Global leaders have shown strong backing for the first-ever United Nations political declaration addressing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health through a unified strategy. The declaration, created after five months of intergovernmental discussions, is set to be reviewed for final adoption at the 80th General Assembly session in October 2025. Heads of state, government officials, and ministers of health convened at the fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly dedicated

Health Capsule Barrett’s esophagus is a medical condition that impacts roughly 5% of adults across the country. It involves changes to the lining of the esophagus—the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach—which can increase a person's chances of developing esophageal cancer. While the exact cause of Barrett’s esophagus remains unknown, certain factors can raise the likelihood of developing it. The condition occurs more frequently in the United States than elsewhere. People over the

Common Names: chasteberry, chaste tree, monk's pepper, vitex, gattilier Botanical Name: Vitex agnus-castus Background • Chasteberry, also known as the chaste tree, is native to parts of the Mediterranean and central Asia. Its flower, leaf, seed, and stem are used in herbal preparations. • Historically, the name "chasteberry" is linked to a belief that the plant helped restrain sexual desire. During medieval times, monks reportedly used it for this purpose. Traditionally, it was

More than 100 nations are working intensively to enhance essential services in health care facilities, as highlighted in the latest report from WHO and UNICEF titled Essential Services for Quality Care: Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Health Care Waste and Electricity Services in Health Care Facilities. Progress includes setting national standards, conducting initial evaluations, and crafting strategies for long-term improvements. Despite this momentum, billions of people still rely on medical

Common Names: chamomile, German chamomile Scientific Names: Matricaria recutita, Chamomilla recutita, Matricaria chamomilla Background • Chamomile comes in two main forms: German and Roman. This document concentrates on the German variety. • This herb has a rich history and was mentioned in ancient texts related to medicine. It was widely valued in places such as ancient China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. • Today, chamomile is used for various health issues, including colds, digestion troubles,

Geneva, 19 September – The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the complete version of its guideline on balanced national policies for controlled medicines. This milestone publication offers the first globally unified strategy to facilitate access to essential controlled medicines for medical and research purposes, while reducing potential health risks tied to misuse and diversion. This full guide follows a brief overview initially presented during the Seventy-eighth World Health

Today marks a significant development in worldwide health coordination as recent updates to the International Health Regulations (IHR) officially take effect. These revisions demonstrate a strengthened global effort to collaborate during health crises, shaped by the valuable experiences gained during the COVID-19 pandemic. The IHR are international guidelines that apply to 196 States Parties, including all 194 members of the World Health Organization (WHO). They outline responsibilities and

Health Capsule From a biological perspective, individuals do not all age at the same pace. The speed at which you age can influence your overall health and the likelihood of developing certain diseases. Understanding how quickly you age could provide an opportunity to work with your healthcare provider to potentially delay aging. Recently, researchers have created a method to estimate aging progress using a single brain scan. This team had previously explored measuring biological aging through

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new report entitled “Saving lives, spending less,” highlighting that a modest annual investment of just $3 per person in combating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) could produce economic returns reaching $1 trillion by the year 2030. In addition, WHO presented a new review of national progress in reducing deaths from NCDs between 2010 and 2019. Although 82% of countries saw declines in mortality over that period, progress has generally slowed

Image: Scanning electron microscope image of a lung cancer cell. Image credit: Anne Weston, Francis Crick Institute A research team led by Christian Baumgartner from the Institute of Health Care Engineering at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) has created an advanced digital replica of the A549 lung cancer cell line. This digital twin focuses on detailed simulations of internal bioelectric functions and calcium signaling processes. Calcium plays a critical role in cellular function and

Every child has the right to receive safe, high-quality medical care from the very beginning of life. Despite this, millions of children around the globe continue to be underserved by health care systems that are ill-equipped to cater to their specific needs. On World Patient Safety Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for immediate and decisive action to make health care safer for children, under the theme, “Patient Safety from the Start!” This year’s initiative brings

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its global cholera update for 2024, revealing a rise in both infections and fatalities caused by the illness. In 2024, cholera cases grew by 5% and deaths spiked by 50% compared to the previous year, with over 6,000 fatalities reported from a disease that is both avoidable and treatable. Despite these troubling statistics, experts believe the actual numbers are even higher due to underreporting. Ongoing challenges such as conflict,

Image: A recent national survey shows that parents of children with medical or behavioral health conditions are less assured in helping their child have a successful school year—and more likely to say their child feels anxious too. Credit: Sara Schultz, University of Michigan ANN ARBOR, Mich. – As fall approaches and students return to classrooms, many parents are experiencing a mix of emotions—especially when their children have specific health care needs. Approximately one in four parents

Common Names: Cat’s claw, uña de gato (note: not to be confused with plants like cat’s foot or devil’s claw) Scientific Names: Uncaria tomentosa, Uncaria guianensis Background • Cat’s claw is a climbing vine native to the Amazon and surrounding tropical regions of Central and South America. • The species most often encountered are U. tomentosa and U. guianensis. In the U.S., U. tomentosa is the more commonly used in supplements. • Traditionally, Amazonian cultures have used cat’s claw for

WHO Guidelines on Multiplex Testing The World Health Organization (WHO) is forming a Guideline Development Group (GDG) to produce data-driven recommendations regarding multiplex testing. This initiative aims to establish key frameworks for integrated diagnostic services, focusing on updated research concerning HIV, viral hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Reliable and prompt diagnostic services play an essential role in halting, identifying, and treating HIV,

Q&A Highlights from a discussion with Dr. K.C. Brennan, a specialist in migraines and headaches at the University of Utah. NIHNiH: What is your method for treating migraines? Brennan: Migraine is a disorder involving networks throughout the brain, so treatment needs to take the entire person into account in order to be effective. Many areas of the nervous system are overstimulated during a migraine. This heightened sensitivity affects how we experience light, sound, and even smell—making

Understanding Its Role in Health Maintenance While many people are familiar with taking aspirin to relieve pain or bring down a fever, some individuals take a small daily dose for a different reason. A consistent low-dose regimen of aspirin has been found to lower the chances of serious heart-related issues such as heart attacks and strokes. However, researchers have discovered that the effectiveness of aspirin can vary depending on a person’s age and general health status. Aspirin works by

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new report emphasizing the damaging effects of tobacco on child development, particularly its contribution to child stunting—a condition that affects approximately 150 million children globally, mostly in regions such as Africa and Asia. Stunting heightens the risk of illness, developmental delays, and even early mortality. This latest release is the eleventh in a series of summaries about tobacco-related health issues and is aimed at

Image: From left to right: Oksana Tehlivets of the Institute of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Graz, Gerhard A. Holzapfel, and Francesca Bogoni from the Institute of Biomechanics at Graz University of Technology. Alongside researchers from the Medical University of Graz, they have uncovered that elevated homocysteine levels in the bloodstream can lead to a stiffening and reduced flexibility of the aorta. Image courtesy of TU Graz Heart and circulatory diseases continue to be the

Heart and blood vessel diseases, known collectively as cardiovascular diseases, are the leading cause of death in the United States. Among these, coronary heart disease — also referred to as coronary artery disease — is the most widespread. This condition arises when the arteries that bring blood to the heart muscle become restricted or clogged. • Various natural and alternative methods have been explored to determine if they may help manage risk factors like high blood pressure and elevated