Youth power immunization

Youth power immunization

woman holding cardboard signage

Youth Power: The Next Generation’s Role in Lifelong Immunization

News

Jul 3, 2025

Today’s youth represent not just the future of healthcare but a powerful force for change. Their digital fluency, innovative thinking, and peer influence make them uniquely positioned to advance life-course immunization in ways traditional approaches cannot.

To appreciate their impact, consider how young professionals are already driving change.

Innovative Approaches to Vaccine Advocacy

Young healthcare students and professionals are revolutionizing immunization efforts through creative strategies. Medical students develop peer education programs that resonate with younger audiences. Pharmacy students bring vaccines to underserved communities. Digital natives create social media campaigns that effectively counter misinformation.

These approaches are particularly effective in addressing long-standing challenges.

Tackling Tough Challenges Head-On

Youth-led initiatives are making remarkable progress, whereas traditional methods have struggled. They’re breaking down cultural barriers to HPV vaccination through community dialogues, increasing access in remote areas through mobile clinics, and, perhaps most importantly, rebuilding trust in vaccines through relatable, peer-to-peer communication.

Their success offers valuable lessons for the broader healthcare community.

What the Establishment Can Learn

The youth movement exemplifies several key principles that can enhance all immunization efforts. Authentic storytelling often proves more persuasive than data alone. Meeting people where they are (physically and digitally) increases engagement. Empowering local champions builds sustainable change.

Supporting these young leaders should be a priority for health organizations.

How to Foster Youth Leadership

Investing in young vaccine advocates yields tremendous returns. This includes:

  • Creating funding opportunities for student-led initiatives
  • Establishing youth advisory councils
  • Incorporating immunization leadership training into health education curricula.

The energy and innovation of young healthcare professionals represent our best hope for achieving life-course immunization for all. By empowering today’s youth, we secure healthier communities for generations to come.

 

Click here to read the original Final Call to Action as signed and supported by multiple international NGOs.

Internship Opportunity with WFPHA

Internship Opportunity with WFPHA

people laughing and talking outside during daytime

Seeking Two Interns for the WFPHA

 

News

Jul 1, 2025

The World Federation of Public Health Associations is currently looking for 2 Intern

WFPHA offers a unique environment for students interested in an internship in international health and development. Interns are given substantial responsibility for performing activities such as researching and writing articles, establishing contact with health and development NGOs worldwide, planning international conferences, and fundraising. Each internship is structured to suit the needs and interests of the intern, as well as the requirements of WFPHA.

During the internship, interns will further develop their skills and become more familiar with the key issues and actors in international health and development. They will have extensive networking opportunities as WFPHA is an international NGO in official relations with the WHO and has extensive contacts with other organizations worldwide.

The internship will be done remotely.

Key areas:

The candidate will work on writing a book exploring the intersection of religious faith and public health. 

Qualification and Experience

  • Candidates must have completed a Master’s in Public Health or be on track to complete it by the next few weeks.
  • Knowledge of MS Office, Adobe
  • English: a must
  • Good writing skills
  • Eager to work within a multicultural and international environment
  • A good team player with a “can-do” attitude
  • Good at multi-tasking and working with strict deadlines

    Compensation

    The internship is unpaid. The organization does not cover relocation expenses or sponsor international student visas.

    Period

    Starts as soon as possible for a minimum of 6 months. Immediate availability is required. 

    Application Deadline

    4th July 2025

    How to Apply

    If you are interested in applying for the internship, please send your CV and motivation letter to Maria Mata at maria.mata@wfpha.org with the subject line: Intersection of religious faith and public health. 

     

    Youth tobacco addiction

    Youth tobacco addiction

    youth smokers in nepal

    Youth Tobacco Addiction: The Silent Epidemic Stealing Futures

    News

    Jun 19, 2025

    I was walking through the narrow alleys of Basantapur, one of the most vibrant, culturally rich, and historic areas of Kathmandu, Nepal, when my eyes caught a disturbing scene: a group of boys, no older than 14, sharing a single cigarette. Their faces still soft with youth, yet their actions spoke of an addiction already taking root. This wasn’t just a puff of smoke but a fog settling over their futures.

    The Alarming Reality of Youth Tobacco Addiction

    This practice isn’t isolated. Across Nepal, adolescents are falling prey to tobacco addiction at alarming rates. A 2019 survey revealed that 28% of Nepalis aged 15-69 use tobacco. In 2020, 68 out of 2,800 hospitalized cases of E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) were under 18 years old. Despite laws prohibiting minors from buying tobacco, access remains shockingly easy.

    Those boys should’ve been chasing dreams, not cigarettes. Yet, there they were: tobacco already gripping their health, ambitions, and hope. What alarmed me most wasn’t the act itself, but their casual acceptance. No guilt, only confidence. They saw smoking as a regular part of growing up.

    But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath lies a more profound crisis: misinformation, peer pressure, familial habits, and aggressive tobacco industry marketing.

    How Big Tobacco Targets the Young Generation

    Globally, over 17% of youth use tobacco, including 37 million children aged 13-15 (Global Tobacco Youth Survey Report). The industry thrives by hooking young users early, ensuring lifelong customers. Their tactics?

    • Flavored products that appeal to teens
    • Social media glamorization from TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube challenges
    • Stealth marketing by sponsoring music festivals and fashion shows
    • Disguised e-cigarettes, designed like USB drives, pens

    Research by the U.S. Surgeon General (2012) confirms that adolescents are more likely to get addicted, with many struggling to quit for life. Worse, e-cigarette use quadruples the chance of transitioning to traditional cigarettes (National Academies of Sciences, 2018).

    A Sister’s Fear: Will My Brothers Be Next?

    As a sister to two teenage brothers, my fear is constant. I instinctively check for smoke whenever they return from school or a walk. It’s not the best approach, but it’s my way of protecting them.

    Recently, I visited my old school, Janapremi World School, Bhaktapur, not as a student, but as a public health advocate conducting anti-tobacco awareness sessions. Standing before those bright faces, I remembered friends who started smoking, lost their way, and dropped out. Schools lost scholars. Society lost its future.

    When I asked students if they knew about vaping, hookahs, or e-cigarettes, every hand went up. Many even explained how “vaping isn’t smoking,” some with parents who mistakenly believe it’s harmless.

    Breaking the Cycle: Awareness, Education, Action

    This generation is inheriting myths. It’s our duty to debunk them. The only solution? Awareness, education, and action.

    Since February 2025, Nepal Health Corps (NHC)—a youth-led organization—has been running a Nationwide Anti-Tobacco Campaign in collaboration with the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA). With WHO’s powerful message, “Be smart, don’t start,” we’re educating Grades 6-12 students on the dangers of smoking, vaping, and smokeless tobacco.

    How the Campaign Works:

    • Interactive sessions on tobacco’s health effects
    • Peer-led advocacy from trained nursing/medical students
    • Social media engagement using custom posters and awareness drives
    • Data collection on youth tobacco trends

    Phase 1 (Feb–July 2025) aims to reach 10,000+ students. Schools welcome us, one teacher admitted, “We just caught two students smoking yesterday. This education is missing in curricula.”

    The Power of Prevention: Let’s Make Tobacco Uncool

    Smoke-free spaces aren’t just about bans, they’re about shifting perceptions. Through media, storytelling, and youth mobilization, we’re making tobacco irrelevant, uncool, and unwanted.

    Join the Fight Against Youth Tobacco Addiction

    • Share real stories.
    • Educate the next generation.
    • Support anti-tobacco campaigns.

    Together, we can clear the fog and give youth back their futures.

    Prajjwal

    This article was written by

    Dr. Prajjwal Pyakurel (left) 
    Chair of NCDs, World Federation of Public Health Associations

    Shambhawi Adhikari (right)
    Anti-Tobacco Campaign Leader, Nepal Health Corps

    Healthcare workers as vaccine advocates

    Healthcare workers as vaccine advocates

    group of doctors walking on hospital hallway

    Healthcare Workers as Vaccine Advocates: Building Trust & Increasing Uptake

    News

    Jun 6, 2025

    Vaccine hesitancy is rising, but healthcare professionals remain the most trusted voices. Nurses, doctors, and pharmacists are uniquely positioned to boost vaccine confidence if given the right tools. To maximize their impact, we must first understand different providers’ distinct roles.

    The Critical Role of Different Healthcare Professionals

    Effective vaccine advocacy requires collaboration across healthcare professions. 

    1. Nurses: The Frontline Educators

    • Administer vaccines in clinics, schools, and homes.
    • Build trust through personalized, empathetic conversations.

    2. Pharmacists: The Most Accessible Providers

    Pharmacists offer convenient access points in neighborhood drugstores.

    3. Doctors: Leading by Example

    Doctors provide authoritative guidance during medical consultations.

    Each role complements the others in creating a comprehensive vaccination network. Considering this team approach, let’s explore proven strategies for success.

    5 Strategies to Improve Vaccine Advocacy

    Healthcare professionals can boost vaccination rates through specific, evidence-based actions. 

    1. Normalize Vaccine Conversations

    Discuss immunizations during routine check-ups.

    1. Use Trusted Messaging

    Replace jargon with relatable stories (e.g., “I got my flu shot to protect my elderly patients”).

    1. Leverage Digital Tools

    Use reminder systems for due vaccines.

    1. Train in Hesitancy Counseling

    Address concerns with evidence, not pressure.

    1. Collaborate Across Professions

    Nurses, pharmacists, and doctors should unify messaging.

    Implementing these strategies requires addressing current systemic challenges.

    Breaking Down Barriers in Healthcare Systems

    Many healthcare workers face obstacles that limit their advocacy potential. Restrictive scope-of-practice laws prevent pharmacists from administering vaccines. Heavy workloads leave little time for patient education. Inconsistent policies create confusion about recommendations. Addressing these issues is crucial for empowering providers.

    With the right support, healthcare teams can transform vaccination rates.

    The Path Forward

    The potential impact of fully empowered healthcare advocates is tremendous. When nurses, doctors, and pharmacists work together with proper training and resources, they can rebuild vaccine confidence and dramatically improve immunization coverage across all demographics.

    Investing in healthcare workers as vaccine advocates isn’t just good medicine; it’s one of the most effective public health strategies. By strengthening their ability to educate and protect communities, we create a healthier future for all.

     

    Click here to read the original Final Call to Action as signed and supported by multiple international NGOs.

    Emeka podcast

    Emeka podcast

    Dr. Duha Shellah

    Bridging Public Health and Global Policy: A Conversation with Emeka Iloegbu 

    News

    May 22, 2025

    Public health is more than just medicine and science. It’s about people, policy, and the bridges we build between them. In this insightful interview, Bettina Borisch, CEO of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), sits down with Emeka Iloegbu, a dedicated public health leader, educator, and advocate. From his early days as an intern at WFPHA to his current roles in global health policy and laboratory epidemiology, Emeka shares his journey, the challenges of global health governance, and the importance of passion in driving meaningful change.  

    Their conversation covers the transformative potential of the Pandemic Treaty, the critical role of diagnostics in public health, and the geopolitical challenges facing global health today. Emeka’s optimism and commitment to equity, accountability, and community-driven solutions offer a refreshing perspective on how we can collectively shape a healthier future.  

    From Intern to Global Health Leader: Emeka’s Journey  

    Bettina Borisch: Hello, everyone! My name is Bettina Borisch, CEO of the World Federation of Public Health Associations. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Emeka Iloegbu, a long-standing pillar of our federation. Emeka, could you introduce yourself?  

    Emeka Iloegbu: Absolutely. First, I’d like to thank you, Bettina, and the WFPHA for this opportunity. My name is Emeka Iloegbu. I’m an assistant program director and professor at the City University of New York in a laboratory science program. I’m also a laboratory epidemiologist and microbiologist, working in various labs during multiple health emergencies.  

    I represent WFPHA in several capacities, including at the United Nations headquarters in New York. I serve on the Global Health Policy Task Force and co-chair the Public Health in Emergencies and Disasters Working Group. Additionally, I’m engaged in fieldwork with Geneva-based organizations like Market Access Africa. I’m thrilled to be here and dive into this conversation.  

    Bettina: Listening to you, one might wonder how you managed all this simultaneously! It must have started somewhere. Where did your journey with WFPHA begin? I remember you were an intern with us years ago. How was your first day?  

    Emeka: The memories are flooding back! My public health journey has two trajectories, and it started with my mom. When she came to the U.S. from Nigeria, her first job was as a public health nurse. As a kid, I’d sit in the car watching her go door-to-door with surveys, not fully understanding what she was doing, but that planted a seed.  

    Fast forward to 2017: I was in my second year of my MPH at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, working an overnight shift in a hematology lab at NYU. I wanted to understand global health policy, so I Googled and found WFPHA. I sent an email with my CV, and soon enough, I was in Geneva.  

    My first day was an adventure—arriving without a proper SIM card and navigating from the airport to Plan Palais at 8:30 PM. But stepping into Campus Biotech was amazing. Those three months as an intern were transformative. I was eager to learn, meet people, and even walk into UNHCR out of curiosity. That energy and passion have only grown since.  

    Bettina: You attended the World Health Assembly (WHA), your first immersion into global health diplomacy. What was that like?  

    Emeka: It was a sight to behold. Seeing 194 countries, civil society organizations, and advocates in one place, my worldview expanded. I sat in the upper deck with medical and pharmacy students, some of whom I’m still connected to today. There was live music, a symphony, and it felt like a celebration. That experience reshaped how I saw global health.  

    The Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance  

    Bettina: Now, you’re deeply involved in the Pandemic Treaty negotiations. What are your thoughts on its potential impact?  

    Emeka: The treaty could transform global health governance by introducing legally binding norms on preparedness, data sharing, and equitable access to countermeasures. Our task force focuses on embedding equity, accountability, and local ownership into the treaty. We advocate for:  

    – Inclusive decision-making (civil society, public health associations, community voices).  

    – Sustainable financing for health systems.  

    – Technology transfer and capacity-building.  

    The challenge is bridging the trust gap between high-income and lower-income countries. High-income nations prioritize sovereignty and intellectual property protection, while others emphasize solidarity and justice. Without equitable implementation, the treaty risks becoming just another document.  

    Bettina: Your role extends beyond the treaty. You guide WFPHA members through the UN system in New York.  

    Emeka: Yes! Whether it’s TB, mental health, or NCDs, our task force applies a systems-thinking lens. We assess complex issues, offer nuanced insights, and support member associations in advocacy. It’s about ensuring diverse voices shape global health policies.  

    The Lab and Public Health: An Overlooked Bridge  

    Bettina: We both have a soft spot for lab work. How do you see diagnostics fitting into public health?  

    Emeka: The lab is the frontline of pandemic detection. Without timely, accurate diagnostics, surveillance collapses. My fieldwork in Zambia highlights the need for universal access to diagnostics, especially for mobile and vulnerable populations.  

    Now, with AI and machine learning revolutionizing diagnostics (like automated HIV testing), we must ensure these innovations reach everyone, not just high-income countries.  

    Global Health Challenges: Optimism Amidst Crisis  

    Bettina: Global health faces immense challenges, including climate change, AMR, and geopolitical tensions. How do you stay hopeful?  

    Emeka: I’m a glass-half-full person. Yes, we face climate-driven health crises, AMR, and inequities, but we’re also seeing progress. Decolonization conversations are growing, and young professionals are stepping up, like at the UN General Assembly last year.  

    My message? Don’t ignore your passion. In a world of challenges, let your drive for change guide you.  

    Conclusion

    Emeka Iloegbu’s journey, from watching his mother’s public health work to shaping global policy, highlights the power of passion and persistence. His insights remind us that public health is not just about science but about people, equity, and bold systemic change.  

    As the world prepares for the WHA’s vote on the Pandemic Treaty, Emeka’s work underscores a critical truth: global health is a collective responsibility. Whether in labs, policy rooms, or communities, each of us has a role in building a healthier, fairer future.  

    To the next generation of public health leaders: Follow your passion, embrace challenges, and keep pushing forward. The fight for equity and health justice is far from over, but with voices like Emeka’s leading the way, the path ahead is brighter.