NCD Call to Action: A Cook Islands letter urges urgent action after the country was ranked among the world’s worst for non-communicable diseases, arguing for practical fixes like making healthy food and drinks the default, rethinking how sugary products are promoted, and boosting community gardens to strengthen food security. Drug Crisis Response: Cook Islands Health Secretary Bob Williams says the Pacific needs a tougher, coordinated approach to drug trafficking that treats health, climate, peace and security as one problem—warning that families and community workers often see harm first, long before police action. Dengue Alert (Regional): Hawai‘i reported a travel-related dengue case on Oʻahu, with officials saying the risk of local spread is low but urging people to remove standing water and protect against mosquito bites. Dengue Activity (Pacific): Another report highlights elevated dengue activity across several Pacific islands, with Cook Islands among places seeing cases, reinforcing the need for mosquito control and hospital readiness. Medicinal Cannabis Access Gap: A letter says medicinal cannabis law is not helping local patients because there’s no local pharmacy supply and medicine can’t be posted—leaving residents to travel abroad for refills. Health Workforce (NZ): New Zealand welcomed a record number of Pacific medical graduates, with doctors highlighting how shared language and cultural connection can improve patient communication and care. Youth Ocean Health: Aitutaki students are combining tradition and marine science to protect the lagoon, including work to remove invasive crown-of-thorns starfish.