Amazonas Needs Oxygen!

The state of Amazonas, in Brazil, has 4.2 million inhabitants, of which 2.2 million live in its capital, Manaus. In January 2021, it is registered on a daily basis about 5,000 cases and 50 deaths by COVID-19, reaching a mortality rate of 160 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. Amazonas is the land of 120,000 indigenous people, of whom 15,000 were affected and 221 died of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

In the last weeks, the populations of Manaus and other cities in the Amazon have been suffering from the lack of medicinal oxygen in hospitals. Seriously unwell COVID-19 patients are preferring to stay at home rather than go to health services where they will not have proper medical assistance.

This dire situation, unfortunately, is not due to any unpredictable event, but to the ineptitude, disdain and neglect of the federal, state and municipal governments. Even though aware of the scarcity of oxygen in hospitals, they have done nothing to prevent the collapse.

As the humanitarian crisis persists, WFPHA draws the attention of the international community, governments and non-governmental organizations to this crisis.

In this context, an intervention by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, especially in the area of the right to health, seems to be very important. In this sense, WFPHA has sent a letter to Ms Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right to health, asking for collaboration in whatever way is necessary to mitigate people’s suffering and establish the right to health in the Amazon.

WFPHA Welcomes the Entry into Force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

We must prevent what we cannot cure.

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) welcomes the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Together with International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), International Council of Nurses (ICN), International Federation of Medical Student Associations (IFMSA), and World Medical Association (WMA), we welcome this first comprehensive international prohibition of nuclear weapons, the most damaging weapons of mass destruction, and the latest to be comprehensively banned.

Norwegian Perspectives on Immunization: A Positive Response to Public Health Advocacy during COVID-19

By Alison Hacker

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, health inequity has become increasingly apparent. The public health workforce has rapidly mobilized to advocate for at-risk populations who are most vulnerable to the health, political, and socioeconomic effects of the crisis. In Norway, ongoing advocacy efforts have been undertaken to mitigate the spread of misinformation and to educate citizens on the need for a globalized, equitable response to the pandemic.

For instance, a recent article by John-Arne Røttingen, the ambassador for global health at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and director of the National Institute of Public Health, emphasized on the importance of addressing health inequity during the pandemic. He stressed how we will not be able to continue our normal social and economic activities without ensuring that the spread of the virus is controlled in all countries. Importantly, he acknowledged the need for cooperation and solidarity to stop the spread of infection; in his words, “no one is safe until everyone is safe”.

This literature, alongside local public health campaigns, has already proved to be effective. A recent survey, which was conducted by UNICEF Norway, revealed that eight of ten Norwegians believe in the importance of distributing the COVID-19 vaccine fairly throughout the world. The survey also indicated that four out of ten respondents believe that the Norwegian authorities must provide for their own population, even if the opportunity is not available in other countries. Secretary General of UNICEF Norway, Camilla Viken, explained that the pandemic is one of the first times in our modern history that we have all been impacted by the same crisis, perhaps helping citizens understand the importance of immunizing the poorest countries while also protecting themselves.

COVID-19 Immunization and Mitigating Vaccine Hesitancy

Preventing millions of deaths annually has been attributed to immunization, and its development is regarded as a significant global health achievement (WHO 2020). In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, clinicians and scientists have mobilized efforts to accelerate research and vaccine development, a process which typically spans over years (WHO 2020). Despite the proven safety and cost-effectiveness of immunization, low vaccination coverage across different socioeconomic settings has remained an ongoing public health challenge (WHO 2008). In 2019, the WHO cited vaccine hesitancy, or the reluctance and refusal to vaccinate despite availability, as one of the top ten global health threats (WHO 2019).

The WFPHA Immunization Taskforce fears that the lack of a coordinated response to growing vaccine hesitancy will further exacerbate the morbidity and mortality rates of the pandemic. In particular, there is concern that the uncontrolled spread of misinformation will disproportionately harm the most at-risk, vulnerable communities. As global COVID-19 immunization begins, health organizations and governments must be equipped to promote trust in the vaccines being distributed and must work alongside healthcare providers who are responsible for delivery. Therefore, the WFPHA International Immunization Policy Task Force provides Statement on COVID-19 Immunization and Mitigating Vaccine Hesitancy.

Rejecting All Collaborations of Public Health Organizations with the Tobacco Industry

The tobacco epidemic is an urgent public health concern, with tobacco use responsible for more than 8 million deaths annually. In 2003, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC 2003), an international treaty that was developed to respond to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic and uphold the right to the highest standards of health for all people. All countries that have ratified the FCTC must avoid partnership or collaboration with the tobacco industry, as well as with any organizations funded by the tobacco industry.

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), in partnership with the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health and the World Heart Federation, has previously condemned the attempts of the tobacco industry to subvert public policy for a tobacco-free world (Global Coalition for Circulatory Health 2017).

Today, the WFPHA reiterates its call on all public health associations to advocate and adopt policies that prevent any collaboration with the tobacco industry or tobacco industry front groups.

Public Health Answers: How Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Health Inequities?

Health inequities have always been a challenge to society. To get a deeper understanding on how the current pandemic has affected health inequities, we talk to Sharon Friel, Professor of Health Equity and the Director of the Menzies Center for Health Governance at the School of Regulation and Global Governance, Australian National University.

Click on the link below to watch the video on our YouTube. Let us know what you think and what questions you would like to ask public health experts. Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below the video.