Working together to beat cholera
19 October 2012 -- A cholera outbreak in Sierra Leone has killed almost 300 people and affected more than 20 000. Without support to sustain and expand the response operation, as many as 32 000 cases could be expected this year. This photo gallery displays images of the cholera response operation in New Town, a slum in Aberdeen Bay, Sierra Leone.
20 million lives saved through tuberculosis care and control
17 October 2012 -- An estimated 20 million people are alive today as a direct result of tuberculosis (TB) care and control, according to the WHO Global tuberculosis report 2012. In the space of 17 years, 51 million people have been successfully treated and cared for according to WHO recommendations.
Cambodia’s success in tuberculosis control
16 October 2012 -- Twenty years ago, Cambodia had one of the world’s highest tuberculosis (TB) rates and a health system weakened by decades of conflict and economic hardship. Over the past decade, however, new approaches providing universal access to TB care through primary health centres have halved the number of new cases and helped the country meet global targets for detection and treatment.
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.
WHO highlights
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October 2012
Launching the Global Vaccine Safety Initiative
The new Global Vaccine Safety Initiative (GVSI) web site is live as of 16 October 2012. The web site outlines actions that will be taken to achieve the eight objectives of the Blueprint – on vaccine safety monitoring, evaluation of safety signals, communication, internationally harmonized tools, regulatory frameworks, global technical support, expert advice, and interaction between stakeholders.
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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.
Features
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10 facts on blindness
October 2012 -
Preventing drowning in the Philippines
October 2012
Events
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15th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA)
23–26 October 2012 -
Second Global Symposium on Health Systems Research (HSR)
31 October–3 November 2012 -
World Pneumonia Day
12 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