Local Health Education: VISNA launched a new “Patient Empowerment” Teaching Moments series in Charlotte Amalie, urging residents to know their rights, ask questions, understand diagnoses, review medications, and speak up—framing empowered patients as informed partners who can improve outcomes. Community Health & Safety: A “Purple Carpet Bash: Fashion with Purpose” is set for Oct. 2 in Christiansted, with programming focused on domestic violence, trauma recovery, men’s mental health, and veterans’ wellness. Disaster & Energy Oversight: A St. Thomas-focused discussion urges residents to scrutinize “green” utility-scale solar and battery projects, pushing for clear protective health-and-safety conditions and professional engineering reports before permits move forward. Access to Care (Hearing): ELEHEAR rolled out ElePro Plus, a live tele-audiology option for OTC hearing device owners, offering a 45-minute remote session with licensed professionals and device tuning plus follow-up. Nutrition Assistance Watch: SNAP payment timing and benefit levels were outlined, including higher maximums for the U.S. Virgin Islands, while national reporting highlights rising pressure on states to reduce payment error rates to avoid cost-sharing fees. Water Resilience: Puerto Rico’s drought-driven rationing renewed calls for rainwater harvesting, pointing to roofs as an underused local water source.