WHO news

Dr Margaret Chan appointed to a second term as Director-General

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:08:00 GMT

23 May 2012 -- The World Health Assembly today appointed Dr Margaret Chan for a second five-year term as Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). In her acceptance speech to health ministers and representatives of WHO’s Member States, Dr Chan pledged her continued commitment to improve the health of the most vulnerable.

New data highlight increases in hypertension, diabetes incidence

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:33:00 GMT

16 May 2012 -- One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure – a condition that causes around half of all deaths from stroke and heart disease, according to the World health statistics 2012 report released today. One in 10 adults has diabetes.

WHO highlights importance of good hand hygiene for patient safety

Fri, 04 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

4 May 2012 – On Hand Hygiene Day (5 May), more than 15 000 health-care facilities from 156 countries are participating in the WHO Save Lives: Clean Your Hands Initiative by committing to improve patient safety by practicing better hand hygiene

15 Million babies born too soon

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:50:00 GMT

2 May 2012 -- Over one million of preterm babies die shortly after birth and countless others suffer some type of lifelong physical, neurological, or educational disability. An estimated 75% of preterm babies who die could survive without expensive care if a few proven and inexpensive treatments and preventions were available worldwide.

World Malaria Day 2012

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:01:00 GMT

24 April 2012 -- On the eve of World Malaria Day 2012, WHO hails global progress in combating malaria but highlights the need to further reinforce the fight. WHO’s new initiative, T3: Test, Treat, Track, urges malaria-endemic countries and donors to move towards universal access to diagnostic testing and antimalarial treatment, and to build robust malaria surveillance systems.

Global partners launch new plan to control and eliminate measles and rubella

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:01:00 GMT

24 April 2012 -- Announcing a new global strategy aimed at reducing measles deaths and congenital rubella syndrome to zero. The announcement comes with the publication of new data using a state-of-the-art methodology showing that efforts to reduce measles deaths have resulted in a 74% reduction in global measles deaths, from 2000 to 2010.

World Immunization Week rolls out in more than 180 countries

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

23 April 2012 – The first World Immunization Week is being held from 21 to 28 April 2012 with activities in over 180 countries. The theme of the week, ‘Protect your world: Get vaccinated’, aims to reinforce the importance of immunization and encourage people everywhere to vaccinate themselves and their children against serious diseases.

Dementia cases set to triple by 2050 but still largely ignored

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:45:00 GMT

11 April 2012 -- Worldwide, nearly 35.6 million people live with dementia which affects people in all countries. More than half (58%) live in low- and middle-income countries. A new WHO report, Dementia: a public health priority, recommends improving early diagnosis; raising public awareness about the disease and reducing stigma; and providing better care and more support to caregivers.

New incentives needed to encourage health research and development for developing countries

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

5 April 2012 -- New sources of funding are needed to encourage health research specifically for diseases that affect people in developing countries.

New protocol proposed to address illicit trade in tobacco products

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

4 March 2012 -- By agreeing to the protocol, governments have reiterated their commitment to tackling illicit trade in tobacco products.