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Successful strategies to safeguard medications

A hand holding drugs
WHO/S. Hollyman

8 March 2012 -- The evolving threat of antimicrobial resistance - options for action, is a new book launched today by the WHO. It showcases examples of actions taken to slow down drug resistance and preserve the ability of medicine to effectively treat many diseases.

Good health adds life to years

Helmut Wirz discovered a passion for bungee-jumping at the age of 75.
Karsten Thormaehlen

7 March 2012 -- Over the past century life expectancy has increased dramatically and the world will soon have more older people than children. Older men and women can lead full and productive lives and be a resource for their families and communities. WHO is focusing on ageing and health for World Health Day on 7 April 2012. Information is now available to help planning for World Health Day celebrations.

Safe drinking water target met

Child drinking water in a camp for displaced people, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
WHO/Christopher Black

6 March 2012 -- The United Nations Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of halving the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water has been met. This is one of the first MDG targets to be reached. According to a report issued today by UNICEF and WHO over two billion people have gained access to improved drinking water sources between 1990 and 2010.

Over 900 000 saved by protecting people living with HIV from TB

A health worker holds up an X-ray in a consulting room
WHO

2 March 2012 -- An estimated 910 000 lives were saved globally over six years by improving collaboration between TB and HIV services. In light of the experiences gained over the last six years, WHO is today launching an updated global policy to accelerate coordinated public health interventions to further reduce deaths from this dangerous combination of diseases.

Disease outbreak news

Information about disease outbreaks


Emergencies and disasters

Health action in crises


Director-General

Director-General and senior management


Governance

Constitution, Executive Board and World Health Assembly


WHO guidelines

A selection of evidence-based guidelines


WHO reform for a healthy future

Addressing public health challenges in the 21st century

WHO highlights

  • March 2012

    Japan: one year later

    One year has passed since Japan suffered a triple catastrophe: an earthquake and a tsunami, followed by a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. As the lead agency for advice and assistance on public health, WHO has monitored the situation closely since the beginning of the emergency.

  • March 2012

    Maternal survival: new findings of WHO research

    Findings on the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage have important implications for expanding access to effective care and could have a substantial impact on maternal survival in places where access to skilled medical staff is difficult.

  • March 2012

    Monitoring progress on the recruitment of health personnel

    WHO has created a national self-assessment tool for Member States to monitor the progress of the Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. The Code establishes voluntary principles and practices for the ethical international recruitment of health personnel and the strengthening of health systems.

Corporate resources