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Science Center of Iowa reopens "Small Discoveries" exhibit
The Science Center of Iowa is reopening its "Small Discoveries" exhibit, featuring new interactive elements for children, after months of renovation.
Danville aldermen approve restaurant, entertainment center agreements
The approved redevelopment agreements are with Solutions Group Real Estate for the former Red Lobster property at 3217 N. Vermilion St. and 311 W. Fairchild Danville LLC for a family
Peoria shopping center to become business district, increase sales tax
Glen Hollow shoppers to pay 1% sales tax to pay for shopping center improvements
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Nuno Loureiro, professor and director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, dies at 47
Nuno Loureiro, an MIT professor of nuclear science and engineering and of physics, has died at 47. A theoretical physicist and fusion scientist, and director of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Loureiro studied complex problems at the center of fusion vacuum chambers and at the edges of the universe.
Nuno Loureiro, professor and director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, dies at 47
Nuno Loureiro, an MIT professor of nuclear science and engineering and of physics, has died at 47. A theoretical physicist and fusion scientist, and director of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Loureiro studied complex problems at the center of fusion vacuum chambers and at the edges of the universe.
Man injured in apparent road rage shooting near Nashville business park
So far, officers report that one person was injured and transported to Skyline Medical Center for treatment.
Trilith entertainment zone, ‘next-generation’ cinema near grand opening
Following years of design tweaks and construction, the full scope of a public-accessible Trilith project described as a new metro Atlanta epicenter for arts, culture, and entertainment is just weeks from its world premiere. Officials with Trilith LIVE, the entertainment and special events component of the massive New Urbanism project a half-hour south of Atlanta, today announced their grand opening season will officially kick off Jan. 15.
McAllen floats rezoning downtown entertainment district following fatal crash
McAllen’s downtown entertainment district has been the centerfold of a polarizing conversation here lately – and it hasn’t been pretty.
ECU Health Bertie Hospital recognized with 2025 Performance Leadership Award by The Chartis Center for Rural Health
Award recognizes high-quality care provided to community
North Carolina opens grant applications for small businesses in research, tech development
North Carolina is now accepting applications for a new round of grants through the One North Carolina Small Business Program, a key funding source for small com
How rising health care costs are affecting Texans
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is dropping UT Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Health Services as in-network for one of its HMO plans.
Youth Mental Health Spotlighted at U.S. Launch of the Second Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing | Johns Hopkins Center for Global Mental Health
In October 2025, global health leaders, policymakers, youth advocates, and researchers convened in the nation’s capital for a two-day A Call to Action for Youth Mental Health. The event served as the U.S. launch of the report of the Second Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, an international effort to address the urgent and escalating challenges facing adolescents worldwide. Hosted by the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Mental Health, the convening followed the World Health Assembly launch in May 2025. The next steps will be to continue collaborating with partners across the U.S. and the world to support the actions responsive to youth needs, including, Integrate youth lived experience expertise into mental health research, policy, and practiceApply data-driven accountability for equitable access to quality careShape urban environments to promote youth mental healthUnderstand gendered drivers and tailored responses to support youth mental healthCatalyze intersectoral engagement for youth mental health: health, education, and social support systems
Nantucket High School Students Dive into Real-World Science at Marine…
Nantucket Current is the island's leading online news source. We deliver the news, stories, and people of Nantucket, unbiased and unfiltered.
Health Care Meets Mission at GMHC
Cedarville University equips future medical professionals to combine clinical excellence with gospel-centered compassion. Students recently attended the Global...
Entertainment and more in the Mid-Ohio Valley
PARKERSBURG — The Artsbridge calendar of events for the Mid-Ohio Valley: TODAY * Anything Goes: Wild Things, all member exhibition of the West Virginia Watercolor Society, Parkersburg Art Center * Belpre Holiday Lights, Civitan Park * Christine Rhodes, multi medium artwork display, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., WesBanco, Market Street, Parkersburg * Here the Pioneers Landed, exhibit, […]
Public safety issues in St. Johns continue to hurt business
The owner of StormBreaking brewing says safety issues in the St. Johns area hurting their bottom line.
An 11th-hour decision to back out of Miami mental health center? That’s a mistake
Fiscal responsibility is good, but the timing here is odd. | Opinion
Access Health CT experiencing issues ahead of deadline for health insurance enrollment
Monday at midnight is the deadline to enroll for health care insurance through Access Health CT, and agency posted on Facebook that it is experiencing some issues. Access Health CT said because of a high volume of calls and visits to its website on Monday, people are having trouble getting on the website or reaching its call center. They urge…
Americans face higher health care costs as Congress stalls on ACA subsidies
The deadline to enroll in Affordable Care Act plans for coverage starting Jan. 1 is Dec. 15, as key subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress intervenes
Americans face higher health care costs as Congress stalls on ACA subsidies
The deadline to enroll in Affordable Care Act plans for coverage starting Jan. 1 is Dec. 15, as key subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress intervenes
TeraWulf says A.I. data center is for science and education in zoning appeal. Critics call it a work around.
ITHACA, N.Y. — The land-use moratorium that would have halted the construction of a proposed data center has been withdrawn, but the company behind the project still has more bureaucratic […]
Pending vote could bring entertainment complex to Albany Mall
A tennis center proposed years ago in Albany is moving closer to reality after a local investor offered to donate property near the Albany Mall for the project.
All 1,600 Kentucky battery plant employees laid off as Ford pivots away from EV business
All 1,600 employees of the brand new electric vehicle battery plant in Kentucky will be laid off before Ford converts it to manufacture batteries for data centers and other utilities.
Ford is starting a battery storage business to power data centers and the grid
Amid Ford's shift away from making large electric vehicles, the automaker is adding a new product line to find a home for its batteries. Ford said Monday
Ford is starting a battery storage business to power data centers and the grid
Amid Ford’s shift away from making large electric vehicles, the automaker is adding a new product line to find a home for its batteries. Ford said Monday that instead of scuttling plans to build the batteries for those vehicles, it will pivot that capacity into a new battery storage business. Those storage systems, which will use cheaper LFP batteries, will be […]
'Immersive enteratainment experience' at suburban mall closing after less than a year
The immersive experience, from Sony Motion Pictures, opened to the public at Oakbrook Center Mall in January of 2024.
Penn State Health Lancaster, Milton S. Hershey medical centers earn 2025 Leapfrog Top Hospital Awards for outstanding quality, safety
The Leapfrog Group has named Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center a Top Teaching Hospital and Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center a Top General Hospital for 2025.
Newsom taps former CDC leaders critical of Trump-era health policies for new initiative
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced a new California-led public health initiative, tapping former U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials who publicly clashed with the Trump administration.
Chicago small business advocate pushes for less red tape
(The Center Square) – Small Business Advocacy Council President Elliott Richardson prides himself on tirelessly pushing the envelope when it comes to making life more bearable for Chicago small business owners. “Small businesses really could use a point person at City Hall to help them through the process,” Richardson told The Center Square.
Live updates: House turns to health care while Senate looks to lock down defense spending
The House and Senate return to Washington for the last week before the long holiday recess, and the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies will take center stage once again. The House is expected t…
New Hampshire's Business: Cost of living in NH has outpaced what most families earn
Fred Kocher is joined by Jessica Williams, policy analyst for the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, and Phil Sletten, research director for the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, for a discussion about the state of the economy and the cost of living in the Granite State.
Every Rockefeller Center Christmas tree since the 1930s, and where it came from
The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is arguably the most famous tree in the country. Here's what it has looked like through the years.
Widespread diaper need poses serious health threats to families
Researchers found that 41 percent of babies screened in urban health centers lack consistent access to the diapers they need.
Great Lakes Science Center launches winter activities
Great Lakes Science Center is offering hands-on winter activities for families.
Science in a French City, Which I Shall Not Name
It has a beautiful historic center with typical old European streets and an impressive number of museums. It is a delightful area of narrow cobbled streets, small charming squares, and beautiful old buildings. It is a very old city—more than 2,000 years old. It is a green city with many parks. There are 14 churches and cathedrals in this city, although over the years it has become less Christian and more Muslim. [Alex Gordon]
Vaccines and access to health insurance: Taking stock of 2025's biggest health news
We review the biggest local headlines in health care for 2025 with WBUR senior health reporter Priyanka Dayal McCluskey and Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers' Michael Curry.
Google Maps in Gemini just got way smarter at finding your next favorite spot
Google has upgraded Gemini’s local search by putting Google Maps front and center, serving visual maps, cards, and review highlights.
O’Neill Institute’s Center for Health and Human Rights and Ríos host High Court Justices for Second Annual Judicial Dialogues on Health and the Law in Latin America and the Caribbean
The O’Neill Institute’s Center for Health and Human Rights at Georgetown Law and Ríos Strategic Lawyering for Social Justice held the second annual Judicial Dialogues on Health and the Law in Latin America and the Caribbean event.
The US-China science race that isn't a race
Science’s center of gravity is moving—but the real story isn’t who “wins.” Rather, it’s how the global research network is being rewired and what that
County commissioners in negotiations with Creoks Behavioral Health Services as new mental health provider
Oklahoma County negotiates with Creoks Behavioral Health Services for new mental health center, aiming to address homelessness and reduce incarceration for nonviolent offenders. Opening planned for 2026.
Top story: Amid NIH funding cuts and uncertainty, Gov. Healey says future of science, research in Massachusetts is at stake
Top story: The visit included a tour of the new Paul J. DiMare Center and a closed-door meeting with UMass Chan faculty members.
“The Bus” Keeps Rolling – Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2
The Carolina Hurricanes won their third straight shootout game as they outlasted the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2 on Sunday night at the Lenovo Center. The win allowed Carolina to sweep the back-to-back and home-and-home series. The Canes now have a 21-9-2 record as they sit three points ahead of the second place New York Islanders in […]
Miami-Dade, Broward schools get federal boost for mental health services
The combined $5.2 million in funding was provided through the Department of Education's Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program.
Fourth-Quarter Drought Sends EKU to 75-50 Loss Against Marshall - Eastern Kentucky University Athletics
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University battled Marshall for three quarters but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 75-50 loss Sunday afternoon at the Clive M. Beck Center.
Franklin County's 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment prioritizes food security
The 2025 Baystate Franklin Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment identified food security, maternal and infant health, behavioral health and substance use disorders as priority health concerns in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region, with the assessment highlighting the need for increased attention to and resources for food insecurity, mental health and substance use prevention.
Data center boom creates political conundrum for the GOP
President Donald Trump is all in on the artificial intelligence build-out. Other Republicans are being more cautious.
America Needs a Tech Skeptic in the 2028 Race
A long-shot 2028 run by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox could force tech and social media into the center of the presidential debate.
Can Lawmakers Find a Solution to Expiring Health Care Subsidies?
The United States Senate rejected a pair of health care bills that would have delivered relief to more than 20 million Americans before the end of the year. Now, cost-saving subsidies added to the Affordable Care Act in 2021 are likely to expire on New Year’s Eve, causing patient prices to increase by as much as 100%. NBC’s Anne Thompson reports in this week’s Sunday Focus.
Scientists warn federal funding cuts could undermine walleye recovery in Minnesota
The Trump administration froze grant money awarded to the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center in August and wants to cut its budget next year.
Underwood on Mirkovic benching: ‘David was in Serbia today’
Not a great day in State Farm Center.
Full-length Replay: Big Ten Women's: UConn at USC
From Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA
California Politics 360 Full Episode | Prop 50 court hearing, California Men's Service Challenge
California leaders and Republicans will try to make their case in court as to whether the state should keep its new congressional maps.
Full-length Replay: Juventus vs Napoli
From Juventus Training Center in Italy.
ENTERTAINMENT: Repertory Theatre celebrates Christmas season
Little Rock's Arkansas Repertory Theatre celebrates the Christmas season with "Holiday Radio, Live at The Rep" and the Second North American tour production of the musical "Mrs. Doubtfire" sweeps the Baum Walker Hall stage at Fayetteville's Walton Arts Center.
Black-owned businesses highlighted in holiday market
G.I.F.T. stands for Generating Income for Tomorrow's Goal. The organization provides grants to Black-owned businesses in Kansas City with a specific interest in those operating in low-income areas.
Teen’s video a ‘Breakthrough’ in science communication
Seventeen-year-old Grace Lee from Chula Vista is gaining national attention as a finalist in the global Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an annual competition that invites students to create original videos explaining complex scientific ideas in creative and engaging ways. Founded in 2015, the contest encourages young people to break down advanced scientific theories using imagination and storytelling— “Steven Spielberg meets Albert Einstein,” as organizers describe it. Lee’s submission centers on the principle of least time in physics, a concept that explains why light always travels the path that takes the least amount of time. To bring the idea to life, she used intricate origami characters and stop-motion animation, along with simple at-home experiments, she said. “The fact that light always travels via the path that takes the least amount of time sounds simple at first, but nature is full of surprises,” she said. “This principle is actually very profound and underlies many different fields in physics that seem completely unrelated, from optics to Newton’s laws to Einstein’s theory of relativity.” Also, origami has long been one of her passions and integrating it into her project felt natural. She often makes origami gifts for friends and teaches origami in her school clubs. “A single 10-second scene would take hours to craft,” she said, noting the mixture of stop-motion and post-production editing required to animate expressions and movement. To ensure the science remained accurate and accessible, she spent time reading books and online resources, writing a script, creating a storyboard, and filming and editing repeatedly until the visuals worked.The experiments were among the biggest challenges. To demonstrate water waves, she used everyday household items — “a spatula and an electric toothbrush to vibrate the waves, glass in a baking pan for different depths, and an iPhone flashlight so the waves would be visible.” She also put careful thought into explaining the principle through analogies, including a gingerbread man and a fox. “Analogies and visuals are incredibly important,” she said. “Visual demonstrations allow viewers to see how the science actually works.” Beyond the competition, Lee is deeply involved in science leadership and advocacy. She serves as International President of miRcore, the world’s largest student computational biology organization, with 136 chapters across five countries. She leads a 20-member executive board, organizes outreach connecting schools worldwide, and has helped run workshops at locations including Scripps Research Institute and the University of Michigan. “I used to be intimidated,” she said, but she gradually grew her skills and confidence. “Now I am no longer afraid to use my voice and enthusiasm to bring out the best in others.” Her research experience includes two peer-reviewed papers on asthma and vaping. Misconceptions around vaping, she said, show why clear science communication matters. “Our research shows that there is long-term harm to your lungs on the cellular level that isn’t obvious unless you come down with an illness like the flu,” she said. Lee also founded Full Hearts at Eastlake High School, transforming the small club into one of the school’s largest, with hands-on service projects in partnership with local nonprofits. She continues mentoring younger students to sustain the mission. If she wins the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Grace hopes the $100,000 science lab prize for her school will expand opportunities for students who have limited access to equipment and hands-on science outside the classroom.
Dr. Oz took over Medicare. It hasn’t been the disaster his critics feared.
The former TV doctor running the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Washington’s wonky health agency, has garnered positive reviews — even from some Democrats.
Michigan Science Center debuts "moonshot" planetarium renovation
After a year-long renovation, the Michigan Science Center reopened its planetarium Friday, showcasing technology upgrades and a new flagship show.
Michigan Science Center unveils brand new planetarium with 8K projection
Guests experience a demonstration of the Michigan Science Center's newly renovated planetarium during a VIP preview event on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Detroit.
For Republicans, Trump’s Hands-Off Approach to Health Care Is a Problem
The prospect of soaring health care costs could exacerbate Americans’ feelings about affordability, an issue that President Trump has tried to downplay. But Democrats plan to keep the issue front and center.
San Mateo Medical Center Health Campus Completes Major Renovation & Expansion
San Mateo, California – San Mateo County’s public hospital has been transformed into a state-of-the-art health care campus, rebuilt to meet California’s seismic safety standards and reimagined to better serve patients and staff. Community leaders gathered today to celebrate the opening, calling it a major investment in public health and a welcome upgrade for the tens of thousands of residents who rely on the County for medical and other care.
Harvard Replaces Leader of Health Center Said to Have Focused on Palestinians
The center at the university’s public health school was also a focus of the Trump administration after having been examined in a Harvard antisemitism report earlier this year.
Female athletes protesting transgender competition in sports drop lawsuit against OSAA
Two female athletes dropped a lawsuit they had filed alleging that the OSAA discriminated against them for protesting transgender competition in women's sports.
Arizona city unanimously rejects AI data center after residents' outcry
The Chandler, Arizona, city council unanimously voted against clearing the way to allow for construction of an artificial intelligence data center
ECU Health Medical Center earns breast cancer care reaccreditation
The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers has again granted accredited status to ECU Health Medical Center.
Longtime state representative from Des Moines will not seek reelection
State Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines, who was first elected in 2010, will retire when her term ends in 2026.
NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health Recognized for Highest Quality Stroke Care by the Joint Commission - NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospital’s/South Brooklyn Health announced its designation as a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. This
Are we in a new era for EHRs?
The healthcare industry is experiencing a fundamental shift in digital health infrastructure, one that prioritizes interoperability, clinician efficiency and patient-centered care – and where AI and advanced analytics play key roles.
New mental health crisis center planned for Lewiston
Spurwink, which opened Maine's first Crisis Receiving Center in 2022, has been awarded a grant to open the new facility
Plans for outdoor entertainment center along I-40 move forward
Pacific Elm Properties drafts a term sheet for an entertainment center on 136 acres near RDU Airport, shaped by public feedback despite controversy.
Whole Hog Politics: ObamaCare intensifies Trump slump
The latest poll from The Associated Press and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago asked its usual slate of questions about voters’ views of President Trump’s job perfo…
Kids Start Up Business Fair
Enjoy an exciting evening of creativity, innovation, and fun as young entrepreneurs showcase their products, inventions, and creative services!
Flandrau Planetarium and Science Center celebrates 50 years of curiosity
The building now hosts exhibits ranging from space satellites to great white sharks.
Essentia Health hosts local lawmakers at St. Joseph’s Medical Center ahead of legislative session
Sandy Zutz-Wiczek, vice president of operations at Essentia, led a tour of the hospital and discussed how lawmakers can help ensure rural communities preserve access to high-quality care
SFA students blend pop culture, business innovation at Swift-Mas Showcase
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Students in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Nelson Rusche College of Business stepped into the spotlight during finals week for the Swift-Mas Showcase, an event supported by SFA’s Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship that highlighted student innovation and creative problem-solving throughout the fall semester.
Pittsburgh's Kamin Science Center opens new permanent sports exhibit
The new exhibit Sports360 is the largest permanent exhibit at the Kamin Science Center.
Flandrau Planetarium and Science Center celebrates 50 years of curiosity
The building now hosts exhibits ranging from space satellites to great white sharks.
iOS 26 Code Leak Reveals Apple Smart Home Hub Details
Apple is working on a smart home hub that will rely heavily on the more capable version of Siri that's coming next year. We've heard quite a bit about the hub over the last two years, but a recent iOS 26 code leak provides additional insight into what we can expect and confirms rumored features. Macworld claims to have access to an internal version of iOS 26 that references several upcoming Apple devices, including the home hub.
Our California Health Plans Honored With Top Ratings
Kaiser Permanente receives 5 out of 5 stars for overall quality of care from the California Center for Data Insights and Innovation and from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Public Health Faculty Slam Harvard’s Removal of FXB Center Director Mary Bassett | News
Public Health Faculty Slam Harvard’s Removal of FXB Center Director Mary Bassett | News | The Harvard Crimson
Employers join forces at career fair to boost local business hires post-Helene
Employers gathered at the Valley Hope Church in Swannanoa on Thursday, Dec. 11, to take part in the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber Foundation career fair.
Google spinout proposes Oakland County data center nearly as large as Oracle megaproject
While controversy stirs around OpenAI’s Stargate data center project in Saline Township, another data center complex nearly as big is being quietly planned 45 miles northeast in Lyon Township.Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, a spinout of Google parent company Alphabet Inc., has submitted plans to…
New children's facility aims to close mental health care gaps in Hennepin County
The Hennepin County Youth Stabilization Center opens after increased attention on gaps in children’s mental health services.
RFK Jr.’s Health Department Is Pondering a National Men’s Health Initiative
At an FDA discussion of testosterone replacement therapy, a top official called for special health centers to address a “men’s health crisis.” Others called to ease men’s access to hormones.
When people see themselves in science, they trust it more
A new study led by URochester finds that the demographics of scientists influence public trust and the fate of science-based public policy.
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Acupuncturist Cailey Halloran talks about her duties and responsibilities in the oncology department at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center, Thursday, December 11, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La.
West Palm Beach is at the 'epicenter’ of Florida’s business growth, leaders say
Related Ross Executive Vice President Jordan Rathlev and health-tech firm Visium CEO John Rajchert speak to Fox News Digital about the influx of businesses and employees moving to West Palm Beach and how their companies are leading the charge.
Big Play Entertainment opens Dunwoody center in time for holiday break
Brandon and Ray Wooldridge, the father and son who own Big Play Entertainment Atlanta, picked a spot in Dunwoody after a tornado demolished the family’s business outside of Nashville.
Sports360, the newest immersive exhibition at the Science Center, opens this weekend
The 9,500-square-foot Sports360 exhibition is designed to immerse visitors in the science of athletic performance.
Pittsburgh’s Strength as Business Center Fuels Aer Lingus Entry into Market
With today’s announcement that Aer Lingus is introducing nonstop flights from Pittsburgh International Airport to Dublin Airport, Pittsburgh and Ireland have the opportunity to build on the powerful business and cultural connection that drives economic development in both regions. Flights on Aer Lingus, the Irish flag carrier, start on May 25, 2026, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Data center boom creates political conundrum for the GOP
President Donald Trump is all in on the artificial intelligence build-out. Other Republicans are being more cautious.
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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