Emergency Committee meeting on yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccination, Angola
EPA

19 May 2016 – The first WHO convened Emergency Committee on yellow fever has met in response to the ongoing outbreak of the disease in central Africa. The Committee emphasized that the urban yellow fever outbreaks are a serious risk that warrant intensified national action and enhanced international support.

Life expectancy increases by 5 years, but inequalities persist

19 May 2016 – Dramatic gains in life expectancy have been made globally since 2000, but major inequalities persist, according to WHO’s “World Health Statistics 2016.” This new report provides data on the health-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including current information on life expectancy, pregnancy, neglected tropical diseases, suicide, road traffic injuries, air pollution, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.

WHO calls on countries to prepare as Zika virus expected to spread in Europe

EPA/F.Bizzera Jr.

18 May 2016 – A new WHO report assesses the risk of a Zika virus disease outbreak occurring during late spring and summer in the European Region. While the overall risk is low to moderate, countries where Aedes mosquitoes are present are more likely to experience a Zika virus outbreak. WHO is supporting European countries to prepare and respond to Zika virus.

New guidelines improve care for millions with female genital mutilation

Health-care providers play an important role in the treatment and care of the 200 million girls and women around the world living with female genital mutilation.

16 May 2016 – New WHO recommendations aim to help health workers provide better care to the more than 200 million girls and women worldwide living with female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM has no health benefits, can cause grave harm, and violates the rights of girls and women. The new recommendations focus on preventing and treating obstetric complications; treatment for depression and anxiety disorders; and attention to female sexual health such as counselling.

New diagnostic test and better treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

A man takes at-home treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Lima, Peru.
WHO

12 May 2016 – New WHO recommendations will speed detection and improve treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) through use of a new rapid diagnostic test and a shorter, cheaper treatment regimen. The novel diagnostic test, called MTBDRsl, is a DNA-based test that identifies genetic mutations in MDR-TB strains. At less than US$ 1000 per patient, the new treatment regimen can be completed in 9–12 months.

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Outbreaks and emergencies

Ebola outbreak » MERS-CoV outbreak » Yellow fever » Zika virus and complications » Emergencies »

World Health Assembly

Committee B opened today at the World Health Assembly.

The 69th World Health Assembly

The WHA will take place on 23-28 May 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland. It will be attended by 3,000 delegates from WHO Member States and partner organizations.

Highlights

  • Pesticide Residues in food?
    May 2016 -- Pesticides are chemicals used in agriculture to protect crops against insects, fungi, weeds and other pests. But pesticides are also potentially toxic to humans. Before they can be authorized for use, pesticides should be tested for all possible health effects and the results should be analysed by experts to assess any risks to humans.
  • WHO expresses great concern over newborn deaths in Libya
    May 2016 -- WHO expresses concern over the death of 12 newborns in the Sabah Medical Centre neonatal intensive care unit in Sabha, southern Libya. The deaths occurred due to a bacterial infection and lack of specialized health staff to provide medical care.

Disease outbreak news

Emergency reform

WHO is reforming to be better equipped to address the increasingly complex challenges of health in the 21st century through changes in programmes, governance, and management.

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.

Commentaries

People searching through remains of a destroyed building in Syria.

Supporting people with severe mental disorders in war and other disaster settings

Dr Mark van Ommeren, Public Mental Health Adviser, WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Stories from countries

Events

Tweets from WHO

What we do

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.
WHO

Data

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Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable development goals poster

From MDGs to SDGs