SNOMED International identifies the benefits of using SNOMED CT for its broad range of stakeholders in new report

London, United Kingdom, June 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SNOMED International is pleased to announce the launch of a new report that details the value each of its many stakeholder groups can experience by implementing SNOMED CT, the most comprehensive global language for health terms. This report builds on the work captured in a series of videos completed in 2020 in which a New Zealand health board highlights the advances it has made in realizing its vision of a connected, integrated system by using SNOMED CT.

The report, titled SNOMED CT: Articulating Stakeholder Value, was developed over the past year as part of our efforts to meet our 2020-2025 Strategy commitments and to realize our vision of better health and improved patient outcomes worldwide.

It identifies where and how SNOMED CT is used, providing an end-to-end perspective of the entire universe of SNOMED CT users, including Members, policy makers, care providers, patients and citizens, researchers and knowledge producers, implementers, vendors and collaboration partners, and expands and extends our existing value propositions to each of those groups. It also lays out the pathway to realizing the full value of SNOMED CT when embedded in a clinical information system, a health data and analytics platform or an interoperability solution.

“There has been enormous evolution in the SNOMED CT product and community since the organization came into being,” states Don Sweete, CEO of SNOMED International. “As the organization and our community have evolved, so, too, has the value that the product and its resources offer healthcare systems and stakeholders worldwide.” Don also noted, “As a core clinical reference terminology that is unchallenged in terms of its clinical breadth and depth, our renewed value propositions mirror the evolution of our stakeholders in their past, present and future use of SNOMED CT.”

Based on the Delone and McLean IS Success Framework as the theoretical underpinning for the development of these segmented value propositions, the report demonstrates the role of SNOMED CT as a critical component of the entire ecosystem of clinical terminologies and the importance of collaboration among the sponsors of those terminologies.

It also provides government decision-makers with a clear understanding of how their investments in SNOMED CT translate into positive outcomes for the health of their nation’s citizens.

Highlights of the benefits by stakeholder groups

  • Policymakers are more informed when making policy and management decisions, accelerating data-driven analytics and decision-making processes
  • Members can ensure that high-quality clinical information is available to stakeholders within their nations
  • Collaboration Partners contribute their best-in-class clinical knowledge to SNOMED CT to ensure its clinical integrity and create the one language of health
  • Researchers and Knowledge Producers can accelerate data, information, evidence and knowledge creation, supporting a wide range of analytics and research to benefit the decision-making of policymakers and healthcare stakeholders
  • Implementers can collect data once and reuse it for a diverse range of clinical, management and research purposes to support a broad range of health stakeholders
  • Vendors can open up markets globally and expand market share by enhancing the information quality of their products, using a global standard used in over 80 countries
  • Care Providers can improve patient outcomes by being knowledgeable about their patient’s health and options for care, achieving a more informed and collaborative relationship when making critical care decisions
  • Patients/Citizens can control their own health information and be knowledgeable about their health and self-care options

Over the coming months, SNOMED International will build on this work with the release of an in-depth SNOMED CT Case for Investment, supported by economic benefits modeling and data-driven exemplar case studies of SNOMED CT use.

To read the report, Articulating Stakeholder Value, visit snomed.org/value.

About SNOMED International

SNOMED International is a not-for-profit organization that owns and develops SNOMED CT, the world’s most comprehensive healthcare terminology product. We play an essential role in improving the health of humankind by determining standards for a codified language that represents groups of clinical terms. This enables healthcare information to be exchanged globally for the benefit of patients and other stakeholders. We are committed to the rigorous evolution of our products and services, to deliver continuous innovation for the global healthcare community. SNOMED International is the trading name of the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation.

Media Inquiries

Kelly Kuru

Chief Communications Officer

comms@snomed.org

Attachments

Kelly Kuru
SNOMED International
comms@snomed.org

First Advantage Announces Launch of Initial Public Offering

ATLANTA, June 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Advantage Corporation, a leading global provider of technology solutions for screening, verifications, safety and compliance related to human capital, today announced the launch of the initial public offering of 21,250,000 shares of its common stock, of which 17,750,000 shares of common stock will be sold by First Advantage and 3,500,000 shares of common stock will be sold by certain existing stockholders of First Advantage. First Advantage and the selling stockholders expect to grant the underwriters in the offering a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,187,500 shares of common stock, of which, up to 2,662,500 shares of common stock would be sold by First Advantage and up to 525,000 shares of common stock would be sold by certain existing stockholders of First Advantage. The estimated initial public offering price is between $13.00 and $15.00 per share. First Advantage has applied to list its shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “FA”.

Barclays, BofA Securities and J.P. Morgan will act as lead bookrunners for the proposed offering. Citigroup, Evercore ISI, Jefferies, RBC Capital Markets, Stifel and HSBC will act as bookrunners, and Citizens Capital Markets, KKR Capital Markets LLC, MUFG, Loop Capital Markets, R. Seelaus & Co., LLC, Ramirez & Co., Inc. and Roberts & Ryan will act as co-managers for the proposed offering.

A registration statement on Form S-1 relating to the proposed offering has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation, or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus related to the offering can be obtained from: Barclays Capital Inc., Attn: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at 888-603-5847, or by email at Barclaysprospectus@broadridge.com; BofA Securities, Attn: Prospectus Department, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd floor, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28255-0001, by email at dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com; or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attention: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 or by telephone at 866-803-9204 or by email at prospectuseq_fi@jpmorganchase.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include any statements regarding the commencement of trading of First Advantage’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described under “Risk Factors” under First Advantage’s registration statement relating to the offering. Except as required by law, First Advantage has no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations.

About First Advantage

First Advantage is a leading global provider of technology solutions for screening, verifications, safety and compliance related to human capital. The company delivers innovative solutions and insights that help customers manage risk and hire the best talent. Enabled by its proprietary technology platform, First Advantage’s products and solutions help companies protect their brands and provide safe environments for their customers and their most important resources: employees, contractors, contingent workers, tenants and drivers. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, First Advantage has offices in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Media Contact:

Elisabeth Warrick
First Advantage
employment.solutions@fadv.com
(888) 314-9761

Jeanne Achille
The Devon Group
firstadvantage@devonpr.com
+1-732-706-0123, ext. 700

A2 Global Risk publishes new report assessing the investment risks associated with port infrastructure expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa

LONDON, June 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — London and Hong Kong-based risk management consultancy A2 Global Risk published a new report assessing the investment risks associated with port infrastructure expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa, against the backdrop of global geopolitical competition. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on travel and operations caused unprecedented disruption to international trade and highlighted the risks linked with ageing port infrastructure and regional bottlenecks.

Cognisant of such risks, African governments are actively seeking to expand their infrastructure and trade provisions to reduce non-tariff barriers, as part of their efforts to modernise their trade infrastructure, such as airports, seaports, roads, and internet access. International actors active in this space are ramping up their competition for market access amid mounting trade and geopolitical tensions globally.

In Africa, traditional global powers such as France and the European Union on one hand, and China on the other, have for years competed over lucrative port expansion and management contracts. But both Western and Chinese companies have been accused of abuses and neo-colonialism. A growing number of Middle Eastern countries, led by the United Arab Emirates as well as Turkey, is now providing a third alternative.

While this growing competition offers African countries new alternatives to choose from, which may in turn foster local agency, it also raises questions about responsible corporate actors and signals emerging political risks to companies with an established presence.

“Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have markedly increased their presence on the continent, particularly in the Horn of Africa, over the past decade,” says Senior Analyst for Sub-Saharan Africa Olivier Milland. “To a large extent this forms part of their strategic development plans to diversify economies and secure future food supplies. Meanwhile, efforts at home to attract foreign capital or entice companies to establish offices in the region means that corporate standards there need to be elevated to the same level as those in advanced economies, placing a greater compliance burden on Gulf-based companies if they are to maintain a competitive advantage.”

About A2 Global RIsk
A2 Global Risk is a political and security risk management consultancy headquartered in Hong Kong with offices throughout Asia-Pacific as well as London and Washington DC. We provide subscription-based Information Services platform and bespoke security risk management services across the globe to help companies understand their political environments and mitigate risk accordingly. For more information visit www.a2globalrisk.com.

CONTACTS:
Carolyn Taylor
Senior Editor
Tel: +44 203 102 4053
Email: ctaylor@a2globalrisk.com

Novavax Reports Vaccine 90% Effective; Supply Questions Remain

Another highly effective vaccine is poised to join the fight against COVID-19.
But its impact may be blunted by supply issues. The manufacturer expected to produce the bulk of the doses is in India, where the government has banned vaccine exports.
Biotech company Novavax announced Monday that its vaccine was 100% effective in preventing severe cases of COVID-19 and 90% effective in preventing any form of the disease in a clinical trial in the United States and Mexico.
The company has an agreement to sell 350 million doses to COVAX, the World Health Organization-backed program to improve equitable vaccine access globally. It expects to start delivering shots in the third quarter of 2021, pending approval from regulators.

“Many of our first doses will go to … low- and middle-income countries, and that was the goal to begin with,” Novavax CEO Stanley Erck told The Associated Press.
The vaccine does not have the special cold storage requirements of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines.
That means low- and middle-income countries “can use the cold chain that they have already set up for routine childhood vaccines,” said William Moss, executive director of the Johns Hopkins University International Vaccine Access Center. “They don’t need to make modifications to handle the cold chain requirements” of the Pfizer and Moderna shots.
Doses in limbo
Novavax also has a deal with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture an additional 750 million doses of the vaccine.
SII is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer and the main supplier of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to COVAX.
But the Indian government has barred the company from exporting those doses as the country suffers through a devastating wave of COVID-19 infections.
“Considering the situation in India, there are still a lot of questions about timing and volume (of Novavax vaccine) that would actually be available to the rest of the world,” said Kate Elder, senior vaccines policy adviser to the Doctors Without Borders Access Campaign.
“It’s really just a testament to how poorly we as a global community have diversified production sites,” she added. “Whatever candidate produces successful vaccines, that technology (and) that know-how needs to be made available to whoever can produce it.”
The company does have manufacturing capacity in other countries, Moss noted, and as regulators authorize the vaccine, there need to be “efforts to scale up manufacturing at those other sites outside of India so that we can get that vaccine to the populations that need them.”
“It just shows the trouble with perhaps putting a lot of eggs in one basket,” he added.
“For the next few months, we’re really short on vaccine globally,” said former U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief Tom Frieden, who currently heads the global health nonprofit Resolve to Save Lives.
“Redistributing (vaccine doses), as the U.S. and others are doing, will be somewhat helpful, but not for many months,” he said. Over the weekend, the G-7 group of industrialized nations pledged 870 million vaccine doses to COVAX.
Questions about variants
The results from the Novavax vaccine trial are impressive, but “what we still don’t have enough information on is how it will do against variants,” Frieden said.
Novavax reported that the vaccine was 93.2% effective against variants in the clinical trial, but it did not specify which variants.
The alpha variant, first identified in Britain and known to scientists as B.1.1.7, is the dominant viral strain in the United States.
But in an earlier, smaller trial in South Africa, the vaccine was 51% effective against the dominant variant there, now known as beta.

Source: Voice of America

WHO Chief: New COVID-19 Cases Decline for 7 Weeks

The World Health Organization said Monday that while the number of new COVID-19 cases has fallen steadily for seven straight weeks, the virus continues to spread and kill people in Africa, a region with little or no access to vaccines and treatments.
Speaking from the agency’s headquarters in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the overall decline in new cases, the longest since the pandemic began, was certainly welcome news. But he said deaths overall were not falling as quickly and declined only slightly last week.
Tedros said the decline in cases also masks the fact that the virus continues to spread and kill in regions such as Africa, which has limited access to vaccines and treatments such as oxygen and diagnostic equipment.

He cited a recent study in the British medical journal The Lancet showing Africa with the highest global mortality rate among critically ill COVID-19 patients, despite it having fewer reported cases than most other regions.
Tedros said that available evidence suggests new variants have substantially increased transmission globally, especially in areas with low vaccination rates. The risks have increased for people who are not protected, which is most of the world’s population, he said. “Right now, the virus is moving faster than the global distribution of vaccines.”
The WHO chief expressed his gratitude to the leaders at the G-7 summit last week, who pledged 870 million doses of vaccine through the WHO-administered global vaccine cooperative, COVAX.
He said while those donations would be a big help, the world needed more vaccines, and faster. Tedros said to end the pandemic, the shared goal must be to vaccinate at least 70% of the world’s population in the next year. That will take 11 billion doses of vaccine, and “the G-7 and G-20 can make this happen.”

Source: Voice of America