Healthcare Affordability: A new West Health-Gallup index finds only about half of U.S. adults can afford healthcare and access quality care, with worries at a record high as costs keep climbing. Rural Care Under Strain: A report warns more than 700 rural hospitals are at risk of closure, driven by losses, weak supplemental revenue, and thin reserves. UK Data Privacy: Britain’s data watchdog issued a formal criminal caution to a former London clinic worker after Princess Catherine’s medical records were offered for sale. AI in Healthcare, With Caveats: Midjourney launched a medical division and pitched an “Ultrasonic CT” whole-body scanner, but reporting notes no verified link to any crypto “Mythos” connection. India AI-Ready Demand: Bain says 78% of Indian consumers use GenAI to understand diagnoses, and 93% want one touchpoint to coordinate care. Cardiac Innovation in India: Medtronic rolled out PulseSelect pulsed field ablation for atrial fibrillation, aiming to expand treatment options. Monsoon Disease Prep: Pakistan’s NIH issued guidance to prevent outbreaks of monsoon-linked infections like cholera, dengue, malaria, and hepatitis. Local System Upgrades: Telangana plans more central medicine stores and tighter procurement oversight, while Kerala ramps up “dry days” to curb communicable diseases.