WHO news
This channel provides the five most recent WHO news articles.



Breastfeeding key to saving children’s lives (Jul 30)
30 July 2010 -- Malnutrition is responsible for one-third of the 8.8 million deaths annually among children under five. Breastfeeding is a key to improve infant and young child nutrition. The "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding" ensure right start for every infant and the necessary support for mothers to breastfeed.


WHO and the International Olympic Committee sign agreement to improve healthy lifestyles (Jul 21)
21 July 2010 -- In addition to promoting healthy lifestyle choices the agreement aims to support physical activity, sports for all, Tobacco Free Olympic Games, and the prevention of childhood obesity.


WHO announces new approaches to HIV prevention and treatment among children (Jul 20)
20 July 2010 -- WHO has made new recommendations with the objective of reducing and eventually eliminating new HIV infections in children. To reduce the number of infants that are infected with HIV each year, WHO recommends that all women with HIV receive antiretroviral drugs to protect against transmission during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.


More than five million people receiving HIV treatment (Jul 19)
19 July 2010 -- WHO estimates that 1.2 million more people received HIV treatment in 2009 than in 2008. In addition HIV-related mortality can be reduced by 20% in the next five years if guidelines for early treatment are put into action.


International experts limit melamine levels in food (Jul 6)
6 July 2010 -- The maximum amount of melamine allowed in powdered infant formula is 1 mg/kg according to new rulings from the UN's food standards body, Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Commission also issued new guidance for hygienic measures for safer fresh salads and seafood.


WHO launches Global Network of Age-friendly Cities (Jun 29)
29 June 2010 -- A WHO network helps cities design urban settings that enables older people to remain active and continue to be healthy participants in society.


New WHO guidance to improve use of medicines for children (Jun 18)
18 June 2010 -- Accurate dosing of medicines for children is crucial, especially between the ages of 0 to12 months. Dosing errors in children this young can have devastating results. The newly released WHO Model Formulary for Children can help alleviate this problem with information on using over 240 essential medicines for children aged under 12.


Global polio eradication initiative launches 2010-2012 strategic plan for interrupting polio worldwide (Jun 17)
17 June 2010 -- Strategic plan for stopping polio worldwide builds upon lessons learnt in Nigeria. However at this important juncture the plan faces a 50% funding shortfall. Simply managing cash flow will not be enough; renewed donor commitment is required to go the final inch and eradicate polio.


World Blood Donor Day: new blood for the world (Jun 13)
14 June 2010 -- Young people under the age of 25 contribute an estimated 38% of all voluntary blood donations. World Blood Donor Day held on 14 June has the slogan, "New blood for the world," to raise awareness of the important role young people play in maintaining supplies of safe blood.


WHO Director-General’s letter to BMJ editors (Jun 8)
08 June, 2010 -- Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the WHO sent the following letter to the editors of the BMJ, formerly British Medical Journal, in response to their article on conflicts of interest at the WHO.