Global health briefs
May / June 2014 | Volume 13, Issue 3
Life expectancy rising, WHO reports
People everywhere are living longer, according to "World Health Statistics 2014," published recently by the WHO. Based on global averages, a girl who was born in 2012 can expect to live to around 73 years, and a boy to 68. This is six years longer than the average for a child born in 1990, with the greatest gains made in low-income countries.
Global health spending still trending up
Despite sluggish economic growth in developed countries, global health spending attained an alltime high of $31.3 billion in 2013, according to "Financing Global Health 2013: Transition in an Age of Austerity," from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).
Tool helps researchers manage projects
A new resource, "Implementation Research Toolkit," is available from the WHO and the Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). Investigators can use it to plan a project, set up a study, monitor progress and disseminate results.
Africans strongly support health funding
Most Africans want their governments to provide more health care facilities and deal with HIV/AIDS, a Pew Research survey in six countries showed. Respondents also placed priority on access to drinking water, prenatal care and immunization.
Report covers plans for Africa's children
Better integrated, multisectoral and preventive approaches to improving child health in sub-Saharan Africa are described in a report from the nonprofit Accordia, based on its 2013 Summit on Child Wellness.
WHO reports on adolescent health
Depression is the predominant cause of illness and disability for boys and girls aged 10-19 years, according to the WHO report, "Health for the World's Adolescents." The top three causes of death in this demographic are road traffic injuries, HIV/AIDS and suicide. Worldwide, about 1.3 million youths died in 2012.
Coalition makes policy recommendations
The nonprofit Global Technologies Coalition issued its fifth annual policy report, "Innovation for a changing world," which describes how the U.S. can strengthen global health and advance scientific progress.
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