Mexico City Policy’s Impacts Far-Reaching; African Nations Likely To Feel Greatest Effects May 8, 2017 News Summary Devex: African countries to feel worst of U.S. health aid cuts, report says “African countries, and those where abortion services are legal, will likely feel the greatest impacts of the United States’ expanded ‘global gag rule’ — also known as the Mexico City policy — according to new findings by…
Taiwan Expresses Desire For Invitation To Attend World Health Assembly As Observer Over Chinese Objections May 8, 2017 News Summary Associated Press: Taiwan pushes for inclusion in global health summit “Taiwan is pushing for a last-minute invitation to an annual World Health Organization summit amid rising pressure from Beijing to isolate the island by blocking its participation in international events. Online registration for the 10-day World Health Assembly closes Monday.…
U.S. Congress Includes $990M Additional Funding For Famine Relief In FY17 Budget Deal May 8, 2017 News Summary Humanosphere: U.S. quietly boosts funding by $990 million to prevent historic famines “A budget deal struck by the U.S. Congress [last] week to prevent a government shutdown was viewed as a rebuke to proposed cuts by the Trump administration. Both political parties agreed to continue funding existing programs and went…
U.N.’s Global Road Safety Week Highlights Efforts To ‘Save Lives: Slow Down’ May 8, 2017 News Summary U.N. News Centre: ‘Save Lives: Slow Down,’ urges U.N. health agency ahead of Global Road Safety Week “Spotlighting the relationship between speeding and traffic fatalities — speeding contributes to one in three traffic deaths — the U.N. health agency, ahead of Global Road Safety Week, is urging countries to take…
The Economist Examines How Foreign Aid Increasingly Funneled Through Private, For-Profit Firms May 8, 2017 News Summary The Economist: A growing share of aid is spent by private firms, not charities “…Though not all countries break down aid spending according to the type of contractor used, data from those that do suggest that a growing share of aid is funneled, not through charities or non-profit foundations, but…
UNFPA Urges Global Community To Support Midwives On International Day May 8, 2017 News Summary U.N. News Centre: On International Day, U.N. honors midwives as family ‘partners for life’ “The United Nations population agency [Friday] urged governments and development partners to expand midwifery programs and promote an environment where midwives can effectively serve the needs of women and their families. ‘Midwives save lives, support and…
Venezuela Faces Severe Shortages Of Food, Medicines; Government Resists Aid Offers May 8, 2017 News Summary Wall Street Journal: Venezuela Is Starving “…The Catholic charity Caritas and a team led by Susana Raffalli — a specialist in food emergencies who has worked in Guatemala, Africa, and other regions tormented by hunger — are monitoring conditions here. … Caritas said nearly a fifth of children under age…
WHO Remains Committed To Vaccine R&D, Accessibility May 8, 2017 News Summary Huffington Post: WHO Is The Driving Force To Reach All People With Vaccines Brice Bicaba, Burkina Faso’s director of disease control “…Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective interventions we have in public health. As long as we can reach children with a vaccine, they will be protected for life.…
Investing In Foreign Aid Will Protect Americans May 8, 2017 News Summary TIME: How to Keep America Safe Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation “…The U.S. government, one of the world’s most influential donors, is considering dramatic cuts to health and development programs around the world. I understand why some Americans watch their tax dollars going overseas and…