Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) blight the lives of 1 billion people worldwide and threaten the health of millions more.They weaken impoverished populations, frustrate the achievement of health in the Millennium Development Goals and impede global development outcomes.
Actions to address the suffering caused by neglected tropical diseases and assess how their impact extends into sectors other than health will promote development, foster health security and strengthen health systems. Achieving and sustaining intensified control of neglected tropical diseases is critical for WHO in realizing its objective that all people attain the highest possible level of health.
Thirty-six million people die each year from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease and stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. On 19-20 September 2011, global leaders will gather at the United Nations in New York to turn the tide on NCDs.
Videos related to the fight against the global tobacco epidemic.
Tobacco is the single most preventable cause of death. It killed 100 million people during the 20th century. Unless we take urgent action, it could kill one billion people during the 21st century.
Ageing and health - to which each and every one of us can relate - is the theme of this year's World Health Day. Using the slogan "Good health adds life to years", campaign activities and materials will focus on how good health throughout life can help older men and women lead full and productive lives and be a resource for their families and communities.
Over the past century life expectancy has increased dramatically and the world will soon have more older people than children. Populations are ageing everywhere, but less-developed countries are witnessing the fastest change. This social transformation represents both challenges and opportunities. In particular, countries may only have a single generation to prepare their health and social systems for an ageing world.
Immunization saves between 2 and 3 million lives each year. Vaccines are relatively inexpensive and extremely powerful weapons against disease, disability and death. They protect people of all ages, from babies to senior citizens, against life-threatening diseases. For the first time ever, from 21-28 April, countries across the world are participating in a World Immunization Week sponsored by the World Health Organization, to raise awareness on how immunization saves lives and to make sure that the poorest and hardest to reach communities get the vaccinations they need to protect their health.
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidenc...
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
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