World Health Organization (WHO)

Ebola disease is rare but can be serious. What you need to know: - how it spreads, - the symptoms, - the treatment and, - the latest clinical trials for Bundibugyo virus.

Genomics can be explained through a simple metaphor: that each one of us is a unique book filled with pages that describe why we are the way we are. Genomics is the study of these pages. It’s how we can use our diversity to improve our future. Find out more about WHO's work on genomics: who.int/health-topics/…

Every breakthrough begins with hope. EBO-PEP—the first clinical trial evaluating post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with obeldesivir for #Ebola disease to Bundibugyo virus is launched. If effective among high-risk contacts after exposure, this could mark a major step forward in Ebola BVD prevention. We thank @inrb_kinshasa, @agenceANRS and ALIMA for their leadership and partnership on this important trial. @WHO will continue to support. ebo-pep.com/bundibugyo-ebo…

Social isolation & loneliness are rising worldwide, posing serious health risks. 💔 Lack of connection is linked to a 30% higher risk of stroke & heart disease — and can also increase anxiety, depression, and suicide risk. 💙 Remember: Stay connected and support each other.

El Salvador becomes the first country in Central America to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem. This neglected tropical disease is the world's leading infectious cause of blindness and remains endemic in some of the world's most vulnerable communities. This elimination marks a historic public health milestone for the country and for @PAHOWHO. Know more: bit.ly/4fw9lwu

Worried someone might be struggling with suicidal thoughts? Your presence can be powerful. A simple check-in could be the lifeline they need. 💙 #SuicidePrevention

Cancer risks are rising and the #cancer care gap is growing. But solutions exist. Here’s what needs to happen - Countries must: 💰 invest in prevention 💪🏼 strengthen health systems 🩺 expand access to diagnosis and treatment 🛡️ protect families from financial hardship 🫴🏼 design services around the needs of people affected by cancer More bit.ly/4wxY9VT

We know what works. Now the goal is reaching everyone with it — because fewer cases means more lives saved from #cancer. 🚭 Tobacco control saves lives. Smoking rates today have dropped 27% since 2010, reducing lung cancer rates in many countries. 💉 HPV vaccination prevents cervical cancer before it even begins. 🔍 Screening programmes are finding cancers earlier. This means treatment can be more effective.

☀️ Hot summer days make us want to drink more fluids and eat lighter foods. 🟥 Watch out for drinks and food that use single-use packaging, as they generate plastic waste which pollutes and introduces microplastic into our ecosystem. Chose a healthier you and a healthier environment! #FIFAWorldCup

Vaping impacts both our health and the environment. Vapes are littering the streets where @LessWasteLaura lives. Let’s take care of our health and the planet—think twice before starting to #vape.

☀️ Hot weather not only affects our bodies, but also our food. Pay special attention to keep food safe when the temperature is hot. Don't let foodborne diseases score goals this summer! bit.ly/5KeysToSaferFo… #FoodSafety #FIFAWorldCup

Across 116 countries thousands were asked what #cancer actually does to one’s life. Most didn’t just talk about their diagnosis and treatment. They also spoke about– lost incomes, strained relationships, careers put on hold, anxiety and loneliness, chronic pain and uncertainty about their futures. When cancer strikes, what people need are: ❤️‍🩹 Pain relief ❤️‍🩹 Mental health support ❤️‍🩹 Financial protection ❤️‍🩹 Rehabilitation ❤️‍🩹 Social connection ❤️‍🩹 Dignified, and compassionate care Cancer care isn't just about treating the disease. It's about supporting the person living with it bit.ly/4wxY9VT

UV radiation and heat both come from the sun, but they're not the same. UV is invisible and can be high even when it's not hot. UV peaks around midday, before peak temperatures. Don't rely on how hot it feels. Check the UV Index and protect yourself. #BeatTheHeat ☀️

A person's chance of surviving #cancer should not depend on where they live. A woman diagnosed with breast cancer in a high-income country is 4x more likely to survive than a woman in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Access to care matters. But nearly half the world can't access basic diagnostics. The treatment gaps that follow are just as wide. People are still lacking access to essential medicines, surgery, specialist care and radiotherapy. What are the solutions? 1⃣ Better capabilities to detect cancer early 2⃣ Better protections through universal health coverage 3⃣ Timely diagnosis and quality treatment: the best value we can deliver to close the cancer care gap.

Cancer can place huge financial strain on families. Many people accessing care face steep costs — and even lose income along the way. Expenses relating to accommodation, transport to clinics, and out-of-pocket payments – they all stack up. Protecting people from #cancer means protecting them from financial hardship and this can be achieved through universal health coverage, social protection and affordable access to essential services bit.ly/4wxY9VT

Pleased to welcome President @GeoPresident_ Mikheil Kavelashvili to @WHO. We discussed #Georgia's health reforms, including strengthening primary health care and advancing universal health coverage, as well as addressing risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, including tobacco and physical activity. I reaffirmed @WHO's commitment to supporting Georgia's journey towards #HealthForAll, including through promoting healthy lifestyles, strengthening health services, and improving access to health care for vulnerable populations in rural and remote areas. I also thanked President Kavelashvili for his commitment to global health, including advancing digital inclusion and the responsible use of AI in health. I welcome his participation in the #AIforGood Summit and leadership on AI governance.

#Cancer is deeply personal. It touches nearly all of us, with more than 20 million people diagnosed each year. @WHO projects that this number could almost double by 2050. We can change this trajectory, but it requires an urgent shift to a people-centred approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. I call on all world leaders to take action today: bit.ly/4fpyVmH

#Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures. Seizures can vary from a brief lapse of attention or sudden uncontrolled movements of a muscle to severe and prolonged convulsions. Here's how to identify signs of a #seizure bit.ly/WHO-Epilepsy

Behind every number is a name. A family member, a friend, a colleague. The cancer risks are there and growing — but a #cancer diagnosis does not mean a death sentence. Cancer detected at an early stage can be treated. Early diagnosis is key to cancer survival. However, cancer care is still not optimal in low- and middle-income countries where health systems are least prepared bit.ly/4wxY9VT

#DYK although women make up nearly 70% of the global health workforce, they hold only 25% of health leadership positions worldwide? Read that again. In essence, our research shows that even though women effectively run health systems – they are seldom formally in charge. "This gap reflects not just inequity, but a misalignment in how leadership is recognized and valued," says Dr Sharon Salmon, a Technical Officer with the @WHO Health Emergencies Programme in the Western Pacific Region. Dr Salmon facilitates the @WHOGOARN leadership initiative – a programme designed exclusively for women, equipping them with practical strategies to navigate barriers to global health leadership. In a recently published opinion piece in the World Economic Forum @wef, Dr Salmon draws on her experience supporting emergency responses across multiple continents, describing how she has seen women often leading "without the title, authority or institutional backing that emergency leadership demands." @dfat