WHO releases AI ethics and governance guidance
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidance on the ethics and governance of large multi-modal models (LMMs).
LMMs are a type of fast-growing generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology with applications across healthcare.
The guidance outlines more than 40 recommendations for governments, technology companies, and health care providers.
LMMs have been adopted faster than any consumer application in history, with several platforms – such as ChatGPT, Bard and Bert – entering the public consciousness in 2023.
Access the full guidance via the WHO website here.
UK Poverty 2024 report
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published a report into poverty in the UK. Key findings in the report include:
- More than 1 in 5 people in the UK were in poverty in 2021/22
- Children consistently have the highest poverty rates
- The percentage of people in 'deep poverty' has increased
The report also highlights groups facing particularly high levels of poverty. These include:
- Families with three or more children
- Many minority ethnic groups
- Disabled people
- People with a long-term mental health condition
- Informal carers
Read the full report via the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website here.
ABPI welcomes life sciences plan
PIF partner the ABPI has welcomed the Labour Party's life sciences plan.
Published this week, the plan aims to transform how medical treatments are discovered and delivered.
It emphasises the need to encourage investment in the pharmaceutical sector.
Read the full ABPI response here.
Decision aids for treatment or screening decisions
Cochrane has published an update to its review on healthcare decision aids.
The update is accompanied by an editorial and a summary podcast which explains the key changes in under four minutes.
Read a summary of the update and new assets on the Cochrane website here.
UK population study reveals impact of COVID-19 under-vaccination
A study of of 67 million people across all four UK nations has revealed the consequences of missed COVID-19 vaccines.
The COALESCE study found more than a third of the UK population had not received the recommended number of COVID vaccinations and boosters by summer 2022.
It suggests more than 7,000 hospitalisations and deaths might have been averted in summer 2022 if the UK had better vaccine coverage.
The research was led by Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) and the University of Edinburgh.
Read more via the HDR UK website here.
Towards a Scottish Declaration on deafblindness
Deafblind Scotland is campaigning for the adoption of a formal definition of deafblindness in Scotland.
The charity is working with the Cross-party Group on Deafness to gather support for the campaign.
Read the proposed definition and find out how to support the campaign here.
Treating children as people, not statistics
In this blog, Rukhshana Kapasi, director of health at Barnardo’s says daily exposure to the health challenges faced by children and young people can lead to compassion fatigue.
However, if we start to think of people as statistics, we can lost opportunities for an effective, caring healthcare system that works well for everyone.
Read the full blog via The King's Fund website here.
Event: NICE's new approach to prioritising guidance
PIF member NICE is hosting a free webinar to share how it is considering health and care needs based on robust system intelligence.
The event is a chance to learn more about how NICE will work with key external stakeholders to focus on guidance that will make the most impact and address user needs.