World Health Organization Podcast

A new meningitis vaccine is being introduced to prevent epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa. We find out how big a problem meningitis is and how the vaccine will help.

The WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health submits its final report to the WHO Director-General.

The XVII International AIDS Conference which was held in Mexico City in early August was truly an international event with participants from every corner of the world. With over 20 000 participants, this meeting was the second largest International AIDS Conference, and the largest health-related summit ever held in the southern hemisphere.

The role of ethics in global public health and the key ethical questions that arise during demographic and health surveillance discussed, in the context of this month's Bulletin of the World Health Organization.

The International AIDS conference opens today in Mexico City. One focus of the conference will be the status of the pandemic in the Americas. World Breastfeeding week raises awareness of the importance of breastfeeding for both mothers and babies; this year the focus is particularly on supporting mothers to breastfeed successfully.

New funding announced to expand the fight against the growing use of tobacco products, specifically in the developing world; WHO and its partners shift emphasis in Myanmar from relief to early recovery, focusing particularly on rebuilding health facilities and restoring essential health services after Cyclone Nargis.

WHO international staff return to work in Iraq after five years; and a new report says more than 2.5 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.

Health ministers from the 53 countries of the WHO European Region have signed a new charter on health systems, committing themselves to improving the health and wealth of people in Europe.

World leaders call for action to reduce tuberculosis deaths among people living with HIV; a new report highlights how much disease can be prevented by improving access to safe water and better sanitation and hygiene; and, a look at the achievements of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative since its launch in 1991.

WHO makes polio eradication top operational priority; an update on the situation in Myanmar six weeks after Cyclone Nargis; and why there is a need for volunteer blood donors.

Nearly 3 million HIV-positive people are now receiving anti-retroviral therapy; a look at what WHO is doing to address health impacts of climate change; and a new campaign for a total ban on all forms of tobacco advertisements.

Two founding pioneers recount WHO's birth 60 years ago and reflect on its role today.

WHO sends emergency help to people affected by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar; the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities comes into force; and volunteers help improve treatment coverage for malaria and river blindness in Africa.

In this episode, Experts assess progress in tackling extensively drug-resistant TB; and Countdown 2015 conference identifies steps to further reduce maternal and child deaths.

In this episode, On World Health Day, a look at how climate change is going to affect human health in different parts of the world.