Animal Source Most Likely Origin of SARS-CoV2 but Missing Chinese Data Leave Findings Inconclusive: WHO Expert Group 27/06/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Stefan Anderson A four year WHO-sponsored investigation of the origins of the COVID pandemic by an international group of experts has concluded that “most scientific data and accessible published scientific evidence” support the hypothesis that the novel SARS-CoV2 virus first entered the human population either directly from virus-carrying bats, or from bats to humans via intermediate hosts. […] Continue reading -> Linking Climate and Weather Data with Health: WMO-WHO Initiative Aims to Reach 80 Countries 10/06/2025 Maayan Hoffman In Mongolia, where extreme winter cold spells, known as “Dzud”, are becoming more frequent due to climate change, these can spell death to people and animals. But in recent years, herders in remote regions can get up-to-date advance warnings of pending extremes, as well as detailed advice prompting them, for instance, to stock up on […] Continue reading -> US Absence Casts Shadow Over ‘Historic’ World Health Assembly 28/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan Adopting a pandemic agreement and securing a 20% increase in member states’ fees to support the World Health Organization (WHO) were the 78th World Health Assembly’s greatest achievements. “The words ‘historic’ and ‘landmark’ are overused, but they are perfectly apt to describe the adoption last Tuesday of the WHO pandemic agreement. Likewise, your approval of […] Continue reading -> BREAKING – WHO Climate Change and Health Action Plan Approved after Saudi-led Effort to Shelve it Fails 27/05/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A new WHO Climate Change and Health Action plan was approved by a key World Health Assembly (WHA) Committee Tuesday evening – after hours of high-stakes, high-drama parliamentary maneuvers by a cluster of oil-rich World Health Organization (WHO) member states to shelve the plan failed. WHO member states accepted the original plan by a vote […] Continue reading -> WHO’s Big Push to Integrate Traditional Medicine into Global Healthcare Framework 27/05/2025 Disha Shetty The World Health Assembly delivered a landmark victory for traditional medicine and indigenous cultures Monday evening, approving a strategy that calls for increased investment in research and integrating ancient healing practices into modern healthcare systems worldwide. The approval marks a breakthrough moment for advocates of traditional medicine, with nations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East […] Continue reading -> Assembly Acts Against Digital Marketing of Infant Formula 27/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Assembly has finally closed a loophole used by infant formula manufacturers to market their product: digital marketing. Back in 1981, when the International code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, digital marketing did not exist. Updated regulations were introduced in 2012 , but […] Continue reading -> WHO Mandated to Update of 30-Year-Old Review on Health Impacts of Nuclear War – After Heated WHA Debate 26/05/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher For the first time since the 1990s, the World Health Organization has been asked by member states to update its assessment on the health impacts of nuclear war, although not without significant resistance, led by Russia and North Korea, but also including many other major nuclear states. The resolution calling for an updated assessment of […] Continue reading -> Polio Eradication Imperiled by $2.3 Billion Funding Gap 24/05/2025 Disha Shetty & Stefan Anderson The world’s leading polio eradication programme faces a 40% budget cut next year as the paralysis-causing virus surges in its last strongholds of Afghanistan and Pakistan and war-torn regions, threatening to reverse decades of progress toward eradicating the disease. “The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is facing a 40% budget cut in 2026,” Dr Hanan Balkhy, […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Recognize Social Connection for Young and Old as a Global Health Priority 24/05/2025 Paul Adepoju In a rare moment for the World Health Assembly, delegates expanded their debates beyond the usual lexicon of disease pathogens to address something far more intimate: loneliness. The Assembly approved a first-ever resolution on Fostering social connection for global health: the essential role of social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health, […] Continue reading -> ‘Most Important Year’ for NCDs – But Industry Interference and Weak Political Leadership Stall Progress 23/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan “This is the most important year in the history of non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” declared Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, at the World Heart Federation’s (WHF) 2025 Summit on the eve of the World Health Assembly (WHA). ON 25 September, the United Nations (UN) hosts the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM) on NCDs and mental health. […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Linking Climate and Weather Data with Health: WMO-WHO Initiative Aims to Reach 80 Countries 10/06/2025 Maayan Hoffman In Mongolia, where extreme winter cold spells, known as “Dzud”, are becoming more frequent due to climate change, these can spell death to people and animals. But in recent years, herders in remote regions can get up-to-date advance warnings of pending extremes, as well as detailed advice prompting them, for instance, to stock up on […] Continue reading -> US Absence Casts Shadow Over ‘Historic’ World Health Assembly 28/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan Adopting a pandemic agreement and securing a 20% increase in member states’ fees to support the World Health Organization (WHO) were the 78th World Health Assembly’s greatest achievements. “The words ‘historic’ and ‘landmark’ are overused, but they are perfectly apt to describe the adoption last Tuesday of the WHO pandemic agreement. Likewise, your approval of […] Continue reading -> BREAKING – WHO Climate Change and Health Action Plan Approved after Saudi-led Effort to Shelve it Fails 27/05/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A new WHO Climate Change and Health Action plan was approved by a key World Health Assembly (WHA) Committee Tuesday evening – after hours of high-stakes, high-drama parliamentary maneuvers by a cluster of oil-rich World Health Organization (WHO) member states to shelve the plan failed. WHO member states accepted the original plan by a vote […] Continue reading -> WHO’s Big Push to Integrate Traditional Medicine into Global Healthcare Framework 27/05/2025 Disha Shetty The World Health Assembly delivered a landmark victory for traditional medicine and indigenous cultures Monday evening, approving a strategy that calls for increased investment in research and integrating ancient healing practices into modern healthcare systems worldwide. The approval marks a breakthrough moment for advocates of traditional medicine, with nations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East […] Continue reading -> Assembly Acts Against Digital Marketing of Infant Formula 27/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Assembly has finally closed a loophole used by infant formula manufacturers to market their product: digital marketing. Back in 1981, when the International code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, digital marketing did not exist. Updated regulations were introduced in 2012 , but […] Continue reading -> WHO Mandated to Update of 30-Year-Old Review on Health Impacts of Nuclear War – After Heated WHA Debate 26/05/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher For the first time since the 1990s, the World Health Organization has been asked by member states to update its assessment on the health impacts of nuclear war, although not without significant resistance, led by Russia and North Korea, but also including many other major nuclear states. The resolution calling for an updated assessment of […] Continue reading -> Polio Eradication Imperiled by $2.3 Billion Funding Gap 24/05/2025 Disha Shetty & Stefan Anderson The world’s leading polio eradication programme faces a 40% budget cut next year as the paralysis-causing virus surges in its last strongholds of Afghanistan and Pakistan and war-torn regions, threatening to reverse decades of progress toward eradicating the disease. “The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is facing a 40% budget cut in 2026,” Dr Hanan Balkhy, […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Recognize Social Connection for Young and Old as a Global Health Priority 24/05/2025 Paul Adepoju In a rare moment for the World Health Assembly, delegates expanded their debates beyond the usual lexicon of disease pathogens to address something far more intimate: loneliness. The Assembly approved a first-ever resolution on Fostering social connection for global health: the essential role of social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health, […] Continue reading -> ‘Most Important Year’ for NCDs – But Industry Interference and Weak Political Leadership Stall Progress 23/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan “This is the most important year in the history of non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” declared Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, at the World Heart Federation’s (WHF) 2025 Summit on the eve of the World Health Assembly (WHA). ON 25 September, the United Nations (UN) hosts the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM) on NCDs and mental health. […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
US Absence Casts Shadow Over ‘Historic’ World Health Assembly 28/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan Adopting a pandemic agreement and securing a 20% increase in member states’ fees to support the World Health Organization (WHO) were the 78th World Health Assembly’s greatest achievements. “The words ‘historic’ and ‘landmark’ are overused, but they are perfectly apt to describe the adoption last Tuesday of the WHO pandemic agreement. Likewise, your approval of […] Continue reading -> BREAKING – WHO Climate Change and Health Action Plan Approved after Saudi-led Effort to Shelve it Fails 27/05/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A new WHO Climate Change and Health Action plan was approved by a key World Health Assembly (WHA) Committee Tuesday evening – after hours of high-stakes, high-drama parliamentary maneuvers by a cluster of oil-rich World Health Organization (WHO) member states to shelve the plan failed. WHO member states accepted the original plan by a vote […] Continue reading -> WHO’s Big Push to Integrate Traditional Medicine into Global Healthcare Framework 27/05/2025 Disha Shetty The World Health Assembly delivered a landmark victory for traditional medicine and indigenous cultures Monday evening, approving a strategy that calls for increased investment in research and integrating ancient healing practices into modern healthcare systems worldwide. The approval marks a breakthrough moment for advocates of traditional medicine, with nations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East […] Continue reading -> Assembly Acts Against Digital Marketing of Infant Formula 27/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Assembly has finally closed a loophole used by infant formula manufacturers to market their product: digital marketing. Back in 1981, when the International code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, digital marketing did not exist. Updated regulations were introduced in 2012 , but […] Continue reading -> WHO Mandated to Update of 30-Year-Old Review on Health Impacts of Nuclear War – After Heated WHA Debate 26/05/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher For the first time since the 1990s, the World Health Organization has been asked by member states to update its assessment on the health impacts of nuclear war, although not without significant resistance, led by Russia and North Korea, but also including many other major nuclear states. The resolution calling for an updated assessment of […] Continue reading -> Polio Eradication Imperiled by $2.3 Billion Funding Gap 24/05/2025 Disha Shetty & Stefan Anderson The world’s leading polio eradication programme faces a 40% budget cut next year as the paralysis-causing virus surges in its last strongholds of Afghanistan and Pakistan and war-torn regions, threatening to reverse decades of progress toward eradicating the disease. “The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is facing a 40% budget cut in 2026,” Dr Hanan Balkhy, […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Recognize Social Connection for Young and Old as a Global Health Priority 24/05/2025 Paul Adepoju In a rare moment for the World Health Assembly, delegates expanded their debates beyond the usual lexicon of disease pathogens to address something far more intimate: loneliness. The Assembly approved a first-ever resolution on Fostering social connection for global health: the essential role of social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health, […] Continue reading -> ‘Most Important Year’ for NCDs – But Industry Interference and Weak Political Leadership Stall Progress 23/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan “This is the most important year in the history of non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” declared Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, at the World Heart Federation’s (WHF) 2025 Summit on the eve of the World Health Assembly (WHA). ON 25 September, the United Nations (UN) hosts the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM) on NCDs and mental health. […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
BREAKING – WHO Climate Change and Health Action Plan Approved after Saudi-led Effort to Shelve it Fails 27/05/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A new WHO Climate Change and Health Action plan was approved by a key World Health Assembly (WHA) Committee Tuesday evening – after hours of high-stakes, high-drama parliamentary maneuvers by a cluster of oil-rich World Health Organization (WHO) member states to shelve the plan failed. WHO member states accepted the original plan by a vote […] Continue reading -> WHO’s Big Push to Integrate Traditional Medicine into Global Healthcare Framework 27/05/2025 Disha Shetty The World Health Assembly delivered a landmark victory for traditional medicine and indigenous cultures Monday evening, approving a strategy that calls for increased investment in research and integrating ancient healing practices into modern healthcare systems worldwide. The approval marks a breakthrough moment for advocates of traditional medicine, with nations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East […] Continue reading -> Assembly Acts Against Digital Marketing of Infant Formula 27/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Assembly has finally closed a loophole used by infant formula manufacturers to market their product: digital marketing. Back in 1981, when the International code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, digital marketing did not exist. Updated regulations were introduced in 2012 , but […] Continue reading -> WHO Mandated to Update of 30-Year-Old Review on Health Impacts of Nuclear War – After Heated WHA Debate 26/05/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher For the first time since the 1990s, the World Health Organization has been asked by member states to update its assessment on the health impacts of nuclear war, although not without significant resistance, led by Russia and North Korea, but also including many other major nuclear states. The resolution calling for an updated assessment of […] Continue reading -> Polio Eradication Imperiled by $2.3 Billion Funding Gap 24/05/2025 Disha Shetty & Stefan Anderson The world’s leading polio eradication programme faces a 40% budget cut next year as the paralysis-causing virus surges in its last strongholds of Afghanistan and Pakistan and war-torn regions, threatening to reverse decades of progress toward eradicating the disease. “The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is facing a 40% budget cut in 2026,” Dr Hanan Balkhy, […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Recognize Social Connection for Young and Old as a Global Health Priority 24/05/2025 Paul Adepoju In a rare moment for the World Health Assembly, delegates expanded their debates beyond the usual lexicon of disease pathogens to address something far more intimate: loneliness. The Assembly approved a first-ever resolution on Fostering social connection for global health: the essential role of social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health, […] Continue reading -> ‘Most Important Year’ for NCDs – But Industry Interference and Weak Political Leadership Stall Progress 23/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan “This is the most important year in the history of non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” declared Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, at the World Heart Federation’s (WHF) 2025 Summit on the eve of the World Health Assembly (WHA). ON 25 September, the United Nations (UN) hosts the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM) on NCDs and mental health. […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHO’s Big Push to Integrate Traditional Medicine into Global Healthcare Framework 27/05/2025 Disha Shetty The World Health Assembly delivered a landmark victory for traditional medicine and indigenous cultures Monday evening, approving a strategy that calls for increased investment in research and integrating ancient healing practices into modern healthcare systems worldwide. The approval marks a breakthrough moment for advocates of traditional medicine, with nations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East […] Continue reading -> Assembly Acts Against Digital Marketing of Infant Formula 27/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Assembly has finally closed a loophole used by infant formula manufacturers to market their product: digital marketing. Back in 1981, when the International code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, digital marketing did not exist. Updated regulations were introduced in 2012 , but […] Continue reading -> WHO Mandated to Update of 30-Year-Old Review on Health Impacts of Nuclear War – After Heated WHA Debate 26/05/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher For the first time since the 1990s, the World Health Organization has been asked by member states to update its assessment on the health impacts of nuclear war, although not without significant resistance, led by Russia and North Korea, but also including many other major nuclear states. The resolution calling for an updated assessment of […] Continue reading -> Polio Eradication Imperiled by $2.3 Billion Funding Gap 24/05/2025 Disha Shetty & Stefan Anderson The world’s leading polio eradication programme faces a 40% budget cut next year as the paralysis-causing virus surges in its last strongholds of Afghanistan and Pakistan and war-torn regions, threatening to reverse decades of progress toward eradicating the disease. “The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is facing a 40% budget cut in 2026,” Dr Hanan Balkhy, […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Recognize Social Connection for Young and Old as a Global Health Priority 24/05/2025 Paul Adepoju In a rare moment for the World Health Assembly, delegates expanded their debates beyond the usual lexicon of disease pathogens to address something far more intimate: loneliness. The Assembly approved a first-ever resolution on Fostering social connection for global health: the essential role of social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health, […] Continue reading -> ‘Most Important Year’ for NCDs – But Industry Interference and Weak Political Leadership Stall Progress 23/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan “This is the most important year in the history of non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” declared Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, at the World Heart Federation’s (WHF) 2025 Summit on the eve of the World Health Assembly (WHA). ON 25 September, the United Nations (UN) hosts the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM) on NCDs and mental health. […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Assembly Acts Against Digital Marketing of Infant Formula 27/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan The World Health Assembly has finally closed a loophole used by infant formula manufacturers to market their product: digital marketing. Back in 1981, when the International code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, digital marketing did not exist. Updated regulations were introduced in 2012 , but […] Continue reading -> WHO Mandated to Update of 30-Year-Old Review on Health Impacts of Nuclear War – After Heated WHA Debate 26/05/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher For the first time since the 1990s, the World Health Organization has been asked by member states to update its assessment on the health impacts of nuclear war, although not without significant resistance, led by Russia and North Korea, but also including many other major nuclear states. The resolution calling for an updated assessment of […] Continue reading -> Polio Eradication Imperiled by $2.3 Billion Funding Gap 24/05/2025 Disha Shetty & Stefan Anderson The world’s leading polio eradication programme faces a 40% budget cut next year as the paralysis-causing virus surges in its last strongholds of Afghanistan and Pakistan and war-torn regions, threatening to reverse decades of progress toward eradicating the disease. “The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is facing a 40% budget cut in 2026,” Dr Hanan Balkhy, […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Recognize Social Connection for Young and Old as a Global Health Priority 24/05/2025 Paul Adepoju In a rare moment for the World Health Assembly, delegates expanded their debates beyond the usual lexicon of disease pathogens to address something far more intimate: loneliness. The Assembly approved a first-ever resolution on Fostering social connection for global health: the essential role of social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health, […] Continue reading -> ‘Most Important Year’ for NCDs – But Industry Interference and Weak Political Leadership Stall Progress 23/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan “This is the most important year in the history of non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” declared Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, at the World Heart Federation’s (WHF) 2025 Summit on the eve of the World Health Assembly (WHA). ON 25 September, the United Nations (UN) hosts the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM) on NCDs and mental health. […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHO Mandated to Update of 30-Year-Old Review on Health Impacts of Nuclear War – After Heated WHA Debate 26/05/2025 Elaine Ruth Fletcher For the first time since the 1990s, the World Health Organization has been asked by member states to update its assessment on the health impacts of nuclear war, although not without significant resistance, led by Russia and North Korea, but also including many other major nuclear states. The resolution calling for an updated assessment of […] Continue reading -> Polio Eradication Imperiled by $2.3 Billion Funding Gap 24/05/2025 Disha Shetty & Stefan Anderson The world’s leading polio eradication programme faces a 40% budget cut next year as the paralysis-causing virus surges in its last strongholds of Afghanistan and Pakistan and war-torn regions, threatening to reverse decades of progress toward eradicating the disease. “The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is facing a 40% budget cut in 2026,” Dr Hanan Balkhy, […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Recognize Social Connection for Young and Old as a Global Health Priority 24/05/2025 Paul Adepoju In a rare moment for the World Health Assembly, delegates expanded their debates beyond the usual lexicon of disease pathogens to address something far more intimate: loneliness. The Assembly approved a first-ever resolution on Fostering social connection for global health: the essential role of social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health, […] Continue reading -> ‘Most Important Year’ for NCDs – But Industry Interference and Weak Political Leadership Stall Progress 23/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan “This is the most important year in the history of non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” declared Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, at the World Heart Federation’s (WHF) 2025 Summit on the eve of the World Health Assembly (WHA). ON 25 September, the United Nations (UN) hosts the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM) on NCDs and mental health. […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Polio Eradication Imperiled by $2.3 Billion Funding Gap 24/05/2025 Disha Shetty & Stefan Anderson The world’s leading polio eradication programme faces a 40% budget cut next year as the paralysis-causing virus surges in its last strongholds of Afghanistan and Pakistan and war-torn regions, threatening to reverse decades of progress toward eradicating the disease. “The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is facing a 40% budget cut in 2026,” Dr Hanan Balkhy, […] Continue reading -> WHO Member States Recognize Social Connection for Young and Old as a Global Health Priority 24/05/2025 Paul Adepoju In a rare moment for the World Health Assembly, delegates expanded their debates beyond the usual lexicon of disease pathogens to address something far more intimate: loneliness. The Assembly approved a first-ever resolution on Fostering social connection for global health: the essential role of social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health, […] Continue reading -> ‘Most Important Year’ for NCDs – But Industry Interference and Weak Political Leadership Stall Progress 23/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan “This is the most important year in the history of non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” declared Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, at the World Heart Federation’s (WHF) 2025 Summit on the eve of the World Health Assembly (WHA). ON 25 September, the United Nations (UN) hosts the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM) on NCDs and mental health. […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHO Member States Recognize Social Connection for Young and Old as a Global Health Priority 24/05/2025 Paul Adepoju In a rare moment for the World Health Assembly, delegates expanded their debates beyond the usual lexicon of disease pathogens to address something far more intimate: loneliness. The Assembly approved a first-ever resolution on Fostering social connection for global health: the essential role of social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health, […] Continue reading -> ‘Most Important Year’ for NCDs – But Industry Interference and Weak Political Leadership Stall Progress 23/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan “This is the most important year in the history of non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” declared Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, at the World Heart Federation’s (WHF) 2025 Summit on the eve of the World Health Assembly (WHA). ON 25 September, the United Nations (UN) hosts the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM) on NCDs and mental health. […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
‘Most Important Year’ for NCDs – But Industry Interference and Weak Political Leadership Stall Progress 23/05/2025 Kerry Cullinan “This is the most important year in the history of non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” declared Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, at the World Heart Federation’s (WHF) 2025 Summit on the eve of the World Health Assembly (WHA). ON 25 September, the United Nations (UN) hosts the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM) on NCDs and mental health. […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts