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12/12/11--16:59: Malaria deaths are down but progress remains fragile (chan 2566509)

13 December 2011 -- Malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25% globally since 2000 according to the World malaria report 2011, issued today. This is the result of a significant scaling-up of malaria prevention and control measures in the last decade, including the widespread use of bed nets, better diagnostics and a wider availability of effective medicines to treat malaria.


12/14/11--16:59: Three-year study identifies key interventions to reduce maternal, newborn and child deaths (chan 2566509)

15 December 2011 -- About 358 000 women still die each year during pregnancy and childbirth; 7.6 million children die before the age of 5 annually. A new global consensus has agreed on the key evidence-based interventions that will sharply reduce these numbers. The study, Essential interventions, commodities and guidelines for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, is designed to facilitate decision-making in low- and middle-income countries about how to allocate limited resources for maximum impact on the health of women and children.


12/30/11--02:00: WHO concerned that new H5N1 influenza research could undermine the 2011 Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework (chan 2566509)

30 December 2011 -- WHO takes note that studies undertaken by several institutions on whether changes in the H5N1 influenza virus can make it more transmissible between humans have raised concern about the possible risks and misuses associated with this research. WHO is also deeply concerned about the potential negative consequences. However, WHO also notes that studies conducted under appropriate conditions must continue to take place so that critical scientific knowledge needed to reduce the risks posed by the H5N1 virus continues to increase.


01/06/12--02:00: WHO recognizes progress of Gulf States for adopting regional strategy to address noncommunicable diseases (chan 2566509)

6 January 2012 -- Six Gulf States detail how they plan to tackle noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) during the coming years. The regional strategy by Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates lays out details on setting targets and measuring results, advancing multisectoral action, and strengthening national capacity to combat NCDs.


01/11/12--16:59: India records one year without polio cases (chan 2566509)

12 January 2012 -- India appears to have completed one year without polio since its last case on 13 January 2011. This is a momentous achievement because India was once recognized as the world’s epicentre of polio. However, there remains no room for complacency. India must maintain surveillance and high childhood immunity against wild poliovirus until eradication is achieved globally.


01/17/12--09:00: Executive Board appoints the Regional Director for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (chan 2566509)

17 January 2012 -- Dr Ala Alwan will take up his appointment as the Regional Director of WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO/EMRO) for a five-year term starting on 1 February 2012.


01/18/12--04:00: Dr Margaret Chan nominated for a second term to be WHO Director-General (chan 2566509)

18 January 2012 -- Dr Margaret Chan was nominated today by the WHOs Executive Board for a second term as Director-General of the Organization. If confirmed by the World Health Assembly, Dr Chan's new term will begin on 1 July 2012 and continue until 30 June 2017.


02/03/12--02:00: WHO to issue guidance on hormonal contraceptives and HIV (chan 2566509)

3 February 2012 -- Current WHO guidelines call on health service providers to remind patients, that neither hormonal contraceptives nor intrauterine devices known as IUDs offer protection against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. Protection against both unwanted pregnancy and STIs including HIV is called "dual protection" and condoms are the mainstay of dual protection.


02/16/12--05:00: WHO upholds guidance on hormonal contraceptive use and HIV (chan 2566509)

16 February 2012 -- WHO has concluded that women living with HIV or at high risk of HIV can safely continue to use hormonal contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. The recommendation follows a thorough review of evidence about links between hormonal contraceptive use and HIV acquisition.


02/17/12--04:00: Public health, influenza experts agree H5N1 research critical, but extend delay (chan 2566509)

17 February 2012 -- Public health and influenza experts reached consensus on two urgent issues related to the newly created H5N1 influenza viruses: extending the temporary moratorium on research with new laboratory-modified H5N1 viruses and recognizing that research on naturally-occurring H5N1 influenza virus must continue in order to protect public health.