Global Health News
Global Child Mortality
Reaches Record Low
On September 10, UNICEF announced that the estimated number of deaths among children under age 5 fell to 8.8 million in 2008. The announcement – based on annual compilations of the best available data by experts at UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and the United Nations Population Division – marks the first time ever that annual child deaths have fallen below 9 million.
World Contraception Day
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| Source: Ray Witlin, Courtesy of World Bank |
On September 26, 2009, in recognition of World Contraception Day, USAID, along with governments, NGOs, and individuals, called on their respective communities to celebrate progress made and take action to ensure that the 201 million women with an unmet need for contraceptives and condoms receive reproductive health commodities and services.
USAID has long worked with developing country governments, in coordination with other donors, NGOs, and private sector partners, to increase access to a sound mix of modern contraceptive methods. This approach has made an impressive and measurable global impact. Since 1965, collective efforts have increased use of modern contraceptive methods in developing countries from 10 percent to more than 40 percent. In 28 countries with the largest USAID-sponsored programs, families have chosen to reduce the size of their families by one-third, from six to less than four.
Development Partners Tackle Key Issues Surrounding Nutrition and Food Security at United Nations General Assembly
As part of the commitments made at the January 2009 Madrid High Level Meeting for Food Security for All and the July 2009 L’Aquila G8 Summit, and in conjunction with a high-level meeting on food security on Sept. 26, USAID and the World Bank co-hosted "A Call to Action on Nutrition" to address urgent global challenges related to nutrition and food security at the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 22. Speakers included Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President; Alonzo Fulgham, USAID Acting Administrator; Joy Phumaphi, Vice President, Human Development Network, World Bank; Josette Sheeran, Executive Director, World Food Program; distinguished leaders from Nepal and Burundi; and leaders from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Canadian International Development Agency.
Comprehensive Antiretroviral Therapy Programs
Check out the new look of the Global Health Bureau’s HIV/AIDS Web page. The new design showcases HIV/AIDS regional programs, worldwide news, the HIV/AIDS WebSource, and a new Global AIDS 101 section featuring general information on the global HIV/AIDS crisis for those who seek basic facts about the disease. You can also access the newly updated and reorganized Technical Areas section.
Neglected Tropical Diseases Initiative Launches New Web Site
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USAID’s neglected tropical disease (NTD) control program began in 2006, in response to a Congressional earmark of $15 million per year. The program represents one of the first global efforts to integrate existing disease-specific treatment programs to control diseases. On May 5, 2009, President Obama announced a new comprehensive global health strategy, which includes a focus on NTDs, to address some of the world’s biggest health challenges. To provide information about the initiative, USAID’s Bureau for Global Health recently launched a new NTD Initiative Web site.
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Latest Tuberculosis Country Information Available Online
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USAID has programs to combat tuberculosis (TB) in more than 40 countries around the world. Access the latest country information and learn more about USAID’s approach, key activities, program achievements, and partnerships in each of the countries.
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Global Health Updates
View USAID Global Health Employment Opportunities
Updated frequently, this page displays employment opportunities within USAID's Bureau for Global Health, plus other positions in regional bureaus and Missions.
New Users’ Guide to USAID/Washington Health Programs Available Online
Learn about USAID’s health objectives and the Global Health Bureau's offices and functions. View the project directory for USAID programs in HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, avian influenza, other public health threats, maternal and child health, family planning and reproductive health, and water and sanitation.
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