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The World Health Organisation (<keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords">WHO</keyword>) has announced that <keyword id="22989608" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="M-Pox" source="keywords">M-Pox</keyword> will continue to be classified as a <keyword id="21952478" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="public-health-emergency" source="keywords">public health emergency</keyword> of international concern (PHEIC), citing a resurgence in cases and the virus's ongoing geographic spread. The high-alert status initially declared in August, was reaffirmed following a meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee, The Express Tribune reported on Friday. The decision comes as M-Pox cases surge, particularly with the spread of the <keyword id="22875864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="clade-Ib-variant" source="keywords">clade Ib variant</keyword> beyond its origin in the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighbouring African nations, Europe, and Asia. "Rising case numbers, the continuing geographic spread, and the need for a cohesive response have made it essential to maintain this emergency status," the WHO said in its statement. Confirmed cases of clade Ib have been detected in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and India, highlighting the global scale of the outbreak, reported The Express Tribune. M-Pox, a viral disease transmitted through close contact, presents flu-like symptoms and lesions. Although typically mild, it can be fatal, particularly in regions with inadequate healthcare. Over 46,000 suspected cases have been reported this year in Africa, with Congo accounting for the majority of the more than 1,000 suspected deaths. The new PHEIC declaration underscores the global threat posed by clade Ib and follows earlier alerts related to a separate strain during the 2022-2023 outbreak. In response to growing concerns, the WHO has expanded vaccine authorisations. Bavarian Nordic's <keyword id="24137585" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="M-Pox-vaccine" source="keywords">M-Pox vaccine</keyword> was approved earlier this year, with Japan's KM Biologics' vaccine added to the list of emergency-use vaccines in September. WHO officials have faced criticism for delays in <keyword id="21847727" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine-distribution" source="keywords">vaccine distribution</keyword> but stressed that vaccination remains a cornerstone of global response efforts, The Express Tribune reported. "The emergency status underscores the urgency to mount a unified global response," a WHO spokesperson stated. The organisation urged countries and health partners to collaborate on widespread vaccination campaigns and enhance public awareness to curb the virus's spread effectively.

M-Pox remains public health emergency: WHO

Imagine a bustling jewellery market teeming with diamonds and gold. Amidst this glittering chaos, a small stall is trying to sell handcrafted gemstones. Even as newer and shinier outlets keep cropping up, all vying for attention, this gemstone store offers some of the oldest yet valuable jewels at a discount. Though they lack immediate sparkle, these rare gems reveal their value to the discerning buyer. This is how South Korea appears for many experts in global capital markets: a trove of undervalued gems, overshadowed by brighter, more aggressively marketed investment options. This undervaluation, known as the "<keyword id="24399183" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="korean-discount" source="keywords">Korean Discount</keyword>," reflects how South Korean companies are priced much lower than their global peers despite robust fundamentals — strong financial performance and consistent profitability. Contributing factors are many, ranging from opaque governance structures to geopolitical risks. But the fact stays, if you are a seasoned conglomerate listed in South Korea, you are likely undervalued. <keyword id="19906087" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hyundai" source="keywords">Hyundai</keyword> Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), a subsidiary of the Korean giant Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), recently sought to escape this valuation trap by listing in India, a market where investor optimism commands premium pricing. But its valuation raised many eyebrows! Now that a month and a half has gone by since its listing, time is apt to examine if this gamble paid off. Will <keyword id="93460" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="hyundai-india" source="Orion">Hyundai India</keyword> justify its high valuation? Or does the listing highlight broader questions about the overheated valuation dynamics of Indian markets? A record-breaking <keyword id="19898327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ipo" source="keywords">IPO</keyword> but questions remain Hyundai Motor India’s mega Initial Public Offering (IPO), launched in October 2024, broke records by raising ₹27,870 crore, making it India’s largest-ever IPO. The offer was oversubscribed by 2.37 times, highlighting robust demand. But many investors remained sceptical: was this IPO an honest attempt to expand Hyundai’s footprint in India or was it trying to offer a way to cashout for existing investors and promoters? Or perhaps, is it an attempt by the Korean chaebol — a large family-owned business conglomerate — to break free from the aforementioned “Korean Discount”? When shares listed on October 22, these concerns seemingly weighed on the minds of most investors and the stock promptly dipped 5% below the issue price on the day. A tepid grey market performance had already foreshadowed this muted debut in the Indian markets. Now, after almost 35 trading sessions on Indian market, the stock remains almost exactly at price it listed on October 22 at Rs 1820—no gain, no loss. <h3>The gamble of hyper-valuation</h3>Much of this hesitation stemmed from Hyundai’s valuation. On listing, Hyundai was valued at $18 billion, positioning it as one of India’s most valuable automotive companies. However, such high valuations often temper investor enthusiasm, resulting in more cautious short-term outcomes. For most investors, the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio is the most preferred parameter to gauge if a company is overvalued or undervalued. With a P/E ratio of 26.3, HMIL was priced significantly above the Indian automotive industry average of 24.4. Globally, automotive companies operate with much lower P/E ratios, reflecting mature market conditions and slower growth trajectories. HMIL’s South Korean parent Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) trades at a meagre 3.07, believe it or not! For Indian investors, the high premium hinted at overvaluation despite Hyundai’s strong domestic position. Such stark difference in valuation obviously sparked debates — is the Indian market assigning a premium to Hyundai Motor India’s growth potential, or is it simply reflecting the general exuberance around the prospects of the Indian economy? Another concern is the allocation of IPO proceeds. Hyundai’s IPO was structured as an offer for sale (OFS), meaning all funds raised would flow to the parent company rather than Hyundai India’s operations. Although Hyundai has committed to investing in R&amp;D for EVs and hybrids, critics argue that the lack of immediate reinvestment in India’s operations reflects a missed opportunity for domestic growth. Despite the early disappointment, Hyundai was confident that the valuation was fair. It did have some factors going for it, in addition to the fact that other auto giants like Mahindra &amp; Mahindra and <keyword id="19909974" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maruti-suzuki" source="keywords">Maruti Suzuki</keyword> command even higher P/E ratios. And looking at the company fundamentals, it does seem like Hyundai is playing a long-term game. <h3>Hyundai in India: A proven track record</h3>Despite the initial stumble, Hyundai India’s long-term story is compelling. Since entering the Indian market in 1996, the automaker has sold over 8 million vehicles and firmly occupies the second spot in the domestic passenger vehicle market, trailing only Maruti Suzuki. Hyundai’s blockbuster SUV offerings, like the Creta and Venue, have been critical in building this dominance. Despite some challenge from Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Tata Punch, Creta has retained the tag of ‘most-selling SUV in India’ successfully so far this year. <div type="image" title="Hyundai" agency="Business Insider India" msid="116156234" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Selling over 17,000 units per month on average this year, Creta has edged past major competitors to be the most-selling SUV in India in 2024. As Indian consumers preference continues to shift gradually towards premium products over budget segments, Hyundai stands to benefit (Wikimedia Commons / Canva)&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Selling over 17,000 units per month on average, Creta has edged past major competitors to be the most-selling SUV in India in 2024. As Indian consumers preference continues to shift gradually towards premium products over budget segments, Hyundai stands to benefit (Wikimedia Commons / Canva) Hyundai India’s market share of 14% in October 2024 underscores its clout. The company’s ability to tap into India’s premiumisation trend, where consumers increasingly prefer high-end vehicles, positions it well for growth. With plans to expand in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid technology, Hyundai is poised to capitalise on both domestic demand and export opportunities. The company’s ability to capitalize on its strong brand, extensive dealer network, and leadership in segments like SUVs and exports will determine its future performance. Hyundai’s strategic focus on expanding electric vehicle production also aligns with global trends towards sustainability, potentially positioning it as a leader in the segment. By listing in India, Hyundai aims not only to expand its operations but also to make India a global manufacturing and export hub for its products, especially SUVs and EVs. Therefore, despite early setbacks, Hyundai’s gamble seems to have paid off. The stock has rebounded, gaining 5% in the past month. More good news came in this week, as positive projections from Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan forecast an impressive 17-28% upside for the stock over the next year, reflecting growing investor optimism. <h3>A strategic pivot from the Korean Discount?</h3>The Korean Discount has long plagued South Korea’s chaebols, including Hyundai. Experts attribute this to several factors: <ul> <li>Chaebol Governance: South Korea’s conglomerates, known as chaebols, are often criticised for opaque governance structures and excessive family control.</li> <li>Geopolitical Risks: Tensions with North Korea contribute to investor caution, adding a layer of perceived risk.</li> <li>Limited Domestic Liquidity: South Korea’s relatively small investor base can constrain market activity and valuation potential.</li> </ul> By listing in India, Hyundai sought to unlock better valuations for its subsidiary, leveraging the optimism of Indian markets. India’s stock market has a trailing P/E ratio of 24.4, far above South Korea’s Kospi average of 16-17. The Indian market’s appetite for high-growth stories provides a fertile ground for companies like Hyundai to escape the valuation constraints of their home market. A successful IPO could encourage other such conglomerates to follow suit, setting a precedent. While Hyundai India has a robust track record, its future success hinges on navigating key challenges: <ul> <li>Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Hyundai relies heavily on its Chennai plant, making it vulnerable to disruptions.</li> <li>Intensifying Competition: Domestic rivals like <keyword id="19906967" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata-motors" source="keywords">Tata Motors</keyword> and MG Motors are making aggressive inroads into the EV market.</li> <li>Policy Risks: The automotive sector’s reliance on government incentives for EVs and hybrids adds a layer of unpredictability.</li> </ul> High valuations come with risks. Hyundai will need to prove that it can sustain its growth trajectory in India, fend off competition from established players like Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors, and navigate challenges such as supply chain disruptions and regulatory hurdles. If Hyundai successfully capitalises on its strong brand and market leadership, it could not only redefine its value but also serve as a case study for other Korean companies seeking better recognition and valuations in global markets. <h3>Is Hyundai saga a reflection of overheated Indian markets?</h3>The bigger question here is, does Hyundai’s IPO highlights a broader narrative about Indian markets’ premium valuations? With a trailing P/E ratio of 24.4, Nifty 50 index is among the highest in emerging markets. India’s stock markets consistently command a premium due to robust retail participation, strong economic growth prospects, and a burgeoning middle class. While this premium reflects optimism about India’s long-term growth story, it also signals potential risks of overvaluation, particularly in sectors like technology, automotive, and consumer goods. With a record ₹94,017 crore outflow by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in October 2024, concerns about overheated valuations are mounting. Sustaining such unprecedented valuations required companies to consistently perform above global averages, and retaining robust earnings growth quarter after quarter remains a challenge in today’s uncertain world. For Hyundai, the high valuation is both an opportunity and a risk. While it underscores investor confidence, it narrows the margin of safety, making the stock vulnerable to corrections during economic downturns. Take for example, the high-profile IPO of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) that raised over ₹21,000 crore. Its listing was met with disappointment as the stock began trading at a 9% discount to its issue price, and subsequent performance has remained subdued. LIC’s post-IPO journey also highlights how inflated valuations can lead to long-term underperformance, as the stock gave only 12% return over the past 30 months when even the Nifty 50 index went up by over 44%. This happens when when the company's growth narrative fails to align with its pricing. Despite being a household name with a dominant market share, LIC's stock has struggled to meet expectations, partly due to concerns about its operating efficiency and the limited use of IPO proceeds for growth initiatives. Make no mistake, Hyundai Motor India’s IPO is a landmark event! It showcases the potential for Korean companies to leverage emerging markets like India for better valuations. It also shows that strong fundamentals can help justify a company such premium valuations even amidst bearish economic prospects. However, it also serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of overvaluation. For Hyundai, the next steps involve proving its long-term growth story, navigating competitive challenges, and maintaining investor confidence. For Indian markets, Hyundai’s IPO underscores the need to balance optimism with realistic expectations as they continue to evolve as global investment hotspots. To sustain the country’s economic narrative as a land of unmatched opportunities, corporate India must work on improving long-term fundamentals and mitigating long-term risks. As global investors watch closely, Hyundai India’s success or failure could shape how international companies view India as a listing destination in the years to come.

Tackling the 'Korean Discount': A deep dive into curious case of Hyundai Motor India's market listing

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-ceo-elon-musk">Tesla CEO Elon Musk</a> threw his money and influence behind Donald Trump.He gave speeches, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-private-jet-hits-swing-states-campaigns-donald-trump-2024-10">hosted rallies</a> in swing states, posted frequently on X, and funneled at least $119 million into a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-super-pac-america-continuing-after-election-midterms-2024-11">pro-Trump super PAC</a> called America PAC.When Trump won the election, Tesla's stock soared. Its share price is now up nearly 33% year to date.On Tuesday, President-elect <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-department-government-efficiency-doge-2024-11">Trump announced</a> that Musk would take on an advisory role and co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, alongside the entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.Inside Tesla, the response to Trump's victory, and Musk's role in it, has been mixed. Business Insider spoke with nine current employees in states across the country, including California and Texas. Though they represent a sliver of the automaker's global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the conversations offer a glimpse into the internal response to the election.Some of the workers said they wish Musk would pay more attention to Tesla. Others said the CEO's involvement with Trump could benefit the company.Most of them were celebrating the company's surging stock price, as Tesla stock makes up a significant share of most workers' <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-salary-database-elon-musk-pay-strategy-2024-11">compensation</a>.<h2 id="f2ff1729-e00e-492e-a77e-d3344b215374">Hope, celebration, and conflict</h2>One engineer said that while they hadn't voted for Trump, they felt Musk could "supercharge" the US government. Another employee who did vote for Trump said they were "excited for what this could mean for Tesla and for our country."Another employee said Trump's win and the sudden surge in Tesla's stock price had many at the company feeling more hopeful."Since being hired, the stock has primarily trended sideways, and it was difficult for a lot of employees to see value in the company as many of us are given stock to compensate for lower hourly pay," one employee said. "Now that the stock is moving in a positive direction, there is a sense of renewed hope for the company with employees generally."For others who spoke to Business Insider, the rising share price led to conflicted emotions."On one hand, you want to celebrate the fact that the stock is up an insane amount, but on the other, it's difficult to be truly happy because of Trump and what it means for Tesla's mission," one engineer said. The employee said that Trump's climate-crisis denial could be a roadblock to Tesla's mission of transitioning to sustainable energy.Trump has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-he-would-consider-ending-7500-electric-vehicle-credit-2024-08-19/">said</a> he plans to increase US oil production and may roll back vehicle-emissions standards and incentives designed to promote the production and adoption of electric cars. At an October rally in Detroit, Trump <a target="_blank" href="https://www.factcheck.org/2024/10/the-issues-trumps-proposal-to-lower-prices-by-increasing-energy-production/">said</a> he planned to "frack, frack, frack, and drill, baby, drill." Musk has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/23/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-says-he-favors-no-tariffs-on-chinese-evs.html#:~:text=Tesla%20has%20been%20struggling%20this,Q&amp;A%20session%20was%20being%20livestreamed.">said</a> in the past that he doesn't agree with tax incentives for electric cars.Tesla and Musk did not respond to a request for comment.<h2 id="2854b357-98e7-4ef9-ae66-46c451c3e979">Musk's growing list of commitments</h2>Some Tesla factory workers in Texas and California were given time off to vote on Election Day in compliance with state laws, multiple factory workers in both states said. Separately, Tesla managers were sent a guide on how to address political discussions in the workplace, one worker said.Postelection, three employees said the election hasn't been discussed much at work. "No one is saying anything," said one. "I think everyone is just waiting to see how this all plays out now.""There's this feeling that no one fully knows where anyone else stands," one manager told BI.Some Tesla-connected figures have been more open. Tesla's director of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, posted about Trump's victory on X.Kimbal Musk, Elon Musk's brother and a Tesla board member, also appeared to celebrate the win.The DOGE advisory role will be another time commitment for Musk, who's already involved with five companies. Musk's private jet has flown to and from Palm Beach, Florida, near Trump's estate in Mar-a-Lago, five times since November 5, according to data from the <a target="_blank" href="https://jetspy.com/">jet-tracking company JetSpy</a>. On Wednesday, Musk's jet flew from Palm Beach to an airport near Washington, DC, where he attended Trump's first postelection meeting with House Republicans.Six workers said they felt Musk had taken his focus off Tesla."It feels like a lot of political theater," one worker said. "We sell cars. Anywhere else you'd expect the CEO to be focused on that."Do you work at one of Musk's companies or have a tip? Reach out to the reporter via a non-work email and device at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:gkay@businessinsider.com">gkay@businessinsider.com</a> or 248-894-6012

At Tesla, some are celebrating stock gains — others worry Elon will lose focus

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Danish monkeypox-vaccine maker Bavarian Nordic surged as much as 17% on Thursday.</li><li>The company's two-day gain extended to 31% at highs after the WHO declared mpox a public health emergency.</li></ul>Danish monkeypox-vaccine maker <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/bvnkf">Bavarian Nordic</a> surged as much as 17% on Thursday amid rising alarm over the virus.The company extended its two-day gain to 31% at intraday highs after the World Health Organization declared the virus a public health emergency of international concern, citing the rising risk that its outbreak in Africa could spread globally.<a target="_blank" href="https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/who-declares-monkeypox-a-global-emergency/jvln09g">Reports emphasize</a> the need for vaccinations to combat this fast-spreading disease, though supply appears to be constrained.In an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-14/bavarian-nordic-says-it-can-meet-mpox-shot-demand-awaits-orders">interview with Bloomberg</a>, Bavarian Nordic CEO Paul Chaplin noted that the company will be able to meet the challenge among African nations, and pledged to provide 10 million mpox doses to the region by the end of 2025."We have inventory and we have the capabilities. What we're missing are the orders," he said Wednesday, noting that 300,000 doses are ready for shipping.During <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/heres-how-the-us-handled-its-first-ever-monkeypox-outbreak-2022-5">2022's outbreak</a>, Bavarian Nordic was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-17/monkeypox-vaccine-maker-no-longer-certain-it-can-meet-demand">the only company</a> approved to create a mpox vaccine. However, overwhelming demand forced it to consider outsourcing production.Momentum around the latest emergency announcement has also swept up other firms. In Japan, medical tools supplier Precision System Science rocketed as high as 39% on Wednesday.Chinese firms focused on virus detection products also gained, with Shanghai ZJ Bio-Tech rising as much as 8.4%. Others, such as Daan Gene and Assure Tech Hangzhou, beat the benchmark CSI 300 index.Even before the WHO's declaration, alarm bells have been ringing over the mpox strain that first appeared in September. According to Bloomberg, its broken out in at least six African nations, infecting 15,000.In June, a University of Rwanda lecturer <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-monkeypox-mpox-virus-global-outbreak-risk-2024-7">called it</a> "undoubtedly the most dangerous of all the known strains of mpox."

Danish monkeypox-vaccine maker surges 17% after global health emergency declared

The far-reaching consequences of the <keyword id="19955291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-pandemic" source="keywords">COVID-19 pandemic</keyword> have reshaped humanity’s future in ways we are only beginning to understand. This global health crisis didn’t just disrupt lives—it also shattered nearly a decade of global health progress, a startling new report by the <keyword id="19902256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organisation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Health Organisation" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Health Organisation">World Health Organisation</keyword> (<keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="WHO" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="WHO">WHO</keyword>) has revealed. According to the <keyword id="21164185" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Statistics" source="keywords">World Health Statistics</keyword> 2024 report, the <keyword id="8763838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="Orion">COVID-19</keyword> pandemic reversed over a decade of advancements in <keyword id="21716169" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-life-expectancy" source="keywords">global life expectancy</keyword> within a mere two years. From 2019 to 2021, <keyword id="14078" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="life-expectancy" source="Orion">life expectancy</keyword> worldwide plummeted by 1.8 years, dropping to 71.4 years. Similarly, global <keyword id="21842689" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="healthy-life-expectancy" source="keywords">healthy life expectancy</keyword> decreased by 1.5 years, falling to 61.9 years. The last time both these levels were so low was back in 2012! The report also underscores the uneven impact of the pandemic across different regions. The WHO regions of Southeast Asia and the Americas were hit the hardest, experiencing a decline in life expectancy by approximately three years and a drop in healthy life expectancy by 2.5 years between 2019 and 2021. In stark contrast, the Western Pacific Region saw minimal effects during the same period, with losses of less than 0.1 years in life expectancy and 0.2 years in healthy life expectancy. Furthermore, COVID-19 swiftly became a leading cause of death, ranking as the third highest globally in 2020 and the second in 2021, claiming nearly 13 million lives during this period. The latest data indicates that, except in the African and Western Pacific regions, COVID-19 was among the top five causes of death, notably becoming the leading cause of death in the Americas for both years. “There continues to be major progress in global health, with billions of people who are enjoying better health, better access to services, and better protection from health emergencies. But we must remember how fragile progress can be,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “In just two years, the COVID-19 pandemic erased a decade of gains in life expectancy. That's why the new <keyword id="21604359" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic-Agreement" source="keywords">Pandemic Agreement</keyword> is so important: not only to strengthen global health security, but to protect long-term investments in health and promote equity within and between countries.” The new Pandemic Agreement, also known as the ‘Pandemic Accord’ or ‘Pandemic Treaty’, is an international pact currently under negotiation by the 194 member states of the WHO. This accord aims to enhance global readiness and response to pandemics, ensuring the world can effectively prevent, prepare for, and respond to future health crises. The negotiation process is spearheaded by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), established by the <keyword id="20294860" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-assembly" source="keywords">World Health Assembly</keyword> in 2021. The INB's goal is to finalise the agreement for adoption at the 2024 World Health Assembly, scheduled from May 27 to June 1 in Geneva, Switzerland. This year's Health Assembly theme, ‘All for Health, Health for All,’ underscores the universal commitment to this crucial initiative.

COVID-19 pandemic caused global life expectancy to fall back to 2012 levels, erasing a decade’s worth of progress: WHO

Climate Action 15: 2024's top global innovators powering green solutions

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some researchers are advocating the benefits of VR therapy for psychosis treatment.</li><li>A clinical trial showed VR therapy reduced anxiety and agoraphobia in people with psychosis.</li></ul>In May 2022, Daniel Freeman, a psychology professor at Oxford University, published the results of a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(22)00060-8/fulltext">landmark clinical trial</a>. For years, Freeman had been developing and fine-tuning the use of <a target="_blank" href="https://gamechangevr.com/">gameChange</a>, virtual-reality <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/virtual-reality-mental-health-treatment-anxiety-depression-disorders-2024-5">cognitive-therapy software</a>. Guided by a virtual coach, users walk through a series of everyday scenarios, from getting on a bus to stepping into a coffee shop, rating their fear levels at every stage.The trial included 346 people with psychosis, who often experience severe anxiety and agoraphobia."Psychosis is not a mental illness but a symptom that appears as part of different mental illnesses," said <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/KaiConibear">Kai Conibear</a>, the author of "<a target="_blank" href="https://uk.jkp.com/products/the-mythbusting-guide-to-psychosis">The Myth-Busting Guide to Psychosis</a>," out later this month. These mental illnesses include, but are not limited to, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.Anywhere from 15 to 100 people out of 100,000 develop psychosis annually, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/understanding-psychosis">according to the National Institute for Mental Health</a>. Conibear pointed to the widespread perception that people with psychosis are inherently violent."In reality, most people who are psychotic are extremely vulnerable," he said. "They're more likely to hide away and isolate themselves than be out on the street running around and making noise, but that's what draws media attention."Freeman's trial specifically focused on people suffering "extreme agoraphobic avoidance" as a result of psychosis. The treatment is a kind of exposure therapy, in which a virtual therapist guides users through stressful scenarios to help alleviate their fears and regulate their thoughts.The study found that participants who used the gameChange software experienced significantly less distress and avoidance, reporting that they felt less threatened in their environments. The more severely anxious patients experienced the greatest benefits, researchers said. These results were deemed so successful that last year, the UK's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/nihr-funded-virtual-reality-treatment-recommended-for-use-in-nhs/34929">National Health Service approved gameChange</a> as a treatment option.The use of VR in healthcare <a target="_blank" href="https://online.wlv.ac.uk/have-virtual-therapeutic-interventions-been-proven-safe">stretches back to the early 1990s</a>, when it was first tested as a treatment for anxiety. It's taken a while, but researchers are steadily building a case to prove that VR — especially in combination with more traditional therapeutic methods — can exponentially improve the lives of people with psychosis.<h2 id="33f7eee1-e20a-4fa8-8c7e-e307d8324eba">The barrier to VR treatments</h2><a target="_blank" href="https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/kim-bullock">Kim Bullock,</a> a Stanford University researcher who studies neuropsychiatrics, said she only learned about VR advancements through her own research. "I found out there was 30 years of evidence that none of us ever heard about in training," she told Business Insider.Bullock is one of several researchers documenting the growing number of trials measuring the effectiveness of VR as a supplementary tool in both the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/artificial-intelligence-treating-mental-illness-and-used-in-therapy-2024-4">diagnosis and treatment of psychotic disorders</a>. Bullock was part of a team behind a <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37360960/">systematic review</a> published last summer that delved into 23 research articles across 14 countries.In these studies, VR was used to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/13-mental-health-startups-ipo-acquisition-merge-buyout-2024-5">treat everything from anxiety and social skills to paranoid delusions</a>, often with the help of more conventional mental-health techniques, like cognitive-behavioral therapy. The study authors highlighted the "common misconception" that people with psychosis might be harmed by VR experiences because avatars or voices could mimic their hallucinations.By contrast, the authors wrote, "VR methods may reduce symptoms and improve physical health, quality of life, and psychosocial functioning," especially when teamed with other therapeutic treatments and medication. They described VR as a "valuable tool to potentially improve clinical outcomes, including medication adherence, motivation, and rehabilitation."There's a growing body of research that demonstrates the efficacy of VR treatment, yet Bullock described healthcare providers as a "cautious group by nature." She added, "We don't get trained in VR, we don't have the ability to try it out, and there are no set standards and best practices." Bullock described this caution — rather than cost or logistics — as the main barrier to VR treatments.In his book, Conibear interviewed eight people who've experienced psychotic symptoms. Many of them, Conibear said, talked about the misconception that "people with psychosis are inherently dangerous and violent." It's a persistent stereotype and one that results in severely ill people being violently detained rather than offered treatment and support.<h2 id="1b1631d3-2022-468d-a24f-6419b1be57af">How a VR experience is raising awareness</h2>Treatment aside, VR is being used to educate and raise awareness of what psychosis actually looks like. Hong Kong's <a target="_blank" href="https://mindspace.org.hk/en/index.html">Mind Space Museum</a> is tucked away inside Castle Peak Museum, in the Tuen Mun District. In August last year, the museum opened up four different "symptom experience rooms," which allow visitors to experience simulated psychosis courtesy of VR.With the aid of goggles and headsets, visitors can experience how it feels to walk through everyday places, such as libraries and markets, with hallucinatory voices in their heads and visual apparitions flashing before their eyes.After the VR exercise, visitors are offered a "sharing session with our peer-support workers" who experience psychosis themselves, Dr. Jessica Wong, the cochair of the hospital's Institute of Mental Health Executive Committee, said. These support workers chat about their personal experiences with psychosis, further breaking down myths about mental illness.This combination of VR tech and face-to-face interaction is designed to foster "empathy, understanding, and education around mental health," Wong said. "It's about reducing stigma and promoting mental-health literacy. Ultimately, the visitors leave with the realization that people experiencing mental-health challenges are no different than anyone else."Despite reluctance among US healthcare providers, researchers in <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35477837/">the UK</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36979281/">Hong Kong</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=a56f46a8f6e86545886908004e738d592c989defa7aed63b95c46aa52dfdc48f&amp;postID=666217feb38735ca9de4904b&amp;postSlug=virtual-reality-therapy-for-psychosis-treatment-research-2024-6&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41537-021-00139-2">Canada</a>, and elsewhere are building a convincing case for VR treatment. Conibear is on board. "Most of the currently available treatment is either medication or therapy, so this is a really interesting alternative," Conibear said. "I love the idea that you can be exposed to these situations, but then you come out of the simulation and you're in a safe place with everything you need to calm down."When compared to new medications — and their potential for side effects — Conibear believes there's little to deter people with psychosis from trying VR out. "I really feel like this is how technology should be used," he concluded. "There should absolutely be more of it."

Virtual reality could unlock better treatment for psychosis — a use case that's gaining traction globally

Healthcare data is messy. Saria has spent her career trying to make sense of it with AI.Saria, part of Business Insider's 2024 AI Power List, directs the machine learning and healthcare lab at Johns Hopkins University and is the founder and CEO of the AI startup Bayesian Health. She began her career in computer science and was getting her doctorate at Stanford when President Barack Obama signed the Hitech Act into law to boost the use of electronic health records — drawing Saria's attention.She spent the next year using digitized healthcare data to develop an algorithm meant to better identify <a target="_blank" href="https://www.science.org/content/article/new-model-predicts-complications-preemies">premature infants at high risk</a> of developing deadly complications.After a promising result, Saria dug deeper into research on how tech could use healthcare data in medical records to improve care for patients with conditions as varied as Parkinson's disease and cancer.Then Saria lost her nephew to sepsis. Spurred into action, she decided to spin her research out of academia and bring the tech to hospitals with Bayesian Health.The startup, which emerged from stealth in 2021, has raised $15 million from Andreessen Horowitz and other investors. It developed an algorithm that helped hospitals predict sepsis faster, leading to nearly 20% fewer sepsis-related deaths, according to a real-world study published in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bayesianhealth.com/sepsis-research/">Nature Medicine</a> in July 2022. Saria calls that research "probably my proudest achievement.""We should not be practicing like we live in the 18th century with no science and no engineering," she said. "We should be up-leveling the way we deliver care to match the level of scientific innovation we see in the rest of our lives."Now, top health systems like Cleveland Clinic and Northwell Health use Bayesian Health's tech, and the startup has notched partnerships with Epic, Oracle's Cerner, and Allscripts. While the company launched with a focus on sepsis, it's expanding to predict other complications, like pressure ulcers, and it's targeting more down the line, like deep-vein thrombosis in pregnant people."I see 100 conditions where this system applies," Saria said. "It's not just one or two — it's everywhere I look."Saria has continued to research healthcare AI at Johns Hopkins. She's also made angel investments in more than 15 AI startups. For her work in healthcare AI, the World Economic Forum named her a Young Global Leader in 2018.In response to less-than-ideal healthcare AI implementations, like Epic's widely utilized sepsis algorithm — which, according to a June 2021 study in JAMA Internal Medicine,<a target="_blank" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2781307#google_vignette"> poorly predicted sepsis</a> compared to the performance the company reported — she's bringing together industry stakeholders to develop new tech. In 2022, Saria cofounded the Coalition for Health AI, which brings federal agencies and healthcare organizations to discuss best practices for using healthcare AI. She also helped the National Academy of Medicine develop<a target="_blank" href="https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/national-academy-medicine-drafts-code-conduct-ai-healthcare"> its code of conduct for AI deployment</a>, released earlier this year.See Business Insider's full <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://businessinsider.com/ai-power-list-2024">AI Power List</a>

Bayesian Health CEO Suchi Saria is leading the healthcare data revolution

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/resume-gap-how-to-explain-why-job-search-career-linkedin-2024-8">LinkedIn</a> has seen a 29% increase this year in users who list their preferred pronouns.</li><li>The platform added a pronoun feature in March 2021, reflecting societal gender shifts.</li></ul>Detractors might consider it woke, but more professionals are including their <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-respect-peoples-pronouns-and-why-its-important-2020-10">preferred pronouns</a> on their LinkedIn profiles.Globally, some 38 million people on the platform now list their pronouns on their profiles, a 29% increase since January, a LinkedIn spokesperson told Business Insider.LinkedIn added space for users to include their preferred pronouns in their profiles in March 2021. The spokesperson said that, since then, the platform has seen a "steady uptick" in adoption.Growth in the number of people who display their pronouns comes as some employers are downplaying or retreating from their embrace of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Big-name companies, including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/lowes-dei-robby-starbuck-conservative-522fef16cf0dc77450524542d21016ef">Lowe's</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/john-deere-ditches-dei-policies-conservative-activists-lgbtq-pride-pronoun-2024-7">John Deere</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/companies-cutting-dei-activist-backlash-harley-davidson-deere-tractor-supply-2024-8">Harley-Davidson</a>, have reduced or scrapped their DEI efforts following criticism from a conservative activist.To some degree, the increased use of preferred pronouns on LinkedIn signals that the practice is becoming an unremarkable part of office life, researchers who have written about gender issues told BI.The pronoun proliferation on LinkedIn, which has some 1 billion users, comes as it's become more common to include such information in email signatures and on business cards. Displaying pronouns has also remained a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-scott-kelly-nasa-astronaut-lgbtq-gender-pronouns-fauci-2022-12?utm_campaign=sf-bi-main&amp;utm_source=facebook.com&amp;utm_medium=social">political flash point</a>.<h2 id="5e601c64-2d3d-42a3-b416-ded1bbd06343">An easy decision for some</h2>Michael West, who works on issues of public health and social policy in Australia, wrote in a recent LinkedIn post about <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/michael-west-000a9126_pronouns-small-words-that-make-a-big-impact-activity-7252113124353351681-6SMM/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop">using he/they pronouns</a>."Articulating my pronouns publicly also creates space for others to reflect on, discuss and consider what feels best for them," West wrote. He went on to add that "stating your pronouns is a small but powerful action that can make a significant positive difference to many other people."A survey conducted on behalf of LinkedIn around the time the platform added the pronoun feature found that 70% of job seekers believed it was important that recruiters and hiring managers <a target="_blank" href="https://news.linkedin.com/2021/march/linkedin-and-microsoft-skills-commitment">knew their gender pronouns</a>. Seventy-two percent of hiring managers agreed.The online survey, conducted in late February and early March 2021, involved about 2,100 adult job seekers in the US and some 1,000 hiring managers.<h2 id="8bf37a6e-b92b-4fb9-bec0-0b405596210f">A tool for efficiency</h2>Kathryn Bond Stockton, a distinguished professor of English at the University of Utah, told BI that even for people who might identify as nonbinary, trans, or genderqueer, pronouns aren't an ideology or "an identity in and of themselves."Instead, she said, many people have come to view preferred pronouns in workplace settings as a navigational tool."A lot of people are now seeing the acts of listing and respecting pronouns in that light — as a type of kind, efficient way to refer to each other instead of having people have to ask that question," Stockton said.She said that having to specify them in professional settings should remain optional and not something prescribed by employers. However, respecting what people do specify should be required, she said. Stockton identifies as genderqueer yet said that, in her case, she doesn't care what pronouns others use to describe her."They're all equally right or wrong for my life trajectory. So, you know, have at it," Stockton said. She said that because most people, understandably, have strong feelings about their pronouns, others should respect that.Stockton added that many of us already use "they" in a singular way colloquially, so it's not as difficult to use alternate pronouns for others as some people might fear.She said that in her experience, the people most likely to protest the rise of people sharing their preferred pronouns would "potentially feel the most offended if their pronoun was not respected."Ultimately, Stockton said that in the workplace or other settings, if people don't want to specify their own pronouns, that should be respected, too.The overall reaction to the pronoun feature has been positive, LinkedIn's spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the platform wasn't able to share insights at this time on industries, geographies, and other characteristics where users tend to display their preferred pronouns most often.Minjae Ormes, VP of marketing at LinkedIn, wrote in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/blog/member/career/redefining-what-it-means-to-be-professional">2021 post</a> that a person's profile is "more than just a career highlight reel."Ormes added that letting users add their preferred pronouns "is another form of self-identity and -expression that plays a fundamental role in acknowledging and celebrating what makes us strong together."<h2 id="d2bca7c9-cc7d-42aa-8f61-489344f2beae">We don't always use pronouns</h2>Davina Cooper, a research professor in law and political theory at King's College London, told BI that the increase in the number of people posting their <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/gender/2023/01/30/4784/">preferred pronouns</a> on a platform like LinkedIn or in email signatures partly reflects societal shifts toward recognizing diverse gender identities.Cooper, who said she doesn't indicate preferred pronouns, said that for some people sharing their pronouns can signal support for marginalized groups.Yet, in practical terms, listing pronouns might not have that much of an impact in something like an email correspondence, she said. That's because if she's writing to someone, she's not going to address the person in the third person."So, in a lot of contexts, it is more about someone saying something about where they're situated within a debate," Cooper said. "When they say 'she/they,' they're communicating a political commitment, including one of solidarity."She said she respects the importance of people "feeling recognized" and the value of developments that shift traditional understandings of gender. "This allows societies to evolve and to have shared conversations about what gender should be about," Cooper said.She said that, ultimately, while some people find comfort in sharing their preferred pronouns, what that says about a person might be limited."At a certain point, is it just like knowing someone's name?" Cooper said. "It's, 'I'm John,' but what it means for me to be John you can't apply to anyone else."

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