Category: Archive

Proud to Protect Burkinabè from Meningitis

A child lines up to get her routine MACV vaccination in Burkina Faso in 2017. © Evelyn Hockstein/CDC Foundation

Isaïe Medah, MD, MSc, is a physician and director general of public health in Burkina Faso. Previously he was director of the country’s routine immunization program from 2015–2017 and director of disease control from 2011–2015. Proud to Protect Burkinabè from Meningitis By Isaïe Medah, MD, MSc In a remote village of Burkina Faso, a woman Read More >

Posted on by By Isaïe Medah, MD, MScTags , , , , ,

Message from Hank Tomlinson, PhD, Acting Director of CDC’s Division of Global HIV & TB.

CDC's innovative efforts to find, cure, and prevent TB are creating a safer America and a safer world.

“We are at a key moment in the global fight against tuberculosis. Tremendous progress has been made and, yet, this preventable, curable infection still claims more lives than any other infectious disease or epidemic. As leaders come together on World TB Day and again at the United Nations High Level Meeting on TB in September, Read More >

Posted on by Dr. Hank Tomlinson

Global Health Security Agenda Programs Protect Americans from Infectious Disease Threats

Dr. Ann Schuchat visiting the Disco Hill cemetery in Liberia where many victims of the Ebola outbreak are buried.

Today’s world of increasing interconnectivity and mobility accelerates the shared global risk to human health and well-being. The United States cannot effectively protect the health of its citizens without addressing infectious disease threats around the world. A pathogen that begins in a remote town can reach major cities on all six continents in 36 hours[1]. Read More >

Posted on by Anne Schuchat, MD (RADM, USPHS)

World Birth Defects Day 2018 Raises Global Awareness of Birth Defects

World Birth Defects Day campaign logo

Every year, millions of babies around the world are born with a serious birth defect. In many countries, birth defects are one of the leading causes of death in babies and young children. Babies who survive and live with these conditions are at an increased risk for long-term disabilities and other health problems. The fourth Read More >

Posted on by Margaret A. Honein, Ph.D, M.P.H., Acting Director, Division of Congenital and Developmental Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental DisabilitiesTags ,

Continuing the Fight Against Zika

A team in Peru heading out for field work and preparing for mosquito collection.

Zika virus continues to spread in many countries and territories around the globe. Because there is no vaccine or medicine for Zika, the virus and its associated health outcomes will remain a significant and enduring public health challenge. The Danger from Zika Although many people infected with Zika experience mild or no symptoms, infection during Read More >

Posted on by Olga L. Henao, MPH, PhD, Epidemiologist2 CommentsTags , , , ,

IMPACT Program in Kenya: A Fellow’s Experience

Oren (right) with some of his colleagues Dr. Vincent Yator (center) and Athanasio Omondi (left) engage with a International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease facilitator, Dr. Gihan El-Nehas (standing) during a group session.

Many doctors and other health workers in my country have limited background or training in leadership and management, yet they often find themselves in leadership positions. This was my case when I was appointed Sub-County Medical Officer in February 2014. Starting out was no easy task, considering I was more used to clinical work. Here, Read More >

Posted on by Dr. Oren Nyambane Ombiro4 CommentsTags , , ,

Creating Strength in Numbers to End Violence Against Women & Girls

Dr. Daniela Ligiero

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign falls every year between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25th, and Human Rights Day on December 10th. It is a time to raise awareness and galvanize global support and action to end violence against women and girls around the Read More >

Posted on by Dr. Daniela Ligiero, Executive Director and CEO, Together for GirlsTags ,

Rubella and CRS Elimination: A Race Worth Winning

AEFI management kit

AEFI Management Kit. Photo credit: Rania Tohme/CDC More than 100,000 children worldwide are born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) every year to mothers infected with the rubella virus. Sadly, these children will suffer a lifetime because of birth defects such as blindness, deafness, and heart disease, even though a cost-effective vaccine is widely available to Read More >

Posted on by Susan Reef, MD, MPH, Medical Epidemiologist and Rubella Team Lead, Global Immunization Division & Gavin Grant, MD, MPH, Medical Epidemiologist, Global Immunization DivisionTags , , ,

Everyone Needs Somewhere to Go: World Toilet Day

Charcoal briquettes manufactured from human waste in East Africa

Charcoal briquettes manufactured from human waste in East Africa (Photo courtesy of Eric Mintz, CDC) We use toilets every day – at home, school, and work – yet 40% of the world’s population does not have this luxury.  Clean and safe toilets are more than just a place to use the restroom.  They are essential Read More >

Posted on by Madison Walter, MPH, CHESTags ,

Overcoming obstacles to polio eradication in Pakistan

Picture of worker distributing polio advocacy items to children.

Originally published on October 5, 2017 on Rotary Voices “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Henry Ford When I first joined Pakistan’s PolioPlus Committee (PNPPC) as a manager close to eight years ago, polio eradication seemed within our reach. I used the opportunity to study poliomyelitis beyond just Read More >

Posted on by Alina A. Visram, manager, Pakistan National PolioPlus CommitteeTags ,