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PubMed2004

Gender stratification in management. The World Health Organization 2000.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a global organization that nowadays has integrated gender issues into its policy, programmes and budget. How then is the state of affairs in the area of gender equity at the ultimate governing bodies of the modern WHO? This study aims to assess the representation of women and men and their promotion within the supreme decision-making bodies of the WHO during the year 2000. Information sources used are the official and confirmed protocols of the 53rd World Health Assembly (WHA) in 2000 and of the two Executive Board (EB) meetings of the corresponding year. A descriptive quantitative content analysis approach is used exclusively. The present study demonstrates strikingly skewed gender distribution, with men substantially at an advantage numerically in the prominent positions at the WHA 2000. Additionally, men also hold an advantage in terms of being promoted to leading positions within the bodies examined, notably all upgraded chairs of the EB during 2000. However, the formerly male-dominated supervisory positions of the WHO are, these days, challenged by women having been elected at the very top of the WHO. The present study stresses the need to elaborate a qualitative research design to advance the understanding of the social construction of gender in supreme governing positions of the modern WHO.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed2004

Community genetic services in Latin America and regional network of medical genetics. Recommendations of a World Health Organization consultation.

The World Health Organization sponsored a Consultation on Community Genetic Services and a Regional Network of Medical Genetics in Latin America in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on June 19, 2003. The main recommendations of the meeting included: (a) the call for government funding of services, research and education in medical genetics; (b) the conduct of epidemiological research on the prevalence and types of birth defects, genetic disorders and genetic predispositions to common diseases; (c) the education of health professionals in genetics; (d) the education of genetic professionals in community health and public health genetics; (e) the fostering of interactions between clinical geneticists, public health personnel, primary health care workers and community organizations, and (f) a better planning of regionalized services to avoid duplication and inefficiency.

Community Networks↗
PubMed2002

Choice of fecal occult blood tests for colorectal cancer screening: recommendations based on performance characteristics in population studies: a WHO (World Health Organization) and OMED (World Organization for Digestive Endoscopy) report.

OBJECTIVE: There is now strong evidence that screening for colorectal cancer with fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) is effective in reducing the incidence and mortality of this disease. Various FOBTs are now available with a wide range of evidence supporting their use. The purpose of this study was to review published data on the performance of these FOBTs to provide recommendations for their effective use in screening. METHODS: A joint committee representing the World Health Organization and the World Organization for Digestive Endoscopy was established for this study. A process was designed that would search the literature systematically for evidence of FOBT performance. Criteria for including studies in this paper were established based on study design, cohort size, and performance variables reported. RESULTS: Of the guaiac tests, Hemoccult SENSA had the highest sensitivity for cancer and adenomas but a high test positivity. It had a better readability than the older Hemoccult II test. Immunochemical tests, HemeSelect, FlexSure OBT, and Immudia Hem Sp have acceptable performance characteristics and are easier for participants to use but are more expensive. These tests have been well studied in large cohorts, but only Immudia Hem Sp is commercially available. CONCLUSIONS: At present, there is no extensively studied FOBT that fulfills the needs for all target populations worldwide. Choice of FOBT should take into account population dietary compliance and colonoscopy resources: The more sensitive newer tests should be used if dietary compliance is good (in the case of guaiac tests) and colonoscopy resources are adequate for diagnostic workup of people who test positive. Immunochemical tests remove the difficulties created by diet and drug restrictions and are more amenable to standardized development and quality control.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

Analysis of vaccines prepared from armadillo-derived M. leprae; results of an inter-laboratory study coordinated by the World Health Organization. Immunology of Mycobacterial Diseases (IMMYC) Steering Committee, World Health Organization.

Preparations of armadillo-derived Mycobacterium leprae used in vaccine trials were analyzed using a combination of morphological, chemical and immunological criteria. When compared to more recent preparations, vaccine lots prepared in 1984 and 1985 were found to contain fewer intact bacilli and lower amounts of M. leprae antigens. These differences may be characteristic of the original preparations, or alternatively, may have arisen during prolonged storage. The early vaccine lots were those used in the recently published Venezuela trial.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Influenza and the work of the World Health Organization.

Before World War I, influenza was not considered a particularly serious problem. The great pandemic of 1918-1919 changed all that, and the possibility that such a catastrophe could occur again has conditioned all subsequent developments. In epidemiological terms, the hallmark of an influenza is the excess mortality that it causes combined with an enormous burden of ill-health that saps the energy of individuals, families and communities throughout the whole world. In order to engage in influenza prevention and control, the global influenza surveillance network was set up by World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 as a worldwide alert system for the identification of new influenza viruses, gathering information from 110 participating laboratories in 82 countries and four WHO Collaborating Centers for Influenza reference and research: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta (USA), National Institute for Medical Research, London (UK), WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza Reference and Research, Melbourne (Australia) and the National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Tokyo (Japan). This network helps WHO to monitor influenza activity all over the world and provides the organization with the viral isolates and information it requires to decide which new virus strains will be used to produce influenza vaccines during the following season. Each year, information about the isolates over the previous 12 months is analyzed and used to determine the composition of the influenza vaccine to be administered during the coming influenza season both for the northern and southern hemisphere. If necessary, the recommendations for the southern hemisphere differ from the ones formulated for the northern hemisphere vaccine. The information supplied by this network enables the organization to regularly update its World Wide Web (WWW) site (FluNet), which reports on the situation of diseases. This network will also enable the WHO to detect a new influenza pandemic as early as possible.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Convention on psychotropic substances, 1971. The role and responsibilities of the World Health Organization.

1. The world community has realized as early as the beginning of this century that collective action between nations is to be more effective in controlling drugs of abuse. A number of international drug control treaties including the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, controls drugs primarily obtained from plant material (opium, coca leaves and cannabis) and synthetic analogues of morphine. The Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, is aimed at controlling psychotropic substances and was formulated in Vienna in 1971. 2. The Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, lays a great responsibility on the World Health Organization to recommend to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs notifications initiated by the World Health Organization, or by a party to the Convention, regarding international control.

International Cooperation↗
PubMed1986

World Health Organization multicenter study on menstrual and ovulatory patterns in adolescent girls. I. A multicenter cross-sectional study of menarche. World Health Organization Task Force on Adolescent Reproductive Health.

To study the maturation processes during puberty, the Task Force on Adolescent Reproductive Health of the World Health Organization implemented a multicenter study on the age of menarche. From seven centers in six countries, 3,073 girls between the ages of 11 and 15 years volunteered for a two-year study. The girls were questioned at entry as to whether they had menstruated; social background data were recorded, and height and weight were measured. The median age for menarche was calculated by a life-table technique. The median ages were: Hong Kong-12 years, 9 months; Geneva, Switzerland-13 years, 1 month; Zafed, Israel and Stockholm, Sweden-13 years, 3 months; urban Colombo, Sri Lanka-13 years, 6 months; Ile-Ife, Nigeria-13 years, 9 months; and rural Peradeniya, Sri Lanka-14 years, 5 months. Menarche of the rural Peradeniya girls was later than the urban girls from Colombo and other study centers. The mean heights, weights, and obesity indices (Quetelet's Index) were higher in postmenarcheal girls compared to premenarcheal girls for each age at all centers.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1979

Nutritional anemia: its understanding and control with special reference to the work of the World Health Organization.

Since 1949, the World Health Organization, recognizing the public health importance of nutritional anemia, has sponsored efforts directed towards its understanding and control. During this period, often as a result of the work of the Organization, advances have been made in many areas. Basic understanding of iron, folate and vitamin B12 nutrition, and the various factors which may influence the availability and requirements of these factors, has greatly increased. Surveys in a number of countries have highlighted the widespread prevalence of nutritional anemia, particularly in developing countries. The major factor responsible is a deficiency of iron, whith folate deficiency also playing a role in some population groups, especially in preganant women. There is increasing evidence that anemia adversely affects the health of individuals and may have profound socioeconomic consequences. Control of nutritional anemia is possible by providing the deficient nutrient(s) either as therapeutic supplements or by fortification of commonly used foodstuffs. Some control programs are reviewed and suggestions for further action outlined. The Organization still has an important role to play in this field, encouraging the development of control programs and providing advice and technical assistance ot member countries.

Adolescent↗