WHO published its World health statistics report 2025, revealing the deeper health impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on loss of lives, longevity and overall health and well-being. In just two years, between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy fell by 1.8 years—the largest drop in recent history— reversing a …
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause 41 million preventable deaths each year, approximately six times the number of people who have died from COVID-19 so far. The estimated economic loss resulting from the five most common NCDs is US$2 trillion annually, more than the nominal GDP of most countries in the G20. …
Around 415 million people exited poverty within a span of just 15 years between 2005 to 2021 in India, according to this latest Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2023 report by the UNDP and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). This report presents a compact update on the state …
Women and girls responsible for fetching water in 7 out of 10 households without supplies on premises, according to this first in-depth analysis of gender inequalities in drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in households. The 2023 WHO/UNICEF JMP report on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene has a special …
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging public health crisis, particularly in low-and middle-income countries, where knowledge gaps are more dominant. The pandemic has further enhanced AMR with long-term repercussions, exacerbating social vulnerabilities. A ‘one health’ (OH) approach with cross-sectoral collaboration is, therefore, essential to ensure sustained action across the human-animal-environmental …
Half of the world’s population still does not have adequate access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) which could have prevented at least 1.4 million deaths and 74 million disability-adjusted life years in 2019, according to this latest report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The report summarizes …
There is a limited understanding of the intangible and subjective losses and damages from climate change people experience and how to address them. Fortunately, the number of studies explicitly focusing on ‘non-economic’ losses and damages is growing. However, these assessments are commonly shaped by top-down, standardised conceptualisations, resulting in incomplete …
This publication describes the problem of extreme heat and outlines specific, actionable guidance for short-term emergency response and long-term risk reduction. From creating culturally-specific cooling centers, to increasing tree canopy and shade in certain urban areas, to improving protections for workers, the report highlights roles state and local governments, elected …
This report examines the support to private healthcare provision in India by the World Bank’s private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Despite supporting private healthcare in the country since 1997, no healthcare results for lending and investments have been disclosed since the start of these operations over twenty-five …
The Global Gender Gap Index annually benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions (Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment). It is the longest-standing index tracking the progress of numerous countries’ efforts towards closing these gaps over time since …
Climate change is raising global temperatures and increasing the frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves. Heat stress contributes to significant negative health outcomes, particularly for infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, outdoor workers and other vulnerable people. For infants, young children and pregnant women, greater heat stress is increasing the …
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is projected to cause substantial morbidity and mortality in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region over the next decade, at significant economic cost. By endangering people’s health, AMR poses a threat to health security and has implications for overall development, particularly in Member States that …
Global action is urgently needed as series of extreme heatwaves in Pakistan wreak havoc on human rights, Amnesty International said in its new report ‘A Burning Emergency: Extreme heat and the right to health in Pakistan’. The report, released on World Environment Day, examines the impacts of extreme heat in …
The world is confronted with a global food crisis fueled by conflict, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, tobacco is grown in over 124 countries, taking up millions of hectares of fertile land that could be used to grow food, address food security and nutrition challenges and help feed …
In the clean cooking sector, the successful application of Results-Based Financing (RBF) instruments has been observed for the climate co-benefit, where the market for averted greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has enjoyed strong performance; however, supplementing GHG emission-reduction credits with tradeable assets from clean cooking’s additional co-benefits requires developing rigorous methods …
Over two million deaths and $4.3 trillion in economic losses; that’s the impact of a half-century of extreme weather events turbo-charged by man-made global warming, according to this new figure from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Extreme weather, climate and water-related events caused 11 778 reported disasters between 1970 and …
The World health statistics report is the annual compilation of health and health-related indicators which has been published by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2005. The 2023 edition reviews more than 50 health-related indicators from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 13).
The report provides state of knowledge on chemicals in plastics and based on compelling scientific evidence calls for urgent action to address chemicals in plastics as part of the global action on plastic pollution. The “Chemicals in Plastics: A Technical Report” aims to inform the global community about the often-overlooked …
This fourth annual progress report for the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All (SDG3 GAP) discusses what has worked and what has not worked since the SDG3 GAP was launched in 2019 and makes recommendations for the future. It also aims to inform thinking about how …
As India is celebrating 75 years of Independence, NITI Aayog in partnership with UNDP is bringing out the compendium of Best Practices in social sector showcasing 75 case studies which truly highlight the theme ‘Achievement@75’ at the local levels. These practices have been sourced from the 28 States and 8 …
The global food, fuel and finance crisis is having a devastating impact on millions of older people across the world. It is leaving them struggling to afford food and medical care, according to HelpAge International global report across 10 countries assessing the impact of this crisis on the lives of …
