Global health briefs - July 2015

July / August 2015 | Volume 14, Issue 4

NIH posts global aging research resource

Researchers can access and compare countries' data on aging, use online tools and view source materials, via the free "Gateway to Global Aging Data" website, funded by NIH's National Institute on Aging (NIA) and run by the University of Southern California.

US State Department eyes science focus

A new U.S. government report, "Diplomacy for the 21st Century," recommends how the State Department can enhance the world's awareness of U.S. science and technology capabilities, including to maximize the benefit gained from exchange programs.

• Access the full report, "Diplomacy for the 21st Century: Embedding a Culture of Science and Technology Throughout the Department of State" from the National Academies Press.

WHO adds TB, cancer, hepatitis C drugs

The WHO has added drugs for hepatitis C, some cancers and multidrug resistant tuberculosis to its Model List of Essential Medicines, thereby raising the likelihood low-resource populations will gain access to these innovative, but costly, treatments.

• Access information about the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines.

Cancer cases rising globally, study says

Global incidence of prostate and breast cancer have increased significantly, with cancer posing a special challenge in developing countries where access to screening and treatment is rare, according to the "The Global Burden of Cancer 2013" report from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. In 2013, 8.2 million people died of cancer and almost 15 million cancer cases were diagnosed.

• Access the May 28, 2015 news release, New cancer cases rise globally, but death rates are declining in many countries, from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).

New cookstoves study is released

"The State of the Global Clean and Improved Cooking Sector" is a new report outlining the health problems of indoor air pollution from cooking, and reviewing possible solutions. It was produced by the World Bank and Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.

• Access the report, The State of the Global Clean and Improved Cooking Sector, from the World Bank Group.

Global sexual violence study published

Surveys in seven developing countries showed more than 25 percent of children had suffered sexual violence and received little in the way of care, according to a CDC report.

• Access the June 5, 2015 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Prevalence of Sexual Violence Against Children and Use of Social Services - Seven Countries, 2007–2013 from the CDC.

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