Be aware; beat cancer
MANILA, 3 February 2012 – On the eve of World Cancer Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged governments to strengthen national control programmes, including by raising awareness, amid an alarming rise of cancer cases.
WHO warned that there could be 21.4 million cancer cases worldwide by 2030 – up from 12.7 million in 2008 – with nearly two-thirds of them occurring in low- and medium-income countries. The poor often bear the heaviest burden of cancer as they have more exposure to risk factors and less access to preventive and therapeutic services.
"Well organized national cancer control programmes can help to reduce the burden and suffering of cancer," says Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO's Regional Director for the Western Pacific.
The theme for this year's World Cancer Day (4 February), as designated by the Union for International Cancer Control, is: "Together it is possible".
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WHO urges attention to UN flash appeal for Philippines, sends emergency supplies
MANILA, 22 December 2011 – The World Health Organization (WHO) urges the international community to respond affirmatively to the United Nations' flash appeal for USD 28.6 million of emergency relief for the flood-ravaged southern Philippines.
The tropical storm that struck the area on 16-18 December 2011 left devastation in its wake, mostly in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities on northern Mindanao island. More than 641 000 people have been affected by the ensuing floods, of whom more than 1000 have died, approximately 44 000 are living in evacuation centres and approximately 266 000 are living with relatives or in makeshift shelters.
"The United Nations team and the Government of the Philippines have worked hard to prepare an authoritative assessment of priority needs," says Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO's Regional Director for the Western Pacific. "We appeal to the Member States and our international partners to help the people of the southern Philippines in their hour of suffering and deprivation."
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Did you know ...
Keeping diabetes at bay
 More than 346 million people worldwide have diabetes, and more than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay the onset of the most common type of diabetes.
Fact file
| | | Pneumonia: a child killer
 Pneumonia kills 1.4 million children under the age of five every year – more than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. This disease can be treated with antibiotics, but only about 30% of children with pneumonia receive the antibiotics they need.
Pneumonia can be prevented by immunization, adequate nutrition and by addressing environmental factors.
Fact file
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World AIDS Day message of Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific
MANILA, 1 December 2011 – On the occasion of the 24th World AIDS Day, Dr Shin Young-soo, the World Health Organization's Regional Director for the Western Pacific, says that "together we can and must work towards the vision of 'Getting to zero – zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero discrimination'".
Click here to view his video statement.
Click here to read the transcript.