Helping children suffering from Philippines crisis
13 December 2013 -- Psychological first aid in emergencies, a WHO-recommended approach, is helping children who are suffering after the crisis. In many places affected by Typhoon Haiyan, children are returning to their schools to seek normalcy and comfort. The best ways for families and communities to help children are to keep them safe and ask them to share their concerns and listen to them. This feature shows how 3 children are coping with the tragedy.
Report shows major progress in fight against malaria
11 December 2013 -- Global efforts to control and eliminate malaria have saved an estimated 3.3 million lives since 2000, reducing malaria mortality rates by 45% globally and by 49% in Africa, according to the "World malaria report 2013". The large majority of the lives saved were in the 10 countries with the highest malaria burden, and among children aged less than 5 years – the group most affected by the disease. The report calls for sustained financing to maintain progress and reduce deaths.
Global cancer burden rises to 14.1 million new cases in 2012
12 December 2013 -- The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO’s specialized cancer agency has released the latest data on cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence worldwide. The new version of IARC’s online database, GLOBOCAN 2012 provides the most recent estimates for 28 types of cancer in 184 countries worldwide. The database reveals a sharp rise in breast cancer and highlights that priority should be given to cancer prevention and control measures for breast and cervical cancers globally.
Mental health information at your fingertips
10 December 2013 -- People with mental disabilities around the world face discrimination, violence and abuse in all aspects of their lives. Today, as part of its “QualityRights” initiative, WHO is launching MiNDbank. It is full of a wealth of information about mental health, substance abuse, disability, human rights and the different policies, strategies, laws and service standards being implemented in different countries. Launched on Human Rights Day, it also contains key international documents and information.
WHO highlights
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December 2013
Yemen bilharzia infections drop by more than 50%
In March, more than 9 and a half million Yemenis, comprising adults and children, were treated for both bilharzia and intestinal soil-transmitted helminthiases in two separate 4-day campaigns. The first results show that infection levels have fallen by more than half since the beginning of the project.
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December 2013
The right to health
The right to health includes access to timely, acceptable, and affordable health care of appropriate quality. WHO has been actively strengthening its role in providing technical, intellectual and political leadership on the right to health.
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December 2013
Fourth Meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV
After the fourth meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005), the Committee concluded that it saw no reason to change its previous advice. It was the unanimous decision of the Committee that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have not at present been met.
Features
WHO campaigns
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World Health Day
7 April 2014 -
World Immunization Week
23-30 April 2014
Events
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WHO Global Forum on Innovations for Ageing Populations
10–12 December 2013
Corporate resources
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The world health report
Report on global public health and key statistics -
World health statistics report
WHO's annual compilation of data from its Member States -
International travel and health
Publication on travel risks, precautions and vaccination requirements -
International Health Regulations (IHR)
Global rules to enhance national, regional and global public health security