The tobacco industry strongly influences policy-making in Japan, Jordan, Egypt and Bangladesh. Conversely, the United Kingdom, Uganda, and Iran emerge as countries with the least industry meddling, according to a first-ever report to systematically assess levels of industry influence in countries, by the watchdog group STOP (Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products). “This report shows that […] Continue reading ->
Bad Hofgastein, Austria – A stronger research agenda for cannabis is urgently required to guide European health policymakers through a bewildering maze of medical and recreational cannabis and cannabinoid products that are fast emerging on the European market, said researchers and policymakers at a panel session of the 2019 European Health Forum (Gastein), which concluded […] Continue reading ->
[World Health Organization] Geneva (4 October 2019) – The World Health Organization (WHO) and football’s world governing body, FIFA, today agreed to a four-year collaboration to promote healthy lifestyles through football globally. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and FIFA President Gianni Infantino signed the memorandum of understanding at WHO’s Geneva-based headquarters. “WHO is excited […] Continue reading ->
As delegates gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly (UNGA) last week, tobacco companies were lurking on the margins to cultivate influence and undermine policies that would accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals. More than 140 health organizations from over 40 countries have joined me in calling on delegates to reject invitations to meet […] Continue reading ->
Some 70% of all health needs can be addressed through primary health care systems based in local communities, and yet the bulk of the US $7.5 trillion spent on health each year goes towards funding care in secondary and tertiary hospital care, which people reach only after they are already very ill, leading to higher […] Continue reading ->
Life expectancy increased to a historic peak of 68 years for men and 78 years for women in the Russian Federation in 2018 thanks in part to stringent alcohol regulations. A new study published by the World Health Organization’s European Regional Office found that alcohol regulations in the country reduced consumption by more than 40% […] Continue reading ->
The 2019 European Health Forum (Gastein) opens Wednesday under this year’s theme: “A Healthy Dose of Disruption.” The three-day Forum will explore ways in which Europe can transform health systems into levers of good health and well-being, guided by the aspirations of the recent UN declaration on Universal Health Coverage. Since its foundation in 1998, […] Continue reading ->
NEW YORK CITY – Globally, governments are spending nearly $US 300 billion in price supports and other pre-tax subsidies for fossil fuels – which are costing national governments a whopping $US 2.7 trillion in health costs from air pollution-related mortality, disease and lost productivity—not to mention fueling climate change. As just one stunning example of […] Continue reading ->
If Fernando Arnaiz of Roche Pharmaceuticals had his way, the power of Kenyan mobile phone banking might soon be harnessed to health insurance schemes to finance treatment for cancer and other noncommunicable (NCDs) diseases, treatments accessible to only a tiny proportion of people in Africa today. Arnaiz is part of a unique team at Roche […] Continue reading ->
NEW YORK – Over half of new cancer drug approvals granted by European authorities between 2014-2016 may have been made based on evidence from biased clinical trials, according to a new study published in The BMJ. The study, led by Dr. Christopher Booth, professor of oncology from Queens University Cancer Research Institute, raises serious questions […] Continue reading ->