The World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet on ambient (outdoor) air quality and health highlights the significant health risks posed by outdoor air pollution. It reports that in 2019, ambient air pollution was responsible for approximately 4.2 million premature deaths globally, primarily due to ...exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which leads to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as cancers. The fact sheet emphasizes that 99% of the global population lived in areas exceeding WHO air quality guidelines in 2019, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the highest burden. To mitigate these health impacts, WHO advocates for policies and investments that promote cleaner transportation, energy-efficient housing, improved waste management, and access to clean household energy.
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The document by the American Thoracic Society provides an overview of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), explaining its causes, such as smoking and environmental factors, symptoms like breathlessness and chronic cough, and diagnostic methods including spirometry. It discusses treatment st...rategies, emphasizing smoking cessation, medication use, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation. The document also highlights that while COPD is a lifelong condition, effective management can improve symptoms and quality of life.
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Healthy Settings, a key component of Malawi’s Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) 2011–2016, is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) holistic community-led approach to achieving health improvement by addressing social determinants of health, an approach which is central to the current WHO fra...mework on integrated people-centred health services. Healthy Settings projects by their construct have many different components which vary from one group and community to another depending on their priorities: from housing, hospital improvements and waste management to “softer” interventions like leadership skills training and health promotion. It can be challenging to find relevant indicators to monitor and assess the impact of such a complex holistic project, this paper explores if social capital data can provide useful impact assessment indicators at the start of such a project.
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The immediate objective of the country visit to Cameroon was to ensure that the country is as operationally ready as possible to effectively and safely detect, investigate and report potential Ebola virus disease cases and to mount an effective response that will prevent a larger outbreak. After te...chnical working group meetings, field visits, a “table-top” exercise and a hospital-based simulation exercises were undertaken.
Key strengths and weaknesses were identified, and the following areas for improvement were proposed to the Ministry of Health: coordination, surveillance, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, rapid response teams, case management, social mobilization, laboratory, points of entry, budget, logistics.
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Most of the global burden of sepsis occurs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but the prevalence and etiology of sepsis in LMICs are not well understood. In particular, the lack of laboratory infrastructure in many LMICs has historically precluded an assessment of the pathogens leading to ...sepsis. A recent systematic review found that data describing antimicrobial resistance were absent for 43% of countries in Africa, and only two countries have national antimicrobial resistance plans. In addition, small studies have identified indiscriminate antibiotic use both in and out of hospital settings in sub-Saharan Africa. The absence of microbiological data and lack of antibiotic stewardship complicate sepsis management and almost certainly worsens outcomes, particularly in low-resource systems. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence, etiology, and outcomes of sepsis among a cohort of critically ill patients in a referral hospital of Malawi, with a focus on the prevalence of culture-confirmed bacteremia and urinary tract infections.
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The KMC implementation strategy targets a broad audience. These include policy-makers and programme managers at national, regional and local levels, government and nongovernmental organizations working in the area of maternal and newborn care, global and national professional associations, public an...d private hospital management at all levels of care, and facility- and community-based maternal and infant care providers.
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The document "Cystic Fibrosis Key Findings 2023 for Care Providers" by the Pennsylvania Department of Health summarizes recent findings and insights related to cystic fibrosis (CF). It highlights key statistics on the prevalence and outcomes of CF, emphasizes best practices for patient care, and pro...vides recommendations for healthcare providers. The document discusses improvements in treatment protocols, advances in medical research, and strategies to enhance patient quality of life. It also includes guidance on early detection, genetic testing, and comprehensive management plans to support affected individuals and their families.
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Neonatal mortality is a major challenge in reducing child mortality rates in Nepal. Despite efforts by the Government of Nepal, data from the last three demographic and health surveys show a rise in the contribution of neonatal deaths to infant and child mortality. The Government of Nepal has implem...ented community-based programs that were piloted and then scaled up based on lessons learned. These programs include, but are not limited to ensuring safe motherhood, birth preparedness package, community-based newborn care package, and integrated management of childhood illnesses. Despite the implementation of such programs on a larger scale, their effective coverage is yet to be achieved. Health system challenges included an inadequate policy environment, funding gaps, inadequate procurement, and insufficient supplies of commodities, while human resource management has been found to be impeding service delivery. Such bottlenecks at policy, institutional and service delivery level need to be addressed incorporating health information in decision-making as well as working in partnership with communities to facilitate the utilization of available services.
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For 50 patients requiring surgical care in emergency situations assuming 2 operations per patient (100 interventions)
WHO trauma and emergency surgery kit (TESK) aims to provide materials and drugs to meet the needs of 50 patients requiring surgical care in emergency situations, assuming an avera...ge of two operations per patient. This kit is intended for use by health care providers who are trained in appropriate management of emergent surgical issues and are acting within their scope of practise. It is designed for use in areas where basic levels of infrastructure exist. The composition of TESK has recently been revised in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross to meet the dynamic requirements of emergency situations. In general, this kit contains oral and IV medicines including cold chain drugs and medical supplies including renewables and instruments.
WHO TESK is intended to provide the resources needed for surgical procedures in operating theatres. Some of the sub-units may be used for simpler procedures that may occur in other parts of the facility.
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The WHO e-Pocketbook provides up-to-date, evidence-based clinical guidelines for children requiring hospital care. It is the electronic version of the widely used Pocket book of Hospital Care for Children (Blue Pocketbook). Designed for doctors, nurses and other health workers responsible for the ca...re of children, these guidelines focus on the management of major causes of childhood mortality in developing countries. Please download your free application for your iPhone. The Android platform will be available soon.
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This guide provides standards and directions on how to carry out rapid needs assessment for Psychosocial Support (PSS) and Violence Prevention (VP) initiatives including child protection and sexual and gender-based violence. In particular, this rapid assessment tool is designed to help gather data i...n an efficient and effective way to help inform integration of PSS and VP issues, as minimum standards, into the broader disaster management action plans in response to an emergency.
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The South African Cystic Fibrosis Association (SACFA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) in South Africa. Their website provides comprehensive information about CF, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. CF is described as an in...herited genetic disorder that primarily affects the lungs and pancreas, leading to the production of thick, sticky mucus that can cause severe respiratory and digestive issues. The site emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and proper management to improve the quality of life for those affected. Additionally, SACFA outlines its mission to raise public awareness, promote medical advancements, and offer support to the CF community through various initiatives and resources.
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In an effort to improve the capabilities and accountability of humanitarian and economic practitioners, the SEEP (Small Enterprise Education and Promotion) Network's Minimum Economic Recovery Standards focus on minimum industry standards for facilitating economic recovery in crisis situations.
Th...e handbook sets out strategies and interventions designed to improve income, cash flow, asset management, and growth among crisis-affected households and enterprises. These include financial services, productive assets, employment, and enterprise development. It emphasizes encouraging the re-start of enterprises and livelihoods strategies, and improving market productivity and governance
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A new FMP was opened in Lutaya (Yei County), bringing the total number of EVD-related FMPs within South Sudan to 14. Six additional FMPs are operated in cooperation with DTM Uganda on the Ugandan side of the border due to access issues on the South Sudanese side.
A field mission was carried ou...t in Yambio County to scope potential new FMP locations, provide the enumerators in Gangura with refresher training and improve arrangements for data upload.
Installation of incinerators and waste pits for medical waste management is ongoing at Morobo and Panyume Primary Health Care Centres (PHCC).
Two new POE screening sites established in Lasu and Birigo were officially opened and have started screening activities on the reporting period, making the total active IOM-supported PoE screening sites at 13
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What at first glance appears to be simple causality – climate change leading to more and more migration – has triggered intense academic debate over the past ten years because the circumstances are complex. There is need for a thorough analysis in the ground between denying the problem and asser...ting immediate causality. In international relations, migration induced by climate change and environmental degradation is increasingly recognized as a problem, whether in the framework of international climate policy, international migration policy, development cooperation, or international crisis management. But considering the dimension of these major challenges, only small steps have been taken so far. The scope of the problem continues to be underestimated. Climate change is jeopardizing the livelihoods of more and more people. It is a risk multiplier. Although understanding of the connection between climate change and migration has increased, many questions have yet to be answered. We need more knowledge to better support the people affected.
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This is a guide for healthcare workers involved in patient care activities in a healthcare setting. It aims to show the type of personal protective equipment or PPE needed to correctly protect oneself. Based on the current available evidence, the WHO recommended PPE for the care of COVID patients ar...e CONTACT and DROPLET precautions, with the exception of aerosol producing procedures, which require CONTACT and AIRBORNE (hence, a respirator mask such as N95, FFP2, FFP3). Keeping in mind, PPE is part of a larger infection prevention and control bundle of measures and should be implemented as part of a multimodal strategy of management of COVID-19 patients. Only clinical staff who are trained and competent in the use of PPE should be allowed to enter the patient’s room.
This course is also available in the following languages:
العربية -македонски - 中文 - Shqip - français - ภาษาไทย - Português - Español - Nederlands - Tetun
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The WHO Guide on Oral Cholera Vaccines in Mass Immunization Campaigns provides guidance on the planning and implementation of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) campaigns. It covers key aspects such as when and where to use OCVs, vaccine specifications, and recommendations for use in endemic areas, outbreak... settings, and complex emergencies. The document outlines steps for macro- and micro-planning, logistics, budgeting, human resource allocation, and risk communication. It also highlights challenges, including cold chain management, vaccine supply, and community engagement, ensuring that vaccination campaigns are efficient and effective in reducing cholera outbreaks.
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Zika virus has been reported in dozens of countries around the world from 2015 onwards. WHO’s experience over 2016 has shown that Zika virus and the associated neurological complications represent a long-term public health challenge.
In a series of 5 podcasts on Zika, we bring you stories of Evid...ence in action. Episode 1: Zika epidemiology; Episode 2: Long-term management of congenital Zika virus syndrome; Episdoe 3: Ethics of Zika virus; Episode 4: Zika virus research; Episode 5: The future of outbreaks
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These Blended Learning Modules have been produced in collaboration with the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs) as well as a range of medical experts and health science specialists within Ethiopia. They are being used to upgrade the theoretical knowledge of... the country's 33,000 rural Health Extension Workers to that of Health Extension Practitioners and to train new entrants to the service.
The Modules are Open Educational Resources (OERs) and are free for everyone to use. You can download them as they are or adapt them to fit your specific context. The OERs cover the full range of health promotion, disease prevention, basic management and essential treatment protocols to improve and protect the health of rural communities.
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Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of contaminated water or food.
This introductory-level course has 4 sections and is intended for personnel responding to cholera outbreaks in complex emergencies or in settings where the basic environmental infrastructures have been damag...ed or destroyed.
Section 1: Case definition and alerts for cholera. Section 2: Main transmission routes. Section 3: Key preventive actions. Section 4: Multisectoral cholera control strategy. We hope that this course will help you refresh what you already know and help you transform good principles on cholera management into action. Resources are attached to each section to dive further into this topic.
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