UNAIDS urged UN member states convening today in Vienna for the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs to enact sweeping reforms of policies towards injecting drug users, most of whom lack critical access to basic “harm reduction” services that could prevent them from becoming infected with HIV. Continue reading ->
UN Environment today released its sixth Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6), assessing the state of the environment over the last five years. The report highlights studies published in the scientific press last year estimating that the health benefits of reducing air pollution would be 1.4 to 2.5 times greater than the costs of mitigation. Savings between […] Continue reading ->
Italy’s Minister of Health spoke out publicly today at a press conference in Rome on the proposed World Health Assembly resolution on drug price transparency, while an open letter published on the Ministry’s website called on other World Health Organization member states to support the initiative. Continue reading ->
A extensive new guide released today provides detailed instructions and insight for governments and regions to prevent and combat zoonotic diseases - those that can spread between animals and humans, such as rabies, which continue to have "major impacts" on human health. Continue reading ->
The Fourth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) opened today in Nairobi against the sober backdrop of yesterday’s tragic crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 en route to the Kenyan capital, killing at least 22 UN staff and humanitarian aid workers, including passengers headed to the UNEA meeting. Image Credits: Baz Ratner/Reuters, @CCAC coalition. Continue reading ->
The World Health Organization today launched a new influenza strategy that takes a more holistic approach to protecting people worldwide from deadly flu threats. The Global Influenza Strategy 2019-2030 aims to address both seasonal prevention and control of influenza, as well as preparedness for future pandemics, while building the capacity of countries to respond to […] Continue reading ->
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), an innovative collaboration of governments, UN agencies, foundations and the private sector, has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguard and promote equitable access to new vaccines under development to head off the risk of disease outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics that threaten global health. Image Credits: CEPI / CureVac. Continue reading ->
Stark gender pay and power gaps remain a fact of life in leading global health organisations, according to a new Global Health 50/50 report on gender-equality in nearly 200 workplaces, including United Nations and national development agencies as well as non-profit organisations, research institutions and private sector firms. Image Credits: Global Health 50/50. Continue reading ->
Calling it a “historic moment,” World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Gheyebresus today announced wide-ranging reforms in the organization’s structure – claiming they would prove to be the most significant ones in WHO’s 71-year history. Continue reading ->
The African content is one step closer to its first medicine and health super-regulator. The treaty to establish an African Medicine Agency (AMA), meant to govern medical product regulation for the entire continent, was endorsed by the African Union Heads of State and Government on 11 February, according to a press release following the 32nd AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Continue reading ->