‘Still reeling’: Myanmar quakes worsen humanitarian crisis in fractured country

‘Still reeling’: Myanmar quakes worsen humanitarian crisis in fractured country

The 28 March quake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck central regions with deadly force, killing some 3,800 people and injuring over 5,000, according to UN estimates. The disaster devastated infrastructure and homes across Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway, displacing tens of thousands more in a country already grappling with over 3.2 million internally displaced […]

Tobacco control efforts protect three-quarters of the world’s population, WHO report finds

Tobacco control efforts protect three-quarters of the world’s population, WHO report finds

The World Health Organization (WHO) published its 2025 report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic on Monday, focusing on the six policies outlined in the WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures. Since 2007, 155 countries have implemented at least one of those policy prescriptions which has resulted in over 6.1 billion people – that’s three-quarters of the world’s population – […]

‘One Earth, One Health’: Yoga Day provides respite in a tumultuous world

‘One Earth, One Health’: Yoga Day provides respite in a tumultuous world

This powerful message of International Yoga Day, observed annually on 21 June, reverberated through UN Headquarters in New York on Friday as hundreds gathered to embrace the ancient, holistic practice. A familiar tradition now each year, the North Lawn once again transformed into an open-air yoga studio overlooking the East River.  Following a stretch of […]

WHO warns of a health financing emergency

WHO warns of a health financing emergency

Speaking at the regular Friday press briefing in Geneva for humanitarian agencies, she warned that as wealthier nations make deep spending cuts, both international aid and national health systems are facing serious disruption. Dr. Chalkidou highlighted recent decisions by the United States, several European governments, and EU bodies to freeze or scale down health aid. WHO […]

Make midwives universally accessible and save millions of lives, WHO urges

Make midwives universally accessible and save millions of lives, WHO urges

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this sort of large-scale life-saving is possible, if midwifery care is universally accessible and consistent with international standards. “Expanding and investing in midwifery models of care is one of the most effective strategies to improve maternal and newborn health globally,” said Dr. Anshu Banerjee, director for maternal, child […]

Without urgent funding, global hunger hotspots are set to grow, UN warns

Without urgent funding, global hunger hotspots are set to grow, UN warns

But hunger has followed them. Over 57 per cent of the population in the world’s youngest country to the south is already facing high levels of acute food insecurity. Sudan and South Sudan are among five global hunger hotspots of “highest concern”, trapped in a worsening cycle of conflict, climate shocks and economic decline. Continued […]

Famine stalks two counties in South Sudan as fragile peace is threatened

Famine stalks two counties in South Sudan as fragile peace is threatened

The warning comes amidst increased violence and a worsening food security condition which has 11 out of 13 counties in the state facing emergency levels of hunger and 32,000 of these inhabitants facing catastrophic level hunger conditions, almost three times previous estimates. “We are seeing the devastating impact conflict has on food security in South […]

Climate emergency is a health crisis ‘that is already killing us,’ says WHO

Climate emergency is a health crisis ‘that is already killing us,’ says WHO

Europe is warming faster than any other WHO region, and the impact on people’s health is growing more severe. From rising death rates to increasing climate-related anxiety, nearly every health indicator linked to climate has worsened in recent years.  In response, WHO/Europe on Wednesday launched a new initiative – the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health (PECCH) […]

Social and economic barriers, not choice, driving global fertility crisis: UNFPA

Social and economic barriers, not choice, driving global fertility crisis: UNFPA

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) unveiled its flagship State of World Population report on Tuesday, warning that a rising number of people are being denied the freedom to start families due to skyrocketing living costs, persistent gender inequality, and deepening uncertainty about the future. Titled The real fertility crisis: The pursuit of reproductive agency in […]

AIDS still killing one person every minute as funding cuts stall progress

AIDS still killing one person every minute as funding cuts stall progress

More than 30 million people are receiving lifesaving treatment worldwide however, making the UN’s AIDS response a “clear example of a multilateral success,” said Amina Mohammed, UN Under Secretary-General on Thursday, as the General Assembly reviewed progress being made to end AIDS and prevent HIV infections. ‘Series of threats’ “Global commitment is fading. Funding is falling. […]

Flavoured nicotine products driving youth addiction, WHO warns

Flavoured nicotine products driving youth addiction, WHO warns

This is especially true among youth users: it’s one of the main reasons young people experiment with tobacco or nicotine products in the first place, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).   Flavoured nicotine and tobacco products are inherently addictive and toxic – often more so than regular tobacco. Flavours increase usage, make […]

Pandemics to pollution: WHO Assembly delivers landmark health decisions

Pandemics to pollution: WHO Assembly delivers landmark health decisions

In addition, the Assembly endorsed a wide range of measures to promote health equity, reduce air pollution, and strengthen protections for vulnerable populations. “The words ‘historic’ and ‘landmark’ are overused, but they are perfectly apt to describe this year’s World Health Assembly,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at the Assembly’s closing, ending nine days […]

Sudan war exacerbates risk of cholera and malaria: UNICEF

Sudan war exacerbates risk of cholera and malaria: UNICEF

In a report released Wednesday, UNICEF highlighted the growing threat of cholera in the war-torn country, with more than 7,700 cases and 185 associated deaths reported in Khartoum State alone since January 2025. Alarmingly, over 1,000 cases have affected children under the age of five. Since the onset of conflict in April 2023, three million people […]

Sudan conflict triggers regional health crisis, warns WHO

Sudan conflict triggers regional health crisis, warns WHO

“The ongoing conflict and displacement, in addition to fragile health infrastructure and limited access to affected populations, pose a risk of mass disease transmission,” the UN health agency said in a report issued Tuesday, urging immediate support to sustain surveillance, bolster outbreak response and preserve lifesaving health services. Since civil war erupted in April 2023, 14.5 […]

What’s your poison? Alcohol linked to higher risk of pancreatic cancer

What’s your poison? Alcohol linked to higher risk of pancreatic cancer

The research, led by the UN World Health Organization’s centre for cancer research, pooled data from nearly 2.5 million people across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. It revealed a “modest but significant” association between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, regardless of sex or smoking status. “Alcohol consumption is a known […]