for less than $10 a month. every plan covers preventive care, doctor visits, emergency care, and more. if you have questions, we're here to help every step of the way. covered california. this way to health insurance. enroll by december 31 at coveredca.com. today on getting answers. aipac is ramping up in san francisco and abc seven is live from the moscone center all week long as

world leaders visit the bay area for a week of high stakes diplomacy. so what's at stake? us ambassador matt murray speaks to abc seven on the significance of bringing such an impactful event to san francisco and an unexpected side effect to the weight loss drug wegovy. but this one's actually good for you. new evidence the medication may improve your heart health. we'll talk with a cardiologist from the cleveland clinic about the new study. you're watching getting answers. i'm karina nova. the us is hosting the annual apec summit for the first time since 2011, and thousands of people from around the globe are expected to attend. mayor london breed among those in attendance as things got started earlier today. apec includes 21 member economies and focuses on trade, social responsibility, as well as reducing the gap between developing members and those already developed, such as the us and china. among today's big events was a finance ministers

meeting a climate change forum and an event involving silicon valley elite. tomorrow president biden is scheduled to arrive for his highly anticipated meeting with chinese president xi jinping. abc seven news anchor kristen sze is live at the moscone center with more on what's happening today at apec. and kristen, you've already had access to some big names, some important people talking to them and getting information about the summit. how is it going so far for you? >> it's going great. i'm really enjoying talking to all these folks and hearing their different perspectives. and we will bring you those different interviews throughout the day. of course, karina. but you mentioned the big leaders that are coming in, right? president biden, chinese president xi jinping, 21 member economies and their prime ministers or presidents, cabinet secretaries. but there's so many levels to this thing to apec, right? you have the world leaders, but then you also have the tech ceos. you have the innovators and the researchers who are charged with

leading our economy in a direction that also helps our environment, that sustainable and equitable. and then you have something new this year. it's really about the stakeholders, the stakeholders forum and that is what we're going to examine, because a lot of people have never heard of this because it is new. so that's why joining me right now is john carr, who is the chief of party apec multi stakeholders forum. john, it is so nice to meet you. >> thank you. nice to be here. >> i was going to ask you, how do you like the bay area so far? but you're from vallejo so local guy, right? >> yeah, that's right. that's right. vallejo so multi stakeholders forum. >> what is that about and why did you guys start it this year? >> well, apec has a real keen interest in bringing more voices into the policy dialog process. so i think that the multi stakeholder forum is really the embodiment of that vision. this has been something that apec has been really focused on for the last few years. i think you've seen some protests in the streets and they'll continue throughout the week. but this is , i think, evidence that apec really is serious about bringing

more voices into the process. that's what we were working on at the multi stakeholder forum. so when you mention the protesters, they are stakeholders as well, right? >> because they have a stake in the world economy and how it progresses. or do you mean the things that they're protesting on, whether it's bringing more of the little guys in the laborers, making sure that women underrepresented communities have opportunities that that stakeholders define that for us? >> well, i think in the case of apec, the stakeholder are people who have an economic stake in the region and that apec's work is to improve the quality of trade and investment in the region. but also to do it in a sustainable and inclusive way. and so i think stakeholders are, you know, people like myself and you who live in these economies and benefit from growth, but to do it in a sustainable and inclusive way is kind of a is a is a way to it's a way to bring in more voices and i think that that's something that apec prioritizes. >> so give us some examples. who are some of the stakeholders who are here that are going to be

participating in some of these discussions? >> sure. well, you know, we've had at our events, we brought in labor leaders, women leaders, and we had a really great delegation of indigenous peoples from across the apec region. we also had private sector representatives, so green startups, people that are doing really innovative things in terms of energy transition in the region, and then we also had a really terrific delegation of younger professionals. and so the focus for our forum and really is on energy transition. so going from carbon intensive global economy to a more net zero economy. and so these voices, they all bring different ideas about how to do that. >> that seems to me to be the big theme this year in everything that everyone's working on is how do we get to carbon zero, right? and karina and folks watching at home, i just want to let you know that i watched former secretary chu, energy secretary steven chu talk about if we're on the current

track by 2100, the world will be three degrees celsius warmer. and that is catastrophic. so how do we get all levels of folks to contribute to that effort? >> well, the big discussion that we were having at the forum was this question of decarbonizing. and so when you start to make this transition to a greener economy, you're talking about decommissioning certain types of industries. >> so some people will lose jobs moving. >> exactly. moving away from coal production, for example, affects coal producers in the miners and the people that work in those communities. so this idea of transitioning these communities and these people to new opportunities and new jobs and new skills, that's really what this conversation that we were having is focused on, because when you do this, you're really talking about changing people's jobs, changing the nature of the economy. that has a lot of impact on people who either are low skilled or are tied to particular industries. they have to be able to make that transition to new kinds of work. that was really what our focus was for us. >> does that mean investments in retraining and education perhaps

for someone who wants to start a business, kind of teaching them the knowhow and extending credit, that kind of thing? >> absolutely. so, i mean, it's definitely focusing on retraining, but also kind of innovative, private sector solutions. one, a great example was a company called accesso from peru. you know, you think about it, you think about even people like taxi drivers who are low income people sometimes they can't afford to make the transition. they can't afford to buy a new taxi. and so there are financial, non-banking financial institutions that are helping with with loans to help them purchase gas, compressed natural gas vehicle or in the future, an electric vehicle. and that's kind of part of this process. there are all kinds of different solutions, all kinds of different ideas, and that's why we, you know, want to bring more voices into the apec process, because not everyone has all the answers. and so every everyone that we brought to the table really has a different perspective on how to make this transition happen effectively. >> so ultimately, what do you hope to happen here at the

conclusion of the week? >> well, we have the ceo summit here every year, and we have the leader summit. it would be wonderful if there was a way for us to find the space during leaders week going forward to make make more space for more voices. perhaps do the multi-stakeholder forum again next year. and then you have rather than two somewhat exclusive activities, you have those ceo summit and leader summit and then you also have something like the amf, the multi-stakeholder forum going forward. >> all right. well, john, i can't tell you how much i appreciate you stopping by. i know you're busy. john carr, who is the multi-stakeholder forum party chair. no, that's not it. chief of party. i love that title. >> well, we go by many names and titles, but yes, also, you said you like to party and there are many of them here this week. >> this is not untrue. >> okay. well, thank you very much. appreciate it. karina back to you. >> and thank you. yes, of course, a lot of important discussions and decisions being

made there as you mentioned, climate being a big one. and i know you're going to stay on top of it this week. and we're going to hear more from you coming up. thanks kristin. and we'll be right [deep exhale] [trumpet music plays] 579 breaths to show 'em your stuff. every breath matters. don't like rsv take your breath away.

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at live sky seven video right there. and this has been raised to a three alarm fire within the last 15 to 20 minutes. this is in the area of joaquin miller road up towards the park. it's currently about a quarter acre from our eye. so you can see there, we're trying to get

closer and get you a better picture there. we do have a report, water on the way. we'll get you the very latest from them on abc seven news at four. and of course on your abc7 news bay area app, the focus of this week's apec summit is how the 21 member countries can grow their economies. but do it in a sustainable way using greener energy options. we're going to go back to abc7 news anchor kristen sze and she talked to us ambassador to apec about the various goals of the conference. >> ambassador murray it's very nice to meet you. >> great. it's great to be here and nice to meet you as well. >> well, i know you're super busy as the senior us official to apec. can you talk about what is the significance of the us hosting it here, especially here in san francisco and california? >> well, i think it's a great example of the united states really leading in the most economically prosperous, most dynamic region of the world. and certainly when it comes to economic and trade cooperation

in, you know, we depend so much for economic prosperity in our own country and jobs at home. you know, on a lot of that trade investment with the region, you know, it's about half of global trade is with the asia-pacific region. so i know californians and san franciscans understand that probably better than anyone how important this region is to their to their prosperity. >> and this is a special year because it's the 30th anniversary since the inaugural meeting when president clinton made it world leader level right ? >> that's right. and so this is also the third time that we're hosting apec. and, you know, our theme this year is creating a resilient and sustainable future for all as we want to advance interconnected, innovative and inclusive asia pacific region. and of course, for us, san francisco then was a perfect backdrop to be able to host the leaders meeting because we know that san francisco and california are leaders in all of these areas and certainly a great place to have these discussions as we like to think. >> so why, thank you. but in terms of the interconnectedness and the inner innovation, right,

talk about how you will go about that, what you hope to see coming out of this that will enable us to achieve those goals. >> so apec itself is a consensus based, non binding organization. it's an incubator for ideas and it's been around, as you said, for 30 years. and so, you know, we have great opportunities with all of our partners from around the region to be able to come together and, you know, talk through what are some of the possible solutions to some of the challenges we face, whether that's supply chain resiliency or or the climate crisis or or how to have healthier digital economy? me and a lot of these different areas focus a lot on the differences that we may have with a lot of our other apec members around the region. but when it comes to the challenges that we all face, as if you're a small or medium sized enterprise that's struggling to export in in northern california, you have a lot in common with some of the small and medium sized enterprises in the philippines and peru and papua new guinea. and so we want to be able to make some of those connections.

>> how important is equity? right. i know there's more focus these days, especially on the smaller stakeholders and women, underrepresented, underserved community. >> yeah. well, i think very importantly, san francisco in apec has played a key role in this area. so in 2011, san francisco hosted some working group and ministerial level meetings in apec. and at that time, then-secretary of state clinton then launched the apec women and economy forum, and there was the san francisco declaration. she gave remarks over at the westin saint francis , which i was very privileged to be able to attend. and what that really started was a movement within apec and within these economies to really promote women's economic participation, to recognize that when women are not fully participating in economies, they, you know, there's lots of productivity that's that's lost. >> ambassador murray, you have extensive diplomatic experience in china. you were posted at the us embassy there in beijing. and that i imagine, comes at a critical time. and that could not be more valuable, that

insight because how important is our relationship with china, which has been tense, but we have this meeting that president biden and president xi jinping will have on wednesday. what do you hope will come out of that? >> so i think, yes, i mean, you're absolutely right. the us-china relationship is a really key relationship for all of us. you knol economy, for global security, and just for, you know, for things to work well in the region. and, you know, i think we've been very focused in maintaining open lines of communication in with china. this entire year. we've had secretary blinken, commerce secretary raimondo, treasury secretary yellen all go to beijing. we just hosted foreign minister wang yi a couple of weeks ago in washington, dc. and the focus has really been on how do we manage that competition responsibly. it's okay to compete, but how do we manage that competition responsibly? and so to have this opportunity in san francisco, where apec can serve as a platform for a really key bilateral meeting, like the xi biden meeting to take place, you know, we're very excited about that opportunity. and

certainly hope that it'll lead to some good outcomes. >> can i just ask you, what do you think each country's responsibility is in bringing down carbon emissions? because there was a study just last week that the nations are really, you know, we committed to bring it down, but we're producing more fossil fuels than ever before. even us in the us, no, i think we all, you know, see that responsibility and feel a very shared responsibility and for organizations like apec, it's also important to recognize that we have this issue with carbon emissions and say, okay, so as an economic and trade organization, what can we do about that? >> and we've had some good outcomes. so far in getting agreement among economies on principles, on a just energy transition principles, on sustainable agro food systems, looking at the gender climate nexus, looking at disaster management in a climate change lens. and so we want to continue to push for those things in apec . >> i know you're very busy, so i'm going to let you go, but not before asking you, what do you think of san francisco so far,

so san francisco has done an amazing job just preparing for this week. >> we're so impressed with all the steps that have been taken. and i think what it gets me the most excited is, you know, yes, we will have these meetings in moscone center. we will have these meetings at the leaders and ministers level. but i love hearing all the stories about the ways in which other parts of the city have, you know, jumped in or hosting events. i'll be tonight. i'll be at global san francisco, i'll be at bay area council. i know one of my colleagues was just talking about being in chinatown the other day. i mean, to have all of these opportunities where the city can step up and you know, really be able to participate in different ways. and we know, believe me, we know there are a lot of inconveniences for local residents when an event of this magnitude comes to town. but we hope that when this is all said and done, you know, having hosted the largest international event here since 1945, there will be a lot to be proud of in the city and we hope that, you know, we'll have been able to engage as many as possible,

whether it's some of the people we saw at the multistakeholder forum the other day or the students i met earlier this week or, you know, some of the small and medium size businesses that we've had a chance to patronize throughout the week. we hope it'll be a net a net benefit, and the city will be very proud of what they did here. yeah absolutely. >> thank you, ambassador murray. appreciate the time. thank you. appreciate it. >> appreciate it. >> all right. we want to jump back to our breaking news right now, part of northbound highway 13 in oakland is now closed from a vegetation fire. you're looking at live sky seven video right there. this is a three alarm fire. it's in the area of joaquin miller road below the park near holy names university. if you know exactly where that is, that's in the woodminster neighborhood. at last check, it's burning about a quarter acre. again, our crew is on the way. and you can get the very latest from them on abc7 news at four. that's coming up. and of course on our abc7 news bay area app and on abc7 news .com. and we're going to be right back

with a new study that shows an unexpected health benefit from the weight loss

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just weight loss. it can help with risks of stroke and heart attacks. the study was paid for by the company and published in the new england journal of medicine. this new study was done by the cleveland clinic. and joining us now is the study's lead author, dr. michael linkov, a vice chair for research of the department of cardiovascular medicine at the cleveland clinic. thank you so much for making time for us today. >> thank you for your interest. i'm happy to speak to you. okay. >> so it sounds like there are added benefits to this weight loss drug. it decreases the risk of serious heart problems by 20. that's a pretty big. can you tell us more about the findings? >> sure. so the this class of drugs, but this in particular has been known in patients with

diabetes to reduce heart risk. but patients with overweight or obesity have increased risk that has so far there has been no drug, no trial, no lifestyle management that has been shown to reduce the cardiovascular risk. so while we routinely treat patients with blood pressure, high blood pressure with their lipids, with diabetes, with medications that we know will reduce risk, we've had no way to reduce the risk associated with overweight and obesity. so this trial, randomized 17,000 patients who had overweight and obesity and had previously had a cardiovascular event, they had had a heart attack or a stroke and then randomized them to receive wegovy or the placebo that matched. we were blinded. nobody knew throughout the trial which patients were on wegovy, which were on placebo. and importantly, we these patients were not being they weren't there wasn't a lack of treatment. they were all receiving good treatment for their cholesterol, for their blood pressure. they were well controlled. but this was added to that, to that standard of care. and what we found among

these 17,000 patients we followed for around three and a half years on average, was that the risk of what we a composite endpoint, which was a combination of either death from cardiovascular causes or heart attack or stroke, was reduced by 20. the heart attack part of that was reduced by 28. and on all cause death, death from any reason was reduced by about 19. and somewhat less less significant effects on the stroke risk. so this was a very big impact and now is really the first drug or management strategy that's ever been shown in a rigorous study to reduce the risks of heart problems associated with overweight or obesity. >> yeah. dr. lincoff, does this mean that doctors may change how they treat heart patients moving forward? >> i certainly think it will. you know, it's really a standard of care to treat the other risk factors that we know we can modify. we can hypertension, high, high cholesterol, diabetes. so now overweight and obesity is a new pathway. it's

emerged, as, you know, what we call a modifiable risk factor. it's not just something we notice, but we can't do anything about it. and it's really now it's on the part of practitioners who care for patients with overweight and obesity if they have heart disease that we should be treating this pathway as well. >> we should mention that this is not a cheap drug. it costs about $1,300 a month and it's not for everybody. but could this mean that people who don't have weight problems may end up taking it like people with heart conditions? >> well, that's very interesting. >> and, you know, the mechanisms are not completely worked out about how it benefits. it's probably multiple effects. some of it certainly is weight loss and the process of weight loss and the changes in the fat cells that that are inflammatory and cause, you know, clotting, etcetera. but but there are multiple other effects now whether or not that would work in patients who don't have overweight or obesity or who don't have diabetes is unknown. it's really not been tested. certainly, you know, if they don't have the contribute as the metabolic contributors of overweight and obesity leading to their their increased risk,

they may or may not have benefit. i think that the focus is going to be really on on identifying the patients who are at risk. in our study was patients who already had a heart problem. but patients who have other risk factors that may be at heart problems may be in the future eligible as well. but, you know, there's certainly enough patients who who have heart disease and overweight and obesity that it to, you know, to benefit. i think it would be a better way before patients who are not don't have overweight or obesity would be thought to benefit. >> and dr. lincoff, again, we want to mention that this study was paid for by the makers of the drug, but it just seems like it's all positive news in this study. it helps people lose weight and reduces the risk of heart problems. so are there any drawbacks to this drug? >> so there are there are known side effects. and this was by far the largest trial. and the longest trial. so we really got a very reassuring, very large database experience. now that was very reassuring. we found no new adverse events. so the adverse events are the main side effect is gi, so patients can

have diarrhea or nausea or or or constipation. this is usually in the first couple of months as they start the drug and work the dose up. but we had no serious adverse events. and there's also an increase in gallstones, but we didn't have any pancreatitis, which can be a very concerning illness. we didn't have major adverse events. so that was very reassuring. the other factor with this is that you need to keep taking it at least as far as we know in the studies that have been done so far. if patients stop after a year, they regain some of their weight. we don't know what would happen to the cardiovascular events, but we've got to think about it like blood pressure and like diabetes and like cholesterol. it's not going to go away. obesity and overweight is a chronic metabolic disease. >> and so i'm so sorry. we're going to cut you short here. we do have breaking news and we want to get

for interchange. we have a crew on the way. we are going to have the latest right here on abc seven news at four. we do want to thank you so much for joining us for getting answers today. we'll be here every weekday at 3:00 answering questions with experts from around the bay area tonight, our team inside gaza city. what our reporter witnessed at the hospitals. and tonight, what two u.s. officials are now saying about hamas running operations out of those hospitals. also tonight, a secret service agent protecting