Forest & Health Security: A two-day Yaounde workshop (ending Aug 19) brought together DR Congo, Gabon, Cameroon and others to tackle forest conversion in the Congo Basin, focusing on regional governance, deforestation impacts, and better monitoring tools—work that matters for disease risk and community health as habitats change. Cross-Border Health Cooperation: Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and DR Congo’s Félix Tshisekedi signed a visa-free regime for diplomatic staff and civil servants, plus a framework agreement covering cooperation in judicial, environmental, health and mining sectors, overseen by a joint commission. Disease Prevention: A global rubella update shows modeled cases fell about 73% since 2012, but Africa’s region still carries most of the burden (89% in 2024), underlining the need to strengthen routine rubella vaccination where coverage lags. Connectivity for Care Access: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched satellite-to-phone service in the DRC, enabling SMS and light data where mobile coverage is weak—an indirect boost for health communication and emergency reach across hard-to-serve areas. Public Health Policy Link: A Central Africa policy piece warns research often fails to reach decision-makers, urging stronger pathways from health workforce planning and other studies into real government action.