The next US administration can end HIV worldwide
9/1/2025: The first Donald Trump administration committed to end the HIV epidemic in the US by 2030. If his next administration extended this to a global goal, the legacy could rank among the most important American public health achievements. Despite significant progress, HIV/AIDS claimed over 630,000 lives and there were 1.3 million new infections in 2023 alone.
Source: Devex
Global efforts needed to curb rising malaria threat
11/12/2024: According to the World Health Organization’s latest World malaria report, there were an estimated 263 million cases and 597 000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2023, representing little change over 2022. Approximately 95% of the deaths occurred in the African Region.
Source: World Health Organization
Big Pharma not moving fast enough to deliver access
19/11/2024: The latest version of the Access to Medicine Index ranks 20 of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies based on how they prioritize access to people in low- and middle-income countries. It finds that while efforts to improve access have accelerated, companies are still not moving fast enough.
Source: Devex
World Health Organization presses for funding despite Trump 2.0
18/11/2024: World Health Organizatino officials expect to secure at least half of its $7.1 billion fundraising target — for its work in the next four years — during the G20 summit in Brazil. The agency hopes to sustain its US partnerships despite concerns that, during Donald Trump’s first presidential term, he initiated a US withdrawal from the WHO.
Source: Devex
Fears for spread of malaria in Africa through antimicrobial resistance
14/11/2024: Researchers have found that a lifesaving malaria drug is becoming less effective in young African children with serious infections. Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global concern.
Source: The Guardian
How do we defeat malaria in Africa and spur development?
30/05/2024: The first two decades of the 21st century were a golden era for malaria control. However, progress has slowed since 2015 and in 2022 Africa accounted for 94% of malaria cases (233 million) globally. History shows that malaria can quickly resurge when control measures are weakened and African countries will continue to depend on global financial support.
Source: Devex
Global pandemic treaty could be more than a year away
29/5/2024: Global health leaders have said an international treaty governing how the world should deal with future pandemics may not be agreed for another year or more. After two years of negotiations, countries failed to agree on the text by the deadline.
Source: The Guardian
WHO seeks four-year funding commitments from donors
28/5/2024: The World Health Organization has officially kicked off its latest investment round by asking for $11.1 billion over the next four years. For decades, the organization has been at the mercy of donor funds flowing unpredictably and tied to certain projects. More than half the world’s population lacks essential health services and 2 billion people face financial hardship from out-of-pocket spending on health.
Source: Devex
Pandemic Fund eyes funding target to kick-start strategic plan
27/5/2024: The Pandemic Fund hopes to raise an additional $2 billion over the next two years, as it launches a new five-year, medium-term strategic plan. Established in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the Pandemic Fund is a dedicated financing mechanism to strengthen countries’ pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
Source: Devex
Gender activists want more philanthropic funding for maternal health
9/5/2024: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation reports that the Sustainable Development Goal for reducing maternal mortality and ending all preventable deaths under 5 years of age is worryingly off track. Total official development assistance to maternal, newborn, and child health stagnated between 2017 and 2021 at around $10 billion annually.
Source: Devex