BMJ Opinion: Johanna Hanefeld and Benjamin Hawkins: NCDs — it’s time to embrace the evidence, not industry Johanna Hanefeld, associate professor, and Benjamin Hawkins, assistant professor, both at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, discuss recommendations from a recent report by the WHO’s Independent High-Level Commission on Noncommunicable…

Intellectual Property Watch: U.N. Urged To Emphasize Health Over Profit At Upcoming U.N. High-Level Meeting On NCDs “An open letter sent by 242 organizations and individuals to key United Nations and World Health Organization representatives on 4 July demanded that high prices limiting access to medicines and effective treatment be…

The Atlantic: A Frightening New Reason to Worry About Air Pollution “It’s fairly well known that a bad diet, a lack of exercise, and genetics can all contribute to type 2 diabetes. But a new global study points to an additional, surprising culprit: the air pollution emitted by cars and…

The Lancet: Progress towards a tobacco-free world Editorial Board “Last week, global anti-smoking efforts made substantial progress. Australia won a landmark victory in a major trade dispute over its plain packaging for cigarettes … Additionally, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) announced that the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit…

Devex: Opinion: How nurses can lead the fight against NCDs Annette Kennedy, president of the International Council of Nurses and member of the WHO Independent High-Level Commission on NCDs “…Given their long-term nature and complex causes, there is one group of health care professionals that is especially well-placed to managing…

BMJ Opinion: Richard Smith: Reducing global road traffic crashes and injuries Richard Smith, former editor of The BMJ, highlights a recent global health forum at St. Mary’s Medical School addressing global road traffic crash prevention and response. Smith summarizes remarks by Seema Yalamanchili, clinical research fellow and trauma surgeon at…

Devex: Ahead of UNGA, over 50 health experts sign letter for action on NCDs “A powerhouse cast of United Nations, civil society, and academic leaders have come together to call for bold, practical action to reduce the global epidemic of noncommunicable diseases. More than 50 health experts co-signed a letter…

Devex: What the WTO decision on plain packaging means for developing countries “…Tasked with delivering findings on whether plain packaging impedes intellectual property rights or creates a technical barriers to trade, [a panel of World Trade Organization judges] delivered their ruling on June 28, saying that the health outcomes of…

Associated Press: Measles spreads in Brazil after cases come from Venezuela (7/4). Devex: Nigeria tackles cholera outbreak using housecalls, jingles, and health advisories (Unah, 7/5). Devex: Cities and NCDs: Montevideo’s menu for reducing sodium intake (Ravelo, 7/4). The Guardian: Breakthrough made in fight to end virginity testing in Afghanistan (Kelly,…

Devex: Opinion: How the E.U. is battling against threats to the world’s health Neven Mimica, E.U. commissioner for international cooperation and development “…The European Union is strongly committed to playing a leading role in the global movement against [noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)]. We are supporting partner countries’ efforts to maximize health…