For people living with diabetes, managing the condition can be just as difficult as coming to terms with the diagnosis. In fragmented public healthcare systems, patients may spend months moving between hospitals, clinics, and specialists before obtaining the range of care they require. For those facing financial constraints, accessing treatment can be even more difficult. These barriers can lead to lengthy waiting periods, higher out-of-pocket expenses, and increasing frustration with treatment, making consistent care difficult to maintain alongside the demands of daily life.

When healthcare services are disconnected, maintaining consistent and coordinated treatment becomes challenging. Diabetes can lead to serious complications, including chronic kidney disease and heart failure, while also creating financial pressures, emotional stress, and social stigma. The consequences can extend beyond patients themselves, affecting their families, communities, and the broader healthcare system.

Conventional healthcare services remain vital, but they may not always be equipped to address the diverse needs of patients, particularly those living in underserved areas. This has opened the door for alternative care models that combine multiple areas of clinical expertise under one coordinated system, with the aim of making treatment more accessible, affordable, and continuous.

One example is Clínicas del Azúcar (Sugar Clinics), a social enterprise founded in 2010 to provide affordable diabetes services to underserved populations throughout Mexico. Its integrated model brings several essential services together, including diagnostic testing, medical consultations, nutritional guidance, and psychological support.

By bringing these services together in one location, the model simplifies the patient journey. Instead of requiring individuals to visit multiple facilities over an extended period, Clínicas del Azúcar can provide diagnostics, consultations, and related support during a single visit.

The organization also seeks to provide high-quality diabetes care at a significantly lower cost than comparable private specialist services. By supporting ongoing disease management, the approach aims to help patients reduce their risk of complications involving cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health.

Over the years, the model has expanded from its initial operations into a network of clinics throughout Mexico and has subsequently extended into the United States, demonstrating the potential applicability of its approach beyond one country's healthcare system.

Since its establishment in 2010, Clínicas del Azúcar has expanded to more than 50 specialized diabetes clinics serving communities across Mexico.

Using healthcare cost benchmarks as a guide, Clínicas del Azúcar introduced a membership-based model intended to make comprehensive diabetes care more affordable for patients.

The organization seeks to address one of the major consequences of fragmented healthcare: patients discontinuing or interrupting diabetes treatment because of difficulties accessing appropriate services.

In Mexico, diabetes and related cardiovascular and kidney conditions remain significant public health concerns. Against this backdrop, innovative approaches to delivering care can play an increasingly important role.

Collaborations that bring together scientific knowledge, operational expertise, and social entrepreneurship can provide new ways of addressing complex healthcare challenges. The ongoing relationship between Boehringer Ingelheim Mexico and Clínicas del Azúcar demonstrates how organizations from different sectors can work together to develop more coordinated, accessible, and resilient approaches to healthcare delivery.

As chronic diseases become increasingly prevalent around the world, initiatives such as this underscore the need to reconsider how long-term care is provided. Effective healthcare involves not only diagnosing and treating disease but also helping people maintain consistent management over time, particularly in communities where integrated services have historically been difficult to access.

The relationship between Boehringer Ingelheim Mexico and Clínicas del Azúcar dates back to 2010, when early support from Boehringer helped establish the organization's first clinic in Mexico City. Since then, the relationship has grown into a long-term effort focused on improving access to diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing diabetes management.

One notable initiative was a membership program created by two Boehringer employees. It enables local employees to receive Clínicas del Azúcar services at no cost and was conceived as a potential model for other businesses seeking to provide their workforces with access to comprehensive diabetes care.

The concept has since expanded, with the program now included among the employee benefits provided by more than 40 companies.

More recently, investments through initiatives such as Boehringer Ingelheim's Social Engagement Fund have supported the establishment of additional clinics, extending services to more communities.

The collaboration reflects a shared approach to healthcare innovation—one that combines entrepreneurial ideas, scientific expertise, and an understanding of local community needs to create new models for delivering care.

The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) hosted more than 1,300 industry professionals representing 65 countries at its annual flagship congress, held in Macao, China, from May 12–14, 2026.

Opening the event, INC Executive Director Goretti Guasch outlined the organization’s three major focus areas: boosting global consumption of nuts and dried fruits, securing an official health claim, and driving sustainability initiatives across the sector. She also introduced the INC’s new Southeast Asia campaign aimed at Gen Z consumers, detailed the strategy for achieving a health claim for nuts, and announced that the INC Sustainability Certification program is now fully active and certifying businesses.

According to preliminary estimates shared during the congress round tables, worldwide tree nut production for the 2026/27 season is expected to remain largely unchanged at around six million metric tons. Almond production is forecast to rise by 3%, while walnuts are likely to stay nearly flat at 0.15% growth. Hazelnut output could increase significantly by 39%, whereas cashew production may dip slightly by 3%. Pistachio production is projected to decline by 36% because of the crop’s off-year cycle. Strong increases are anticipated for Brazil nuts (+81%) and pine nuts (+63%), while peanut production may ease by 6%. Dried fruit production overall is expected to climb 11%, supported by a 22% increase in raisins and a 52% recovery in apricot output.

Beyond weather-related concerns, participants highlighted ongoing shipping challenges, higher logistics expenses, geopolitical tensions, tariffs, and trade restrictions as major issues affecting the industry.

The congress also featured presentations from Brandy Niu, Vice President of JD.com, who explored growth opportunities in China’s snack market, and Jason Fu, chief AI specialist at Feishu, who discussed the transformative role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future digital workforce. In addition, the Nutrition Research Seminar presented research highlighting the role of nuts and dried fruits in supporting diabetes prevention and healthy weight management.

During the INC Awards ceremony, Chacha Food and Three Squirrels received the Corporate Golden Nut Award. Cao Derong, President of the China Chamber of Commerce (CFNA), was honored with the Honorary Golden Nut Award. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Cheng Hung Kay and Weng Yangyang. Chef Jack Lin earned recognition for Excellence in Gastronomy, while Cyril Kendall of the University of Toronto received the award for Excellence in Research.

Closing the congress, INC Chairman Ashok Krishen described the 43rd INC Congress in Macao as a major success and reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to promoting the nutritional value of nuts and dried fruits, expanding consumption worldwide, and advancing sustainability across the industry.