Health | WPN World People News

New data released by the United Nations show that under-five mortality rates have dropped by 49% between 1990 and 2013. The average annual reduction has accelerated – in some countries it has even tripled – but overall progress is still short of meeting the global target of a two-thirds decrease in under-five mortality by 2015.

Health care use varies widely across countries but can also vary as much or more within countries. Governments should do more to improve their health systems to prevent unnecessary interventions and ensure that everyone has the same access to quality healthcare, wherever they live, according to a new OECD report.

UNICEF said it needs over $200 million to respond to the Ebola outbreak that has claimed over 2,400 lives and ravaged communities across West Africa. This is part of a broader, six-month appeal for $987.8 million that governments and humanitarian agencies require to fight the disease.

A World Bank Group analysis of the Ebola epidemic released finds that if the virus continues to surge in the three worst-affected countries – Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone – its economic impact could grow eight-fold, dealing a potentially catastrophic blow to the already fragile states.

Vietnam has made great strides in expanding social health insurance, now covering more than half of its population, but reforms, such as providing premium subsidies, greater family enrollment and introducing catastrophic cost coverage can help the country reach universal coverage, according to a new report the World Bank released.

President Barack Obama is due to announce new measures Tuesday to help fight the worst-ever Ebola outbreak in West Africa, including sending 3,000 U.S. troops to the region.

Health care use varies widely across countries but can also vary as much or more within countries. Governments should do more to improve their health systems to prevent unnecessary interventions and ensure that everyone has the same access to quality healthcare, wherever they live, according to a new OECD report.

According to a new UNICEF report released there has been progress in the health and well-being of children in South Asia over the last 25 years, but glaring inequalities remain.

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Hervé Ladsous (right) addresses the media in Monrovia, Liberia, during his visit to the country to assess the Ebola virus outbreak.

WFP is responding to the Ebola outbreak by delivering food to quarantined communities in Liberia.