Latest Health News
World Asthma Day 2026 Theme Announced: Urgent Need for Anti-Inflammatory Inhalers
The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has set the theme for World Asthma Day on May 5, 2026, as 'Access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma – still an urgent need.' This emphasizes ensuring inhaled corticosteroids for all asthma patients, including most pre-school children, to reduce attacks and deaths.
In low-middle-income countries, lack of availability and high costs contribute to 96% of global asthma deaths occurring there.
Global Under-Five Child Mortality Reaches 4.9 Million in 2024
In 2024, approximately 4.9 million children under five died worldwide, with neonatal deaths accounting for 47% at 2.3 million. The under-five mortality rate declined to 37.4 per 1,000 live births, but progress has stalled since 2015, with Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia bearing over 80% of deaths.
Leading causes include preterm birth, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria, all largely preventable.
Over 53,000 Clade I Monkeypox Cases in Ongoing African Outbreak
More than 53,000 global cases of clade I monkeypox are linked to the outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa, with newer outbreaks in Western Europe showing changing transmission dynamics. Clade II monkeypox continues at low levels worldwide, following a summer 2025 uptick in West Africa including Ghana and Liberia.
CDC monitors cases, noting all recent U.S. infections tied to travel from affected areas.
U.S. Air Force Medics Provide Care in Amazon During LAMAT 2026
U.S. Air Force medical teams are delivering care in remote Amazonian areas alongside Surinamese professionals as part of LAMAT 2026, enhancing expeditionary readiness. The mission, reported on April 30, 2026, supports the sole physician in Brownsweg and expands healthcare access.
This real-world training occurs 13 hours prior to latest updates.
Child Mortality Progress Stalls: Sub-Saharan Africa Faces Highest Risks
Sub-Saharan Africa's under-five mortality rate stands at 71.6 per 1,000 live births, nearly 14 times higher than Europe and Northern America, with 2.8 million deaths in 2024. Fragile settings and low-income countries suffer from weak health systems and poverty.
Key interventions needed include better maternal care, pneumonia treatment, and nutrition improvements.
GINA Stresses Inhaled Corticosteroids for Asthma Control Worldwide
GINA recommends inhaled corticosteroids for adults, adolescents, children over 6, and most pre-schoolers with asthma to prevent attacks and deaths. The 2026 World Asthma Day theme highlights ongoing access barriers, especially in low-middle-income countries.
Posted February 16, 2026, it calls for global action on affordable inhalers.
Clade II Monkeypox Circulates at Low Levels Post-2025 West Africa Outbreak
Clade IIb monkeypox has caused over 100,000 cases in 122 countries since the global outbreak, with ongoing low-level spread. West African outbreaks in Ghana and Liberia persist, prompting travel health notices and vaccine recommendations.
U.S. cases in 2025 were linked to these regions across multiple states.
Neonatal Deaths Comprise Nearly Half of Global Under-Five Mortality
Neonatal deaths in the first 28 days accounted for 2.3 million of 4.9 million under-five deaths in 2024, or 47%. Progress since 1990 includes a 60% drop in rates due to immunizations and better newborn care, but stagnation occurred 2022-2024.
Strengthening health systems is critical for high-burden areas.
LAMAT 2026 Expands Support to Remote Surinamese Physician
LAMAT 2026 mission aids the sole physician in Brownsweg, Suriname, by providing U.S. Air Force medic support in the Amazon. Operating in challenging environments, it boosts local care delivery and U.S. readiness.
Reported just 13 hours ago on April 30, 2026.
Monkeypox Clade I Spreads to Western Europe from African Outbreak
Newer clade I monkeypox outbreaks in Western European countries are likely connected to Central and Eastern Africa's ongoing epidemic exceeding 53,000 cases. Since March 2026, U.S. has seen 6 additional cases, all travel-related or contacts thereof.
Both clades share similar prevention and treatment methods.
WHO Calls for Urgent Action on Preventable Child Killers Like Pneumonia and Malaria
Preterm birth, birth asphyxia, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria cause most under-five deaths and are largely preventable or treatable. Over 80% of 2024 deaths occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia despite fewer births there.
Recommendations include expanding immunization, nutrition, and sanitation services.
U.S. CDC Tracks 17 Monkeypox Cases Linked to International Travel
All 17 recent U.S. clade I monkeypox cases involved travel to outbreak zones in Africa or Europe, or contacts thereof. Four cases unlinked, two connected; monitoring continues with global partners.
Clade II remains at low circulation post-2025 uptick.