200 people drown each day in the Western Pacific Region
MANILA, 18 November 2014 – More than 200 people drown each day in low- and middle-income countries in the Western Pacific Region, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) latest report on injury prevention, Global report on drowning: preventing a leading killer. The report identifies drowning as a leading cause of death in young people.
Harnessing strong collaboration for a healthy Region
MANILA, 13 November 2014 – The World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region faces many of the world's most pressing health issues and natural disasters—from noncommunicable diseases and escalating health-care costs to persistent risks of new infections and climate change-related diseases. To better address the needs of Member States, WHO works with WHO collaborating centres, whose representatives are gathering in Manila for the inaugural Regional Forum of WHO collaborating centres in the Western Pacific.
Typhoon Haiyan One Year On: Putting health at the heart of healing
MANILA, 7 November 2014 — Over the past 12 months WHO has worked with the Philippine Department of Health and other health partners to rehabilitate facilities, donate equipment and scale up health services. To date, there has been no major disease outbreak in the Haiyan-affected areas while services such as reproductive health care, mental health provision and water quality testing are now available in areas that previously had none.
Salt – the hidden danger in the Pacific
3 November,2014 - When Sione was taken to Vaiola Hospital in Tonga, the victim of a stroke, his whole family was shocked – he is only 39 years old. Across the Pacific island countries, the number of patients with stroke, heart disease and hypertension is increasing, and the victims are younger and younger. The culprit is often salt, and this story describes how to reduce salt intake.
Health issues affecting the Region
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Air pollution Reduce air pollution to ease stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory disease
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Nutrition through the life-course Taking a life-course perspective to nutrition has great potential for improving one's health.
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Diabetes When uncontrolled, diabetes leads to serious damage to the body's nerves and blood vessels.
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Violence and injury prevention Injuries and violence kill more than 5 million people worldwide annually.
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Universal health coverage All people receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship when paying for them.
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Millennium Development Goals The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are designed to address extreme poverty.
WHO Highlights
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20 November 2014
WHO leads meeting to strengthen health security in the Pacific
SUVA, Fiji – Health leaders from 21 Pacific island countries and areas will meet in Nadi, Fiji to discuss progress in the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) in the Pacific. Preparedness to respond to the deadly Ebola virus, should the virus be imported into the Pacific region by a traveller returning from West Africa, will be a key item for discussion.
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October 2014
WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific releases latest ageing and health fact sheet
In almost every country, the proportion of people aged over 60 years is growing faster than any other age group as a result of both longer life expectancy and declining fertility rates. This population ageing can be seen as a success story for public health policies and for socioeconomic development, but it also challenges society to adapt, in order to maximize the health and functional capacity of older people and their participation and security.
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August 2014
Report on regulation of e-cigarettes
The report recommends that appropriate government bodies restrict e-cigarette advertising and that steps be taken to end use of e-cigarettes indoors in public and work places.