Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a rare progressive disorder affecting every muscle in the human body. This year鈥檚 World Duchenne Awareness Day theme emphasizes the importance of amplifying voices to advocate for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people living with DMD and other dystrophinopathies. We invite everyone, irrespective of their personal connection to Duchenne, to join in creating a more inclusive world where people living with disabilities are empowered to thrive.
Health
In tropical and subtropical countries, the virus causing dengue is spiking. Close to an historic high of over 6 million cases and more than 7,000 dengue-related deaths were reported in over 80 countries and territories in 2023. Most places in Europe remain too cool to favour the mosquito or the virus, but imported dengue cases have been rising in the European region and the impact of climate change appears to be shifting the picture.
To find out more about dengue and the family of viruses it belongs to, called arboviruses, , high threat pathogens technical lead at the WHO Regional Office for Europe and medical entomologist Luca Facchinelli.
The war in Ukraine continues to take a heavy toll on millions of women and girls, as well as on those providing essential services on the front line and beyond. Find out what motivates the women in the health force 鈥 people who dedicate their lives to helping others survive, recover and find moments of joy 鈥 and hear their personal reflections on life and work during war.
Is dementia a normal part of ageing? Someone suffers from dementia every three seconds. What are the causes? Can we prevent it? Is there a cure?
Dr Katrin Seeher explains in this of .
See more on .
Learn about some of the most important newborn health warning signs. For more expert tips visit .
In rural Cambodia, two scientists navigate to the bottom of a cliff face. Above them is a canopy of teak trees. Filip Claes and Erik Karlsson, the scientists leading this expedition, walk for 20 minutes before they enter a barely noticeable cave entrance perhaps a meter and a half in diameter. It is shrouded in shrubs and vines. This venture into one of Cambodia鈥檚 lost caves is part of an innovative mission for disease surveillance conducted as part of a joint project between the (FAO) and the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC).
The interconnectedness of healthcare waste management, climate change, and environmental degradation highlights the need for sustainable practices and technologies to protect both human health and the environment.
is held in the first week of August every year, supported by , , institutions and civil society partners. The theme for 2024 is 鈥淐losing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all鈥. The campaign celebrates breastfeeding mothers in all their diversity, while showcasing the ways families, societies, communities and health workers can support breastfeeding activities. Women everywhere have the right to respectful breastfeeding counselling from trained health care providers, as well as laws and policies like maternity leave and provisions like paid time off when they go back to work.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, caused by either a viral infection or non-infectious agents (such as drugs, toxins, alcohol). Deaths from viral hepatitis-related causes are increasing. , observed on 28 July, raises awareness of viral hepatitis, which causes severe liver disease and cancer. With a person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness, we must accelerate action on better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to save lives and improve health outcomes, so we can meet our 2030 targets to achieve a hepatitis-free world.
Claudelina Ortellado Portillo gave birth for the first time at age 39 in the Katuete Public Health Centre in Paraguay. Ms. Ortellado told , she credits the psychological support she received during the pre and postnatal periods in helping her navigate the emotional tides of pregnancy. Childbirth can take a heavy emotional and physical toll and requires respectful, responsive care 鈥 an approach that emphasizes women's dignity, their emotional state, beliefs, consent and autonomy. Respectful maternity care also means discouraging over-medicalization and protecting women from obstetric abuse and violence. Women must be assured the right to their chosen birth plan and able to access all available information in order to participate fully in decision making over their own labour process 鈥 including choices, such as the position to give birth in.
A new warns that critical decisions made this year will determine if the world meets its 2030 goal to end AIDS as a public health threat, highlighting a severe funding shortfall and rising infections that threaten progress.
Global childhood immunization coverage stalled in 2023, leaving 2.7 million additional children un- and under-vaccinated compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to data published by the World Health Organization () and . The latest WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage 鈥 which provide the world鈥檚 largest and most comprehensive dataset on immunization trends for vaccinations against 14 diseases 鈥 underscore the need for ongoing catch-up, recovery and system-strengthening efforts. More than half of unvaccinated children live in the 31 countries with fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings, where children are especially vulnerable to preventable diseases.
An updated version of the , helps combat UV-related health issues by providing personalized sun protection advice and UV level tracking for up to 10 locations, promoting preventive measures against excessive UV exposure.
New data show that nearly one third (31%) of adults worldwide, approximately 1.8 billion people, did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022. The findings point to a worrying trend of physical inactivity among adults, which has increased by about 5 percentage points between 2010 and 2022. If the trend continues, levels of inactivity are projected to further rise to 35% by 2030. In light of these findings, is calling on countries to strengthen their policy implementation to promote and enable physical activity through grassroots and community sport and active recreation and transport.
marks 20 years of celebrating and thanking voluntary donors worldwide while advocating for universal access to safe blood transfusion.