WHO news

WHO interim guidance on the use of bedaquiline to treat MDR-TB

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:01:00 GMT

13 June 2013 -- WHO estimates that up to half a million new cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) occur worldwide, each year. For the first time in over 40 years, a new TB drug with a novel mechanism of action - bedaquiline- is available, and was granted accelerated approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration in December 2012.

WHO: More voluntary blood donors needed

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:01:00 GMT

12 June 2013 -- On World Blood Donor Day, 14 June, WHO calls for all countries to obtain 100% of their supplies of blood and blood products from voluntary unpaid blood donors by 2020.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: Joint Kingdom of Saudi Arabia/WHO mission

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:01:00 GMT

10 June 2013 -- Between 4 and 9 June 2013, a joint mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the World Health Organization (WHO) met in Riyadh to assess the situation due to a new coronavirus in the Kingdom. This virus has recently been named the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It is a new, emerging virus that is distantly related to the virus that caused SARS.

WHO issues guidance on emerging double threat of childhood obesity and undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:01:00 GMT

5 June 2013 -- Many low- and middle-income countries are neglecting overweight and obesity as major health threats, with policies in place to tackle undernutrition, but lack policies to halt the growing burden of diseases due to the rise of overweight, and obesity, according to new information released by WHO today.

Ban tobacco advertising to protect young people

Wed, 29 May 2013 09:01:00 GMT

29 May 2013 -- On World No Tobacco Day, 31 May, WHO is calling for countries to ban all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship to help reduce the number of tobacco users. Tobacco use kills nearly 6 million people every year.

Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly closes with concern over new global health threat

Mon, 27 May 2013 15:01:00 GMT

27 May 2013 -- After seven days of intense discussions, the 66th World Health Assembly (WHA) concluded with agreement on a range of new public health measures and recommendations aimed at securing greater health benefits for all people, everywhere.

World Health Assembly opens to discuss major health issues

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:01:00 GMT

20 May 2013 -- WHO's Health Assembly, the world's largest health policy-making body, opened its Sixty-sixth Session today in Geneva with around 3000 participants from around the world.

Yellow fever vaccination booster not needed

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:01:00 GMT

17 May 2013 -- The yellow fever ‘booster’ vaccination given ten years after the initial vaccination is not necessary, according to WHO.

WHO statistics show narrowing health gap between countries with best and worst health status

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:01:00 GMT

15 May 2013 -- The world has made dramatic progress in improving health in the poorest countries and narrowing the gaps between countries with the best and worst health status in the past two decades, according to the World Health Statistics 2013.

2.4 billion people will lack improved sanitation in 2015

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:01:00 GMT

13 May 2013 – Some 2.4 billion people – one-third of the world’s population – will remain without access to improved sanitation in 2015, according to a joint WHO/UNICEF report issued today.