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Tanya Dutt

Scientists Have Developed An AI Model To Help Predict Sudden Cardiac Risks 'Most Doctors Can't See'

Every year, thousands of seemingly healthy people—often young, active, and without obvious warning signs—die suddenly due to cardiac arrest. For decades, doctors have struggled to reliably identify which patients with heart conditions are at high risk and who might be unnecessarily undergoing invasive interventions. That may be about to change.

In a breakthrough that could transform how we predict—and prevent—sudden cardiac death, scientists at Johns Hopkins University have developed an artificial intelligence model that vastly outperforms current clinical standards in identifying people most at risk. Their new system, known as MAARS (Multimodal AI for Arrhythmia Risk Stratification), not only forecasts risk with up to 93% accuracy in vulnerable age groups, but also explains why someone is high risk—something most algorithms fail to do.

The focus of the study is <span>hypertrophic cardiomyopathy</span> (HCM), one of the most common inherited heart conditions. It affects around 1 in 200 to 500 people globally and is a leading cause of <span>sudden cardiac death</span> in athletes and young adults. While most individuals with HCM live normal lives, a subset is at high risk for lethal arrhythmias—heart rhythm disturbances that can cause the heart to stop without warning. And here’s the catch: right now, doctors only have a 50-50 shot at predicting who will be affected.

“Currently we have patients dying in the prime of their life because they aren’t protected,” said Dr. Natalia Trayanova, senior author of the study and a leading figure in AI cardiology research. “And others are putting up with defibrillators for the rest of their lives with no benefit.”

Trayanova is referring to implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)—tiny devices inserted into the chest that deliver electric shocks to correct abnormal heart rhythms. They save lives in the right patients but come with physical, emotional, and financial burdens when used unnecessarily.

The need for a more precise, personalized tool has never been greater.

<h2>What the AI Model Does Differently?</h2>

Published in Nature Cardiovascular Research, the new model represents a significant departure from traditional clinical guidelines used across the US and Europe.

MAARS doesn’t rely on a single data source. Instead, it analyzes a multimodal spectrum of information—ranging from electronic health records and patient histories to contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI images that reveal scarring, or fibrosis, within the heart.

Scarring is a key factor in determining sudden death risk in HCM. But interpreting these raw images is extremely challenging for even seasoned cardiologists. That’s where AI has the edge.

“People have not used deep learning on those images,” Trayanova explained. “We are able to extract this hidden information in the images that is not usually accounted for.”

The AI essentially spots dangerous patterns in the heart’s scar tissue that the human eye—and even conventional software—can’t see.

In clinical tests involving real-world patients from Johns Hopkins Hospital and Sanger Heart &amp; Vascular Institute in North Carolina, the results were staggering:

<ul><li>Traditional clinical guidelines correctly predicted sudden cardiac death risk only 50% of the time.</li><li>The MAARS model achieved an overall accuracy of 89%.</li><li>In patients aged 40 to 60—a group particularly vulnerable to undetected risk—the model was 93% accurate.</li></ul>

What makes this even more valuable is its ability to provide explanations. The system doesn't just say "this patient is high risk"—it breaks down the why, giving cardiologists critical information to tailor treatment plans.

“This significantly enhances our ability to predict those at highest risk compared to our current algorithms,” said co-author Dr. Jonathan Crispin, a Johns Hopkins cardiologist. “It has the power to transform clinical care.”

<h2>Why This Could Be Transformative?</h2>

MAARS isn't the first AI model from Trayanova’s lab. In 2022, her team built another tool that provided survival predictions for patients with prior heart attacks, known as infarcts. But this latest model breaks new ground by tackling one of the most elusive forms of cardiac risk—arrhythmias caused by scarring in inherited heart conditions. The potential benefits are wide-ranging:

<ul><li>Lives saved by identifying at-risk patients who might otherwise be missed.</li><li>Better quality of life for patients who avoid unnecessary ICD implantation.</li><li>More personalized treatment plans based on detailed, AI-generated insight.</li></ul>

Importantly, the model was trained and validated across diverse demographics, showing consistent performance regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity.

The researchers aren’t stopping here. They plan to expand MAARS to include other forms of arrhythmia-related heart diseases, such as cardiac sarcoidosis and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy—conditions that also carry a high risk of sudden death but suffer from diagnostic ambiguity.

They’re also working to test the model in larger, more varied populations to move it closer to clinical adoption.

Artificial intelligence has long been hyped as the future of medicine. But MAARS is more than hype—it’s a working proof of concept that shows how deep learning can complement medical expertise, not replace it.

AI may soon become your cardiologist’s most powerful diagnostic tool—one that sees what even the best-trained human eyes might miss. And when lives are on the line, that kind of clarity could mean everything.

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Every year, thousands of seemingly healthy people—often young, active, and without obvious warning signs—die suddenly due to cardiac arrest. For decades, doctors have struggled to reliably identify which patients with heart conditions are at high risk and who might be unnecessarily undergoing invasive interventions. That may be about to change.In a breakthrough that could transform how we predict—and prevent—sudden cardiac death, scientists at Johns Hopkins University have developed an artificial intelligence model that vastly outperforms current clinical standards in identifying people most at risk. Their new system, known as MAARS (Multimodal AI for Arrhythmia Risk Stratification), not only forecasts risk with up to 93% accuracy in vulnerable age groups, but also explains why someone is high risk—something most algorithms fail to do.The focus of the study is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), one of the most common inherited heart conditions. It affects around 1 in 200 to 500 people globally and is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in athletes and young adults. While most individuals with HCM live normal lives, a subset is at high risk for lethal arrhythmias—heart rhythm disturbances that can cause the heart to stop without warning. And here’s the catch: right now, doctors only have a 50-50 shot at predicting who will be affected.“Currently we have patients dying in the prime of their life because they aren’t protected,” said Dr. Natalia Trayanova, senior author of the study and a leading figure in AI cardiology research. “And others are putting up with defibrillators for the rest of their lives with no benefit.”Trayanova is referring to implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)—tiny devices inserted into the chest that deliver electric shocks to correct abnormal heart rhythms. They save lives in the right patients but come with physical, emotional, and financial burdens when used unnecessarily.The need for a more precise, personalized tool has never been greater.What the AI Model Does Differently?Published in Nature Cardiovascular Research, the new model represents a significant departure from traditional clinical guidelines used across the US and Europe.MAARS doesn’t rely on a single data source. Instead, it analyzes a multimodal spectrum of information—ranging from electronic health records and patient histories to contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI images that reveal scarring, or fibrosis, within the heart.Scarring is a key factor in determining sudden death risk in HCM. But interpreting these raw images is extremely challenging for even seasoned cardiologists. That’s where AI has the edge.“People have not used deep learning on those images,” Trayanova explained. “We are able to extract this hidden information in the images that is not usually accounted for.”The AI essentially spots dangerous patterns in the heart’s scar tissue that the human eye—and even conventional software—can’t see.How Accurate Is It?In clinical tests involving real-world patients from Johns Hopkins Hospital and Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute in North Carolina, the results were staggering:Traditional clinical guidelines correctly predicted sudden cardiac death risk only 50% of the time.The MAARS model achieved an overall accuracy of 89%.In patients aged 40 to 60—a group particularly vulnerable to undetected risk—the model was 93% accurate.What makes this even more valuable is its ability to provide explanations. The system doesn't just say "this patient is high risk"—it breaks down the why, giving cardiologists critical information to tailor treatment plans.“This significantly enhances our ability to predict those at highest risk compared to our current algorithms,” said co-author Dr. Jonathan Crispin, a Johns Hopkins cardiologist. “It has the power to transform clinical care.”Why This Could Be Transformative?MAARS isn't the first AI model from Trayanova’s lab. In 2022, her team built another tool that provided survival predictions for patients with prior heart attacks, known as infarcts. But this latest model breaks new ground by tackling one of the most elusive forms of cardiac risk—arrhythmias caused by scarring in inherited heart conditions. The potential benefits are wide-ranging:Lives saved by identifying at-risk patients who might otherwise be missed.Better quality of life for patients who avoid unnecessary ICD implantation.More personalized treatment plans based on detailed, AI-generated insight.Importantly, the model was trained and validated across diverse demographics, showing consistent performance regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity.The researchers aren’t stopping here. They plan to expand MAARS to include other forms of arrhythmia-related heart diseases, such as cardiac sarcoidosis and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy—conditions that also carry a high risk of sudden death but suffer from diagnostic ambiguity.They’re also working to test the model in larger, more varied populations to move it closer to clinical adoption.A New Era in Cardiology?Artificial intelligence has long been hyped as the future of medicine. But MAARS is more than hype—it’s a working proof of concept that shows how deep learning can complement medical expertise, not replace it.AI may soon become your cardiologist’s most powerful diagnostic tool—one that sees what even the best-trained human eyes might miss. And when lives are on the line, that kind of clarity could mean everything.

scientists have developed an ai model to help predict sudden cardiac risks 'most doctors can't see'

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Kang Seo-ha dies at 31 due to stomach cancer

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South Korean actress <span>Kang</span> Seo-ha, known for her performances in K-dramas like <em>First Love Again</em> and <em>The Flower in Prison</em> passed away at the age of 31 after a long battle with <span>stomach cancer</span>. Her family also confirmed the news on Monday. 

Kang's family took to Instagram, and posted a video along with a long note in remembrance of her.

“I still can’t believe it, unnie. Even while enduring such immense pain, you worried about those around you and about me. Even though you couldn’t eat for months, you insisted on paying for my meals with your own card and never let me skip a meal. My angel, who left us far too soon. Even as you endured everything with painkillers, you said you were grateful that it wasn’t worse, and I felt truly ashamed. My dear sister, you went through so much. I hope you are only happy and free from pain where you are now,” the note read.

A memorial service is also being organized at Seoul St Mary's Hospital and the funeral procession is scheduled at 7.40am on July 16 (KST).

<h4>Kang Seo Ha's <span rel="noindex">Cancer</span></h4>

It was in 2024 that Kang was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer. As per reports, she had stage IV stomach cancer and underwent treatment, including multiple rounds of chemotherapy, while she continued to fulfill her professional commitments. However, in mid-2025, her health rapidly declined, leading to her death. 

As per the National Cancer Institute, US, cancer stage describes the extent of cancer in the body, which includes the size of the tumor, whether it has spread, and how far has it spread from where it was first formed.

In stage IV stomach cancer, which Kang too was suffering from, the cancer spreads to other body parts, mostly lungs, liver, distant lymph nodes, and the tissue that lines the abdomen wall. 

Stage IV stomach cancer, also known as metastatic stomach cancer, occurs when cancer cells spread from the stomach to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. The new tumors are still made up of stomach cancer cells, not cells from the organs they’ve reached. So, if the cancer spreads to the lungs, it's still considered stomach cancer — not lung cancer — and is referred to as metastatic stomach cancer.

The National Cancer Institute, US, notes that stomach cancer starts in the cells lining the stomach. There are various types of stomach cancers including:

<strong>Adenocarcinoma </strong>of the stomach, which begins in the mucus-producing cells in the innermost lining of the stomach. Nearly all stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas.

<strong>Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma </strong>(GEJ) is a cancer that forms in the area where the esophagus meets the gastric cardia. GEJ may be treated similarly to stomach cancer or esophageal cancer.

<strong>Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors </strong>are cancers that begin in neuroendocrine cells (a type of cell that is like a nerve cell and a hormone-making cell) that line the gastrointestinal tract.

<strong>Gastrointestinal stromal tumors </strong>(GIST) begin in nerve cells that are found in the wall of the stomach and other digestive organs. GIST is a type of soft tissue sarcoma. 

<strong>Primary gastric lymphoma</strong> is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that forms in the stomach. Most primary gastric lymphomas are either mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) gastric lymphoma or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the stomach. 

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South Korean actress Kang Seo-ha, known for her performances in K-dramas like First Love Again and The Flower in Prison passed away at the age of 31 after a long battle with stomach cancer. Her family also confirmed the news on Monday. Kang's family took to Instagram, and posted a video along with a long note in remembrance of her.“I still can’t believe it, unnie. Even while enduring such immense pain, you worried about those around you and about me. Even though you couldn’t eat for months, you insisted on paying for my meals with your own card and never let me skip a meal. My angel, who left us far too soon. Even as you endured everything with painkillers, you said you were grateful that it wasn’t worse, and I felt truly ashamed. My dear sister, you went through so much. I hope you are only happy and free from pain where you are now,” the note read.A memorial service is also being organized at Seoul St Mary's Hospital and the funeral procession is scheduled at 7.40am on July 16 (KST).        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by 은 (@feb.eun)]]> Kang Seo Ha's CancerIt was in 2024 that Kang was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer. As per reports, she had stage IV stomach cancer and underwent treatment, including multiple rounds of chemotherapy, while she continued to fulfill her professional commitments. However, in mid-2025, her health rapidly declined, leading to her death. As per the National Cancer Institute, US, cancer stage describes the extent of cancer in the body, which includes the size of the tumor, whether it has spread, and how far has it spread from where it was first formed.In stage IV stomach cancer, which Kang too was suffering from, the cancer spreads to other body parts, mostly lungs, liver, distant lymph nodes, and the tissue that lines the abdomen wall. Stage IV stomach cancer, also known as metastatic stomach cancer, occurs when cancer cells spread from the stomach to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. The new tumors are still made up of stomach cancer cells, not cells from the organs they’ve reached. So, if the cancer spreads to the lungs, it's still considered stomach cancer — not lung cancer — and is referred to as metastatic stomach cancer.Stomach Cancer And Its TypesThe National Cancer Institute, US, notes that stomach cancer starts in the cells lining the stomach. There are various types of stomach cancers including:Adenocarcinoma of the stomach, which begins in the mucus-producing cells in the innermost lining of the stomach. Nearly all stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas.Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJ) is a cancer that forms in the area where the esophagus meets the gastric cardia. GEJ may be treated similarly to stomach cancer or esophageal cancer.Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors are cancers that begin in neuroendocrine cells (a type of cell that is like a nerve cell and a hormone-making cell) that line the gastrointestinal tract.Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) begin in nerve cells that are found in the wall of the stomach and other digestive organs. GIST is a type of soft tissue sarcoma. Primary gastric lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that forms in the stomach. Most primary gastric lymphomas are either mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) gastric lymphoma or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the stomach. 

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With the world coping with various bacterial infections, in Australia, it is the season of <span>meningococcal</span> disease. Last month, two Tasmanian women were hospitalized with invasive meningococcal disease, which has brought the numbers to 48.

The cases are showing an uptick, and health authorities are now urging people to watch for symptoms and to check whether they are eligible for vaccination.

According to the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, meningococcal disease is a contagious disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, which is also known as the meningococcal bacteria. It can develop quickly and could be fatal if not treated. Anyone with a suspected meningococcal infection needs to see their doctor immediately.

The official government website of Australia notes: "Meningococcal disease is a medical emergency. It can kill within hours, so early diagnosis and treatment are vital. Do not wait for the purple rash to appear, as that is a late stage of the disease"

However, the ray of hope is that this disease is vaccine-preventable.

The Australian Government's Healthdirect notes that the common symptoms of this disease include:

<ul><li>Fever</li><li>Purple rash</li><li>Meningitis</li><li>Sepsis</li><li>Headache</li><li>Neck stiffness</li><li>Light sensitivity</li><li>Nausea and vomiting</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Drowsiness and confusion</li><li>Leg pain or other muscle or joint aches and pains</li></ul>

In babies or young children, the following can be the symptoms:

<ul><li>difficulty feeding or reduced feeds</li><li>irritability</li><li>tiredness and floppiness</li><li>seizures</li><li>having a high-pitched cry</li><li>having a bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the top of their head)</li><li>pale or mottled skin</li></ul>

The disease can live in the nose and throat of many healthy people and could spread through coughing, sneezing, sharing eating or drinking utensils, and by kissing.

Complication with the disease can also lead to:

<ul><li>limb differences, or losing a limb</li><li>skin scarring</li><li>hearing loss</li><li>blindness</li><li>learning difficulties</li><li>brain damage</li></ul><h4>Vaccination</h4>

There are different vaccines that treat the different types of this disease, including A, B, C, W, and Y. The vaccination meningococcal B and meningococcal ACWY can be taken at 6 weeks of age.

The MenACWY vaccine is a conjugate vaccine, which means it combines sugars from the outer coating of the bacteria with a protein. This helps trigger a stronger immune response, particularly in young infants.

In contrast, the MenB vaccine doesn’t use the sugar capsule. Instead, it contains four different proteins taken from the surface of the meningococcal B bacteria.

One should speak to a doctor if they have not been vaccinated at a younger age. The vaccination is recommended for:

<ul><li>babies, children, teenagers and young adults</li><li>Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people</li><li>young adults who live in close quarters or who are current smokers</li><li>travellers</li><li>people who have certain medical conditions that increase their risk of meningococcal disease</li><li>laboratory workers who work with the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease</li></ul>

However, as Healthdirect, an Australian Government's website notes that even with the administration of vaccine, meningococcal disease laboratory workers who work with the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease symptoms may still may linger. In such a case, go visit the hospital for further checks.

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With the world coping with various bacterial infections, in Australia, it is the season of meningococcal disease. Last month, two Tasmanian women were hospitalized with invasive meningococcal disease, which has brought the numbers to 48.The cases are showing an uptick, and health authorities are now urging people to watch for symptoms and to check whether they are eligible for vaccination.What Is Meningococcal Disease?According to the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, meningococcal disease is a contagious disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, which is also known as the meningococcal bacteria. It can develop quickly and could be fatal if not treated. Anyone with a suspected meningococcal infection needs to see their doctor immediately.The official government website of Australia notes: "Meningococcal disease is a medical emergency. It can kill within hours, so early diagnosis and treatment are vital. Do not wait for the purple rash to appear, as that is a late stage of the disease"However, the ray of hope is that this disease is vaccine-preventable.What Are The Common Symptoms?The Australian Government's Healthdirect notes that the common symptoms of this disease include:FeverPurple rashMeningitisSepsisHeadacheNeck stiffnessLight sensitivityNausea and vomitingLoss of appetiteDrowsiness and confusionLeg pain or other muscle or joint aches and painsIn babies or young children, the following can be the symptoms:difficulty feeding or reduced feedsirritabilitytiredness and floppinessseizureshaving a high-pitched cryhaving a bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the top of their head)pale or mottled skinThe disease can live in the nose and throat of many healthy people and could spread through coughing, sneezing, sharing eating or drinking utensils, and by kissing.Complication with the disease can also lead to:limb differences, or losing a limbskin scarringhearing lossblindnesslearning difficultiesbrain damageVaccinationThere are different vaccines that treat the different types of this disease, including A, B, C, W, and Y. The vaccination meningococcal B and meningococcal ACWY can be taken at 6 weeks of age.The MenACWY vaccine is a conjugate vaccine, which means it combines sugars from the outer coating of the bacteria with a protein. This helps trigger a stronger immune response, particularly in young infants.In contrast, the MenB vaccine doesn’t use the sugar capsule. Instead, it contains four different proteins taken from the surface of the meningococcal B bacteria.One should speak to a doctor if they have not been vaccinated at a younger age. The vaccination is recommended for:babies, children, teenagers and young adultsAboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peopleyoung adults who live in close quarters or who are current smokerstravellerspeople who have certain medical conditions that increase their risk of meningococcal diseaselaboratory workers who work with the bacterium that causes meningococcal diseaseHowever, as Healthdirect, an Australian Government's website notes that even with the administration of vaccine, meningococcal disease laboratory workers who work with the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease symptoms may still may linger. In such a case, go visit the hospital for further checks.

australia sees rise in meningococcal disease: what you need to know about symptoms and vaccination

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More than 14 million children worldwide did not receive a single routine vaccine last year, according to a joint report released Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The number remains unchanged from 2023, highlighting a worrying stagnation in global immunization efforts.

The annual estimate of global vaccine coverage found that 89% of children under one year received the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine in 2024 — the same as in the previous year. However, only 85% completed the full three-dose series, a slight rise from 84% in 2023.

Despite modest gains, officials warn that progress is faltering due to geopolitical shifts, humanitarian crises, and rising vaccine misinformation.

<h4>Foreign Aid Cuts Threaten Vaccine Programs</h4>

The report comes amid a sharp pullback in international health funding, particularly from the United States. Earlier this year, President Trump officially withdrew U.S. membership from the WHO, suspended most humanitarian aid, and moved to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

<h4>Further compounding the issue, U.S. Health </h4>

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, recently announced the withdrawal of billions of dollars pledged to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance. He accused the group of “ignoring the science,” despite overwhelming evidence that vaccines are safe and effective.

These decisions are expected to significantly impact global vaccine rollouts, especially in low-income countries.

Nine countries accounted for 52% of all unvaccinated children in 2024. These include:

<ul><li>Nigeria</li><li>India</li><li>Sudan</li><li>Democratic Republic of Congo</li><li>Ethiopia</li><li>Indonesia</li><li>Yemen</li><li>Afghanistan</li><li>Angola</li></ul>

Among them, Sudan reported the lowest coverage for DTP vaccines — a reflection of the country’s ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. WHO officials said war, displacement, and weak health systems are major barriers to <span>vaccination</span>.

“Access to vaccines remains deeply unequal,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about vaccine safety, threaten to unwind decades of progress.”

<h4>Measles on the Rise Amid Lagging Coverage</h4>

The report showed a slight improvement in global measles vaccination rates, with 76% of children receiving both doses — up from previous years. But experts warn this is far below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks of this highly contagious disease.

In 2024 alone, 60 countries reported large measles outbreaks. The United States is currently experiencing its worst measles outbreak in over 30 years, while Europe recorded 125,000 cases, more than double the 2023 count.

Last week, a child in Liverpool, UK, died of measles. Despite ongoing public awareness campaigns, only 84% of children in the U.K. are vaccinated against the disease.

<h4>“It’s Never Too Late to Be Vaccinated”</h4>

Experts are urging families and governments to act. “It is hugely concerning, but not at all surprising, that we are continuing to see outbreaks of measles,” said Helen Bradford, a children’s health professor at University College London. “The only way to stop measles spreading is with vaccination. It is never too late to be vaccinated — even as an adult.”

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14 million children unvaccinaed

More than 14 million children worldwide did not receive a single routine vaccine last year, according to a joint report released Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The number remains unchanged from 2023, highlighting a worrying stagnation in global immunization efforts.The annual estimate of global vaccine coverage found that 89% of children under one year received the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine in 2024 — the same as in the previous year. However, only 85% completed the full three-dose series, a slight rise from 84% in 2023.Despite modest gains, officials warn that progress is faltering due to geopolitical shifts, humanitarian crises, and rising vaccine misinformation.Foreign Aid Cuts Threaten Vaccine ProgramsThe report comes amid a sharp pullback in international health funding, particularly from the United States. Earlier this year, President Trump officially withdrew U.S. membership from the WHO, suspended most humanitarian aid, and moved to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).Further compounding the issue, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, recently announced the withdrawal of billions of dollars pledged to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance. He accused the group of “ignoring the science,” despite overwhelming evidence that vaccines are safe and effective.These decisions are expected to significantly impact global vaccine rollouts, especially in low-income countries.Who's Being Left Behind?Nine countries accounted for 52% of all unvaccinated children in 2024. These include:NigeriaIndiaSudanDemocratic Republic of CongoEthiopiaIndonesiaYemenAfghanistanAngolaAmong them, Sudan reported the lowest coverage for DTP vaccines — a reflection of the country’s ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. WHO officials said war, displacement, and weak health systems are major barriers to vaccination.“Access to vaccines remains deeply unequal,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about vaccine safety, threaten to unwind decades of progress.”Measles on the Rise Amid Lagging CoverageThe report showed a slight improvement in global measles vaccination rates, with 76% of children receiving both doses — up from previous years. But experts warn this is far below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks of this highly contagious disease.In 2024 alone, 60 countries reported large measles outbreaks. The United States is currently experiencing its worst measles outbreak in over 30 years, while Europe recorded 125,000 cases, more than double the 2023 count.Last week, a child in Liverpool, UK, died of measles. Despite ongoing public awareness campaigns, only 84% of children in the U.K. are vaccinated against the disease.“It’s Never Too Late to Be Vaccinated”Experts are urging families and governments to act. “It is hugely concerning, but not at all surprising, that we are continuing to see outbreaks of measles,” said Helen Bradford, a children’s health professor at University College London. “The only way to stop measles spreading is with vaccination. It is never too late to be vaccinated — even as an adult.”

over 14 million children miss out on vaccines amid aid cuts and rising misinformation

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Scientists Have Developed An AI Model To Help Predict Sudden Cardiac Risks 'Most Doctors Can't See'

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Kang Seo-ha, South Korean Actress Dies At 31 After Battling Stage IV Stomach cancer

Australia Sees Rise In Meningococcal Disease: What You Need To Know About Symptoms And Vaccination

Over 14 Million Children Miss Out On Vaccines Amid Aid Cuts And Rising Misinformation

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Kang Seo-ha, South Korean Actress Dies At 31 After Battling Stage IV Stomach cancer

Australia Sees Rise In Meningococcal Disease: What You Need To Know About Symptoms And Vaccination

Over 14 Million Children Miss Out On Vaccines Amid Aid Cuts And Rising Misinformation