In The News

Preparing for a New Global Threat – Part I

David Heymann January 26, 2005
From the historic Spanish Flu to the recent SARS outbreak, communicable diseases have periodically challenged the world community. SARS was caused by a new strain of coronvirus that was identified and stopped. But the latest threat comes from avian influenza virus of the type that could mutate and pass on to humans. Due to their genetic instability and swift multiplication, influenza viruses are...

Battling AIDS in India

Joydeep Sengupta January 21, 2005
India is on the brink of a public health crisis. About 4.6 million of its billion citizens are HIV-positive, and that number could explode by the decade's end. India's public health infrastructure is already overburdened with a burgeoning impoverished population, making widespread prevention efforts difficult. And although high-risk groups like sex workers may be aware of HIV's...

AIDS: Facing the Second Wave

Pramit Mitra January 20, 2005
As AIDS starts to spread into "second-wave" countries, governments and health organizations alike are struggling to find the most effective ways to cope with the pandemic. Pramit Mitra examines India's challenges in confronting the disease, noting lessons other countries can garner from India's experience. With the second largest infected population in the world – at 4.58...

Evolution of Bird Flu Virus May Favor Pandemic – WHO

Stephanie Nebehay January 20, 2005
The avian influenza may not just be for the birds. With the Asian death toll at 38, health officials are concerned that the virus may evolve to a more fatal – and contagious form. Though the current risk of human-to-human transmission is negligible, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the virus could mutate. Alarmed by the high risk factors for rural families, WHO officials stressed...

Making Globalization Work for All

Jeffrey D. Sachs October 2, 2004
When world leaders met at the UN’s Millennium Assembly four years ago, they laid out ambitious proposals to alleviate global poverty, hunger, disease, and illiteracy. Yet in spite of a rhetorical commitment to development, says economist Jeffrey Sachs, rich nations like the US have been unwilling to commit the necessary aid. Much of the developing world is experiencing rising poverty and needs...

U.S. Speeding Up Approval Steps for AIDS Drugs

Lawrence K. Altman May 17, 2004
In its efforts to distribute cheap and easy-to-use drugs,the global fight against AIDS has encountered serious roadblocks in the past. Local governments and pharmaceutical companies have often fought against generic AIDS drug distribution. Now, the US – which has been accused of slowing the process more than any other country – is willing to give in a bit to quell global criticism. At the...

Invite China to Join G7 for Everybody's Sake

Kevin Rafferty May 4, 2004
In this op-ed for the Hong Kong-based The Standard, Kevin Rafferty argues for the inclusion of China in the G-7/8 group. Though he acknowledges arguments about China's not having the proper "system" or freely convertible currency that naysayers deem necessary to be in the exclusive club of like-minded economic powers, Rafferty argues that China's awesome economic status and...