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

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