Latest news with #underserved
Medscape
04-08-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Diabetes Technology Updates: We Should Be Proud
This transcript has been edited for clarity. Technology was once again at the front and center of the recent American Diabetes Association (ADA) meetings. Now, I'm not going to go through all of the details of all that was presented, but I think we should all be proud, as part of the diabetes community, in terms of where we've come and where we're going because our ability to use technology and help our patients has really made a difference. In many studies that were presented — and many of them were real-world data with all sorts of different automated insulin delivery (AID) systems and such — we really saw improvements in outcomes. I think this further cements our recommendations that these kinds of tools should be used in people with type 1 diabetes and insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes. My sadness to much of this is the difficulty in getting some of these devices for underresourced patients and the fact that, to some degree, technology does worsen some of the divide between those who are well-served and those who are underserved. I know these tools can be used to help everybody, and I think that regardless of socioeconomic status we can use these, but we need to be sure to use them in the appropriate context with the appropriate support. Suffice it to say that almost any system you want to look up was discussed, and pretty much all systems provide benefit in our patients with diabetes. It's true for patients with type 2 diabetes who are and aren't on insulin, as well as people who take insulin. There were even interesting abstracts about people who don't have diabetes yet, who have prediabetes, who are using the devices that they can get over the counter. This is a field that's evolving, and at each ADA meeting, there are even more interesting bits of data that you can learn as you go through the meeting. In addition to data on AID systems, there were data on continuous glucose monitoring use in a wide variety of settings, which included people with type 2 diabetes who weren't on insulin, people with prediabetes, and even people using the over-the-counter systems. We have much to learn from all the data that are being aggregated. It makes me happy because I've been such a fan of diabetes technology since it came on the market, and I think it's really spread out to help many people. The downside to this is that there are many people who don't have access to these expensive tools, and I think there's a large amount of effort that's been made both by the ADA and others to expand access. I think it's important that people recognize that we want to provide access to the tools that people need to appropriately manage their diabetes no matter what their socioeconomic status. Now, in terms of one specific device, I'm going to discuss the twiist system (Sequel Med Tech). The reason I'm discussing this is because it's just about to come on that market. It's a pump that's actually a circle, and it's called 'twiist' because it twists. It's different from other pump systems. It's designed by Dean Kamen, who is the man who designed the first Medtronic pumps, and it's got some interesting features. First of all, it uses the Loop algorithm. This is the do-it-yourself algorithm that was developed a while ago that has many features, including the fact that it's got a large amount of adjustability so you can set varying targets. I think it's a pretty good algorithm. I haven't used it with this pump yet, but my feeling is that embedded in the pump and used as an AID system, it's going to be very helpful. This pump also has an occlusion alert so that if there's an occlusion to the insulin delivery, it's going to make noise so that patients are alerted to this. It worries me a little bit because I think patients get occlusions all the time — like they sit funny and the catheter kinks or something. I think that for really bad occlusion issues, where people's glucose levels start to go to the 300s and 400s and they have to do troubleshooting, this might alert people in advance before they become very hyperglycemic so they can change out the infusion set. I think it's an interesting concept, this occlusion alarm. I think it's interesting that this pump uses the Loop algorithm, which is now FDA approved. It's a different pump in that it is physically different. It is a tethered pump, but I think that our patients are going to find this interesting and we're going to need to see how they like it because I can never tell for sure what I think about something until my patients tell me. It does work with the FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus, and that's what it's going to be launched with in terms of the sensor. It will also work with the Eversense 1-year implantable sensor within the next several months. Eventually, it will also integrate with the Abbott dual glucose ketone sensor. I think there are going to be many interesting different ways in which to use this, and we'll see what patients think and how it worked. They did present data from two trials. One, a small investigator-led study, and one, some real-world data, which showed that the pump was effective and there were improvements in time in range without a significant increase in time below range. This sounds promising. I love that my patients have more options, and we'll see what happens as our patients begin to use it and give us feedback. This has been Dr Anne Peters, for Medscape.
Fast Company
17-07-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
The AI-native nonprofit era is coming
'I can't believe it only took a week.' That's what a nonprofit leader will say in 2030 after launching an AI -powered platform that reaches millions of people. Not through a huge team or a multi-million dollar grant, but with a handful of staff and volunteers, and the right AI strategy. This isn't the melody of the future; it's already happening. Organizations that start preparing now will hold a massive advantage, because tomorrow's AI-native nonprofits won't just operate faster. They'll solve problems at a scale we've never seen before. The gap between AI-curious and AI-transformed Walk into most nonprofit Zoom calls today and you'll find teams experimenting with ChatGPT for grant writing, and maybe a Zapier automation connecting their CRM to their email platform. A recent survey showed that nonprofits may be incorporating AI more quickly than private companies, as 58% of nonprofits are using it for communications (versus 47% for B2C companies). Also, 68% of nonprofits are leveraging AI for data analysis, higher than the 64% of B2C brands doing so. But there's a canyon-sized gap between using AI tools and actually transforming how an organization works. Real transformation looks different. Take Operation Fistula, which uses predictive analytics to identify women most at risk of obstetric fistula in underserved regions. Its AI model helped target interventions five times more efficiently than traditional outreach methods. Or consider Amnesty International's use of machine learning for satellite image analysis in Darfur —tasks that previously took weeks now take hours. Yet for every success story, there are challenges that organizations must navigate carefully. Privacy concerns around beneficiary data, the digital divide that can exclude vulnerable populations, and the risk of algorithmic bias require responsible and ethical implementation strategies. 3 capabilities will define the future nonprofit workforce Imagine it's 2030, and you're stepping into a social impact organization that has fully embraced AI. Not just as a set of tools, but as a new way of working, and built from the ground up with AI at its core. The most effective nonprofit teams won't be split into tech versus nontech silos. Instead, they'll be organized around fluid, AI-enabled capabilities: Nontech specialists use general-purpose AI tools to enhance their core work-program officers who leverage AI for research synthesis, fundraisers who use it for donor analysis, and communications teams that employ it for multilingual content creation. Soft-tech builders understand workflows deeply enough to create lightweight automations within their domains. Think of a disaster response coordinator who builds an AI agent to monitor social media for crisis signals, or a volunteer coordinator who creates automated matching systems for skills-based volunteering. Tech orchestrators maintain the AI infrastructure, curate tool stacks, and develop the custom solutions that connect digital capabilities to real-world impact. These aren't job titles—they're capabilities that successful organizations distribute across teams, empowering programs, fundraising, and operations alike. 5 archetypes emerging in the nonprofit landscape Looking across the sector and at more than 2,000 nonprofits registered at Tech To The Rescue (which includes over 100 AI projects), organizations are clustering into five distinct approaches to AI adoption: Pioneers are building AI-native impact organizations from the ground up. Tarjimly exemplifies this approach. Their machine learning platform scaled refugee translation services from hundreds to tens of thousands of conversations per month, serving 10 times more people with the same operational resources. Scalers are established organizations undergoing coordinated AI transformation, with dedicated roles for AI integration and systematic process redesign. Explorers are experimenting with custom tools—AI-powered demand forecasting, automated volunteer scheduling, predictive analytics for program targeting—but without strategic integration across departments. Starters represent the majority of the sector: organizations just beginning to use general-purpose AI tools but lacking internal structure or capacity for deeper transformation. Community-based organizations remain focused on direct human relationships, slower to adopt AI, but still benefitting through partnerships with tech-enabled organizations. Each archetype faces the same fundamental question: What processes to automate, and where to stay deeply human? The road to AI-native nonprofits The first wave of transformation is here—nonprofits that recognized early how AI could fundamentally change their ability to serve vulnerable populations and unlock institutional knowledge at scale. Jacaranda Health demonstrates this approach: their AI-powered PROMPTS platform handles over 7,000 daily SMS messages from mothers across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing personalized maternal health guidance at just $0.74 per mother while identifying high-risk situations and triaging them to human agents within minutes. Ashoka transformed decades of institutional knowledge through AI. With nearly 20,000 pages of data from 4,000 social entrepreneur selection processes, they developed an AI tool that enables any staff member in 30 countries to explore their vast repository of social innovation insights through simple searches, rather than complex syntactic queries. Imagine the potential of organizations designed from the ground up for an AI reality—where personalization, prediction, and automation aren't added later, but form the DNA of every solution from day one. The implementation reality This transformation does not happen without aligned incentives and a serious acknowledgment of challenges and risks. Smart funders are shifting their approach, recognizing that organizations equipped to leverage AI effectively will create exponential impact per dollar invested. This means funding not just outcomes, but organizational capacity to transform: process standardization, team upskilling, and experimentation cyclesto ensure cross-disciplinary teams navigate the evolving AI governance landscape, manage cybersecurity risks, and ensure algorithmic fairness while maintaining community trust and data protection standards. For nonprofit leaders, the message is clear: Waiting for 'safe' templates is a luxury you can't afford. Early movers aren't just gaining operational advantages—they're setting the standards for what ambitious, AI-enabled impact looks like in their sectors. The future isn't about AI replacing nonprofits; it's about nonprofits reinventing themselves to operate at the scale our most pressing problems require. Climate change, inequality, and global health challenges need solutions that can reach millions, not thousands. The organizations that start building AI-native capabilities now will be the ones solving problems we can barely imagine today. If you're a funder or high-net-worth individual looking for leverage—this is it. AI-native nonprofits don't just need money; they need smart capital that accelerates experimentation, funds infrastructure, and backs the teams already proving what's possible. The next big leap in social impact will most probably come from funding the impact builders.
Entrepreneur
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Entrepreneur
Mufin Green Finance Raises USD 18 Mn to Expand EV Financing
Funds will be used to scale EV mobility financing and leasing solutions for the MSME sector. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Mufin Green Finance, a leading non-banking financial company (NBFC) focused on sustainable mobility, has secured USD 18 million in debt funding from a US-based financial institution. The long-term 10-year loan includes an immediate disbursement of USD 10 million, with the remaining USD 8 million expected over the next 12 months. The funds will be strategically deployed to scale Mufin's financing and leasing solutions for electric two-, three-, and four-wheelers, alongside supporting EV-related infrastructure. A key focus will be on extending credit to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in underserved and rural regions across India. "This funding is a major step forward for us," said Kapil Garg, Founder and Managing Director of Mufin Green. "It aligns perfectly with our mission to bridge the financing gap for electric vehicles in the MSME sector. With this capital, we can reach more underserved communities, provide better support, and strengthen the overall EV ecosystem." Founded in 2016 by Kapil Garg and Rajat Goyal, Mufin Green Finance is a subsidiary of Hindon Mercantile Limited and stands as India's first listed pure-play EV financing company. The company provides a comprehensive range of green financing solutions including loans for electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and swappable battery systems. With operations in 14 states and over 150 cities, Mufin claims to have disbursed over INR 350 crores (approximately USD 42 million) in loans to support EV adoption and income generation. To date, it has disbursed over USD 175 million and manages a USD 100 million portfolio spanning 26 Indian states. Significantly, 84% of Mufin's retail borrowers had never previously accessed formal credit. By focusing on the MSME sector and promoting financial inclusion, Mufin is not only enabling greener transportation but also empowering communities and boosting local economies. With its enhanced financial position, Mufin Green is poised to accelerate the green transition and make electric mobility more accessible across India.
Zawya
23-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Bitget and Cryptita Plays Inspire Next Generation with Young Learners' Encyclopedia
Global – Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced its collaboration with Cryptita Plays on the Young Learners' Encyclopedia, an illustrated book designed to introduce blockchain and crypto concepts to youths through engaging stories and visuals. The collaboration aligns perfectly with Bitget's Blockchain4Youth and Blockchain4Her, which aims to make blockchain education accessible to young people and underrepresented communities worldwide. The encyclopedia serves as a new channel to simplify complex topics and spark early curiosity in crypto in the next generation. Developed by Cryptita Plays, the Young Learners' Encyclopedia will break down key Web3 topics such as decentralization and NFTs in a manner that is both fun and digestible for young minds. The project is designed not only for children but also for educators looking to integrate future-facing content into their classrooms. As part of its outreach, the book will be distributed in underserved regions, starting with schools and community centers in the Philippines where access to blockchain education remains limited. Bitget's involvement reflects a broader strategy to encourage learning and innovation at the grassroots level. The encyclopedia will offer a hands-on, creative approach to education that supports early awareness and long-term participation in the digital economy. 'This book is more than just a creative educational tool. It is a bridge that connects the next generation to the world of Web3 through stories, illustrations, and imagination,' said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. 'It speaks to the heart of what Blockchain4Youth and Blockchain4Her stands for — empowering the youth, and elevating the voices of the underrepresented who are driving real change in this space. The future of Web3 belongs to them and it begins here.'. Further details on the distribution of the Young Learners' Encyclopedia will be announced in due course, with a target launch by the end of 2025. Initial distribution will begin in the Philippines, with plans for global rollout to follow. About Bitget Established in 2018, Bitget is the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more. Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World's Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.
