World Health Organization Quiz

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UNESCO introduced the New World Soil Health Index at an international conference in Morocco to standardize soil quality assessment globally. It aims to monitor soil degradation trends and improvements across different ecosystems. UNESCO will pilot sustainable soil management in ten Biosphere Reserves to develop best practices. Globally, soil degradation affects 75% of land, impacting 3.2 billion people, and is projected to reach 90% by 2050. In India, 32% of land is degraded, with 25% undergoing desertification due to various factors including deforestation and industrial pollution.

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At least 49 migrants died and 140 others went missing after a boat capsized off Yemen’s coast, the U.N. migration agency reported on June 11. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), established in 1951 and headquartered in Geneva, aids governments and migrants. With 175 member states, it focuses on migration health, emergency operations, migration development, and counter-trafficking, publishing the World Migration Report and Migration Health Annual Report.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) introduces the term ‘Infectious Respiratory Particles’ (IRPs) to describe pathogens transmitted through the air, addressing a lack of common terminology during the COVID-19 pandemic. IRPs encompass particles expelled through breathing, talking, coughing, or sneezing. They exist across a spectrum of sizes, with two descriptors: Airborne transmission (inhalation) and Direct deposition (exposure to expelled particles). This clarifies communication and aids efforts to combat pathogen transmission.

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Cabo Verde, a group of islands off the west coast of Africa, has been certified as malaria-free by the World Health Organization. This volcanic archipelago, comprising ten islands and five islets, boasts a moderate climate and diverse terrain. The population, mainly of mixed European and African descent, speaks Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole. Praia serves as the capital. The achievement of malaria-free status marks a significant milestone for the nation’s public health efforts.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to launch the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 11 TM Module 2, Morbidity Codes in a New Delhi. The ICD, developed by WHO, serves as a global system for classifying diseases, providing essential information on the prevalence, causes, and consequences of human diseases and death worldwide. The existing data is predominantly based on modern biomedicine practices.  The ICD plays a crucial role in health recording and statistics across various levels of care, influencing payment systems, service planning, safety administration, and health services research.

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The World Health Organization has prequalified the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, enabling broader global access. In October 2023, WHO recommended the vaccine’s use in children based on expert advice. Prequalification facilitates procurement by UNICEF and funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This is the second WHO-prequalified malaria vaccine after RTS,S/AS01 obtained prequalification status in July 2022. The new vaccine aims to prevent malaria in children, a key step in malaria control efforts.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently added noma, a severe gangrenous disease affecting the mouth and face, to its list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Also known as cancrum oris, noma has a staggering mortality rate of approximately 90% and is closely associated with extreme poverty, malnutrition, and inadequate access to sanitation and oral hygiene.
Primarily impacting children aged 2-6 in impoverished communities. Symptoms include gum inflammation believed to be caused by oral bacteria. Noma often initiates as an ulcer on the mucous membrane, frequently following measles or other illnesses. Survivors may experience facial disfigurement, jaw muscle spasms, oral incontinence, and speech difficulties. Historically known as the ‘face of poverty,’ noma was prevalent in the Western world but diminished with economic progress. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) constitute a diverse group of infections prevalent in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. These diseases are caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms (helminths).

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WHO cited media reports and a global infectious disease monitoring service as reporting clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China and formally requested more details from China earlier this week.
Chinese officials say they did not detect any unusual or novel diseases in the country, the World Health Organization said, after an official request by the U.N. health agency for information about a potentially worrying spike in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children.

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As per the Global Healthcare Report, India is currently grappling with a shortage of 2 billion square feet of healthcare infrastructure to adequately serve its population of 1.42 billion.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises a ratio of 3 beds per 1000 people, indicating that India requires an additional 2.4 million beds to meet the recommended standards.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized loneliness as a significant global health concern and has initiated multiple efforts to combat this pervasive issue.
WHO has formed an international commission to address the problem, with leadership roles held by Dr. Vivek Murthy, the US surgeon general, and Chido Mpemba, the youth envoy at the African Union Commission.