Infectious disease outbreaks are no longer just about bacteria and viruses, but also the social and economic world we create.

Preparing for Zika

Research can put a human face on health emergencies and help us respond to them more effectively.

Researching Zika

Evidence is not enough to shape health policy and practice. We also need to consider bioethics to take the right action for society.

Ethics and Zika virus

Is microcephaly just the tip of an enormous iceberg? Dr Vanessa van der Linden was the first doctor to make the connection between Zika virus infection and babies born with microcephaly.

Long-term management of congenital Zika virus syndrome

How can epidemiology help solve some of the mysteries around Zika virus transmission and the rare but serious neurological disorders associated with it, in particular Guillain-Barr頳yndrome and microcephaly?

Zika epidemiology

One in four people develop some kind of mental illness at some point in their lives. WHO's Mental health atlas 2011 examines the extent of mental health needs and services around the world.

Mental health atlas 2011

World Health Organization has declared the 28th July as World Hepatitis Day. The slogan for this first year is "Know it. Confront it. Hepatitis affects everyone, everywhere".

The first official World Hepatitis Day, 28th July

In New York this week, the World Health Organization, together with the World Bank, launched the first ever World report on disability.

World Report on disability podcast

This year's World Health Day focuses on the dangers of resistance to today's infection-fighting wonder drugs. The world is on the brink of losing these miracle cures.

World Health Day 2011: combat drug resistance  

New and comprehensive study on the consumption of alcohol reveals worrying trends on alcohol use around the world.

Worldwide alcohol trends  

The WHO podcast brings you public health information and related news from around the world.

Very useful and informative sessions. The information was provided in simple language, making it accessible to wider audiences. Unfortunate that the production discontinued. A podcast from a reliable international health body is very much needed.

Very informative

I thought this was a great resource. But why stop in 2011? Funding?

Why stop?

World Health Organization Podcast

A statue was erected to mark the 30th anniversary of smallpox eradication. In this podcast past members of the Smallpox Eradication Programme explain challenges they faced in eradicating the disease.

Anniversary of smallpox eradication 

A newly formed Commission on Information and Accountability for Women's and Children's Health will track resources pledged to actual results. The Commission will provide evidence of which programmes are most effective in saving the lives of women and children and ensure that the money doesn't get swallowed up through inefficiency or corruption.

Tracking resources for women's and children's health

The WHO "Save lives: clean your hands" campaign invites healthcare workers, hospitals and organizations around the world to actively promote improved hand hygiene to reduce infections.

Clean hands can prevent the spread of disease

Low levels of physical activity are associated with a high risk of colon cancer and breast cancer.

Physical activity a key in preventing some cancers 

In contrast to many other serious health conditions, a highly effective treatment to snakebites exists. Most deaths and serious consequences from snakebites are entirely preventable by making antivenom more widely available.

Appropriate antivenoms an effective treatment for snakebites

Haiti's earthquake ranks among the most devastating and logistically challenging in recent history. Before the earthquake, Haiti already suffered from high rates of maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS and malnutrition. Listen to what WHO and others are doing for the huge numbers of people needing surgery and other medical treatment.

WHO's critical contribution in the humanitarian health response

Many young people engage in behaviours that are dangerous not only to their current state of health, but also puts their health at risk for years to come.

Good health in youth sets the stage for well-being in later life 

WHO estimates that over 75% of people living in developing countries do not receive any mental health treatment or care. A new, easy-to-use guide to identify and provide care for mental health disorders will help expand care at a cost that is affordable, even for low- and middle-income countries.

Mental health Intervention guide to make care more accessible

This episode marking International Women's Day looks at women through the themes of education, health care and armed conflict.

Marking International Women's Day

The fifth anniversary of worlds first global public health treaty, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control provides a time to reflect on its achievements.

Anti-tobacco conventions fifth anniversary

Polio eradication is at a critical juncture. While the world is close to stamping out polio, this will require renewed commitment. Specifically it will entail renewed political, financial and scientific commitment.

Polio: the fight till eradication 

High-income countries are increasingly dependent on doctors and nurses who have been trained abroad. But the migration of health workers weakens the health systems in the countries of origin. WHO's Code of practice on the international recruitment of health personnel aims to achieve a balance between the interests of health workers, source countries and destination countries.

Improving health workforce migration 

The World health report 2010 focuses on how to pay for health care. The report looks at how to raise sufficient funds, how to raise funds fairly and how to get better value for money by becoming more efficient.

World Health Report 2010: the path to universal coverage

Demand for organs outstrips supply in almost every country of the world. In many places the wait for an organ can be measured in years. One way to improve the situation is by donors making sure their families understand their wishes, which allows doctors to proceed with the donation process.

Organ donors still scarce

As we mark World Cancer Day, this episode focuses on cancer prevention. Each year, over 12 million people are diagnosed with cancer. Cancer kills more people than AIDS, malaria, and TB combined but the good news is that approximately two out of five cancers are potentially preventable.

About two out of five cancers can be prevented

What is this?
1 quote, 3 ideas & 1 question from a carefully curated podcast episode.
Every Monday & Wednesday.

Want a 3rd insight and episode every week? Email me at curation@owltail.com.

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