India confirms first case of fast spreading mpox strain, and other top health stories

India has reported its first case of the new mpox strain that has prompted a global public health emergency alert from the World Health Organization (WHO), according to Reuters.

The highly transmissible clade 1b variant has been linked to the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa. The case involves a 38-year-old man from Kerala who recently returned from Dubai. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a contagious virus that can cause painful skin lesions.

The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency in Africa in August, and since then, the more dangerous variant has spread to countries beyond Africa, including Sweden, Thailand and Pakistan.

The US is the latest country to help support Africa's efforts to combat the outbreak, promising 1 million mpox vaccine doses and over $500 million in aid.

The WHO and its partners have called on world leaders to address critical global health challenges and prioritize public health investment during the high-level week of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) in New York, from 20-30 September 2024.

Responding to this call, the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia, brought together leaders and experts in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the days before the UN high-level meeting on this matter.

They discussed the challenges and opportunities of moving from declaration to implementation at the Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Meetings on the sidelines of UNGA79.

On 26 September, the UN held its high-level meeting on AMR. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, and parasites become resistant to medicines. It poses a growing global threat. The WHO warned that without decisive action, it could result in widespread suffering, particularly in low—and middle-income countries.

Addressing the UNGA at the Harvard Club, Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, highlighted the urgency of the AMR public health crisis. He warned that, according to The Lancet, AMR could lead to 39.1 million deaths from 2025 to 2050, with the annual toll potentially rising to 4.1 million by 2050 as Africa's population doubles.

“You are looking at the face of someone who is in trouble,” Kaseya stated, pointing to himself as he discussed the severity of the crisis. He called for global coordination, increased funding and investment in infection control, diagnostics and vaccines, the Devex newswire reported.

“Without stronger public health systems, we’re just running in circles,” he warned, urging world leaders to give AMR the attention it deserves.

During UNGA79 and Climate Week NYC 2024, multiple events convened leaders from academia, civil society, and both the public and private sectors to address the intersection of climate and health.

Key discussions highlighted the healthcare sector’s role in mitigating climate-related health impacts, such as heatwaves and disease outbreaks, and the need for multi-sectoral partnerships.

Gaps in collaboration and the inclusion of underserved communities were identified as barriers to progress. Participants emphasized moving from dialogue to action through innovative funding and new tools for integrating climate resilience into healthcare.

The events underscored the need for equitable solutions for marginalized populations. I spoke at the Climate Hub, an event that was part of the Climate Week programme, and emphasized the unmistakable urgency of the Forum's work in climate and health.

The impacts of climate change on human health are being felt now, and global health leaders must act quickly to protect the most vulnerable populations, especially those in Africa who contribute the least to greenhouse emissions but bear the brunt of our warming planet.

The global obesity crisis costs more than new weight-loss drugs, finds new ING research shared with The Guardian. The report urges governments to prioritize prevention through diet and exercise.

A study published in JAMA Network Open found microplastics in the olfactory bulbs of the brain - which enable us to smell - suggesting that the olfactory pathway may allow microplastics to enter the brain.

The Ipsos Health Service Report 2024 says mental health is the biggest global health concern. Six years ago, 27% chose mental health as the third biggest health problem; this year, 45% rated it their number one concern, with stress ranking third at 31%.

Elevated amyloid-beta and tau proteins in the brain may alter brain activity before Alzheimer's symptoms emerge, according to Canada-based research.

New WHO data finds 31% of adults - or 1.8 billion people - did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022, jeopardizing the global goal of reducing physical inactivity by 2030.

Health officials warn that Afghanistan faces a risk of a polio outbreak after the Taliban suspended vaccination campaigns due to security concerns and restrictions on women, with the WHO confirming 18 new cases this year, up from 6 in 2023.

One in three children are short-sighted, a study has found, which blamed COVID lockdowns and the increased amount of time children spend on screens.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of nasal spray flu vaccines for use at home by patients, as long as they are prescribed.

The climate crisis is fuelling a global health emergency, threatening air quality, food security and overall human well-being. Read about the collaborative action major organizations are taking to combat climate change's wide-ranging health impacts, including strengthening health systems, mobilizing resources and prioritizing adaptation strategies to protect vulnerable populations.

Learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic enabled rapid access to vaccine financing during the early stages of the mpox health emergency, supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Here, Gavi's CEO Sania Nishtar explains the process and the organization's commitment to building a stockpile of mpox vaccines for rapid deployment in the event of future outbreaks.

The WHO's cervical cancer elimination strategy can potentially save over 62 million girls and women from cervical cancer deaths and prevent 74 million cases within the next century. However, this will only be achievable if resources are allocated equitably, ensuring that screening and treatment receive the same investment and attention as vaccination efforts.