Explore

Free operations give hope to children with a neglected but deadly disease in Africa

Free operations give hope to children with a neglected but deadly disease in Africa

Ibrahim Dalhatu was just 3 when he contracted noma, a severe disease that disfigures the face and often kills affected children

COVID-19 Infections Linked to Increased Odds of New Medical Diagnoses, Including Back Problems and Cardiovascular Issues

COVID-19 Infections Linked to Increased Odds of New Medical Diagnoses, Including Back Problems and Cardiovascular Issues

A new study conducted by Canadian health agencies, analyzing data from 8,809 adults between April 2022 and June 2023, has found a significant correlation between COVID-19 infections and the increased odds of receiving new medical diagnoses. Individuals who experienced two COVID-19 infections had a 76% higher chance of a new diagnosis, with nearly four times the odds of developing new back problems and a five-fold increase in the chances of a new respiratory diagnosis. Even those with a single infection saw a 63% increase in the odds of a new medical diagnosis. The study also highlighted that adults not fully vaccinated before their first infection had higher odds of new conditions such as cardiovascular issues and high blood pressure. These findings align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates indicating a rise in COVID-19 infections across 35 states. Researchers suggest that individuals with long-lasting or severe symptoms, who tend to visit doctors more frequently, are more l...

WHO Launches New Online Course to Strengthen Global Primary Health Care Systems

WHO Launches New Online Course to Strengthen Global Primary Health Care Systems

The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a new free online course titled 'The Primary Health Care Approach: A Short Course' on its WHO Academy online learning platform. This initiative aims to bridge the understanding gap regarding primary health care (PHC) and its global implementation. Despite nearly 50 years of international commitment to PHC, its practical application remains fragmented. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has noted that PHC is one of the most misunderstood concepts in public health. The self-paced course is structured into five core modules, requiring approximately 1.5 hours to complete. It covers topics such as the importance of PHC, its three core components, operational and strategic levers for strengthening PHC, and how to navigate PHC-oriented transformations through political-economy analysis and compassionate leadership. The course is currently available in English, with plans for additional language versions.

NBA Advances Plans for Permanent Basketball Africa League Franchises, Engaging African Leaders at UN General Assembly

NBA Advances Plans for Permanent Basketball Africa League Franchises, Engaging African Leaders at UN General Assembly

NBA Advances Plans for Permanent Basketball Africa League Franchises, Engaging African Leaders at UN General Assembly

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Proposes $2 Million Expansion of 'Welcome Family' Program for Newborn Home Visits

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Proposes $2 Million Expansion of 'Welcome Family' Program for Newborn Home Visits

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is advocating for a $2 million expansion of the state's 'Welcome Family' program. This initiative aims to provide home visits for every newborn baby in Massachusetts. The program, which has been in place since 2013, currently serves approximately 3,000 births annually. Under the proposed expansion, government-appointed healthcare providers would visit the homes of new parents within days or weeks of childbirth. These visits are intended to offer postpartum care, mental health support, and assess the needs of both caregivers and babies. Governor Healey stated that these visits would provide an opportunity for healthcare providers to make assessments and connect families with additional support and resources. While described as voluntary by Healey's office, the proposal has generated significant debate regarding government involvement in private family matters. The expansion also includes an additional $250,000 to strengthen a mental health program for mothers and aims to ...

China's CIPS System Deepens Financial Integration with African Nations, Streamlining Renminbi Transactions

China's CIPS System Deepens Financial Integration with African Nations, Streamlining Renminbi Transactions

China's CIPS System Deepens Financial Integration with African Nations, Streamlining Renminbi Transactions

What to know about USAID and the deadly impacts of US foreign aid cuts

What to know about USAID and the deadly impacts of US foreign aid cuts

The foreign aid landscape has changed dramatically since U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration dissolved the United States Agency for International Development, once the world’s largest humanitarian donor

Global Analysis Reveals Gaps in Tracking Delayed Childhood Vaccinations

Global Analysis Reveals Gaps in Tracking Delayed Childhood Vaccinations

A recent study, published on the Gates Open Research platform and awaiting peer review, analyzed global childhood immunization monitoring data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Joint Reporting Form on Immunization (JRF). The analysis, covering 194 countries from 2016 to 2022, focused on the ability of national health information systems to track delayed vaccinations and quantify catch-up doses for the first dose of the measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) globally, as well as the third dose of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) vaccine in Latin America and the Caribbean. The study found that while global coverage for DTP3 and polio vaccines is around 85% and MCV1 coverage between 83% and 86%, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine vaccination programs. Between 2016 and 2022, the proportion of countries reporting systems to record delayed doses increased from 55.5% to 64.0%. However, 33 out of 126 countries with complete data showed inconsistent repo...

International Medical Corps Seeks Pharmacist for Emergency Response in Democratic Republic of Congo

International Medical Corps Seeks Pharmacist for Emergency Response in Democratic Republic of Congo

International Medical Corps is actively recruiting a Pharmacist for its Emergency Response Team in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The primary responsibility of this role is to ensure the proper medical treatment of patients in emergency settings by reviewing and interpreting physician orders, verifying correct dosages, and detecting therapeutic incompatibilities. The Pharmacist will also be responsible for implementing pharmaceutical services according to international standards and Ministry of Health guidelines, overseeing the ordering of drugs and medical commodities, and establishing standardized data collection tools to track pharmaceutical consumption. This position requires coordination with logistics and finance departments to maintain adequate pharmaceutical levels and prevent stockouts. Additionally, the Pharmacist will assist in hiring and training pharmacy staff and contribute standardized data to the International Medical Corps reporting system. The role emphasizes adherence to the Code of C...

Malawi Government Aims to Further Reduce Under-Five Child Mortality by 2030

Malawi Government Aims to Further Reduce Under-Five Child Mortality by 2030

Malawi is intensifying efforts to decrease child deaths among those under five years old, building on significant progress made since 1990. The Director for the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood, Ethel Kapyepye, announced that the country aims to lower the under-five mortality rate from the current 38 deaths per 1,000 live births to 24 by 2030. This initiative comes as concerns persist regarding factors that continue to endanger young lives. Key areas identified for improvement include addressing harmful beliefs, reducing delays in seeking healthcare, combating malnutrition, and improving caregiver behaviors. These insights were highlighted during a research dissemination event conducted by the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) with support from World Vision Malawi. The research findings are considered timely as Malawi progresses towards achieving universal health coverage.

King St. Chiropractic Wellness Center Offers Corrective and Preventative Care in Alexandria

King St. Chiropractic Wellness Center Offers Corrective and Preventative Care in Alexandria

King St. Chiropractic Wellness Center Offers Corrective and Preventative Care in Alexandria

Representative David Valadao Co-Leads Bipartisan Legislation for Essential Health System Designation

Representative David Valadao Co-Leads Bipartisan Legislation for Essential Health System Designation

Representative David Valadao (R-Calif.) is co-leading bipartisan legislation, H.R. 7145, aimed at establishing a federal definition for 'essential health systems.' This bill, reintroduced in January, seeks to provide Congress with a mechanism to direct support towards foundational members of the nation's healthcare safety net. The legislation is gaining traction in the House, attracting several new cosponsors from both Democratic and Republican parties. The initiative comes as Congress returns to Capitol Hill with a busy agenda, including addressing legislative and policy priorities before the end of the year, and amid a political environment increasingly shaped by upcoming elections. The bill's progress is part of broader efforts to advance essential hospitals' priority advocacy issues.