Category: Community
Sudden rise in Yemen cholera cases, death toll
A sudden increase in Yemen’s cholera cases has been shown in a World Health Organization (WHO) document earlier this week, with the number of suspected cases rising to 35,217 since April 27, when the outbreak began to spread rapidly. That figure represents a 50% increase in the reported incidence compared with the last given figures [...]
Ethiopia’s Tedros becomes first African to head WHO
Ethiopia’s Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has become the first African to lead the World Health Organization (WHO) after winning the race for the top spot in the United Nations (UN) agency. Ethiopia’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva Negash Kebret Botora described the win as a “victory day for Ethiopia and for Africa”. The former health [...]
WHO expects 300,000 cholera cases in Yemen within six months
The World Health Organization (WHO) said it is expecting as many as 300,000 cases of cholera in Yemen within six months and an “extremely high” number of deaths. “We need to expect something that could go up to 200,000-250,000 cases over the next six months, in addition to the 50,000 cases that have already occurred,” [...]
G20 health ministers agree to take on antibiotic resistance
Health ministers from the G20 major economies met for the first time and agreed to cooperate in tackling issues such as antibiotic resistance. They also agreed to begin executing national action plans by the end of 2018. Germany, which holds the G20 presidency this year, said it was an “important breakthrough” that all nations had [...]
CDC: Growing opioid epidemic drives hepatitis C infection surge in the US
The US has seen an almost three fold increase in the new hepatitis C infection cases in the past five years due to the growing opioid epidemic in the country, particularly people’s sharing of needles used to inject drugs, federal health officials said. In a new report, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [...]
Major chocolate, candy companies agree to cut calories in sweets sold in US
Five major candy and chocolate companies have jointly agreed and committed to cut calories in many of their products sold in the US, marking a rare example of cooperation in a competitive industry and testament to the rising consumer distaste for sugar. The US is the world’s largest consumer of sweeteners and obesity, diabetes and [...]
Southeast Asia tightens smoking regulations over medical cost, health issues
Southeast Asian countries are beginning to tighten tobacco use regulations as concerns rise over increasing medical costs and the health effects of passive smoking. Southeast Asia has historically been lenient on the issue of smoking. However, governments are now finding it harder to ignore the costs of smoking, in terms of both public health and [...]
ADB, JICA team up to improve health security in rapidly aging Asia Pacific
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are partnering to improve health security and promote universal health coverage (UHC) in a rapidly aging Asia Pacific. ADB President Takehiko Nakao and JICA President Shinichi Kitaoka signed the strategic partnership agreement during a host country event at the 50th Annual Meeting of [...]
Oxford University student develops synthetic retina for the visually impaired
A student from the University of Oxford in England has developed a soft, synthetic retina, offering the visually impaired a new hope. Until now, all artificial retinal research has used only rigid, hard materials. The new research, by Vanessa Restrepo-Schild, a 24-year-old DPhil (PhD) student and researcher at the Oxford University, Department of Chemistry, is [...]
Pelican BioThermal opens two new service centers in Belgium, Puerto Rico
Cold chain global leader Pelican BioThermal has opened two new service centers in Belgium and Puerto Rico that will serve as additional depots for the company’s Crēdo on Demand rental program. Serving the global pharmaceuticals sectors, the new facilities in Belgium and Puerto Rico complement Pelican BioThermal’s existing and expanding global portfolio of facilities and [...]
