Child marriage divorces girls from opportunity
11 October 2012—Today the world marks the first ever International Day of the Girl Child. The theme of the day is ending child marriage. The number one cause of death among girls aged 15-19 is death during pregnancy and childbirth. Early marriage also increases exposure to violence and abuse, and can increase the risk of HIV infection.
Stopping the stigmatization of depression
9 October 2012 -- Globally, more than 350 million people have depression. Many people fail to acknowledge that they are ill with depression and do not seek treatment. On World Mental Health Day, 10 October, WHO is calling for an end to the stigmatization of depression and other mental disorders and for better access to treatment for all people who need it.
More children immunized in Ethiopia
4 October 2012 -- A new approach to routine immunization in the rural Afar region in north-eastern Ethiopia nearly quadrupled the numbers of children vaccinated against measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio and other diseases in 2010. This success feature focuses on the strategies used to take vaccination coverage from as low as 22% to nearly 80% coverage in the target area.
Kolkata India joins age-friendly cities network
1 October 2012 – Population ageing is one of the key issues facing policy-makers, communities and town planners today. By mid-century, two billion men and women will be over 60 years old, with 400 million being over the age of 80 years. On the International Day of Older Persons, WHO welcomes Kolkata, India as the 105th member of its Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities. Kolkata is the first city to join from WHO’s South-East Asia Region.
Sexual and reproductive health
WHO highlights
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October 2012
Investment case for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of syphilis
Mother-to-child transmission of syphilis (commonly referred to as “congenital syphilis”) is relatively simple to eliminate. Congenital syphilis is also inexpensive to detect and treat. Investing in screening and treatment for syphilis in pregnant women ranks as one of the most cost-effective antenatal interventions.
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October 2012
Fatal injury surveillance in mortuaries and hospitals
In many low- and middle-income countries, injuries and violence are among the leading causes of death, but few such countries have a system to routinely collect information about fatalities resulting from these causes. Fatal injury surveillance in mortuaries and hospitals: a manual for practitioners is aimed at improving injury and violence data.
Features
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10 facts on blindness
October 2012 -
Preventing drowning in the Philippines
October 2012
Events
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World Pneumonia Day
12 November 2012 -
World Diabetes Day
14 November 2012 -
World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day
14 November 2012
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