In this month's Bulletin
Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2012;90:157-157. doi: 10.2471/BLT.12.000312
In an editorial, Andy Gray & Henri R Manasse Jr (158) discuss the challenges of dealing with global shortages of essential medicines. Zunyou Wu & Nicolas Clark (159) call for papers for a Bulletin theme issue on treatment of opioid dependence. In an interview, Erik Holst (166–167) spoke to Fiona Fleck about the role of doctors and health systems in the rehabilitation of victims of torture.
South Africa
Preventing transmission
Christiane Horwood at al. (168–175) assess ways to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and W Mphatswe et al. (176–182) show how to get more accurate and complete data in KwaZulu-Natal.
Africa
Testing the laboratories
John Frean et al. (191–199) find microbiology laboratories do not always meet standards.
China and India
Connecting and caring
Monique Tsang (162–163) reports on how innovative technologies can help maintain the physical health and independence of older people.
Nigeria
Awareness is the first step
Motunrayo Bello (164–165) reports on the challenges faced by women with breast cancer in Nigeria.
Ethiopia, Jordan, Nicaragua, Nigeria & Tajikistan
Is water safe?
Rob ES Bain et al. (228–235) find fewer people have access to safe drinking water than estimated by United Nations agencies.
Global
Community workers and children
Alexandra de Sousa et al. (183–190) survey 68 countries about community case management of childhood illnesses.
When a baby dies
C Engmann et al. (200–208) assess the feasibility of using birth attendants instead of bereaved mothers as verbal autopsy respondents.
Global burden of cholera
Mohammad Ali et al. (209–218) estimate the global burden of cholera.
Medicine affordability
LM Niëns et al. (219–227) illustrate a new approach to measuring the affordability of medicines in developing countries.
Child-size medicines
Suzanne R Hill (236–238) lists the medicines that are needed in more child-friendly forms.
Surgical epidemiology
Amardeep Thind et al. (239–240) call for epidemiologists and surgeons to develop a set of common definitions for surgical epidemiology.
From commitment to action
Sridhar Venkatapuram et al. (241–242) discuss the ethical dilemmas of setting priorities for dealing with noncommunicable diseases.
Preventing cholera
Ali S Akanda et al. (243–244) propose that a climate-based warning system could help identify populations at higher risk for cholera.