Victories & Vigilance: This Week in Global Health

Global Health Notes???????????????????? 10 March 2025

TOP THREE

1.??? “DID YOU KNOW WE CAN PREVENT A CANCER?” HOW TALKING ABOUT CERVICAL CANCER COULD HELP TO ELIMINATE IT

For this year’s International Women’s Day we focused on the fight against HPV, including the launch of our new HPV guide, featuring explainers, videos and a map of the global vaccine rollout. We also interviewed renowned HPV expert Dr Linda Eckert. With vaccines, screening, and more open conversations, we have the power to wipe out this disease. The question is are we doing enough to make it happen?

2.??? HOW UGANDA IS TACKLING THE EBOLA-LIKE SUDAN VIRUS ?

After detecting Sudan virus in Kampala, Uganda is moving fast—tracking contacts, isolating cases, and treating patients. With no approved vaccine or cure, swift action is saving lives. Backed by experience and resilience, health workers are giving hope to communities and strengthening defences against future outbreaks.

3.??? HPV VACCINES HELP REDUCE US CERVICAL CANCER DEATHS BY 62%

Cervical cancer deaths in young US women have dropped by 62%, thanks to the HPV vaccine. Precancer rates are also falling fast. But experts are worried that fewer teens are getting vaccinated, which could undo this progress. They’re urging families to keep protecting the next generation.

IN BRIEF

·????? Zimbabwe is seeing fewer infant deaths, with vaccines saving six lives every minute.

·????? Tanzania is containing its second Marburg outbreak, using hard-won lessons to curb the deadly virus’s spread.

·????? Measles is resurging in Canada, with outbreaks in Ontario and Québec, fuelled by declining vaccination rates.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY

On this International Women’s Day celebrated this past weekend we say “THANK YOU” to the unsung heroines of healthcare. Her path may be steep and the roads rocky, yet she presses on, carrying hope to remote corners of the world.

FROM THE ARCHIVE

SICK WORDS: THE ETYMOLOGY OF DISEASE

This week we look back at an article that explores the origins of disease names, revealing how they often stem from historical misunderstandings, cultural biases, or political motives. It highlights examples like malaria (“bad air”), influenza (once linked to the stars), and smallpox (named to distinguish it from syphilis, or “the Great Pox”)

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NOUVELLES DE LA SEMAINE

LES GéANTS TERRASSéS : SEPT MORTS CéLèBRES ET LES MALADIES QUI EN SONT LA CAUSE

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Qu’il s’agisse d’Alexandre le Grand ou de Mozart, certains de nos personnages historiques les plus puissants ont été terrassés par de minuscules microbes. Mais quelles sont les maladies qui les ont tués et, plus important encore, comment éviter de subir le même sort ?