The HEALTH | July-August. 2026

The procedure was carried out by Dr Justin Newman at Orthopedic Centers of Colorado, marking the expansion of the company ' s late-stage clinical programme into the United States. According to the company, the US Food and Drug Administration has agreed that this single pivotal study, supported by evidence from previous Phase III trials in South Korea and Japan together with Korean real-world data, could form the basis of a planned Biologics License Application.

The trial is enrolling adults aged 18 to 75 with knee cartilage lesions and osteoarthritis to assess the clinical efficacy of the investigational therapy and its potential to improve symptoms linked to cartilage damage.

Knee osteoarthritis affects more than 32 million adults and is commonly associated with pain, reduced

JOINT HEALTH: The launch of a Phase III clinical trial marks a new stage in evaluating an investigational regenerative therapy for knee cartilage defects

THE World Health Organisation( WHO) has issued updated global guidelines aimed at helping countries prevent or delay dementia, saying that up to 45 per cent of dementia risk could be reduced by addressing modifiable factors throughout life.

More than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Alzheimer ' s disease accounts for an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of cases.

" We know more today than ever before about what drives dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action," said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

" Countries now have clear, evidence-based recommendations they can put into practice immediately to protect people ' s cognitive health."

The guidelines recommend increasing physical activity, stopping tobacco use, reducing alcohol consumption, adopting a healthy diet, engaging in cognitive training and social activities, and reducing exposure to air pollution. Effective management of hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol may also help

mobility and progressive joint deterioration.

Rush University Medical Centre ' s Cartilage Research and Restoration Centre Head Brian Cole said the study addresses an important treatment gap. " This investigational MSC therapy is being studied for its role in knee osteoarthritis, where a gap exists

reduce dementia risk, while hearing aids can form part of prevention strategies.

WHO does not recommend vitamin B or E supplements, omega-3 fatty acids or multivitamins for dementia prevention in people without between non-interventional palliative care and total knee replacement."

Dr Newman said treating the first participant represented " a milestone moment " and added that he looked forward to evaluating the outcomes observed during the study, which continues to recruit eligible participants across the United States.

GLOBAL GUIDANCE: Updated WHO dementia prevention guidelines promote lifestyle changes and early intervention to reduce cognitive decline and improve longterm brain health

diagnosed deficiencies because of insufficient evidence of benefit.

WHO estimates dementia costs the global economy about US $ 1.3 trillion annually, with around half of that amount attributed to unpaid care provided by families and friends. ENDS

A global survey has found that clinicians are adopting artificial intelligence( AI) tools at a rapid pace to reduce administrative workloads, even as many healthcare organisations are still developing policies to guide their use.

The survey of 1,823 clinicians across 25 countries found that 86 per cent use AI daily or several times a week, while 57 per cent now regard it as a routine part of clinical practice. However, 83 per cent said they were using AI without formal workplace guidance, employer policies or recommended tools.

The report, Pressure points, released by healthcare AI company Heidi, identified clinical documentation as the profession ' s largest administrative burden, with 88 per cent of respondents describing it as their most timeconsuming task.

Concerns remain over AI use in healthcare. Some 68 per cent of respondents cited hallucinations and accuracy as their greatest concern, followed by patient privacy( 59 per cent). Despite these concerns, 75 per cent said patients were comfortable with AI being used in their care.

Heidi ' s Legal and Regulatory Affairs Head Yass Omar said healthcare organisations had an opportunity to establish " clear frameworks for privacy, safety and clinical oversight " to support clinicians adopting AI safely and consistently.

The findings come as the World Health Organisation projects a global shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030. Against that backdrop, 73 per cent of clinicians surveyed said AI was helping them sustain longer and more manageable careers.- The HEALTH

FUTURE MEDICINE: Artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into healthcare to ease documentation demands, improve workflow efficiency and support a more sustainable clinical workforce