Global health news briefs - October 2021

Global health news briefs - October 2021

HHS requests input on new strategic plan

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, of which NIH is a part, has released a new draft strategic plan open for comment until Nov. 7. One goal addresses global health and calls for improved capabilities to prevent and respond to threats, protect populations from disease, promote healthy behaviors and mitigate climate change.

Comments requested on women’s health

In preparation for an upcoming conference on women’s health, the NIH is inviting comments to assist in identifying related research gaps and pitfalls in clinical practices. Input will be used to inform discussion and help shape the direction and scope of the meeting. The deadline is Sept. 15, 2021.

UC launches new global health journal

UC Press is developing a new publication to showcase the latest research devoted to improving worldwide health outcomes, with a particular focus on studies conducted by scientists in low- and middle-income countries. The open-access, online journal, Advances in Global Health, will be edited by Fogarty grantee Dr. Craig R. Cohen.

WHO suggests ethical principles for AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds great promise for improving the delivery of healthcare and medicine worldwide, but only if ethics and human rights are put at the heart of its design, deployment, and use, according to new WHO guidance. The report examines the ethical and governance issues posed by AI.

Vaping is growing threat, WHO says

A new WHO tobacco control report finds that many countries are making progress in the fight against tobacco but e-cigarettes and related products pose an emerging health threat. The study estimates there are about 1 billion smokers globally, around 80% of whom live in low- and middle-income countries. Tobacco is responsible for the death of 8 million people a year, including 1 million from second-hand smoke.

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