WHO and COP29 launch health initiatives ahead of summit, and other top health stories

As COP29 approaches, this year in Baku, Azerbaijan, health is poised to play a significant role in climate discussions. In a recent webinar by the World Health Organization (WHO) and COP29 presidency, speakers highlighted the critical interconnection between climate change and health. Key objectives for this year’s conference focus on integrating health into negotiation streams and raising awareness of the health impacts of climate change.

“The climate crisis is a health crisis,” stated Dr Maria Neira, the WHO’s Director of Environment, Climate Change and Health. She stressed the need for responses to climate change's adverse health effects and the importance of ensuring that mitigation efforts yield health benefits.

COP29 will feature a Health Pavilion hosted by the WHO and Wellcome Trust, with a two-week programme of events, as well as a dedicated Health Day on 18 November. The WHO will launch its COP29 Special Report focusing on the health benefits of climate initiatives.

“Health will be integrated across various themes, emphasizing the need for equitable climate action that prioritizes vulnerable populations,” explained Elmar Mammadov, Co-Lead of the COP29 Global and Regional Initiatives and Action Agenda Team. With initiatives like the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience, which opens Health Day, and the One Health approach – "the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health" – the conference aims to bring health to the forefront of climate policy, he said.

Also centre stage will be discussions on maternal, newborn and child health, as well as the intersection of health with food, agriculture and urban planning. The diverse agenda reflects a growing recognition that health cannot be separated from climate action.

With health set to have a bigger spotlight at COP29, stakeholders are encouraged to engage in this vital dialogue. “We want to ensure that health remains a key argument for advancing climate action,” Dr Neira reaffirmed.

Artificial intelligence (AI) could significantly reduce the number of missed fractures in X-rays, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

AI tools are safe and could speed up diagnoses, its latest research shows, potentially easing pressure on clinicians and reducing the need for follow-up appointments, reports the BBC.

NICE is set to recommend four AI tools for use in urgent care across England while more evidence on their effectiveness is gathered. However, each AI-assisted diagnosis will still be reviewed by a healthcare professional, to ensure accuracy.

"These AI technologies are safe to use and could spot fractures which humans might miss, given the pressure and demands these professional groups work under," said Mark Chapman, director of health technology at NICE.

Broken bones are missed in up to 10% of cases in emergency departments, and AI could help tackle this issue amid staffing shortages in radiology.

Egypt has been declared malaria-free by the WHO, making it the third country to be awarded a malaria-free certification in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.

Viet Nam joins India, Nepal and 18 other countries in eliminating trachoma, one of the leading causes of blindness. Affecting approximately 1.9 million people globally, it continues to pose a public health challenge in almost 40 countries.

A shortage of intravenous saline fluids caused by Hurricane Helene is leading US hospitals to defer non-urgent surgeries, potentially impacting companies that manufacture medical devices for elective procedures, Reuters reports.

Germany has confirmed its first case of a dangerous new mpox strain linked to ongoing outbreaks in central Africa, according to The Telegraph. The Robert Koch Institute stated the infection, detected on 18 October, was acquired abroad. Officials noted that the risk to the general population remains low.

Researchers have developed a new form of insulin that adjusts its activity when glucose levels drop, helping to prevent hypoglycaemia in people with diabetes. This glucose-sensitive insulin marks a major step forward in managing the condition, as highlighted in a recent study published in Nature.

A new University of Oxford study aims to identify brain changes associated with period pain in teenagers and their potential link to chronic pain later in life. This ground-breaking trial will involve 11 to 20-year-olds and utilize various tests, including MRI scans.

Standing desks do not counteract inactivity and may even heighten the risk of swollen veins and blood clots, according to a study by the University of Sydney, The Guardian reports.

A study in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health reveals that millions of African teenagers are suffering from undiagnosed asthma due to rapid urbanization, pollution and climate change. Researchers surveyed 27,000 students across six countries, finding over 3,000 reported asthma symptoms, but only about 600 had a formal diagnosis.

The WHO received nearly $700 million in new funding commitments and $300 million in reaffirmed support at the World Health Summit in Berlin on 14 October. These funds will help advance its global health strategy for 2025-2028, approved by its 194 Member States in May.

A £30 million ($38 million) investment in women’s health could generate over £300 million in gross value added to the UK economy, according to a new study. It highlights that neglecting women’s health leads to significant absenteeism, with more than 60,000 women in the UK unable to work due to menopause symptoms. Read more on how investing in women's health is not just a matter of equity but also an economic imperative.

Cancer remains a leading cause of death, claiming 10 million lives annually, according to the WHO. While the COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress, recent medical breakthroughs are accelerating the fight. Discover 12 key advancements in cancer treatment.

Anxiety and depression cost the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity, according to the WHO. Elisha London, CEO of Prospira, underscores the significant gap between mental health needs and available funding, noting how private philanthropy is stepping in to help bridge this divide.