Author: WHES

Worldwide measles eradication target unlikely to be reached–European nations major part of the problem

The UK has been named as one of the worst countries in Europe for measles, with case levels dashing global hopes of eradicating the disease by 2010. The Lancet study says that in 2006-7 most of the 12,000 cases in Europe were found in the UK and four other nations

Ending famine in Malawi, simply by ignoring the experts

LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi hovered for years at the brink of famine. After a disastrous corn harvest in 2005, almost five million of its 13 million people needed emergency food aid.

But this year, a nation that has perennially extended a begging bowl to the world is instead feeding its hungry neighbors. It is selling more corn to the World Food Program of the United Nations than any other country in southern Africa and is exporting hundreds of thousands of tons of corn to Zimbabwe.

Globally, deaths from measles drop sharply. Little-known campaign has boosted immunization rates in developing world

Worldwide deaths from measles have fallen by two-thirds since 2000, the result of stepped-up immunization efforts and the distribution of vitamin A capsules in developing countries, a partnership of five health organizations said yesterday.

UN to cut estimate of AIDS epidemic–population with virus overstated by millions

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 19 — The United Nations’ top AIDS scientists plan to acknowledge this week that they have long overestimated both the size and the course of the epidemic, which they now believe has been slowing for nearly a decade, according to U.N. documents prepared for the announcement.

Economic growth in Africa over the past decade (5.4% per year) equals that of the rest of the world, World Bank says. However, largest growth occurred in oil-rich countries, due to increasing demand and price for oil, countries which have high corruption and poor records of providing services to the poor.

The economic outlook for Africa is improving after a decade of growth of 5.4% for the continent that matches global rates, the World Bank has said.

Rethinking AIDS strategy after a string of failures. In wake of canceled vaccine study, some experts are reemphasizing proven, low-tech prevention methods.

DURBAN, South Africa — Few cases of AIDS have been as closely scrutinized as that of a former South African prostitute named Beauty. Scientists know when this 40-year-old woman became infected, how her body responded and what happened as her immune system collapsed.