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Revenue Management Solutions Answers the Question: How Much Price Is Too Much?

Revenue Management Solutions

For restaurant operators facing record-high inflation this year, the question of pricing is a tricky one. Fortunately, new research by Revenue Management Solutions reveals how operators can find the sweet spot for pricing that works for both businesses and diners. In the face of inflationary costs, raising prices is the first line of defense for restaurant operators. These businesses face severe bottom-line pressure due to lingering COVID concerns, food costs, supply chain troubles and dire labor shortages. In response, quick service restaurant (QSR) prices have been steadily increasing, hitting a record 16.3% in August 2022. Consumers have taken the hit to date, but with wallet pressures looming, how much can QSR customers bear before breaking? That’s the question Revenue Management Solutions set out to answer on behalf of its clients —some of the world’s largest QSR brands. After analyzing in-store price increases by percentages year over year (Q2 2022 vs. Q2 2021) for 25,000 QSR locations in the US across numerous brands, RMS found that, yes, consumers have a breaking point. “When price increases were between 10%-13%, traffic started to severely decline, negating some or all of the net sales benefits,“ stated Revenue Management Solutions Director of Consulting Services Scott Foxworth. Chart 1 indicates the significant drops in traffic as prices hit the ceiling. When looking at average price increases across observed locations, RMS found that most locations were beneath the threshold, with increases between 9% and 10%. “Though the average price increases among observed brands fell below the threshold, the future is still uncertain,” said RMS Chief Operating Officer Mark Kuperman. “Some brands have an opportunity to increase margins with additional price increases, while others may have already hit the breaking point – even at a lower percentage increase.” To determine a brand’s unique price increase ceiling, Kuperman recommends a careful analysis, by location, of the following pricing levers: Customer type Location Price by Item Magnitude and timing of recent pricing rounds In a recent consumer survey, RMS found that the percentage of consumers trading down – ordering less expensive items or choosing less expensive restaurants – is rising. So too is trading out – of consumers that reported managing costs, 45% are ordering less often from restaurants. “Consumers are beginning to perceive restaurant prices as higher, and about 1 in 3 believe they are getting less value from restaurants,” said Kuperman. “Brands will win if they can add to the value equation with great service, abundant value options and creativity.” To download free sales, traffic and pricing trends from Revenue Management Solutions, go to revenuemanage.com/resources. About Revenue Management Solutions Revenue Management Solutions (RMS) is more than ever committed to supporting restaurants through these ever-changing times. Today, more than 50 major brands in 40-plus countries trust RMS. Its data-driven analytics and tech-enabled solutions optimize sales, menus and a brand’s financial health. RMS provides actionable insights to more than 100,000 restaurant locations worldwide to help them make informed business decisions that drive profitability and combat inflation and rising wages. The company holds five US patents on menu pricing and customer segmentation and supports ongoing academic research efforts. For more information on how RMS helps its clients, visit revenuemanage.com. Contact Details Tracy Henderson +1 720-989-3530 tracy@centerreachcommunication.com Company Website https://www.revenuemanage.com

October 04, 2022 08:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Innersense Organic Beauty Launches Bright Balance Collection

Innersense Organic Beauty

Award winning hair care brand Innersense Organic Beauty is expanding their range with two new products, Bright Balance Hairbath and Bright Balance Conditioner. This collection is a clean, deeply hydrating, silicone-free alternative to traditional purple toning shampoos and conditioners on the market. Each product is specifically formulated with Certified Organic Ingredients to nourish blonde, gray and bleached hair while neutralizing brass and yellow tones in all hair textures. Bright Balance Hairbath thoroughly but gently cleanses hair without stripping natural oils, while working to tone and brighten hair. Bright Balance Conditioner works to deeply hydrate and moisturize strands. Both products are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fatty acids and work synergistically to cool color without drying or damaging hair. Formulated with a custom crafted pigment blend, Bright Balance Hairbath and Conditioner provides the perfect amount of color correction for the most neutral tone possible. This collection also utilizes more effective natural carriers that help pigment adhere to hair for better color saturation and wearability. Key ingredients in the Bright Balance Hairbath include: Monoi Oil: extracted from the petals of the Tahitian Gardenia, this Vitamin-E rich oil moisturizes and helps shield hair from environmental damage Apple Extract: a natural nourisher, this humectant helps attract and retain moisture for softer and smoother hair Witch Hazel: the bark and leaves of this ancient medicinal plant include anti-inflammatory properties that gently cleanse hair and remove any color-dulling residue Organic Rice Syrup: known for its concentration of fortifying amino acids, this natural extract promotes hair elasticity Key Ingredients in the Bright Balance Conditioner include: Organic Rice Bran Oil: extracted from the rice kernel’s outer shell, this highly emollient, antioxidant oil bolsters color longevity and overall hair health Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil: a unique blend of minerals, vitamins and fatty acids to aid with hair thickness, softness and resilience Organic Coconut Oil: full of antioxidants to promote hair longevity while moisturizing strands deeply Avocado Oil: high in fat, minerals and antioxidants to help repair dry and damaged hair “We wanted to formulate a collection specifically to nourish and tone gray, blonde and bleached hair without silicones or other common cosmetic ingredients that build up over time and compromise overall hair health,” says Greg Starkman, Founder of Innersense Organic Beauty, “we are always looking for cleaner, healthier solutions using Certified Organic Ingredients to keep hair healthy and balanced.” Bright Balance Hairbath and Conditioner formulations are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO and cruelty free. Bottles are created using 100% Post Consumer Recycled Plastic. Innersense Organic Beauty is a certified B-Corp organization and received their Climate Neutral Certification, to measure and offset its carbon footprint, while also reducing its emissions over time. Bright Balance Hairbath retails for $30 (10 oz) and $80 (32 oz ) and Bright Balance Conditioner retails for $32 (10 oz) and $90 (32 oz). The collection will be available on October 3rd at innersensebeauty.com and in-store at specialty retailers such as Credo Beauty, The Detox Market, Beauty Heroes, and Aillea. About Innersense Organic Beauty Beauty professionals Greg and Joanne Starkman founded Innersense Organic Beauty to bring clean, pure, toxin-free, and salon-quality hair care made with Certified Organic Ingredients to salons, stylists and consumers. The clean, sustainable hair care brand’s products include shampoo, conditioner, scalp scrubs, styling and treatment products for all hair types. For more information, visit innersensebeauty.com. Contact Details BPCM Archita Patel +1 281-725-2121 archita@bpcm.com Company Website https://innersensebeauty.com/

October 03, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Stillwater, Minnesota based children’s mitten company, Chopper Mill, Inc., becomes a brand alliance partner with Protect Our Winters

Chopper Mill, Inc.

Chopper Mill is proud to announce a brand alliance with Protect Our Winters (POW). Protect Our Winters is one of the nation’s most prominent defenders of our northern climates and the winter season that makes them special. High profile athletes such as Stillwater, Minnesota’s own Jessie Diggins are part of the POW Alliance and Chopper Mill is proud to join in their mission to fight climate change. “POW has inspired me since the day it was founded” notes Chopper Mill founder Jill Kaufenberg. “Their mission is to help passionate outdoor people protect the places they live and lifestyles they love from climate change. POW is a community of athletes, scientists, creatives, and brands advancing cross-partisan policies that protect our world today and for future generations. How can you not want to partner with them!? At Chopper Mill, we’re proud to lend our voice and our capital to the cause.” As an entrepreneur and mom of hockey players, skiers, hikers and sledders—who are forever in need of warm mittens—Jill felt compelled to create a brand that met their standards. She set out to design the world’s best children’s mitten with a one-of-a-kind replacement program, and thus her company, Chopper Mill, was born. When her son, Kye, lost his “good mittens” for two weeks she decided that it should not be the fault of parents if the child loses the mitten. So she created a new solution to the inevitable lost mitten, aptly named, the re/PAIR™ plan. About Chopper Mill, Inc.: Chopper Mill is a female founded e-commerce company based in Stillwater, Minnesota. Proudly making children’s mittens to encourage children to enjoy the winter season with their families. They are dedicated to becoming the mitten solution company with the re/PAIR™ plan which allows families to rely on the company for a free single mitten replacement included with every pair purchased. Additionally, the company believes that their families should be able to buy just a right, or just a left, which is a new offering in the outdoor apparel industry. Lastly, the mittens are free to customize, and velcro is removable to hand down to the next sibling, or family friend encouraging longevity of use. For more information please visit www.choppermill.com, or email hello@choppermill.com. For information on Protect Our Winters, please visit www.protectourwinters.org. Contact Details Chopper Mill Jill Kaufenberg hello@choppermill.com Company Website https://www.choppermill.com

October 03, 2022 10:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time

The Administration Announced Ending Hunger, Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity, and Reducing Diet-Related Diseases and Disparities

Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine

Joining initiatives announced by the administration at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) and its partner, the Miraglo Foundation, are committing to pledge nearly $4.5 million for health provider education, joining more than $8 billion pledged by other aligned business entities, civic organizations, academic institutions, and philanthropic leaders to end hunger and to reduce nutrition-related disease by 2030. The two organizations have been in conversation with the White House and are aligning in support of the United States Department of Health and Human Services federal programming and coordination efforts related to food and nutrition insecurity and nutrition-related diseases. Specifically, the White House’s plan to end hunger and reduce nutrition-related disease by 2030, and programming outlined by the federal government around integrating nutrition and health, as well as, empowering all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices. AIHM and the Miraglo Foundation, under the leadership of Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACC, ABOIM, and Founding President of AIHM, have committed to fundraising $4.5 million for 10,000 scholarships in fundamental nutrition education and 60 scholarships for the AIHM integrative health fellowship program for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers. The AIHM 1000-hour fellowship program offers an inter-professional and comprehensive understanding of integrative health and medicine, which includes clinical nutrition education. AIHM's leadership and board are also committing in-kind hours supporting this commitment and the White House's new strategies. ''We are fully committed to providing access to programs that improve nutrition and healthy lifestyle education for health care providers, including macro and micro nutrition, physical activity, sleep restoration, connection and community, and resilience," said Tabatha Parker, Executive Director, AIHM. "We believe that healthcare will not transform to a model that focuses on lifestyle solutions for chronic disease without the training of healthcare providers and the education of health to consumers," states Dr. Guarneri, AIHM Founding president. AIHM and the Miraglo Foundation commit to fundraising for scholarships worldwide and providing access to programs that complement conventional medical education for healthcare professionals. The two entities envision more healthcare schools with programs addressing these gaps in education. For more information, or if you'd like to support AIHM and the Miraglo Foundation's commitment, please go to www.aihm.org or www.miraglofoundation.org. About AIHM Founded in 1978, the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) is the leading interprofessional organization for traditional, complementary, and integrative health practitioners worldwide. In 2021, AIHM merged with the Academic Collaborative of Integrative Health (ACIH). Together, they are working to advance integrative health on a global scale and transform health and wellness through education, leadership, collaboration, research, and advocacy. About Miraglo Foundation The Miraglo Foundation is a California-based 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity founded in 2011 by two pioneering integrative healthcare providers, Mimi Guarneri, MD and Rauni Prittinen King, RN, MIH after years of traveling to impoverished communities around the world. "We found out that the only way to make an impact on people's lives is by training existing healthcare providers in healthy lifestyles and serving underserved communities, locally and globally. The White Houses' plan to end hunger and reduce lifestyle related diseases by 2030 fits with our mission and experience," states Rauni Prittinen King RN, MIH, Miraglo Foundation, President. Contact Details AIHM Caitlin Marinaro +1 858-240-9033 cmarinaro@aihm.org Company Website https://aihm.org

October 03, 2022 06:08 AM Pacific Daylight Time

2022 Taitung Blue Ocean Daily—Taitung’s First Ever Long-Distance Outrigger Canoe Challenge Rediscovers the Glory of the Austronesian Origin Point

Taitung County Government

TAITUNG, TAIWAN - Media OutReach - 30 September 2022 - Taitung launched its new Taitung Blue Ocean Daily festival on September 17 at four of the county’s iconic maritime venues: Shanyuan Bay, Jinzun, Flowing Lake, and Green Island. There will be 5 weeks of activities between these famous locations. Many paid a visit to Shanyuan to witness the spectacle that is the Outrigger Canoe. For this year’s event, Kimokeo Kapahulehua (Unkle K), an international expert from Hawaii, was invited to share his story about how his Austronesian ancestors thousands of years ago sailed from Taiwan to Hawaii on canoes. Unkle K arrived in Taiwan to sail on the Outrigger to further connect with his ancestors. On Thursday, 22 September, the Taitung County Government collaborated with Kimokeo Foundation in Hawaii, and the local Duli tribe to undergo the challenge to sail a long-distance on an outrigger canoe on Taiwanese waters for the first time. The canoe departed from the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean and sailed towards the traditional waters of the Duli tribe, establishing a meaningful milestone for the 2022 Taitung Blue Ocean Daily. Taitung County Government collaborates with the Kimokeo Foundation from Hawaii, and the local Duli tribe to undergo first-time long-distance outrigger canoe sailing on Taiwanese waters. The Austronesian Culture feat. Indigenous Tribal Life Experience was held on Thursday, September 22, marking the first time Taiwan has ever sailed in the Pacific Ocean along the coast on an outrigger canoe. When the outrigger canoe sailed near Pacefongan, the traditional waters of the Duli tribe, sailors blew through conch shells to announce their visit. Meanwhile, the people shoreside responded friendly by blowing bamboo horns in a canoe welcoming ceremony. After the outrigger canoe successfully landed on the shore, the elders presented the oarsman on the outrigger canoes with the traditional Amis ornaments to express their welcome. The outrigger canoe was named Pera (meaning the sea water splits) after the rocks on the river mouth at the Duli tribe as a means to re-establish tradition and camaraderie among the islands of the Austronesian tribes. After the canoe welcome ceremony, the Duli tribe invited the representatives from the Kimokeo Foundation of Hawaii to visit the Amis Folk Center to conduct a house worship ceremony and fired blanks from bamboo cannons to salute and bless the visitors as well as to share the legacy of the Amis culture. The Taitung County Government claims that Taiwan is the home of the Austronesian tribes. Taitung is home to 6 Austronesian tribes: Paiwan, Bunun, Rukai, Pinuyumayan, Yami (Tao), and Kavalan tribes. As Taitung is the only county with the most indigenous tribes in Taiwan, these tribes help form Taitung’s diverse local culture. As the Austronesian tribes have over 3000 years of history building connections and friendships amongst the island nations by sailing across the Pacific Ocean on outrigger canoes, hence Taiwan is the homeland of the Austronesians. The Taitung County Government intends to re-create the cultural legacy of the Austronesian tribes and introduce the diverse tribal cultures, the longest and the most beautiful coastline in Taiwan, as well as the unique charm of the local seaside city to the world. For more information, please visit Taitung Blue Ocean Daily’s FB page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083162535238 Contact Details Hsu Yi-Chung w2034@taitung.gov.tw

September 30, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Understanding Inherited Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing

YourUpdateTV

For certain cancers that disproportionally or exclusively affect women, like breast and ovarian cancer, there is a bias to focus on the mother’s side of the family tree in health conversations. And for many, especially previvors – people living at risk of a particular disease but not yet diagnosed – that seemed like enough. But as research has evolved and our understanding of inherited risk has deepened, it has become clearer that genetic risk on our dad’s side of the family can also increase an individual's breast and ovarian cancer risk. Recently, Cancer Previvor Jen Culton and Board-Certified Physician Assistant, Skyler Jesz, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss inherited risk from dad’s side of the family and some tips to help you take a proactive approach to your health. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/0cFRDhC4JHs A recent survey from Myriad Genetics,, a leader in genetic testing, underscores that dad’s side of the family is often overlooked, and much more: More than a third of women do not feel knowledgeable about their father's side of the family. Only 30% of women are very comfortable speaking with their father about their potential risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer, compared to 57% being very comfortable speaking about it with their mother. This is much lower in comparison to the almost 80% of women who consider themselves knowledgeable about their mother’s family health history. 48-year-old Jen Culton sought genetic testing in 2013 after her older sister’s breast cancer diagnosis to find out if she might be at risk. Results showed that she carries a BRCA1 gene mutation and is at increased risk of developing the disease. The news came as a surprise. Jen knew her mother’s health history and it didn’t include cancer. What she didn’t know then: her father’s family history of cancer; the gene mutation came from him. She used this information to take proactive measures to address her risk. For more information, visit myriad.com/knowyourrisk About Jen Culton: Jen Culton is a 48-year-old living previvor. She is at risk for breast and ovarian cancer and came to learn about it in unexpected and surprising ways. It began with her sister Mickey Marasco. Mickey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. Her doctors recommended she undergo genetic testing, and it was discovered that she carries a BRCA1 gene mutation. While undergoing cancer treatment, Mickey had one request: that all six of her siblings undergo genetic testing as well. The siblings went for testing together, and two of Mickey’s sisters (Jen being one of them) were also found to carry the same BRCA1 mutation. For Jen it came as a surprise. She knew her mother’s side did not have a history of cancer. Later she learned that her father’s side did and the gene mutations actually came from their father’s side of the family. But the family’s story doesn’t end there. Jen has three biological daughters – 26, 19, and 10 – who are now facing a similar reality. Genetic testing confirmed that Jen’s oldest daughter is not BRCA1 positive. Her second daughter, however, inherited the BRCA1 mutation from Jen, as well as an ATM gene mutation from her father. Her chances of developing cancer are extraordinarily higher than that of the average woman, up to 87% for breast cancer. With this knowledge, she’s ready to face what’s next, and is considering what proactive measures she should take for her health – just like her mom and her aunts, also BRCA1 positive who sought out proactive measures to manage their risks, and all three are now thriving. About Skyler Jesz, Board Certified Physician Assistant: Skyler Jesz is an Omaha native. She attended the College of Saint Mary, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She moved away from Omaha for the first time to attend the physician assistant program at Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa. Upon completion of the program, Skyler began her career in the primary care setting, working in a private family practice just outside of Omaha. After more than four years as a primary care provider, she transitioned to her current OBGYN setting. Skyler loves being part of a medical practice that puts patients first and uses the most up-to-date research and recommendations to provide comprehensive and compassionate care. She has a passion for preventative medicine, including genetics and cancer risk assessment. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 29, 2022 03:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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XPOINT VERIFY IS LIVE IN THE USA WITH PLAYSTAR

Xpoint Technology

Xpoint, the leading geolocation and compliance technology company specializing in North American sports betting and iGaming markets, has announced that Xpoint Verify – Xpoint's real-money gaming geolocation product - is now live in-market in the USA with Xpoint partner PlayStar, the challenger online casino brand that recently launched in New Jersey. The news that Xpoint Verify is now live in the USA with PlayStar comes shortly after the company’s recent announcements that it is live in Canada and the USA with multiple partners, marking another milestone moment in the establishment of Xpoint as the most innovative, exciting new geolocation technology specialists working with world-class operators in sports betting, iGaming and Daily Fantasy Sports. “2022 is proving to be a pivotal year for Xpoint and I am delighted that we are now live with PlayStar, another world-class Xpoint Verify partner in the U.S.,” commented Marvin Sanderson, CEO and Co-Founder of Xpoint. “Obviously each of our announcements are major steps forward, for our team and our partners, but they are just the start of our story. Over the coming months we will be announcing more partnerships and more developments within our business as we bring truly game-changing thinking to our industry. We are innovative, we work tirelessly for our partners, and we exist to help them unlock the true potential of their investment in geolocation tech – previously that has been seen as a utility, but our thinking helps turn that utility into an asset. I’m excited to share more news over the coming months, so stay tuned.” As PlayStar’s Official Geolocation Partner, Xpoint plays an important role in ensuring PlayStar’s customers are able to engage with the online casino in a regulated, secure digital environment, while adhering strictly to all state and federal regulations. “PlayStar is an exciting brand bringing innovation, fresh thinking and consumer-focused value to the online casino market, key brand elements that we share,” added Sanderson. “It is going to be a major player in the U.S. market and we are delighted to be partnering with their team, and are excited to be part of what promises to be an exciting future for Playstar and its customers.” Per Hellberg, Chief Executive Officer at PlayStar said, “We are very pleased to be partnering with Xpoint as our Geolocation provider in New Jersey. Both PlayStar and Xpoint are at a similar point in their evolution - young, exciting brands who bring true innovation to our markets - and as we enter somewhat of a David and Goliath battle against our respective competitors. Additionally, this partnership means we stay true to our vision to leverage the most innovative technology in the market to deliver an online casino experience like no other.” For more details, please go to xpoint.tech and follow Xpoint on social media via LinkedIn. ABOUT XPOINT Xpoint provides essential geolocation security solutions and intelligent location-based marketing insights to the global sports betting and iGaming industries. Xpoint’s innovative Verify and Lite platforms ensures partners meet their regulatory geo-compliance obligations, and deliver enhanced value through the generation of location-based data that can drive marketing programs. Recently nominated for two 2022 SBC North America Awards, Xpoint was founded in 2019 and officially unveiled in Las Vegas in 2021, and is led by the company's CEO and Co-Founder Marvin Sanderson, a global sports betting and iGaming industry leader. With North American offices in Toronto, Canada and Miami, Florida, Xpoint is changing the global geolocation market, bringing innovation to an industry that has, to date, viewed geo-compliance as a utility, not a new business opportunity. For more information, visit xpoint.tech and follow LinkedIn and Twitter for regular updates. Contact Details Xpoint Tom Webb +1 512-952-9369 tom.webb@xpoint.tech PlayStar Sarah Blackburn sarah@gameon.im Company Website https://xpoint.tech/

September 29, 2022 11:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Sports Media Veteran Mike Stricoff Joins Playmaker as Senior Advisor

Playmaker

Playmaker, a leading social media sports and entertainment content platform, today announced that Mike Stricoff, a sports media veteran and digital content producer, will be joining the company in a senior advisory role. Stricoff will contribute to the continued expansion of Playmaker’s short-form content offerings on social media platforms such as Snap Discover, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Stricoff brings more than a decade of expertise within sports media along with him to Playmaker. Most recently, he spent more than five years at Snap Inc., playing a vital role in all sports content partnerships and programming. Earlier in his career, Stricoff worked as a producer at both Fox Sports and MLB Network. “Mike has an unbelievable knowledge base and network built up from his many years leading sports content at Snap,” said Playmaker CEO Brandon Harris. “He’s going to be able to offer a new, higher level perspective on our content strategy and open doors for us to create massive new partnerships.” Given his prior experience, Stricoff’s primary goal with Playmaker will be around its ongoing partnership with Snap. Currently, Playmaker has more than 30 shows on Snap Discover, garnering roughly 50 million views per month. Stricoff will play a crucial role in fostering critical relationships for expansion, as well as content development, strategy and evaluation. “During my time at Snap, I watched Playmaker grow from having a few compelling sports shows on Discover to being a real force for creating excellent mobile-first content across verticals,” said Mike Stricoff. “They have a talented team that understands young audiences and deploys innovative storytelling techniques in order to reach them. I am excited to help fuel their already impressive growth trajectory in any way that I can.” Stricoff is the 30th addition to Playmaker’s team in 2022, joining leaders from brands such as TMZ, Captiv8, Overtime, Genius and more. About Playmaker Playmaker is a new-age media, talent and merchandise company, owning 40 million followers across social media, 50+ athletes under management and more than 20 shows on Snap Discover. Verticals include sports, betting, entertainment, basketball and esports. Contact Details Alex Shapiro +1 732-770-9395 ashapiro@hotpaperlantern.com

September 29, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Landmark Global Review of the Engineering Response to Covid-19 Calls for Action to Ensure Future Pandemic Resilience

Engineering X

Engineering X review of pandemic preparedness identifies key vulnerabilities Senior leaders endorse the need for comprehensive action by policymakers, business and academic leaders worldwide Systemic barriers—including a lack of collaboration mechanisms, insufficient data and skills, and limited understanding and consideration of the role of engineering—reduced the ability of engineers to deliver timely and effective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a comprehensive review of the global engineering response, published today by Engineering X. The findings of the global review will today be presented to senior delegates from 30 countries during the annual conference of the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences in Versailles, France. The Global review of the engineering response to COVID-19: lessons learned for preparedness and resilience, produced in partnership with Dalberg Advisors, was conceived by the Engineering X Pandemic Preparedness programme at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2020 to learn lessons and make recommendations to ensure that a more systemic engineering response is put in place to improve preparedness for future pandemics. Ensuring that datasets and data systems used for decision-making are up-to-date and bias-free, equipping emergency response task forces with more engineering capability, and encouraging the use of open science and data sharing standards are just three of the actions recommended by the review group. Informed by data, case studies and comment from more than 40 countries, the review highlights the breadth of contributions made by engineers and engineering globally in responding to key challenges across sectors, disciplines, geographies, and across pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. It calls on governments, policy makers, public health actors, academia and funders, along with the engineering community, to identify and close structural gaps in resilience against future pandemics, to invest in skills, training and capacity of engineers all around the world, and to develop robust platforms for collaboration within engineering and between engineering and other disciplines. The review highlights transformational innovations in low resource contexts as well as world-changing advances in medical and communication technologies, the pivotal role of data collection, distribution and management, and the importance of applying a systems lens to complex multifaceted challenges. It identifies six major challenges during COVID-19 where engineers made key contributions: Providing high-quality and timely data in near real-time and in appropriate formats, leveraging big data and mobile data for modelling and contact tracing. Innovating rapidly to provide novel health solutions, in collaboration with scientists and clinicians, such as in the design of PPE, diagnostics, breathing aids, vaccines and digital health tools. Designing products and services for diverse environments and user bases to reduce inequality of access and outcomes, such as customised PPE or wastewater testing and vaccine delivery for low-resource settings. Pivoting existing industrial capacity and building new capacity to ramp up production of essential medical and non-medical products such as alcohol manufacturers making hand sanitisers and expanding local vaccine manufacture. Upgrading and streamlining global supply chains to help delivery of essential medical and non-medical products, such as cold chains and drones for last mile delivery of vaccines. Bolstering and ensuring the resilience of societal systems and infrastructure, such as energy and water supplies, or expanding connectivity and digital solutions for remote education or working. The report identifies key drivers that made engineers especially useful during the COVID-19 response, such as rallying around a shared sense of purpose, which empowered them to take risks and to innovate in unprecedented timeframes. For example, engineers from University College London (UCL) designed a breathing aid prototype in under 100 hours and partnered with Mercedes AMG, who repurposed their Formula 1 factories to produce 1,000 devices a day. The open-source design has been made available to local manufacturers around the world. Professor Peter Guthrie OBE FREng, Chair of the Engineering X Pandemic Preparedness board that commissioned the review, said: “As the COVID-19 virus and its impact continues to evolve, there is a need to reflect on the efficacy of our response to it so far and how things might be handled better in the future. Our hope is that we can use the insights provided by this truly global overview of the engineering response to COVID-19 to better integrate engineering skills and habits of mind into resilience policies and structures all around the world, to improve our recovery from the virus, and to help us on the path to a safer, more prepared and resilient future.” Professor Rebecca Shipley OBE, Director of the UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Co-Lead of the UCL Ventura CPAP breathing device programme, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the pivotal role that engineers play in responding to public health emergencies and resilience planning. There are important lessons that we must learn around understanding the needs of providing healthcare in diverse, global settings and working collaboratively across sectors, listening and building trust. Now is the time for governments and international organisations to act on these lessons.” Sir Richard Feachem KBE FREng, Professor Emeritus of Global Health at the Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a reminder that a global emergency requires a global response, and that no single country or discipline can tackle a crisis alone. This report reinforces this message and focuses on the role of engineering in this fight. It calls on the global community to learn lessons and act to improve our future pandemic response—creating better mechanisms for global collaboration and coordination, engaging with stakeholders from across disciplines, and developing the skills needed to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics.” End NB This press release and the Executive Summary of the global review are both available in French, Spanish and Arabic here: engineeringx.raeng.org.uk/pandemic-preparedness Notes for Editors Dalberg Advisors (2022). Global review of the engineering response to COVID-19: lessons learned for preparedness and resilience. Engineering X (founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering and Lloyd’s Register Foundation). ISBN: 978-1-909327-56-6 CAETS, the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences, annual conference is being held in Versailles near Paris, France, 26–30 September 2022. Engineering X is an international collaboration, founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, that brings together some of the world’s leading problem-solvers to address the great challenges of our age. Our global network of expert engineers, academics and business leaders is working to share best practice, explore new technologies, educate and train the next generation of engineers, build capacity, improve safety and deliver impact. The Engineering X Pandemic Preparedness Programme, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering, is supporting the UK and global engineering community to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic through global sharing of lessons on disruptive solutions and best practice approaches in the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery from pandemics. The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age. The Academy, working with our partners in the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC), provided advice to government on a range of areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact Details Royal Academy of Engineering Pippa Cox +44 20 7766 0745 Pippa.Cox@raeng.org.uk Company Website https://engineeringx.raeng.org.uk/

September 29, 2022 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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