Latest Health News
International Women's Day 2026 Emphasizes Rights, Justice, and Action for Women's Health
The 2026 International Women's Day theme 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls' reaffirms women's right to the highest standard of health and wellbeing. WHO reports that South-East Asia has the highest prevalence of intimate partner violence among all WHO regions at 20.5%, and that Southern Asia accounted for about 13% of global maternal deaths in 2023
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WHO South-East Asia Region Faces Persistent Women's Health Challenges
Progress on women's health and wellbeing remains slow across the WHO South-East Asia Region, with adolescent birth rates remaining high and modern contraceptive method use stalled in several countries. Mental, neurological, substance abuse and self-harm conditions disproportionately affect women across the life course in the region
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Kazakh Women Scientists Present Breakthroughs in Personalized Diabetes Treatment
Researchers at Nazarbayev University highlighted advances in medicine during International Women's Day celebrations, with Professor Kuralay Atageldiyeva presenting research on personalized Type 2 diabetes treatment that moves beyond the traditional 'one-size-fits-all' model. Her team is studying genetic markers and clinical data to identify diabetes subtypes and predict complications in advance, allowing doctors to tailor treatment strategies based on individual risk profiles
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Nutrition and Gut Microbiota Research Reveals Impact on Chronic Diseases
Professor Dinara Galiyeva, a pediatrician and researcher, discussed how trillions of bacteria in the intestines play a crucial role in metabolism and immune function. Her research explores the relationship between nutrition, gut microbiota and the development of chronic diseases
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Cellular Recycling Process Shows Promise in Cancer and Disease Prevention
Professor Kamilya Kokabi presented research on autophagy, a fundamental cellular process described as 'cellular recycling' that helps cells adapt to stress and maintain internal balance. Disruptions in this process may contribute to various diseases, including cancer
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Canada Launches National Advisory Committee on Preventive Health Services for Women
The Government of Canada will launch the renewed National Advisory Committee on Preventive Health Services to develop evidence-based guidelines covering health topics that disproportionately affect women and diverse communities. The initiative aims to strengthen preventive healthcare and help women live longer, healthier lives through early detection and risk prevention
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Canada Funds Clinical Guidance Development for Perimenopause Care
Canada provided $1.9 million to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada to expand the 'Beyond the Hot Flash' project, developing the first international clinical guidance on perimenopause. The project will create tools and resources to help patients and healthcare professionals understand perimenopause changes, with updated clinical practice guidelines for menopause care
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Women Remain Underrepresented in Clinical Research and Health Data
Historically, women have been excluded from health research, leading to gaps in care and ineffective treatments. The National Women's Health Research Initiative, supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research, is funding important projects including new endometriosis pain treatments and a bra-based early breast cancer screening system
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Global Women's Health Receives Less Than 1% of Global Health Funding
Women's health remains profoundly underfunded, receiving less than 1% of global health funding when excluding oncology. This striking mismatch between health needs and investment occurs despite women and girls representing half the world's population and making the majority of healthcare decisions globally
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Europe Launches New Funding Initiatives to Accelerate Women's Health Innovation
EIT Health has launched new calls offering funding and support for women's health innovation across Europe, addressing persistent health inequalities shaped by longstanding gaps in research and data. The initiative emphasizes the need for stronger policy action, improved data collection, and increased investment to ensure healthcare innovation reflects women's biological and health needs
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Women in Global Health Calls for Urgent Systemic Reform in Health Systems
Women in Global Health emphasized that despite longstanding global commitments, progress toward gender equality and health equity is unacceptably slow, with the world not on track to achieve SDG 3 on health and wellbeing or SDG 5 on gender equality by 2030. The organization calls for gender-responsive health systems, stronger women's leadership in decision-making, and enforceable accountability mechanisms to address structural health inequities
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Gender Data Gaps in Healthcare Innovation Require European Policy Action
A new paper published by the European Policy Centre, with contributions from EIT Health, highlights that historically women have been underrepresented in clinical trials and health datasets, influencing disease understanding, diagnosis and treatment. The publication recommends strengthening public-private partnerships, leveraging the European Health Data Space, and advancing inclusive digital health solutions tailored to women's specific needs
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