5 billion people globally remain unprotected

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Five billion people unprotected from trans fat

Since WHO first called for the global elimination of industrially produced trans fat in 2018 – with an elimination target set for 2023 – population coverage of best-practice policies has increased almost six-fold. Despite substantial progress, however, this still leaves 5 billion worldwide at risk from trans fat’s devastating health impacts with the global goal for its total elimination in 2023 remaining unattainable at this time.

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What you need to know about trans fat

WHO is urging action by Governments and the food industry to remove industrial trans fat from our food chain. Which foods contain trans fat? How do they harm us? WHO’s Dr Francesco Branca explains in Science in 5.

Funding appeal launched to help people in health emergencies

WHO is launching its 2023 health emergency appeal for US$ 2.54 billion to provide assistance to millions of people around the world facing health emergencies. The number of people in need of humanitarian relief has increased to a record 339 million.

WHO urges action to protect children from contaminated medicines

Over the past four months, countries have reported on several incidents of over-the-counter cough syrups for children with confirmed or suspected contamination with high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG).

Small Island Developing States accelerate action to tackle biggest killers

Ten of the countries with the highest rates of obesity worldwide are small island states (SIDS). The highest prevalence of diabetes among adults in the world is also projected to be in SIDS. Rates of mental health conditions reach as high as 15% in the Caribbean and the Pacific.