Health

The Global Fund/John Rae

‘Bold action’ needed to end tuberculosis, AIDS – UN

23 March 2018
Global

Claiming more than 4,500 lives daily, tuberculosis (TB) continues to be the top infectious killer worldwide as well as the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, the United Nations said Friday, ahead of World Tuberculosis Day.

World Down Syndrome Day is observed on 21 March. UN File Photo

People with Down syndrome can drive positive changes in their workplaces, communities and beyond

21 March 2018
Global

People with Down syndrome, their advocates and supporters gathered at UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday to rally employers and make sure they saw the benefits of enabling people with Down syndrome and disabilities to make meaningful contributions in the workplace.   

UNODC

UN anti-drug conference offers ‘opportunity to chart a better and balanced path’ forward – UN chief

12 March 2018
Global

Inclusive partnerships are essential to addressing drug challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the top United Nations panel dealing with all aspects of narcotic drugs.

World Bank/Aisha Faquir

New UN health agency regulation guidelines aim to help countries end ‘reign’ of tobacco industry

9 March 2018
Global

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday launched new guidelines on the role that tobacco product regulations can play in saving lives by reducing the demand for tobacco and tobacco products – estimated to kill over seven million people annually.

FAO/Giulio Napolitano

Over 4,700 UN agency trained veterinarians new vanguard against deadly disease outbreaks

9 March 2018
Global

More than 4,700 veterinary health professionals who have just completed a United Nations training to tackle disease outbreaks are the new front line of defence protecting farm animals against deadly illnesses in 25 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Jamie Martin/World Bank

Latin America and Caribbean must ‘radically transform’ food habits to combat obesity – UN agency

7 March 2018
Americas

A “radical transformation” of food systems and food habits is critical to combat the growing scourge of overweight and obesity in Latin America and the Caribbean, the United Nations food security agency said on Wednesday.

Photo: FAO/Ubirajara Machado

Some 19 million newborns at risk of brain damage every year due to iodine deficiency – UN

1 March 2018
Global

Nearly 19 million babies born globally every year – 14 per cent – are at risk of permanent yet preventable brain damage and reduced cognitive function due to a lack of iodine in the earliest years of life, according to a United Nations-backed report released Thursday.