AGP Executive Report

Stroke Recovery in the Caribbean: St Kitts and Nevis PM Dr. Terrance Drew says he suffered a vertebral artery dissection stroke, is out of hospital in Florida rehabilitation, and says government operations are continuing with contingency plans. Cancer Diagnostics in Latin America: Telix’s FDA approval of Pixclara (FET-PET) for imaging gliomas could help clinicians distinguish recurrent/progressive brain cancer from treatment-related changes in adults and children. HIV Prevention Access Debate: A report revisits lenacapavir’s promise for HIV prevention alongside the hard reality of pricing and limited access, even after IP licensing for lower-cost generics. Water & Health Equity: Water Mission’s 10th annual Walk for Water in Beaufort County targets safe water for 2,000 people, highlighting how water-related illness fills hospital beds worldwide. Mental Health Under Strain in Cuba: An AP look at Cuba’s shortages and heat describes rising psychological tolls as families and patients struggle without relief. Public Health & Lifestyle Risk: Multiple reports link very hot tea/coffee to higher oesophageal cancer risk, urging people to let drinks cool. Environment-to-Health Link: A study says China’s plastic-waste import ban has shifted pollution hotspots to parts of Latin America, where waste handling capacity lags.

Lung Cancer Access: At IASLC 2026, Memorial Cancer Institute’s Luis E. Raez said Latin America’s biggest barrier is molecular testing access, arguing for lower-cost PCR approaches (about $300) so patients can reach targeted therapies instead of waiting for costly NGS (around $5,000). Oncology Trial Update: Akeso reported updated overall survival results for ivonescimab vs pembrolizumab in PD-L1–positive advanced NSCLC (HARMONi-2), with a 27% death-risk reduction and longer median survival. Public Health & Youth Wellness: Caribbean Wellness Day 2026 (CARICOM/CARPHA) pushes “Our Mind. Our Body. Our Wellness” with practical steps like reducing sitting, moving daily, and tackling NCD risk through youth-led environments. Malaria & Local Innovation: Panama researchers turned Caribbean sargassum into a potential malaria lead, finding strong lab inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum with early signs of low harm to healthy cells. Environmental Health Spillover: A report links China’s plastic-waste import ban to rising health and pollution risks across Latin America, naming hotspots from Panama to Paraguay where waste handling capacity lags. Care in Corrections: Barbados opened an improved medical unit at the Bordelais Correctional Facility to deliver routine and urgent care in-house, aiming to reduce transfers and public health risks.

Public Health & Environment: A new study says China’s 2018 plastic-waste import ban has pushed “waste colonialism” onto Latin America, flagging hotspots in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Paraguay, where limited capacity leaves tens of thousands of tons ending up in open dumps daily. Cancer Risk: A large UK study links drinking very hot tea and coffee with more than triple the risk of oesophageal cancer, urging people to let hot drinks cool. Caribbean Wellness & Mental Health: CARICOM marks Caribbean Wellness Day 2026 with a youth-focused message on mental and physical well-being, while St. Lucia highlights free community counselling options and referral pathways. Healthcare Access in Prisons: Barbados opens an improved medical unit at the Bordelais Correctional Facility to reduce transfers and strengthen inmate care. HIV Stigma: Brazil’s HIV advocates push back against stigma, sharing how treatment-resistant cases and social rejection can derail lives. Health Systems Watch: A Cuban investigation into healthcare privatization and corruption is a finalist for the Roche Health Journalism Award. Clinical Research (Eating Disorders): A Peru–Costa Rica scoping review finds Latin American eating-disorder intake swings wildly, with nutrient shortfalls tied to binge and bulimia patterns.

Caribbean Youth Wellness Push: CARICOM marked Caribbean Wellness Day 2026 with a focus on youth empowerment, mental and physical well-being, and tackling non-communicable diseases that drive about 75% of deaths in 2024. Men’s Health & Screening: The region also urged men to discuss prostate cancer risk and screening with their doctors, noting many early cases show no symptoms. Prison Healthcare Upgrade: St. Lucia’s Ministry of Health opened an improved medical unit at the Bordelais Correctional Facility to deliver routine and urgent care on-site, easing transfers and reducing public health and security risks. HIV Stigma Fight (Brazil): A report from Rio highlighted how people living with HIV are still facing fear and social rejection, even as advocates push for better knowledge and support. Eating Disorders in LATAM: A scoping review found extreme calorie swings among people with eating disorders in Latin America, with nutrient shortfalls that can worsen health outcomes. Cuban Health System Scrutiny: A Cuban investigation into healthcare privatization and corruption reached the Roche Health Journalism Award shortlist. Mexico Cannabis Rule Clarified: Mexico’s Supreme Court allowed authorized adults to prepare cannabis edibles for personal use, while keeping clear limits against commercial products.

HIV Stigma in Focus: In Rio, advocates including former rugby star Gareth Thomas and São Paulo organizer Welton Gabriel are pushing back on fear and isolation around HIV, sharing how stigma delayed care even when treatment-resistant cases were involved. Drug Safety Warning: A Ghana-based report raises alarms about scopolamine (“zombie” drug) possibly showing up in real-world assaults, urging stronger public awareness and protection. Cancer Risk, Everyday Habits: A large UK study links drinking very hot tea/coffee to more than triple the risk of oesophageal cancer, reinforcing the need to let hot drinks cool. Caribbean Youth Wellness: CARICOM’s secretary-general calls for urgent action on youth mental and physical well-being as non-communicable diseases drive most Caribbean deaths. HIV + Health Systems Accountability: A Cuban investigation into healthcare privatization and corruption is a Roche Health Journalism Award finalist, spotlighting how “free” care can become a market of privileges. Clinical Trial Milestone: MEDIPAL and JCR report first dosing in a global Phase I/II trial for JR-446 in Sanfilippo syndrome type B, a condition with no approved treatment. Chagas Tech Breakthrough: Researchers report AI that can classify Chagas disease stage using multiple data types, aiming to improve early detection where symptoms are often silent.

Bat DNA Longevity Research: A new Nature study links longer-lived bat species to stronger immune-related gene activity, hinting that immune performance against both infections and cancer may help explain lifespan. Caribbean Mental Health Access: Saint Lucia is expanding stigma reduction while pointing residents to free, community-based counselling via nurses, with referrals for more intensive care when needed. Caribbean Youth Wellness Push: CARICOM’s secretary-general urges action on youth wellness as non-communicable diseases drive most Caribbean deaths, with many young adults facing overweight, high blood pressure, heavy alcohol use, and low physical activity. Clinical Trial Milestone (MPS IIIB): MEDIPAL and JCR Pharmaceuticals report dosing the first patient in a global Phase I/II trial of JR-446 for Sanfilippo syndrome type B, an ultra-rare, currently untreated neurodegenerative disorder. Chagas Detection via AI: Researchers report near-perfect staging of Chagas disease using graph neural networks that combine multiple data types, aiming to improve early, reliable diagnosis in a region where the disease is widespread. Mexico Cannabis Edibles Ruling: Mexico’s Supreme Court allows authorized adults to prepare cannabis/THC foods for personal consumption, drawing clear limits against selling or making regulated products. Breast Cancer Steps Challenge (Montserrat): Pink Ribbon Charity urges participation in a 100 Million Step Challenge for Caribbean Wellness Day, supporting youth health and breast cancer awareness. Latin America Pharma Manufacturing (Argentina): Aptar Pharma transfers and commissions preservative-free pump production in Berazategui, Argentina, to expand access to preservative-free nasal formulations across 15 countries. Rabies Exposure Alert (US): The CDC warns of a nationwide rise in rabies exposures and post-exposure prophylaxis needs, highlighting the importance of careful risk assessment. Ecuador COVID-19 Corruption Case: A court sentences former President Abdalá Bucaram and his son over alleged irregular COVID-19 test-kit and medical-supply sales during the pandemic.

Respiratory Care in Focus: Glenmark launched RYALTRIS® nasal spray in Brazil for moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis, aiming at a huge patient pool (20–30% of Brazilians). Public Health & Climate Readiness: Israel’s Health Ministry ran drills for a potential “Godzilla” El Niño, testing responses to floods, storms, and system outages. Health Workforce Policy: Panama is preparing to cut medical internships from two years to one, arguing most countries in the region already use shorter training models. Healthcare Access & Capacity: Novant Health added two board-certified pulmonologists in Thomasville to expand care for asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, lung cancer, and more. Accountability in Health Supplies: Ecuador’s court sentenced former President Abdalá Bucaram and his son to prison over alleged COVID-19 corruption tied to irregular sale of rapid tests and medical supplies. Mental Health Urgency: Trinidad and Tobago’s psychologists warn the country can no longer ignore a suicide crisis, citing hundreds of deaths over recent years. Disease & Environment Watch: Florida health officials are investigating a possible dengue death as locally acquired cases rise. Data Sovereignty for Care: A new guide highlights how Latin American banks and healthcare providers are tightening control over cloud data location and access.

Medical Training Reform (Panama): Panama is preparing a bill to cut medical internships from two years to one, saying the longer track is uncommon across the region and that hospitals need adjustments to cover teaching. Cancer Care Capacity (Latin America): Canada’s first contribution to the IAEA’s “Rays of Hope” will fund training for isotope and radiopharmaceutical production for leaders from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. Public Health & Disease Risk (Caribbean/Latin America): Trinidad and Tobago psychologists say the country can’t ignore its suicide crisis, while health officials elsewhere are watching mosquito-borne threats like dengue and other infections. Mental Health & Prevention (Caribbean): World Suicide Prevention Day messaging urges open conversations to reduce stigma and improve intervention. Healthcare Access & Tech (Costa Rica): Nanox expands in Costa Rica via a distribution deal to bring its Nanox.ARC 3D imaging system to public and private providers. Wildlife Oversight (Florida, linked to South America): Florida proposes tougher sloth rules after reports of mass deaths of imported sloths from South America.

Medical Imaging Expansion: Nanox inked a Costa Rica distribution deal with SOLME to bring its Nanox.ARC 3D digital tomosynthesis system to public and private hospitals, with registration starting via a six-month point-of-care phase. Public Health & Mental Health in Crisis: Reporting from Cuba highlights how daily shortages and instability are driving a growing psychological toll, with primary care doctors increasingly acting as de facto counselors. Infectious Disease Watch: A US travel-associated chikungunya update shows 89 cases linked to trips abroad with no local spread so far, shifting risk to travel planning and early fever-joint pain reporting. Cancer Prevention Tip: An Oxford study links “very hot” tea and coffee to a higher risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, urging people to let drinks cool. Caribbean Health & Resilience: After Venezuela’s earthquakes, UN partners are working to stabilize health and WASH systems for affected communities. Health Policy & Access: Trinidad and Tobago’s housing and infrastructure panel calls for tighter integration between where people live, work, transport, and where services and investment land. Healthcare Innovation Funding: India’s iKure secured $1.8M to scale primary care screening and continuous follow-up using community health workers and longitudinal digital records.

Yellow Fever Watch: WHO data show yellow fever cases in the Americas are popping up beyond usual risk zones, including areas where vaccination wasn’t routine—raising a timing issue for travelers heading to South America. Cancer Prevention: A large study links drinking very hot tea/coffee to about a threefold higher risk of oesophageal squamous cell cancer, with experts urging people to let hot drinks cool. Dengue Risk: Florida health officials are investigating a possible dengue-related death in Hillsborough County amid an unusually high local outbreak. Healthcare Access & Aid: Americares announced a record $50 million donation to expand medicines and support in high-need areas as US aid cuts strain global health programs. Regional Care Spotlight: Colombia’s Fundacion Santa Fe placed among the top hospitals in the IntelLat ranking, highlighting the country’s growing medical destination status. Mental Health Reliability: A study finds psychiatrists agree on diagnoses only about 55% of the time, underscoring concerns about misdiagnosis and treatment mismatch. Disaster Response (Venezuela): UN partners are working to restore health and WASH systems after June earthquakes, with millions affected and thousands of deaths reported.

Mental Health Crisis in Cuba: An AP report describes how sweltering nights, shortages, and weak services are pushing many Cubans to the breaking point, with doctors increasingly acting as de facto counselors as families cope with daily uncertainty. Cancer Prevention Warning: An Oxford/Cancer Research UK study links drinking very hot tea and coffee to higher risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, urging people to let drinks cool before drinking. Latin America Health Tech Expansion: Nanox says it has signed a distribution deal in Costa Rica and launched its first Nanox Imaging Network site, adding momentum for imaging access across Latin America. Healthcare Innovation & Access: PAHO-backed work to map dog and cat populations aims to help countries in Latin America and the Caribbean prevent rabies and other zoonotic diseases with better data. Market Watch (Digital Health): A patient portal market forecast projects rapid growth through 2035, driven by enforcement of electronic access rules and cloud migration economics. Public Health Risk (Tobacco): New analysis highlights that second-hand smoke exposure in sub-Saharan Africa nearly doubled since 1990, with major health losses.

Mercury & Food Safety in the Amazon: Mongabay Latam’s new analysis links mercury contamination to fish-based diets, finding many Indigenous and riverside communities in Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil exceed WHO-safe limits—prompting families to change meals and raising concerns for children and pregnant people. Dementia Prevention in Latin America: A Lancet trial (LatAm-FINGERS) across 11 countries found a structured, coached lifestyle program improved cognition far more than lighter-touch advice, using culturally adapted exercise and nutrition. Cuba Blockade Impact: Cuba’s foreign minister renewed claims that the U.S. blockade amounts to collective punishment, citing daily-life harm from fuel limits and blackouts. Health Tech & Care Models: Emboss Specialty rebranded to emphasize value-based specialty management for health plans, while Abbott’s TactiFlex Duo catheter gained FDA approval for AFib treatment. Public Health & Environment: Coverage also flags plastic pollution as a growing health crisis across Latin America and reports on wildlife trade pressures tied to the Amazon.

Dementia Care Trial (LatAm-FINGERS): A two-year randomized study in 11 Latin American countries found structured, hands-on coaching improved cognition 55% more than general health advice—both groups got lifestyle support, but the more closely supervised program performed better. Aging & Social Support in Bogotá: Colombia’s capital is trying to adapt to rapid population aging as homelessness among older adults rises, with officials pushing tighter links between health and social care. Caribbean Health Summit: A new one-day CariHealth 2026 summit in Miami (Sept. 17) will focus on Caribbean health system delivery, investment, and reform, aiming for more resilient, accessible, climate-ready care. Dengue Watch (Florida, with regional relevance): Florida mosquito-control agencies are ramping up surveillance and spraying as locally acquired dengue cases climb, underscoring ongoing mosquito-borne risk across the region. Public Health & Tobacco Smoke: A Lancet Public Health analysis reports 2.71 billion people worldwide still exposed to second-hand smoke in 2023, with 1.6 million deaths linked to passive smoking. Cuba Health Strain Claim: Cuba’s foreign minister again blamed the U.S. blockade for worsening health outcomes, citing impacts on infant mortality and access to hospital supplies.

Cuba Health Crisis: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez called the U.S. blockade a “silent genocide,” citing rising infant mortality (from 4 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 9.9 in 2025) and reports that thousands of shipping containers with food, medicine, and hospital supplies have been seized. Prison Healthcare Access: In Haiti’s Caribbean region, Jamaica is pushing modernization of justice and corrections, while in Aruba the ABV union says Horacio Oduber Hospital’s dialysis unit is in an emergency due to a growing funding deficit and is urging ministerial intervention. Caribbean Public Health Capacity: CARPHA marked World Field Epidemiology Day, highlighting training and a One Health approach to strengthen outbreak response across member states. Infectious Disease Watch: Dengue risk is rising in Florida, with officials stepping up mosquito surveillance and spraying as locally acquired cases climb. Cancer & Chronic Care: A new global analysis warns cancer cases could surge 67% by 2050, and a study on inflammatory bowel disease finds tropical IBD patterns vary widely beyond geography alone. Food Safety & Environment: Research from Mexico’s Campeche coast reports microplastics in nearly all sampled Maya octopus specimens, raising concerns for seafood and ecosystem health.

Screwworm Response: The U.S. has released its billionth sterile fly to fight the New World screwworm, with operations in Mexico and Panama aimed at stopping the flesh-eating pest that has already spread north and threatens livestock and food supplies. Regional Health Tech: A new report argues BRICS is helping the Global South use AI for real-world services like healthcare access, tailoring tools to local infrastructure rather than one-size-fits-all models. Sickle Cell Care in the Caribbean: The Bahamas Sickle Cell Association is moving from awareness to action with a planned holistic sickle cell center, highlighting the need for better support and blood donation. Food Safety & Packaging: A study finds most food-contact chemicals have too little public safety information, raising concerns about pesticide and PFAS-related risks from packaging. Cancer Outlook: A global analysis projects cancer cases rising sharply by 2050, underscoring prevention, earlier diagnosis, and access to care. Environment Meets Health: Research finds microplastics in nearly all Maya octopus samples off Mexico’s Campeche coast, linking pollution to seafood and ecosystem risk. Kidney Crisis in Central America: Reporting spotlights mesoamerican nephropathy, a growing chronic kidney disease affecting people along Central America’s Pacific coast and also in the U.S., with causes still under study. Brain Health in Latin America: A two-year, culturally adapted lifestyle program across 11 Latin American countries improved cognitive outcomes, especially with more structured coaching. Public Health Data for Rabies: PAHO is rolling out a new tool to estimate dog and cat populations across Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen rabies and zoonotic disease prevention. Sick Leave for Prevention: A Bahamian nursing initiative is equipping future nurses with laptops to strengthen training and patient care. Sickle Cell Blood Demand (UK): The NHS is urging blood donors as demand for sickle cell treatment outpaces supply, with a focus on donors of black heritage. Microplastics & Seafood: The Campeche findings add urgency to marine pollution monitoring tied to human exposure.

Blood & Sickle Cell Care: The UK’s NHS Blood and Transplant says it can meet only about half the blood demand for sickle cell treatment and is urgently calling for more donors, especially people of black heritage, as it marks 20 years of newborn screening. Brain Health in Latin America: A large Alzheimer’s Association-funded study across 11 Latin American countries found culturally adapted lifestyle programs improved memory and thinking over two years, with the biggest gains among participants getting more structured coaching. Dengue Vaccine Update (Brazil): Brazil’s real-world evaluation of TAK-003 (Qdenga) reports protection doesn’t fade after one year, with strong results against symptomatic dengue and hospitalizations in São Paulo adolescents. Water & Health Crisis (Cuba): The U.S. embassy in Havana issued a health alert over a rise in diarrheal illness tied to worsening water and electricity infrastructure, complicating sanitation and food safety. Sexual Violence Burden: A global study estimates 1 in 5 women and about 1 in 6 men experienced sexual violence before age 18, underscoring long-term mental health and wellbeing risks. Central America Kidney Crisis: Reporting highlights mesoamerican nephropathy, a chronic kidney disease affecting workers along the Pacific coast, with suspected links to heat stress, agrochemicals, and dehydration.