This Week in Global Health

Friday, November 18, 2011

A weekly round- up of selected health news from around the world. Posted each Friday.

Widespread tobacco smoking and the use of wood and coal as fuel are the major causes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). PHOTO: FILE
President Obama says cigarette manufacturers fighting graphic labels ‘don’t want to be honest about the consequences’, discusses his own long effort to kick the smoking habit. (The Washington Post)

WLF is mentioned in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ five-year progress report on global anti-tobacco efforts. (Bloomberg News)

The smoking habit is about to get even more expensive, says Business Insider.

An impassioned article in the Huffington Post attacks ‘Cigarette Perfidy’.

The British Medical Association has called for a ban on all smoking in cars—where drivers and passengers may absorb up to 23 times the secondhand smoke toxins absorbed in bars and restaurants. (AP)

‘Americans are fat, and expected to get much fatter’, reports NPR, warning of a burgeoning public health crisis.

Local journalists in Rwanda have committed to educate the public about maternal health issues. (AllAfrica).

The Huffington Post reports that today’s smokers may have a harder time quitting.

Wood smoke from cooking fires may impact IQs. (NextBigFuture)

A tobacco company case attacking New York City’s restricted sales of flavored tobacco is dismissed. (Bloomberg News)

One of the causes of maternal mortality? Childhood marriage.(Business Recorder)

The so-called ‘espresso machine’ of tuberculosis tests significantly reduces diagnosis time, reports PBS NewsHour.

Lean kids who become obese as adults may be at greater risk of severe health effects.

On World COPD Day, The Express Tribune pinpoints smoking and pollution as two major contributors to rising lung disease rates.

UN Dispatch reports on progress in fighting pneumonia.


Have a news item that you think should be included in ‘This Week in Global Health’?
E-mail shamill@worldlungfoundation.org.


Stephen Hamill
Associate Director, Communications and Advocacy
World Lung Foundation