World Health Day 2016: Action needed to halt rise in diabetes

World Health Day 2016 poster
WHO

6 April 2016 -- The number of people living with diabetes has nearly quadrupled since 1980 to 422 million adults, with most living in developing countries. WHO is marking World Health Day, 7 April, by calling for action on diabetes. In its first “Global report on diabetes”, WHO highlights the need to step up prevention and treatment of the disease.

Universal health care eases the impact of diabetes in Thailand

A young diabetes patient with his mother prepares to go to school.
WHO

6 April 2016 -- Thailand adopted universal health coverage in 2002, moving away from a system funded primarily by out-of-pocket payments to one funded by a mix of taxes and insurance contributions.

As a result, diabetes patients in the country have access to the insulin and blood-sugar tests they need to survive and stave off complications. These medicines and treatments enable adults and children alike to lead active, fulfilling lives.

Health needs from humanitarian emergencies at an all-time high

Two children pose next to a tree.
WHO

5 April 2016 -- WHO and partners need US$ 2.2 billion to provide lifesaving health services to more than 79 million people in more than 30 countries facing protracted emergencies this year, according to WHO’s “Humanitarian Response Plans 2016” launched today.

These funds are needed for urgent health services including essential medicines, vaccines and treatment for diseases such as cholera and measles, often in insecure and extremely difficult settings.

Brazil helping people with diabetes manage their health and lives

Daniel Bruno da Silva stands outside the store he has created in his home.
WHO/E. Martino

4 April 2016 -- As it is in most countries around the world, diabetes is on the rise in Brazil. Efforts are being rolled out nationwide to help Brazilians with diabetes manage often debilitating health consequences and lead productive lives. WHO supports Brazil with these actions, helping health authorities implement programmes on prevention, diagnosis, early detection, and managing diabetes-related complications.

Emergency response to Ebola flare underway in Liberia

Liberian health workers receive refresher training to remain prepared for Ebola.
WHO/M. Winkler

4 April 2016 -- WHO and Ministry of Health teams in Liberia and Guinea are investigating the origins of transmission in Liberia’s latest flare-up after learning that a woman who died from Ebola in Liberia last week had recently travelled from Guinea with her three young children. Liberian health authorities quickly reactivated the country’s emergency response mechanisms with support from key partners.

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World Health Day - 7 April

World Health Day 2016: Beat diabetes

Highlights

  • General Assembly proclaims the Decade of Action on Nutrition
    April 2016 -- The United Nations General Assembly today agreed a resolution proclaiming the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition from 2016 to 2025. The resolution aims to trigger intensified action to end hunger and eradicate malnutrition worldwide, and ensure universal access to healthier and more sustainable diets.
  • The Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER) celebrates 90 years
    April 2016 -- On 1 April 1926, epidemiologists in the Health Office of the League of Nations, Geneva created the first WER. The publication's mission was to provide the world with information about disease hazards that, at that time, mostly travelled by sea: plague, cholera, yellow fever, typhus and smallpox.

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Emergency reform

WHO is reforming its work in outbreaks and emergencies with health and humanitarian consequences to ensure the Organization can respond rapidly to future crises.

Zika virus and complications

After a spike in cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome, strongly suspected to be associated with Zika virus, WHO declared a public health emergency.

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Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO speaking at the plenary session of the Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly.

World Health Day 2016: Let’s beat diabetes

"People with diabetes can live long and healthy lives if their disease is detected and well-managed."
Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General
6 April 2016

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Dr Chan, WHO Director-General, visits Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, three of the four countries where indigenous transmission of wild poliovirus has not yet been interrupted.
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