COVID-19 pandemic fuels largest continued backslide in vaccinations in three decades (WHO, UNICEF)

WHO News HNN Team

This article was published by the World Health Organization. WHO and UNICEF sound the alarm as new data shows global vaccination coverage continued to decline in 2021, with 25 million infants missing out on lifesaving vaccines The largest sustained decline in childhood vaccinations in approximately 30 years has been recorded in official data published today by WHO … Continued

Latest child mortality estimates reveal world remains off track to meeting Sustainable Development Goals (WHO)

WHO News HNN Team

This article was originally published by the World Health Organization.  New report by the UN IGME reveals an urgent need to invest in strengthening data systems to track newborn and child health and mortality in low- and middle-income countries, two thirds of which have had no reliable mortality data in the past three years. The world remains … Continued

COVID-19 pandemic leads to major backsliding on childhood vaccinations, new WHO, UNICEF data shows

World Health Organization (WHO) News HNN Team

This article was originally published by the World Health Organization.  23 million children missed out on basic childhood vaccines through routine health services in 2020, the highest number since 2009 and 3.7 million more than in 2019 15 July 2021 l News release l Geneva/New York l Reading time: 5 min (1353 words) 23 million children missed … Continued

Why we need to focus on quality care for women and newborns

World Health Organization (WHO) News HNN Team

This article was originally published by the World Health Organization.  4 May 2021 l Departmental news l Reading time: 2 min (606 words)   Each year, between 5.7 and 8.4 million people are dying due to poor quality care in low- and middle-income countries, accounting for up to 15 percent of their overall deaths. Lost productivity due … Continued

World Health Assembly charts course for COVID-19 response and global health priorities

World Health Organization

This article was originally published by the World Health Organization.  As health leaders prepare to gather for a virtual session of the resumed 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA), WHO has three messages to share. First, we can beat COVID-19 with science, solutions and solidarity. More than 47 million COVID-19 cases have now been reported to WHO, … Continued

Steroids boost survival of preterm babies in low-resource settings, new study finds

World Health Organization HNN Team

This article was originally published by WHO.  Accurate pregnancy dating and quality care combined with the steroids are key to survival The results of a new clinical trial, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, show that dexamethasone—a glucocorticoid used to treat many conditions, including rheumatic problems and severe COVID-19— can boost survival of … Continued

Marketing of breastmilk substitutes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Elsevier HNN Team

This article was originally published by The Lancet By Christoffer van Tulleken, Charlotte Wright, Amy Brown, David McCoy and Anthony Costello It is of concern that the US$70 billion infant formula industry has been actively exploiting concerns about COVID-19 to increase sales, in violation of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the … Continued

One stillbirth occurs every 16 seconds, according to first ever joint UN estimates

World Health Organization HNN Team

This article was originally published by the World Health Organization Almost 2 million babies are stillborn every year – or 1 every 16 seconds – according to the first ever joint stillbirth estimates released by UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank Group and the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The vast majority of stillbirths, … Continued

New findings confirm global disruptions in essential health services for women and children from COVID-19

Global Financing Facility HNN Team

This article was originally published by the GFF    Health impacts of lockdowns, economic losses in poor nations require targeted action and vigilance to save lives and protect against a worsening crisis.  September 18, 2020 – Essential health services for women and children in many lower-income countries are being disrupted by COVID-19, according to new findings … Continued

Coronavirus May Increase Premature Births, Studies Suggest

New York Times HNN Team

This article was originally published by the New York Times/Roni Caryn Rabin.  Pregnant women who are infected with the coronavirus and hospitalized are at risk for developing serious complications, and may face an elevated risk for delivering their babies prematurely, according to new studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They may also … Continued