Tuesday, January 29, 2008

[EQ] WHO 60 years: a chronology of public health milestones

WHO in 60 years: a chronology of public health milestones

 

In 2008, WHO is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

The chronology tells the story of WHO and public health achievements over the last 60 years.

1945: The United Nations Conference in San Francisco unanimously approves the establishment of a new, autonomous international health organization
http://www.who.int/features/history/WHO_60th_anniversary_chronology.pdf

 


WHO60 photo exhibition: public health over the past 60 years

The exhibit, based on the anniversary theme of "Our health, our future", tells the story of WHO and public health over the last 60 years. It features key public health milestones including, but not limited to: the development of the first successful polio vaccine, the eradication of smallpox, primary health care, tobacco control and the revision of the International Health Regulations.

The exhibit also looks to the future and covers themes such as protecting health from climate change, the future of primary health care and the use of information and communication technologies for better health outcomes.

The exhibit opened at the start of the WHO Executive Board's 122nd session on 21 January 2008. It then travels to the United Nations headquarters in New York to coincide with World Health Day on 7 April. The exhibit will then return to Geneva for the World Health Assembly in May and travel to the regions during August and September.

Photo exhibit part 1: 1940-1959

Photo exhibit part 2: 1960-1979

Photo exhibit part 3: 1980-1999

Photo exhibit part 4: 2000-2008

 

 


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This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ IKM Area]

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
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[EQ] New Approach for Measuring Hospital Mortality Trends in Canada

HSMR: A New Approach for Measuring Hospital Mortality Trends in Canada

 

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI)

 

Available online PDF file [113p.] at:
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/products/HSMR_hospital_mortality_trends_in_canada.pdf

 

Website: http://secure.cihi.ca/

 

“….From vaccinations and pain medication to emergency care for heart attacks or injuries, many types of health care have been shown to save lives and improve quality of life. While the best intentions and superb care will not prevent all deaths or suffering, health care providers are committed to improving care and outcomes for their patients. To do so, they need good information. Experts suggest that measurement helps to prompt effective action to improve health care quality and safety, just as monitoring a patient’s vital signs helps to inform patient care plans.


Different measures are needed at different levels. Boards and senior teams tend to focus on what are sometimes called “big dot” measures. These measures track progress on broad outcomes at a system level. Hospital standardized mortality ratios (HSMRs) are one example. First developed in England, health care providers in a number of countries now use HSMR results to inform efforts to improve care.

 

The measure compares the actual number of deaths in a hospital with the average experience. The comparisons take into account the age, sex and main diagnosis of patients, as well as other factors that may affect in-hospital mortality rates…..”

 

Table of Contents

Overview

Introduction

Measuring Mortality

Who Is—And Is Not—Most Likely to Die in Hospital?

From Measurement to Action

Next Steps

References

 

 

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This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ IKM Area]

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.

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[EQ] The State of the World's Children 2008 - Child Survival

 

The State of the World’s Children 2008 – Child Survival

 

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

December 2007

 

Available online as PDF file [164p.] at:

http://www.unicef.org/sowc08/docs/sowc08.pdf

 

“…..The State of the World’s Children 2008 assesses the state of child survival and primary health care for mothers, newborns and children today. These issues serve as sensitive barometers of a country’s development and wellbeing and as evidence of its priorities and values. Investing in the health of children and their mothers is a human rights imperative and one of the surest ways for a country to set its course towards a better future….”

 

“…..What is a life worth? Most of us would sacrifice a great deal to save a single child. Yet somehow on a global scale, our priorities have become blurred.
Every day, on average more than 26,000 children under the age of five die around the world, mostly from preventable causes. Nearly all of them live in the developing world or, more precisely, in 60 developing countries. More than one third of these children die during the first month of life, usually at home and without access to essential health services and basic commodities that might save their lives. Some children succumb to respiratory or diarrhoeal infections that are no longer threats in industrialized countries or to early childhood diseases that are easily prevented through vaccines, such as measles. In up to half of under-five

deaths an underlying cause is undernutrition, which deprives a young child’s body and mind of the nutrients needed for growth and development.

Unsafe water, poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene also contribute to child mortality and morbidity….”

 

Download the executive summary [PDF, 618 KB]

 

Content:
- 1Child survival: Where we stand
- 2 Lessons learned from evolving health-care systems and practices
- 3 Community partnerships in primary health care for mothers, newborns and children
- 4 Strengthening community partnerships, the continuum of care, and health systems
- 5 Uniting for child survival

 

 

 *      *      *     *

This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ IKM Area]

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.

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    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.