AGP Executive Report

Brain Health: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech that sounded older than a person’s age with dementia and older-looking brain scans. Researchers cautioned that the tool cannot diagnose dementia. Reproductive Health: Venezuelan women continue to seek clandestine abortions amid strict laws, as Colombia weighs closing its borders to them — a move that could further complicate access to care. Obesity: Colombia’s latest national nutrition survey found excess weight in 56.4% of adults; warning labels target foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. Healthcare Funding: A budget shortfall leaves the teachers’ health fund Fomag lacking 2.7 trillion pesos to maintain healthcare guarantees. Climate and Care: Coastal erosion is damaging homes and infrastructure in communities on both coasts, and rising water can cut off routes to health services. Urban Heat: Medellín’s tree-planting program has helped cool the city, but rising temperatures are testing those efforts.

Brain Health: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech that sounds older than a person’s actual age with dementia and other signs of cognitive decline. The researchers stressed that the findings don’t prove cause and effect, and the tool is not a diagnostic test. Food Costs: Beef prices rose 14.22% in Colombia over the year to September, adding pressure to household budgets as domestic supply fell. Road Safety: A bus crash in Cauca killed four people and injured 56; the injured were taken to hospitals as the Pan-American Highway remained closed. Food Security: One in five Colombian families faces hunger amid rising food prices and El Niño risks, according to a report highlighted this week.

Brain Health: A new speech-based “aging clock,” tested on 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults including Colombians, linked speech that sounds older than a person’s age with dementia and brain-aging markers. Researchers caution it cannot diagnose dementia or show cause and effect. Alzheimer’s Research: A prevention trial involving Colombia’s large family group carrying an inherited Alzheimer’s mutation has assigned its first participant. Researchers will test antibody and oral treatments in people at high genetic risk. Emergency Care: Project C.U.R.E. has opened a fund to send supplies and equipment to Colombian hospitals affected by the reported August earthquake, which damaged more than 350 health facilities. Climate & Health: Colombia ranked first among 132 countries in a scorecard assessing how well national climate plans address health, scoring 29 out of 32. The plan covers climate-related illness, nutrition, food security and air pollution. Food Security: One in five Colombian families faces hunger amid rising food prices and El Niño risks.

Alzheimer’s Research: A prevention trial has enrolled its first participant from Colombia’s large family network carrying an inherited Alzheimer’s mutation. Researchers are testing whether antibody treatment, alone or combined with another drug, can delay disease changes. Brain Health: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech that sounds older than a person’s actual age with dementia markers. The tool is not a diagnostic test, and the findings do not show cause and effect. Climate and Health: Colombia ranked first among 132 countries in a global review of how climate plans address health, scoring 29 out of 32 for measures covering issues such as climate-related illness, nutrition and air pollution. Food Security: One in five Colombian families faces hunger amid rising food prices and El Niño risks, according to a report highlighted this week. Disaster Response: Project C.U.R.E. has opened a relief fund to send medical supplies to Colombian hospitals and clinics affected by the August earthquake.

Brain Health: A new study using speech samples from 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, found that speech sounding older than a person’s age was linked to dementia and older-appearing brain scans. Researchers caution that the study does not prove cause and effect, and the tool is not a diagnostic test. Climate and Health: Colombia led a global review of national climate plans, scoring 29 out of 32 for integrating health risks and benefits—the highest score among 132 countries assessed. El Niño Preparedness: UNDP and Asocapitales introduced a guide to help Colombia’s 32 capital cities prepare for El Niño, which threatens health and livelihoods through extreme weather and pressure on food and water supplies. Food Security: One in five Colombian families faces hunger as food prices rise and El Niño risks worsen, sharpening concerns about nutrition and household wellbeing.

Brain Health: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech patterns that sound older than a person’s age with dementia and older-appearing brain scans. Researchers stress the tool cannot diagnose dementia, and the study does not show cause and effect. Health Care and Protests: Colombians marched against President Abelardo de la Espriella’s policies, with protesters demanding health care, labor protections and better education funding. New rules give police more power to break up demonstrations, prompting concerns about their use. El Niño Preparedness: A new guide for 32 capital cities flags risks including heat, poor air quality, water shortages and mosquito-borne disease, and urges officials to keep hospitals and essential services running. Food Security: One in five Colombian families faces hunger amid rising food prices and El Niño risks, adding urgency to efforts to protect food access.

Brain Health: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, found that speech estimated to sound older than a person’s actual age was associated with dementia and older-appearing brain scans. Researchers cautioned that the findings do not prove cause or make the tool a diagnostic test. El Niño Readiness: A UNDP and Asocapitales guide gives all 32 capital cities steps to protect water supplies, prepare for fires and keep hospitals running during the 2026–27 El Niño. It flags health risks including heat, poor air quality and mosquito-borne disease. Food Security: About one in five Colombian households remains unsure where its next meal will come from, despite a recent fall in measured food insecurity. Experts warn that regional inequality, rising costs and El Niño could threaten progress. Climate and Health: A global scorecard ranks Colombia among the countries most deeply integrating health into national climate plans; it is also one of five with targets to cut health-damaging black carbon.

Brain Health: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech patterns that sound older than a person’s age with dementia and brain-aging markers. Researchers caution that the findings do not prove cause and effect, and the tool cannot diagnose dementia. Food Security: Moderate or severe food insecurity in Colombia fell to 21.1% from 25.5%, but one in five households still struggles to secure its next meal. Experts warn that economic pressure, regional inequalities and El Niño could threaten progress. Gender-Based Violence: Legal Medicine recorded a 31% rise in sexual-abuse examinations of older women in January–July, from 70 to 92. Officials also reported 89 femicides and 16,451 sexual crimes by July; advocates say the real toll is likely higher because many cases go unreported. Festival Safety: Two visitors died after Medellín’s Electric Daisy Carnival, including a cancer specialist. Authorities are investigating the deaths; a possible link to drug and alcohol use has not been confirmed.

Brain Health: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech that sounded older than a person’s age with dementia and older-appearing brain scans. The researchers caution that the tool cannot diagnose dementia or show cause and effect. Maternal Health: Colombia reported a historic decline in teenage pregnancy in 2025. Climate Risks: El Niño is already taking a toll in Colombia, while Medellín’s heat is rising faster. Emergency Care: Panama’s powerful earthquake injured at least 27 people and damaged hospitals; the shaking was also felt in Colombia.

Brain Health: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech patterns that sounded older than a person’s age with dementia and older-appearing brain scans. The findings do not prove cause and effect, and the tool is not a diagnostic test. Emergency Health: Panama’s powerful earthquakes damaged health centers and injured at least 27 people; tremors were also felt in Colombia. Flight Safety: Eight people were hospitalized after severe turbulence forced an Avianca flight from Medellín to New York to divert to Miami. Medication Safety: A report on clinical practice in Colombia flags risks from prolonged use of senna leaf. Maternal Health: Colombia recorded a historic decline in teenage pregnancy in 2025, according to a report in this week’s coverage.

Brain Health: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech patterns that sound older than a person’s age with dementia and older-appearing brain scans. The researchers caution the tool cannot diagnose dementia and the findings do not show cause and effect. Earthquake Response: Panama declared an emergency after powerful quakes damaged health centres and injured 27 people. Shaking was felt in Colombia; no impact there was reported. Flight Safety: Eight people were hospitalized after severe turbulence forced a Medellín-to-New York Avianca flight to divert to Miami. Medicine Safety: A clinical report in Colombia flagged risks from prolonged senna leaf use. Women’s Health: Colombia reported a historic decline in teenage pregnancy in 2025.

Regional Emergency: Panama declared a state of emergency after powerful earthquakes damaged health centers, homes and schools. At least 27 people were injured; tremors were felt in Colombia, and the tsunami alert was later lifted. Aviation Safety: An Avianca flight from Medellín to New York diverted to Miami after severe turbulence injured nine people; eight were taken to hospital. Colombia Health: A clinical report flags risks from prolonged use of senna leaf, while Colombia recorded a historic decline in teenage pregnancy in 2025.

Panama Earthquake: After two powerful quakes and more than 100 aftershocks, Panama declared an emergency. At least 27 people were injured, and homes, schools and healthcare facilities were damaged; shaking was also felt in Colombia. Avianca Flight Injuries: Eight people were hospitalized after severe turbulence forced a Medellín–New York flight to divert to Miami. Avianca reported nine injured, including three crew members. Herbal Remedy Warning: A National University of Colombia clinical case linked nearly a year of senna-leaf tea use to severe liver damage. The laxative does not burn fat and can disrupt fluid and electrolyte balance. Teen Pregnancy: Colombia recorded a historic decline in teenage pregnancy in 2025, according to a recent report. El Niño Risks: The developing climate cycle is already affecting Colombia, while UNICEF warns that extreme heat, drought and flooding could threaten children’s health, nutrition and access to essential services.

Panama Quake: A 7.7-magnitude earthquake prompted a state of emergency after damaging homes, schools, roads and health facilities. At least 27 people were injured; Colombia also felt the shaking, and tsunami warnings were lifted. Flight Injuries: An Avianca flight from Medellín to New York diverted to Miami after severe turbulence. The airline reported nine injured, with eight people taken to hospital. Herbal Remedy Risks: A National University of Colombia clinical case warns that prolonged senna-leaf infusions can harm the liver and cause fluid and electrolyte loss. Senna does not burn fat. El Niño Threat: UNICEF warns the climate cycle could put 347 million children worldwide at risk; Colombia has also reported impacts. Teen Pregnancy: Colombia recorded a historic decline in teenage pregnancy in 2025.

Regional Emergency: A magnitude-7.7 earthquake in Panama injured at least 27 people and damaged buildings and roads; it was felt in Colombia, and a tsunami alert covering the country was later lifted. Medication Safety: National University of Colombia students documented severe liver damage in a woman who drank senna-leaf infusions for nearly a year to lose weight. The laxative causes fluid loss, not fat burning, and prolonged use can harm the liver. Aviation Health: An Avianca flight from Medellín to New York diverted to Miami after severe turbulence injured passengers and crew; at least eight people were hospitalized, including one with serious injuries.

Earthquake Alert: A magnitude 7.7 quake struck southern Panama, shaking its capital and prompting tsunami warnings for Colombia’s Pacific coast; forecasts called for waves under a foot, and the wider tsunami threat was later lifted. Avianca Turbulence: Eight people were hospitalized after severe turbulence forced a Medellín-to-New York flight to divert to Miami. One passenger was taken to a trauma center, and the FAA is investigating. Climate & Child Health: UNICEF warns the coming El Niño could bring more disease outbreaks, water shortages and malnutrition for children worldwide. Colombia has already reported impacts from the climate pattern. Teen Health: Colombia recorded a historic decline in teenage pregnancy in 2025, according to a recent report.