Breast Cancer Screening: Women in the Cook Islands are being urged to book mammogram appointments as the 2026 Breast Screening Programme runs from Monday, July 20 to Friday, August 7 at Rarotonga Hospital, with screening for women aged 40+ and those due for routine checks after 2024. Mental Health & Childhood Trauma: Cook Islands mental health specialists warn that early childhood trauma can permanently alter brain development, linking infancy adversity to later behavioural and learning challenges. Workplace Health: A new healthy workplace policy is being rolled out across the Cook Islands public sector to tackle non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and mental health. Nursing Workforce Boost: The University of Auckland’s School of Nursing delivered advanced clinical training to 15 Cook Islands nurses and is building stronger Pacific health workforce partnerships. Vaccination Watch: A WHO-UNICEF report says many Pacific countries struggle to reach 90% childhood vaccination targets, with Cook Islands performing well but missing some vaccine doses. Health Policy Access: Te Marae Ora’s 2026 Patient Referral Policy expands eligibility for returning Cook Islanders, certain expatriate workers and permanent residents. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: As elections near, Te Ipukarea Society says open public discussion on deep-seabed mining is essential because it affects health, the ocean and future community wellbeing.