NEWS
Recent news from WHO
Only 5.4% of the world's population was covered by comprehensive smoke-free laws in 2008, up from 3.1% in 2007, according to the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic 2009: implementing smoke-free environments. Seven countries Colombia, Djibouti, Guatemala, Mauritius, Panama, Turkey and Zambia implemented comprehensive smoke-free laws in 2008, bringing the total to 17. This means that 154 million more people are no longer exposed to the harms of second-hand tobacco smoke in work places, restaurants, bars and other indoor public places. Read the report at: http://www.who.int/tobacco/mpower/2009
Around 36 million people have been cured of tuberculosis over the past 15 years through a rigorous approach to treatment endorsed by WHO. New data, released in December 2009, show that up to 8 million tuberculosis deaths have been averted under the Stop TB Strategy.
The World malaria report 2009, released by WHO on 15 December 2009, shows that significant progress has been made in delivering life-saving malaria nets and treatments. Increased international funding commitments (from US$ 730 million in 2006 to US$ 1.7 billion in 2009) have allowed a dramatic expansion of malaria control work, which has led to measurable reductions in malaria in several countries. However, the report estimates US$ 5 billion is required each year to ensure maximal impact worldwide. Read the report at: http://www.who.int/malaria/publications.
For more about these and other WHO news items please see: http://www.who.int/mediacentre