October is breast cancer awareness month.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally, with around 2.3 million new cases every year.
It represents one in eight cancer cases in both sexes and a quarter of all cancers in women, with 70% mortality occurring in resource constrained settings.
It is the most common type of cancer among women, and most breast cancers are self-detected.
World Health Organization expert Dr Mary Nyangasi explains in this episode of Science in 5.
On World Mental Health Day (10 October), the World Health Organization highlights the vital connection between mental health and work. A Safe and healthy work environment can protect mental health. Unhealthy conditions including stigma, discrimination, harassment and other poor working conditions, can pose significant risks, affecting mental health, overall quality of life and consequently participation or productivity at work. With 60% of the world's population in work, urgent action is needed to ensure that work prevents mental health risks and protects and promotes mental health at work.
The World Health Organisation has partnered with TikTok to promote health literacy and combat misinformation through engaging, science-based content on the platform.
Limited healthcare infrastructure in remote and conflict-affected areas and lack of comprehensive sexual education in Myanmar's remote and conflict-affected areas pose challenges for youth. Online platforms have become crucial for accessing health information, but they also contain misinformation. Ma Shet Ne (Don't Be Shy), a digital program launched in 2019 by BBC Media Action and supported by the UNOPS-managed Access to Health Fund, is successfully delivering sexual and reproductive health education to youth through social media channels.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally with around 2.3 million new cases every year. It accounts for one in eight cancer cases in both sexes and a quarter of all cancers in women, with 70% mortality occurring in resource-constrained settings. Health system barriers and patient-level factors with low levels of awareness and knowledge are contributing to low uptake of early detection services, with resultant late-stage diagnoses and poor outcomes. Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October aims to promote advocacy, awareness, social mobilization and behaviour change communication.
Population ageing is a major global trend reshaping societies around the world. Under the theme "Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide", this year’s International Day of Older Persons (1 October), emphasizes the urgent need to enhance global care systems as populations age. On this day, let's commit to recognizing the rights of both caregivers and care recipients, and to advocate for care systems that uphold their dignity.
Did you know that a snakebite kills someone every four minutes? What should you do if you are bitten? Dr David Williams talks about prevention and treatment in a new episode of the World Health Organization's Science in 5 podcast.
El Niño is hitting at a time of already significant unmet needs, with 13.6 million people currently experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity in affected countries. WFP is supporting governments in mitigating the impact of El Niño on food security in the region.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Alzheimer's Disease International launched the #TimeToActOnDementia campaign to raise awareness about dementia and address the stigma that surrounds the condition.
How is the recent mpox outbreak impacting refugees and displaced people in Africa? The surge in mpox cases has raised concerns about its potentially devastating impact on people living in crowded camps. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is currently working with partners to contain the outbreak. To gain more insight into the situation, UNHCR interviewed Dr. Allen Maina, Chief of Public Health at the UN Refugee Agency, to understand what mpox is and how it is affecting refugees and other displaced people.
This year’s World Patient Safety Day (17 September) is focused on improving diagnosis for patient safety, using the slogan “Get it right, make it safe!”. On the day, patients and families, health workers, healthcare leaders, policymakers and civil society will emphasize the pivotal role of correct and timely diagnosis in improving patient safety. A diagnosis identifies a patient’s health problem and requires collaboration between patients and healthcare teams. It involves discussions, examinations, testing, and review of results before reaching the final diagnosis and treatment.
Worldwide, nearly one in three people cook on inefficient stoves or over open fires, breathing in harmful smoke.
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. A new variant of the virus is spreading, putting children at risk.
Suicide is a major public health challenge, with more than 700,000 deaths each year globally. Learn the facts to help prevent it.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the current mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. How is this outbreak different from previous ones, and why has it been declared a public health emergency? What does this mean for countries and for you? Who is at risk? And what about vaccines? Dr Abdou Salam Gueye, from WHO Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo, gives you all the keys to what you need to know about this disease.
Photo: WHO
