Southeast Asia faces multiple public health and social challenges

Several Southeast Asian countries are dealing with distinct health and social issues. In Singapore, doctors are reporting a surge in respiratory cases due to persistent haze, and the government has imposed mandatory isolation and contact tracing for measles as infections rise. Malaysia is managing a tuberculosis outbreak with over 500 new cases, while a separate article argues the region should follow Africa's lead in challenging justifications for female genital mutilation.

Other headlines cover a range of topics, including Vietnam's problem with youth who are not in education or employment, efforts to promote gender equality in science and technology fields across ASEAN, and a major reduction of sugar in beverages by Thai restaurant chains.