Ban pledges support to Haiti in overcoming cholera epidemic
"The United Nations has a moral responsibility to the victims of the cholera epidemic," a statement from Ban Ki-moon said.
WHO names Bloomberg Global Ambassador on noncommunicable diseases
These diseases, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, and injuries are responsible for 43 million deaths each year.
UN warns of more heatwave deaths as climate change pushes up temperatures
Warning of a possible rise in heatwave deaths due to climate change, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction called for measures to reduce mortality from this natural hazard.
AIDS conference closes with calls to end HIV discrimination
As the 21st International AIDS Conference wrapped up, a UN official called for ending discrimination against patients, especially those from the most vulnerable populations.
UN urges focus on ‘shared responsibility’ to combat illicit drugs
Ahead of a special session on drugs at the UN, senior officials focused on the people affected by drugs and the shared responsibility in stopping the suffering caused by them.
Silent epidemic: The fight to end FGM in Colombia
Exact figures about FGM are hard to come by, but as many as two out of three girls from the indigenous Emberá group are subjected to the procedure.
UN event mobilizes action toward ending female genital mutilation
“I am proud to be among so many champions in the cause of eliminating female genital mutilation,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said during his keynote address.
Senior UN officials urge elimination of ‘violent practice’ of female genital mutilation by 2030
The most senior United Nations officials are urging the world to eliminate female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2030, calling it a “violent practice” that scars girls for life, endangering their health, depriving them of their rights, and denying them the chance to reach their full potential.
Media advisory: Two events to end Female Genital Mutilation
To mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), officially celebrated on 6 February, an event will take place at UN headquarters on 8 February.
With focus on cervical cancer, Ban says where people live should not determine chances of survival
Ban Ki-moon called to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue while also reducing the burden that millions face from all cancers.
Special event: Towards a Cervical Cancer Free World
On World Cancer Day, join us to shed light on cervical cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in low- and middle-income countries, which kills over 250,000 women annually.
WHO convenes emergency meeting to address Zika virus
The United Nations health agency called an emergency meeting for next Monday to counter the “dramatic” rise in Zika virus infection, warning that it could spread even further afield amid an “extremely high” level of alarm.
Report: Governments must act to reverse rise in childhood obesity
With the number of overweight children under five on track to jump from 42 million to 70 million over the next decade, a UN report called on governments to reverse the trend by promoting healthy foods and physical activity.
WHO: El Nino threatens at least 60 million people in developing countries
The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners announced today they predict a major global increase in health consequences of emergencies this year due to El Niño.
Secretary-General announces High-Level Advisory Group for Every Woman Every Child
Secretary-General announces High-Level Advisory Group for Every Woman Every Child. The Group includes leaders from governments, business community, philanthropists, young people’s network and civil society to champion women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health.
Widespread misunderstanding about antibiotic resistance threatens public health, WHO says
A recent multi-country survey revealed that people are confused about the rising threat of antibiotic resistance to public health and are unclear about how to prevent it from growing, World Health Organization (WHO) said today at the launch of a global campaign at the initiation of the first World Antibiotic Awareness Week.
Everyone is entitled to a life of dignity, Ban says on World Mental Health Day
Everyone has the right to respect and dignity, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has declared in his message on World Mental Health Day, highlighting that people who have mental health and psychosocial disabilities deserve to live with the dignity that is integral to a healthy and fulfilling life.
Despite gains, 2.4 billion people worldwide still lack basic sanitation – UN report
United Nations agencies tracking access to water and sanitation targets against the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) warned today that the lack of progress on sanitation threatens to undermine the child survival and health benefits from gains in access to safe drinking water.
An age-old model of healthy living, the Mediterranean diet is now under threat – UN
The Mediterranean region is undergoing a “nutrition transition” away from its traditional diet, long revered as a model for healthy living and sustainable food systems and known for preserving the environment and empowering local producers, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned.
UN deputy chief urges action to reduce exclusion and discrimination of persons with disabilities
Empowering persons with disabilities and securing their rights will advance society as a whole, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said today as he urged strengthening global cooperation and partnership on the matter at the Eighth Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.