Tobacco responsible for 20% of deaths from coronary heart disease

Just a few cigarettes a day, occasional smoking, or exposure to second-hand smoke increase the risk of heart disease

Every year, 1.9 million people die from tobacco-induced heart disease, according to a new brief released today by the World Health Organization, World Heart Federation and the University of Newcastle Australia ahead of World Heart Day, marked on 29 September. This equates to one in five of all deaths from…

Coronavirus Global Response: Access to COVID-19 Tools-Accelerator Facilitation Council holds inaugural meeting

The ACT-Accelerator is the proven, up-and-running, global collaboration accelerating the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres appeals for a quantum leap in funding for the ACT-Accelerator, a global solution to get the world moving, working and prospering again -         H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, and H.E. Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway, co-chair the ACT-Acceleration Facilitation Council -        …

Coronavirus - Rwanda: WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 (10 August 2020)

Some countries in the Mekong Region, New Zealand, Rwanda, and many island states across the Caribbean and the Pacific were able to suppress the virus early

By WHO Director-General Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, This week we’ll reach 20 million registered cases of COVID-19 and 750,000 deaths. Behind these statistics is a great deal of pain and suffering. Every life lost matters. I know many of you are grieving and that this is a difficult…

Coronavirus - Africa: Substantial investment needed to avert mental health crisis

Reports already indicate an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety in a number of countries

The COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting the need to urgently increase investment in services for mental health or risk a massive increase in mental health conditions in the coming months, according to a policy brief on COVID-19 and mental health issued by the United Nations today. “The impact of the pandemic…

Election process for the new WHO Director-General

The Government of Ethiopia has submitted the nomination of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Six candidates have been proposed by Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the position of WHO Director-General.  Member States proposed the following candidates: ·         The Government of Ethiopia has submitted the nomination of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; ·         The Government of Italy has submitted the nomination of…

Presidents Hollande and Zuma to present the report of the High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

The report will include recommendations for world leaders to ensure that all countries have a health workforce capable of meeting the health needs of the 21st-century

On Tuesday, 20 September 2016, H.E. Mr François Hollande, President of France, and H.E. Mr Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, will present the report of the High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a side event during the UN General Assembly…

WHO Media Advisory - Second Global Conference on Health and Climate 7-8 July in Paris

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNITY TO ADOPT AN ACTION AGENDA ON CLIMATE-RELATED HEALTH RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Q & A with Key Spokespersons     WHAT :           The Second Global Conference on Health and Climate 7-8 July in Paris will showcase how the public health community will support implementation of the COP 21 Paris Agreement on climate change in order to advance a healthier and more sustainable society.   The Conference will be opened Hon French Minister of…

Invitation to a virtual press conference

First Meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee concerning Yellow Fever

On Thursday, 19 March 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) is convening the Emergency Committee (EC) on Yellow Fever under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) for the first time.   The EC is being convened in response to the current outbreak of yellow fever in central Africa   The…

Invitation to a WHO Virtual Press Conference

INFORMATION SESSION ON ZIKA VIRUS     WHAT:  Information Session on Zika virus   Zika virus is an emerging viral disease that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, primarily Aedes aegypti. The same mosquito also transmits chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever. The virus has been circulating since…