Connections and dialogue are recurrent themes in our journals and our organization.  Our last issue featured a paper by an octogenarian; this issue features a teenage student’s historical perspective on vaccine hesitancy.  In a related paper, dialogue “inoculation” is presented as an interactive tool intended to protect individuals from misinformation, including misinformation about vaccinations.  Intergenerational connection is in TUFH’s DNA and we are proud that it is reflected in its journal.  In addition to the octogenarian-teenager axis, we offer “Three nations, three doctors, three generations,” an essay on innovation.   Intersectoral connection is also in our DNA – it continues to be reflected in content from many disciplines including nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, dietetics, occupational therapy, public health, and more. 

As you peruse this issue, TUFH2026, where a global community reaffirmed its commitment to health and wellness for all through collective action, is in the rearview mirror.  The theme of the meeting was “Bayanihan for Health Equity: Co-Creating Social Innovations for Responsive & Resilient Health Systems.”  Ideas from that meeting and more are reflected in our regional meetings, courses, communities of practice, increasingly delivered by TUFH Centers of Excellence, and disseminated through this journal and Social Innovations Journal.  Personal connections made at the annual meeting allow online connections to flourish.  These online connections continue throughout the year until we meet again in Recife, Brazil in 2027.  Through the year, the ideas continue to flow through our journals.

Connectivity will be affected by our use of technology.  Over the past year, we have published a range of papers related to artificial intelligence.  In this issue we offer the perspective of a faculty member on the impact of AI on the quality of his work and on his productivity.  It is refreshing to see greater transparency as faculty (and hopefully students) talk about their use of AI.  While some of the papers may appear to be a bit too technical and somewhat out of our comfort zone, the notion of “forewarned is forearmed” applies.  Historical background on AI is available through the book, The Infinity Machine, by Malaby.

Connections, dialogue and engagement are also central themes in Singh’s Practical Advice paper on strengthening disability competencies.  Singh, who was recently featured in Lancet piece, offers seven tips to universities seeking to better understand and teach about this important issue.

Carry on the intergenerational and intersectoral connection work yourself and with others around you.  Papers and workshops on collective action and educational tools are available through various TUFH resources.  It’s in our DNA.