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Southern University’s World-Famous “Human Jukebox” Marching Band Partners with SIGMA to Elevate Video Production Quality

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

Southern University’s esteemed Human Jukebox Marching Band has entered into an exciting and exclusive partnership with SIGMA Corporation of America, a leading camera and lens manufacturer for both photography and cinema applications, to enhance the quality of their video production when chronicling and producing their prestigious performances. This is the third academic year that SIGMA has sponsored the Human Jukebox. A world-famous marching band with a rich history of performances at prestigious events such as the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, and college and professional football games’ halftimes, the Human Jukebox is known for its captivating shows and choreography, which includes the talented Dancing Dolls ensemble. The band's reputation plays a vital role in attracting students to Southern University and cultivating valuable partnerships, and sharply capturing their performances is of utmost importance. In 2014, Eric Johnson, the Human Jukebox’s Marketing and Brand Manager, along with Jabari Morgan (marketing) and Media Director Garrett Edgerson, embarked on a journey to develop a strong brand identity and elevate the band's presence in the world of collegiate marching bands. Their success in building an impressive online presence on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and beyond has garnered attention from notable artists such as Lizzo, Adele, 50 Cent, DJ Khaled, and Janet Jackson. The Human Jukebox's ability to capture their performances and share them with the world relies heavily on consistent high-quality video production. In 2020, the band turned to SIGMA, drawn to SIGMA's reputation for providing premium yet affordable lenses. SIGMA's dedication to customer service and a shared passion for creative excellence led to the establishment of a productive partnership. "An appreciation for art is cultivated during a person’s formative school years and is something SIGMA has always been passionately supportive of," says Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of SIGMA America. "Having the opportunity to help bring the Human Jukebox’s work to life for the past three years with crisply captured video, and to contribute to the long-term growth of this HBCU, has been an honor.” Southern University’s Media Director Garrett Edgerson, a photographer and filmmaker, heads a team of four students and three alumni responsible for creating captivating content for the Human Jukebox. To ensure top-notch video quality, Edgerson and his team have embraced SIGMA lenses as their go-to choice for capturing the band's performances. "Like many HBCUs, Southern University's marching band plays a crucial role in attracting students from all over the world," said Eric Johnson, the Human Jukebox's Marketing and Brand Manager. “SIGMA lenses have taken our production level to a whole new height with compact form factor, lighter weight, and excellent build, making it easier for the team to capture stunning footage during performances and events. Hollywood-quality video has advanced our reputation, leading to additional sponsorships and partnerships that help support students' education and band expenses.” To learn more about how the Southern University Marching Band Media team utilizes SIGMA gear for their work, please visit this behind-the-scenes piece. About SIGMA Corporation of America SIGMA Corporation of America, founded in 1984, is the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation, a family-owned manufacturer of lenses, cameras and photo accessories. With U.S. headquarters in Ronkonkoma, NY, SIGMA Corporation of America expanded with a showroom and office in Burbank, CA in 2018 to support the Hollywood filmmaking industry. Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with over 35 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products. Follow SIGMA America on social media! SIGMA Photo: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram SIGMA Cine: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Contact Details SIGMA +1 631-201-7381 SIGMA.PR@Sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigma-global.com/en/

October 24, 2023 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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News Release

India's MAJOR Gaming Growth!

QYOU Media Inc

ValueTheMarkets News Commentary - The Indian gaming market is projected to rapidly grow in size, nearly tripling from $2.6bn to $8.6bn between 2022 and 2027 according to projections from Statista. Perhaps this is no surprise, considering the country's huge population of young consumers and rapid adoption of tech. This article will discuss the issue with reference to Alphabet Inc ( NASDAQ: GOOGL ), Tencent Holdings Ltd ( OTC: TCEHY ), Microsoft ( NASDAQ: MSFT ) and QYOU Media ( TSXV: QYOU ) ( OTCQB: QYOUF ). As this article has already shown, gaming is set for a massive uplift in India. A major part of this opportunity is the mobile gaming market, with the vast majority of gamers in the country using their smartphone to play. Indeed, 94% of gamers use their phones in India according to KPMG, compared to less than 10% using PC or consoles respectively. That's why we're looking at QYOU Media, Tencent, Microsoft and Alphabet from a largely mobile perspective. QYOU Media ( TSXV: QYOU ) ( OTCQB: QYOUF ) is an entertainment company with a focus on bringing creator-led content to the Indian market. While the business already owns a slew of successful TV channels across traditional and app-based platforms, it took the jump into the mobile gaming space at the start of this year. In January, the business acquired Maxamtech, a specialist in free-to-play mobile games and owner of the Gaming360 platform. Now, the business is moving into the real-money gaming space, taking advantage of its huge popularity in India. The business will launch a new version of its casual mobile gaming app, QGAMESMELA, which comes with 'freemium' capabilities. Players will be able to win cash prizes and awards via both free and real-money gaming engagements. With India's real-money gaming market expected to reach 60bn rupees by 2025, this looks like it could be an astute move from this rapidly evolving business. Alphabet Inc ( NASDAQ: GOOGL ) has a major opportunity in India due to the strong growth of app users in the country. Indeed, according to 42Matters, India is the top country in the world in terms of number of apps installed and used per month. The company has enjoyed huge growth in India, with its mobile play store seeing a 200% increase in active monthly users and an 80% jump in consumer spending in 2021 compared to 2019. While a large amount of app downloads are by gamers, with titles like Ludo King exceeding 500 million downloads, the company said in 2022 that it had also seen "stupendous growth" across categories like education, payments, health and entertainment. With 2022 representing the first year of declines in Google App Store revenues, the company could decide that focusing on a major potential market like India is a route to strong future growth. Tencent Holdings Ltd ( OTC: TCEHY ) is an absolute titan when it comes to mobile gaming. In India, the company owned PUBG Mobile, which WAS the top mobile gaming IP back in 2021. The company also owns Finnish videogame developer Supercell, makers of the Clash of Clans titles. This further demonstrates the Chinese multinational's tight grasp on the nation's mobile gaming space at the time. So, what's changed? September 2020 saw the Indian government banning titles like PUBG Mobile and other Chinese-owned apps, citing data privacy issues. Replacement versions of some titles have resurfaced, but the ban has damaged Tencent in the country. But Tencent is wading back into India, having launched new mobile title Undawn in the country back in June 2023. With no bans in place yet, despite noise from some interest groups, this could be the start of a new concerted push into the territory. Tech giant Microsoft ( NASDAQ: MSFT ) is another outfit which is pushing into the Indian mobile gaming market. This is largely due to the company's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which bolsters its PC and console gaming offering but also crucially offers major new inroads into the mobile gaming space. As one of the biggest markets in the world for mobile gaming, India is sure to be a target for the company. The company will already have a strong presence in the nation. Research published by Statista in 2021 indicated that Activision Blizzard's growing share of the Indian gaming market would represent more than 14% of the total in 2022. Indeed, immensely popular mobile titles like Candy Crush are already under the company's wing and offer it significant opportunity. Additionally, the clear challenges already in place for Chinese competition mean that further growth is a realistic possibility. While its clear that India presents a huge opportunity for gaming companies, this article has outlined the radically different states some of the main competitors find themselves in. Tencent is dogged by uncertainty as it attempts to bounce back from mass bans, while Microsoft has suddenly become a key player. Alphabet's platform is seeing major growth and new kid on the block QYOU Media is astutely swooping in to corner the real-money gaming opportunity. IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER PAID ADVERTISEMENT This communication is a paid advertisement. ValueTheMarkets is a trading name of Digitonic Ltd, and its owners, directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents and assigns (collectively the "Publisher") is often paid by one or more of the profiled companies or a third party to disseminate these types of communications. In this case, the Publisher has been compensated by QYOU Media Inc. to conduct investor awareness advertising and marketing and has paid the Publisher the equivalent of one hundred and twenty five thousand US dollars to produce and disseminate this and other similar articles and certain related banner advertisements. 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Other than valuethemarkets.com, the Publisher is not affiliated, connected, or associated with, and the communication is not sponsored, approved, or originated by, the trademark holders unless otherwise stated. No claim is made by the Publisher to any rights in any third-party trademarks other than valuethemarkets.com. AUTHORS: VALUETHEMARKETS valuethemarkets.com and Digitonic Ltd and our affiliates are not responsible for the content or accuracy of this article. The information included in this article is based solely on information provided by the company or companies mentioned above. This article does not provide any financial advice and is not a recommendation to deal in any securities or product. News and research are not recommendations to deal, and investments may fall in value so that you could lose some or all of your investment. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.ValueTheMarkets do not hold any position in the stock(s) and/or financial instrument(s) mentioned in the above piece. ValueTheMarkets have been paid to produce this piece by the company or companies mentioned above. Digitonic Ltd, the owner of valuethemarkets.com, has been paid for the production of this piece by the company or companies mentioned above. Contact Details ValueTheMarkets +44 141 530 4080 editor@valuethemarkets.com Company Website https://www.valuethemarkets.com

October 24, 2023 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Shareholder Urges Microsoft to Boot Jeffrey Epstein Pal from Board of Directors

NLPC

In a letter to the lead independent director for Microsoft Corporation, National Legal and Policy Center has asked for the removal of billionaire Reid Hoffman from the company’s board of directors, due to his hyper-partisan political activities and his connections to the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, whose private island Hoffman visited in 2014. NLPC owns stock in Microsoft and is also sponsoring a shareholder proposal at this year’s annual meeting, which will be held on December 7, 2023. LinkedIn, which was co-founded by Hoffman, was acquired by Microsoft in December 2016. He joined Microsoft’s board in March 2017. As NLPC’s Paul Chesser wrote in his letter to the company’s top independent director, Sandra Peterson, Hoffman has shown poor discernment in his associations, poor judgment in his political and social actions, and utter disregard for Microsoft’s reputation and shareholder value. “Reid Hoffman’s wealth and arrogance have clearly gone to his head and he appears to think he doesn’t have to be accountable to anyone,” said Chesser, who is director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project (CIP). “Whether its visiting ‘Pedophile Isle’ with Jeffrey Epstein, or calling the likely 2024 Republican presidential nominee ‘The Disease President,’ or simply advising aspiring entrepreneurs to ‘ignore your customers,’ Hoffman obviously would rather satiate his sensual impulses than properly oversee the fiduciary responsibilities of a major technology company,” said Luke Perlot, associate director and chief researcher for the CIP. In the heavily footnoted letter to Microsoft, NLPC pointed out three major reasons that make Hoffman unsuitable for the board: his close association with Epstein; his unrestrained, hyper-partisan political urges; and his hypocritical views regarding “civic participation” and his own company’s censorship practices. Excerpts from the letter: According to Axios, Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Epstein both aggressively fundraised for the [MIT Media Lab], with Mr. Hoffman also inviting Mr. Epstein to join him at an August 2015 dinner in Silicon Valley that included tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Peter Thiel. In an email to Mr. Thiel, according to the Wall Street Journal, “Hoffman wrote that Epstein was a ‘mostly fun, very interesting guy, you may find him perverse, but very smart on biology, computation, macro econ.’”… Mr. Hoffman’s extremely poor judgment leaves many unanswered questions. Recognizing Mr. Epstein as “perverse,” how did Mr. Hoffman justify ongoing collaboration with the convicted pedophile, who maintained his own luxury island to traffic underage girls to fulfill the sexual desires of himself and his associates? How could a highly educated, savvy and instinctive tech billionaire agree to visit such a place, with such a person, with such a detestable reputation, unless it was intentional, showing utter disregard for his own image and that of the businesses and organizations with which he is identified? … MotiveAI, another firm credited with “with backing from billionaire LinkedIn chairman Reid Hoffman,” ran ads through associated limited liability companies that featured offensive content and disinformation…. Facebook pages with MotiveAI associations made sexist comments about former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and Republican megadonor Rebekah Mercer. One such page called Rep. Gabbard a “C.W.I.L.F.,” which stands for a “Congresswoman I’d like to f---”… Mr. Hoffman…could easily advocate for [LinkedIn] to remain open to all for reasoned political debate, but there is no evidence that he does. In fact, his own history indicates that he encourages such snubs. As a self-styled expert on venture capital-funded startups…Mr. Hoffman recommends one counterintuitive business practice for an alleged path to success: “Ignore your customers.” Is this an image that Microsoft wishes to project? NLPC called for Peterson to ask for Hoffman’s resignation, and if he refuses to do so, then to seek his removal. Hoffman is listed as a nominee for re-election to the board on the company’s proxy statement. “Reid Hoffman has been very successful in business but he has shown very poor judgment,” said Peter Flaherty, chairman of NLPC. “Wealth should not be an exemption from decent behavior. Microsoft will be a better company when Hoffman leaves the board.” Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 danrenejr@gmail.com Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

October 24, 2023 10:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

National Survey Reveals Women of All Ages Cite Mental Health as Their Number One Health Concern

LevLane

LevLane Advertising, an award-winning full-service agency headquartered in Philadelphia, has released the results of its 2023 Women’s Health Concerns Survey of 400 women, ages 18+, which explores how women are approaching various aspects of their health and wellness. The survey, which was conducted by a market research provider on behalf of LevLane, paints a concerning picture, as women report deprioritizing sexual/reproductive health and almost every other aspect of their well-being, while mental health concerns take priority. This is true even in the younger age groups where sexual health is traditionally considered as a primary concern (ages 18-34). Across all ages 18+, just 6% of all women reported sexual health as their number one priority. The majority of women (53%) reported mental health as one of their top three health concerns, with 26% saying that it was their number one concern. Stress management (45%), sleep health (33%) and heart health (32%) were among the other top concerns, while reproductive/sexual health (19%), diabetes (18%), pregnancy/post-partum (11%) and menopause/perimenopause (11%) were ranked lowest overall. Women 55+ were the only age group to report something other than mental health as their top concern. That cohort reported both heart health and stress management as tied for their number one priority. “Coming out of COVID, we expected to see a bump in mental health as a concern, but we were all taken aback by just how many women across all age groups cited it as their top concern,” said Liz Weir, chief marketing officer at LevLane. “Even in younger age groups, where we would expect to see more of an emphasis on sexual and reproductive health or pregnancy and post-partum, we found that women are putting those things on the back burner to prioritize mental health.” The study is the first in a series planned by the agency. The forthcoming surveys will continue to focus on specific aspects of women’s health with the goal of better understanding the broader women’s healthcare landscape. “In their efforts to address mental health concerns, an unintended consequence could be neglecting other very critical aspects of their well-being,” said Karla Loken, DO, OBGYN, FACOOG and chief medical officer for FEMSelect. “We need to address women’s health comprehensively; neglecting one area will ultimately lead to consequences in another. Women are juggling a lot of things, and this research is signaling that women need more support, including education and awareness on promoting a balanced approach to physical, mental and emotional health.” The study also found that many women are opting out of support, with half (50%) of the respondents saying they are not seeking support for their top concern/priority and have no intention of doing so. Additional Survey Findings: - 10% of Women 18-24 reported sexual and reproductive health as a top priority - 35% of women 35-44 said mental health was their top priority - Women 18-24 were the age group most concerned with cancer as a top 3 priority - Women 35-44 were the only age group to include obesity as a top 3 priority or concern - Women in the 18-34 bracket tend to start their health journeys with online search or through friends and family - Women 34+ tend to start their health journeys with their primary care physicians (PCPs) For complete survey results, please contact Lauren Stralo below. About LevLane LevLane Advertising is a full-service independent advertising agency headquartered in Philadelphia and has been building brands people love for nearly 40 years. The award-winning agency integrates traditional creative expertise with cutting-edge digital capabilities in its menu of services, including search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), programmatic media, strategy, creative and branding, media and analytics, social media, content marketing, and public relations. For more information about LevLane and its capabilities, connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Contact Details LevLane Advertising Lauren Stralo +1 484-747-0172 lweir@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

October 24, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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The News Direct Podcast Channel Aims to Ride the Podcasting Wave

News Direct

Podcasting has seen a remarkable transformation since its humble beginnings nearly 20 years ago. Initially overshadowed by other forms of digital communication, podcasts have now taken the world by storm, becoming an influential medium for information consumption and communication. In 2006, a mere 22% of the US population was familiar with podcasts, but fast forward to 2023, and 78% of Americans are in the know, with one-third actively engaging in podcast listening. The podcasting industry is currently estimated to be worth nearly $25 billion, with 5 million podcasts worldwide, featuring a staggering 70 million episodes and a dedicated audience of nearly 465 million listeners. This evolving trend has not gone unnoticed in the public relations sphere, as podcasts by PR luminaries have become as ubiquitous as Taylor and Travis sightings. Recognizing this phenomenon, News Direct recently launched The News Direct Podcast Channel, which is designed as a hub for both its own flagship podcast, " News Directly," as well as a launchpad for other professional podcast programs. With an impressive domain authority of 74 and over a half million monthly visitors, the company's podcast channel aims to provide podcast guests and creators with a high-traffic platform to reach a broad and engaged audience. In a world increasingly driven by short attention spans and a hunger for visual stimulation, the resurgence of podcasts is a remarkable turn of events. Podcasts require an investment of time and mental energy, which in over-scheduled and “digestible” format obsessed times such as these certainly swims against the tide. News Direct management is encouraged to see the public relations industry embracing this trend, as it offers a promising future for the medium and a valuable alternative means to conduct targeted brand messaging. Nevertheless, as podcasts proliferate, there is a risk of oversaturation. To ensure the long-term success of PR podcasts, they must focus on delivering high-quality content, relevant subject matter, and engaging guests. The emphasis should be on sharing vital information and trends, rather than serving as a promotional tool for the hosts. Founder and CEO, Gregg Castano commented "At News Direct, we are committed to setting high standards and promoting diversity of content and viewpoints in the podcasting landscape. Our goal with the News Direct Podcast Channel is to offer excellence, versatility, and variety, both through our 'News Directly' program and the podcasts we showcase on our platform." The future of podcasting remains uncertain, but the current ascent of this medium represents a net positive for the public relations profession. News Direct believes that podcasting's role in communication will continue to evolve and grow, bringing exciting opportunities and fresh perspectives to the communications industry. News Direct is a technology-driven content distribution and amplification platform for PR, IR, corporate communications and marketing professionals. Our automated platform delivers a completely reimagined, modernized user experience for newswire users that has reshaped the industry landscape. Additionally, the company has expanded its offerings to include an array of technology-enhanced message amplification tools ranging from sponsored content to podcasting products, all from one online destination. Contact Details News Direct Media at News Direct +1 917-698-4131 media@newsdirect.com Company Website http://www.newsdirect.com

October 24, 2023 09:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Avenue Z Hires Leading Digital Media and Technology Executive David Corchado to Lead Team in Global Strategy

Avenue Z

The Avenue Z Network, a Strategic Communications and Marketing Advisory, today announced the hiring of David Corchado as Chief Strategy and Technology Officer. Corchado joins the firm to spearhead technological advancement and utilization of data science, following a successful run as Chief Technology Officer of B2B communications firm Investis Digital (acquired by Investcorp). Based in Avenue Z’s New York office, Corchado will work closely with the New York and Boston teams to further the advisory’s Health Technology Practice. "David's expertise in digital media optimization, agile tech stack development, analytics, and cyber-security will be instrumental in driving the next phase of growth for Avenue Z,” said Jeffrey Herzog, CEO of The Avenue Z Network. “This move strengthens Avenue Z’s technology teams, providing strong leadership for our work in digital transformation and accelerating our advantage in building Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences technology programs” continued Herzog. With Corchado joining the executive team, Avenue Z brings on a proven talent that has led global digital transformation projects for consumer brands including Estee Lauder, Toyota, and LG. While at Investis Digital, Corchado led technology strategy and product development, including building the Connect.ID and IDX Virtual Events platforms into solutions recognized by Forrester and used by major brands such as Ocado, Rolls-Royce, Brookfield Partners, Snap, CVS, Vodafone, and Lowes. During his career with iCrossing & TBWA\Chiat\Day Corchado focused on digital media for pharmaceutical advertising and led optimization projects for Merck, Sanofi, GSK, Novartis, and Pfizer. “Building a modern marketing technology stack is now less about writing original code and more about connecting best-of-breed solutions through APIs. We are building bespoke solutions for clients based on their vertical, channel and sustainability goals. Brands are already demanding more efficiency as a result of AI, and my priority is to deploy workforce analytics and smart applications that boost our productivity and quality. With that, we will truly be able to disrupt traditional PR, where the future of digital influence will be machine-driven, but human optimized," said Corchado. The Avenue Z Network is a strategic communications & marketing advisory focused on brand performance and business growth. Avenue Z works with mission-driven brands to create an integrated narrative through public relations, search and social branding, influencer marketing and performance media. Avenue Z provides clients with the platform they need to gain exposure and activate messages across all media. The Company is headquartered In Miami, FL with offices in Orlando and New York City. For more information visit www.AvenueZ.com Contact Details Avenue Z Allie Rosenfeld press@avenuez.com

October 24, 2023 07:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time

QYOU Media Launches New Version of Q GamesMela Gaming App

QYOU Media

Contact Details Doug Barker +1 437-992-4814 shareholder@qyoutv.com Company Website https://www.valuethemarkets.com

October 24, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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First Ever Global Campaign to Decriminalise Suicide Worldwide

LifeLine International

Today, LifeLine International launched Decriminalise Suicide Worldwide, a new campaign advocating for legal changes in countries where suicide is either a crime or the law is unclear. Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard joined Lifeline International to give a keynote speech calling for communities around the world to unite against outdated and punitive laws exacerbating the isolation and stigma associated with suicide. According to new analysis from LifeLine International, suicide and attempted suicide is a crime in 25 countries, while the legality of both is unclear in a further 27 countries. Laws criminalising suicide are generally associated with higher suicide rates because they are ineffective deterrents and inhibit people in suicidal distress from seeking help. The analysis, completed with input from the International Bar Association, is the latest comprehensive audit of laws criminalising suicide undertaken. A population of 1.2 billion people live in the 52 countries where suicide is either a crime or laws are uncertain. The campaign advocates for legislative changes that will also help achieve the UN's Sustainable Development goal to decrease global suicide rates by 30% by 2030. Where we seek to change laws, LifeLine International will also work to either establish or enhance crisis line services. Decriminalisation has gathered positive momentum in the last five years, with legal reform completed in Ghana, Malaysia, Pakistan, India and Singapore. LifeLine International has identified Malawi and Nigeria as initial focus countries for decriminalisation campaign support. In the 27 countries with unclear legal frameworks, LifeLine International will engage with governments and civil society organisations to seek clarity and request the removal of barriers preventing people from seeking help. The ambiguity comes from a lack of consistency in the respective legal systems. The official campaign launch at Australia House in London was attended by diplomats, representatives of major mental health organisations, service providers, charities, supporters and the media. Former Australian Prime Minister, the Honourable Julia Gillard AC, who gave the keynote speech at the event, said: “The power of coalition and influence has the potential to drive significant change in addressing suicide as a global public health crisis. Coming together to support decriminalising suicide holds the promise of saving hundreds of thousands of lives." LifeLine International President, Justin Chase, said: "Every day, more than 1,900 people lose their lives to suicide, and approximately 77% of these tragic events occur in low- and middle-income countries. Suicide is a global public health challenge, but LifeLine International's new campaign is committed to creating a world where individuals facing suicidal thoughts can seek help without fear of legal repercussions. Decriminalisation addresses a significant barrier to deploying crisis support services and tackling the social stigmas that discourage help-seeking.” As part of the campaign, two digital platforms were launched today: www.25crimes.org – A social change campaign platform serving as the public face of the campaign; and, www.suicide-decrim.network – A bespoke knowledge platform for experts, NGOs, civil society, and crisis support services to facilitate the formation of national decriminalisation. LifeLine CEO Thilini Perera said: "Through our knowledge platform, we are bridging the gap between countries to advocate for change. LifeLine International's commitment to using innovative technology and galvanising support will accelerate decriminalisation campaigns, allowing people living in countries where suicide remains a crime to receive the help they deserve. We are proud to open source our knowledge to support network participants. Our platform will enable us to track progress and move closer to a world where suicide is decriminalised, stigma is reduced, and help-seeking is both accessible and encouraged." About LifeLine International: LifeLine International is an Australian-registered international civil society organisation representing 27 Members, in 23 separate countries. Our Members collectively operate more than 200 suicide prevention and crisis support services across the world. Our shared mission is to create a world where quality suicide prevention support is available, accepted and encouraged. Our goal is to ensure that the life-saving work of our Members is fully recognised, valued and supported. We focus on supporting the expansion of community-based crisis support services, wholly operated by our Members and beyond. We believe that crisis support services must be accessible and widely promoted in all communities, regardless of location, cultural practice or legal frameworks. We fundamentally believe that crisis helplines play a critical role in the overall continuum of care for suicide prevention. Our ultimate beneficiaries are help seekers: individuals in distress, despair and at risk of suicide. Notes to Editors: Click here for the Campaign Brief Click here for Decriminalise Suicide Worldwide Factsheet For further information or interview requests, please contact LifeLine.International@highgate.ltd Contact Details LifeLine International Jenny Wright +44 7786 567525 LifeLine.International@highgate.ltd Company Website https://lifeline-intl.com/

October 23, 2023 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Cutting Through the AEP Clutter

YourUpdateTV

Millions of older Americans rely on Medicare as a crucial support for their health care. Yet, choosing a health plan that fits their needs can be overwhelming, particularly since nearly 90% of adults struggle with understanding health-related information. This can make the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) – which runs from October 15 th to December 7 th – feel like an obstacle course Medicare beneficiaries must navigate every year. A video accompaying this release can be found here: https://youtu.be/F-MZ0L3t9Zw Recently, Terri Swanson, President of Medicare for Aetna, a CVS Health company, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the annual enrollment period and tips for consumers on how to choose a plan. When selecting a plan, the first thing people should consider is their own health needs, which can help cut through the clutter of information and make a decision that’s right for you. Medicare decisions can be confusing, so it’s important to seek out trusted sources of information and ask yourself some basic questions before choosing a plan. The three main questions people should ask themselves are: Will this plan fit my budget? This includes the monthly premium, as well as out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays and coinsurance for doctors’ visits, hospital stays and other health services. Are my favorite doctors, hospitals and pharmacies in the plan’s network? Are my prescription drugs covered and what are they going to cost? With these three pieces of critical information, consumers can begin the process of narrowing down their plan options and finding the one that’s right for their budget and specific health needs. In addition to the basics, like coverage for doctors and prescription medications, most Medicare Advantage plans offer a variety of additional benefits that can create further value. Examples include dental, vision, hearing, fitness membership, over-the-counter products, transportation to and from doctors’ visits and even healthy foods. To begin the process of selecting a plan, people should go to Medicare.gov. Once there, they can enter their zip code and see all the Medicare plans available in their area. To learn more about Aetna plans and find some resources to help you understand your Medicare options, visit AetnaMedicare.com. About Terri Swanson As President of Medicare for Aetna, a CVS Health company, Terri oversees the sales, operations and business strategy for Aetna’s robust portfolio of Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Supplement plans. Terri is proud to lead a team that advocates for the older adult population, helping nearly 11 million Aetna Medicare members nationwide achieve their best health. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

October 23, 2023 02:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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