Latest Health News
WHO and Korea Foundation Sign Agreement to Boost NCD Management in Pacific Islands
The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) and WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific signed a donor agreement to enhance health worker capacity in Fiji for managing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) via the Pacific Open Learning Health Net. The signing occurred on UHC Day amid rising NCD burdens in Pacific islands due to aging populations and lifestyle changes.
This addresses challenges like insufficient workforce and remote geographies.
Indonesia Advances Toward Universal Health Coverage with Remaining Gaps
A WHO and World Bank report notes Indonesia's steady progress in ensuring health service access without financial hardship. The country continues addressing gaps in UHC implementation.
This update was released on December 12, 2025, in Jakarta.
MSU Creates First Human Heart Organoid to Model Atrial Fibrillation
Michigan State University researchers developed the first human heart organoids replicating A-fib, aiding study of heart development, diseases, and drug responses. This benefits 60 million global arrhythmia patients, with no new A-fib drugs in over 30 years due to lacking human models.
The model promises accelerated, safer, cheaper therapies.
NIH Trial Shows 94% Survival in Severe Aplastic Anemia with Expanded Cord Blood Transplant
An NIH clinical trial using omidubicel, an expanded umbilical cord blood therapy, achieved 94% survival without complications in high-risk severe aplastic anemia patients unresponsive to standard treatments. The FDA approved Omisirge for these patients lacking donor options.
Full results from the ongoing trial (NCT03173937) expected next year.
Northwestern Highlights Top 2025 Breakthroughs in Alzheimer's Drug Development
Top podcast episodes covered NU-9, an experimental drug for ALS and potentially Alzheimer's, targeting neurodegenerative mechanisms. Another discussed anti-amyloid drugs' brain responses via spatial transcriptomics to improve efficacy.
These advances offer hope for better outcomes in Alzheimer's and related diseases.
Roswell Park Study: IL-36 Gamma 'Armored' CAR T Cells Eradicate Solid Tumors
A Roswell Park lab study shows IL-36 gamma-enhanced CAR T-cell therapy effectively eradicates solid tumors. This boosts chimeric antigen receptor T-cell effectiveness against challenging solid-tumor cancers.
The research outlines a promising new approach published recently.
Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025: Key Policy and Economic Considerations
Health Affairs explores critical policy designs in the Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025 to address hepatitis C treatment access. The article highlights economic implications and questions for implementation.
This legislative push aims to expand cures for the disease.
Syntax Bio Secures Funding for CRISPR System to Generate Pancreatic Beta Cells
Syntax Bio received up to $856,250 from Breakthrough T1D for a CRISPR-Cas-driven Cellgorithm to produce pancreatic beta cells. This advances potential diabetes treatments via gene editing.
The weekly CRISPR news roundup covers this December 12 development.
New Therapeutic Advances in Myelofibrosis and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
AJMC highlights CME on optimizing myelofibrosis management and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy outcomes for managed care. Sessions cover evolving strategies in these conditions.
Additional credits available for IgA nephropathy and other specialties.
UHC Emerges as Path to National Health Stewardship Globally
An IFPMA insight piece on December 12, 2025, positions Universal Health Coverage as key to national health stewardship. Authored by Takeda's Fumie Griego, it signals a new dawn in global health.
This ties into ongoing UHC Day observances.
Base-Edited Immune Cells Offer Breakthrough for Tough Blood Cancers
ScienceDaily reports a cutting-edge base-editing therapy using immune cells as a major advance for hard-to-treat blood cancers on December 11, 2025. This provides new hope for patients with resistant forms.
The therapy represents significant progress in medical research.