Lebanon: soaring needs for trauma treatment and rehabilitation | WHO

Thousands of civilians require reconstructive surgeries and physical rehabilitation. All but one hospital are gradually reopening, while most are not operating at full capacity. The ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities took effect on 27 November, offering temporary relief for the millions of civilians caught in the conflict in Lebanon. But Lebanon’s suffering did not […]

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Syrian Doctors: A Vital Pillar in Germany’s Healthcare System

In recent years, Syrian doctors have become a critical component of Germany’s healthcare system. Approximately 6,000 doctors, who initially fled the civil war in Syria, now live and practice medicine across Germany. Their expertise and contributions have proved invaluable, and with the ongoing transformation in Syria, the German government is working to retain them, recognizing […]

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Achieving Universal Health Coverage through Health Equity: A Path Forward

Despite significant progress in global healthcare access, approximately 4.5 billion people remain without sufficient health coverage. Additionally, the number of households spending over 10% of their income on out-of-pocket healthcare costs has been rising since 2015, exacerbating health inequities and undermining the goal of universal health coverage (UHC). Achieving UHC—where all people, regardless of income, […]

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UK Government Unveils Historic £1 Billion Funding to Tackle Homelessness Crisis

The UK government has committed a record investment in homelessness prevention services, allocating nearly £1 billion to combat homelessness and rough sleeping across England. This unprecedented funding aims to break the cycle of homelessness by providing essential resources for councils, frontline workers, and community support services to address the root causes of homelessness and support […]

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Multi-country outbreak of cholera, External situation report #21 – 18 December 2024

Overview From 1 January to 24 November 2024, a cumulative total of 733 956 cholera cases and 5162 deaths were reported from 33 countries across five WHO regions.  The number of cases and deaths reported in November 2024 are 37% and 27% higher, respectively, compared to the same month in 2023. Factors such as conflict, […]

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Avian flu reported in 108 countries across five continents, says UN health agency

In an update on the mutating virus – known as H5N1 – Dr. Madhur Dhingra from the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, said that it had “spilled over into wildlife”. More than 500 bird species have been infected along with at least 70 mammalian species, including the endangered California condor and polar bears. In regions […]

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Why Coffee May Have the Opposite Effect on Some People

For many, a cup of coffee is a go-to remedy for boosting energy and focus. However, for some individuals, drinking coffee seems to have the opposite effect—making them feel tired, relaxed, or even sluggish. If you’ve ever experienced this paradoxical reaction, you’re not alone. Several factors could explain why coffee doesn’t always work as expected, […]

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In Support of Ethics and Religion: The Role of Preventive Abortion in Protecting Lives in Extenuating Circumstances

Abortion has long been a topic of contentious debate, particularly when viewed through the lens of maternal health and the prevention of severe health risks, including death. Preventive abortion refers to the medically necessary decision to terminate a pregnancy in order to protect the life and health of the woman. Evidence from both historical and […]

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United Healthcare CEO Killing Sparks Antipathy Toward Health Insurers, But the Broader U.S. Health Care System Is to Blame for Public Frustration

The tragic killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has brought to light the intense frustration many Americans feel toward health insurers. However, while insurers are often the focal point of public discontent, the root causes of this frustration lie within the broader U.S. health care system—one that is convoluted, fragmented, and plagued by inefficiencies. This […]

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Underinvestment threatens universal health coverage goals

The report, titled Global Spending on Health: Emerging from the Pandemic, shows a reduction in per capita government health expenditures in 2022 across all income groups, following a surge during the early COVID-19 pandemic years. This concerning trend undermines progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a goal enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the […]

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