Recent news
June 2011
CDC identifies top global public health achievements
June 24, 2011 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the top global public health advances during the first ten years of the 21st century, which have resulted in increased life expectancies worldwide. The advances are listed in the latest issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
The gains, which took place between 2001 and 2010, are a result of investments in scientific, technical, legal, and political resources to improve living conditions and efforts to address infectious diseases. Examples include substantially fewer deaths from malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS because of improvements in diagnosis and treatment; the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease through education and safe water technology; and 2.5 million fewer deaths among children younger than age five providing measles, polio, and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines. The report also lists the creation of innovative financing mechanisms to accelerate the development and use in developing countries of vaccines licensed during the decade.
"Americans can be proud that people around the world are living longer, healthier lives because of the United States' commitment to global health," said CDC director Thomas Frieden. "But there are still far too many people who die from conditions that are easily preventable. Continued investments will help millions more [people] live healthy and productive lives while helping to protect our own country from health threats." See the links below for more information.
