Mental Health Watch: A new global comparison highlights countries with the lowest reported depression rates, but researchers warn low numbers can reflect limited screening and shifting government priorities—not necessarily better wellbeing. Pacific Health Funding: The Asian Development Bank and the Kiribati government signed an US$11 million grant to help complete the new Betio Hospital, aiming to strengthen health services for South Tarawa and outer islands, with work expected to be finished and operating by end of Q2 2028. Clean Environment for Health: SPREP’s SWAP2 project is progressing across nine Pacific countries, including Kiribati, using regional waste and pollution work to improve waste infrastructure and reduce marine litter—efforts that can also support healthier communities. Kiribati in Focus (Non-health): Purdue’s Taraia Object Expedition has Kiribati cabinet approval and plans to depart in early October from Tarawa to investigate a lagoon anomaly on Nikumaroro tied to Amelia Earhart’s disappearance.