Negotiators for the global pandemic treaty couldn't meet their deadline
The global pandemic treaty efforts failed to meet the deadline due to unresolved issues, but there is still hope for its development in the future. [ more ]
A concrete suggestion that could save millions of lives in a future pandemic
The World Health Organization has been negotiating a pandemic agreement to better prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics. Time is running out to reach a consensus before the World Health Assembly in May. [ more ]
A global pandemic treaty is in sight: don't scupper it
Equity between nations was ignored during COVID-19 outbreak, emphasizing the importance of a global pandemic agreement for prevention and preparedness. [ more ]
WHO declares Cape Verde free of malaria DW 01/12/2024
Cape Verde has become the third country in Africa to eliminate malaria through a comprehensive plan to tackle the disease.
The World Health Organization declared Cape Verde free of malaria, joining Mauritius and Algeria as the only African countries to achieve this status. [ more ]
White House Covid-19 Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha leaving the administration
President Joe Biden on Thursday announced that Covid-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha is leaving the administration.Biden offered effusive praise for the doctor, who succeeded Jeff Zients as the White House Covid-19 Response coordinator in March 2022, writing Jha has effectively translated and communicated complex scientific challenges into concrete actions that helped save and improve the lives of millions of Americans.
People with type 2 diabetes may benefit from exercising in the afternoon, study shows
People with type 2 diabetes should exercise in the afternoon instead of the morning to manage their blood sugar, a new study has found.In this study, we (have) shown that adults with type 2 diabetes had the greatest improvement in glucose control when they were most active in the afternoon, co-corresponding author Dr. Jingyi Qian, from the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Massachusetts' Brigham and Women's Hospital, said in a statement.
The World Health Organization acknowledged Covid-19 is airborne in late 2021, updating their guidelines for pathogen transmission, potentially impacting disease control policies worldwide. [ more ]
Next pandemic likely to be caused by flu virus, scientists warn
Influenza is identified as the pathogen most likely to cause the next global pandemic, as indicated by 57% of senior disease experts in an international survey. [ more ]
World leaders are gathering to discuss Disease X. Here's what to know about the hypothetical pandemic.
World leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos to discuss Disease X, a hypothetical virus 20 times deadlier than COVID-19.
Experts are proactively planning and preparing for Disease X in case it emerges as a pandemic. [ more ]
World leaders are gathering to discuss Disease X. Here's what to know about the hypothetical pandemic.
World leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos to discuss Disease X, a hypothetical virus 20 times deadlier than COVID-19.
Experts are proactively planning and preparing for Disease X in case it emerges as a pandemic. [ more ]
What is Disease X? How scientists are preparing for the next pandemic
The term 'Disease X' was coined to encourage scientists to work on medical countermeasures for unknown infectious threats, in addition to known ones like Ebola.
Studying Disease X is important for early cross-cutting R&D preparedness and to prevent future humanitarian crises like the Ebola epidemic. [ more ]
What is Disease X? How scientists are preparing for the next pandemic
The term 'Disease X' was coined to encourage scientists to work on medical countermeasures for unknown infectious threats, in addition to known ones like Ebola.
Studying Disease X is important for early cross-cutting R&D preparedness and to prevent future humanitarian crises like the Ebola epidemic. [ more ]
What is Disease X? How scientists are preparing for the next pandemic
The term 'Disease X' was coined to encourage scientists to work on medical countermeasures for unknown infectious threats, in addition to known ones like Ebola.
Studying Disease X is important for early cross-cutting R&D preparedness and to prevent future humanitarian crises like the Ebola epidemic. [ more ]
After 29 million deaths, it seems the world has learned nothing
The director general of the WHO expressed frustration with the negotiations for a new multilateral pandemic agreement and described them as filled with fake news, lies, and conspiracy theories.
Differences between rich and poor countries, interference of private interests, and geopolitical context are threatening to undermine the negotiations and leave the multilateral system vulnerable to the next pandemic. [ more ]
Mayor of London issues high air pollution alert for Tuesday
Imperial College London forecasters advised the Mayor to issue the alert due to a strong likelihood of high ozone levels, caused by the hot, sunny weather and south-easterly winds blowing existing pollutants from the continent towards London, City Hall said on Monday evening.This is the second high air pollution alert this year.
Outer London's worst asthma hotspots revealed as polluted roads take toll on health
E aling has the highest number of people receiving care for asthma in outer London, according to new research.A study from charity Asthma + Lung UK, has found that Southall alone has nearly a quarter (23%) of the top 30 GP practices in London where asthma treatment is most prevalent.The data reveals 24 out of the 30 GP surgeries with the highest rates of asthma prevalence are in outer London, with 70% of these surgeries within just one mile of some of the busiest roads in the capital, including the A40, A127, and A41.
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years.According to the World Health Organization, the average age of menopause is between 45 and 55 years.During this time, a woman's body undergoes several changes that can affect her overall health, including weight gain.
How Are Healthcare AI Developers Responding to WHO's New Guidance on LLMs?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidelines on the ethics and governance of large language models (LLMs) in healthcare.
WHO outlined five broad applications for LLMs in healthcare, including diagnosis and clinical care, administrative tasks, education, drug research and development, and patient-guided learning. [ more ]
Malaria child vaccination campaign kicks off in Cameroon DW 01/22/2024
Cameroon has launched a vaccination campaign against malaria, becoming the first country outside of clinical trials to implement such a campaign.
The vaccine being used is Mosquirix, or RTS,S, produced by GlaxoSmithKline, and it has been recognized as efficient and recommended by the World Health Organization. [ more ]
Malaria-free Cape Verde a 'beacon of hope' DW 01/15/2024
Cape Verde has been declared malaria-free, becoming the third African nation to achieve this status after Mauritius and Algeria.
The elimination of malaria in Cape Verde is expected to have a positive impact on tourism by attracting more visitors and removing constraints on mobility. [ more ]
Climate crisis a substantial risk' to fight against malaria, says WHO
Climate change poses a major threat to the fight against malaria, with evidence suggesting that extreme weather events and rising temperatures have led to spikes in cases.
Mosquitoes, which carry the disease, thrive in warm and humid conditions that are increasing due to global warming.
Urgent actions to slow global warming are needed to ensure sustainable and resilient malaria responses. [ more ]
Medical AI could be 'dangerous' for poorer nations, WHO warns
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the introduction of AI-based health-care technologies could be dangerous for people in lower-income countries.
WHO emphasizes the importance of including under-resourced populations in the training of AI models to avoid biased algorithms and inequities. [ more ]
World leaders are gathering to discuss Disease X. Here's what to know about the hypothetical pandemic.
World leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos to discuss Disease X, a hypothetical virus 20 times deadlier than COVID-19.
Experts are proactively planning and preparing for Disease X in case it emerges as a pandemic. [ more ]
What is Disease X? How scientists are preparing for the next pandemic
The term 'Disease X' was coined to encourage scientists to work on medical countermeasures for unknown infectious threats, in addition to known ones like Ebola.
Studying Disease X is important for early cross-cutting R&D preparedness and to prevent future humanitarian crises like the Ebola epidemic. [ more ]
What is Disease X? How scientists are preparing for the next pandemic
The term 'Disease X' was coined to encourage scientists to work on medical countermeasures for unknown infectious threats, in addition to known ones like Ebola.
Studying Disease X is important for early cross-cutting R&D preparedness and to prevent future humanitarian crises like the Ebola epidemic. [ more ]
Training humanitarian response leaders in the Middle East and Africa
The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative's Humanitarian Academy has collaborated with the World Health Organization to offer a complete course outside of the U.S. for the first time.
The course was held in Amman, Jordan, and included 65 humanitarian professionals from 52 countries across the Middle East and Africa. [ more ]
Hydroxychloroquine: COVID 'cure' linked to 17,000 deaths DW 01/10/2024
Hydroxychloroquine, a drug touted as a potential COVID-19 treatment, is now linked to an increased mortality rate of up to 11%.
The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a trial on hydroxychloroquine and found no positive results, leading to a recommendation against its use during the pandemic. [ more ]
Hydroxychloroquine: COVID 'cure' linked to 17,000 deaths DW 01/10/2024
Hydroxychloroquine, a drug touted as a potential COVID-19 treatment, is now linked to an increased mortality rate of up to 11%.
The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a trial on hydroxychloroquine and found no positive results, leading to a recommendation against its use during the pandemic. [ more ]
Hydroxychloroquine: COVID 'cure' linked to 17,000 deaths DW 01/10/2024
Hydroxychloroquine, a drug touted as a potential COVID-19 treatment, is now linked to an increased mortality rate of up to 11%.
The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a trial on hydroxychloroquine and found no positive results, leading to a recommendation against its use during the pandemic. [ more ]
Israel and WHO in online row over removal of medical supplies in Gaza
Israel denies ordering the UN health agency to remove medical supplies from its warehouse in southern Gaza.
An online row has emerged between the World Health Organization (WHO) and Israel after the United Nations health body said the Israeli army ordered it to remove supplies from its warehouse in southern Gaza, a claim Israel then denied. [ more ]
Disease could kill more in Gaza than bombs, WHO says amid Israeli siege
Shattered healthcare and sanitation systems must be restored in Gaza, says World Health Organization.
More people could die from disease than from bombings in the Gaza Strip if the health and sanitation systems are not repaired.
Critical infrastructure in the besieged territory has been crippled by fuel and supply shortages and targeted attacks on hospitals and United Nations facilities. [ more ]
WHO demands answers from China about pneumonia outbreak: report
The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked Chinese health officials for information about an outbreak of pneumonia in northern parts of the country.
The request for information from China comes amid concerns about transparency and data-sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chinese authorities claim that the increase in pneumonia cases is due to the lifting of COVID-19 controls. [ more ]
WHO asks China for more information about rise in illnesses and pneumonia clusters
The World Health Organization has requested information from China regarding a spike in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children.
The situation is currently unclear and it is unknown whether these cases are linked to a rise in respiratory infections reported by Chinese authorities. [ more ]
WHO asks China for more information about rise in illnesses and pneumonia clusters
The World Health Organization has requested information from China regarding a spike in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children.
The situation is currently unclear and it is unknown whether these cases are linked to a rise in respiratory infections reported by Chinese authorities. [ more ]
WHO asks China for more information about rise in illnesses and pneumonia clusters
The World Health Organization has requested information from China regarding a spike in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children.
The situation is currently unclear and it is unknown whether these cases are linked to a rise in respiratory infections reported by Chinese authorities. [ more ]
Bayer reaches $6.9 million settlement with New York over advertising for weedkiller Roundup
Bayer, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, has agreed to pay $6.9 million to settle allegations by New York's attorney general that its Monsanto unit made false and misleading claims about the safety of the weedkiller Roundup.The sum comes on top of the billions of dollars Bayer has already paid to settle lawsuits claiming Roundup, one of the world's most widely used herbicides, causes cancer.
An N95 Mask Is Your Best Outdoor Defense Against Wildfire Smoke
For the second day in a row, the eastern U.S. was enveloped in a hazy beige smog that blocked the skies and sun of early summer.Countless tiny particles from the raging Canadian wildfiresmeasuring 2.5 microns or less in width (30 times the diameter of a human hair)are polluting the air.In New York City, levels of these particulates have soared to nearly 60 times the recommended guideline established by the World Health Organization, according to data collected by IQAir.
Air Quality This Week Gives U.S. a Glimpse of the World's Air Pollution
The dangerous haze hovering over parts of the Northeast and Midwest on Wednesday morning was highly unusual for the United States.For many people around the world, it would be somewhat normal.Cities across Asia, Africa and Latin America have been so polluted for so long that air-quality readings like the ones expected across parts of New York State on Wednesday which is expected to pose risks for people with respiratory problems would not be seen as particular cause for alarm.
Why Sweden Is on Course to Become One of the World's First Smoke-Free' Countries
STOCKHOLM Summer is in the air, cigarette smoke is not, in Sweden's outdoor bars and restaurants.As the World Health Organization marks World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday, Sweden, which has the lowest rate of smoking in the European Union, is close to declaring itself smoke free defined as having fewer than 5% daily smokers in the population.
Sweden close to becoming first 'smoke free' country in Europe as daily use of cigarettes dwindles
Summer is in the air, cigarette smoke is not, in Sweden's outdoor bars and restaurants.As the World Health Organization marks World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday, Sweden, which has the lowest rate of smoking in the Europe Union, is close to declaring itself smoke free defined as having fewer than 5% daily smokers in the population.
My Covid confidence crisis: how to regain your sense of self, health and happiness
1. Take time to appreciate the little things in life, such as taking a walk, listening to music, or connecting with friends and family. This can help boost your confidence and mental health. 2. Create a support network of people you trust and can turn to for help and advice. This can
Are You Exposed to Too Much Noise? Here's How to Check.
Chronic noise exposure is not just a nuisance, scientists say.It's a health risk.In fact, mounting research suggests that, as average noise levels climb, so do the risks of overreactions in your body that contribute to cardiovascular disease and other health issues.For a project on the harmful effects of noise, New York Times journalists used a Larson Davis Sound Level Meter, a professional sound measurement device, to assess noise exposure in communities around the United States.
Nikki Haley, who was the first prominent Republican to announce a challenge to former President Donald J. Trump in the 2024 race, has yet to see her presidential campaign catch fire.On Sunday night, she had a fresh opportunity to make the case for her candidacy during a 90-minute CNN town hall in prime time, in an effort to emerge from the low single digits in polls where she has been mired.
Kangaroo care gets a major endorsement. Here's what it looks like in Ivory Coast
New father Yappe Pako gets help with his kangaroo care carrier from midwife Marie-JosAe Miezan.His newborn son is named Ambo Crisostome.They're in the kangaroo care ward at the University Hospital Medical Center at Treichville in the Ivory Coast.A new program teaches the technique to moms a and dads.
Senate GOP Covid origins probe finds circumstantial evidence but no smoking gun' to support lab leak theory
A Republican-led investigation into the origins of Covid-19 has unearthed additional, though circumstantial, evidence supporting the theory that the virus likely escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China, but it did not find any smoking gun evidence to prove the theory, according to a new report released on Wednesday.
Sudan conflict: 85-year-old British citizen abandoned opposite UK embassy
An 85-year-old British citizen in Sudan was shot by snipers and his wife then died of starvation after they were left to fend for themselves by the British embassy in Sudan, their family has told BBC News Arabic.Abdalla Sholgami lived with his 80-year-old disabled wife, Alaweya Rishwan, just over the road from the UK's diplomatic mission in Khartoum.