Development Health Advice 

WHO advises against use of artificial sweeteners

New guidelines from the UN health agency released on Monday have advised against using non-sugar sweeteners (NSS). The recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) is based on a review of available evidence which suggests that artificial sweeteners do not help control body mass or reduce the risk of weight-related illnesses. Common NSS include acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin,… Read More
Development Health Advice 

Mpox public health emergency declared over

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was speaking to journalists in Geneva, a day after the emergency committee which made the emergency recommendation last July, advised the Director-General to declare it over. ‘Significant challenges’ remain “However, as with COVID-19, that does not mean that the work is over. Mpox continues to pose significant public health challenges that need a robust, proactive and sustainable… Read More
Development Health Advice 

‘Silent emergency’: Premature births claim a million lives yearly

An estimated 13.4 million babies were born premature in 2020, with nearly a million dying from pre-term complications, according to Born too soon: Decade of action on preterm birth. Produced by a range of agencies, including the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), with its Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), the report outlines… Read More
Development Health Advice 

WHO chief declares end to COVID-19 as a global health emergency

“Last week, COVID-19 claimed a life every three minutes – and that’s just the deaths we know about”, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, briefing the media at the agency’s headquarters in Geneva. According to WHO’s Coronavirus Dashboard which has collated key statistics since early in the pandemic, the cumulative cases worldwide now stand at 765,222,932, with nearly seven million deaths: the precise figure currently… Read More
Development Health Advice 

Health systems show first major signs of post-COVID-19 recovery

“It is welcome news that health systems in the majority of countries are starting to restore essential health services for millions of people who missed them during the pandemic,” said Dr. Rudi Eggers, director for integrated health services at the World Health Organization (WHO). “But, we need to ensure that all countries continue to close this gap to recover health… Read More
Development Health Advice 

Countries urged to take more action against chemical pollution

Over the course of two weeks of meetings, countries are expected to make progress on adding new so-called “forever chemicals” to the list of toxic substances to be banned or restricted under the Stockholm Convention – the global treaty protecting human health and the environment from long-lasting chemical pollution. They will also seek ways to further regulate the use of… Read More
Development Health Advice 

WHO launches new pandemic prevention plan, as COVID deaths fall 95 per cent

The guidance provides a joined-up approach for responding to the threat or arrival of any respiratory pathogen such as flu or the range of coronaviruses, that have the ability to rapidly mutate into different variants. The new Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Initiative, or PRET, incorporates the latest tools and approaches for shared learning and collective action established during the COVID-19 pandemic, and… Read More
Development Health Advice 

FAO makes case for meat, eggs and milk as ‘essential source of nutrients’

This is particularly vital during key life stages such as pregnancy and lactation, childhood, adolescence and older age, says the study, entitled  Contribution of terrestrial animal source food to healthy diets for improved nutrition and health outcomes. Comprehensive analysis It’s the most comprehensive analysis yet of the benefits and risks of consuming animal source foods and is based on data and evidence from more than 500 scientific papers and… Read More
Development Health Advice 

Use new tools to save lives, WHO says on World Malaria Day

“We have the tools to drive down malaria, a package of interventions that includes vector control, preventive medicines, testing, and treatment,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). Adopting as its theme for the day – “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement” – WHO’s call to action encompasses preventing, diagnosing, and treating malaria, particularly… Read More
Development Health Advice 

World Immunization Week sees ‘big catch-up’ to get vaccines back on track

Under the banner of ‘The Big Catch-Up’, WHO – the World Health Organization – and partners will support countries to get back on track so that more children and adults are protected from preventable diseases.  The pandemic saw essential immunization levels decrease in over 100 countries, leading to rising outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, polio and yellow fever. An estimated 25… Read More