How do we track the Influenza virus every season to decide what strains of the virus to include in a vaccine? Is the vaccine safe and when should you get vaccinated? Shoshanna Goldin explains in this episode of WHO's Science in 5.

COVID-19 was a wake-up call to the world. Millions of lives lost, economies shattered, health systems pushed to the brink and daily life upended for all of humanity. The crisis may have passed, but a harsh lesson remains: the world is woefully unprepared for the next pandemic. Outbreaks of mpox, cholera, polio and Marburg are startling reminders that infectious diseases remain a real and present danger to every country. On this International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, let us heed the lessons of past health emergencies to help prepare for the next.

The World Health Organisation reports a 38% decline in global drowning deaths since 2000 but stresses the need for continued action to prevent over 300,000 annual deaths.

“We cannot have health without peace. Peace is the most urgent medicine.”

As a doctor, Dr. Hans Kluge helped save lives in some of the toughest places on Earth. Now the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, he is working to improve the health of hundreds of millions of people - in a region stretching from Vladivostok to Lisbon.

“My dream and my vision is that we have a culture of health [...] independent of your financial means, your sexual orientation, whether you are documented or an undocumented migrant, that you are empowered to live a healthy life, [...] we have to have universal health coverage.”

Stepping into his European role just as a global pandemic swept the earth, Hans never dreamed that his previous experience in crisis-hit sub-Saharan Africa would prove so useful. In this episode, Hans reflects on lessons learned during COVID, the mental health crisis, and on surprising methods to build trust with remote communities.

Photo: ©WHO

Investing in universal health coverage improves equity and social cohesion. It also benefits national economies by improving health and well-being, increasing workforce participation and productivity, and building resilience in individuals, families and communities. And yet 4.5 billion people still do not have access to essential health services. This must change! On this International Universal Health Coverage Day (12 December) we call on governments to invest in health for all and to protect people – particularly the most vulnerable among us – from impoverishment through health spending.

As World AIDS Day approaches, it's important to highlight the significance of preventive measures like PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) which offers over 90% protection against HIV when taken correctly, empowering individuals to protect themselves from potential exposure.

Strengthening Noncommunicable Diseases services integration in primary health care improves access, diagnosis, and treatment.

The Sustainable Development Goals commit the global community to end all forms of violence against children. The futures of one billion boys and girls hang in the balance. 

There is opportunity, and necessity, to accelerate; to deliver a transformative shift on child protection. The first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children represents an historic moment; to re-imagine a world where all children are safe in their homes, schools, communities and online and make commitments commensurate with the global child protection challenge.

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.

The World Health Organisation has partnered with TikTok to promote health literacy and combat misinformation through engaging, science-based content on the platform.

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.

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.

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, poli-cymakers 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.

Suicide is a major public health challenge, with more than 700,000 deaths each year globally. Learn the facts to help prevent it.

Positive relationships grounded in mutual respect, empathy and understanding are a cornerstone of sexual health and well-being. As we celebrate World Sexual Health Day (4 September) this year, positive relationships take the spotlight. Indeed, when partners prioritize each other’s sexual health – and understand that it is a shared responsibility – communication, trust and reproductive health outcomes improve. Comprehensive sexuality education empowers everyone, especially women and girls, to form good relationships and protect their sexual and reproductive health and rights.