Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report—Water and Sanitation

For World Toilet Day, News Outlets Examine Poor Sanitation Conditions Around World

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:12:53 GMT

Op-Eds: HIV Travel Ban; Improving Sanitation; Counterfeit Drugs

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:23:11 GMT

Also In Global Health News: HIV/AIDS Grants; Africa's Water Resources; Sex Workers In Malawi

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:59:00 GMT

Leaders Conclude Second Africa Water Week

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:14:16 GMT

African leaders concluded the Second Africa Water Week on Friday, with an appeal for "concrete actions to meet the water and sanitation needs in the continent," Xinhua reports.

African Leaders Meet To Discuss Ways To Increase Access To Water In Africa

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

In tandem with Africa Water Week, the African Minister's Council on Water (AMCOW) Summit kicked off in Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday, where discussions will center on ways to increase the water supply in Africa, Bua News/allAfrica.com reports (11/9).

Also In Global Health: Child Sexual Abuse In Zimbabwe; Dengue Outbreak In Cape Verde; Program Reduces Waste In Kenya Slums

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:44:48 GMT

Climate Change Is Biggest Global Health Threat To Children, Report Says

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:49:12 GMT

According to a report (.pdf) by Save the Children, climate change is the biggest global health threat to children in the 21st century, the Hindu reports.

WHO Identifies Five Major Causes Of Premature Death

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:40:20 GMT

Targeting the five major causes of premature death could increase global life expectancy by almost five years, the WHO said Tuesday, Reuters reports. According to a WHO's Global Health Risks report, which looked at 24 major health risks, "[p]oor childhood nutrition, unsafe sex, alcohol, bad sanitation and hygiene, and high blood pressure are to blame for around a quarter of the 60 million premature deaths around the world each year," the news service writes.

Also In Global Health News: Germany HIV/AIDS Grant; Sumatra Water Situation; India's Unlicensed Doctors; Land Ownership, Food Security

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:37:11 GMT

Post-Storm Conditions In Philippines Continue To Threaten Health

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:40:00 GMT

Filipinos are "struggling to live in flooded suburbs or crowded shelters one month after devastating rains began pounding the Philippines, and officials warn no quick fix is in sight," Agence France-Presse reports. According to the WHO, 1.43 million people, "mostly in and around Manila, continue to endure a dangerous existence living in flooded districts" (Morella, 10/26).

Philippines Calls For Help To Address Disease Outbreak In Storms' Aftermath

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The WHO on Thursday said the Philippines is requesting "international help to fight a deadly outbreak of an infectious disease following two devastating tropical storms," Agence France-Presse reports. Parts of Manila, which are still flooded almost four weeks after Tropical Storm Ketsana hit, are experiencing an outbreak of the bacterial infection, leptospirosis (10/22).

Also In Global Health News: Somali IDPs; MDR-TB Elimination; Chagas; Zimbabwe Disease, Hunger

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:43:44 GMT

Also In Global Health News: Cholera In Zimbabwe; Personal Computers; Medical 'Outliers'; Rain In Kenya; Generic Drugs

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:31:00 GMT

World Medical Association Adopts Climate Change, Task Shifting Resolutions

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:09:36 GMT

At its general assembly in New Delhi, India, the World Medical Association (WMA), "a conglomerate of medical associations around the world," approved a plan that aims "to minimise the risk of increased malnutrition deaths, diseases and injuries due to climate change," IANS/Thaindian News reports (10/17).

Philippines At Risk For Rapid Spread Of Disease After Typhoons

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:39:00 GMT

"Survivors of two powerful storms that caused widespread destruction in the Philippines in recent weeks are threatened by outbreaks of potentially life-threatening diseases, as the country braces for another super-typhoon," named Lupit, that is expected to make landfall on Thursday, the Guardian reports. "Charity workers say disease and poor sanitation could afflict large numbers of people, many of whom are still waiting for medical and other supplies from the government and international aid organizations," the newspaper writes.

Over 80 Countries Mark World Handwashing Day

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:31:49 GMT

VOA News reports that more than 80 countries marked Global Handwashing Day Thursday. The news service writes that "[d]iarrhea is the third cause of death in West and Central Africa, which is responsible for 30 percent of the world's deaths of children under the age of five."

WHO, UNICEF Publish Plan To Reduce Childhood Diarrhea Deaths

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:57:32 GMT

The WHO and UNICEF have released a seven-point treatment and prevention plan to reduce the number of children around the world who die from diarrhea, the BBC reports (10/14). BMJ News writes, "Every year 1.5 million children aged under 5 years die from diarrhoea, more than 80% of them in Africa and south Asia" (Zarocostas, 10/14).

News Outlets Examine East African Drought

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:39:38 GMT

Sky News examines the drought in East Africa, focusing on its impact in Kenya. In "[o]ne of the worst-affected areas," 70 percent of the "herds of cattle and goats have died in the past year, threatening the survival of entire communities who depend on them for their food and income," according to Sky News.

Used Hotel Soaps Help Prevent Disease In Developing Countries

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:30:00 GMT

News Outlets Examine Efforts To Improve Sanitation Worldwide

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Washington Post examines how the "No Toilet, No Bride" campaign in India is helping to increase access to home toilets in rural India. According to the newspaper, "About 665 million people in India -- about half the population -- lack access to latrines." Yet, since the campaign launched two years ago, "1.4 million toilets have been built here in the northern state of Haryana, some with government funds, according to the state's health department" – a movement that women's rights activists hail as "a revolution."