WHO validates countries’ elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis
The World Health Organization congratulates Thailand and Belarus for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and syphilis. WHO also applauds Armenia and the Republic of Moldova for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and syphilis, respectively. “To ensure children are born healthy is to give them the best possible start in life. It is immensely encouraging to see countries succeed in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of these 2 infections,” said WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan. “This is a tremendous achievement – a clear signal that the world is on the way to an AIDS-free ge...
Source: WHO news - June 8, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2016: Get ready for plain packaging
30 May 2016 – To mark World No Tobacco Day, WHO is launching a new guide to plain packaging of tobacco products, which gives governments the latest evidence and guidance on implementing the measure. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 30, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: tobacco [subject], tobacco use, smoking, passive smoking, cigarettes Source Type: news
Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly closes
The Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly closed on 28 May 2016 after approving resolutions on WHO’s Framework for Engagement with Non-State Actors; the Sustainable Development Goals; the International Health Regulations. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 28, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: injuries [subject], trauma care, international health regulations [subject], ihr, nutrition [subject], malnutrition, overnutrition, food, food security, tobacco [subject], tobacco use, smoking, passive smoking, cigarettes, Press release [doctype], South-E Source Type: news
Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly update
Delegates at the World Health Assembly have agreed resolutions and decisions on air pollution, chemicals, the health workforce, childhood obesity, violence, noncommunicable diseases, and the election of the next Director-General. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 27, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: air pollution [subject], air quality, indoor air pollution, indoor air pollution quality, air contamination, outdoor air pollution, dirty air, communicable disease [subject], infectious diseases, noncommunicable disease [subject], chronic diseases, obesit Source Type: news
World Health Assembly agrees resolutions on women, children and adolescents, and healthy ageing
Delegates at the World Health Assembly today agreed to implement two new health strategies that are closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. One relates to women’s children’s and adolescents’ health; the other to healthy ageing. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 26, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: Press release [doctype] Source Type: news
World Health Assembly agrees new Health Emergencies Programme
WHO Member States today agreed to one of the most profound transformations in the Organization’s history, establishing a new Health Emergencies Programme. The programme adds operational capabilities for outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies to complement its traditional technical and normative roles. The new programme is designed to deliver rapid, predictable, and comprehensive support to countries and communities as they prepare for, face or recover from emergencies caused by any type of hazard to human health, whether disease outbreaks, natural or man-made disasters or conflicts. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 25, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: disease outbreaks [subject], outbreak, outbreaks, epidemics, pandemic, disease control, emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, internati Source Type: news
World Health Assembly highlights importance of multisectoral action on health
Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, addressed the World Health Assembly today. She stressed the links between climate change and health, including those related to the spread of vector-borne diseases. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 24, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
China and Russia teams join WHO’s Emergency Medical Team Initiative
WHO is working with governments and organizations to register medical teams from around the world. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 24, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, Press release [doctype] Source Type: news
Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly opens in Geneva
WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan opened the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly with words of celebration, warning, and hope. Dr Chan celebrated recent progress in global public health, particularly in combatting HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and polio, as well as in improving maternal and child health. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 23, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
WHO confirms Zika virus strain imported from the Americas to Cabo Verde
Sequencing of the virus in Cabo Verde by Institut Pasteur, Dakar confirms that the Zika virus currently circulating in Cabo Verde is the same as the one circulating in the Americas - the Asian type- and was most likely imported from Brazil. This is the first time that the Zika strain responsible for the outbreaks linked to neurological disorders and microcephaly has been detected in Africa. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 20, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, zika, zika, Afghanistan [country], African Region [region] Source Type: news
Statement on the 9th IHR Emergency Committee meeting regarding the international spread of poliovirus
The 9th meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) regarding the international spread of poliovirus was convened via teleconference by the DirectorGeneral on 12th May 2016. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 20, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, immunization [subject], vaccination, poliomyelitis [subject], polio, poliovirus, polio encephalitis, poliomyelitis [subject], polio, poliovirus, polio encephalitis, travel [sub Source Type: news
Meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) concerning Yellow Fever
An Emergency Committee (EC) regarding yellow fever was convened by the Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR 2005) by teleconference on 19 May 2016, from 13:00 to 17:15 Central European Time[1]. The following affected States Parties participated in the information session of the meeting: Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 19, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: yellow fever [subject] Source Type: news
Life expectancy increased by 5 years since 2000, but health inequalities persist
Dramatic gains in life expectancy have been made globally since 2000, but major inequalities persist within and among countries, according to this year’s “World Health Statistics: Monitoring Health for the SDGs”. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 19, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: health equity [subject], health inequity, health care disparities, life expectancy [subject], Press release [doctype] Source Type: news
New WHO guidelines to improve care for millions living with female genital mutilation
New WHO recommendations aim to help health workers provide better care to the more than 200 million girls and women worldwide living with female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM has no health benefits, can cause grave harm, and violates the rights of girls and women. The new recommendations focus on preventing and treating obstetric complications; treatment for depression and anxiety disorders; and attention to female sexual health such as counselling. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 16, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: female genital mutilation [subject], fgm, genital mutilation Source Type: news
Rapid diagnostic test and shorter, cheaper treatment signal new hope for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients
New WHO recommendations will speed detection and improve treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) through use of a new rapid diagnostic test and a shorter, cheaper treatment regimen. The novel diagnostic test, called MTBDRsl, is a DNA-based test that identifies genetic mutations in MDR-TB strains. At less than US$ 1000 per patient, the new treatment regimen can be completed in 9–12 months. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - May 12, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: tuberculosis [subject], tb Source Type: news
