Twelve months ago, the world came together to support COVAX, a multilateral initiative co-convened by and partners, to guarantee global access to COVID-19 vaccines. With the support of the international community, COVAX began securing financing, negotiating with vaccine developers and manufacturers, and addressing the logistics associated with rolling out the largest and most complex vaccination programme in history. Yet only 20% of people in low- and lower-middle-income countries have received a first dose of vaccine compared to 80% in high- and upper-middle income countries.
has published guidance for countries on the technical requirements for issuing digital certificates for vaccination against COVID-19.
Hypertension cases increased from 650 million to 1.28 billion in the last thirty years, according to the first comprehensive analysis in hypertension led by and partners.
This animation highlights the dangers of drowning and what we can all do to prevent it. An estimated 236,000 people drown every year, and drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for 5鈥14-year-old children.
answers some common questions from new and expecting mothers to help provide the safest experience for you and your baby, about breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
invites us to learn about the development of vaccines. From clinic trials and emergency use listing to production, transportation, storage and final administration by local health workers 鈥 follow the journey of a vaccine.
This week, as countries around the world celebrate , the United Nations calls on all stakeholders to support breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides every child with the best possible start in life. It delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers. And it forms part of a sustainable food system. But while breastfeeding is a natural process, it is not always easy. Mothers need support 鈥 both to get started and to sustain breastfeeding.
23 million children missed out on basic childhood vaccines through routine health services in 2020, the highest number since 2009 and 3.7 million more than in 2019. WHO/UNICEF data shows that a majority of countries last year experienced drops in childhood vaccination rates. Up to 17 million children 鈥 likely did not receive a single vaccine during the year, widening already immense inequities in vaccine access. Most of these children live in communities affected by conflict, in under-served remote places, or in informal or slum settings where they face multiple deprivations including limited access to basic health and key social services.
Every year, an estimated 236,000 people drown, making drowning a major public health problem worldwide. It is one of the leading causes of death for children and young people. Most of these deaths are preventable, through evidence-based, low-cost solutions. World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July) serves as a global advocacy event to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities and to offer life-saving solutions to prevent it. Read about for three interventions to prevent drowning that can be implemented at the community level.
Close to 2 million people are estimated to have been internally displaced by the conflict in Tigray, now in its eighth month. Some are staying within communities, others are sheltering in overcrowded public sites like schools. Brukti and 15 other trained nurses volunteer at the small makeshift health centre at one of these sites. About 20 to 30 patients come to the health centre every day. Resources are scarce across the board and the displaced rely heavily on help from the local community. The , and partners support the camp coordination and management.
Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans, like COVID-19, bird flu, malaria or Ebola. Nuclear-derived techniques can be used to track pathogens as they move from animals to humans to help the world respond better to any future outbreaks.
No one is safe until everyone is safe. The recent surge of infections in India was a wake up call for the world, as less than 1% of vaccines have reached the developing world. This is why on wealthy countries to donate their excess COVID-19 vaccines now.
As the world continues to battle COVID-19, yoga offers a 鈥渦nique鈥 way to destress and boost immunity, allowing the mind and body to connect in a state of 鈥渃ellular quiet鈥. That鈥檚 according to Doctor Krishna Raman, who鈥檚 taking part in a major International Day of Yoga event on Monday, organized by the Indian mission to the UN. He spoke to 鈥檚 Sachin Gaur, and explained his work on integrating Western medicine with yoga, and how the practice helps support wider social well-being.
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, according to 鈥檚 latest estimates. Among young people aged 15-29, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death. In 2019, more than 700,000 people died by suicide: one in every 100 deaths, prompting WHO to produce new guidance to help countries improve suicide prevention and care. Currently only 38 countries are known to have a national suicide prevention strategy. To support countries in their efforts, WHO has released for implementing its LIVE LIFE approach to suicide prevention.
Effective and binding action is urgently required to protect the millions of children, adolescents and expectant mothers worldwide whose health is jeopardized by the informal processing of discarded electrical or electronic devices, according to a new As many as 12.9 million women work in the informal waste sector, which potentially exposes them to toxic e-waste and puts them and their unborn children at risk. Meanwhile more than 18 million children and adolescents are actively engaged in the informal industrial sector, of which waste processing is a sub-sector.