06 FOREIGN NEWS The HEALTH | September-October. 2025
AI-powered lung health
CORELINE Soft hosted an international webinar on Oct 14, 2025, sharing firsthand experiences and insights from the National Lung Cancer Screening Program( NLCSP) in Australia. The event, presented in collaboration with Lungscreen Australia, explored the theme: " Building a National Model for Lung Cancer Screening in Australia ".
Launched on Jul 1, 2025, Australia ' s NLCSP had been operational for three months at the time of the webinar, providing a timely opportunity to review early adoption and field experiences.
The discussions focused not only on AI use cases but also on how the nationwide screening model operated and how AI contributed to improving diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency with real-world data.
Lungscreen Australia Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director Dr. Siavash Es ' haghi delivered a keynote address, highlighting his instrumental role in shaping Lungscreen ' s contributions to the NLCSP.
Tobacco use declines
A recent report from the World Health Organisation( WHO) revealed that although global tobacco use has decreased, the epidemic remains a major public health concern.
The number of tobacco users decreased from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024, a decline of 120 million users, or 27 per cent, since 2010. Nevertheless, one in five adults worldwide still smokes tobacco, leading to millions of preventable deaths every year.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the progress made through global tobacco control efforts, stating: " Millions of people are stopping, or not taking up, tobacco use."
He emphasised the need for governments to strengthen their tobacco control policies, as the industry responded by vigorously marketing new nicotine products to young people.
For the first time, the WHO also reported on global e-cigarette use, revealing that over 100 million people are now vaping, including at least 86 million adults, mainly in high-income countries, and around 15 million adolescents aged 13 to 15.
The report expressed concerns regarding the tobacco industry ' s
LUNG INNOVATION: The NLCSP showcases innovative AI tools that improve diagnostic workflows and patient care.
Lungscreen provides centralised teleradiology reporting services that support equity and access to lung cancer screening across the country.
Coreline Soft Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Jaeyoun Lee, discussed how the company ' s AI solutions supported radiologists participating in the national screening programme by enhancing reporting consistency and workflow efficiency.
The NLCSP was designed as more than just a CT scanning initiative; it formed a comprehensive early detection system that included smoking cessation counselling, patient risk assessments, and longitudinal follow-
ONGOING STRUGGLE: Despite a decline in tobacco use worldwide, one in five adults remains addicted, highlighting the ongoing battle against tobacco-related health issues.
introduction of various new products, which pose health risks, especially to younger generations.
WHO Director of Health Determinants Etienne Krug warned that e-cigarettes are causing a new surge of nicotine addiction, undermining decades of public health progress.
The report showed that more women than men have quit tobacco. Women reached the global reduction target for 2025 five years earlier, with usage declining from 11 per cent in 2010 up care. This integrated approach placed new demands on diagnostic precision, clinician efficiency, and patient communication, areas where AI technologies were increasingly viewed as essential solutions.
Coreline Soft has a proven record of improving diagnostic accuracy and operational efficiency in largescale lung cancer screening projects worldwide, including Europe’ s 4ITLR, Italy’ s RISP, and Germany’ s HANSE. Following the HANSE project, AI was recommended as a primary tool for lung cancer screening in Germany, with similar momentum observed in France and other European countries.
to 6.6 per cent in 2024. Conversely, men are not expected to reach the same goal until 2031, with over 80 per cent of tobacco users being male.
The WHO called for urgent action from governments to strengthen tobacco control measures, including implementing the MPOWER package, closing loopholes that target children, regulating new nicotine products, increasing tobacco taxes, banning advertising, and expanding cessation services.
Taste without limits
SMART CHOICES: Smart Salt shines at SVIIF 2025, offering a transformative solution to excessive sodium consumption.
CHULALONGKORN University’ s Ph. D. candidate and Executive MBA alumnus Paul Patsapong Chomchey received a Gold Medal and Special Award at the 2025 Silicon Valley International Invention Festival( SVIIF) for his innovative low-sodium product, " Smart Salt ".
The festival, held from Aug 8 to 10 at the Santa Clara Convention Centre in California, showcased more than 300 innovations from 75 countries.
Using advanced Nano Chitosan technology, Smart Salt decreases sodium content by over 50 per cent while retaining full flavour, tackling the global health issue of excessive salt intake.
The World Health Organisation( WHO) advises a daily sodium intake of 2,000 mg, but many people consume as much as 6,000 mg, posing serious health risks.
Paul ' s invention was recognised by the National Research Council of Thailand( NRCT) as a significant innovation. The SVIIF, certified by the International Federation of Inventors ' Associations( IFIA), offered a platform for inventors to showcase their work to experts and prospective investors, emphasising the novelty and real-world applications of their innovations.
Smart Salt ' s unique formulation blends Nano Chitosan, derived from shellfish, with sodium chloride, effectively tricking the body ' s salt receptors to deliver a satisfying taste without the health risks associated with high sodium intake.
Following extensive lab research and successful trials in various dishes, including Japanese shabu soup, the product has demonstrated promise for those needing to limit sodium, such as patients and older adults.
Paul emphasised the difficulty in changing consumer perceptions that associate reduced salt intake with less flavour. He noted that Smart Salt could transform dining experiences in restaurants, hospitals, and the wider food industry.
Currently, Smart Salt is being developed into ready-to-drink shabu broth and a solid crystal form, with plans for market launch within a year, alongside ongoing patent registration.- The HEALTH