QRRRWN - Queensland Rural Regional & Remote Women's Network’s Post

🇿🇦This week, at the Global Federation of Insurance Associations (GFIA) General Assembly in Cape Town, I was delighted to be elected as the Regional Representative for Oceania on the GFIA Executive Committee. It’s a privilege to represent our region in a federation that collectively accounts for 89% of global #insurance premiums—over $4 trillion annually. As an industry at the nexus of complex challenges, one critical consequence stands out: the growing insurance protection gap. In 2023, only 38% of global #economic losses were #insured. While Australia remains relatively well-insured comparatively - we are not immune and addressing it must remain a priority. The assembly was held along side the annual meeting of the IAIS - International Association of Insurance Supervisors with a theme of understanding the societal role of insurance. This is an increasing issue around the world as #affordability pressures such was extreme weather, inflation and population pressures on housing continue to rise. Tackling this requires a united approach. At the heart of this challenge is an urgent need to empower and enable risk reduction—an area ripe for #innovation, #collaboration, and shared success. The Asia Pacific region is among the most disaster-affected regions globally but it is also a leader in exporting #risk intelligence especially around #climate #resilience best practices. I look forward to contributing our region’s unique perspectives to the GFIA and learning from others. Together, we can close the protection gap, strengthen communities, and build resilience—not just locally but globally. It was also great to connect with Thea Utoft Høj Jensen and wish her all the best and support in her new role leading Insurance Europe and GFIA.

Picture this: You're sitting in a bustling Nairobi café, sipping your favorite chai, when you overhear excited chatter at the next table. "Did you hear about SHIF? It's going to change everything!" one person exclaims. You lean in, curious. What's this SHIF they're talking about? And how is it different from the NHIF you've known for years? #KenyasHealthcareRevolutionFromNHIFtoSHIF #PresidentRut

Growth & quick facts This past week I received a message from a journalist who works for a national television program. I know her from before. She asked if she could ask some questions, which was okay with me. The subject interested me and we ended up having a long phone call. I don't always respond to interview requests, but I usually do when I consider them important or relevant. This is the first interview request that I have accepted since Luca's recent passing. That's interesting because the focus was still very much on Luca's story in the early years, with some 'side information' as well. I understand that focus, because after all it started with him and it remains a beautiful story, but it was now so much more than that. Therefore, for those who are interested, a number of 'quick facts': - About 15 years ago, Luca became the world's first assistance dog for anorexia. We were pioneering; - 2009: I wrote down all my ideas and observations and started developing a method; - 2010: Luca's story was in the news papers and then on radio and television for the first time. I published my own method and started giving talks about it; - 2011: I gave my first international lecture about my method; - 2012: I founded MissionPuppy. MissionPuppy offered help (supervised open lunches, therapeutic help, family counseling etc) and trained assistance dogs for children and youngsters with severe and complex anorexia. The organization was a result of my own method and what I started with Luca. The first results (in the Netherlands and Belgium) were so amazing that Dutch Health insurer IZZ included MissionPuppy in its 'health top success program'; - 2013: This is the year of the first collaborations with hospitals and specialized clinics in the field, which meant that regular care and we as complementary care started working together, in addition to us operating independently in professional healthcare; - 2014: Further growth and collaborations and a first ambassador!; - 2015: As a result of a previous pilot within the organization, MissionPuppy starts with the training of therapy dogs as an extension of our work with assistance dogs. MissionPuppy receives an award for sustainable and conscious entrepreneurship; - 2016: MissionPuppy is a huge success so far. Clients gave the organization a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Canadese anorexia specialist Peggy Claude-Pierre speaks openly about MissionPuppy for the first time and calls it “phenomenal”. Claude-Pierre became ambassador of MissionPuppy. More below (I'm out of space).

🌟 Exciting news about the Food Systems and Nutrition Evidence and Gap Map 🌟 I'm thrilled to see the incredible progress of the Living Food Systems Evidence and Gap Map at 3ie, now expanded to include social assistance and social insurance! 🎉 This project, which I had the privilege to initiate four years ago, has always been close to my heart. It’s gratifying to witness its growth and the continued dedication of the team as they approach 3,000 studies included in the map. The map now has been expanded to provide invaluable research into how food systems intersect with social policies, including food taxes, food subsidies, social insurance, and cash transfers. This expansion aims to foster more equitable and sustainable communities. It is a testament to the collaborative effort and relentless pursuit of data-driven solutions to global challenges. Kudos to Ingunn Gilje Storhaug and Mark Engelbert for pushing the boundaries on living evidence aggregation and making significant strides in this critical area. I’m eager to see the impact this will have on policies and interventions worldwide.   Key findings include · 431 new impact evaluations and 31 new systematic reviews for a total of 2,914 included studies. · 83 new studies address previously identified intervention and outcome gaps. · 9 new high- and medium-confidence systematic reviews. · The overall intervention trends are still similar to those in the original map, although the updates show a reduction in the rate of publication of studies on supplementation and fortification and an increase in studies on agricultural education and training interventions. · This update shows a large increase in the proportion of national and transnational programs evaluated. Check out the full blog post to learn more about these exciting advancements: https://lnkd.in/gW34yxAV #SocialEquity #SustainableDevelopment #FoodSystems #EvidenceBasedPolicy #ProudAlumni

The United States healthcare system was deemed the worst overall in a new analysis of 10 similar nations by a leading health research nonprofit, The Commonwealth Fund. The new study looked particularly at accessibility and health care outcomes. We didn't do real well with administrative efficiency and equity, which shouldn't surprise many.  Watch for my new Substack focusing on women's health, lives, and our future generations...coming soon! #healthcare #healthaccess #healthoutcomes #healthequity #healthcarecosts #healthinsurance https://lnkd.in/eY6vftKp

AN EXCELLENT AND DEDICATED CEO.

Let’s go Solstice Health! How did Dr. Tim Murray open two new locations this year?? Here’s the play-by-play… 1. Broker/consultant introduces Self Fund Health Plan to local employers, which always includes Direct Primary Care. 2. Employer is fired up about it, but Whitewater and Racine don’t have DPCs in each town (that we know of!). 3. We get ahold of our good friend, Timothy Murray, M.D. and tell him it would be great to get DPC in Whitewater and Racine. 4. He opens offices in each location. 5. Employers in these communitities now have access to amazing primary care with Solstice who are going to save massive dollars at the same time. When employers start voting with their dollars, good things will continue to happen. Employers 1, Beast 0. #dontfeedthebeast

🌾 Co-op Member Story: San Basilio Multi-Purpose Cooperative 🌾 Discover the remarkable journey of San Basilio Multi-Purpose Cooperative and its dedicated farmer-members as they navigate the challenges of unpredictable weather with the support of Weather Protect Insurance (WPI). This comprehensive coverage has been a game-changer, safeguarding their livelihoods and providing essential peace of mind during uncertain times. At CLIMBS, we are immensely proud to collaborate with global partners, driving transformative changes beyond traditional insurance solutions. Our mission is to empower co-ops to thrive in a changing climate, ensuring their lasting resilience and success. This inspiring story of resilience and determination epitomizes our unwavering commitment to building a brighter future, one co-op at a time. Together, we are fostering an environment where co-ops can flourish, securing a sustainable and prosperous future for all. 🌟 #ParametricInsurance #CLIMBSInsurance #ClimateInsurance #InsuringWhereYouAre

The partnership between Prudential Zenith Life Insurance, Prudence Foundation and FABE International Foundation has got to be the best highlight of my week. Happy New Month Friends, it happens to be my birth month too and I am super excited already 😃 Air quality is essential for our health and well-being, but poor air quality remains one of the most urgent health threats we face today. Air pollution impacts more than just our lungs; it is a significant public health issue. Research has shown that long-term exposure to polluted air increases the risk of respiratory diseases, heart disease, stroke, and even cancer. Each year, nearly 7 million people lose their lives due to complications from air pollution. That means 7 million families and countless communities are affected, altering countless futures. For our youngest and oldest populations, the impact of air pollution is particularly severe. For children, polluted air can lead to lifelong respiratory issues and hinder their development. For the elderly, it exacerbates existing health conditions, diminishing both the quality and length of their lives. In Lagos, these health risks are even more pronounced, as rising urbanization, developments, industrial activity, waste and transportation contribute harmful pollutants to the air we breathe. We have reached a point where we can no longer take clean air for granted. That is why our partnership launch of Project Clean Air on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, provides several valuable lessons that extend even beyond the project itself. It demonstrates how collaboration, intentionality, and community-centred action can lead to meaningful and longer-lasting change for people and the planet. Take these key takeaways from me, check them in the comments below 👇 #ProjectCleanAir is not a campaign or a movement; it is a legacy we are building through intentionality, collaboration, and community. Our goals are to improve air quality, create sustainable spaces, reduce waste, reclaim illegal dumpsites, and empower communities with the knowledge and resources needed to take charge of their environment. #TGIF #Highlight #Collaboration #Community #Intentionality #CleanAir #20daylinkedinchallengewithhaoma #Global #EnvironmentQueen #TemitopeOkunnu #FABEInternationalFoundation #PrudentialZenithLifeInsurance #PrudenceFoundation

In 2022, Barb Hanson left a stable career in education to co-launch the Cedar Rapids-based start-up Shared Existence LLC. Along with partner Selenthia Jeffers, they built their organization from the ground up to become vocal leaders championing intercultural development within The Corridor. Hanson felt restricted in her efforts to improve systematic deficiencies in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in her previous position as a culture and climate transformation specialist (“doing anything DEI-related”). Yet, before resigning to become in effect an agent of change with Shared Existence, Hanson was hesitant, because of all things — health insurance. “I come from generations of farmers,” said the Emmetsburg, Iowa, native. “It was very outside the norm. Anytime I talked about possibly going out on my own, my mom would say, ‘What about health insurance?’ So much so that I said my first book will be called, ‘What About Health Insurance?’” Joining Hanson in the Shared Existence venture is Milwaukee, Wisconsin-native Jeffers, who left a position as a top sales manager for a national telecommunications company. There, among other initiatives, she led efforts to ensure marginalized groups were represented in leadership positions. For Shared Existence LLC, Hanson and Jeffers became certified administrators of Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), conducting assessments for cultural competency and providing tailored plans for DEI implementation. Without advertising or promotion, their client list blossomed. They now subcontract on federal projects while also conducting DEI presentations and one-on-one consultations. “Just by us having those conversations with people, we saw this emergence of ‘aha’ moments,” Jeffers said. “As we were diving deeper into that, unfortunately we were still seeing some challenges.” Read full story: https://lnkd.in/g9Pt__EF This story first appeared HER Stories - Fall 2024, a biannual special section that features Eastern Iowa women who have experienced powerful paths of achievement for themselves, their families and their communities. #iowanews #dei #healthinsurance #iowastories #thegazette