Global health news briefs April 2023

March/April 2023 | Volume 22 Number 2

NASEM releases guidance on population descriptors

The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report, Using Population Descriptors in Genetics and Genomics Research, funded in part by NIH, focuses on understanding the current use of population descriptors in genomics research, examining best practices for researchers, and identifying processes for adopting best practices within the biomedical and scientific communities.

Africa CDC publishes priority pathogens list

The list will inform strategic planning and help effective resource allocation to manage health emergencies. Publishing the list is viewed as a critical step for effective response to limit the spread of diseases and minimize morbidity and mortality as well as social and economic disruptions

HIV treatment up 300% thanks to PEPFAR

A CDC report found that the number of people receiving lifesaving HIV treatment through PEPFAR has increased 300 times in under 20 years. The percentage of people receiving HIV treatment through PEPFAR with a viral load test who subsequently tested as virally suppressed also increased from 80% to 95% between 2015 and 2022, the report notes.

Supplement on COVID & inequality published

A special issue of the International Journal for Equity in Health on COVID-19 and inequality includes eight articles spanning topics from immunization to testing, as well as information about software and databases that can aid researchers, analysts and policymakers interested in monitoring health inequalities.

USAID launches framework to prevent child, maternal deaths

The strategic framework lays out an action plan to measurably improve health outcomes for women and children by reducing preventable child and maternal mortality in 25 priority countries. It also aims to increase coverage levels of lifesaving interventions as measured by the reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) service coverage subindex.

Updated April 7, 2023

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