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Even during Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dedicated midwives like Francine continue providing life-saving care to mothers and newborns despite the risks.
Global road traffic deaths fell 21% since 2011 despite rising vehicle numbers, but crashes still kill 1.16 million people annually, prompting renewed global safety commitments.
Drowning claims more than 300,000 lives every year—around 30 every hour—and nearly a quarter of those who die are children under five. It is among the world's ten leading causes of death for children aged 5–14 years. The theme for World Drowning Prevention Day 2026, "Unite to Turn the Tide," reflects the shared responsibility to prevent these avoidable deaths. The Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention calls on every sector and every level of society to work toward a common goal: reducing drowning deaths by 35% by 2035. Achieving that goal will require all of us to play our part.
The 2026 International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent (25 July) highlights the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Women and girls of African descent continue to face systemic racism, gender discrimination and unequal access to quality, culturally appropriate health care, resulting in preventable health disparities. The observance calls for equitable health systems, respectful maternal care, better race- and gender-disaggregated data, and the meaningful participation of women and girls of African descent in shaping the policies that affect their health and well-being.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated guidelines, providing countries with evidence-based recommendations to help prevent or delay the onset of dementia across the life course.
Watch Hasset Dereje unpack a kit with students who are seeing some of these items for the very first time. Hasset knows that for a girl in rural Ethiopia, lacking menstrual hygiene products can impact their education. That’s why a $15 dignity kit is so much more than a box of supplies. It’s a toolkit for her future. For just $15, you can help a girl stay in school. Every gift counts.
WFP warns Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is spreading rapidly, worsening hunger, displacement, and overwhelming fragile humanitarian response systems.
In the Central African Republic conflict, poverty and shrinking humanitarian funding are pushing health systems to the brink. At the Bangui Paediatric Complex, Central African Republic's only specialist neonatal and paediatric hospital, families face rising costs for care after free health services sustained by international partners, including UNFPA, were scaled back. Belicia, who had triplets is receiving quality care in the maternity ward. However, only around 40 per cent of births in the country are attended by skilled personnel and many women struggle to access essential reproductive and neonatal healthcare.
Regular physical activity of moderate intensity – such as walking, cycling, or doing sports – has significant benefits for health. World Bicycle Day (3 June) celebrates the bicycle for being a simple, affordable, and reliable way to travel for over 200 years. It is a great, clean choice for keeping both our bodies and our planet healthy.
The World Health Organization estimates that 40 million adolescents aged 13–15 worldwide use tobacco. The tobacco and nicotine industries design their products to get young people stuck in a cycle of addiction. The grip of tobacco and nicotine addiction can be broken. This World No Tobacco Day (31 May) let us join together to unmask the appeal and work together for a world free of tobacco addiction.
Millions of women and girls worldwide still lack access to menstrual products, clean water, sanitation, and education needed to manage their menstrual health and hygiene safely and with dignity. Periods make them miss school, work, and opportunities — especially in conflict-affected areas where the challenges are even greater. But it does not have to be this way. This Menstrual Hygiene Day (28 May), let's end period poverty and stigma. Let's change the rules and support the work of UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund and UN Women to ensure every girl and woman can thrive.
During an obstetric emergency, minutes can make the difference between life and death. In Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, drivers race along rural roads day and night to bring pregnant women to health clinics and hospitals. At the end of the journey, skilled midwives stand ready to deliver crucial care. A global partnership between the United Nations Population Fund and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is helping to make these potentially life-saving connections possible. The initiative, “2 Hours to Life”, trains both drivers to drive safely and midwives to deliver babies, to ensure that pregnant women are transported safely and receive quality obstetric care within two hours. This photo story follows the people behind those critical moments: the fast-acting drivers and expertly trained midwives, and the women they have helped deliver safely.
On 18–23 May, the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland. As the principal decision-making body of the World Health Organization, it plays a vital role in global health governance, addressing pressing health challenges through collaborative action. The WHA serves as a platform for Member States to discuss and vote on critical health issues, set priorities, and coordinate responses to global health threats. It is essential in shaping international health policies and ensuring that health systems are resilient and equitable. Watch the Assembly live. #WHA79
A large proportion of avoidable infections acquired during health care delivery could still be prevented with hand hygiene and infection prevention and control action at the right times. Each year, since 2009, the SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign marked on World Hand Hygiene Day (5 May) aims to progress the goal of maintaining a global profile on the importance of hand hygiene and infection prevention and control in health care and to ‘bring people together’ in support of improvement globally. #handhygiene