England’s chief medical officer Prof Dame Sally Davies has warned of a “post-antibiotic apocalypse” that could potentially spell the end of modern medicine. It is no secret that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has escalated considerably in recent years. It is now responsible for high numbers of deaths the world over. However, AMR is not receiving … [Read more...] about The “post-antibiotic apocalypse”
Trump withdraws from the Paris Agreement – global reaction
Donald Trump has made possibly his most controversial decision yet as President of the United States: withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change. The decision has sparked an uproar from political leaders and the press worldwide - many of them condemning the move. Trump made the announcement on June 1, just days after completing his … [Read more...] about Trump withdraws from the Paris Agreement – global reaction
Mexico City Policy: Putting the US at odds with the EU?
![By Voice of America (http://www.voanews.com/a/3430100.html) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://hyderus.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Trump_accepts_nomination-150x150.jpg)
The London Family Planning summit has reportedly documented $5 billion in pledges to aid family planning services in developing nations, however, will the policies of the Trump administration hinder these efforts? On Tuesday, July 11, World Population Day was observed, with a timely theme: “Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing … [Read more...] about Mexico City Policy: Putting the US at odds with the EU?
Flu vaccine efficacy, a genetic uphill battle
Vaccination against influenza has never been a guaranteed safeguard against the disease; however, recent figures may show the efficacy of some vaccines may be on the decline. Figures from the Centres for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) indicate a 50 to 60 percent rate of protection as an average of the population against most forms of the … [Read more...] about Flu vaccine efficacy, a genetic uphill battle
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, new WHO director-general
![Russell Watkins/Department for International Development [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://hyderus.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Dr._Tedros_Adhanom_Ghebreyesus_Minister_of_Health_Ethiopia_speaking_at_the_London_Summit_on_Family_Planning_7556214304_cropped-150x150.jpg)
On May 23, Dr. Tedros Adnahom Ghebreyesus was elected as the new Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO). He took office on July 1st, succeeding the outgoing Director General Dr. Margaret Chan, who has held the office since January 1, 2007. Dr. Tedros is the first director general to be elected by the 194 member countries as a … [Read more...] about Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, new WHO director-general
HIV treatment, CRISPR/cas9 and the safety of gene editing
A potential HIV treatment raises troubling questions about gene technology, but do the benefits outweigh the risks? A promising new development in HIV research reveals a potential new avenue for treatment in the future. The proposed technique would utilise the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing method to remove sections of the virus’s genetic code, … [Read more...] about HIV treatment, CRISPR/cas9 and the safety of gene editing
Developing nations going against trend of tobacco decline
Are smoking rates in decline? Yes, providing you live in a wealthy nation. While in the western world the trend over the last decade has been a reduction in smoking rates -- often through government policies dissuading people from taking up the habit -- a number of developing nations are seeing a sharp rise in the number of people … [Read more...] about Developing nations going against trend of tobacco decline
Measles outbreaks in Europe: anti-vaccination movement to blame?
The anti-vaccination movement tends to be thought of as an American phenomenon. Such views have a strong hold in Europe as well - and are posing an increasing challenge to public health across the continent. The movement is hampering progress towards elimination of the measles virus, says the World Health Organization (WHO) in a recent press … [Read more...] about Measles outbreaks in Europe: anti-vaccination movement to blame?
Development aid to poorest nations falling in favour of domestic spending on refugees
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has noted a sharp rise in development spending of 8.9 percent between 2015 and 2016. Despite this increase, aid to many poor nations has fallen. In four countries, more than one dollar in every five was spent at home in caring for refugees. Overall, a large portion of the … [Read more...] about Development aid to poorest nations falling in favour of domestic spending on refugees
Pharmaceutical research: the price of failure
Creating a single new prescription drug is currently estimated to cost $2.6 billion dollars. This is a sum so vast that only a small number of companies can afford to even consider the possibility. It is also a figure which is overshadowed by one major factor: failure. A staggeringly small number of medications are ever successful. As few as … [Read more...] about Pharmaceutical research: the price of failure
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