Decades After Ottawa Charter on Determinants of Health, a Question of Combating Commercial Influences 24/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Three emerging threats to health: the commercial, digital, and climate determinants of health played centre stage at an event 40 years after a WHO charter shifted the focus of health from individual lifestyle choices to broader social and environmental determinants. Commercial formula company practices are just one case study of how structural factors like marketing […] Continue reading -> Indoor Air Pollution: The Invisible Health Risk to Children, Older People and Vulnerable Groups 22/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy While the health harms of biomass cookstoves, and the smoke they produce inside the homes of developing countries has received significant attention in the past two decades, a wide range of chemical and pathogenic air pollutants create hazards in modern homes and buildings – also threatening health. Investments in ventilation, air filtration, monitoring, and clean […] Continue reading -> Outbreak Threats, Geopolitical Divides and Financial Crises Hover Over 79th World Health Assembly 18/05/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher As the World Health Assembly opens on Monday in Geneva, it will have to grapple with shrinking global health budgets, new outbreak threats, including a new WHO declaration of a public health emergency in Africa over an Ebola virus strain that lacks any vaccine, and an increasingly fractured geopolitical space with deep disputes over Iran, […] Continue reading -> WHO Moves to Expand Access to Fast-Acting Insulin and Semaglutide, the Popular Diabetes and Obesity Control Drug 15/05/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher On the five-year anniversary of the Global Diabetes Compact, WHO has issued a call to manufacturers to submit requests for “prequalification” of generic versions of the GLP-1 drug semaglutide for diabetes management – the drug that initially became famous for weight-loss – as well as fast-acting insulin analogues that have gained popularity over human insulin […] Continue reading -> Nicotine Pouches: WHO Demands Strict Regulation to Prevent Looming Youth Epidemic 15/05/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments to strictly regulate nicotine pouches to prevent an imminent epidemic among vulnerable adolescents. These highly addictive products threaten to dismantle decades of global progress in tobacco control if left completely unchecked, health officials warn. Faced with declining cigarette sales, tobacco companies continuously release new product lines, […] Continue reading -> Regions with Worst Air Pollution Receive Least Amount of Philanthropic Support 21/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Less than 0.1% of all philanthropic funding has gone to the fight for clean air. Yet globally, nearly eight million deaths are attributed to the particles and gases that pollute the air – making air pollution the second biggest risk factor for premature death after high blood pressure. “Air pollution is one of the world’s […] Continue reading -> Microplastics: Brain Study Confirms Health Risks, Challenges Kennedy’s Claims 20/04/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen & Sophia Samantaroy A joint announcement by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) on microplastics made inaccurate claims about how many plastic particles exist in the brain, while providing an unclear regulatory plan to address this. But a study published in Nature Health found microplastics in nearly every one of its 191 […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Africa’s Clean Cooking Gap Leaves One Billion Without Access 16/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Lack of access to clean cooking fuel and technologies has extensive impacts on health, environment, economy, and women’s equality, say experts at the World Bank Group Spring Meeting. WASHINGTON– Nearly a billion people lack access to clean cooking on the African continent. A heavy reliance on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene pollutes homes with toxic particulate […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Indoor Air Pollution: The Invisible Health Risk to Children, Older People and Vulnerable Groups 22/05/2026 Sophia Samantaroy While the health harms of biomass cookstoves, and the smoke they produce inside the homes of developing countries has received significant attention in the past two decades, a wide range of chemical and pathogenic air pollutants create hazards in modern homes and buildings – also threatening health. Investments in ventilation, air filtration, monitoring, and clean […] Continue reading -> Outbreak Threats, Geopolitical Divides and Financial Crises Hover Over 79th World Health Assembly 18/05/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher As the World Health Assembly opens on Monday in Geneva, it will have to grapple with shrinking global health budgets, new outbreak threats, including a new WHO declaration of a public health emergency in Africa over an Ebola virus strain that lacks any vaccine, and an increasingly fractured geopolitical space with deep disputes over Iran, […] Continue reading -> WHO Moves to Expand Access to Fast-Acting Insulin and Semaglutide, the Popular Diabetes and Obesity Control Drug 15/05/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher On the five-year anniversary of the Global Diabetes Compact, WHO has issued a call to manufacturers to submit requests for “prequalification” of generic versions of the GLP-1 drug semaglutide for diabetes management – the drug that initially became famous for weight-loss – as well as fast-acting insulin analogues that have gained popularity over human insulin […] Continue reading -> Nicotine Pouches: WHO Demands Strict Regulation to Prevent Looming Youth Epidemic 15/05/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments to strictly regulate nicotine pouches to prevent an imminent epidemic among vulnerable adolescents. These highly addictive products threaten to dismantle decades of global progress in tobacco control if left completely unchecked, health officials warn. Faced with declining cigarette sales, tobacco companies continuously release new product lines, […] Continue reading -> Regions with Worst Air Pollution Receive Least Amount of Philanthropic Support 21/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Less than 0.1% of all philanthropic funding has gone to the fight for clean air. Yet globally, nearly eight million deaths are attributed to the particles and gases that pollute the air – making air pollution the second biggest risk factor for premature death after high blood pressure. “Air pollution is one of the world’s […] Continue reading -> Microplastics: Brain Study Confirms Health Risks, Challenges Kennedy’s Claims 20/04/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen & Sophia Samantaroy A joint announcement by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) on microplastics made inaccurate claims about how many plastic particles exist in the brain, while providing an unclear regulatory plan to address this. But a study published in Nature Health found microplastics in nearly every one of its 191 […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Africa’s Clean Cooking Gap Leaves One Billion Without Access 16/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Lack of access to clean cooking fuel and technologies has extensive impacts on health, environment, economy, and women’s equality, say experts at the World Bank Group Spring Meeting. WASHINGTON– Nearly a billion people lack access to clean cooking on the African continent. A heavy reliance on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene pollutes homes with toxic particulate […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Outbreak Threats, Geopolitical Divides and Financial Crises Hover Over 79th World Health Assembly 18/05/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher As the World Health Assembly opens on Monday in Geneva, it will have to grapple with shrinking global health budgets, new outbreak threats, including a new WHO declaration of a public health emergency in Africa over an Ebola virus strain that lacks any vaccine, and an increasingly fractured geopolitical space with deep disputes over Iran, […] Continue reading -> WHO Moves to Expand Access to Fast-Acting Insulin and Semaglutide, the Popular Diabetes and Obesity Control Drug 15/05/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher On the five-year anniversary of the Global Diabetes Compact, WHO has issued a call to manufacturers to submit requests for “prequalification” of generic versions of the GLP-1 drug semaglutide for diabetes management – the drug that initially became famous for weight-loss – as well as fast-acting insulin analogues that have gained popularity over human insulin […] Continue reading -> Nicotine Pouches: WHO Demands Strict Regulation to Prevent Looming Youth Epidemic 15/05/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments to strictly regulate nicotine pouches to prevent an imminent epidemic among vulnerable adolescents. These highly addictive products threaten to dismantle decades of global progress in tobacco control if left completely unchecked, health officials warn. Faced with declining cigarette sales, tobacco companies continuously release new product lines, […] Continue reading -> Regions with Worst Air Pollution Receive Least Amount of Philanthropic Support 21/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Less than 0.1% of all philanthropic funding has gone to the fight for clean air. Yet globally, nearly eight million deaths are attributed to the particles and gases that pollute the air – making air pollution the second biggest risk factor for premature death after high blood pressure. “Air pollution is one of the world’s […] Continue reading -> Microplastics: Brain Study Confirms Health Risks, Challenges Kennedy’s Claims 20/04/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen & Sophia Samantaroy A joint announcement by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) on microplastics made inaccurate claims about how many plastic particles exist in the brain, while providing an unclear regulatory plan to address this. But a study published in Nature Health found microplastics in nearly every one of its 191 […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Africa’s Clean Cooking Gap Leaves One Billion Without Access 16/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Lack of access to clean cooking fuel and technologies has extensive impacts on health, environment, economy, and women’s equality, say experts at the World Bank Group Spring Meeting. WASHINGTON– Nearly a billion people lack access to clean cooking on the African continent. A heavy reliance on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene pollutes homes with toxic particulate […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHO Moves to Expand Access to Fast-Acting Insulin and Semaglutide, the Popular Diabetes and Obesity Control Drug 15/05/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher On the five-year anniversary of the Global Diabetes Compact, WHO has issued a call to manufacturers to submit requests for “prequalification” of generic versions of the GLP-1 drug semaglutide for diabetes management – the drug that initially became famous for weight-loss – as well as fast-acting insulin analogues that have gained popularity over human insulin […] Continue reading -> Nicotine Pouches: WHO Demands Strict Regulation to Prevent Looming Youth Epidemic 15/05/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments to strictly regulate nicotine pouches to prevent an imminent epidemic among vulnerable adolescents. These highly addictive products threaten to dismantle decades of global progress in tobacco control if left completely unchecked, health officials warn. Faced with declining cigarette sales, tobacco companies continuously release new product lines, […] Continue reading -> Regions with Worst Air Pollution Receive Least Amount of Philanthropic Support 21/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Less than 0.1% of all philanthropic funding has gone to the fight for clean air. Yet globally, nearly eight million deaths are attributed to the particles and gases that pollute the air – making air pollution the second biggest risk factor for premature death after high blood pressure. “Air pollution is one of the world’s […] Continue reading -> Microplastics: Brain Study Confirms Health Risks, Challenges Kennedy’s Claims 20/04/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen & Sophia Samantaroy A joint announcement by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) on microplastics made inaccurate claims about how many plastic particles exist in the brain, while providing an unclear regulatory plan to address this. But a study published in Nature Health found microplastics in nearly every one of its 191 […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Africa’s Clean Cooking Gap Leaves One Billion Without Access 16/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Lack of access to clean cooking fuel and technologies has extensive impacts on health, environment, economy, and women’s equality, say experts at the World Bank Group Spring Meeting. WASHINGTON– Nearly a billion people lack access to clean cooking on the African continent. A heavy reliance on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene pollutes homes with toxic particulate […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Nicotine Pouches: WHO Demands Strict Regulation to Prevent Looming Youth Epidemic 15/05/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments to strictly regulate nicotine pouches to prevent an imminent epidemic among vulnerable adolescents. These highly addictive products threaten to dismantle decades of global progress in tobacco control if left completely unchecked, health officials warn. Faced with declining cigarette sales, tobacco companies continuously release new product lines, […] Continue reading -> Regions with Worst Air Pollution Receive Least Amount of Philanthropic Support 21/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Less than 0.1% of all philanthropic funding has gone to the fight for clean air. Yet globally, nearly eight million deaths are attributed to the particles and gases that pollute the air – making air pollution the second biggest risk factor for premature death after high blood pressure. “Air pollution is one of the world’s […] Continue reading -> Microplastics: Brain Study Confirms Health Risks, Challenges Kennedy’s Claims 20/04/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen & Sophia Samantaroy A joint announcement by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) on microplastics made inaccurate claims about how many plastic particles exist in the brain, while providing an unclear regulatory plan to address this. But a study published in Nature Health found microplastics in nearly every one of its 191 […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Africa’s Clean Cooking Gap Leaves One Billion Without Access 16/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Lack of access to clean cooking fuel and technologies has extensive impacts on health, environment, economy, and women’s equality, say experts at the World Bank Group Spring Meeting. WASHINGTON– Nearly a billion people lack access to clean cooking on the African continent. A heavy reliance on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene pollutes homes with toxic particulate […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Regions with Worst Air Pollution Receive Least Amount of Philanthropic Support 21/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Less than 0.1% of all philanthropic funding has gone to the fight for clean air. Yet globally, nearly eight million deaths are attributed to the particles and gases that pollute the air – making air pollution the second biggest risk factor for premature death after high blood pressure. “Air pollution is one of the world’s […] Continue reading -> Microplastics: Brain Study Confirms Health Risks, Challenges Kennedy’s Claims 20/04/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen & Sophia Samantaroy A joint announcement by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) on microplastics made inaccurate claims about how many plastic particles exist in the brain, while providing an unclear regulatory plan to address this. But a study published in Nature Health found microplastics in nearly every one of its 191 […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Africa’s Clean Cooking Gap Leaves One Billion Without Access 16/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Lack of access to clean cooking fuel and technologies has extensive impacts on health, environment, economy, and women’s equality, say experts at the World Bank Group Spring Meeting. WASHINGTON– Nearly a billion people lack access to clean cooking on the African continent. A heavy reliance on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene pollutes homes with toxic particulate […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Microplastics: Brain Study Confirms Health Risks, Challenges Kennedy’s Claims 20/04/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen & Sophia Samantaroy A joint announcement by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) on microplastics made inaccurate claims about how many plastic particles exist in the brain, while providing an unclear regulatory plan to address this. But a study published in Nature Health found microplastics in nearly every one of its 191 […] Continue reading -> Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Africa’s Clean Cooking Gap Leaves One Billion Without Access 16/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Lack of access to clean cooking fuel and technologies has extensive impacts on health, environment, economy, and women’s equality, say experts at the World Bank Group Spring Meeting. WASHINGTON– Nearly a billion people lack access to clean cooking on the African continent. A heavy reliance on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene pollutes homes with toxic particulate […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Bangladesh Tightens Control Over Tobacco But Excludes Smokeless Products 20/04/2026 Kerry Cullinan Bangladesh’s new government has approved a wide-ranging anti-tobacco law that bans advertising, promotion and display across print, electronic, digital and social media, entertainment platforms and points of sale. The Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) (Amendment) Law, 2025 also prohibits corporate social responsibility initiatives from using tobacco brand names, logos or trademarks. Cigarette packs have to […] Continue reading -> ‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Africa’s Clean Cooking Gap Leaves One Billion Without Access 16/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Lack of access to clean cooking fuel and technologies has extensive impacts on health, environment, economy, and women’s equality, say experts at the World Bank Group Spring Meeting. WASHINGTON– Nearly a billion people lack access to clean cooking on the African continent. A heavy reliance on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene pollutes homes with toxic particulate […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
‘A Unique Moment’: New Regional Air Pollution Plans Aim to Cut Health Burden Across Latin America 17/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) will soon unveil a new Roadmap on Air Quality and Health, following on from a meeting with countries and other stakeholders in February in Mexico. The PAHO strategy dovetails with an ambitious new regional action plan by the UN Environment Programme – which supports the work of environment ministries. While […] Continue reading -> Africa’s Clean Cooking Gap Leaves One Billion Without Access 16/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Lack of access to clean cooking fuel and technologies has extensive impacts on health, environment, economy, and women’s equality, say experts at the World Bank Group Spring Meeting. WASHINGTON– Nearly a billion people lack access to clean cooking on the African continent. A heavy reliance on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene pollutes homes with toxic particulate […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Africa’s Clean Cooking Gap Leaves One Billion Without Access 16/04/2026 Sophia Samantaroy Lack of access to clean cooking fuel and technologies has extensive impacts on health, environment, economy, and women’s equality, say experts at the World Bank Group Spring Meeting. WASHINGTON– Nearly a billion people lack access to clean cooking on the African continent. A heavy reliance on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene pollutes homes with toxic particulate […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts