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LeadWomen announces its first APAC Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit: “Humanity Rebalanced” focuses on building inclusive workplaces in a changing world

LeadWomen, a leading organisation championing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, is proud to announce its inaugural Asia Pacific DEI Summit: “Humanity Rebalanced”, taking place on 16 and 17 October 2024 at the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Building a More Equitable Future

Fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace is a necessity for business success and LeadWomen’s APAC DEI Summit aims to bring together 300 key thought leaders from governments, businesses, and civil society to address DEI challenges and develop practical solutions.

Focus on People-Centric Strategies

Over two days, the summit will feature insightful keynote addresses, interactive panel discussions, and workshops centred around the theme of “Humanity Rebalanced.” Key areas of focus will include:

  • Building inclusive workplaces that empower all employees.
  • Identifying and addressing unconscious bias in hiring and promotion practices.
  • Fostering people-focused leadership that prioritises diversity and equity.

Addressing Regional Challenges

The summit will feature the unique challenges and opportunities presented by a multicultural landscape in the Asia Pacific region. Discussions will explore how to address economic inequality, bridge wage gaps, and ensure equal access to education and advancement opportunities for all.

Collaboration for Change

The summit is supported by key sponsors like Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), PETRONAS and FIDE Forum. Other summit allies include leading organisations like UN Women, Reserve Bank Of India (RBI), Diversity Atlas by Cultural Infusion, PwC Malaysia, Cyberview, Women in Tech Malaysia, TAC Global LL and MyMasterMan. This collaborative effort lead by LeadWomen and its partners reflects the collective commitment to building a more equitable and prosperous future in the Asia-Pacific region.

“While much of the good corporate practices have been shaped by DEI initiatives in North America and Europe, there is significant growing interest in what DEI means in Asia Pacific. Asia is highly populous and made up of diverse cultures, languages, and histories, which surfaces a unique set of DEI challenges for this region.

“Global diversity efforts over the last three to four years have been largely cosmetic, performative, and perfunctory. We are at a point in time where we need to stop and think about rebalancing humanity – bringing back the emphasis of being human, in the way we manage and lead organisations.

Robust DEI policies are critical to driving truly inclusive human and social capital development for businesses and in the context of nation building. We want to push organisations and leaders to go beyond superficial diversity metrics or token measures of inclusion.”

The summit’s line up of distinguished speakers will include:

  • Varshaa Kutik, Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion, Bank For International Settlements (Switzerland)
  • Sri Nair, Asia Pacific Vice Chairman of Markets, PwC (Malaysia)
  • Siti Hurrairah, Country Chair, Shell (Malaysia)
  • Kathy Matsui, Womenomics advocate and Co-Founder and General Partner of MPower Partners (Japan)
  • Michael Walmsley, Chief Experience Officer, Diversity Atlas (Australia)
  • Tracy Ann Curtis, Founder, TAC Global LLC (USA)
  • Tanya Sinha, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader, Amazon Web Services (Singapore)
  • Kamales Lardi, Author of the best-selling book ‘The Human Side Of Digital Business Transformation (Switzerland)
  • Michele Sagan; Director of Workforce Transformation, PwC (Malaysia)
  • Nen Lin Soo, Head of Strategic  Communications and Sustainability, Forest Interactive (Malaysia)
  • Sarah Guerra, Head of Culture, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Bank of England (United Kingdom)
  • Shishir Kumar, Manager of Training and Development Division, Reserve Bank of India (India)
  • Nurul Diana Intan Zafirah, Head, Risk and Sustainability, Cyberview (Malaysia)

Delegates travelling to Kuala Lumpur for the LeadWomen APAC Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Summit 2024 will receive a 15% discount on Malaysia Airlines flights booked with the promo code MHDEI24 (valid until 16 October 2024, terms and conditions apply).

To learn more about the LeadWomen APAC DEI Summit, visit the official website: https://bit.ly/LW-APACDEISummit-2024.

The LeadWomen APAC DEI Summit is supported in Australia by impact partner, Go International Group Dotcom Pty Ltd.

Ends.

About Summit Organiser, LeadWomen

LeadWomen: Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) for Sustainable Development.

LeadWomen is a thought leader in the gender and diversity space and has been instrumental in stimulating interest and commitment towards Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) through courageous conversation, immersive experiences and high impact content/delivery.

To achieve social impact goals under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – specifically Goals 5, 8, 10, 16 and 17 – LeadWomen aims to break down DEI concepts and establish sustainable action plans for teams, organisations, and nation-building. We strive to embed DEI into the organisation’s DNA and culture, where all live by the values and demonstrate the attributes in their work and life.

At LeadWomen, we believe that creating diverse, equitable and inclusive spaces is crucial to achieving equality for all. We understand that DEI is more than just a “nice-to-have” and is a key element in human and social capital development.

Visit www.lead-women.com for more information.

 

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European Wellness Unveils Premier Medical Wellness Center in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah: A Landmark in Global Health

European Wellness, a global leader in regenerative medicine and integrated healthcare, has inaugurated its latest and most advanced facility, the European Wellness New Premier Center, in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. This landmark 60,000 square-foot center represents a significant leap forward for healthcare in Sabah and is set to play a crucial role in the global medical wellness tourism sector.

Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mike Chan (second from right) at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new European Wellness Premier Center along with YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Bin Haji Noor (Middle), YB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Masidi Manjun (third from left), H.E. Dr. Major General Khalid Abdulla Mubarak Albuainain AlMazrouie (second from left), and Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Michelle Wong (far right).

The grand opening ceremony was a notable event, attracting international attention and high-profile attendees. Sabah’s Chief Minister YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Bin Haji Noor, Sabah State Minister of Finance, YB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Masidi Manjun, Advisor to the President of the UAE, H.E. Dr. Khalid Abdulla Mubarak Albuainain Almazrouie, and other dignitaries were present to witness the unveiling of this cutting-edge facility. The center, a major investment by EW’s founders, Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mike Chan and Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Michelle Wong, is designed to integrate advanced medical science with the healing power of Sabah’s natural environment, setting a new benchmark in global healthcare.

Chief Minister Hajiji praised the vision and commitment of the founders, emphasizing how the center will enhance Sabah’s healthcare capabilities and position the region as a prominent destination for medical wellness tourism. “This facility is a game-changer for Sabah, combining state-of-the-art medical science with our unique natural environment,” said Hajiji. “It not only strengthens our local healthcare sector but also boosts Sabah’s standing on the global medical tourism map.”

The center’s opening is a strategic move that aligns with Sabah’s broader goals of becoming a leading hub for advanced healthcare and medical wellness tourism. Sabah’s strategic location in Southeast Asia, as part of the BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN regions, provides a significant advantage in attracting international investment and talent. “We are positioning Sabah at the forefront of the global health and wellness revolution,” Hajiji added. “This investment reflects our commitment to enhancing life quality and fostering international collaboration in medical innovation.”

Dr. Khalid Abdulla Mubarak highlighted the international significance of the European Wellness New Premier Center. “The advancements showcased here are truly groundbreaking,” Dr. Khalid remarked. “Prof. Chan’s work in targeted organ-specific stem cell therapy represents the future of healthcare set to revolutionize regenerative medicine and significantly improve healthcare outcomes globally.”

Dr. Khalid emphasized the importance of making such advanced treatments more accessible. “Currently, stem cell therapy is costly and limited in availability. Expanding access and reducing costs are crucial steps in making these life-changing treatments available to a broader population,” he noted. He also recognized Sabah’s potential as a global medical wellness tourism destination, praising the combination of high-quality medical facilities and the region’s natural beauty.

The center will offer an extensive range of services, including over 60 advanced regenerative medicine and holistic wellness therapies. It features cutting-edge technology and a team of over 300 professionals dedicated to delivering personalized healthcare solutions. This new facility is part of a larger expansion plan that includes the establishment of a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, with an investment of USD 80 million, doubling the workforce and further enhancing Sabah’s status in the global healthcare landscape.

The European Wellness New Premier Center stands as a testament to international collaboration and innovation in healthcare. It not only aims to transform healthcare in Sabah but also to set new standards for medical wellness worldwide. EW’s dedication to healthcare advancements positions it to transform global medical wellness tourism, ushering in a new health era for Sabah and beyond.

Source: European Wellness Biomedical Group

 

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European Wellness Unveils Premier Medical Wellness Center in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah: A Landmark in Global Health is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. Quote Source: https://www.australiafitnesstoday.com/2024/09/24/european-wellness-unveils-premier-medical-wellness-center-in-kota-kinabalu-sabah-a-landmark-in-global-health/ 

Fitness, PRNews

International Health Industry Forum of Boao Forum for Asia Held in Beijing

Via AFTNN

The International Health Industry Forum of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) was held from April 20th-21st in Beijing.

A special forum under the framework of the Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia (GHF), the event was jointly hosted by the Boao Forum for Asia and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, and organized by the GHF Organizing Committee and the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area  Management Committee.

With the theme of “Global Health: Industrial Development and Sharing”, the forum consisted of more than 20 important activities, including the opening ceremony and plenary session, eight sub-forums, six industry report release events and two closed-door dialogues. More than 500 representatives from politics, business, academia, media, and other sectors attended the forum, conducting in-depth discussions and building consensus around topics such as global polio eradication, cell & gene therapy, digital health, traditional medicine innovation and development, actively addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance, equitable access to diagnostic innovation for global health, nutrition and health and the future of healthcare security.

Yin Yong, Mayor of Beijing, delivered a speech at the plenary session. Other notable speakers featured at the plenary session included Zhou Xiaochuan, Vice Chairman of the BFA; Chen Zhu, President of the Chinese Red Cross Society; Li Baodong, Secretary General of the BFA; Margaret Chan, President of the GHF of BFA; and Shen Hongbing, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Deputy Director of the National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control and Director of Chinese Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

The forum witnessed the release of several academic papers and reports, including Standard Configuration of Rational Use of Antibacterial Drugs in Grassroot Medical Institutions – Village Clinics, the White Paper on the Development Prospect of China’s Mass Health Industry, White Paper on the Layout and Development Trend of the Global Pharmaceutical and Health Industry, New Opportunities for the Modernization of China’s Traditional Medicine Industry, Current Perspective and Future Development on CDMO Market Report, and Innovations for China’s Traditional Medicine Industry Report.

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PRNews

ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital and Viatris drive awareness on scoliosis

Via PRNews/GIG

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that most often is diagnosed in adolescents. ​Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but some curves worsen as children grow and severe scoliosis can be disabling. An especially-severe spinal curve can reduce the amount of space within the chest, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly, and thus creating complications such as chronic pain, breathing difficulties, and a reduced capacity for exercise.

In conjunction with the official Scoliosis Awareness Month in June 2022, ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has partnered with pharmaceutical company, Viatris to drive awareness among Malaysians. The collaboration will be held across four pharmacy branches in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya and walk-in visitors will receive a complimentary posture screening to detect early signs of Scoliosis if any.

“As a healthcare institution, we are committed to drive awareness and educate Malaysians to detect early signs of Scoliosis. Without early treatment, prolonged Scoliosis can severely impact health in the long term. We are also honoured to have partnered with Viatris who believes in the importance of driving awareness and educating fellow Malaysians on Scoliosis,” said Assoc. Prof. (C) Dr. G Ruslan Nazaruddin Simanjuntak, Consultant Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon and Chairman, ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital.

“Through these screenings, we hope to make a difference in the patients’ lives and improving their quality of life. This is aligned with our mission of empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life” said Jeff Bote, Country Manager of Viatris Malaysia.

The Scoliosis community screenings are supported by strategic healthcare partners, Caring Pharmacy
and Health Lane Family Pharmacy. The screenings will be held throughout Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya in Malaysia with location and dates available via the website: www.altyortho.com.

Read more about Scoliosis in the Ministry of Health Malaysia website: Scoliosis – PORTAL MyHEALTH.

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Image copyright: Anna Shvets via Pexels.

AFTNews, Mental Health, PRNews

Relationship between COVID-19 stressors and health behaviours: results from The Psycorona Study

The pandemic is teaching us key lessons about the relationship between different types of stressors and health outcomes.

Covid-19 Fatigue – Part One: A report by Australia Fitness Today

In a recent study published in Preventive Medicine Reports*, Dr Shian-Ling Keng, Associate Professor from the Department of Psychology at Monash University Malaysia, along with a team of 107 researchers from over 40 countries globally, are charting COVID-19’s deadly sweep across the world by delving into the virus’ often overlooked impact on people’s health behaviours. This study is conducted with Dr Michael Stanton, Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health at California State University, East Bay as a co-leading investigator. Other key collaborators of the study include Dr LeeAnn Haskins (University of Georgia, USA), Dr Jeannette Ickovics (Yale University, USA), Dr Antwan Jones (the George Washington University, USA), Dr Diana Grigsby-Toussaint (Brown University, USA), and Dr Carlos Almenara (Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Peru).

Anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and home confinement measures have been found to be associated with adverse health behaviours, such as unhealthy eating, smoking, drinking, and decreased physical activity. These unhealthy behaviours are risk factors for non-communicable diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, which in turn increase the risk of contracting COVID-19 and greater disease severity and may eventually lead to increased mortality. However, to date, most studies have been limited by regional sampling, which precludes the examination of behavioural consequences associated with the pandemic at a global level.

Descriptive Statistics for COVID-19 Stressors and Health Behaviors. | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net) – image via license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Using data from the global PsyCorona project, an international, longitudinal online study of psychological and behavioural correlates of COVID-19, Dr Keng and over 100 behavioural scientists surveyed 7,402 adult participants from 86 countries across three waves of assessment and measured  their perceived infection risk, economic burden, and engagement in health behaviours ranging from physical exercise, unhealthy eating, smoking, to alcohol consumption. By employing a multilevel regression approach in its data analysis, the team tested whether COVID-19 infection risk and economic burden correlate with a decline in healthy behavioural habits. The study found that perceived economic burden was linked with reduced diet quality and sleep quality, as well as increased smoking. There was also an interaction between perceived COVID-19 infection risk and economic burden, such that diet quality and sleep quality were lowest among those reported high levels of COVID-19 infection risk and economic burden. Neither binge drinking nor physical exercise were associated with perceived COVID-19 infection risk, economic burden, or their interaction.  

“The pandemic is teaching us key lessons about the relationship between different types of stressors and health outcomes across different socioeconomic groups. In particular, it highlights the importance of attending to cumulative, negative effects of high infection risk and economic burden on health outcomes”, said Dr Keng. This project began when Dr Keng was a faculty member with the Division of Psychology at Yale-NUS College, Singapore.

Since March 2020, the PsyCorona scientists have conducted ongoing 20-minute interviews with more than 60,000 people in 115 countries. The survey topics range from handwashing and mask-wearing to dissatisfaction with government messaging. The project is jointly funded by the New York University Abu Dhabi, the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III in Madrid, with Dr Pontus Leander (Wayne State University, USA) and Dr Jocelyn Bélanger (NYU Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) as principal investigators. 

“We are asking: If you perceive that you will get infected, and if you think that in the next few months your personal situation will be worse due to the economic consequences of COVID, will you sleep less, and will you eat more and eat unhealthy food?” Dr Stanton explained.

Preliminary findings from the study point to the value of developing interventions to address COVID-related stressors, which have an impact on health behaviours that, in turn, may influence vulnerability to COVID-19 and other health outcomes. Dr Keng noted that the relationships between COVID-19 stressors and health behaviours appear to be consistent across geographical regions — from impoverished nations to more developed European countries and the United States, and the relationships remained after controlling for variations in gender, age and levels of education. As a next step, the team aims to examine psychological mechanisms that may account for the relationships, including negative emotions and use of coping strategies such as problem solving and avoidance.

Dr Jones, Associate Professor from the Department of Sociology at The George Washington University, expressed that pandemics are notorious for inciting short- and long-term economic challenges. “However, there has been less attention on…how socially and economically vulnerable populations will be affected by the changing spatial landscape brought on by the consequences of the pandemic,” he stated.

Another co-author, Dr Grigsby-Toussaint, Associate Professor of Behavioural and Social Sciences and Epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health, indicated that supporting and engaging in international collaborative efforts are critical for mitigating the impact of COVID-19. “Although effective interventions targeting COVID-19 have to be tailored to the local context, it is important to have a broader view of stressors and health behaviours that are continuing to drive the pandemic.”

*Articles published on Preventive Medicine Reports are peer-reviewed and made freely available for everyone to read, download, and reuse in line with the user license displayed on the article.

AFT Ed.’s notes:

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AFT Features, AFTNews, Features Australia/NZ, PRNews, Seniors' Health

New report reveals staggering future $442 billion cost of Alzheimer’s disease

The University of Canberra’s National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) has revealed the staggering future economic cost of Alzheimer’s disease, and its impact on Australia’s workforce, patients, families and communities.1

The report, The Economic and Societal Cost of Alzheimer’s Disease in Australia, 2021-2041, commissioned by Biogen Australia and New Zealand, builds on NATSEM and Dementia Australia’s Economic Cost of Dementia in Australia 2016-2056 Report released in 2017 and projects a 20-year $442 billion impact of Alzheimer’s disease to the Australian economy.1

Lead author Emeritus Professor Laurie Brown from NATSEM said the number of people aged 50 and over with diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase by 73% from 153,888 in 2021 to 266,114 by 2041. This increase will lead to an annual cost of $26.6 billion, including direct costs (aged care, hospital and out of hospital services) of $9.8 billion and indirect costs (informal care, lost productivity, and income support) of $16.8 billion by 2041.1

“The modelling paints a significant challenge to government, health and aged care systems into the future,” said Professor Brown. “The numbers also provide insight into the ripple effect on families and the community as they struggle to care for people living with the disease.”

Under current care, the number of people in Residential Aged Care Facilities with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase by more than 72 per cent over the next 20 years, with the numbers increasing from 42,478 persons in 2021 to 73,172 in 2041.1

“This is a huge challenge for an aged care system already under pressure. It will see financial impacts of formal residential and community aged care rising by almost $3.6 billion annually and requiring a paid workforce of 18,652 in 2041 to support those living with Alzheimer’s disease in the community alone, up from 10,752 in 2021,” said Professor Brown.

Associate Professor Michael Woodward AM, geriatrician and Head of Aged Care Research, Austin Health said importantly the report also provides an opportunity to quantify the societal costs outside the health system.

“The impact I see on carers and the community each day is often the most challenging to quantify. However, with an expected additional 80,000+ people with Alzheimer’s disease in the community by 2041 compared with today we can’t afford not to consider this impact in any future approach,” Associate Professor Woodward said.

The report also investigated the potential impact of a disease modifying therapy on the numbers.1 Disease-modifying therapies target the pathogenic pathway of Alzheimer’s disease to delay the onset or progression of dementia.2 The modelling indicates there is an opportunity to reduce the burden on aged care over the 20 years by $7.9 billion, the cost of residential care by $7.0 billion and formal care in the community by $880 million. With fewer people having moderate or severe AD dementia, the cost of informal care is also reduced by $4.3 billion – giving a total savings of $12.2 billion.1

“While the modelling suggests that the introduction of a disease modifying therapy has the potential to lessen the future impact of Alzheimer’s disease, it is only part of the solution,” said Associate Professor Woodward.

“The findings in this report attest to the importance of developing and implementing a system and society-wide approach, in alignment with the anticipated national dementia strategy to ensure we can provide the best possible clinical outcomes and quality of life in the future. We do not have time to delay,” Associate Professor Woodward continued.

This data reinforces the findings from the recent White Paper on the Future of Alzheimer’s disease in Australia that revealed the need for urgent collaboration and action in the healthcare system to manage the growing impact of the disease.

Article and image provided by SenateSHJ on behalf of the University of Canberra and Biogen Australia and New Zealand.

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References:

1. Brown LJ., Li J. and La HA (2022). The Economic and Societal Cost of Alzheimer’s Disease in Australia, 2021-2041. NATSEM, University of Canberra, Canberra.

2. Cummings, J & Fox, N (2017). Defining Disease Modifying Therapy For Alzheimer’s Disease. J Prev Alz Dis. 4(2):109-115.

AFTNews, Daily Digest, PRNews

Sarcopenia Prevention

Studies have shown that after middle age, adults will on average lose three percent of their muscle strength with each passing year.  This progressive loss of muscle strength has been associated with shorter life expectancy and reduced quality of life, when compared to individuals who have maintained normal muscle strength.

Loss of muscle mass – also known as sarcopenia – is a common consequence of the aging process and contributes to, weakness, balance instability, and age-related decline of health and well being. 

Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to prevent muscle breakdown and the health impact of sarcopenia with age.

Use it or lose it

The muscles need regular use to maintain their strength and function.  The ill effects of a sedentary lifestyle and immobility for prolonged periods of time lead to an accelerated muscle loss and weakness.  Therefore, the first step for reducing the risk of sarcopenia is to reduce physical inactivity by adopting a consistent fitness routine.  Research has shown that the best approach is to engage in aerobic and resistance training, along with balance exercises for maintaining muscle strength.

Protein Power

The body requires an adequate amount of calories and nutrients to function properly.  A diet that lacks essential nutrients such as protein, fails to provide the building blocks necessary to grow, repair, and maintain muscle health.  The latest nutrition recommendations suggest that healthy adults consume approximately 0.8 grams of protein per 1 kg of body weight and increase with greater physical activity levels.  Try to include healthy portions of foods and snacks that are high in protein, throughout the day.  Some high protein sources include fish, lean meats, eggs and dairy products, nuts and seeds, beans, and tofu.

Strengthen Digestion

Unfortunately, as we age, our digestion becomes weaker and without a strong digestive process, even a healthy diet may fail to provide essential nutrients required to maintain the health and function of your muscles.  It’s important to support all aspects of the digestive sequence to maximize nutrient breakdown and absorption.  Starting with the mouth by maintaining proper oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and chewing your food thoroughly.  In general, you can consume smaller portions and eat more times to ensure adequate intake of nutrients and lessen the digestive burden of large, heavy meals.  You can include a small cup of warm lime water before meals to stimulate digestion, support acidity, and promote digestive enzyme function.

Practice Wellness Promotion

The importance of staying healthy cannot be overstated and although there are numerous reasons to practice a wellness lifestyle, here’s one more benefit to consider.  Chronic illness, such as inflammation, places significant stress on the mind and body.  This prolonged stress response leads to the breakdown of muscle, as seen in chronic liver and kidney disease, as well as cancer.  Also, the feeling of fatigue, soreness, and overall lack of well being discourages or hinders physical movement, resulting in muscle loss and weakness due to inactivity.  When it comes to chronic illness, prevention through practicing a wellness lifestyle is possible.

By Dr. Jason Culp

Research & Development Director

Chiva-Som International Health Resort

AFTNews, PRNews

Coway Run 2021: Uniting the Nation (Virtually!) in The Pursuit of Better Health

Update (26 August 2021): Tickets for the Coway Run 2021: Run for Your Region has sold out within 24 hours of launch! But fret not as additional tickets will be on sale soon!

After months of lockdown and work-from-home mandates, Malaysians have had their fill of sitting around at home. With our current sedentary and isolated lifestyles, many of us may be looking for some extra motivation to stay healthy, or craving for ways to connect with each other safely. 

This is precisely why Coway Malaysia is organising Coway Run 2021: Run for Your Region this September; its first inter-regional virtual run that combines fun, healthy living, and community spirit in one exciting event. Kicking off on 23 September until 23 October, the month-long run allows participants to run anytime and anywhere — as long as they keep their feet moving to log in those kilometres.

Being an inter-regional event, this year’s run will see participants teaming up by region (Northern, Central, Southern, East Coast and East Malaysia) for a friendly nationwide competition. Within their teams, runners are encouraged to rack up as many kilometres as they can — the team with the highest average distance per person will be crowned as the overall winner. With five regional teams in the race, this is the perfect opportunity for runners to display their home-town pride and show off what their fellow statesmen are capable of.  At the same time, runners can also indulge in the shared experience with their peers from all across the country.

On an individual level, participants this year can expect an even more interactive experience. To keep runners motivated throughout the month, Coway Run 2021 has ramped up its “gamified” approach to inject a bit more fun and variety in the participants’ running journey. 

While participants can choose to run anywhere they please, they will also have access to a “live” map of their route which will display their progress visually. In addition to this, runners can also collect virtual achievement badges for every 5KM milestone reached.

Those keen on philanthropy will be excited to learn that Coway Run 2021 has “tripled” its commitment to doing good, with three different causes linked to the run. As with previous years, for every ticket sold, Coway will contribute RM10 to Happy Water Project, their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to deliver clean water to impoverished Orang Asli communities across the country. 

Coway Run 2021 has also set a nationwide goal for participants to collectively achieve 200,000KM. Once participants hit this milestone, Coway Malaysia will donate a total of RM200,000 to three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) – EcoKnights, MERCY Malaysia and Reef Check Malaysia. An act that will surely inspire runners to work together and give it their all. 

Finally, this year will also see a big change in the type of merchandise runners will receive in their Starter Kits. In a bid to encourage environmental awareness among participants and spark an eco-friendly movement, most items from the Coway Run 2021 merchandise (including medals) will be either recyclable or made from recycled materials. 

Of course, no Coway Run is complete without amazing prizes for exceptional participants. The winning regional team will be given the chance to take part in a bonus lucky draw and win exclusive Coway products. Meanwhile, the top runners who log in the most kilometres will each receive a special reward. 

Whether you are just starting your fitness journey, or a seasoned runner looking to get back into the scene, Coway Run 2021 is the perfect chance for you to not only connect with like-minded running enthusiasts, but also a fun way of giving back to the community. 

The run is open to all Malaysian citizens or residents aged 16 and above, and participants must register online at the Coway Run 2021 website before 23 October 2021. To automatically record the distance covered during the run, participants can make use of the free app Strava and sync it to their Coway Run profile. Alternatively, they may also manually upload screenshots of their logs in other running or fitness apps suggested in the Coway Run website, to show their KM achieved in their Coway Run account.

So, let’s harness our sense of pride and be part of this virtual run scene while burning the calories with family and friends – ticket rate starts from RM39 per head!

To find out more information and sign up for the run, kindly visit: www.cowayrun.com.my 

AFTNews, PRNews

Asia represented in the 10 YEARS of the International Surrealism Now Exhibition at CAE

2 June 2020 / PRNewsGIG

The International Surrealism Now Exhibition will open in 2020 (with exact dates to be announced soon) at the Center of Arts and Spectacle (CAE) in the city of Figueira da Foz in Portugal, and in the ambit of celebrating its 10th anniversary, the 14th edition of the International Surrealism Now exhibition.

Indonesia, China, Japan, Vietnam, India, Iran and the Philippines will be represented in the next edition of Surrealism Now, the largest World Surrealism exhibition of the 21st century which gathers artwork from 52 countries.

Bien Banez, Philippines,  Chuang Chih Hui, Taiwan,  Cynthia Tom, China / USA, Gromyko Semper, Philippines, Farhad Jafari, Iran, Iwasaki Nagi, Japan,  Lv Shang, China,  Radhika Menon, India,  Shoji Tanaka, Japan, Shan Zhulan, China, Sio Shisio, Indonesia, Vu Huyen Thuong, Vietnam, Yang Sumin, Taiwan are the artists whose work will be present in the International Surrealism Now.

The exhibition is a project created by Santiago Ribeiro, Portuguese surrealist artist, and started in 2010 at the Bissaya Barreto Foundation of Coimbra. In these 10 years, the exhibition has toured various parts of the country from Lisbon to Porto. It was also toured the world via satellite exhibitions in the United States such as Dallas, Los Angeles, The University of Mississippi and New York, also in Europe in Berlin, Paris, and Madrid among others always promoted and organised by Santiago.

This exhibition has become the largest exhibition of surrealism of the 21st century in the world, consisting of works of painting, drawing, digital art, sculpture and photography by 125 participating artists from 52 countries – Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, Venezuela, Vietnam, India.

– Ends.

About

Santiago, the mentor, and promoter of the largest exhibition of surrealism in the 21st century in the world, the International Surrealism Now, already has numerous presences around the planet as well as Berlin, Moscow, New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Mississippi, Indiana, Denver, Warsaw, St. Petersburg, Nantes, Paris, London, Vienna, Beijing, Florence, Madrid, Granada, Barcelona, Lisbon, Belgrade, Monte Negro, Romania, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Minsk, New Delhi, Jihlava (Czech Republic) and Caltagirone in Sicily and many cities in Portugal.

The  Arts and Entertainment Center (CAE) was opened in 2002. Large cultural structure (2,200 and 800 seat auditoriums – outdoor amphitheater, foyer, breakout rooms, studios, 4 exhibition halls) was thought of as a centrality with European Community funds and its programming tends to go through major national and international shows and this structure is also linked to other programming centres and events, in an anchor logic that disperses without losing continuity.

Below are the names of the artists:

Achraf Baznani, Morocco / Agim Meta, Albania-Spain / Aissa Mammasse, Algeria / Alessio Serpetti, Italy / Alvaro Mejias, Venezuela / Ana Neamu, Romania / Ana Pilar Morales,Spain / Andrew Baines, Australia / Asier Guerrero Rico (Dio), Spain / Axel Blotevogel, Germany / Brigid Marlin, UK / Bien Banez, Philippines / Can Emed, Turkey / Carlos Sablón, Cuba / Cătălin Precup, Romania / Chuang Chih Hui, Taiwan / Cristian Townsend, Australia / Conor Walton, Ireland / Cynthia Tom, China / USA / Dag Samsund, Denmark / Daila Lupo, Italy / Dan Neamu, Romania / Daniel Chiriac, Romania / Daniel Hanequand,France / Canada / Daniele Gori, Italy / Delphine Cencig, France / Dean Fleming, USA / Domen Lo, Slovenia / Edgar Invoker, Russia / Efrat Cybulkiewicz, Venezuela / Egill Eibsen, Iceland / Erik Heyninck, Belgium / Ettore Aldo Del Vigo, Italy / Fabrizio Riccardi, Italy / Farhad Jafari, Iran / France Garrido, USA / Francisco Urbano, Portugal / Gabriele Esau, Germany / Genesis Cabrera, USA /Graça Bordalo Pinheiro, Portugal / Graszka Paulska, Poland / Gromyko Semper, Philippines / Gyuri Lohmuller, Romania / Hector Pineda, Mexico / Hector Toro, Colombia / Henrietta Kozica, Sweden / Hugues Gillet, France / Isabel Meirelles, Portugal / Iwasaki Nagi, Japan / James Skelton, UK / Jay Garfinkle, USA / Jay Paul Vonkoffler, American / Argentine / Jimah St, Nigeria / Joanna Budzyńska-Sycz, Poland / João Duarte, Portugal / Keith Wigdor, USA / Leo Wijnhoven, Netherlands / Leo Plaw, Germany / Liba WS, France / Lubomír Štícha, Republic Czech / Ludgero Rolo, Portugal / Lv Shang, China / Maarten Vet, Netherlands /Maciej Hoffman, Poland / Magi Calhoun, USA / Marnie Pitts, UK / Maria Aristova, Russia / Mario Devcic, Croatia / Martina Hoffman, Germany / Mathias Böhm, Germany / Mehriban Efendi, Azerbaijan / Naiker Roman, Cuba / Spain / Nazareno Stanislau, Brazil / Nikolina Petolas, Croatia / Octavian Florescu, Canada / Ofelia Hutul, Romania /Oleg Korolev, Russia / Olesya Novik, Russia / Olga Spiegel, USA / Otto Rapp, Austria / Paula Rosa, Portugal / Paulo Cunha, Canada / Pavlina Boroshova, Switzerland-Germany / Pedro Diaz Cartes, Chile / Penny Golledge, UK / Peter MC LANE, France / Philippe Pelletier, France / Radhika Menon, India / Richard Shannon, USA / Roch Fautch,USA / Rodica Miller, USA/Ruben Cukier, Argentine / Israeli / Rudolf Boelee, New Zealand / Russbelt Guerra,Peru / Sabina Nore, Austria / Sampo Kaikkonen, Finland / Santiago Ribeiro, Portugal / Sarah Zambiasi,Australia /Serge Sunne,Latvia / Sergey Tyukanov, Russia / Shahla Rosa, USA / Shoji Tanaka, Japan / Shan Zhulan, China / Shia Weltenmenge,Germany / Sio Shisio, Indonesia / Slavko Krunic, Serbia / Sônia Menna Barreto, Brazil / Steve Smith, USA / Stuart Griggs, UK / Svetlana Kislyachenko, Ukraine / Svetlana Ratova, Russia / Tatomir Pitariu, USA / Tersanszki Cornelia, Romania / Tim Roosen, Belgium / Ton Haring, Netherlands / Victor Lages, Portugal / Vu Huyen Thuong, Vietnam / Yamal Din, Morocco / Spain / Yang Sumin, Taiwan / Yuliya Patotskaya, Belarus/ Yuri Tsvetaev, Russia / Zoltan Ducsai, Hungary / Zoran Velimanovic, Serbia.

Contacts:
Centro de Artes e Espectáculos
Rua Abade Pedro
3080-084 Figueira da Foz
Tel: 233 407 200
Fax: 233 407 209
E-mail: geral@cae.pt
www.cae.pt

Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9 am to 11 pm;
Friday: 9 am to midnight;
Saturdays; 10 am to midnight;
Sundays and holidays: 10h00 to 19h00;
Show days: until the end of the show

This release has been distributed by AFTNN via PRNews.gointernationalgroup.com
AFT Features, AFTNews, Daily Digest, Features Australia/NZ, Men's Health, Mental Health, PRNews, Wellness, Women's Health

Blys launches online wellness and telehealth services – yoga, pilates, meditation, PT, counseling and more

On-demand wellness app enables skilled practitioners to work online 

Sessions help maintain Australians’ well-being from home

As self-isolation measures tighten in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, on-demand wellness app Blys announces the launch of its new telehealth service, which allows clients to book qualified wellness professionals for private or group sessions delivered via two-way video.

Blys also offers mental health assistance

In line with Blys’ vision to ensure wellness services are easily accessible to Australians, Blys will launch 20 new digital wellness offerings to help maintain mental and physical health while people across the country are urged to stay home. Costing as little as $39 for a private session, users have digital access to services including yoga, pilates, meditation, physiotherapy, personal training, mindfulness and mental health.

Blys’ digital offering comes at a crucial time as consumer behavior shifts rapidly to support a healthy lifestyle while in isolation. Research from global affiliate network Awin* has revealed a particular surge in online wellness content, with ‘home workout’ searches alone spiking 90% in 30 days.

In addition to ensuring Australians have access to vital wellness services, Blys is committed to helping self-employed practitioners make a living after being hit financially as a result of non-essential closures. 

Founder and CEO, Ilter Dumduz commented, “We are pleased to launch our telehealth service and continue to carry out our mission of conveniently providing wellness to Australians, especially as we navigate our way through a particularly isolating and uncertain time.

He added, “We are constantly seeking new services, fresh ideas, and partner practitioners to work alongside. Our utmost priority is the health and safety of our customers and practitioners. We urge Australians to stay home and to stay healthy and fit in both body and mind.” 

Blys has various services

“We already had a great response so far from our existing customers, particularly the business customers who are looking for ways to keep their Work From Home (WFH) staff physically and mentally fit.”

In an effort to combat the spread of virus, Blys encourages all valued clients and practitioners to remain at home in order to protect the wider community and has suspended all in-person massage bookings until further notice. 

Anyone looking for work as a personal trainer, yoga or pilates instructor, mental health professional, mindfulness teacher, or wellness expert, can get in touch with Blys directly at hello@getblys.com.au.

For all information on the telehealth service visit https://getblys.com.au/services/blys-telehealth/.