Despite major breakthroughs in identifying and combating respiratory diseases, two of the most prevalent – respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumococcal disease – continue to pose a significant health burden globally, particularly in infants, young children, and older adults.  Against this backdrop, a recent panel at the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) meeting, […] Continue reading ->
The global childhood vaccination rate in 2024 held steady with 85% of infants and children receiving three doses of the vaccine for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT), used as a global benchmark for immunization rates overall.  However large, continued gaps in coverage are propelling outbreaks, including the highest rate of measles cases since 2019.  “In […] Continue reading ->
Better nutrition is crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty affecting millions of people across the world. As international development funding faces unprecedented strain, private sector partnerships are a key piece of the jigsaw to close the nutrition funding gap. With the right approach, we can leverage private sector resources and innovation for mutually beneficial […] Continue reading ->
(The New Humanitarian) The International Rescue Committee, one of the oldest humanitarian aid organizations in the United States, is cutting thousands of staff, in another sign of the turmoil rippling across the humanitarian sector as the US aid funding freeze continues. “We have had to take immediate and significant cost-cutting measures, including laying off and furloughing […] Continue reading ->
WASHINGTON, DC – Robert F Kennedy (RFK) Jr’s Senate confirmation as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary faced fresh obstacles on Thursday after Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) said he “wasn’t sure “ he could vote for someone “who spent decades criticizing vaccines, and who’s financially vested in […] Continue reading ->
The voices of the children’s choir echoed in the conference hall as a reminder that more than one billion children who experience some form of violence each year. Their performance was part of the historic first high-level ministerial conference to end violence against children in Bogota late last week, which brought together government delegations, children, […] Continue reading ->