Investing in Adolescents Health : A Smart Move for Africa's Future
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently conducted a five-day national coordination team training in Harare, Zimbabwe, to address the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the country and across the continent. The training focused on equipping representatives from Cabo Verde, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe with the necessary skills to coordinate and implement the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) and Global School Health Policies and Practices Survey (G-SHPPS) in their respective countries. The aim of the workshop was to enhance NCDs surveillance related to young people's health behavior in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and promote the health and well-being of adolescents. The training provided comprehensive coverage of various topics, such as survey methodology, data management, data analysis, and reporting. Participants were given the opportunity to share their experiences and best practices from their respective countries.
For further information contact: cowanm@who.int
CanScreen5: a global data repository for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening programmes
The inaugural report of the Cancer Screening in Five Continents (CanScreen5) project – the first initiative of its kind to analyse the organization and implementation of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening programmes worldwide – was published today in the journal Nature Medicine. The report, led by scientists at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), highlights the substantial variability in the organization and performance of cancer screening across countries, provides recommendations for screening programmes to improve the quality and completeness of data, and identifies best practices that can be shared between programmes.
For further information contact: terrassev@iarc.who.int
H.E First Lady of the Republic of Botswana updated on mental health and cervical cancer initiatives.
During her visit to WHO headquarters, H.E. Neo Jane Masisi, the first lady of Botswana, discussed recent updates with the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative (CCEI) and the progress made so far in its implementation. Assistant Director-General, Jérôme Salomon, thanked the First Lady for her continuous commitment to mental health and cervical cancer elimination. He also noted the integral role of advocacy groups such as the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). The First Lady shared how her advocacy has been influenced by her dialogues with affected communities. She also stressed the importance of improving pricing and access to HPV vaccines, screening and treatment, as well as the need for actionable plans and monitoring tools, while reaffirming her support for the Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer.
For further information contact: slamas@who.int
WHO DG’s Special Initiative for Mental health work in Jordan
As part of the WHO DG’s Special Initiative for Mental health work in Jordan, that seeks to ensure universal health coverage involving access to quality and affordable care for mental health conditions, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, WCO Jordan conducted 5 days training on mental health Gap Action Program (mhGAP) targeting 22 family physicians operating in different MOH facilities throughout the Kingdom over 19 – 23 March 2023. The implementation of the mhGAP program in Jordan aims to strengthen the mental health system and improve access to mental health services for underprivileged Jordanians and refugees. By enhancing the knowledge, skills and capabilities of health and medical staff in identifying and managing mental and neurological disorders and substance abuse in primary health care service delivery to bridge the gap between available resources and the large need for mental health services through the integration of the Primary Health Clinic and mental health service.
For further information contact: alfarh@who.int
Regional updates
Challenges for health systems as conflict continues in Sudan
The WHO regional director has highlighted that since April 15th, almost 330 people have died and almost 3200 more injured as a result of fighting between government and armed opposition forces in Sudan. Movement in Khartoum is restricted due to the insecurity, creating challenges for doctors, nurses, patients, and ambulances to reach health facilities, and putting the lives of those who need urgent medical care at risk. People who require regular care for chronic diseases are unable to access treatment, and mental health and psychosocial needs, especially among children, are increasing. As of today, according to the Ministry of Health, 20 hospitals have been forced to close due to attacks or lack of resources, and an additional eight health facilities are at risk of closing due to staff fatigue or lack of medical doctors and supplies.
For further information contact: afrgocom@who.int
9th annual 'Leadership in Mental Health' course
The course objectives are to equip participants with the methods to develop and scale-up interventions for people with mental disorders in low resource setting, enhance leadership skills needed to scale-up mental health care programs and promote the human rights of people with mental disorders. The course is designed for people who are committed to improving care for those with mental disorders and promoting their human rights, particularly in settings where mental health resources are scarce. Prior expertise in a clinical specialty related to mental health is not essential. The course runs from June 4th - 14th 2023 at the American University in Cairo, Egypt.
For further information contact: leadershipmh@aucegypt.edu
Senegal, Thailand & Uruguay unite to reduce dental mercury
The governments of Senegal, Thailand and Uruguay have united to reduce the use of dental amalgam, launching a joint $13-million project to fight back against harmful dental waste. Designed to treat tooth decay, dental amalgam, a combination of mercury and silver-based alloys, is a material used by dentists to fill cavities. However, when fillings are removed, the mercury waste generated poses significant risks to human health and the environment. Estimates suggest 30–40% of mercury in amalgam enters solid waste streams, accumulating in water, soil and the atmosphere without breaking down. Led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Accelerate implementation of dental amalgam provisions and strengthen country capacities in the environmental sound management of associated wastes under the Minamata Convention project will phase down the use of dental amalgam in Senegal, Thailand and Uruguay, improve the management of mercury-containing waste and raise awareness on the health and environmental risks associated with mercury use in the dental industry.
For further information contact: varenneb@who.int
Publications
WHO standards for prosthetics and orthotics assessment package: assessment guide
The Assessment package has been developed for countries to evaluate the implementation of the WHO Standards for prosthetics and orthotics. It enables identification of areas in need of strengthening and facilitates relevant planning. The complete assessment package consists of four components: an assessment guide which gives directions on how to organize and implement the assessment, an assessment tool, a user manual and a planning document.
For further information contact: hps@who.int
Launch of Toolkit for analysis and use of routine health facility data: general principles
This module introduces key concepts of routine health facility data analysis that are applicable to all modules, including:
- Standardized core indicator lists
- Representativeness of routine facility data
- Key dimensions of data quality assessment
- Challenges of population estimates and denominators
- Basic analytical concepts
- Principles for presentation and communication of data
- Basic concepts for data interpretation and use
For further information contact: macfeelys@who.int
Testing the accuracy of an innovation in diverse settings: A multi-country study assessing a smartphone blood pressure application
In a pioneering study, researchers have tested the accuracy of an algorithm-based smartphone application to ensure it works across diverse settings – urban and rural, as well as pregnant and general population.The app, OptiBP, estimates blood pressure by reading optical pulse waves through the camera of a smartphone. OptiBP was identified by the WHO compendium of innovative health technologies for low-resource settings as an innovation with potential, and recognized by Grand Challenges Canada as a technology to incorporate into the health system during routine antenatal care. While the study found the app to be accurate in most readings, this research demonstrates the importance of testing such apps in a wide range of settings, among different populations and health systems. It is now known that machine learning and algorithm development that lack diversity in the training data can lead to inconsistencies, inaccuracies and biases. The inclusion of the end user from the beginning of development is the best approach.
For further information contact: mehlg@who.int
2023 emerging technologies and scientific innovations: a global public health perspective — preview of horizon scan results
This infographic represents a preview of the findings of a global horizon scan of innovations in science and technology that could help solve global health challenges. An expert group scored over 100 innovations for their potential impact and the chance of wide adoption within 5, 5–10 or > 10 years. They also discussed enablers that would facilitate adoption of the innovations.
For further information contact: mehlg@who.int
Fourth round of the global pulse survey on continuity of essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic: November 2022–January 2023
To better understand the extent of health system and essential health service disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has conducted four rounds of the Pulse survey on continuity of essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This report presents global findings from 139 countries, territories and areas that participated in the fourth survey round during November 2022 – January 2023 (with late submissions accepted until 10 March 2023). The findings offer critical insight from country key informants into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on essential health services, the main challenges health systems are facing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining other essential health service delivery, and how countries are responding to mitigate disruptions, recover services, and ultimately strengthen health system and services resilience and preparedness for future health emergencies.
For further information contact: eggersr@who.int
Self-care interventions: human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling as part of cervical cancer screening and treatment, 2022 update
Self-care interventions are evidence-based, quality drugs, devices, diagnostics and/or digital products which can be provided fully or partially outside of formal health services and can be used with or without the direct supervision of health care personnel. Where HPV tests are available as part of the national programme, HPV self-sampling offers an additional option to improve cervical cancer screening coverage. Self-sampling can help reach a global target of 70% coverage of screening by 2030. Women may feel more comfortable taking their own samples, rather than going to see a health worker for cervical cancer screening.
This report examines the market of no- and low-alcohol beverages (NoLos) as well as their effects on global ethanol consumption and public health. Policies and regulations about NoLos’ availability, acceptability and affordability are lacking and evidence about their benefits is limited. There is a need to monitor their consumption and impact on aggregated alcohol consumption to understand the public health implications of NoLos. The alcohol by volume content of NoLos must be defined, harmonised and clearly labelled. NoLo marketing needs to be regulated to protect children, pregnant women and those seeking to stop drinking. Fiscal and pricing policies to reduce the affordability of products with higher strengths of ethanol may favour a shift towards lower alcohol strength beverages.
Events
Series of events on alcohol control in Tallinn, Estonia
14-18 May - WHO/Europe is organizing a series of events on alcohol control in Tallinn, Estonia for different target audiences: early career researchers, policy makers from the Baltic States and Health Ministry focal points.
14-15 May - the first module of the seminar series on alcohol and public health will take place in person in Tallinn. Read more about the course here: WHO/Europe training course on alcohol and public health in Europe
16-17 May - WHO/Europe will host “Baltic Alcohol Control Dialogues”, an intersectoral exchange meeting on alcohol policy for researchers and policymakers, specifically representatives of different Ministries, institutes and technical agencies from the Baltic States and neighboring countries to share practices and challenges.
18 May - training session for Member States to build capacity in the field monitoring and surveillance of alcohol consumption and harms, aiming at technical focal points from Ministries of Health of countries participating in the WHO-EU Evidence into Action Alcohol project (EVID-ACTION) that covers 30 countries (EU Member States, Iceland, Norway and Ukraine). Read more about the project here: New €10 million WHO–EU project will translate evidence into action to reduce alcohol consumption and harms
For further information contact: alolsen@who.int
Ethics & priority setting for health systems strengthening discussed at the BCEPS International Symposium
The Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting (BCEPS) was the setting for a two-day conference from 2nd to the 5th of May on the Ethics and Priority Setting for Health Systems Strengthening. BCEPS presented its achievements and ongoing work with partners, discussed ongoing work on Essential NCDs, as part of a comprehensive UHC package and presented draft chapters for DCP4, Volume 2: Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Global Threats to Health. Bente Mikkelsen discussed the core strategies of the department of noncommunicable diseases and their relevance for BCEPS.
Webinar on Global Maternal and Child Health Priorities
In celebration by Rotary of April as the month of Global Maternal and Child Health a webinar was held to present and discuss global maternal newborn and child health priorities. Attendees discussed Rotary's past support for cervical cancer initiatives through its clubs and welcomed further partner support for the Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer.
For further information contact: freemanr@who.int
Podcasts on the Health4Life Fund : UN NCD and mental health multi-partner trust fund
Do take the opportunity to click here to listen to Doug Webb from UNDP and here to listen to Mamka Anyona from the Health4Life secretariat in WHO share their thoughts on the Health4Life Fund. Together Doug and Mamka give you a great insight into the aims and objectives of the Fund – and the approach being taken. They will be great company for your daily commute or during your workout in the gym or at home!
For further information contact: anyonar@who.int and/or douglas.webb@undp.org
Please send your updates for inclusion in the next edition of the NCDs Newsflash: kennedyan@who.int
