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Global Issues
Misinformation about contraception poses serious risks. Just ask Evaline Chepkemol from rural Kenya, where maternal death rates are high. Many women fear contraceptives, believing they lead to loss of children or infertility. Evaline, however, received accurate information from a -supported hospital, allowing her to space her pregnancies safely. Unfortunately, global funding shortages threaten contraceptive availability, potentially resulting in unintended pregnancies and maternal deaths. The spread of myths, such as the idea that contraceptives can induce miscarriage, contributes to this issue, despite being .
On , Amiya’s story highlights why children need specialized, safe, and collaborative health care from day one.
is celebrated annually on September 4 to raise awareness about the importance of sexual health, rights, justice, and pleasure for all. The theme for 2025 is Sexual Justice: What Can We Do? This year, the observance has four focus areas under the main theme of sexual justice: sexual rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ adolescents, and access to information. The World Health Organization () and the UN Population Fund () support initiatives in these areas to make sexual health a reality for everyone, everywhere.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare and fatal disease that affects muscle function in children. This year’s World Duchenne Awareness Day (7 September) highlights the role that family members play in people living with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. Living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a journey marked by both physical challenges and emotional resilience, with family at its heart. Their love, support, and daily involvement play a vital role—not just in caregiving, but in shaping the quality of life and emotional well-being of those living with DMD.
Air pollution is a major environmental health risk that worsens climate change, harms economies, and reduces agricultural productivity. It affects everyone, highlighting the need for a collective approach to protect our atmosphere. By working across borders, sectors, and communities, we can reduce pollution through shared efforts and investment. On International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (7 September), we urge governments, corporations, civil society, and individuals to act. By tackling air pollution proactively, we can achieve significant change and ensure healthy air for all.
Leaders from African governments and partners are gathering this week in Japan for the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), highlighting the importance of Universal Health Coverage as essential for all. With a rapidly growing youth population in West and Central Africa, investing in health and nutrition is vital for economic potential. Strong health systems are necessary for resilience against crises like COVID-19. Despite progress, challenges remain, including limited access to care and low health spending. The aims to support health services for 1.5 billion people worldwide by 2030 – including 200 million in West and Central Africa- and is working on strategies to enhance local health systems and boost medical manufacturing across the continent.
As we approach the end of the second phase of the flagship programme, the ILO highlights some of the main achievements made so far, which have touched the lives of over 200 million workers!
When war erupted in Sudan in April 2023, it tore a deadly path through the capital, Khartoum. In the years since, fighters have brutally targeted civilians across the country, resulting in the world’s largest with forced from their homes. Today, as families begin to return to Khartoum, the scars of conflict remain painfully visible, especially in the shattered health system. UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, is part of the effort to restore what has been lost.
is celebrated every year in the first week of August, championed by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Ministries of Health and civil society partners around the globe. It’s a time to recognize breastfeeding as a powerful foundation for lifelong health, development, and equity. Breastfeeding delivers a hopeful future not only for children, but for societies. It reduces healthcare costs, boosts cognitive development, strengthens economies, and sets children up with healthy beginnings.
At the , leaders are spotlighting school meals as vital for improving nutrition, boosting local economies, and advancing education across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks fuels the epidemic of non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, which account for over 75% of all deaths worldwide. The World Health Organization () is urging countries to raise real prices on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035. comes at a time when health systems are under enormous strain from rising noncommunicable diseases, shrinking development aid and growing public debt. WHO is calling on countries, civil society, and development partners to support the “3 by 35” Initiative and commit to smarter, fairer taxation that protects health..
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a revealing that 1 in 6 people worldwide is affected by loneliness, with significant impacts on health and well-being. Loneliness is described as the painful feeling that arises from a gap between desired and actual social connections. It is linked to an estimated 100 deaths every hour—more than 871,000 deaths annually. Strong social connections can lead to better health and longer life, and also strengthen the social fabric, contributing to making communities healthier, safer and more prosperous.
In the West African country of Guinea-Bissau, more than 400,000 girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation. Despite decades of effort, the prevalence of the harmful practice has remained. Now, communities are coming together to change that. In the Gabu region, in the eastern part of the country, 24 rural communities recently united in a show of solidarity and hope, gathering to advocate for the right of women and girls to live free from harm – and to sign a declaration of intent to end the practice for good. Here, .
If you thought it was just a problem for the birds, think again. Humans and animals have always been connected. Animals provide us with essential resources such as food, clothing, transport and livelihoods, as well as companionship, while supporting healthy ecosystems. With growing populations, urbanisation and increased global livestock production, we are now sharing more spaces than ever. This makes animal health critical—their well-being directly affects ours. Monitoring animal health and disease outbreaks helps save lives, prevent economic losses and stop the spread of diseases—whether they are epidemics or pandemics. Avian influenza is a serious threat to both human and animal health. Here are four things you need to know about avian influenza and how the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () is working to protect animals and humans.