The COP28 climate summit, the largest in history, concluded with a landmark but contentious agreement to transition away from fossil fuels, endorsed by 198 nations. This historic agreement, known as the UAE Consensus, represents the first time in the 28-year history of UN climate summits that nations have collectively resolved to move away from the […] Continue reading ->
Ten countries have slashed their road traffic deaths in half between 2010 and 2021, while 35 others have reduced deaths by between 30% and 50%, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 released this week. The big achievers are Belarus, Brunei, Denmark, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Russia, Trinidad and […] Continue reading ->
The outsized effect of climate change on young children represents an “intergenerational injustice”, according to experts speaking at a side event on maternal and child health at COP28 in Dubai. “Nearly 90% of the global burden of disease associated with climate change is borne by children under the age of five,” according to UNICEF. “Climate change […] Continue reading ->
Early this week, the 28th year of United Nations (UN) climate summits saw its hopes for a historic agreement to end the fossil fuel era dashed by industry interests resisting efforts to phase out their use. The negotiations extended into overtime, familiar to COP proceedings, as diplomats from nearly 200 countries attempted to bridge the […] Continue reading ->
The powerful Group of 20 (G20) countries will host a high-level meeting on One Health in October 2024 to better prepare members to address the health of people, animals and ecosystems. This was revealed by Alexandre Ghisleni, Brazil’s Global Health Ambassador, at a COP28 side event to launch an implementation guide for the One Health […] Continue reading ->
GENEVA – The election of the next president of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was almost derailed on Monday after the body’s board tried to postpone voting to investigate sexual harassment allegations against one of the candidates, Kenya’s Abbas Gullet. However, Kate Forbes of the American Red Cross […] Continue reading ->
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Black carbon is a super pollutant and its emissions are commonly seen anywhere you see black smoke – from a tiny kerosene lamp to a massive ship. The main sources include the burning of biomass, garbage dumps, diesel vehicles, coal-fired power plants, brick kilns, wood fires, wildfires and, on the […] Continue reading ->
Zambia is experiencing its worst anthrax outbreak in a decade, while four neighbouring countries – Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe – have also reported outbreaks, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Africa region. By 20 November, four Zambians had died, with 684 suspected and 37 confirmed cases from nine of the country’s 10 provinces. […] Continue reading ->
In a fragile show of unity, the World Health Organization Executive Board approved a draft resolution calling for “immediate, sustained and unimpeded” humanitarian relief to beleaguered Gaza, including safe passage of health personnel and supplies, as well as ambulances and patients. The WHO EB move, which will clear the resolution for approval by the May World […] Continue reading ->
Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), a blood loss of 500 ml or more within 24 hours of birth, is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Around 14 million women die a year, said Metin Gülmezoğlu, executive director of the Concept Foundation. Yet, PPH is mainly preventable. Some 99% of PPH […] Continue reading ->