This week has seen 12 children with cancer or other blood disorders evacuated from Gaza. Speaking on the same day at the Emergency Meeting of the United Nations Security Council, the WHO Director-General remarked that “physically and mentally exhausted” health workers are caring not just for the regular health needs of more than 2 million people, also but for the 9000 patients on cancer therapy and the 350 000 patients with diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. Cancer care services are severely limited as the two specialized hospitals in Gaza offering care to cancer patients have been overwhelmed, undersupplied, exposed to attacks and, due to the insecurity, one has been forced to close.
Children with cancer evacuated from Gaza for treatment to Egypt and Jordan
10 November 12 children with cancer or other blood disorders have been evacuated, with their companions, from the Gaza Strip in the occupied Palestinian territory to Egypt and Jordan so they may continue their treatment safely. Additional children are expected to be evacuated for cancer treatment as part of this initiative. To facilitate the move, the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have coordinated with officials from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the occupied Palestinian territory, and the United States of America, as well as members of the St. Jude Global Alliance. The current conflict has obstructed exit for patients from the Gaza Strip, while severely restricting the entry of essential medical supplies, including chemotherapy. The two specialized hospitals offering care to cancer patients, including children, have been overwhelmed, undersupplied, exposed to attacks and, due to the insecurity, one has been forced to close. Cancer care services are therefore severely limited, meaning it is critically urgent to transfer patients outside Gaza for treatment. In 2022, 122 children in the Gaza Strip were diagnosed with cancer, mainly leukemia. But these children receive only a portion of their cancer care within Gaza due to lack of some cancer services, and, therefore, require referrals to hospitals in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Egypt, Israel and Jordan for further treatment. Five years ago, WHO, St. Jude and other global partners launched the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) to improve survival rate of childhood cancer to at least 60 percent by 2030 and to reduce the suffering of all children with cancer. The GICC brings together more than 100 international stakeholders working to increase capacity to deliver quality services for children with cancer and increasing the prioritization of childhood cancer at global, regional and national levels.
“I thank Egypt for its support in getting aid into Gaza, and for establishing a medivac pathway to get the most critically sick and wounded patients out, including 12 children with cancer who are being transferred for treatment in Egypt and Jordan” Director-General WHO, 13 November
For more information contact Andre Ilbawi
World Hearing Forum stakeholders' meeting
27 – 28 November A meeting of members of the World Hearing Forum and other stakeholders will be held at the WHO headquarters with the objectives to discuss the importance of, barriers to, and strategies for changing people’s perceptions related to hearing loss; update stakeholders on the work and initiatives of the WHO Programme for ear and hearing care; and identify opportunities for integration of EHC into public health initiatives across the life course, including primary health care. WHO has set up the World Hearing Forum, a WHO-hosted global advocacy alliance that works to raise awareness about the crucial need, importance, and methods of addressing hearing loss across the life course. It supports implementation of the recommendations of the WHA70.13 resolution on Prevention of deafness and hearing loss adopted in 2017 and the World report on hearing emphasize the importance of integrating people-centred ear and hearing care (EHC) into national health plans. Participation is by invitation. Globally, at least 430 million people are in need of hearing care, with unaddressed hearing loss ranking as the third-largest cause of years lived with disability worldwide.
For more information contact whf@who.int
Burden of non-melanoma skin cancer due to occupational sunlight exposure
8 November: According to new joint estimates, nearly 1 in 3 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancer is caused by working under the sun. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have launched a new WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the burden of non-melanoma skin cancer attributable to occupational exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (sunlight). Part of the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury, the research was released in Environment International. It finds that outdoor workers carry a large and increasing burden of non-melanoma skin cancer and calls for action to prevent this serious workplace hazard and the loss of workers’ lives it causes. An extensive questions and answers has been created and the data added to an interactive map.
For more information contact Frank PEGA
WHO Country Stories: Delivering for All
A new publication depicts the impact of WHO's interventions on healthcare coverage, quality, and the overall enhancement of health outcomes in various countries, territories, and areas. Titled, "WHO Country Stories: Delivering for All," its 59 stories cover key NCD achievements such as: Empowering health workers and mobilizing communities to improve early detection and treatment of NCDs in Ghana, the Indian Hypertension Control Initiative, Vaccines for a cervical cancer-free generation in Montenegro, food labelling in Argentina, Multisectoral approach to NCDs based on the management model of healthy cities, environments and rurality's in Colombia, Improving cardiovascular health in Ecuador, Action to improve health by reducing health inequity in the Eastern Mediterranean Regio, as well as many stories on improvements in oral health, healthy food #UHC, #PHC and healthy ageing.
For more information contact Nicole Homb
Worldwide variations in the stage at which breast cancer diagnosed
9 November: Major global study reveals worldwide variations in the stage at which women are diagnosed with breast cancer: disparities found in stage at breast cancer diagnosis. Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have released a new study, published in JAMA Oncology, that quantifies for the first time the global partition of stage at diagnosis of breast cancer in women across 81 countries worldwide. The study, a collaborative international effort, investigates the stage at which more than 2 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer, over the past three decades and across different countries and world regions. It explores changes over time and differences by age group and socioeconomic status. Up to 30% of women with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa were diagnosed at a stage that was already metastatic.
For more information contact Veronique TERRASSE
WHO Working Group develop Target Product Profiles of Human Papillomavirus
7 - 9 November, a WHO Working Group on the development of Target Product Profiles of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Tests met in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact. Although most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women. This WHO Working Group is composed of 39 experts, clinicians, screening programme managers and implementers of cervical cancer prevention programmes from 29 different countries across all WHO regions. The final HPV Tests Target Product Profiles will guide manufacturers towards developing products of high public health value. Novel HPV tests aligned with these Target Product Profiles can help accelerate the pathway towards the WHO Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, by increasing global availability of high-performance affordable HPV tests.
For more information contact Maribel ALMONTE
WHO releases special journal issue on measuring healthy ageing
30 October WHO, in collaboration with Age and Ageing, the journal of the British Geriatrics Society, has released a Special Issue on Measurements of Healthy Ageing. This Special Issue brings together the work of international professionals and experts from over 40 academic institutions to identify the best available tools to measure what truly matters to older people – their intrinsic capacity and functional ability. The partnership between WHO and the Age and Ageing journal marks a significant step towards addressing knowledge gaps on measurement
For more information contact Anshu BANERJEE
WHO releases new recommendations personal use glucose meters
19 October WHO has released its 2023 Essential Diagnostics List (EDL), which is an evidence-based register of in vitro diagnostics (IVD) that supports countries to make national diagnostic choices. This year’s list includes two firsts, one of which is advice to include personal use glucose monitoring devices. Including personal glucose testing devices on the Essential Diagnostics List could lead to better disease management and reduced negative outcomes.
For more information mediainquiries@who.int
Global Initiative Childhood Cancer Newsletter is out!
WHO-OHCHR launch new guidance to improve laws addressing human rights abuses in mental health care
9 October WHO and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) are jointly launching new guidance, entitled “Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice”, to support countries to reform legislation in order to end human rights abuses and increase access to quality mental health care. The majority of reported government expenditure on mental health is allocated to psychiatric hospitals. However, evidence shows that community-based care services are more accessible, cost-efficient and effective in contrast to institutional models of mental health care. The guidance sets out what needs to be done to accelerate deinstitutionalization and embed a rights-based community approach to mental health care. This includes adopting legislation to gradually replace psychiatric institutions with inclusive community support systems and mainstream services, such as income support, housing assistance and peer support networks.
For more information contact Devora KESTEL
NCD Highlighted during the WPRO Regional Committee Meeting
The seventy-fourth session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for the Western Pacific was be held from 16 to 20 October 2023 in Manila, Philippines. During the meeting the progress report on implementation of the For the Future thematic priority on NCDs and ageing was presented. This year’s progress report highlights the implementation of the Regional Action Framework for NCD Prevention and Control (NCD RAF), creating healthy environments in schools and communities, and the implementation of the Regional Action Plan on Healthy Ageing in the Western Pacific through age-friendly environments, integrated care and technological innovation. Below are some of the quotes from the meeting.
“The first priority is to promote health and prevent disease by addressing its root causes, in the air people breathe, the products they consume, and the conditions in which they live and work. This is especially important for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, which account for almost 90% of deaths in the region. Action to reduce tobacco use, improve diets and increase physical activity must be key priorities for all Member States." Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization
"Australia is on target to be the first country in the world to eliminate cervical cancer. WHO is supporting countries to develop national action plans to combat NCDs and to integrate essential NCD services into primary care." Dr Rajendra Yadav, Acting Director of the Division for Disease Control
"As NCDs are the leading cause of death in the region, we are working tirelessly with Member States to accelerate actions on NCD prevention by addressing common challenges and creating enabling mechanisms. WHO supports Member States to reduce risk factors for NCDs and injuries through the development and implementation of evidence-based and cost-effective policies. So far, 17 countries have policies to protect children from the harmful impact of food marketing. 25 countries and areas in the region have strengthened or enacted laws and regulations on tobacco and nicotine products." Dr Hiromasa Okayasu, Director of the Division of Healthy Environments and Populations
"..helping countries address the escalating burden of NCDs remains a major focus and WHO supported a number of Pacific countries to attend and actively participate in this year’s SIDS Ministerial Conference on NCDs in Barbados. There is increasing global recognition of the need for special approaches to meet the unique needs of small island developing states, most recently exemplified by the World Health Assembly resolution on the outcome of the SIDS Summit for Health: For a Healthy and Resilient Future in Small Island Developing States. WHO will continue to support the Pacific to ensure health systems are prepared to deal with the escalating burden of NCDs and the health impacts of climate change." Dr Mark Jacobs, Director of Pacific Technical Support and WHO Representative to the South Pacific
For more information contact Eloise Jayne ADSETT
Health through sport: WHO guides sports bodies in promoting the benefits of active living and healthier choices
“Inclusive, sustainable, welcoming national sports federations” is a new WHO guidance which aims to help national sports federations connect with affiliated clubs that sometimes lack information and support to ask questions to amplify the advantages of active living. Sports organizations that prioritize the health of their members and communities can become drivers of positive change. The new WHO guidance – produced with funding from the EU’s Erasmus+ programme in the context of European cooperation on health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) – includes examples of good programmes, a list of concrete strategies and interventions, and 28 tools for sports federations to choose from.
For more information contact kryuchkovi@who.int
New guide of effective interventions that can increase physical activity at work
30 October WHO/Europe’s new guide aims to inspire health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the WHO European Region. Developed in collaboration with the HEPA Europe working group on workplace HEPA promotion, the new guide is designed specifically for smaller entities, and recognizes the challenges that they may be facing in comparison to their larger business counterparts. Too much time spent sitting down is a worrying health risk factor linked to heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Together, these diseases are responsible for 90% of all deaths across the WHO European Region.
For more information contact Stephen Whiting
Situation analysis of Suicide and self-harm in EMR
The Situation Analysis of Suicide and Self-Harm in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region has been published recently using data from the WHO Global Health Estimates for the years 2000–2019. The study shows that an estimated 41 000 lives are lost to suicide each year in countries of the region with an age-standardized suicide rate of 6.7 per 100 000 Office. Stressful life events and mental disorders are identified as risk factors for suicide. Few countries have developed a national plan for suicide prevention, and effective suicide prevention is hampered by poverty and lack of infrastructure, including scarce availability of mental health care. Decriminalization of suicide, means restriction, online-based tools for mental health literacy and psychosocial therapy are options to explore and might be further promoted.
For more information contact saeedk@who.int
New WHO report on healthy ageing
By 2024, it is estimated that the population of individuals aged over 65 years will outnumber those under the age of 15 in the WHO European Region. This trend means new social, economic and health challenges, which demand a focus on healthy ageing to mitigate the impact of an ageing population. WHO's new report “Promoting physical activity and healthy diets for healthy ageing in the WHO European Region” navigates this shift, providing a roadmap for healthy longevity with recommendations for individuals and policymakers.
For more information contact kryuchkovi@who.int
UN NCD Task Force agrees to independent joint evaluation ahead of 2025 high-level meeting
12 October The UN NCD Task Force concluded with Members agreeing to an independent joint evaluation of the Task Force. Members of the Task Force discussed preparations for the next high-level meeting on NCDs, which will be in 2025. A special session on human rights was held during the meeting. Task Force members welcomed recently Task Force briefings to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The meeting also received a report of a Task Force session on promoting health and wellbeing in an urbanized world during the UN-Habitat General Assembly in the summer. Tobacco was a key theme of the meeting, with Task Force members agreeing their plans for ensuring successful conference and meeting of Parties on the Tobacco Control Framework Convention in Panama at next month’s COP 10 and MOP 3 events. As part of this, UNDP and the Convention Secretariat are finalising a set of briefs that will provide policy and decision makers across government with information on how tobacco control impacts their sector, and the steps they can take to respond to the challenges while at the same time advancing their own objectives and accountabilities. The meeting also agreed plans to finalise the global business case for investing in digital health. The meeting included over 20 agencies and was hosted in Vienna by the International Atomic Energy Agency. A summary of the meeting with actions agreed will be published shortly.
Save the Date!
For Upcoming NCD Days & Events
3 December COP 28 will host the first-ever dedicated Health Day at the UN Climate Conference, which itself takes place from 30 November to 12 December.
12 December Universal Health Coverage Day
Do you have upcoming events? Contact Anne Kennedy
Please send your updates for inclusion in the next edition of the NCDs Newsflash: johannesa@who.int
