1-year mortality risk (HR 1.6).6 This was largely explained by excess deaths in individuals over age 65; below age 45 risk was not increased. For the outpatient cohort the risk of mortality was lower than that of the comparison group (HR 0.46). The third, a study of 25,000 Covid-19 survivors drawn from the UK Biobank, reported increased mortality risk at 20 months, for those with severe Covid infection (HR 14.7), but also an increased risk for those with mild disease (HR 1.23).16 Stratification by age was not provided.

In 2023 4 further studies reported similar, but at times quantitatively different results. Two analyses drew on the UK Biobank cohort. In the first, a prospective evaluation of 7,800 SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive individuals, increased mortality was reported for the study group at 18 months (HR 5.0), when compared to both a contemporary and an historical cohort.17 For the non-severe cases the mortality risk remained elevated (HR 4.8). The second study, already described above– a comparative analysis of 7600 Covid survivors from the UK Biobank and 530,000 Covid survivors in Hong Kong–reported increased mortality (HR 4.16) after 17 months for the former and 28 months for the latter.7 The risk of mortality was higher in the UK than the HK cohort, a difference the authors posited was due to Omicron being the dominant variant in HK during the study period. The risk remained elevated, but less so, for younger cohorts and for mild Covid-19 infections.

Finally, 2 large US studies recently reported mortality at 2 years. In the first, an analysis of 138,000 US veteran Covid-19 survivors with 5.9 million controls, the risk of death for the hospitalized cohort remained elevated at 2 years (HR 1.29).8 In contrast, the risk of death for the outpatient cohort returned to baseline at 6 months. Breakdown of risk by age-group was not provided. The second study, also of US veterans, reported similar findings. In a cohort of 280,000 Covid-19 survivors the risk of death remained elevated at 2 years (HR 2.0).18 The risk was highest in the first 90 days (HR 6.3) and decreased at 6 months (HR 1.18). Thereafter, the risk in Covid-19 survivors was slightly less than the control group (HR 0.89). A post-hoc subgroup analysis examined and refuted the possibility that accelerated mortality in the control group could have explained the lower mortality in Covid-19 survivors. The risk of death in hospitalized individuals remained elevated at 2 years (HR 1.22).

How Plausible is this Information? The studies described above command attention by virtue of their size and the consistency of their findings in different populations, and in different countries. They are also supported by the observations of long-term pathophysiologic abnormalities following SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as ongoing inflammation, persistence of virus, and immune system dysfunction. However, the negative ledger is also substantial. Observational studies such as these, no matter how well-designed, remain open to many types of bias. Reliance on diagnostic codes, prescription records, laboratory results and tallies of clinical visits, to establish disease incidence, is intrinsically error-prone and makes cross-study comparisons difficult. Perhaps more importantly, the cohorts described above were different in many respects, varying from the older, male-predominant cohort of the US VA system to the younger healthier cohort of the UK Biobank. Further, cohorts were constituted during the first year of the pandemic, at a time when healthcare delivery was disrupted, lockdowns were in effect, vaccination and antivirals were largely unavailable, and population immunity levels were low. Thus, it could be argued that the observed outcomes are better explained by an evolving pandemic, rather than solely SARS-CoV-2 infection. This could also explain the most recent reports that after 2 years of follow-up, the risk of both Covid-19 complications and mortality, in most of those infected (i.e., the non-hospitalized), is no longer elevated. It also evident that most of the reported extra mortality is occurring in the early months following infection, where survival curves separate rapidly.6,10,15,18

Are these findings relevant to an insured population? ‘Partially’ is probably the best answer. The most important observation is that hospitalization, and in-particular an intensive care unit admission, is the dominant risk factor for both morbidity and mortality. This risk appears to persist up to 2 years. The second important risk element is the presence of comorbid conditions. This observation raises the interesting question of what exactly causes the extra mortality. Is it due to ‘protracted’ SARS-Co-V-2 infection or is it caused by a recognized complication of Covid-19, such as pulmonary fibrosis or acute kidney injury? Or is it explained by an aggravation of a comorbid illness? Or is it a complication of long Covid? There is a likelihood that all these mechanisms were at play in the cohorts under study.

For non-hospitalized individuals, and those that are healthy, the evidence for extra morbidity and mortality after the first 3-6 months is far from conclusive. For the long Covid cohort, the evidence for additional mortality requires further supporting evidence. As the prevalence of co-morbid conditions is lower in insured populations, one might reasonably expect, based on current evidence, that longer-term morbidity and mortality due to Covid-19 infection will be minimally affected.

References 1.Davis H, McCorkell L, Vogel, J. et al Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations. Nat Rev Microbiol 21, 133–146 (2023). doi.org/10.1038/s41579-022-00846-2

2.Meagher T. Long COVID - An Early Perspective. J Insur Med. 2021 Jan 1;49(1):19–23. doi: 10.17849/insm-49-1-1-5.1. PMID: 33784738.

3.Meagher T. Long COVID – One year On. J Insur Med. 2022 Jan 1;49:1–6. doi: 10.17849/insm-49-3-1-6.1. PMID: 33561352.

4.Meagher T. Long Covid - Into the Third Year. J Insur Med 2023;50(1):54–58. doi.org/10.17849/insm-50-1-54-58.1

5.Xie Y, Xu E, Bowe B et al Long-term cardiovascular outcomes of COVID-19. Nat Med 28, 583–590 (2022). doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-01689-3

6.Wang W, Wang CY, Wang SI et al Long-term cardiovascular outcomes in COVID-19 survivors among non-vaccinated population: A retrospective cohort study from the TriNetX US collaborative networks. eClinicalMedicine. 2022 Nov;53:101619. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101619

7.Lam I, Wong C, Zhang, R et al Long-term post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 infection: a retrospective, multi-database cohort study in Hong Kong and the UK. eClinicalMedicine Vol. 60 Published: May 11, 2023. doi: doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102000

8.Raisi-Estabragh Z, Cooper J, Salih A, et al Cardiovascular disease and mortality sequelae of COVID-19 in the UK Biobank Heart 2023;109:119–126.

9.Bowe, B., Xie, Y. & Al-Aly, Z. Postacute sequelae of COVID-19 at 2 years. Nat Med 29, 2347–2357 (2023). doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02521-2

10.DeVries A, Shambhu S, Sloop S et al One-Year Adverse Outcomes Among US Adults With Post–COVID-19 Condition vs Those Without COVID-19 in a Large Commercial Insurance Database. JAMA Health Forum. 2023;4(3):e230010. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.0010

11.Kim Y, Huh K, Park Y et al Association Between Vaccination and Acute Myocardial Infarction and Ischemic Stroke After COVID-19 Infection. JAMA. 2022;328(9):887–889. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.12992

12.Jiang J, Chan L, Kauffman J, et al Impact of Vaccination on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With COVID-19 Infection. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023 Mar, 81(9):928–930. doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.12.006

13.Bowe B, Xie, Y, Al-Aly Z. Acute and postacute sequelae associated with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. Nat Med 28, 2398–2405 (2022). doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-02051-3

14.Mainous AG, Rooks BJ, Wu, et al COVID-19 post-acute sequelae among adults: 12 month mortality risk. Front Med (Lausanne). 2021;8:778434. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.778434

15.Uuskula A, Jurgenson T, Pisarev H et al Long-term mortality following SARS-CoV-2 infection: A national cohort study from Estonia. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe 2022;18:100394 Published online 29 April 2022. doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100394

16.Xiang Y, Zhang R, Qiu G. et al Association of Covid-19 with risks of hospitalization and mortality from other disorders post-infection: A study of the UK Biobank. medRxiv doi: doi.org/10.1101/2022.03.23.22272811

17.Wan E, Mathur S, Zhang R et al Association of COVID-19 with short- and long-term risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality: a prospective cohort in UK Biobank, Cardiovascular Research, Volume 119, Issue 8, June 2023, 1718–1727. doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvac195

18.Iwashyna TJ, Seelye S, Berkowitz TS, et al Late Mortality After COVID-19 Infection Among US Veterans vs Risk-Matched Comparators: A 2-Year Cohort Analysis. JAMA Intern Med. Published online August 21, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.3587

[panicinthestudio]

COVID rapidly spreads in China as government eases strict quarantine rules, December 27, 2022

China is grappling with the rapid spread of COVID-19 after the government began rolling back its zero-COVID restrictions earlier this month. Now, cases are spiraling across towns and cities, hospitals are overburdened, medical staff are outnumbered and crematoriums are running out of space. Judy Woodruff reports.

PBS NewsHour

There is no nuance left in politics or public health policy when there is either an absolute and strict inflexibility of zero COVID or wholesale dismantling of safeguards before the healthcare or support systems are prepared for the waves that have been forcibly suppressed. The political insistence on using their own less effective, non-mRNA vaccines based on the original strains rather than Delta or Omicron, coupled with a low vaccination rate of the vulnerable and elderly is not helping easing the transition at all.

The way they’ve been counting mortality from COVID diverged from nearly every other country since early 2020. A death had to be directly attributable to SARS-CoV-2 eliminating cases of many preexisting or undiagnosed conditions, chronic illnesses, and other high risk factors that may have been exacerbated by the virus which became listed as the direct cause or if they simply tested negative in the few days before dying. The policy as of this week will further limit the count only to deaths caused by pneumonia or respiratory failure after contracting COVID, in addition to dropping much of the remaining inbound quarantines and regular case counts becoming even more inconsistent with lived reality.

It appears the PRC was prepared to stay in suspended animation within an onionskin of self-isolation layers indefinitely, maintaining the appearance of control and adherence to policy that was left to different local officials to execute. Downgrading the classification removes the local, emergency-style powers to lockdown and quarantine which were used capriciously. Residential buildings, offices and commercial areas such as malls, and even theme parks could be suddenly cordoned without warning, causing panic due to the stringency of testing and knock-on effects if a positive case was found rather than fear of having contacted or contracted the virus. Becoming listed as a close contact or a complete stranger’s positive result could mean further quarantining and repeated testing, as well any change in one’s COVID passport status severely restricting mobility for work or education, travel, or even basic necessities. The protests spread because “dynamic zero” was anything but dynamic, refusing to change or amend course in preparation for a transition to an endemic or post-epidemic state. People were simply fed up and the building momentum was becoming a potential danger to a regime that had just renewed its own political mandates.

These things aren’t happening in isolation, China is also changing tact on its travel restrictions domestically and internationally. The Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau have been trying to reopen ports and travel with the Mainland for years now for travel and economic reasons. Both were forced into accepting one-way policies where it was difficult for their citizens to enter China or even between one another, while rules were softened for travelers and politicians entering from and returning to the Mainland for short trips with the reason that the pandemic was less well-contained than within the Mainland.

As news of the highly visible current outbreak within China is continuing to emerge, the Hong Kong SAR is now proudly announcing agreements have been made with the Mainland to drop their travel restrictions posthaste. It’s being reported that many are travelling specifically for mRNA vaccines which are approved in Macau and Hong Kong.

[tieflingkisser]

Shipping companies pause Red Sea journeys after Houthi attacks

A Hong-Kong based shipping company has suspended its activity to and from Israel. That's after vessels in the Red Sea came under attack from Houthi fighters in Yemen. The Houthis say they’ll continue their attacks if Israel doesn’t stop its war on Gaza. And their activities are starting to have far-reaching consequences, not just for Israel, but globally. Al Jazeera’s Sara Khairat reports from the Israeli port city of Haifa. Maritime expert Victoria Mitchell says while recent attacks on ships in the Red Sea have not led to a complete shutdown of the trading route, there are implications for individual ship operators. “What is important to highlight is the concern for the seafarers themselves, who are transporting goods and sailing the vessels along this route,” Mitchell, an analyst at Control Risks, told Al Jazeera. “That has been a concern highlighted by several of the operators who have elected to pause shipments in the current circumstances.” Earlier this week, the Danish company Maersk said it will pause all journeys through the Red Sea after a series of attacks on shipping by the Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The Iran-aligned group says they are targeting shipping to pressure Israel during its offensive on Gaza. Moreover, Mitchell says there were also major concerns around insurance premiums. “More risk premiums will increase costs for operators and we’ll also see increased costs and delays when vessels re-route,” she said. “So rather than taking the Red Sea Suez Canal transit route … the alternative is to sail around the coast of Africa. That will add days to any transit and will require additional port calls and fuel. All of this will add to the cost of any shipment.”

[pscottm]

“In New York and London, owners of gleaming office towers are walking away from their debt rather than pouring good money after bad. The landlords of downtown San Francisco’s largest mall have abandoned it. A new Hong Kong skyscraper is only a quarter leased,” Bloomberg reports. “The creeping rot inside commercial real estate is like a dark seam running through the global economy. Even as stock markets rally and investors are hopeful that the fastest interest-rate increases in a generation will ebb, the trouble in property is set to play out for years.”

Remember kiddies, it's OK to walk away from you debts! A lender will present payments as a moral obligation but as demonstrated by businesses, they are not. Lenders assume risk and sometimes lose as do you.

Except for student loans. Congress made those non-dischargable during bankruptcy into law.

[the50-person]

There go the medicines and medical supplies. Ground reports from ppl I know indicate that much of it was already swept up north anyway. And that increased risk of new COVID variants...yikes

When you open borders something crazy like this almost always happens...I rmb at the start of the pandemic smth similiar occurred in France. 🙄

A total of 4,113 people have arrived from China since Monday and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said 917 test results showed that 239 of them, or 26.1% of them, were infected with COVID. On Wednesday, 31.5% of 327 people tested produced a positive result, agency data showed.

All the more supporting the idea that the borders should never have opened in the first place. People I know from the mainland also think it is an incredibly dumb move. But what can we do? The ppl up there suddenly decided to open at this exceedingly confounding time.

[darkautomaton]

Best Practices in Corporate Risk Management in Hong Kong

With an increasingly complex legal, regulatory, economic, and technological environment, effectively managing organizational risks is critical for companies striving towards sustainable growth in Hong Kong. By taking a strategic approach to identifying key risk exposures and establishing governance policies to address vulnerabilities, both local and multinational corporations can enhance resilience.

Conduct Extensive Risk Assessments

The foundation for building robust risk oversight is to regularly conduct enterprise-wide assessments, tapping perspectives from leaders across functions on risks emerging within main business units, as well as at the corporate level. Special focus should be placed on emerging risks - from supply chain disruptions to fast-evolving cybersecurity threats. Risks posed by Hong Kong regulations and legal responsibilities around data, employment, IP, taxation and import/export controls should also be incorporated.

Appoint Centralized Risk Leadership

While business heads are accountable for risks within their domains, oversight at the core by a Chief Risk Officer and/or risk management committee provides critical independence and cross-functional coordination. Responsibilities span creating risk reporting procedures to keeping senior leadership and board directors appraised, to aligning mitigation plans with corporate strategy. Risk managers also liaise with insurance providers to secure proper coverage against financial hazards.

Implement Key Risk Policies

Findings from risk assessments should drive key policy changes, be it business continuity planning to address operational crises, instituting ethics training to reduce fraud and corruption, or enacting information handling protocols to avoid data leaks, hacking and illegal trading incidents that would undermine Hong Kong stock listings. Anti-money laundering and sanctions/export controls compliance also need special attention in Hong Kong as a gateway between China and global trade.

Monitor External Signals

In addition to internal risk monitoring, closely follow legislative or law enforcement policy shifts, as well as economic/political disruptions arising locally as well as in mainland China that stand to impact operations. Participate in trade groups and maintain contacts in agencies like InvestHK to receive critical market updates. Regular stress tests help evaluate Hong Kong megaprojects like the Greater Bay Area growth plan or One Belt One Road initiative - and gauge ensuing risk reprioritizations.

By approaching risk oversight as an integrated corporate capability monitoring both internal weaknesses and external threats, companies gain enhanced visibility into vulnerabilities which allows preemptively strengthening of operations against cascading Hong Kong/China hazards - thereby boostinglong-term performance and valuation for shareholders.

[mariacallous]

In 2024, increased adoption of biometric surveillance systems, such as the use of AI-powered facial recognition in public places and access to government services, will spur biometric identity theft and anti-surveillance innovations. Individuals aiming to steal biometric identities to commit fraud or gain access to unauthorized data will be bolstered by generative AI tools and the abundance of face and voice data posted online.

Already, voice clones are being used for scams. Take for example, Jennifer DeStefano, a mom in Arizona who heard the panicked voice of her daughter crying “Mom, these bad men have me!” after receiving a call from an unknown number. The scammer demanded money. DeStefano was eventually able to confirm that her daughter was safe. This hoax is a precursor for more sophisticated biometric scams that will target our deepest fears by using the images and sounds of our loved ones to coerce us to do the bidding of whoever deploys these tools.

In 2024, some governments will likely adopt biometric mimicry to support psychological torture. In the past, a person of interest might be told false information with little evidence to support the claims other than the words of the interrogator. Today, a person being questioned may have been arrested due to a false facial recognition match. Dark-skinned men in the United States, including Robert Williams, Michael Oliver, Nijeer Parks, and Randal Reid, have been wrongfully arrested due to facial misidentification, detained and imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. They are among a group of individuals, including the elderly, people of color, and gender nonconforming individuals, who are at higher risk of facial misidentification.

Generative AI tools also give intelligence agencies the ability to create false evidence, like a video of an alleged coconspirator confessing to a crime. Perhaps just as harrowing is that the power to create digital doppelgängers will not be limited to entities with large budgets. The availability of open-sourced generative AI systems that can produce humanlike voices and false videos will increase the circulation of revenge porn, child sexual abuse materials, and more on the dark web.

By 2024 we will have growing numbers of “excoded” communities and people—those whose life opportunities have been negatively altered by AI systems. At the Algorithmic Justice League, we have received hundreds of reports about biometric rights being compromised. In response, we will witness the rise of the faceless, those who are committed to keeping their biometric identities hidden in plain sight.

Because biometric rights will vary across the world, fashion choices will reflect regional biometric regimes. Face coverings, like those used for religious purposes or medical masks to stave off viruses, will be adopted as both fashion statement and anti-surveillance garments where permitted. In 2019, when protesters began destroying surveillance equipment while obscuring their appearance, a Hong Kong government leader banned face masks.

In 2024, we will start to see a bifurcation of mass surveillance and free-face territories, areas where you have laws like the provision in the proposed EU AI Act, which bans the use of live biometrics in public places. In such places, anti-surveillance fashion will flourish. After all, facial recognition can be used retroactively on video feeds. Parents will fight to protect the right for children to be “biometric naive”, which is to have none of their biometrics such as faceprint, voiceprint, or iris pattern scanned and stored by government agencies, schools, or religious institutions. New eyewear companies will offer lenses that distort the ability for cameras to easily capture your ocular biometric information, and pairs of glasses will come with prosthetic extensions to alter your nose and cheek shapes. 3D printing tools will be used to make at-home face prosthetics, though depending on where you are in the world, it may be outlawed. In a world where the face is the final frontier of privacy, glancing upon the unaltered visage of another will be a rare intimacy.

[bllsbailey]

Texas Gov. Abbott Orders State Agencies to Sell China Assets

The governor of Texas ordered state agencies to stop investing in China and sell assets there as soon as possible, citing financial and security risks, a sign of rising U.S.-China tensions starting to impact global capital flows.

In a letter to state agencies dated Nov. 21 and posted to his website, Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said "belligerent actions" of China's ruling Communist Party had increased risks to Texas' investments in China, and told investors to get out.

"I direct Texas investing entities that you are prohibited from making any new investments of state funds in China. To the extent you have any current investments in China, you are required to divest at the first available opportunity," he said.

Texas has been taking an increasingly activist stance in its agencies' investments, having previously restricted public pension funds from doing business with Wall Street firms that have embraced environmental, social and governance principles.

Its state agencies include the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, which had $210.5 billion under management at the end of August, according to its annual report.

The TRS has roughly $1.4 billion exposure to Chinese yuan and Hong Kong dollar assets, and listed Tencent Holdings as its 10th largest position, worth about $385 million at current prices.

Abbott's letter said he had told the University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company (UTIMCO), which manages nearly $80 billion, to divest from China earlier this year.

Neither Texas Teachers nor UTIMCO responded immediately to a request for comment outside business hours.

Markets in China fell sharply on Friday, with the Shanghai Composite down 3%. Tencent shares were about 2% lower in afternoon trade in Hong Kong, in line with the broader market.

Dealers said trade had been light in Hong Kong and sentiment already weak as Chinese authorities have disappointed expectations for economic stimulus, but that the news had added to the downbeat mood.

"Even though we all know that there will be more and more policies against China from the U.S.... whenever there's any news like this, it will hit the sentiment here," said Steven Leung, executive director at brokerage UOB Kay Hian in Hong Kong.

[vergess]

Let's all remember that despite the temptation, this isn't actually funny. These people went to a concert, and were blinded en masse.

This is horrific.

The organizers of this concert need to be held accountable for maiming an entire audience, as well as possibly the performers.

I don't know literally anything about Hong Kong law, but if it is in any way possible, this needs to be pursued as what it is: negligence leading to a mass maiming.

After all, this is a known risk that concert organizers are supposed to be aware of. It has happened before.

However, as of this time, the "lab grade UV-C lamp" thing seems to be a rumour. The only lab which has investigated this incident (on the event organizer's payroll), says this was caused by a malfunctioning UV-A lamp.

It is unknown if the blindness will be permanent or temporary at this time.

[whattheabcxyz]

2024-11-19

Singapore

Woman & 2-year-old boy taken to hospital after car rams into taxi they're in - there's clear video footage of the accident & it was most definitely not the taxi's fault

Police investigating after 3 boys caught on camera tampering with Labubu doll claw machine - 5 dolls were reported missing after the incident ...I hope they cane the skin off whoever stole them 😠

RWS' casino licence renewed for only 2 years instead of 3 due to "unsatisfactory" tourism standards

Jail for man who came to Singapore to collect more than $427K from 2 scam victims - these scumbags need to be caned so they at least suffer for what they did!

Judge chides lawyer for convoluted mitigation filled with grammatical errors - have they checked to see if his degree is even legit?!

IMH study shows Singaporeans now more aware of mental health conditions & there is less stigma over such issues

Smaller share of lower-income families returned to getting temporary financial aid

Environment

Key climate terms explained

Health

ChatGPT outperforms doctors in diagnosing disease

Could antibiotics be behind the bowel cancer epidemic among the young?

...meanwhile, scientists find that exposure to PM2.5 pollution increases the risk of head & neck cancers - & so does having a "bad" oral microbiome!

Barry McGuigan's daughter survived leukaemia at 11, only to succumb to bowel cancer at 33

Politics

Hong Kong jails 45 activists in landmark national security trial - it's exactly what you'd expect since the CCP's taken over

Zambia & Singapore to collaborate on carbon credits

Economy

Johor rejects nearly 30% of data centre applications to protect local resources

Art

^ Heritage art now a part of Singapore's MRT stations - a lot of it looks terribly drawn & horribly amateurish, but this is Singapore, so one can't expect too much 😒

Food

Bacterial contamination makes yet another reason not to drink bottled water

Travel

More horror stories about JB hotels here & here - why anyone would want to holiday in Malaysia is beyond me

Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy protection after mounting losses - comes after failed acquisition by JetBlue Airways

[marketsndata]

Global Inflammatory Bowel Disease Market Size, Share, Growth and Forecast 2031

Global inflammatory bowel disease market is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.15% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 22.07 billion in 2023 to USD 32.98 billion in 2031. The market demand for Inflammatory Bowel Disease is anticipated to thrive drastically in the forecast years due to rising prevalence and the growing interest of investors and market players.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It includes two types: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis causes swelling and sores in the colon and rectum. Moreover, Crohn’s disease affects the small intestine and large intestine, as well as the mouth, esophagus, stomach and anus. Common inflammatory bowel disease symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), weight loss, rectal bleeding, fever, anemia, anxiety and depression. The diagnostic process for IBD involves multiple approaches. Clinicians typically start with a detailed medical history and physical examination. Some of the associated procedures include blood tests to evaluate anemia or inflammation, stool tests to exclude infection, and imaging studies such as CT scans or MRIs. The diagnosis is typically established through endoscopic procedures, namely colonoscopy, which permits direct visualization of the mucosal surfaces of the intestinal tract and tissue samples (biopsies) taken for further examination. For instance, as per a systematic review article published on 17 June 2024, reported that the incidence rate of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease in the European region is approximately 24.3 and 12.7 per 100,000, respectively. The annual incidence rates for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease in North America were reported at 19.2 and 20.2 per 100,000 individuals annually. The incidence of IBD in Asia ranges from 0.5 to 3.4 per 100,000 individuals, signifying the dynamic changing face of this emerging disease condition in the region. Incidence has risen over the past 10–15 years in Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and India. The increase was more impressive in countries adopting a Western industrialized lifestyle.

Increase in the Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The increase in the prevalence of Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease is anticipated to fuel the growth of the inflammatory bowel disease market. Increasing inflammatory bowel disease is now emerging as a public health problem that is increasingly taking over industrialized nations. Several causes exist for the increase in this disease, with one significant cause being lifestyle changes: diets high on processed foods and low in fiber negatively impact health and gut health. In addition, the hygiene hypothesis provides an insight revealing that lower exposure to infections in the childhood period shows increased risk factors for autoimmune diseases, such as IBD. An urgent need to do further research into causes and treatments of IBD is a critical reason for the greater number of diagnosed cases. Public education campaigns are also needed towards communities about IBD for early detection and proper management of the disease. Considering that more people are living with the burden of IBD, managing this chronic illness needs a collective effort by providers, researchers, and policymakers to give better care and support to affected patients. For instance, in April 2024, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for ENTYVIO (vedolizumab) subcutaneous (SC) administration for the treatment in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD).

Advancements in the Treatment Options for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Advancements in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease include a wide approach to managing this chronic condition, such that patients are offered more effective and targeted therapies. Indeed, biologics, which target inflammatory pathways by specifically targeting cells, pathways, or molecules that contribute to inflammation, have revolutionized the management of this disease, from addressing underlying pathogenic mechanisms to the historical approach of symptom relief. Moreover, biologics like anti-TNF agents and integrin inhibitors have also proven useful in many patients’ induction and maintenance of remission. New small molecules and JAK inhibitors are also emerging as additional alternatives in some cases. Personalized medicine has also advanced the ability of doctors to treat individual patients according to their individual genetic makeup and disease characteristics, thus offering a better chance for positive outcomes. Continued research and clinical trials are discovering additional new therapeutic targets, as well as new combination therapies, promising higher efficacy and safety. For instance, on 19 February 2024, Pfizer Inc. received approval from the European Commission (EC) granting marketing authorization for VELSIPITY (etrasimod) to treat patients 16 years of age and older with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who have had an inadequate response, lost response, or was intolerant to either conventional therapy or a biological agent. VELSIPITY is the first and only advanced oral ulcerative colitis treatment approved for use in patients 16 years of age.

Crohn’s Disease Segment to Dominate the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Market

The Crohn’s disease segment dominates the inflammatory bowel disease market due to the high prevalence and the specific need for treatment. Often, Crohn’s disease affects any part of the gastrointestinal tract and generally causes more severe and varied symptoms than ulcerative colitis does, so its requirements are more complex, thus dictating a wide range of treatment options, including biologics, immunosuppressants, and emerging therapies tailored according to the needs of the individual patient. Other drivers for the growth of this segment include improved diagnosis techniques and increased awareness. Research and clinical studies in Crohn’s disease continue to drive ongoing innovations and therapies that improve patient outcomes significantly, thus driving growth in the market. Also, with healthcare providers seeking more practical treatments for this chronic condition, the Crohn’s disease market is poised to capture a greater share of the inflammatory bowel disease market. For instance, on 18 May 2023, AbbVie Inc. received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for RINVOQ (upadacitinib) to treat adults with moderate to severely active Crohn’s disease.                                                                                                                          

North America Dominates Inflammatory Bowel Disease Market                          

North America dominates the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) market, primarily driven by a combination of high prevalence rates, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and significant investment in research and development. The incidences of ulcerative colitis in North America range from 2.2 to 19.2 cases per 100,000 person-years, and Crohn’s disease incidences range from 3.1 to 20.2 cases per 200,000 person-years. In the United States the prevalence of adult ulcerative colitis was 238 per 100,000 population and 201 per 100,000 population with data from a large study based on insurance claims. Inflammatory bowel disease is more prevalent in North America and Europe than in Asia or Africa. The region has a well-established healthcare system that makes it easier to administer new, advanced therapies such as biologics and emerging medications specifically designed to meet the needs of each patient. Well-organized awareness programs and support groups help facilitate earlier diagnosis and optimal management of the disease. For instance, on August 12, 2024, Celltrion USA, Inc. (Celltrion USA) received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for biosimilar adalimumab-aaty. Adalimumab-aaty is approved for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis. The treatment for self-funded employer plans was available in the U.S. from Costco Specialty Pharmacy on October 1, 2023.

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Future Market Scenario (2024-2031F)

The future market scenario seems promising for the inflammatory bowel disease market, influenced by factors that increase demand and investment in this market. The inflammatory bowel disease market is full of promise with the continuous advancement in research, technology, and options available for treatment. Moving into the future, with an increased understanding of the mechanisms driving IBD, more targeted therapies are emerging, such as biologics and small molecules targeting some of the pathways responsible for inflammation. In addition, the increasing incidence of IBD in emerging markets and globally will increase the patient population, which requires effective management systems. Improved diagnosis and early detection methods will ensure timely interventions, which will be beneficial to the patients and improve their quality of life. Other factors that will drive innovation in the field are stronger investment in research and more collaboration between pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions. For instance, on 4 October 2023, Sanofi and Teva Pharmaceuticals announced a collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize asset TEV’574, currently in Phase 2b clinical trials for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease, the two types of inflammatory bowel disease.

Report Scope

“Inflammatory Bowel Disease Market Assessment, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F”, is a comprehensive report by Markets and Data, providing in-depth analysis and qualitative and quantitative assessment of the current state of global inflammatory bowel disease market, industry dynamics, and challenges. The report includes market size, segmental shares, growth trends, opportunities, and forecast between 2024 and 2031. Additionally, the report profiles the leading players in the industry, mentioning their respective market share, business models, competitive intelligence, etc.

Click here for full report- https://www.marketsandata.com/industry-reports/inflammatory-bowel-disease-market

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Contact

Mr. Vivek Gupta 5741 Cleveland street, Suite 120, VA beach, VA, USA 23462 Tel: +1 (757) 343–3258 Email: info@marketsandata.com Website: https://www.marketsandata.com

[viact1]

Protecting Workers with the Danger Zone Alert System: A Smart Solution for Fall-from-Height Safety

Safety in High Hazardous Industries of Construction, Mining, Manufacturing and Facilities with Danger Zone Warning System. At the workplace, fall-from-height safety is important. It has become mandatory in most hazardous sectors, especially those in the building of new projects and mining or the various operations within a factory in case of facilities, to safeguard individuals engaged within its compounds and achieve zero casualties. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, falls are still the second most common cause of fatal occupational injuries at construction sites.

Given the severity of this issue, companies operating in places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, where industries are booming, are looking for solutions that can enhance safety measures and minimize workplace accidents.

Understanding the Dangers of Falls from Heights

Falls from heights are those accidents in which a worker loses his balance or falls into an open, elevated zone. Such incidents occur when workers are on scaffolding, rooftops, ladders, or suspended platforms. Reports have suggested that approximately 30 percent of all construction fatalities are attributed to fall accidents. The dangers associated with this type of accident are not only severe but also unpredictable. Proper systems for monitoring risky behaviors and unsafe zones are not in place, which makes it very hard to ensure worker safety.

Why Do You Need a Smart Safety Solution?

Traditional safety systems typically rely on human observation or manual inspection. These are always reactive systems, meaning that the workers are placed at risk of exposure before they can be placed in a position of safety.

How Does the Danger Zone Alert System Work?

Real-Time Monitoring: The system continuously scans the worksite with cameras. Cameras detect potential hazards, analyze workers' movements and environmental conditions, and help identify situations in which a fall might occur.

Instant Alerts: The system instantly sends alerts to site supervisors and workers when it identifies a potential fall hazard through an application or by direct notifications. Alerts may range from entering a danger zone to improper usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) among workers.

Configurable Danger Zones: Sites can configure various "danger zones" on the site, including edges, scaffolding, or other elevated work platforms. The system monitors these danger zones and alerts workers to falling risks off an unprotected edge or falling from unsafe factors.

Improved Compliance: A large percentage of falls are caused by a lack of the correct safety measures for workers. The Danger Zone Alert System ensures compliance because it triggers a signal for site managers when safety procedures such as harness usage or fall barriers are not in place.

Key Benefits for Your Workforce

Implementing the Danger Zone Alert System in your company will yield several benefits in the area of safety, aside from operational efficiency. Some of the key advantages of using this smart system include:

1. Decreased Chance of Falls

Real-time alerts and continuous monitoring lower the possibility of falls from heights since it give employees prompt feedback about unsafe behaviors or hazardous zones. Such a system will ensure that necessary preventive measures are taken even when near-miss accidents have been detected.

2. Increased Safety Compliance

For instance, safety procedures for employees become much easier to manage as this would include using proper PPE or not crossing areas next to unprotected edges. Enforcement of compliance is thus effective in making the entire workforce stay safe with automatic alerts directly transmitted to supervisors.

3. Improved Productivity

When workers are secure, they can do their work effectively without any fear of accidents. Better morale and more efficient working due to a safe working environment will reduce downtime brought about by safety incidents.

4. Cost Savings

One fall death costs more than a million dollars. These are only the financial costs of medical and legal fees. The firm saves on this count: reduction in the number of accidents through lower medicine costs, attorneys' costs, insurance premiums, or work stoppage.

5. AI-Powered Insights

It prevents accidents but also offers the organization valuable data that would improve safety on the job site. Over time, AI can analyze patterns and assist companies in making better decisions concerning safety policies and equipment.

Conclusion

Worker safety in a fast-paced and risk-prone world should be everybody's priority today. AI and smart safety systems protect workers from falls and other hazards better than ever. Any industry concerned with fall-from-height safety would certainly require the Danger Zone Alert System. Businesses can generate safer work sites, gain employee confidence, reduce incidents, and hence contribute toward the growth and success of the business through AI.

This might be the future of operation, as using this technology will make sure that every day, your workers come back home without any incidents and your business runs with minimum unexpected delays and costs associated with accidents. Visit viAct and enhance the saftey of your workers and grow your business.

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