Working Group Proposes Recommendations For G7 To Enhance Global Health Security May 20, 2016 News Summary The Lancet: Protecting human security: proposals for the G7 Ise-Shima Summit in Japan Members of the Japan Global Health Working Group discuss areas for global health security action by the G7 countries at their meeting in Japan in May 2016, writing, “Rather than creating new funding or organizations, global leaders…
The Economist Examines U.S. Congress’s Actions On Zika, History Of Outbreak Response Funding May 19, 2016 News Summary The Economist: Why Americans will be more vulnerable to Zika than they should be “…The refusal of Republican congressmen to meet Barack Obama’s request for $1.9 billion to fight the Zika virus, which culminated this week in both congressional chambers voting to release much lesser sums, shows American democracy at…
Europe At Low-To-Moderate Risk Of Zika Spread In Spring, Summer, WHO Says May 19, 2016 News Summary Agence France-Presse: WHO urges European vigilance against Zika virus “The World Health Organization on Wednesday urged Europe to be vigilant ahead of a possible summer outbreak of the Zika virus, especially in the Black Sea coastal areas of Georgia and Russia…” (Billing, 5/18). New York Times: WHO Cites Low to…
U.S. Senate Republicans Block Democrats’ Stand-Alone Zika Spending Bill Proposals; Sen. Shaheen Urges WHO To Rethink Advice On Rio Olympics May 19, 2016 News Summary CQ News: Zika Aid Prompts New Senate Spat Over Spending Levels “The debate over Zika funding reached a fever pitch on the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon, as lawmakers sparred over competing standalone proposals to provide extra appropriations to combat the spread of the mosquito-borne virus. … The Senate drama demonstrated…
U.S. House Approves $622M Zika Funding Bill Despite President Obama’s Veto Warning May 19, 2016 News Summary Associated Press: House GOP presses ahead with Zika measure “House Republicans on Wednesday pushed through a $622 million bill to battle the Zika virus, setting up challenging negotiations with the Senate and the White House. The 241-184 House vote broke mostly along party lines as Democrats lined up in opposition,…
Podcasts Address Issues Surrounding U.S. Response To Zika Outbreak May 19, 2016 News Summary POLITICO: Ebola czar: America failing on Zika “…Ron Klain, who served as White House Ebola czar and as Vice President Joe Biden’s chief of staff, told POLITICO’s ‘Pulse Check’ podcast that Congress has failed to heed the lessons of the Ebola epidemic and that the Zika funding battle has become…
U.S., E.U., Canada Protest Islamic Countries’ Move To Block Some Groups From Attending U.N. AIDS Meeting May 19, 2016 News Summary New York Times: U.N. AIDS Meeting Faces Dispute Over 22 Barred Groups “The United Nations is scheduled to host a global meeting to stop the AIDS epidemic. Should groups that represent transgender people or drug users be allowed to participate? No, according to a number of countries that belong to…
New York Times Examines Brazil’s Abortion Laws, Challenges Facing Pregnant Women, Physicians In Light Of Zika Outbreak May 19, 2016 News Summary New York Times: Brazil’s Abortion Restrictions Compound Challenge of Zika Virus “…This video documents several challenges facing pregnant women and their doctors in a country where access to legal abortions is severely restricted, and where Zika has compounded fears about birth defects, adding a new layer of health complications. Some…
WHO Director-General Candidate Douste-Blazy Proposes Small International Tax To Help Fund U.N. Health Agency May 19, 2016 News Summary Associated Press: Candidate for U.N. health chief eyes global tax to help WHO “A French diplomat competing to be the world’s top health official says a tiny international tax can help fill the World Health Organization’s coffers, a proposal aimed at bringing order to the U.N. agency’s fragmented budget. Dr.…