Health care-associated infections, an avoidable scourge estimated to affect hundreds of millions of people globally, are at least twice as high in the developing world as in high-income countries, according to the first review of its kind, co-authored by a United Nations health official.

The United Nations health agency today mapped out what countries can do, including raising more funds and spending it more efficiently, to ensure that everyone who needs health care can access it despite rising costs.

Parties to a United Nations convention on tobacco have adopted a number of new measures to strengthen the control of tobacco use worldwide, including regulating flavouring ingredients that increase attractiveness of tobacco products.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed that early diagnosis and effective treatment are critical to the management of diabetes, saying it is “unacceptable” that people with the condition die because they lack information, treatment or access to life-saving medicines.