Every week, HEADlines brings you the latest news, stories and commentaries in education and healthcare. This week, get insights on the latest developments in healthcare. image Is the world prepared for the next health emergency? If the ongoing pandemic has taught us anything, it is that crisis response needs to start years before the crises actually take place. In 2017, Bill Gates warned in an op-ed for Business Insider that the world was not prepared to cope with the looming threat of global pandemics. Fast forward to 2021, this warning has become a reality and there are no clear indications that it is going away anytime soon. While developed countries have had varying success in containing the COVID crisis, the scenario is not as optimistic when taken in a global context. For example, one of the impacts of COVID-19 highlighted by the Gates Foundation’s 2021 Goalkeepers report was that inequality had polarised on every front, and some 30 million people have been pushed into extreme poverty. This is a serious concern, as it has further weakened our preparedness for the next pandemic threat. Governments are not leaving this to chance and are responding with health emergency preparedness plans. The EU and the US have both announced budget plans to improve responses to future health crises. Indonesia’s Health Minister, too, has proposed the creation of a global pool of resources that could be channelled quickly to countries in need of emergency assistance. Although these are not fail-proof plans, more focus is now being placed on emergency preparedness, which will hopefully put the world in a better position to respond to future health emergencies. Healthcare in the Spotlight NPR: I got a ‘mild’ breakthrough case. Here’s what I wish I’d known A ‘mild’ breakthrough COVID-19 infection may not feel mild at all. The top five symptoms people with breakthrough infections experienced were headache, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and loss of smell. The Straits Times: People with Long COVID feared to be at risk of developing dementia Weeks or months after they recover from COVID-19, some people continue to report poor concentration, memory difficulties and other cognitive issues, which experts fear may put them at risk of dementia years later. Healthline: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming less ‘alternative’ — Here’s why With CAM rising in popularity and the increasing evidence showing its benefits, more people in the US are turning to CAM for a more personalised and integrative approach to their healthcare. India Today: Double whammy: Dengue cases bite several Indian states amid COVID deluge COVID cases may be receding in India, but there seems to be no respite on the health front. The age-old problems of dengue and viral fever, observed mostly around monsoon, have reared their ugly heads once again. Forbes: Investing for climate change means investing in healthcare The ongoing pandemic and severe weather events have made the gaps in our health and civil infrastructure more apparent than ever. What’s also more clear is that investing in our health systems is part of preparing for a climate-changed world. National Geographic: Why climate change is still the greatest threat to human health Polluted air and steadily rising temperatures are linked to health effects ranging from increased heart attacks and strokes to the spread of infectious diseases and psychological trauma. Healthbytes Top 10 foods for healthy eyes Source: Medical News Today Contrary to popular belief that failing eyesight is an inevitable result of aging or eye strain, eye health can be improved with a healthy lifestyle. Find out what foods can help boost your eye health.