Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face particularly acute health risks as a result of the climate crisis. Warming temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, rising sea levels and extreme weather events lead to increased risks of injuries, deaths, food insecurity and the spread of vector-borne, waterborne and foodborne diseases. Despite these growing challenges, island states are … [Read more...]
Long working hours increasing deaths from heart disease and stroke: WHO, ILO
Long working hours led to 745 000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, a 29 per cent increase since 2000, according to the latest estimates by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization published in Environment International today. In a first global analysis of the loss of life and health associated with working long hours, … [Read more...]
In race to recovery, the Caribbean wants less hesitancy, more vaccines
On May 5, the governor and premier of Montserrat — a British overseas territory with about 5,000 people — jointly delivered an “urgent appeal” on COVID-19 inoculation, saying 900 vaccine doses are set to expire by the end of the month. “It would be a travesty, it would be a stain on our island’s reputation, I think, for us to have to throw away these vaccines at a time … [Read more...]
COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90% of countries
Some signs of recovery are emerging but major efforts still required to restore and strengthen health services. The second round of a World Health Organization “pulse survey“ reveals that over one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial disruptions persist, with about 90% of countries still reporting one or more disruptions to essential health services, marking no substantial global … [Read more...]
The COVID-19 exit strategy—why we need to aim low
As we find ourselves in the second year of a global pandemic, the question on everyone's mind is: when will this end? Much of the narrative around the pandemic last year was that all hopes for a return to normal hinged on development of an effective vaccine. This rhetoric was deaf to the concerns of vaccine and public health experts, and for many a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has become the magic bullet to … [Read more...]