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 ->
This story was updated to reflect new developments on Friday, 27 June.  Israel ordered a near-total halt to food and humanitarian aid deliveries to over two million Gazans facing a territory-wide threat of famine on Thursday after an AFP video surfaced showing dozens of armed men riding atop a convoy of flatbed trucks loaded with […] Continue reading ->
In an harsh reprimand at the global vaccine pledging summit Wednesday, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. attacked Gavi’s record on vaccine safety and said the United States was halting support for the alliance, until it could “re-earn” the public trust. He charged that Gavi had stifled “free speech and legitimate […] Continue reading ->
As the World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC) opened in Dublin on Monday, the world’s largest convening of tobacco control advocates, researchers, and policy strategists is positioned to play an influential role in shaping the technical and civil society contributions that will feed into a series of important multilateral processes taking place this year.  Between […] 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 ->
While many public health experts have criticised United States Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr for undermining vaccines, several think his focus on chronic illness and big food has potential – although they are sceptical of whether he will employ proven methods to improve citizens’ health. Obesity, and associated problems of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and […] Continue reading ->
Mistrust undermined the pandemic agreement talks – but, ironically, the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) galvanised member states to reach agreement, according to Ambassador Anne-Claire Amprou, co-chair of the talks. “There was a lack of trust. That means that when member states wanted to make a proposal, sometimes it created suspicion […] Continue reading ->