World Health Organization

Nearly seven in 10 premature cancer-related deaths among women could have been avoided through primary prevention, early detection or suitable access to cancer care, according to a report.

Last month, WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer declared aspartame — a popular artificial sweetener that is used in products like soft drinks, chewing gum and ice cream — a potential carcinogen.

Leaders of the oncology community expressed mixed reaction to International Agency for Research on Cancer’s declaration of aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

One of the most popular artificial sweeteners is a potential carcinogen and people should consume only 40 mg/kg body weight daily, according to WHO committees.

The introduction of eight WHO-recommended vaccines into national immunization schedules slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers reported in MMWR.

The addition of peripartum antiviral prophylaxis to reduce neonatal hepatitis B virus infection could have “substantial extra health benefits,” although decreased diagnostic costs are needed to make this strategy cost-effective.

Increasing the percentage of people with diabetes who are diagnosed, improving glucose and lipid levels and expanding access to care are key goals detailed in the WHO Global Diabetes Compact.

WHO has issued a new guideline recommending against the use of non-sugar sweeteners to lose weight, as available evidence suggests it “does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children,” the organization said.

WHO this week ended the public health emergency of international concern declared last year for the global mpox outbreak.

WHO said Friday that the COVID-19 pandemic no longer constitutes a global public health emergency of international concern, citing reduced risks to human health driven by high population-level immunity and vaccination.