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Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) makes infections harder to treat, and World AMR Awareness Week, held every November 18–24, raises global awareness and drives action to combat this growing health threat.
A worm that can cause epilepsy? Meet Taenia solium — the pig tapeworm that travels from gut to brain, causing seizures and preventable epilepsy in millions. In this episode of WHO' Science in 5, Dr Bernadette Abela explains how this parasite spreads when pigs eat human feces and humans consume contaminated food or water — and what we can do to stop it. Learn how cooking meat properly, improving hygiene, and vaccinating pigs can break the cycle.
Conjoined twins are a rare type of identical twins that share a placenta and an amniotic sac. The estimated incidence of this condition can be 1 in 50,000 births. On the World Conjoined Twins Day (24 November) we emphasize the need to address the condition of conjoined twins by raising awareness of their cases at all levels and through a life-course approach, as well as by advocating for their well-being and social inclusion, while taking into account relevant agreed international standards, norms and principles.
With a global shortage of 900,000 midwives, training the next generation of these crucial health workers, to avoid preventable deaths and ensure safe births, is a priority for UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. The training school in Abidjan is one of eight schools UNFPA supports in the country. Models of pregnant women and babies are used to simulate childbirth, including emergency deliveries, in a safe, realistic and risk-free environment – because in real life, there is no test run. In Côte d’Ivoire, many women give birth without the assistance of a skilled health professional. With the support of UNFPA, the National Institute for the Training of Health Workers is working to change this, and also tackling the country’s high rates of maternal mortality and adolescent pregnancy and low contraceptive prevalence.
As a result of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective, making infections difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.& The World AMR Awareness Week (18-24 November) is a global campaign to promote global action to tackle the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens. This year's theme “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future” underscores the urgent need to take bold, united action to address AMR, which is already harming our health, food systems, environment and economies.
Every year, millions more road victims are added to the current toll of over 50 million killed and hundreds of millions injured since the first road death. When people are killed or severely injured in road traffic collisions, the world loses more than just individuals — it loses potential, ideas and future impact on society. They become lost talents. On World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (16 November) we encourage all road safety stakeholders to honor those who have died on the world’s roads, advocate for better support for victims and bereaved families and promote action to save lives.
In 2025, after a decades-long fight against malaria, Suriname was certified as malaria-free by the World Health Organization. Hear the voices from the front lines.
Diabetes can impact people across all life stages, including childhood, the reproductive years, working age and older adulthood. The theme of this year’s WHO World Diabetes Day, "Diabetes across life stages,” recognizes that every person living with diabetes should have access to integrated care, supportive environments and policies that promote health, dignity and self-management. This campaign emphasizes the importance of a life-course approach to diabetes prevention, management and overall well-being.
This year’s International Day of Care and Support (29 October) aims to consolidate progress and momentum in global and regional discourses and action. The campaign highlights: key global discussions on care and support held in 2025 in Geneva, New York, and worldwide; perspectives of diverse stakeholders—including rights-holders, employers and workers’ organizations—on progress and gaps in advancing gender equality and ensuring no one is left behind in sustainable development; and major progress made by Member States across regions in transforming care and support systems.
Did you know that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of infant hospitalization worldwide? Each year it claims over 100,000 young lives. In this episode of Science in 5, WHO’s Dr Daniel Feikin shares how new immunization options can protect your baby.
Crises like disasters, conflicts, and health emergencies cause emotional distress, with one in five individuals experiencing a mental health condition. Supporting the mental well-being of individuals during such crises is not just important – it saves lives, gives people the strength to cope, the space to heal and to recover and rebuild not only as individuals but as communities. World Mental Health Day (10 October) reminds us: there is no health without mental health. This year’s campaign highlights the urgent need to support mental health and psychosocial needs in humanitarian emergencies.
Misinformation about contraception poses serious risks. Just ask Evaline Chepkemol from rural Kenya, where maternal death rates are high. Many women fear contraceptives, believing they lead to loss of children or infertility. Evaline, however, received accurate information from a UNFPA-supported hospital, allowing her to space her pregnancies safely. Unfortunately, global funding shortages threaten contraceptive availability, potentially resulting in unintended pregnancies and maternal deaths. The spread of myths, such as the idea that contraceptives can induce miscarriage, contributes to this issue, despite being factually incorrect.
On World Patient Safety Day, Amiya’s story highlights why children need specialized, safe, and collaborative health care from day one.
World Sexual Health Day is celebrated annually on September 4 to raise awareness about the importance of sexual health, rights, justice, and pleasure for all. The theme for 2025 is Sexual Justice: What Can We Do? This year, the observance has four focus areas under the main theme of sexual justice: sexual rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ adolescents, and access to information. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) support initiatives in these areas to make sexual health a reality for everyone, everywhere.