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World Health Organization (WHO)

World Health Organization (WHO)
The latest news, analysis and opinion on World Health Organization (WHO). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
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United States

Opinion | US vaccine sceptics are now in charge. That’s bad news for the world

As RFK Jnr replaces CDC vaccine experts with hand-picked sceptics, at peril is not just US public health but its global scientific authority.

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Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

New Covid variant may be driving up cases in parts of the world: WHO

Wellness

What is Arfid? Why disorder is about more than being a picky eater

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong can ‘safeguard global health’ by resisting isolationism: leaders

At major summit, city leader and health minister note rise of unilateralism but say Hong Kong is building bridges, seeking innovative partners.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (front row, centre) and other senior officials and delegates attend the Asia Summit on Global Health. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

70% of Hongkongers under 25 have tried e-cigarettes: university poll

Some 60 per cent of respondents also say they picked flavoured cigarettes or other alternative tobacco products due to peer pressure.

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza’s main hospital overwhelmed with children in pain from malnutrition

War-torn Gaza struggles to feed its hungry population as aid trickles in, but falls short.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Brazil urges China to limit chicken embargo to city with bird flu outbreak

China, a major consumer of Brazilian poultry, immediately suspended imports after the country reported a bird flu outbreak last week.

Chicken vendors work in a market in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Coronavirus pandemic

‘Historic’: WHO assembly adopts landmark global pandemic agreement

WHO chief hails ‘victory for public health, science and multilateral action’ following vote by 124 nations.

United States

‘Price of 1 stealth bomber’: WHO chief defends budget request after US cuts

World Health Organization in financial crisis as it faces a shortfall of US$1.7 billion over the next two years.

Wellness

Explainer | What is prostate cancer that Joe Biden has? 1 in 8 men face the disease

Ex-US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ prostate cancer. What are disease’s symptoms, risks and treatment options?

Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer. One in every 44 American men dies from the disease. Photo: AFP
Biomedicine: Companies

Hong Kong’s Phase Scientific gets US$34 million to advance test for HPV

Company says its test is the world’s first urine-based screening for the virus that causes 95 per cent of cervical cancer cases.

Ricky Chiu Yin-to, founder, chairman and CEO of Hong Kong biotech company Phase Scientific. Photo: Handout
Ageing society

Letters | Community-centred technology can help Hong Kong’s seniors age well

Readers discuss digital tools for elder care, the importance of clinical training hours for medical laboratory science, and the need for health authorities to reassure the public.

Diplomacy

Opinion | By eroding US soft power, Trump is ceding the contest to China

Trump 2.0 has boosted China’s charm offensive, making its assertive foreign policy and unapologetic authoritarianism look less threatening.

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Indonesia

Is Indonesia a ‘guinea pig’ in Bill Gates-backed TB vaccine trial?

The controversy began after President Prabowo Subianto said that Bill Gates was developing a tuberculosis vaccine to be tested in Indonesia.

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Bill Gates speaks at a Save the Children event on vaccine equity in Germany last year. Photo: AP
Wellness

Explainer | Hate cold sores? Herpes breakthrough could lead to stopping outbreaks

New research gives hope to potentially preventing the herpes simplex 1 virus from waking up and activating immune responses in the body.

Symptoms of oral herpes, which is caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), can include painful blisters (cold sores) or open sores (ulcers) in or around the mouth or lips. A new study has found that a protein in HSV-1 is required to activate the immune system and reawaken the virus when it is dormant. Photo: Shutterstock
Millionaires and billionaires

Gates to give away 99% of fortune, says Musk ‘killing’ world’s poorest children

Billionaire Microsoft co-founder speeds up donation plan, urges governments, wealthy people to help world’s poor.

Wellness

Fungal disease in The Last of Us is deadly. Could it really happen?

The widespread use of antifungals, especially in farming, is reducing their effectiveness and making untreatable, fatal diseases more likely.

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Wellness

Think young people don’t have strokes? Emilia Clarke had 2 in her 20s

The Game of Thrones actress had her first stroke aged 24. We talk to experts on the causes of ‘young strokes’ and how to help avoid them.

Emilia Clarke suffered her first stroke at the age of 24, and another two years later. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Mistrust of Malaysian healthcare by Orang Asli minority grows after leprosy death

The Orang Asli community is seeking answers after a teenager’s preventable leprosy-related death.

Israel-Gaza war

UN’s WFP says all Gaza food stocks depleted amid Israel’s aid block

The World Food Programme says its kitchens are expected to ‘fully run out of food in the coming days’.

Wellness

Antibiotic resistance could be solved by superbugs themselves, study shows

Bacteria resistant to antibiotics are linked to millions of deaths per year, but researchers may have found a way to defeat them.

Resistance to antibiotics is a growing health threat. Photo: Shutterstock
Donald Trump

WHO to undergo major overhaul and lay-offs amid US funding cuts

The UN health agency is bracing itself for the planned full withdrawal of the US – traditionally its largest donor by far.

The Trump administration has also refused to pay agreed WHO membership fees for 2024 and 2025. Photo: AFP
United States

Trump aid cuts strain response to health crises worldwide: WHO

Since taking office, President Trump has frozen foreign aid funding, moved to dismantle USAID, and announced plans to leave the WHO.

Coronavirus pandemic

After Covid-19 mistakes, new WHO deal aims to prevent future pandemics

Negotiators faced issues with agreeing on technology transfer, as poorer countries accused rich nations of hoarding vaccines during Covid-19 pandemic.

United States

Is Global South poised for worldwide reset as faith in multilateral blocs wanes?

New mechanisms are needed to vest more powers to emerging countries, say participants at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the opening of the fourth Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya on Friday. Photo: Handout via Xinhua
Wellness

High blood pressure? Have you tried relaxing? Experts say it works

If you feel your blood pressure rising, just breathe or take up a relaxing form of exercise. Experts say things like yoga can keep it down.

A woman measures her blood pressure at home. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

Why working nights could lead to health issues like diabetes

Unhealthy habits associated with working late or night shifts can induce cancer, the WHO says, and make other health conditions more likely.

Wellness

Rise in fungal diseases, hard to treat and deadly, worries experts

Dangerous fungal infections that kill millions are becoming more common as the planet warms, and treatment options are few and far between.

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