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Public health round-up

Snapshot of world health A new ambassador for TB and HIV A child born in 2009 can expect to live for an average of 68 years, an improve- ment from 64 years’ global life expec- tancy for children born in 1990, accord- ing to the World health statistics 2011, published in May by the World Health Organization (WHO). Based on more than 100 health indicators reported by WHO’s 193 Member States and other sources, this annual report provides a snapshot of the global health situation and trends. WHO has also launched its new Global Health Observatory, a web site that serves as a one-stop shop for global health-related statistics. http:// www.who.int/gho/en/

WHO/C Black Cancer risk of mobile phones Peng Liyuan shakes hands with WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan An estimated five billion mobile phone Chinese singer, Peng Liyuan, has been appointed Goodwill Ambassador for users around the world may be increasing Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS to raise awareness of the two diseases that together their risk of cancer, particularly glioma, claimed more than 3.5 million lives in 2009. “I hope to make a significant contribution a malignant type of brain cancer. Last to the great work of WHO in saving lives from TB and HIV/AIDS, and that my month, 31 scientists from 14 countries involvement will benefit those who are most at risk,” Peng said at her inauguration met at the International Agency for ceremony at WHO headquarters in Geneva. Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France, to discuss whether exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, Save one million lives United Nations High-Level Meeting on such as heavy use of mobile phones, AIDS in New York. HIV and TB form One million lives could be saved by the poses a risk to long-term health. “The a lethal combination, each speeding evidence, while still accumulating, is end of 2015 by better integration of TB the other’s progress. HIV weakens the and HIV care, if countries implement a strong enough to support a conclusion immune system. TB is a leading cause that…there could be some risk,” says new epidemiological model. The publi- of death among people who are HIV Jonathan Samet, chairman of the work- cation that outlines this model, Time to positive and, in Africa, HIV is the single ing group. The main conclusions from act: save a million lives by 2015–Prevent most important factor contributing the group will be published on 1 July in and treat tuberculosis among people living to the increase in the incidence of TB The Lancet Oncology. with HIV, was launched on 6 June at the since 1990. Progress in tobacco war World Hepatitis Day Since December 2008, 16 countries have introduced comprehensive bans Since 1982, more than Hepatitis viruses kill around one million on smoking in public places, bringing people every year and one in three one billion doses of the total to 31 countries, according to people have been infected with one of hepatitis B vaccine have the WHO Report on the global tobacco the hepatitis viruses at some point in been used worldwide. epidemic, 2011. This report, due to be their lives. On 28 July, WHO marks its In many countries, the launched on 7 July, is the third in a series first official World Hepatitis Day to raise vaccine has reduced the that tracks the extent of tobacco use and awareness of viral hepatitis and the rate of chronic progress on countries’ introduction of diseases it causes. Hepatitis is a health among children from 15% tobacco control measures. The report problem in every country that affects to less than 1%. shows good progress in the fight against every age group. the tobacco epidemic, which this year is expected to kill 6 million people.

472 Bull World Health Organ 2011;89:472–473 | doi:10.2471/BLT.11.010711 News

Research scan online Young adults at risk More young Americans may have high blood pressure than we think. Around 19% of American adults aged 24–32 years Disease may have high blood pressure, according eradication“ is to the National Longitudinal Study of the venture Adolescent Health in the United States capital of public of America. These findings contrast with health. those of the National Health and Nutri- tion Examination Survey, which reported Bruce Aylward high blood pressure in 4% of adults aged

Courtesy of TED ” 20 to 39 years. The study, published on- Bruce Aylward from WHO line in on 25 May, found that many young people are unaware that Assistant-Director General, Bruce Aylward, gives the first-ever WHO TED Talk on they have high blood pressure. the worldwide effort to eradicate polio. With the theme of “ideas worth spreading,” TED is a nonprofit online community that brings together “the world’s most inspired Survival after weight-loss surgery thinkers”(http://youtu.be/vjUtTPOswZA). Also on polio online is the documentary ‘‘I Weight-loss (bariatric) surgery, which in- have polio’’ about two Somali children who were infected with polio in 2007. Since cludes gastric banding and gastric bypass, then, Somalia has been polio-free. Watch it on WHO Somalia Youtube channel: http:// has become increasingly prescribed for www.youtube.com/watch?v=dut--mDk1Co people who are obese in recent years. But according to a study published in the June 15 issue of JAMA, bariatric surgery may Mobile phones for health introducing the table-top device in the not increase long-term survival among field. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publi- Mobile phones are used as an integral severely obese older males. The study fol- cations/2011/9789241501569_eng.pdf lowed 850 male bariatric surgery patients part of health programmes and activi- (aged 50 on average) at 12 Veterans Af- ties in 83% of 112 countries surveyed, Commission presents fairs medical centres in the USA. It found according to mHealth: new horizons for findings that such surgery was not significantly health through mobile technologies, a new associated with reduced mortality in the report launched by WHO on 7 June. The United Nations Commission on six years following surgery. ■ However, the majority of these projects Information and Accountability for are still in the small-scale pilot phase and Women’s and Children’s Health pre- only 12% of them have been evaluated. sented its final reportKeeping prom- Looking ahead The four areas where mobile phones ises, measuring results at the 64th World 11 July: World Population Day http://www. were most frequently used were health Health Assembly held in Geneva in May. un.org/en/events/populationday call centres (59%), emergency toll-free The report proposes that 11 indicators phone services (55%), management of are tracked in 74 countries with the 28 July: World Hepatitis Day http://www. worldhepatitisalliance.org/WorldHepatitisDay.aspx emergencies and disasters (54%) and highest burden of maternal and child telemedicine (49%). http://www.who. mortality. It promotes strengthening of 1–7 August: World Breastfeeding Week http:// worldbreastfeedingweek.org int/goe/en/ national health information systems and calls for an independent annual review 9 August: International Day of the World’s of progress at both national and global Indigenous People http://www.un.org/en/ Rolling out speedy TB test events/indigenousday levels. “Tracking resources and results WHO has published a guide for health- of public health spending is critical for 19 August: World Humanitarian Day http:// care workers on how to integrate a transparency, credibility and ensuring ochaonline.un.org/whd new rapid diagnostic test for TB into that much-needed funds are used for 10 September: World Suicide Prevention Day their work. The test – known as Xpert their intended purposes and to reach http://www.iasp.info/wspd MTB/RIF assay – that was endorsed by those who need them most,” said Presi- 19–23 September: United Nations WHO in December 2010 represents dent Jakaya Kikwete, from the United Summit on Chronic Diseases (High-level a major breakthrough in TB care and Republic of Tanzania and one of the Meeting of the United Nations General control as it reduces the time it takes to Assembly on the Prevention and Control of co-chairs of the Commission. Prime Noncommunicable Diseases) http://www.who. make an accurate diagnosis of TB and Minister Stephen Harper from , int/nmh/events/2011/ncd_summit rifampicin resistance from up to three the other co-chair of the Commission, 21 September: International Day of Peace months to less than two hours. The guide stressed that collective efforts will ensure http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org entitled Rapid implementation includes tangible progress, “but only if we remain 24 September: World Heart Day http://www. recommendations for patient manage- fully committed to making the recom- world-heart-federation.org ment and practical considerations for mendations in this report a reality”.

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