WHO NEWS
Recent news from WHO
The revised International Health Regulations (IHR), which represent a major step forward in international public health security, came into force on 15 June. Find more information, including the IHR text at: http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/
WHO released the first ever country-by-country analysis of the impact that environmental factors have on health. The data, released on 13 June, show huge inequalities but also demonstrate that in every country, peoples health could be improved by reducing pollution, hazards in the work environment, exposure to UV radiation, noise, agricultural risks, changes to climate and ecosystems. Please find the data at: http://www.who.int/ quantifying_ehimpacts/ countryprofiles/en/index.html
WHO said on 13 June it was working with vaccine manufacturers to move ahead on plans to create a global stockpile of vaccine for the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
WHO launched a new initiative on World Blood Donor Day on 12 June to improve the availability and use of safe blood to save the lives of women during and after childbirth.
An innovative approach is showing progress in addressing severe acute malnutrition, which affects an estimated 20 million children under the age of five worldwide. WHO, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition and UNICEF announced on 7 June that, according to new evidence, about three-quarters of children with severe acute malnutrition can be treated at home with highly fortified, ready-to-use therapeutic foods.
WHO and UNAIDS issued new guidance on provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling in health facilities on 30 May.
For more about these and other WHO news items please see: http://www.who.int/ mediacentre/events/ 2007/en/index.html