13 November 2014 -- Diabetes has become a growing problem in developing countries – an increase driven largely by a rise in obesity. Of the estimated 1.5 million global diabetes deaths in 2012, more than 80% occurred in low- and middle-income countries. This feature story describes how Kenya is working to prevent and control diabetes.
12 November 2014 -- New WHO recommendations highlight the dangers of burning fuels like unprocessed coal and kerosene in the home, and set targets for reducing emissions of health-damaging pollutants from domestic cookstoves, space heaters and fuel-based lamps. Millions of people die each year as a result of household air pollution; 34% due to stroke, 26% to ischaemic heart disease, 22% to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 12% to childhood pneumonia and 6% to lung cancer.
10 November 2014 -- Neurocysticercosis is a preventable parasitic infection of the central nervous system and is caused by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. Humans become infected after consuming undercooked food, particularly pork, or water contaminated with tapeworm eggs, or through poor hygiene practices. Thorough case finding, better diagnosis and treatment, and public health information campaigns are crucial to effectively control and break the life cycle of the parasite.
7 November 2014 -- On 8 November 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan swept across the Philippines. Millions of people were affected. Over the past 12 months WHO has worked to turn a crisis into an opportunity: to strengthen health systems by rehabilitating facilities, donating equipment and scaling up health services such as disease surveillance.
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