Latest news with #AHEAD
Cision Canada
26-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Empowering Canadians with type 2 diabetes: Program highlights the power of education and allied health Français
BURLINGTON, ON, May 26, 2025 /CNW/ - New outcomes from Boehringer Ingelheim Canada's Access for Health Education and Disease Management (AHEAD) program underscores the essential role that allied health professionals and disease management education play in the lives of Canadians living with type 2 diabetes (T2D). According to a 2025 survey, Boehringer's innovative national program, AHEAD, has helped patients become active partners in their care by improving their understanding and self-management of their own health conditions. "The program has been instrumental in enhancing patient education at our clinic. Having resources on-site, where patients are comfortable and familiar with the staff, has removed barriers to access and created a positive patient experience," said Dr. Matthew D'Mello, Community Family Physician at the Glazier Medical Clinic in Oshawa, Ontario. A survey of the participating allied healthcare professionals revealed that 97 per cent of respondents felt the AHEAD program addressed a specific gap or need, with patients reporting an 88 per cent improvement in their quality of life and a 92 per cent enhancement in disease management. AHEAD was implemented in over 70 primary and specialty care clinics across Canada for the duration of 2024, reaching about 3,200 patients. The program focused on optimizing disease management through guideline-directed medical therapy, seeking to improve health outcomes with the potential to reduce rehospitalization rates, and decrease emergency department visits. Educators offered culturally diverse, accessible support, allowing participants to receive care how and where it was most impactful for them. "I am grateful for the incredible opportunity provided by the AHEAD program. It has enabled me to educate patients about their diabetes focusing on self-management, setting realistic goals, identifying individual barriers, and offering solutions to positively impact their health journeys," said Mrudula Golla, a pharmacist and diabetes educator in Oshawa, Ontario "We are excited to see the implementation of the AHEAD program has succeeded in addressing the needs of people living with type 2 diabetes," says Dr. Rasha Eldesouky Abouelabbas, Vice President, Medical and Regulatory Affairs Boehringer Ingelheim Canada. "As a system collaborator, Boehringer is proud to continue investing in programs like AHEAD to address critical gaps in the healthcare system, making a meaningful impact in the lives of patients and the system as a whole." Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry's top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. More than 53,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable tomorrow. The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 500 people across Canada. Learn more at
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Empowering Canadians with type 2 diabetes: Program highlights the power of education and allied health
BURLINGTON, ON, May 26, 2025 /CNW/ - New outcomes from Boehringer Ingelheim Canada's Access for Health Education and Disease Management (AHEAD) program underscores the essential role that allied health professionals and disease management education play in the lives of Canadians living with type 2 diabetes (T2D). According to a 2025 survey, Boehringer's innovative national program, AHEAD, has helped patients become active partners in their care by improving their understanding and self-management of their own health conditions. "The program has been instrumental in enhancing patient education at our clinic. Having resources on-site, where patients are comfortable and familiar with the staff, has removed barriers to access and created a positive patient experience," said Dr. Matthew D'Mello, Community Family Physician at the Glazier Medical Clinic in Oshawa, Ontario. A survey of the participating allied healthcare professionals revealed that 97 per cent of respondents felt the AHEAD program addressed a specific gap or need, with patients reporting an 88 per cent improvement in their quality of life and a 92 per cent enhancement in disease management. AHEAD was implemented in over 70 primary and specialty care clinics across Canada for the duration of 2024, reaching about 3,200 patients. The program focused on optimizing disease management through guideline-directed medical therapy, seeking to improve health outcomes with the potential to reduce rehospitalization rates, and decrease emergency department visits. Educators offered culturally diverse, accessible support, allowing participants to receive care how and where it was most impactful for them. "I am grateful for the incredible opportunity provided by the AHEAD program. It has enabled me to educate patients about their diabetes focusing on self-management, setting realistic goals, identifying individual barriers, and offering solutions to positively impact their health journeys," said Mrudula Golla, a pharmacist and diabetes educator in Oshawa, Ontario "We are excited to see the implementation of the AHEAD program has succeeded in addressing the needs of people living with type 2 diabetes," says Dr. Rasha Eldesouky Abouelabbas, Vice President, Medical and Regulatory Affairs Boehringer Ingelheim Canada. "As a system collaborator, Boehringer is proud to continue investing in programs like AHEAD to address critical gaps in the healthcare system, making a meaningful impact in the lives of patients and the system as a whole." Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry's top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. More than 53,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable tomorrow. The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 500 people across Canada. Learn more at SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd. View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bumps AHEAD: Trump administration evaluating Maryland's authority to set Medicare rates
A look at Western Maryland Hospital Center in Washington County. (File photo by Hannah Gaskill/Maryland Matters) The Trump administration has signaled an interest in reining in Maryland's ability to set rates for Medicare services – an authority the state has held for about 40 years. Maryland's system, unusual among states, gives the state significant say over the costs of health care services across different coverage plans to keep costs low and consistent, in what's known as the States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development, or AHEAD, model. But advocates worry that the feds' apparent interest in changing who sets Medicare rates could disrupt health care payments for consumers, governments and providers. Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) told reporters this week that he was 'cautiously concerned' about the future of Maryland's health care system while those negotiations continue between federal and state health officials. 'I don't want to over-index anything … There's reason to be concerned that there are going to be substantial changes,' he said. The state's ability to set Medicare rates has been in place for about 40 years under a waiver granted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). In the time since, the state's health care system has evolved and the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission now determines the rates for care across all hospitals in the state, so that health care service costs are similar whether someone has private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. But the current iteration of that payment system, called Total Cost of Care, is set to end in December 2025. Last November, Maryland entered into an agreement with the Biden administration to continue under the similar AHEAD system. The AHEAD model was actually based on Maryland's Total Cost of Care model and similar systems in other states, due to its success in reducing health care costs. But the Trump administration is now talking about taking another look at that arrangement and possibly making some changes. Specifically, federal officials are interested in removing Maryland's ability to set rates for Medicare services While current talks focus on Medicare rates, there could be ripple effects on rates for Medicaid and private insurance due to the state's all-payer model that aims to keep costs for health care consistent across the board, according to health care advocates. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees CMMI, did not confirm whether the Trump administration plans to end Maryland's rate-setting authority for Medicare, but reiterated that 'subject to discussions with State authorities,' the AHEAD model is currently set to begin in January 2026. Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani, a former CMS official in the Biden administration, said that those discussions are ongoing. 'Since the change in federal administration, the Maryland Department of Health has been in direct discussions about the future of the model, working with CMMI and in-state stakeholders to align the Maryland model with federal priorities to deliver high-quality outcomes for all Marylanders,' Seshamani said Wednesday. 'The administration will not comment further, given that discussions are ongoing and confidential.' There may be opportunities where CMMI and the state can find common ground over shared goals like preventing and reducing chronic disease, experts say, though it is unclear where negotiations will land at this moment. Gene Ransom, CEO for MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society, believes it is not time to panic, and that there is still opportunity for the state and the Trump administration to 'meet in the middle' — even if CMMI officials signal interest in changing the rate-setting process for Medicare. And despite his 'cautious concern,' Ferguson said he hopes that any changes that come down on the state's current health care plan will still help lower health care costs for Marylanders while pushing for greater quality of care. 'There could be changes that don't have a dramatic impact on the financial stability of our marketplace for health care,' he said. 'I am hopeful that those in charge of CMS and CMMI will see the benefit that the Maryland model has provided for lowering costs over time,' he said, noting that there may be 'important updates' in the next few weeks.
Asia Times
15-04-2025
- Asia Times
Bullet Curtain: China's answer to US drone swarms in a Taiwan war
China just pulled the trigger on the future of air defense with its new 'Bullet Curtain' system—a drone swarm killer that aims to clear the sky with a storm of bullets. This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China recently unveiled its Bullet Curtain system, the world's first close-in anti-drone barrage weapon developed by state-owned Norinco, as revealed in the April 2025 edition of Modern Weaponry magazine. Unlike traditional single-point interception systems, Bullet Curtain uses 35mm advanced hit efficiency and destruction (AHEAD) ammunition to unleash timed airbursts of sub-projectiles, forming a dense wall of shrapnel that can neutralize drone swarms, cruise missiles, mortar rounds and aircraft. The system's 'plane-to-point' interception method allows for blanket saturation of attack zones—a capability Norinco chief designer Yun Bin has likened to a fly swatter regarding area coverage. Bullet Curtain integrates radar, optical detection, fire control and management systems into a modular design, enabling compatibility with various platforms, including trucks, armored vehicles, naval ships and fixed installations. Inspired by Metal Storm, a joint US-Australia concept from the 1990s, Norinco has advanced the prototype into a cost-effective operational system. Its modular adaptability ensures deployment flexibility across diverse combat scenarios. Amid rising concerns over drone swarm tactics designed to overwhelm traditional defenses, live demonstrations of Bullet Curtain have reportedly proven effective. Jake Rinaldi and Jake Vartanian highlight the weaknesses of traditional defenses against drone swarms in a January 2025 article for the Strategic Studies Institute (SSI). The writers mention that China's conventional air defenses, such as the HQ-17 surface-to-air missile and PGZ-95 antiaircraft artillery, effectively target specific unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) types but struggle with small, slow, low-altitude drones, face high costs and rapid ammunition depletion. Rinaldi and Vartanian mention that jamming technologies, such as those mounted on rifles and vehicles, are versatile but increasingly limited by autonomous UAVs' reduced signal dependence and susceptibility to swarms. They add that while smoke screens are mobile and effective in obscuration, they are short-lived and impractical against large-scale attacks. Furthermore, they state that counter-swarm UAVs, such as the CH-901 loitering munition, show promise in countering drones but remain a nascent tactic with limited munitions and evolving strategies. They also note that aerial nets offer nondestructive capture for intelligence but are limited by performance against high-speed targets and dynamic scenarios. Rinaldi and Vartanian say that advanced laser systems, like the LW-30, provide cost-efficient and rapid engagement of drone swarms but require clear lines of sight and significant power, posing logistical challenges. They point out that China's counter-UAS capabilities exhibit critical vulnerabilities, such as insufficient scalability, limited endurance in saturation scenarios and reliance on traditional methods ill-suited for modern UAV swarm operations. However, Bullet Curtain may have significant advantages over China's existing counter-UAS capabilities. Ranjana Nallamalli and other writers, in a July 2023 article in the peer-reviewed Defense Science Journal, stress the effectiveness of systems like China's AHEAD, noting their ability to generate dense fragment fields that lower accuracy requirements and neutralize multiple small drones efficiently. Such a system may be necessary for China considering the US's plans to use drone swarms in a possible Taiwan conflict. In May 2022, The War Zone (TWZ) mentioned that US Air Force and RAND Corporation simulations highlight drone swarms as decisive in Taiwan defense scenarios. According to the report, low-cost, autonomous UAVs linked by distributed mesh networks rapidly identify and strike Chinese targets like invasion fleets and transport aircraft, even without air superiority. These UAVs, acting as sensors, jammers, and decoys, exhaust enemy air defenses while enabling stealth operations by manned aircraft such as F-35s. In August 2023, the US Department of Defense (DOD) unveiled the Replicator initiative, which targets China's military buildup by leveraging thousands of attritable, autonomous systems across all domains within 18 to 24 months. According to the DOD, these unmanned, cost-efficient systems are designed to offset China's strategic advantage on a military scale, comprised of its mass of ships, missiles, and personnel. The DOD says that by relying on innovation and autonomy, the US aims to create a 'mass of our own' combining rapid production and deployment capabilities with reduced human risk. In line with its Replicator initiative, in May 2024, the DOD chose to accelerate the fielding of the Switchblade-600 loitering munition, produced by AeroVironment Inc, as part of its first tranche of Replicator capabilities. As for the second tranche of Replicator drones, the DOD announced in November 2024 that systems under consideration include Anduril Industries' Ghost-X and the Performance Drone Works C-100 systems. As to how the US plans to use its Replicator drone swarms, the chief of US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Admiral Samuel Paparo, mentions in a June 2024 Washington Post article that he intends to turn the Taiwan Strait into an unmanned 'hellscape' to allow at least a month for US forces to get ready. That timing may prove critical, as Timothy Heath and other writers mention in a June 2023 RAND report that Taiwan is vulnerable to defeat in the first 90 days of a Chinese invasion. According to Heath and others, that timeframe is the minimum required for the US to marshal sufficient forces for a major combat intervention in East Asia. Further, Bonny Lin and other writers predict in an August 2024 report for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) that China could sustain major combat operations against Taiwan for six months. But could the US actually pull off its 'hellscape' strategy in the Taiwan Strait? In a June 2024 report for the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), Stacie Pettyjohn and other writers mention that drone range and cost go hand in hand. Pettyjohn and others say that while the US needs vast numbers of cheap, expendable units, they may not have the range to reach the Taiwan Strait launched from bases in Japan, Guam and the Philippines. They also point out that this approach conflicts with the DOD's historical preference for fewer, more sophisticated systems. Moreover, Pettyjohn and others add that it is doubtful if the US defense industrial base, currently struggling to produce enough munitions, could produce enough drones for a long war with China.
South China Morning Post
11-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Chinese weapons giant develops anti-drone barrage system to counter wartime swarm tactics
China has unveiled the world's first close-in anti-drone barrage weapon system, a groundbreaking innovation against drone swarms and high-speed missiles, according to its developer. Advertisement The Bullet Curtain system, developed by China's largest arms maker Norinco, employs a unique 'plane-to-point' interception method, creating a wall of projectiles to blanket incoming targets with overlapping firepower. It was revealed in the April edition of the Norinco publication Modern Weaponry. 01:15 Ukraine strikes Moscow with its biggest drone attack ahead of ceasefire talks with US Ukraine strikes Moscow with its biggest drone attack ahead of ceasefire talks with US 'Imagine the target is a fly. The traditional air-defence interception is like throwing stones at the fly continuously … and now the barrage system is like swinging a fly swatter, which covers the entire area where the fly may move,' Yu Bin, the chief designer of the system, said in the report. 'While traditional air-defence weapons only hit at a single point, we are building a canopy capable of countering a saturation attack,' he said. The barrage system features a 4x4 tight arrangement of 35mm gun barrels for various types of ammunition to deliver an unprecedented rate of fire while maintaining quick reload capabilities, according to the article. Advertisement It fires 35mm advanced hit efficiency and destruction (AHEAD) ammunition that spits hundreds of sub-projectiles each to form a barrage against drones. For larger and faster targets, such as missiles, Yu said the team had developed new 'serial and parallel ammunition'. The system also integrates radar, an optical detection system, fire-control system, integrated management system and ammunition with the platform.
