Global health briefs June 2011

Global NCD status report

A new WHO report details the worldwide burden of noncommunicable diseases, their risk factors and determinants. Using global, regional and country-specific data, the analysis documents the magnitude of the problem, projects future trends and assesses the contributing factors.

• Download the complete Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010 from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Plan to save malaria drug

WHO has published the "Global Plan for Artemisinin Resistance Containment" to help save a drug effective in combating malaria. The strategy urges global and local actors to contain drug resistance where it exists and to prevent its spread to new areas.

• Read more about and download the full report, "Global Plan for Artemisinin Resistance Containment" (GPARC) , from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Virus sharing pact reached

An agreement by countries to share flu virus samples was reached after nearly four years of negotiations, WHO announced. The landmark pact is expected to improve global preparedness for influenza pandemics.

• Read the April 17, 2011 news release, Landmark agreement improves global preparedness for influenza pandemics , from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Cancer shift for HIV/AIDS

Cancers typically associated with AIDS progression have decreased, while cases of other types of cancer - such as lung and liver cancer - are on the rise in the AIDS population, according to scientists.

• Read the full article, Cancer Burden in the HIV-Infected Population in the United States , from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Report on capacity strengthening

A report documenting best practices in health research titled “Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Capacity Strengthening in Health Research” has been released by ESSENCE on Health Research.

• Download the ESSENCE good practice document Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Capacity Strengthening in Health Research from TDR.

Urban violence examined

“Violence in the City,” a new report by The World Bank, examines how urban residents cope with violence, or the threat of it, in their everyday lives. The study hopes to inform policies designed for violence prevention.

• Read about and download the full report, Violence in the City: Understanding and Supporting Community Responses to Urban Violence , from The World Bank.

Mobile tech for MAMA

Vital health information will be delivered to new and expectant mothers by cell phone through a new partnership called the Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action , or MAMA. Mobile health messages will be used to dispense information on pre-and post-natal care.

World Medicines Report

WHO has just released the third edition of its World Medicines Situation Report, bringing together new data on 24 key topics relating to pharmaceutical production and consumption, innovation, regulation and safety - including household medicines use and national medicines policy.

• Access the available chapters of the World Medicines Situation Report 2011 from the World Health Organization (WHO).

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