Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 74% of deaths worldwide in 2023, up from 58% in 2000, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The figures come from WHO’s latest Global Health Estimates, which track life expectancy, causes of death and disease burden from 2000 to 2023. Life expectancy returns to pre-pandemic levels Global life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2023,…
Tag: World Health Organisation
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US WHO Withdrawal Official, Organisation Plans Deep Cuts
The US WHO Withdrawal became effective in late January 2026, ending Washington’s formal membership in the World Health Organisation after a one-year notice period triggered by an executive order signed on Inauguration Day of Donald Trump’s second term. The administration argues the US pays more than peer nations and has criticised the WHO’s Covid-19 response and governance. The WHO disputes…
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Antimicrobial Resistance Crisis Threatens Global Health
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a dire warning over the escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). They revealed that soaring numbers of drug-resistant bacterial infections are severely undermining modern medicine. As a result, millions of lives are at risk globally. In a stark announcement on Monday, the United Nations’ health agency revealed that in 2023, one in six…
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NCD Prevention: A Smart Investment for Health
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an urgent call to action. It urges countries worldwide to significantly increase their investment in NCD prevention. A new report released by the global health body argues that an additional investment of just $3 per person, per year, could prevent millions of premature deaths. It could also deliver a staggering $1 trillion in…
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Cheaper Weight-Loss Drugs for Global Health Needs
\n\nThe decision directly affects the popular GLP-1 agonist drugs, including the active ingredients in brands like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. \n\n\n\nThe WHO’s recommendation aims to pressure pharmaceutical giants to lower prices and encourage the production of affordable generic versions. This is particularly important for people in developing countries, where they are needed most.\n\n\n\nThis move underscores the severity of the global…
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Mpox Global Emergency Downgraded by World Health Officials
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that mpox is no longer a public health emergency of international concern, its highest level of alert. The decision comes after a significant and sustained fall in infection rates in key African nations. WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, confirmed the downgrade. The organisation’s Emergency Committee recommended it. The World Health Organisation (WHO)…
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Sustainable Health Financing in Zimbabwe’s Strategy
Zimbabwe has made a powerful appeal to African nations to prioritise the development of sustainable, domestic health financing mechanisms. This is in response to recent withdrawals of crucial donor funding across the continent. Speaking at the 75th World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa meeting in Zambia, Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora stressed that long-term resilience is key. It is…
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WHO Cuts Jobs and Restructures Operations
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is undertaking a major restructuring that includes over 1,000 job losses. It also involves relocating four key departments from its headquarters in Geneva. These changes are due to severe budget cuts following the United States’ decision to leave the agency. Internal documents reveal the global health body is scaling back its operations. It must streamline…
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Regulatory Delays Threaten Africa’s Pharmaceutical Ambition
Critical delays in aligning Africa’s pharmaceutical regulations with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards are jeopardising the continent’s R1.25-trillion ($70bn) goal. They aim to become a self-sufficient pharmaceuticals manufacturing hub, according to a top industry executive. Stavros Nicolaou, a senior executive at Aspen Pharmacare and chair of Pharmaceuticals Made in South Africa (Pharmisa), warned that this regulatory bottleneck is preventing African…
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Global Health Giants Consider Merger Amidst Funding Crunch
In a significant development for global health, two of the world’s leading organisations, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Gavi vaccine alliance, are in discussions to merge some operational functions. This strategic move aims to combat a severe financing crunch. A Response to Aid Budget Pull-Backs While discussions about more efficient collaboration have been ongoing…
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Concerns grow over gaps in bird flu surveillance
Scientists tracking the spread of bird flu have raised concerns about gaps in surveillance, fearing it could lead to a delayed response to a potential new pandemic. Since 2020, researchers have monitored a new subtype of H5N1 avian flu in migratory birds. However, its recent spread to 129 dairy herds across 12 US states indicates a shift that could bring…