BERLIN – The head of the world’s largest malaria funder has issued a stark warning that the disease now poses a greater threat than HIV or tuberculosis, as a new analysis released Tuesday reveals funding cuts could trigger 990,000 additional deaths by 2030, including 750,000 children under five. “If I think about the situation we […] Continue reading ->
Global carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere reached record levels in 2024 due to a combination of wildfires and weakening carbon sinks, according to the latest report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released on Wednesday. The rise in CO2 will intensify the impact of temperature increases, including by worsening extreme weather events. “The […] Continue reading ->
BERLIN – Global life expectancy rose again in 2023 after a decline during the COVID pandemic with overall life expectancy 20 years higher as compared to 1950. But North America and Latin America are seeing higher death rates among adolescents and young adults due to a crisis in mental health – reflected in higher rates […] Continue reading ->
Development funding for fossil fuel-based energy projects jumped 80 per cent in 2023 to $9.5bn, up from $5.3bn in 2022, even as toxic air causes more than 8m premature deaths annually, according to a new report. Governments continue to channel billions more in international aid into projects that prolong fossil fuel use than into tackling […] Continue reading ->
Beyond the rehabilitation of bodies, mind and critical Gaza health, housing, water and sanitation infrastructure, both Israelis and Palestinians need to confront the darks side of their respective narratives around the two-year war in Gaza in order to advance a cease-fire and, beyond that, a more durable peace. As hopes of a cease-fire between warring […] Continue reading ->
The President of the Republic of Botswana and Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), writes about the urgency of mobilising funding to defend the gains and further progress in the fight against malaria. Despite decades of progress, we are not on track to defeat malaria in Africa. Without more resolve, innovation, financing, and […] Continue reading ->
NAIROBI, Kenya – The morning light filters into Alice Siamanta’s home in Nalepo on the outskirts of Nairobi. Her kitchen walls are clean, her pots shine, and free of soot. Her children are busy doing their homework, seated near her. The house is quiet. There is no coughing. Siamanta cooks on a stove purchased through […] Continue reading ->
NEW YORK – Although chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are the third leading cause of death globally, there remains a ‘mismatch’ between impact and action, said a group of global health leaders and experts on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly. “There is a mismatch between the disease [impact] from CRD and the action against […] Continue reading ->
NEW YORK CITY – A painstakingly negotiated Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases with overwhelming support from UN member states failed to win formal endorsement at a special High Level Session of the General Assembly (GA) Thursday – after the United States torpedoed its adoption by consensus. The last minute moves means that the draft declaration […] Continue reading ->
The ozone layer that protects human and animal health from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation continues to be on track for recovery in the coming decades, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in its latest report released this week. In 2024, the ozone hole was smaller when compared to the previous years. This […] Continue reading ->