The US pause in foreign assistance funding has created 鈥渃onfusion鈥� in the vital work of community HIV prevention, despite a waiver issued for HIV/AIDS programmes, the UN agency to combat the still deadly disease said on Friday.
Categories: Global Health Feed
96
Global Health NOW: Argentina to Exit the WHO; A Potent New Way to Treat Pain; and Fat Bear Week in Altadena
Javier Milei attributed his decision to the WHO鈥檚 management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
February 6, 2025
Argentina's President Javier Milei leaves the Holocaust Museum after attending an event to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Buenos Aires, on January 27. Luis Robayo/AFP via Getty
Following Trump始s Lead, Argentina to Exit WHO
Argentina鈥檚 president Javier Milei has announced the country will leave the WHO, following U.S. President Donald Trump鈥檚 lead, .
Rationale: Milei attributed his decision to the WHO鈥檚 management of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling the lockdowns a 鈥渃aveman quarantine鈥� and 鈥渙ne of the most outlandish crimes against humanity in history.鈥�
鈥淲HO flu鈥�: The bigger concern, health advocates say, is a growing trend CIDRAP鈥檚 director 鈥淲HO flu鈥濃�攊n which countries pull out of the global health organization for political reasons.
Reaction: The announcement sparked immediate criticism from health organizations who say the move reduces Argentina鈥檚 access to health funding and resources. Opposition leaders said the decision would need to be approved by the country鈥檚 congress.
Meanwhile: The Trump administration has been considering plans for WHO reform鈥攊ncluding putting an American in charge of the agency in order for it to remain a member of the global body, . GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES The Latest One-Liners
A newer strain of bird flu has been detected in six dairy herds in Nevada; the strain, D1.1, is different from the one that has already been circulating in U.S. dairy herds, and that has been associated with severe infections in birds and humans.
Patients using diabetes apps can potentially miss critical blood glucose level alerts due to improper settings especially after software and hardware updates, per a new and recommendations.
Travelers to Uganda are being urged to take 鈥渆nhanced precautions鈥� because of the Ebola outbreak there, per alerts put out by , , and the .; recommendations include avoiding health care centers.
A kidney cancer vaccine is showing early promise, as Phase I trial results showed that nine patients at high risk for cancer recurrence remained cancer-free after three years; results suggest that the vaccines could someday be used for a wider variety of cancers. NEGLECTED DISEASES Niger鈥檚 Historic Victory Over River Blindness
Niger鈥檚 elimination of 鈥攁 parasitic disease more commonly known as river blindness鈥攊s being lauded as a 鈥渂eacon of hope鈥� in the quest to end NTDs.
Niger is the first country in the African continent to eliminate the disease, which can cause severe vision problems and blindness, plunging families into poverty.
What it took: The effort was 45 years in the making, and required extensive tracking, vector control, medication distribution鈥攁nd partnering with the global Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee, a global network of NGOs and disease experts.
Building on momentum: Eliminating river blindness in Niger alone is estimated to have added $2.3 billion USD to the country鈥檚 economy between 1976 and 2019 as prevention programs accelerated.
GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES PHARMACEUTICALS A Potent New Way to Treat Pain
The last week to greenlight a non-opioid pain medication鈥攖he first in 20+ years鈥攊s being heralded as 鈥済roundbreaking鈥� and a 鈥減ublic health milestone,鈥� .
The basics: The new analgesic drug, suzetrigine, will be sold under the brand name Journavx and used to treat moderate to severe acute pain, .
How it works: Whereas opioids bind to receptors in the brain, the new drug targets a pain-signaling pathway in the peripheral nervous system before pain signals reach the brain.
For one 525-pound California black bear, the Los Angeles wildfires weren始t a compelling enough reason to leave a cozy basement in Altadena.
After evacuating, Samy Arbid returned home to find his tubby tenant had doubled down(stairs), waiting out the emergency in the basement. Beary, aka Victor, was 鈥減robably trying to lay low, conserve energy and sleep for a while,鈥� according to Kevin Howells, an environmental scientist who helped lure Beary from his lair, the .
We始d have made a case here for ursine eminent domain, but animal control had other ideas. A tranquilizer wasn始t gonna cut it on this majestic creature, so they lured him鈥攙ery slowly and adorably鈥攚ith a buffet of rotisserie chicken, sardines, tomato sauce, peanut butter, and promise of a new life in Angeles National Forest, .
But will forest cuisine suit this urbanite始s palate? As one neighbor explained to : 鈥淗e just wants some good trash, like we all like some good trash.鈥� (Wait ... do we, though!?) QUICK HITS Sudanese relief workers in the capital fear reprisals from army 鈥�
Sweden searches for answers after country's deadliest shooting 鈥�
Public health group alarmed by online 鈥楧EI Watchlist鈥� targeting federal staff 鈥�
Spinal cord electrical stimulation restores neural function in clinical trial 鈥�
Time blindness is a psychological phenomenon. Here are steps to combat it. 鈥� Issue No. 2671
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
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You can or .
Argentina鈥檚 president Javier Milei has announced the country will leave the WHO, following U.S. President Donald Trump鈥檚 lead, .
Rationale: Milei attributed his decision to the WHO鈥檚 management of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling the lockdowns a 鈥渃aveman quarantine鈥� and 鈥渙ne of the most outlandish crimes against humanity in history.鈥�
- Milei鈥檚 actions have echoed other Trump policies, including a new crackdown on transgender care for minors.
鈥淲HO flu鈥�: The bigger concern, health advocates say, is a growing trend CIDRAP鈥檚 director 鈥淲HO flu鈥濃�攊n which countries pull out of the global health organization for political reasons.
Reaction: The announcement sparked immediate criticism from health organizations who say the move reduces Argentina鈥檚 access to health funding and resources. Opposition leaders said the decision would need to be approved by the country鈥檚 congress.
Meanwhile: The Trump administration has been considering plans for WHO reform鈥攊ncluding putting an American in charge of the agency in order for it to remain a member of the global body, . GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES The Latest One-Liners
A newer strain of bird flu has been detected in six dairy herds in Nevada; the strain, D1.1, is different from the one that has already been circulating in U.S. dairy herds, and that has been associated with severe infections in birds and humans.
Patients using diabetes apps can potentially miss critical blood glucose level alerts due to improper settings especially after software and hardware updates, per a new and recommendations.
Travelers to Uganda are being urged to take 鈥渆nhanced precautions鈥� because of the Ebola outbreak there, per alerts put out by , , and the .; recommendations include avoiding health care centers.
A kidney cancer vaccine is showing early promise, as Phase I trial results showed that nine patients at high risk for cancer recurrence remained cancer-free after three years; results suggest that the vaccines could someday be used for a wider variety of cancers. NEGLECTED DISEASES Niger鈥檚 Historic Victory Over River Blindness
Niger鈥檚 elimination of 鈥攁 parasitic disease more commonly known as river blindness鈥攊s being lauded as a 鈥渂eacon of hope鈥� in the quest to end NTDs.
Niger is the first country in the African continent to eliminate the disease, which can cause severe vision problems and blindness, plunging families into poverty.
What it took: The effort was 45 years in the making, and required extensive tracking, vector control, medication distribution鈥攁nd partnering with the global Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee, a global network of NGOs and disease experts.
Building on momentum: Eliminating river blindness in Niger alone is estimated to have added $2.3 billion USD to the country鈥檚 economy between 1976 and 2019 as prevention programs accelerated.
GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES PHARMACEUTICALS A Potent New Way to Treat Pain
The last week to greenlight a non-opioid pain medication鈥攖he first in 20+ years鈥攊s being heralded as 鈥済roundbreaking鈥� and a 鈥減ublic health milestone,鈥� .
The basics: The new analgesic drug, suzetrigine, will be sold under the brand name Journavx and used to treat moderate to severe acute pain, .
How it works: Whereas opioids bind to receptors in the brain, the new drug targets a pain-signaling pathway in the peripheral nervous system before pain signals reach the brain.
- 鈥淎s a result, you shouldn鈥檛 get euphoria,鈥� explained neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta in a this week.
For one 525-pound California black bear, the Los Angeles wildfires weren始t a compelling enough reason to leave a cozy basement in Altadena.
After evacuating, Samy Arbid returned home to find his tubby tenant had doubled down(stairs), waiting out the emergency in the basement. Beary, aka Victor, was 鈥減robably trying to lay low, conserve energy and sleep for a while,鈥� according to Kevin Howells, an environmental scientist who helped lure Beary from his lair, the .
We始d have made a case here for ursine eminent domain, but animal control had other ideas. A tranquilizer wasn始t gonna cut it on this majestic creature, so they lured him鈥攙ery slowly and adorably鈥攚ith a buffet of rotisserie chicken, sardines, tomato sauce, peanut butter, and promise of a new life in Angeles National Forest, .
But will forest cuisine suit this urbanite始s palate? As one neighbor explained to : 鈥淗e just wants some good trash, like we all like some good trash.鈥� (Wait ... do we, though!?) QUICK HITS Sudanese relief workers in the capital fear reprisals from army 鈥�
Sweden searches for answers after country's deadliest shooting 鈥�
Public health group alarmed by online 鈥楧EI Watchlist鈥� targeting federal staff 鈥�
Spinal cord electrical stimulation restores neural function in clinical trial 鈥�
Time blindness is a psychological phenomenon. Here are steps to combat it. 鈥� Issue No. 2671
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
Categories: Global Health Feed
Some 230 million girls in more than 90 countries 鈥� predominantly in Africa and Asia 鈥� have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) and can suffer lifelong physical, emotional and psychological scars, an issue that the UN鈥檚 sexual and reproductive health agency has been tackling with the support of the international community including the United States.
Categories: Global Health Feed
More than 12,000 critically ill and injured patients, including at least 5,000 children, urgently need to be evacuated from Gaza, amid the crumbling health system, the UN World Health Organization (WHO)鈥檚 top official in the region said on Thursday.
Categories: Global Health Feed
As the world marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on Thursday, the United Nations is warning that without urgent action, a staggering 27 million more girls could undergo the procedure by 2030.
Categories: Global Health Feed
More than 100 children under the age of five die every day in East Asia and the Pacific due to air pollution, the UN Children鈥檚 Fund (UNICEF) warned in a new analysis released on Thursday, calling for urgent action to tackle the crisis.
Categories: Global Health Feed
96
Global Health NOW: 鈥楢bsolute Emergency鈥� in Goma; Female 鈥楬onor鈥� Killings on the Rise in Iran; and India Grapples with the Future of Gas Stoves
February 5, 2025
Residents watch as members of the Congolese Red Cross and the Civilian Protection bury dozens of bodies in a cemetery in Goma on February 3. Alexis Huguet/AFP via Getty
鈥楢bsolute Emergency鈥� in Goma
Extreme violence in the eastern DRC over the last two weeks has left 900+ dead, ~2,880 injured, and a displaced population facing heightened risk of sexual violence and disease outbreaks, .
Background: , rebels with the Rwandan-backed M83 militia have seized large areas of Goma, the regional capital of North Kivu, severely restricting humanitarian access to a region that is already home to 696,000+ internally displaced people.
The latest: A ceasefire allowed residents to assess the devastation and to hurriedly bury ~2,000 bodies amid feared spread of disease, .
Risk of outbreaks: The WHO is of heightened disease risk, including cholera, mpox, and measles, .
Exacerbating the crisis: A 90-day suspension of U.S. humanitarian funding is 鈥渟everely impacting鈥� relief efforts, says the UN. GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES The Latest One-Liners Inadequate breast cancer screening and care systems could lead to the deaths of an estimated 135,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa by 2040, a new finds; in 2022, half of the women diagnosed with breast cancer in the region died from the disease.
Trans health and research programs are being halted by the Trump administration, with notices sent in recent days that terminate funding and block ongoing research鈥攍eaving many researchers, medical organizations, and advocates in limbo.
Flies in hospital wards may be carrying drug-resistant bacteria between patients, Nigerian researchers have found in a published in Environment International, which found that some flies were carrying bacteria most common in hospital-acquired infections.
Health care affordability and access were ranked by Americans as the highest public health priority for government leaders to address, per a new public health by Emory University鈥檚 Rollins School of Public Health and Gallup. Trump Transition News Public Health Journal Won't Be Complicit in Trump Admin's Censorship 鈥�
Medical journal editors must resist CDC order and anti-gender ideology 鈥�
Exclusive: how NSF is scouring research grants for violations of Trump鈥檚 orders 鈥�
Senate committee advances RFK Jr.'s nomination for HHS secretary in party-line vote 鈥�
Federal health workers terrified after 'DEI' website publishes list of 'targets' 鈥�
America Can鈥檛 Just Unpause USAID 鈥� VIOLENCE Female 鈥楬onor鈥� Killings on the Rise in Iran
At least 133 women and girls鈥攁bout one every two days鈥攚ere killed in 2024 by male family members, with most of the deaths identified as 鈥渉onor鈥� killings, according to an analysis by RFE/RL's Radio Farda.
GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH India Grapples with the Future of Gas Stoves
In an effort to curb air pollution in India鈥攅specially inside homes鈥攈ealth advocates have long pushed for a transition from cooking with stoves that burn wood or dung to stoves that use liquefied petroleum gas.
10 Things to Know About U.S. Funding for Global Health 鈥�
Syria landmine crisis spirals as millions begin to return home 鈥�
鈥業 could feel the worms鈥�: Neglected victims of Loiasis find hope in a remote research station 鈥�
How Sudan virus binds to human cells 鈥�
This program in Nigeria sends children from the streets into the classroom 鈥�
BMJ study calls for maximisation of women鈥檚 potential in healthcare 鈥� Issue No. 2670
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
Extreme violence in the eastern DRC over the last two weeks has left 900+ dead, ~2,880 injured, and a displaced population facing heightened risk of sexual violence and disease outbreaks, .
Background: , rebels with the Rwandan-backed M83 militia have seized large areas of Goma, the regional capital of North Kivu, severely restricting humanitarian access to a region that is already home to 696,000+ internally displaced people.
The latest: A ceasefire allowed residents to assess the devastation and to hurriedly bury ~2,000 bodies amid feared spread of disease, .
- The Goma airport remains closed, paralyzing relief operations. 鈥淓very hour lost puts more lives at risk. This is an absolute emergency,鈥� said Bruno Lemarquis, the UN鈥檚 top humanitarian official in the DRC.
Risk of outbreaks: The WHO is of heightened disease risk, including cholera, mpox, and measles, .
Exacerbating the crisis: A 90-day suspension of U.S. humanitarian funding is 鈥渟everely impacting鈥� relief efforts, says the UN. GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES The Latest One-Liners Inadequate breast cancer screening and care systems could lead to the deaths of an estimated 135,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa by 2040, a new finds; in 2022, half of the women diagnosed with breast cancer in the region died from the disease.
Trans health and research programs are being halted by the Trump administration, with notices sent in recent days that terminate funding and block ongoing research鈥攍eaving many researchers, medical organizations, and advocates in limbo.
Flies in hospital wards may be carrying drug-resistant bacteria between patients, Nigerian researchers have found in a published in Environment International, which found that some flies were carrying bacteria most common in hospital-acquired infections.
Health care affordability and access were ranked by Americans as the highest public health priority for government leaders to address, per a new public health by Emory University鈥檚 Rollins School of Public Health and Gallup. Trump Transition News Public Health Journal Won't Be Complicit in Trump Admin's Censorship 鈥�
Medical journal editors must resist CDC order and anti-gender ideology 鈥�
Exclusive: how NSF is scouring research grants for violations of Trump鈥檚 orders 鈥�
Senate committee advances RFK Jr.'s nomination for HHS secretary in party-line vote 鈥�
Federal health workers terrified after 'DEI' website publishes list of 'targets' 鈥�
America Can鈥檛 Just Unpause USAID 鈥� VIOLENCE Female 鈥楬onor鈥� Killings on the Rise in Iran
At least 133 women and girls鈥攁bout one every two days鈥攚ere killed in 2024 by male family members, with most of the deaths identified as 鈥渉onor鈥� killings, according to an analysis by RFE/RL's Radio Farda.
- Most femicide cases in Iran are excused as family disputes in which a female member is targeted for allegedly violating societal or religious traditions, per human rights advocates.
GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH India Grapples with the Future of Gas Stoves
In an effort to curb air pollution in India鈥攅specially inside homes鈥攈ealth advocates have long pushed for a transition from cooking with stoves that burn wood or dung to stoves that use liquefied petroleum gas.
However: A recent multicenter study found no statistically significant health benefits for children in homes with gas stoves鈥攄espite a marked improvement in the homes鈥� air quality.
Current debate:- Critics are calling for a pivot to alternatives like electricity, which could provide broader environmental and health benefits.
- But proponents say India鈥檚 grid is not ready for such expansion鈥攁nd argue that the air quality improvement is reason enough to invest in the expansion of gas stoves.
10 Things to Know About U.S. Funding for Global Health 鈥�
Syria landmine crisis spirals as millions begin to return home 鈥�
鈥業 could feel the worms鈥�: Neglected victims of Loiasis find hope in a remote research station 鈥�
How Sudan virus binds to human cells 鈥�
This program in Nigeria sends children from the streets into the classroom 鈥�
BMJ study calls for maximisation of women鈥檚 potential in healthcare 鈥� Issue No. 2670
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
Categories: Global Health Feed
New executive orders issued by the White House are set to further impact the cooperative, multilateral work of the United Nations, two weeks since the United States declared that it was pulling out of the UN health agency, WHO.
Categories: Global Health Feed
Sakina Sani was married off when she was 12 years old amid conflict and food shortages in northern Nigeria. She became pregnant at 15 but miscarried and then had two children in rapid succession.
Categories: Global Health Feed
96
Global Health NOW: Sudan鈥檚 Surgeons Go Underground; Truck Stop Education; and Mosquito Magnetism
February 4, 2025
Sudan鈥檚 Surgeons Go Underground
In north Darfur, indiscriminate violence and continuous shelling鈥攊ncluding attacks on hospitals鈥攈ave devastated the health care infrastructure, forcing the area鈥檚 last standing hospital, the Al-Saudi Maternal Teaching Hospital, to perform surgeries in underground bunkers, .
鈥淭he failure to act is a choice, and it鈥檚 killing people,鈥� says Marcella Kraay, MSF鈥檚 emergency coordinator.
Impact of Trump orders: Sudden stop-work orders from the Trump administration last week came at a devastating time for Sudan, interrupting vital aid operations for severely malnourished children at a half dozen U.S.-funded medical facilities in Sudan, in an article detailing the impact of the interruptions鈥攄espite the Trump administration鈥檚 follow-up announcements ostensibly allowing lifesaving operations to proceed.
U.S. CDC webpages that include data on gender identity and LGBTQ issues remain inaccessible, following an executive order by President Trump targeting the topics; public health and medical experts have decried the disappearance of information needed to protect the health of marginalized populations.
People who have microplastics or nanoplastics embedded in fatty plaques in their blood vessels had a 4.5X greater risk of heart attacks, strokes, or death over a three-year period than patients who were plastic-free, according to a small study published in today.
Lung cancer in people who have never smoked is now believed to be the fifth highest cause of global cancer deaths; adenocarcinoma is the main cancer among never-smokers, and ~200,000 adenocarcinoma cases were linked to air pollution in 2022, per the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Trump Transition News Senate committee to vote today on RFK Jr.'s nomination 鈥�
RFK Jr. misled the US Senate on measles deaths, Samoa鈥檚 health chief says 鈥�
The Status of President Trump鈥檚 Pause of Foreign Aid and Implications for PEPFAR and other Global Health Programs -
USAID may be reorganized, absorbed by the State Department, Rubio says 鈥�
Removal of DEI content from a microbiology group鈥檚 website shows reach of Trump executive orders 鈥� HIV/AIDS Truck Stop Education
India鈥檚 truck drivers are a high-risk group for HIV, with a 7X times higher than .
In an effort to bring down rates, a foundation set up by the country鈥檚 largest tire manufacturer has enlisted commercial sex workers at truck stops to help with HIV prevention efforts鈥攚ith the workers educating drivers about risks, symptoms, and treatment.
Incarcerated trans people are facing a 鈥減recarious鈥� future following the White House that directs the Bureau of Prisons to ensure 鈥渢hat males are not detained in women鈥檚 prisons.鈥�
Risks: The Bureau of Prisons鈥� 2022 manual on trans inmates stated that trans women living in men鈥檚 prisons face a disproportionate risk of violence and sexual assault.
ZIKA Mosquito Magnetism
While Zika has gained powerful traction over the last decade, scientists are just beginning to understand why it鈥檚 so transmissible. One big reason: It changes human skin to become more mosquito-friendly.
Implications: The insights could help scientists 鈥渦nlock new strategies鈥� like genetic interventions to disrupt mosquito-attracting signals.
QUICK HITS Conflict in eastern DRC hampers fight against mpox 鈥� Africa CDC 鈥�
Bird flu crisis enters new phase 鈥�
Here is how we know that vaccines do not cause autism 鈥�
Study Finds More Than 300 Juveniles Were Shot by Police Between 2015 and 2020, One-Third of Them Fatally 鈥�
Five ways to bridge the 'know鈥揹o' continuum in global health 鈥�
The long quest for artificial blood 鈥�
Families buy more sugary cereal if advertising targets kids, not adults 鈥� Issue No. 2669
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
In north Darfur, indiscriminate violence and continuous shelling鈥攊ncluding attacks on hospitals鈥攈ave devastated the health care infrastructure, forcing the area鈥檚 last standing hospital, the Al-Saudi Maternal Teaching Hospital, to perform surgeries in underground bunkers, .
- The hospital, in the besieged town of Al-Fasher, has been attacked 15 times, including a drone attack on the hospital that killed 70+ people on January 24.
- Medics perform up to 12 surgeries a day by flashlight in nearby shelters built out of abandoned UN shipping containers and buried under sandbags.
鈥淭he failure to act is a choice, and it鈥檚 killing people,鈥� says Marcella Kraay, MSF鈥檚 emergency coordinator.
Impact of Trump orders: Sudden stop-work orders from the Trump administration last week came at a devastating time for Sudan, interrupting vital aid operations for severely malnourished children at a half dozen U.S.-funded medical facilities in Sudan, in an article detailing the impact of the interruptions鈥攄espite the Trump administration鈥檚 follow-up announcements ostensibly allowing lifesaving operations to proceed.
- Aid workers鈥攔ealizing that compliance with the stop-work order would mean that up to 100 babies and toddlers would die鈥斺�渃hose the children,鈥� and continued to do their job.
U.S. CDC webpages that include data on gender identity and LGBTQ issues remain inaccessible, following an executive order by President Trump targeting the topics; public health and medical experts have decried the disappearance of information needed to protect the health of marginalized populations.
People who have microplastics or nanoplastics embedded in fatty plaques in their blood vessels had a 4.5X greater risk of heart attacks, strokes, or death over a three-year period than patients who were plastic-free, according to a small study published in today.
Lung cancer in people who have never smoked is now believed to be the fifth highest cause of global cancer deaths; adenocarcinoma is the main cancer among never-smokers, and ~200,000 adenocarcinoma cases were linked to air pollution in 2022, per the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Trump Transition News Senate committee to vote today on RFK Jr.'s nomination 鈥�
RFK Jr. misled the US Senate on measles deaths, Samoa鈥檚 health chief says 鈥�
The Status of President Trump鈥檚 Pause of Foreign Aid and Implications for PEPFAR and other Global Health Programs -
USAID may be reorganized, absorbed by the State Department, Rubio says 鈥�
Removal of DEI content from a microbiology group鈥檚 website shows reach of Trump executive orders 鈥� HIV/AIDS Truck Stop Education
India鈥檚 truck drivers are a high-risk group for HIV, with a 7X times higher than .
In an effort to bring down rates, a foundation set up by the country鈥檚 largest tire manufacturer has enlisted commercial sex workers at truck stops to help with HIV prevention efforts鈥攚ith the workers educating drivers about risks, symptoms, and treatment.
- Since 2022, the foundation has focused on recruiting 100+ transgender sex workers as part of its efforts, allowing it to reach 100,000+ truck drivers.
- Both the sex workers and the truckers are marginalized groups, which fosters mutual trust, say advocates.
Incarcerated trans people are facing a 鈥減recarious鈥� future following the White House that directs the Bureau of Prisons to ensure 鈥渢hat males are not detained in women鈥檚 prisons.鈥�
- The order also prohibits inmates from receiving gender-affirming health care using federal funds.
Risks: The Bureau of Prisons鈥� 2022 manual on trans inmates stated that trans women living in men鈥檚 prisons face a disproportionate risk of violence and sexual assault.
- That previously-public manual has from the bureau鈥檚 website.
ZIKA Mosquito Magnetism
While Zika has gained powerful traction over the last decade, scientists are just beginning to understand why it鈥檚 so transmissible. One big reason: It changes human skin to become more mosquito-friendly.
- 鈥淶ika virus isn鈥檛 just passively transmitted, but it actively manipulates human biology to ensure its survival,鈥� said the study鈥檚 co-lead author Noushin Emami.
Implications: The insights could help scientists 鈥渦nlock new strategies鈥� like genetic interventions to disrupt mosquito-attracting signals.
QUICK HITS Conflict in eastern DRC hampers fight against mpox 鈥� Africa CDC 鈥�
Bird flu crisis enters new phase 鈥�
Here is how we know that vaccines do not cause autism 鈥�
Study Finds More Than 300 Juveniles Were Shot by Police Between 2015 and 2020, One-Third of Them Fatally 鈥�
Five ways to bridge the 'know鈥揹o' continuum in global health 鈥�
The long quest for artificial blood 鈥�
Families buy more sugary cereal if advertising targets kids, not adults 鈥� Issue No. 2669
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
Categories: Global Health Feed
96
Global Health NOW: The Push to Dismantle USAID; January Recap; and Saving Children鈥檚 Eyesight in Mozambique
February 3, 2025
Sandra Ramos and her children stand by an improvised shack she built with the help of USAID after hurricanes Eta and Iota. La Lima, Honduras. July 15, 2022.
Orlanda Sierra/AFP via Getty
The Push to Dismantle USAID
The fate of the U.S. Agency for International Development is tenuous following a turbulent weekend for the agency, .
Immediate impact: Meanwhile, lifesaving health programs and research have already been shut down worldwide in response to the 90-day freeze on foreign aid, 鈥攚ith grave consequences for efforts like malaria prevention, .
Data disappearing: An increasing number of federal health datasets including standard surveillance reports have been taken offline or appear to have been modified, .
Related:
WHO proposes budget cut after US exit, defends its work 鈥�
Too little, too late: What a Pepfar waiver can鈥檛 do 鈥�
National Science Foundation suspends salary payments, leaving researchers unable to pay their bills 鈥� GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES The Latest One-Liners An Ebola vaccine trial is poised to begin in Uganda in an effort to stem an outbreak that has killed a nurse in Kampala, a top health official said yesterday; the vaccine maker was not announced.
Black lupus patients in England are 8X more likely to be hospitalized for the condition, NHS figures show鈥攚ith health advocates saying the 鈥渟tark鈥� disparity could be because of delayed diagnoses.
Four cases of measles鈥攊ncluding two affecting school-aged children鈥攈ave been reported in Texas in less than two weeks, per an from the state鈥檚 health agency; none of the patients had received measles vaccinations.
The link between autism and maternal health during pregnancy may be largely attributable to inherited genetic variants鈥攙ersus a direct cause-and-effect relationship between certain health conditions and autism鈥攁 large new of 1 million+ Danish children and families has found. JANUARY MUST-READS The Global Repercussions of Burma鈥檚 Crisis
Years of conflict and instability have devastated Burma鈥檚 (Myanmar鈥檚) disease prevention efforts鈥攁nd the consequences could transcend borders, write Maw Lay and Khin, journalists with Delta News Agency.
Indigenous Panamanians Face an 鈥楿ncontrolled Epidemic鈥�
An 鈥渦ncontrolled epidemic鈥� of untreated HIV threatens the young people of Panama鈥檚 Ng盲be-Bugl茅 Indigenous territory.
Overlooked Agony
Misbah Khan鈥檚 reporting surfaces the neglected issue of UTIs and the acute pain they cause鈥攚ith no targeted treatments beyond antibiotics, and scant research into why they occur鈥攄espite afflicting over 400 million people, primarily women, a year.
A Window Into Russia鈥檚 鈥榊ear of the Family鈥� Restrictions
Staring down a decades-long demographic crisis鈥攅xacerbated by losses in the Ukraine war鈥擱ussia鈥檚 president Vladimir Putin is pushing 鈥減ro-family鈥� policies.
MUMBAI, India鈥擜s recent summer temperatures in the city topped 39掳C (102掳F), the nearby playground was often empty.
12-year-old Sandesh Gholap tended to stay indoors. He gained 10 kilograms (22 pounds) in the past year, has experienced bullying, and stopped participating in social activities.
More January exclusives:
Over the course of our lives, every one of us will experience a decline in hearing.
Less common: getting regular hearing tests to understand how our hearing changes over time.
In Mozambique, many children suffer from easily treatable eye problems simply because vision screening programs are so limited and providers are so few:
QUICK HITS WHO chief asks for help pushing US to reconsider its withdrawal from health agency 鈥�
On the frontline against bird flu, egg farmers fear they're losing the battle 鈥�
New York Doctor Indicted in Louisiana for Sending Abortion Pills There 鈥�
GAO: Public-health workforce shortage undermines ability to respond to outbreaks, other emergencies 鈥�
What to know about polio vaccines, in 4 charts 鈥�
Alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations spiked during the pandemic. Could policy have made a difference? 鈥�
They help seniors push back against a deluge of health misinformation 鈥� Issue No. M-Feb. 2025
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
The fate of the U.S. Agency for International Development is tenuous following a turbulent weekend for the agency, .
- Already, hundreds of workers for the humanitarian agency have been laid off, and its work has been almost totally suspended, .
- Elon Musk, who leads the new Department of Government Efficiency, repeatedly denigrated the agency and said that it was 鈥渢ime for it to die.鈥�
- DOGE workers demanded access to USAID restricted spaces鈥攁nd put on leave the two USAID security officials who refused to grant it.
- The agency鈥檚 , along with its social media accounts.
- USAID is 鈥渆nduring an unlawful shutdown, purge, and dismantling,鈥� Atul Gawande, former global health lead at USAID.
Immediate impact: Meanwhile, lifesaving health programs and research have already been shut down worldwide in response to the 90-day freeze on foreign aid, 鈥攚ith grave consequences for efforts like malaria prevention, .
Data disappearing: An increasing number of federal health datasets including standard surveillance reports have been taken offline or appear to have been modified, .
Related:
WHO proposes budget cut after US exit, defends its work 鈥�
Too little, too late: What a Pepfar waiver can鈥檛 do 鈥�
National Science Foundation suspends salary payments, leaving researchers unable to pay their bills 鈥� GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES The Latest One-Liners An Ebola vaccine trial is poised to begin in Uganda in an effort to stem an outbreak that has killed a nurse in Kampala, a top health official said yesterday; the vaccine maker was not announced.
Black lupus patients in England are 8X more likely to be hospitalized for the condition, NHS figures show鈥攚ith health advocates saying the 鈥渟tark鈥� disparity could be because of delayed diagnoses.
Four cases of measles鈥攊ncluding two affecting school-aged children鈥攈ave been reported in Texas in less than two weeks, per an from the state鈥檚 health agency; none of the patients had received measles vaccinations.
The link between autism and maternal health during pregnancy may be largely attributable to inherited genetic variants鈥攙ersus a direct cause-and-effect relationship between certain health conditions and autism鈥攁 large new of 1 million+ Danish children and families has found. JANUARY MUST-READS The Global Repercussions of Burma鈥檚 Crisis
Years of conflict and instability have devastated Burma鈥檚 (Myanmar鈥檚) disease prevention efforts鈥攁nd the consequences could transcend borders, write Maw Lay and Khin, journalists with Delta News Agency.
- Medical resources have been depleted, monitoring programs have been dismantled, and health workers have been attacked. Malaria and tuberculosis cases have increased 7X; HIV cases are up 10%.
- If drug-resistant malaria spreads from Burma, it could reverse global malaria progress, potentially setting back efforts by 10鈥�15 years.
Indigenous Panamanians Face an 鈥楿ncontrolled Epidemic鈥�
An 鈥渦ncontrolled epidemic鈥� of untreated HIV threatens the young people of Panama鈥檚 Ng盲be-Bugl茅 Indigenous territory.
- ~2,500 people of the ~225,000 in the region live with HIV; it was the leading cause of death in the region in 2022, and in 2024, the area reported new infections at nearly 4X the national rate.
Overlooked Agony
Misbah Khan鈥檚 reporting surfaces the neglected issue of UTIs and the acute pain they cause鈥攚ith no targeted treatments beyond antibiotics, and scant research into why they occur鈥攄espite afflicting over 400 million people, primarily women, a year.
- 鈥淚t鈥檚 a public health problem and it takes people away from their lives and nobody cares,鈥� said Elizabeth Kavaler, a New York-based urologist.
A Window Into Russia鈥檚 鈥榊ear of the Family鈥� Restrictions
Staring down a decades-long demographic crisis鈥攅xacerbated by losses in the Ukraine war鈥擱ussia鈥檚 president Vladimir Putin is pushing 鈥減ro-family鈥� policies.
- Doctors and employers who advise women to get abortions face fines; couples seeking divorce must undergo psychological consultations and a waiting period; and a new law punishes 鈥渃hildfree propaganda鈥� with heavy fines.
- New 鈥渇amily studies鈥� classes in schools emphasize family as the state's foundation.
MUMBAI, India鈥擜s recent summer temperatures in the city topped 39掳C (102掳F), the nearby playground was often empty.
12-year-old Sandesh Gholap tended to stay indoors. He gained 10 kilograms (22 pounds) in the past year, has experienced bullying, and stopped participating in social activities.
- A 1掳C rise in temperature in low-resource countries has been associated with a 4% rise in children鈥檚 BMI and a 2% increase in women鈥檚, according to . Rising temperatures can also lead to changes in diet, reduced nutritional value in plants, and other impacts that influence people鈥檚 weight.
More January exclusives:
Over the course of our lives, every one of us will experience a decline in hearing.
Less common: getting regular hearing tests to understand how our hearing changes over time.
- Now, with free smartphone apps, anyone can learn their 鈥溾�濃�攖he measure in decibels of the softest speech sound a person can hear.
- Why it matters: More accessible tools to identify hearing changes鈥攃ombined with new interventions, such as over-the-counter hearing aids鈥攃ould help more people optimize their hearing and potentially stave off cognitive decline linked to hearing loss.
In Mozambique, many children suffer from easily treatable eye problems simply because vision screening programs are so limited and providers are so few:
- There are just three pediatric ophthalmologists for a population of 30 million.
- Traveling clinics to teach medical workers about screening and interventions like glasses and simple surgeries.
- Educational outreach for teachers, traditional healers, and community health workers on how to spot vision problems.
QUICK HITS WHO chief asks for help pushing US to reconsider its withdrawal from health agency 鈥�
On the frontline against bird flu, egg farmers fear they're losing the battle 鈥�
New York Doctor Indicted in Louisiana for Sending Abortion Pills There 鈥�
GAO: Public-health workforce shortage undermines ability to respond to outbreaks, other emergencies 鈥�
What to know about polio vaccines, in 4 charts 鈥�
Alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations spiked during the pandemic. Could policy have made a difference? 鈥�
They help seniors push back against a deluge of health misinformation 鈥� Issue No. M-Feb. 2025
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
Categories: Global Health Feed
Save the Date: 2025 Donald G. Doehring Memorial Lecture
Thursday March 27th 2025 鈥� 4:30pm to 6pm
Leacock Building #232, 855 Sherbrooke West
Lori Leibold Ph.D.
Senior Director 鈥� Center for Hearing Research
Speaker Bio
Categories: Global Health Feed
96
Global Health NOW: The Push to Dismantle USAID; January Recap; and Saving Children鈥檚 Eyesight in Mozambique
February 3, 2025
Sandra Ramos and her children stand by an improvised shack she built with the help of USAID after hurricanes Eta and Iota. La Lima, Honduras. July 15, 2022.
Orlanda Sierra/AFP via Getty
The Push to Dismantle USAID
The fate of the U.S. Agency for International Development is tenuous following a turbulent weekend for the agency, .
Immediate impact: Meanwhile, lifesaving health programs and research have already been shut down worldwide in response to the 90-day freeze on foreign aid, 鈥攚ith grave consequences for efforts like malaria prevention, .
Data disappearing: An increasing number of federal health datasets including standard surveillance reports have been taken offline or appear to have been modified, .
Related:
WHO proposes budget cut after US exit, defends its work 鈥�
Too little, too late: What a Pepfar waiver can鈥檛 do 鈥�
National Science Foundation suspends salary payments, leaving researchers unable to pay their bills 鈥� GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES The Latest One-Liners An Ebola vaccine trial is poised to begin in Uganda in an effort to stem an outbreak that has killed a nurse in Kampala, a top health official said yesterday; the vaccine maker was not announced.
Black lupus patients in England are 8X more likely to be hospitalized for the condition, NHS figures show鈥攚ith health advocates saying the 鈥渟tark鈥� disparity could be because of delayed diagnoses.
Four cases of measles鈥攊ncluding two affecting school-aged children鈥攈ave been reported in Texas in less than two weeks, per an from the state鈥檚 health agency; none of the patients had received measles vaccinations.
The link between autism and maternal health during pregnancy may be largely attributable to inherited genetic variants鈥攙ersus a direct cause-and-effect relationship between certain health conditions and autism鈥攁 large new of 1 million+ Danish children and families has found. JANUARY MUST-READS The Global Repercussions of Burma鈥檚 Crisis
Years of conflict and instability have devastated Burma鈥檚 (Myanmar鈥檚) disease prevention efforts鈥攁nd the consequences could transcend borders, write Maw Lay and Khin, journalists with Delta News Agency.
Indigenous Panamanians Face an 鈥楿ncontrolled Epidemic鈥�
An 鈥渦ncontrolled epidemic鈥� of untreated HIV threatens the young people of Panama鈥檚 Ng盲be-Bugl茅 Indigenous territory.
Overlooked Agony
Misbah Khan鈥檚 reporting surfaces the neglected issue of UTIs and the acute pain they cause鈥攚ith no targeted treatments beyond antibiotics, and scant research into why they occur鈥攄espite afflicting over 400 million people, primarily women, a year.
A Window Into Russia鈥檚 鈥榊ear of the Family鈥� Restrictions
Staring down a decades-long demographic crisis鈥攅xacerbated by losses in the Ukraine war鈥擱ussia鈥檚 president Vladimir Putin is pushing 鈥減ro-family鈥� policies.
MUMBAI, India鈥擜s recent summer temperatures in the city topped 39掳C (102掳F), the nearby playground was often empty.
12-year-old Sandesh Gholap tended to stay indoors. He gained 10 kilograms (22 pounds) in the past year, has experienced bullying, and stopped participating in social activities.
More January exclusives:
Over the course of our lives, every one of us will experience a decline in hearing.
Less common: getting regular hearing tests to understand how our hearing changes over time.
In Mozambique, many children suffer from easily treatable eye problems simply because vision screening programs are so limited and providers are so few:
QUICK HITS WHO chief asks for help pushing US to reconsider its withdrawal from health agency 鈥�
On the frontline against bird flu, egg farmers fear they're losing the battle 鈥�
New York Doctor Indicted in Louisiana for Sending Abortion Pills There 鈥�
GAO: Public-health workforce shortage undermines ability to respond to outbreaks, other emergencies 鈥�
What to know about polio vaccines, in 4 charts 鈥�
Alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations spiked during the pandemic. Could policy have made a difference? 鈥�
They help seniors push back against a deluge of health misinformation 鈥� Issue No. 2668
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
The fate of the U.S. Agency for International Development is tenuous following a turbulent weekend for the agency, .
- Already, hundreds of workers for the humanitarian agency have been laid off, and its work has been almost totally suspended, .
- Elon Musk, who leads the new Department of Government Efficiency, repeatedly denigrated the agency and said that it was 鈥渢ime for it to die.鈥�
- DOGE workers demanded access to USAID restricted spaces鈥攁nd put on leave the two USAID security officials who refused to grant it.
- The agency鈥檚 , along with its social media accounts.
- USAID is 鈥渆nduring an unlawful shutdown, purge, and dismantling,鈥� Atul Gawande, former global health lead at USAID.
Immediate impact: Meanwhile, lifesaving health programs and research have already been shut down worldwide in response to the 90-day freeze on foreign aid, 鈥攚ith grave consequences for efforts like malaria prevention, .
Data disappearing: An increasing number of federal health datasets including standard surveillance reports have been taken offline or appear to have been modified, .
Related:
WHO proposes budget cut after US exit, defends its work 鈥�
Too little, too late: What a Pepfar waiver can鈥檛 do 鈥�
National Science Foundation suspends salary payments, leaving researchers unable to pay their bills 鈥� GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES The Latest One-Liners An Ebola vaccine trial is poised to begin in Uganda in an effort to stem an outbreak that has killed a nurse in Kampala, a top health official said yesterday; the vaccine maker was not announced.
Black lupus patients in England are 8X more likely to be hospitalized for the condition, NHS figures show鈥攚ith health advocates saying the 鈥渟tark鈥� disparity could be because of delayed diagnoses.
Four cases of measles鈥攊ncluding two affecting school-aged children鈥攈ave been reported in Texas in less than two weeks, per an from the state鈥檚 health agency; none of the patients had received measles vaccinations.
The link between autism and maternal health during pregnancy may be largely attributable to inherited genetic variants鈥攙ersus a direct cause-and-effect relationship between certain health conditions and autism鈥攁 large new of 1 million+ Danish children and families has found. JANUARY MUST-READS The Global Repercussions of Burma鈥檚 Crisis
Years of conflict and instability have devastated Burma鈥檚 (Myanmar鈥檚) disease prevention efforts鈥攁nd the consequences could transcend borders, write Maw Lay and Khin, journalists with Delta News Agency.
- Medical resources have been depleted, monitoring programs have been dismantled, and health workers have been attacked. Malaria and tuberculosis cases have increased 7X; HIV cases are up 10%.
- If drug-resistant malaria spreads from Burma, it could reverse global malaria progress, potentially setting back efforts by 10鈥�15 years.
Indigenous Panamanians Face an 鈥楿ncontrolled Epidemic鈥�
An 鈥渦ncontrolled epidemic鈥� of untreated HIV threatens the young people of Panama鈥檚 Ng盲be-Bugl茅 Indigenous territory.
- ~2,500 people of the ~225,000 in the region live with HIV; it was the leading cause of death in the region in 2022, and in 2024, the area reported new infections at nearly 4X the national rate.
Overlooked Agony
Misbah Khan鈥檚 reporting surfaces the neglected issue of UTIs and the acute pain they cause鈥攚ith no targeted treatments beyond antibiotics, and scant research into why they occur鈥攄espite afflicting over 400 million people, primarily women, a year.
- 鈥淚t鈥檚 a public health problem and it takes people away from their lives and nobody cares,鈥� said Elizabeth Kavaler, a New York-based urologist.
A Window Into Russia鈥檚 鈥榊ear of the Family鈥� Restrictions
Staring down a decades-long demographic crisis鈥攅xacerbated by losses in the Ukraine war鈥擱ussia鈥檚 president Vladimir Putin is pushing 鈥減ro-family鈥� policies.
- Doctors and employers who advise women to get abortions face fines; couples seeking divorce must undergo psychological consultations and a waiting period; and a new law punishes 鈥渃hildfree propaganda鈥� with heavy fines.
- New 鈥渇amily studies鈥� classes in schools emphasize family as the state's foundation.
MUMBAI, India鈥擜s recent summer temperatures in the city topped 39掳C (102掳F), the nearby playground was often empty.
12-year-old Sandesh Gholap tended to stay indoors. He gained 10 kilograms (22 pounds) in the past year, has experienced bullying, and stopped participating in social activities.
- A 1掳C rise in temperature in low-resource countries has been associated with a 4% rise in children鈥檚 BMI and a 2% increase in women鈥檚, according to . Rising temperatures can also lead to changes in diet, reduced nutritional value in plants, and other impacts that influence people鈥檚 weight.
More January exclusives:
Over the course of our lives, every one of us will experience a decline in hearing.
Less common: getting regular hearing tests to understand how our hearing changes over time.
- Now, with free smartphone apps, anyone can learn their 鈥溾�濃�攖he measure in decibels of the softest speech sound a person can hear.
- Why it matters: More accessible tools to identify hearing changes鈥攃ombined with new interventions, such as over-the-counter hearing aids鈥攃ould help more people optimize their hearing and potentially stave off cognitive decline linked to hearing loss.
In Mozambique, many children suffer from easily treatable eye problems simply because vision screening programs are so limited and providers are so few:
- There are just three pediatric ophthalmologists for a population of 30 million.
- Traveling clinics to teach medical workers about screening and interventions like glasses and simple surgeries.
- Educational outreach for teachers, traditional healers, and community health workers on how to spot vision problems.
QUICK HITS WHO chief asks for help pushing US to reconsider its withdrawal from health agency 鈥�
On the frontline against bird flu, egg farmers fear they're losing the battle 鈥�
New York Doctor Indicted in Louisiana for Sending Abortion Pills There 鈥�
GAO: Public-health workforce shortage undermines ability to respond to outbreaks, other emergencies 鈥�
What to know about polio vaccines, in 4 charts 鈥�
Alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations spiked during the pandemic. Could policy have made a difference? 鈥�
They help seniors push back against a deluge of health misinformation 鈥� Issue No. 2668
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
Categories: Global Health Feed
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday he would 鈥渨elcome constructive dialogue鈥� with the United States Government over the decision made by President Donald Trump to withdraw.
Categories: Global Health Feed
The worsening security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has forced many mpox patients to flee treatment centres, increasing the risk of transmission, the UN health agency (WHO) warned on Monday.
Categories: Global Health Feed
Le r茅gime Trump 2.0 risque d鈥檃cc茅l茅rer les pires 茅l茅ments de l鈥櫭╮e n茅olib茅rale.
Categories: Global Health Feed
96
韩国裸舞 Perspectives on Global Health: Jan 2025 Issue
January 31, 2025
NEWSLETTER Hello! We're thrilled to kick off another year of inspiring contributions to the blog and are excited to make 2025 our best year yet!
This January, we're shining a light on Alzheimer's Awareness Month鈥攆ocusing on the challenges, research, and support needed for those affected by dementia. Let鈥檚 raise awareness, spark change, and drive action in the fight against Alzheimer鈥檚.
- Author: Zakia Irfan, asecond-year student at 韩国裸舞 majoring in Microbiology and Immunology. --> "During my first week, I met a young boy wearing a cochlear implant, a device I also use. Despite a language barrier, we connected, sharing stories about living with hearing loss. His mother, who had never met another person with a cochlear implant, expressed joy and relief seeing me pursue my interests and develop strong spoken language skills. This moment highlighted the power of representation and personal connection."
- Author: Samir Gouin, fourth-year medical student at 韩国裸舞. --> 鈥淗ope comes from knowing that real change is possible and that, through our collective efforts, we can build a better future for everyone.鈥�
- Author: Bhavya Bhushan an undergraduate student at 韩国裸舞, majoring in Honours Anatomy and Cell Biology. --> "Events like Global Health Night reaffirm the power of collaboration and innovation in shaping a brighter future for global health."
- Author: Sarah Lapin, a graduate student at 韩国裸舞, currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Global Health. --> Mission in Motion
Get ready to be inspired! In this dynamic section, we spotlight global health organizations that are making waves and driving real change around the world. Each month, we showcase their innovative strategies and impactful initiatives as they tackle pressing health challenges and champion equity.
We shine a spotlight on organizations spreading awareness about Alzheimers. Let鈥檚 celebrate their dedication and commitment as we highlight their vital contributions to research, advocacy, and awareness. --> image: https://www.alzint.org/ : Supports and works with Alzheimer and dementia associations in 120 countries, as well as people living with dementia, carers and all relevant organisations to help raise awareness, challenge stigma and to call for dementia to be the global health priority it needs to be. --> Image: https://dementiaallianceinternational.org/ : A worldwide organization led by people living with dementia. It represents, supports, and educates others living with the disease, and the wider dementia community. As an organization they strive to provide a unified voice of strength, advocacy and support for rights, individual autonomy and improved quality of life. --> In the News
Stay up to date with news and opinions on Global Health Image: https://x.com/LEAD_Coalition/status/1882095629901406530/photo/1 Discover the unseen impacts of Alzheimer's. Join the conversation on X and help spread awareness by sharing this important message. --> Image: https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia/alzheimers-awareness-month Explore how is challenging the stigma surrounding dementia, highlighting the importance of understanding, support, and action to improve the lives of those affected. Learn valuable insights into reducing stigma and fostering greater community awareness. --> New in Global Health Academic Literature
By: Anantapong K. et al Image: https://images.app.goo.gl/7mxv7NUQpxyCeGE89 This examine the behavioral and psychological symptoms of people with dementia (BPSD) in acute hospital settings. Findings indicate that agitation, aggression, and delirium are among the most common symptoms, significantly impacting patient care and hospital resource use. The study highlights the urgent need for tailored interventions to manage BPSD effectively, improve patient outcomes, and support healthcare providers in delivering compassionate and efficient care. --> Opportunities in Global Health
PEGASUS Institute is a registered charity that works on Peace, Global Health, And Sustainability. PEGASUS is an acronym built from the first letters of our main themes: PEace, Global health and SUStainability. Formed as a successor to the PEGASUS conference held in 2020, Emerging Leaders Network as part of the PEGASUS Institute intends to provide a platform to the next generation of leaders in the field of Peace, Global Health and Sustainability.
Come be a part of this amazing network of people, and increase your visibility as well as get the platform to cultivate ideas and work on projects. --> Share your Perspective on Global Health
We are excited to announce a Call for Papers in the following areas!
You can submit your article, photo essay or article pitch to us by emailing us at: globalhealthblog@mcgill.ca. --> Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest information and experiences in global health! Follow us on social media --> Copyright 漏 2017 韩国裸舞 Global Health Programs, All rights reserved.
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韩国裸舞 Perspectives in Global Health Blog · McIntyre Medical Building, Room 633 · 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler · Montreal, Qc H3G 1Y6 · Canada
NEWSLETTER Hello! We're thrilled to kick off another year of inspiring contributions to the blog and are excited to make 2025 our best year yet!
This January, we're shining a light on Alzheimer's Awareness Month鈥攆ocusing on the challenges, research, and support needed for those affected by dementia. Let鈥檚 raise awareness, spark change, and drive action in the fight against Alzheimer鈥檚.
Highlights of this Issue:
- Select articles for the month
- Organizations Working on Alzheimers
- Academic Research on Alzheimers
Thank you for being part of our community. Enjoy the read!
--> Selected Articles for this Month "Female genital mutilation is a deeply entrenched practice with profound physical, psychological, and social consequences. While cultural traditions and social norms underlie its continuation, it represents a severe violation of human rights, particularly those of women and girls."- Author: Zakia Irfan, asecond-year student at 韩国裸舞 majoring in Microbiology and Immunology. --> "During my first week, I met a young boy wearing a cochlear implant, a device I also use. Despite a language barrier, we connected, sharing stories about living with hearing loss. His mother, who had never met another person with a cochlear implant, expressed joy and relief seeing me pursue my interests and develop strong spoken language skills. This moment highlighted the power of representation and personal connection."
- Author: Samir Gouin, fourth-year medical student at 韩国裸舞. --> 鈥淗ope comes from knowing that real change is possible and that, through our collective efforts, we can build a better future for everyone.鈥�
- Author: Bhavya Bhushan an undergraduate student at 韩国裸舞, majoring in Honours Anatomy and Cell Biology. --> "Events like Global Health Night reaffirm the power of collaboration and innovation in shaping a brighter future for global health."
- Author: Sarah Lapin, a graduate student at 韩国裸舞, currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Global Health. --> Mission in Motion
Get ready to be inspired! In this dynamic section, we spotlight global health organizations that are making waves and driving real change around the world. Each month, we showcase their innovative strategies and impactful initiatives as they tackle pressing health challenges and champion equity.
We shine a spotlight on organizations spreading awareness about Alzheimers. Let鈥檚 celebrate their dedication and commitment as we highlight their vital contributions to research, advocacy, and awareness. --> image: https://www.alzint.org/ : Supports and works with Alzheimer and dementia associations in 120 countries, as well as people living with dementia, carers and all relevant organisations to help raise awareness, challenge stigma and to call for dementia to be the global health priority it needs to be. --> Image: https://dementiaallianceinternational.org/ : A worldwide organization led by people living with dementia. It represents, supports, and educates others living with the disease, and the wider dementia community. As an organization they strive to provide a unified voice of strength, advocacy and support for rights, individual autonomy and improved quality of life. --> In the News
Stay up to date with news and opinions on Global Health Image: https://x.com/LEAD_Coalition/status/1882095629901406530/photo/1 Discover the unseen impacts of Alzheimer's. Join the conversation on X and help spread awareness by sharing this important message. --> Image: https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia/alzheimers-awareness-month Explore how is challenging the stigma surrounding dementia, highlighting the importance of understanding, support, and action to improve the lives of those affected. Learn valuable insights into reducing stigma and fostering greater community awareness. --> New in Global Health Academic Literature
By: Anantapong K. et al Image: https://images.app.goo.gl/7mxv7NUQpxyCeGE89 This examine the behavioral and psychological symptoms of people with dementia (BPSD) in acute hospital settings. Findings indicate that agitation, aggression, and delirium are among the most common symptoms, significantly impacting patient care and hospital resource use. The study highlights the urgent need for tailored interventions to manage BPSD effectively, improve patient outcomes, and support healthcare providers in delivering compassionate and efficient care. --> Opportunities in Global Health
PEGASUS Institute is a registered charity that works on Peace, Global Health, And Sustainability. PEGASUS is an acronym built from the first letters of our main themes: PEace, Global health and SUStainability. Formed as a successor to the PEGASUS conference held in 2020, Emerging Leaders Network as part of the PEGASUS Institute intends to provide a platform to the next generation of leaders in the field of Peace, Global Health and Sustainability.
Come be a part of this amazing network of people, and increase your visibility as well as get the platform to cultivate ideas and work on projects. --> Share your Perspective on Global Health
We are excited to announce a Call for Papers in the following areas!
- Indigenous Health
- Mental Health
- Refugee Health
- Immigrant Health
- Climate Change
You can submit your article, photo essay or article pitch to us by emailing us at: globalhealthblog@mcgill.ca. --> Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest information and experiences in global health! Follow us on social media --> Copyright 漏 2017 韩国裸舞 Global Health Programs, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
globalhealthblog@mcgill.ca
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or
This email was sent to >" target="_blank" style="color:#404040 !important;"><<Email Address>>
韩国裸舞 Perspectives in Global Health Blog · McIntyre Medical Building, Room 633 · 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler · Montreal, Qc H3G 1Y6 · Canada
Categories: Global Health Feed, Perspectives on Global Health Blog
96
Global Health NOW: Fighting NTDs Amid Political Upheaval; Investigating a Viral Inflection Point; and Do You Be Durkling?
Neglected tropical diseases affect ~1 billion people worldwide, and there are few vaccines and treatments to combat them.
January 30, 2025
A patient waits to be treated at a free specialized clinic for leishmaniasis supported by WHO on October 25, 2010, in Kabul, Afghanistan. Paula Bronstein via Getty
Fighting NTDs Amid Political Upheaval
Major battles are being won in the global fight against neglected tropical diseases, but on health advocates are also raising concerns about changing dynamics that could threaten progress鈥攆rom new political paradigms to dwindling funding.
Background: NTDs affect ~1 billion people worldwide鈥攐ften the world鈥檚 most marginalized communities. There is a and treatments to combat them.
Gains: 54 countries have eliminated an NTD as of 2024. This week, the WHO announced two major successes:
Fading funding: A decline in research and development funding for NTDs could mean lost traction unless new sources are tapped, .
Political upheaval: The global health landscape is being reshaped, with the Trump administration announcing an exit from WHO, a freeze to foreign aid, and an effort to make vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. head of HHS鈥攚hich has 鈥渧ast global reach,鈥� .
The White House rescinded a memo that aimed to freeze spending on federal loans and grants after it sparked widespread confusion and legal challenges, ; meanwhile, the Trump administration has issued guidance on how federal agencies should immediately eliminate transgender initiatives and protections, .
Plain water and milk are the recommended drinks for youth, per new guidelines from major U.S. health organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics; the guidelines recommended that sweetened beverages and drinks with caffeine should be avoided entirely.
Avian flu has struck the second largest U.S. egg producer, Indiana鈥檚 Rose Acre Farms鈥攚hich could further impact the nation鈥檚 egg supply; meanwhile, the USDA has reported more H5N1 detections in mammals, poultry, dairy cows, and wild birds.
A measles outbreak in Ontario and Quebec is spreading, warned Canada鈥檚 chief public health officer鈥攚ho said that a growing number of cases have been locally acquired, and that the majority of cases have been among unvaccinated people鈥攊ncluding children and infants. MPOX Investigating a Viral Inflection Point
In September 2023 epidemiologist Leandre Murhula Masirika was in the eastern jungles of the DRC, looking for the mpox virus in bushmeat hunters and wild animals to assess the threat of a spillover to humans.
But when he got a message about a patient in the eastern DRC mining town of Kamituga covered in worrisome sores, he was stunned: Mpox appeared to be on the move. After traveling to the town to investigate, he was one of the first to raise the alarm of a new strain.
A year and a half later, Masirika has stayed on the front lines of the Kamituga outbreak, seeking to control the spread of the new strain, clade 1b鈥攂ut he has also continued to investigate how that very first case emerged.
His main concern: The point of animal-to-human spillover. 鈥淯ntil we find the virus in an animal, I think it will be difficult to answer this question,鈥� he said.
GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES CERVICAL CANCER Disparities in the Mississippi Delta
Black women in the U.S. face starkly higher mortality rates from cervical cancer: ~65% higher than white women.
And in the Mississippi Delta, the rates are among the nation鈥檚 worst, per new research from Human Rights Watch.
鈥嬧�婰ounging around in bed in the morning would be so much better without the inner voice that says 鈥済et up, you lazy [insert insult of choice here].鈥�
It turns out all this time, we haven始t been lazy sloths. We始ve been hurkle durkling!
Official meaning: 鈥渢o lie in bed or lounge about when one should be up and about,鈥� , who coined the term some 200 years ago, but lately it始s gone global thanks to deeming it the word of the day, .
鈥淚 do be hurkling and I do be durkling,鈥� Kosarin beamed.
One Scottish woman credited the term with reframing the idea of laziness. I始m not 鈥渨asting my life. I鈥檓 practicing an ancestral right (sic) of passage.鈥�
If a cute moniker is the fast track to empowered lounging, let始s use them to normalize more guilty pleasures! Like spending way too long in a store, or not keeping your phone fully charged because you kind of want it to turn off.
And if they already exist, please let us know. QUICK HITS Myanmar on the brink as conflict fuels hunger 鈥�
Myanmar refugees face sudden discharge from Thai hospitals shuttered by US aid freeze 鈥�
Queensland鈥檚 puberty blockers ban has potential to cause harm, sex discrimination commissioner says 鈥�
Citizen Scientists Reclaim Japan鈥檚 Nuclear Disaster Zone 鈥�
Cities, health, and the big data revolution 鈥� Issue No. 2647
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
Major battles are being won in the global fight against neglected tropical diseases, but on health advocates are also raising concerns about changing dynamics that could threaten progress鈥攆rom new political paradigms to dwindling funding.
Background: NTDs affect ~1 billion people worldwide鈥攐ften the world鈥檚 most marginalized communities. There is a and treatments to combat them.
Gains: 54 countries have eliminated an NTD as of 2024. This week, the WHO announced two major successes:
- human African trypanosomiasis.
- transmission of the parasite Onchocerca volvulus.
Fading funding: A decline in research and development funding for NTDs could mean lost traction unless new sources are tapped, .
Political upheaval: The global health landscape is being reshaped, with the Trump administration announcing an exit from WHO, a freeze to foreign aid, and an effort to make vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. head of HHS鈥攚hich has 鈥渧ast global reach,鈥� .
- Kennedy was questioned in confirmation hearings yesterday about misleading statements around vaccines and infectious diseases, .
The White House rescinded a memo that aimed to freeze spending on federal loans and grants after it sparked widespread confusion and legal challenges, ; meanwhile, the Trump administration has issued guidance on how federal agencies should immediately eliminate transgender initiatives and protections, .
Plain water and milk are the recommended drinks for youth, per new guidelines from major U.S. health organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics; the guidelines recommended that sweetened beverages and drinks with caffeine should be avoided entirely.
Avian flu has struck the second largest U.S. egg producer, Indiana鈥檚 Rose Acre Farms鈥攚hich could further impact the nation鈥檚 egg supply; meanwhile, the USDA has reported more H5N1 detections in mammals, poultry, dairy cows, and wild birds.
A measles outbreak in Ontario and Quebec is spreading, warned Canada鈥檚 chief public health officer鈥攚ho said that a growing number of cases have been locally acquired, and that the majority of cases have been among unvaccinated people鈥攊ncluding children and infants. MPOX Investigating a Viral Inflection Point
In September 2023 epidemiologist Leandre Murhula Masirika was in the eastern jungles of the DRC, looking for the mpox virus in bushmeat hunters and wild animals to assess the threat of a spillover to humans.
But when he got a message about a patient in the eastern DRC mining town of Kamituga covered in worrisome sores, he was stunned: Mpox appeared to be on the move. After traveling to the town to investigate, he was one of the first to raise the alarm of a new strain.
A year and a half later, Masirika has stayed on the front lines of the Kamituga outbreak, seeking to control the spread of the new strain, clade 1b鈥攂ut he has also continued to investigate how that very first case emerged.
His main concern: The point of animal-to-human spillover. 鈥淯ntil we find the virus in an animal, I think it will be difficult to answer this question,鈥� he said.
GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES CERVICAL CANCER Disparities in the Mississippi Delta
Black women in the U.S. face starkly higher mortality rates from cervical cancer: ~65% higher than white women.
And in the Mississippi Delta, the rates are among the nation鈥檚 worst, per new research from Human Rights Watch.
- Black women living in the Delta were about 1.4X more likely to die of cervical cancer compared to white women living in the same region from 2017 to 2021.
- 10.8% of Mississippi鈥檚 population is uninsured, and the state has not expanded Medicaid.
- The state鈥檚 strict abortion laws have hampered access to gynecological care.
- Black women report higher levels of distrust in health providers.
鈥嬧�婰ounging around in bed in the morning would be so much better without the inner voice that says 鈥済et up, you lazy [insert insult of choice here].鈥�
It turns out all this time, we haven始t been lazy sloths. We始ve been hurkle durkling!
Official meaning: 鈥渢o lie in bed or lounge about when one should be up and about,鈥� , who coined the term some 200 years ago, but lately it始s gone global thanks to deeming it the word of the day, .
鈥淚 do be hurkling and I do be durkling,鈥� Kosarin beamed.
One Scottish woman credited the term with reframing the idea of laziness. I始m not 鈥渨asting my life. I鈥檓 practicing an ancestral right (sic) of passage.鈥�
If a cute moniker is the fast track to empowered lounging, let始s use them to normalize more guilty pleasures! Like spending way too long in a store, or not keeping your phone fully charged because you kind of want it to turn off.
And if they already exist, please let us know. QUICK HITS Myanmar on the brink as conflict fuels hunger 鈥�
Myanmar refugees face sudden discharge from Thai hospitals shuttered by US aid freeze 鈥�
Queensland鈥檚 puberty blockers ban has potential to cause harm, sex discrimination commissioner says 鈥�
Citizen Scientists Reclaim Japan鈥檚 Nuclear Disaster Zone 鈥�
Cities, health, and the big data revolution 鈥� Issue No. 2647
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
Categories: Global Health Feed
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday confirmed an outbreak of Sudan virus disease in Uganda, which is part of the Ebola virus family.
Categories: Global Health Feed
96
Global Health NOW: Upheaval and Uncertainty After Federal Funding Halt; Potential Ebola Outbreak Reported in DRC; and Strengthened Trust in Scientists
January 29, 2025
An activist protests against President Donald Trump's plan to stop most federal grants and loans during a rally near the White House on January 28. Anna Moneymaker/Getty
Upheaval and Uncertainty After Federal Funding Halt
Widespread confusion and chaos roiled states, schools, and nonprofits across the U.S. yesterday after the Trump administration announced an abrupt halt in federal funding and grants鈥攁 lifeline for thousands of vital programs, .
The latest: A federal judge temporarily blocked the suspension yesterday, allowing funding to continue through Monday, . Other legal challenges have been filed, which could lead to a constitutional showdown over who controls federal spending.
Details of the freeze: The calls for a pause in funding while the Trump administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot initiatives the administration opposes, like DEI initiatives and abortion.
What鈥檚 affected: The scope of the freeze is still unclear, , despite White House to clarify what鈥檚 impacted. Advocates and agencies fear the order could potentially impact a wide range of programs: disaster relief efforts, community health, cancer research and opioid treatment, daily food programs, and more.
Related:
Researchers are terrified of Trump鈥檚 freeze on science. The rest of us should be, too. 鈥�
Trump executive order puts STEM diversity efforts on hold 鈥�
Higher Ed Alarmed by Trump鈥檚 Plan to Freeze Federal Grants 鈥� GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES The Latest One-Liners ~40 people were killed and dozens injured in a crowd crush after barriers broke at the Hindu festival Kumbh Mela, which has drawn tens of millions to Uttar Pradesh in northern India.
An International Criminal Court prosecutor has announced plans to seek arrest warrants for people linked to alleged war crimes in Darfur, Sudan, calling the escalating conflict a "tailspin into deeper suffering.鈥�
Puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for people under age 19 are among the medical gender-affirming practices President Trump seeks to end with an executive order signed yesterday; among other restrictions in the order, Medicaid, Medicare, and federal benefits packages will exclude some coverage for pediatric gender-affirming care.
PEPFAR can resume distributing HIV medications for now, after the U.S. State Department issued a reprieve following this week鈥檚 freeze on foreign aid; but whether the waiver extends to preventive drugs or other services remains unclear, and the future of the program still hangs in the balance. RADAR Potential Ebola Outbreak Reported in DRC
A potential Ebola outbreak has been reported in western DRC at a particularly challenging time, STAT reports鈥攁mid an escalation in fighting and fraught U.S.-WHO relations.
GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES AVIAN FLU The Evolving H5N1 Threat
The avian flu outbreak that was first reported in dairy cattle almost one year ago shows no signs of slowing鈥攄emonstrating a remarkable tenacity that continues to raise pandemic risk.
While risk to the public still remains low, more health experts are warning that that could change quickly.
Failure to fight: Inadequate testing, 鈥渢oothless鈥� directives, and delayed data are all missed opportunities to crack down on the outbreak.
Reports of reinfection in herds suggest H5N1 could become endemic鈥攁nd potentially evolve into a more dangerous form under the radar.
Related:
Rare bird flu strain found in California raises potential of wider spread 鈥�
Will bird flu spark a human pandemic? Scientists say the risk is rising 鈥� HEALTH COMMUNICATION Strengthened Trust in Scientists
Trust in scientists is moderately strong worldwide, finds the largest post-pandemic study of its kind published in .
Study details: 71,990 people in 68 countries were surveyed in their own languages and according to their own customs, and the study included many under-researched countries in the Global South.
QUICK HITS Sudan's Genocide Deepens Famine 鈥�
Overview of President Trump鈥檚 Executive Actions on Global Health 鈥�
RFK Jr. hearing live updates: Trump's pick to head HHS faces bipartisan skepticism 鈥�
RFK Jr. says he'll fix the overdose crisis. Critics say his plan is risky 鈥�
The tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas is alarming. It鈥檚 not the biggest in US history though, CDC says 鈥�
Study shows long-term cannabis use disrupts critical brain processes 鈥�
Deadly Hendra heralded a new era of outbreaks 鈥� but opened the door to bat research 鈥�
One-minute video game could diagnose your child with autism 鈥�
Oyster Blood May Provide a Powerful Weapon Against Antibiotic Resistance 鈥� Thanks for the tip, Xiaodong Cai! Issue No. 2646
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
Widespread confusion and chaos roiled states, schools, and nonprofits across the U.S. yesterday after the Trump administration announced an abrupt halt in federal funding and grants鈥攁 lifeline for thousands of vital programs, .
The latest: A federal judge temporarily blocked the suspension yesterday, allowing funding to continue through Monday, . Other legal challenges have been filed, which could lead to a constitutional showdown over who controls federal spending.
Details of the freeze: The calls for a pause in funding while the Trump administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot initiatives the administration opposes, like DEI initiatives and abortion.
What鈥檚 affected: The scope of the freeze is still unclear, , despite White House to clarify what鈥檚 impacted. Advocates and agencies fear the order could potentially impact a wide range of programs: disaster relief efforts, community health, cancer research and opioid treatment, daily food programs, and more.
- 鈥淭he lack of clarity and uncertainty right now is creating chaos,鈥� said Meals on Wheels spokeswoman Jenny Young.
- While the Trump administration has said Medicaid will not be affected by the suspension, Medicaid鈥檚 payment portal stopped working yesterday, .
Related:
Researchers are terrified of Trump鈥檚 freeze on science. The rest of us should be, too. 鈥�
Trump executive order puts STEM diversity efforts on hold 鈥�
Higher Ed Alarmed by Trump鈥檚 Plan to Freeze Federal Grants 鈥� GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES The Latest One-Liners ~40 people were killed and dozens injured in a crowd crush after barriers broke at the Hindu festival Kumbh Mela, which has drawn tens of millions to Uttar Pradesh in northern India.
An International Criminal Court prosecutor has announced plans to seek arrest warrants for people linked to alleged war crimes in Darfur, Sudan, calling the escalating conflict a "tailspin into deeper suffering.鈥�
Puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for people under age 19 are among the medical gender-affirming practices President Trump seeks to end with an executive order signed yesterday; among other restrictions in the order, Medicaid, Medicare, and federal benefits packages will exclude some coverage for pediatric gender-affirming care.
PEPFAR can resume distributing HIV medications for now, after the U.S. State Department issued a reprieve following this week鈥檚 freeze on foreign aid; but whether the waiver extends to preventive drugs or other services remains unclear, and the future of the program still hangs in the balance. RADAR Potential Ebola Outbreak Reported in DRC
A potential Ebola outbreak has been reported in western DRC at a particularly challenging time, STAT reports鈥攁mid an escalation in fighting and fraught U.S.-WHO relations.
- 12 suspected Ebola cases, including eight deaths between January 10 and 22, have been recorded in the Boyenge area, per the WHO; samples have been sent for testing in Kinshasa.
- Typically, the U.S. CDC coordinates closely with the WHO and provides expertise and support during outbreaks, but on Monday, CDC staff were directed to cease communications with the WHO following the Trump administration鈥檚 order to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO.
GLOBAL HEALTH VOICES AVIAN FLU The Evolving H5N1 Threat
The avian flu outbreak that was first reported in dairy cattle almost one year ago shows no signs of slowing鈥攄emonstrating a remarkable tenacity that continues to raise pandemic risk.
While risk to the public still remains low, more health experts are warning that that could change quickly.
- 鈥淥ver the last couple of months, it has felt like the tempo has increased,鈥� said Connecticut public health commissioner Manisha Juthani.
Failure to fight: Inadequate testing, 鈥渢oothless鈥� directives, and delayed data are all missed opportunities to crack down on the outbreak.
Reports of reinfection in herds suggest H5N1 could become endemic鈥攁nd potentially evolve into a more dangerous form under the radar.
Related:
Rare bird flu strain found in California raises potential of wider spread 鈥�
Will bird flu spark a human pandemic? Scientists say the risk is rising 鈥� HEALTH COMMUNICATION Strengthened Trust in Scientists
Trust in scientists is moderately strong worldwide, finds the largest post-pandemic study of its kind published in .
Study details: 71,990 people in 68 countries were surveyed in their own languages and according to their own customs, and the study included many under-researched countries in the Global South.
- The majority of respondents had a 鈥渞elatively high level of trust鈥� in scientists鈥�3.62 on a 5-point scale ranging from very low to very high.
- Most viewed scientists as qualified (78%), honest (57%), and concerned about public well-being (56%).
QUICK HITS Sudan's Genocide Deepens Famine 鈥�
Overview of President Trump鈥檚 Executive Actions on Global Health 鈥�
RFK Jr. hearing live updates: Trump's pick to head HHS faces bipartisan skepticism 鈥�
RFK Jr. says he'll fix the overdose crisis. Critics say his plan is risky 鈥�
The tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas is alarming. It鈥檚 not the biggest in US history though, CDC says 鈥�
Study shows long-term cannabis use disrupts critical brain processes 鈥�
Deadly Hendra heralded a new era of outbreaks 鈥� but opened the door to bat research 鈥�
One-minute video game could diagnose your child with autism 鈥�
Oyster Blood May Provide a Powerful Weapon Against Antibiotic Resistance 鈥� Thanks for the tip, Xiaodong Cai! Issue No. 2646
Global Health NOW is an initiative of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Contributors include Brian W. Simpson, MPH, Dayna Kerecman Myers, Annalies Winny, Morgan Coulson, Kate Belz, Melissa Hartman, Jackie Powder, and Rin Swann. Write us: dkerecm1@jhu.edu, like us on and follow us on Instagram and X .
Please send the Global Health NOW free sign-up link to friends and colleagues:
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can or . -->
Copyright 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All Rights Reserved. Views and opinions expressed in Global Health NOW do not necessarily reflect those of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can or .
Categories: Global Health Feed
