Global Health and Diplomacy
UNGA Focus on NCDs Continues
Following this week’s high-level meeting, the global health focus remains on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health at the UN General Assembly (UNGA). World leaders are working toward adopting a new Political Declaration to accelerate efforts to reduce premature deaths from NCDs—like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer—by one-third by 2030, a target that is currently considered off-track.
PAHO Emphasizes Primary Care
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is reinforcing the urgent need to scale up NCD prevention and control by strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) across the Americas. PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa has highlighted that NCDs cause over 80% of deaths in the Americas, urging a focus on universal health coverage and early detection.
- Source: PAHO At UNGA 80 event, PAHO Director highlights critical link between infectious diseases and NCDs
Ebola Case Update in DRC
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Kasai Province shows the case count has risen to 57, with a total of 35 deaths reported as of September 21st. The overall case fatality ratio stands at 61.4%. Response teams continue with vaccination campaigns and contact tracing efforts in the affected health zones.
- Source: WHO:
U.S. Public Health
Measles Cases Top 1,500
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the total number of measles cases in the United States this year has surpassed 1,500 (1,514 confirmed cases as of September 23rd). The vast majority (92%) of cases have occurred in individuals who are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. The CDC continues to track 40 outbreaks across the country.
- Source: CDC – Measles Cases and Outbreaks – CDC
Weekend Drive-Thru Vaccine Clinics Kick Off
Several regional health providers, including MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, NH, are hosting their first Saturday drive-through vaccination clinics today. These events aim to provide convenient access to flu shots and, for eligible populations (age 65+), updated COVID-19 vaccines as the fall season approaches.
- Source: Memorial Hospital – Memorial Hospital Announces Drive-Through Vaccine Clinics Beginning September 27
Community Health Fairs Address Key Issues
Local health departments are using the weekend to connect directly with communities. The Shelby County Health Department in Tennessee, for example, is hosting a Community Care Fair today to offer free confidential HIV testing, opioid overdose harm reduction kits, and routine immunizations.
- Source: Shelby County Health – Health Department Hosts Community Care Fair at Dave Wells Community Center