Keeping mothers and babies together after birth improves survival rates for babies born early or small
Around the world, 15 million babies are born preterm (before 37 weeks) and 21 million are born low birthweight (under 2.5kg) each year. These infants face significant health risks. Prematurity-related complications are the leading causes of death of newborns and children under 5.
Following decades of positive experience in forecasting and procuring vaccines and supplies from the Revolving Fund, The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) aligned with WHO and its partners to implement the COVAX Facility in the Americas. The COVID-19 pandemic represented an unprecedented challenge, and COVAX was the best way for…
This article is part of a series of explainers on vaccine development and distribution. Learn more about vaccines — from how they work and how they’re made to ensuring safety and equitable access — in WHO’s Vaccines Explained series.
Vaccines are supported by decades of medical research. They work by…
Millions of tonnes of toxic electronic waste are dumped each year, putting children’s health at risk.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is the world’s fastest growing domestic waste stream. According to the Global E-waste Statistics Partnership (GESP), a record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste was produced in 2019, increasing 21% in just five years. By 2050, the volume of e-waste could top 120 million tonnes annually. Currently…
Remaining active and engaged in society has a major influence on health in older people.
Longer life expectancies and declining fertility rates mean that the Western Pacific Region has one of the largest and fastest-growing older populations in the world. …
The disease can be eliminated with improved access to vaccination, screening and treatment.
Cervical cancer, which is caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), presents a significant public health threat to women on the African continent — all but one of the top 20 countries worldwide with the highest burden of cervical cancer in 2018 were in Africa.
Cervical cancer is…
In the past 18 months, health workers from 92 facilities around the country have been trained in primary ear and hearing care.
In Zambia, it is estimated that 4–6% of the population have hearing loss, and many more suffer from ear diseases. Yet there are only five ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists and one audiologist for the country’s 17 million people.
To help address this gap, following the World Health Assembly…
In response to rising rates of noncommunicable diseases, NCD Coordinators like Virginia Legaile work with patients to improve their health from a holistic perspective.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung diseases are the leading cause of death in Solomon Islands. They are also a major cause of morbidity and mortality in a country where health facilities were designed to treat acute illness.
By testing procedures, simulation exercises help prepare countries for successful vaccine roll-outs.
Trinidad and Tobago received 33 600 doses of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility on 30 March 2021, and more vaccines are expected to arrive in the coming months.
COVAX is a global effort to accelerate equitable access to vaccines and ensure that they reach all those who need to…
Everyone, everywhere can do their part in helping to vaccinate the world and end the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccines are a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19, but a gap is growing between countries who can afford them and those that can’t. We can all be part of the solution with an international initiative called COVAX. …
