World Health Day 2015, April 7

 年世界卫生日‬, ‪4月7日.‬  ‪
Día Mundial de la Salud‬ , ‪‎7 de Abril‬.
World Health Day‬, 7 April‬.
 ‪‎Всемирный день здоровья‬, ‪‎7 апрел‬. ‪
 ‪Journée mondiale de la Santé‬,‪ 7 avril‬.
 يوم الصحة العالمي، 7 أبريل

2015年世界卫生日：你的食品有多安全？

Día Mundial de la Salud 2015: Inocuidad de los alimentos

World Health Day 2015: Food safety - the global view.

 Journée mondiale de la Santé 2015 - la sécurité sanitaire des aliments.
 Всемирный день здоровья 2015 года: Безопасность пищевых продуктов.
 يوم الصحة العالمي 2015: السلامة الغذائية

From farm to plate, make food safe

United Nations Secretary-General message for the World Health Day, 7 April 2015 

“From farm to plate: make food safe”

Food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemicals is responsible for more than 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. Potential new threats to food safety are emerging all the time. Changes to the way food is produced, distributed and consumed, the emergence of resistant bacteria, and increases in travel and trade make it difficult to manage pathogens and contaminants once they are in our food supply.
Unsafe food is a largely under-reported and often overlooked global problem. With the food supply chain stretch ing around the world, the need to strengthen food safety systems within and
among countries is becoming more critical.
That is why, on World Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on countries and all actors to improve food safety from farm to plate and everywhere in between.
The production of safe food is important for economies–it fosters trade and tourism and supports food security and sustainable development.Food safety is also important for education–sick children miss school, and it is at school that the next generation of consumers can learn basic food safety practices.
WHO and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) work together to set international standards for safe food. They assess the safety of new food technologies, and help countries to prevent, detect and respond to outbreaks of food-borne disease.
These agencies also help countries build their own capacity to predict and manage food-borne disease risks.All people involved in the production, distribution, and preparation of food must play their part to make food safe.
Governments must communicate the importance of food safety to their citizens. The health, agriculture, trade, and environment sectors need to work together.
On World Health Day, let us all ask: how safe is our food?
We all have a role to play in keeping food safe–from farm to plate

Ban Ki Moon

How Safe is Your Food?

Statements : 

• Message of the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti for World Health Day 2015

On 7 April 2015, the World Health Organization joins the rest of the international community to commemorate World Health Day. This year’s theme is “How safe is your food? From farm to plate, make food safe”.

This theme highlights the urgent need for government organizations, food businesses and consumers to put measures in place that will improve food safety from the point of production to consumption.

Unsafe food is linked to the deaths of an estimated 2 million people annually and the African Region is without exception. Infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with an underlying illness are particularly vulnerable. For example, in 2014, there were more than 100, 000 cases of cholera in 22 countries resulting in over 1700 deaths. So far this year, cholera outbreaks in 13 countries have led to over 200 deaths out of more than 13,000 cases. Food contaminated by harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances can lead to a wide range of health problems. This is responsible for more than 200 diseases, including typhoid fever, diarrhea and cancers, among others.

Food can become contaminated at any point of production and distribution, and food producers play a critical role in preventing this. Equally a large proportion of incidents of foodborne disease are caused by foods improperly prepared or mishandled at home, in restaurants, or markets. There is an urgent need for all food handlers and consumers to understand the importance of adopting basic hygienic practices when buying, selling and preparing food to protect their health and that of the wider community.

In Africa, women who primarily prepare food at home are also key participants in small and medium sized enterprises, as owners, managers and workers in food businesses such as cafes, restaurants, small manufacturers, and street vendors. Improving the safety of food and securing the effective management of businesses operated by women is a key concern in public health for the economic, social status and overall standing of women in their communities.

There is also a growing concern over the increase of resistant microorganisms entering the food chain.  Food safety serves as a good platform to bring stakeholders together to address antimicrobial resistance. In combating antimicrobial resistance, prudent use of antimicrobials in agriculture, aquaculture, and animal husbandry is critical, as is the case in human medicine. Production of safe food facilitates access to wider markets and improves overseas earnings.

As we commemorate World Health Day, I call upon African governments to prioritise food safety, align policies in agriculture, trade, health, education, social protection and mobilize adequate financial resources to make food safe for all. Setting food guidelines in line with codex standards, operating regional alert mechanisms and early warning systems as well as building and maintaining adequate food systems and infrastructures will contribute enormously towards improving food safety.

Everyone has a role to play in making food safe and I urge food handlers and consumers to be familiar with common food hazards and handle and prepare food safely.

WHO will continue to collaborate with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, and other partners to ensure food is safe “from farm to plate” in African Region.

Thank you.

Other Statements : 
 

•  Dr Ala Alwan Regional Director message for World health Day 2015, WHO EMRO Office.
•  Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh Redional Director message for World Health Day 2015, WHO SEARO Office.

"Major foodborne illnesses and causes" WHD 2015 Campaign Toolkit - World Health Organization (WHO)
Foodborne illnesses are usually infectious or toxic in nature and caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances entering the body through contaminated food or water.

How is food quality evaluated?

Traditionally, qualities of foods are evaluated by our sensory organs – our eyes, nose or mouth or, more recently, by the use of instruments. Sensory evaluation is commonly practiced by food regulatory authorities which consists of judging the quality of food by a panel of judges. The evaluation deals with measuring, evaluating, analyzing and interpreting the qualities of food as they are perceived by the senses of sight, taste, touch and hearing.

Advancing Plan for Food Safety - Strategic Plan Food Safety (2013-2022)

Advancing Plan for Food Safety - Strategic Plan Food Safety (2013-2022).

Strategic direction 1: Provide the science base for measures along the entire foodchain to decrease foodborne health risks
Strategic direction 2: Improve international and national cross-sectoral collaboration, enhance communication and advocacy
Strategic direction 3: Provide leadership and assist in the development and strengthening of risk-based, integrated national systems for food safety
 

 

Forum : World Health DAY - 7 April
Safe Food = Healthy Lives.

•  How safe is your food? on 7 April from 14:00-15:00 CEST/Paris time (12:00-13:00 UTC/GMT) WHO Regional Office for Europe
• From farm to plate. Keep it safe: How safe is your food? World Health Day 2015,When: April 7, 2015, Time: From 10:00 am to 10:45 a.m. (WDC Time)

 Events : 

Food Safety: from farm to plate make food safe
7 Apr 2015 - Special event on the occasion of World Health Day 2015 (7 April) on the theme “Food safety: from farm to plate, make food safe”co-organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Dr. Jacob Kumaresan (WHO) on Food Safety: from farm to plate, make food safe - Press Conference
7 Apr 2015 - Dr. Jacob Kumaresan, Executive Director World Health Organization (WHO) Office in New York, on “Food Safety: from farm to plate, make food safe”, the theme for this year’s World Health Day
2015

WHO Regional Offices

WHO African Region
WHO Region of the Americas
WHO South-East Asia Region
WHO European Region
WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region
WHO Western Pacific Region

International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda 2015, April 7th.

Journée internationale de réflexion sur le génocide au Rwanda, Avril 7.
International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda, 7 April.
Día Internacional de Reflexión sobre el Genocidio en Ruanda, 07 de abril.
 反思盧旺達大屠殺國際日, 4月7日.
Международный день памяти о геноциде в Руанде, 7 апреля.
 اليوم العالمي للتفكر في الإبادة الجماعية في رواندا، 7 أبريل

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda 2015.

The International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda offers an opportunity to honour the memory of the more than 800,000 people – overwhelmingly Tutsi, and also moderate Hutu, Twa and others – who were systematically killed across Rwanda in less than three months just over two decades ago. It is also an occasion to recognize the pain and the courage of those who survived.
Our annual sombre observance is all the more meaningful this year as we mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. We must use this occasion to look back on the past – and to squarely confront the challenges of the present, renewing our collective resolve to prevent such atrocities from happening again.
Many countries now face grave security threats. People are being subjected to the brutality of violent conflicts and the indignities of poverty. Discrimination persists in societies torn apart by war, as well as in democracies that largely enjoy peace. Hatred may manifest as institutionalized racism, ethnic strife, or episodes of intolerance or exclusion. In other instances, discrimination reflects the official, national version of history that denies the identity of some segments of the population.
I deplore the conflicts and atrocity crimes in many parts of the world that continue to divide communities, killing and displacing people, undermining economies and destroying cultural heritage.
Our first duty is always to prevent these situations and to protect vulnerable human beings in distress. My Human Rights Up Front initiative seeks to prevent serious human rights violations by acting on early warning signs before they become more serious. My Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to Protect work to advance national and international efforts to protect populations from atrocity crimes. We aim to ensure swift and decisive action to save lives and stop abuses.
On this Day, I appeal to the international community to do more than just speak about atrocity crimes and then fail to take timely action to prevent them. I call on all to summon the courage to act before situations deteriorate based on our collective moral responsibility. This is critical for the maintenance of international peace and security.
As I said at last year’s commemoration in Kigali, we must exercise “Umuganda” – coming together in common purpose – to avert what can be prevented and counter the cruelty taking place before our eyes.

Ban Ki-moon

Forum : Timeline of the Genocide in Rwanda UN Outreach Programme on the Rwanda Genocide.
 

Events : Memorial Ceremony, 7 April 2015, 6:00 p.m. UN Headquarters, New York

21st Commemoration of the Rwanda Genocide
Memorial Ceremony

7 April 2015, 6:00pm – 7:00pm (United Nations Headquarters, Conference Room 4)
Organized by the UN Department of Public Information, in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations

Programme

• Candle lighting
• Minute of silence
• Remarks:
  • H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General
  • H.E. Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa, President of the UN General Assembly (Remarks delivered by H.E. Mr. Nicholas Emiliou, Permanent Representative of Cyprus)
  • H.E. Mr. Eugène-Richard Gasana, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the UN and Minister in Charge of Cooperation
  • H.E. Mr. Téte António, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the UN
  • H.E. Ms. Samantha Power, Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the UN
  • Moderator: Ms. Cristina Gallach, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, UN Department of Public Information
  For more information on the 2015 event please click here
  To download PDF of the Programme click here

Annual Commemoration of the Rwanda Genocide

7 Apr 2015 - Special event on the occasion of the twenty-first commemoration of the Rwanda genocide (7 April)
co-organized by the Permanent Mission of Rwanda and the Department of Public Information

Press Releases :

• 07 April 2015 Reflecting on Rwanda, Ban urges courage ‘to counter the cruelty taking place before our eyes’
• 19 March 2015 ISIL may have committed genocide, war crimes in Iraq, says UN human rights report

World Health Day 2013

"Our aim today is to make people aware of the need to know their blood pressure, to take high blood pressure seriously, and then to take control," said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan.

World Health Day is observed on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948 and each year a theme is selected that highlights a priority area of concern for the agency. This year's theme "Measure your blood pressure, reduce your risk" focuses on preventing hypertension in people over 25 years of age.

° Día Mundial de la Salud 2013

° Всемирный день здоровья 2013 года

° Journée mondiale de la Santé 2013 

° World Health Day 2013

° 2013年世界卫生日宣传海报

يوم الصحة العالمي°

Source: who.int via Christina on Pinterest

Hypertension is one of the most important contributors to heart disease and stroke – which together make up the world's number one cause of premature death and disability. It is most prevalent in Africa, where it affects up to 46 per cent of adults.

High blood pressure also contributes to nearly 9.4 million deaths from cardiovascular disease each year and increases the risk of conditions such as kidney failure and blindness.

People can take simple measures to reduce the risk of hypertension such as consuming less salt, eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco use and avoiding harmful use of alcohol. These actions, along with the measurement of blood pressure, also save individuals and governments time and money, WHO says.

"Early detection of high blood pressure and lowering heart attack and stroke risk is clearly far less expensive for individuals and governments than heart surgery, stroke care, dialysis, and other interventions that may be needed later if high blood pressure is left unchecked and uncontrolled," said the Acting Director of the WHO Department for Management of Non-communicable Diseases, Shanthi Mendis.

"Most of the time there are no symptoms until you get complications, and this means that people have to know their numbers." Ms. Mendis underlined that people over the age of 40 in particular must make an effort to get their blood pressure taken, as it tends to go up gradually.



WHO's campaign to encourage people to measure their blood pressure is a response to the UN Declaration on Non-communicable Diseases, which was adopted by Heads of State and Government in September 2011. The Declaration commits countries to make greater efforts to promote public awareness campaigns to further the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and stroke, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases.

The United Nations health agency has called on countries to intensify efforts to prevent and control hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, which affects about one billion people worldwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is emphasizing the importance of people taking steps to improve their health by calling on adults to measure their blood pressure on World Health Day, which will be observed on Sunday.

Cut your risk of developing high blood pressure by: cutting down on salt; eating a balanced diet; avoiding harmful use of alcohol; doing regular physical activity; and avoiding tobacco use. Join the World Health Day conversation on Twitter @WHO - #CutRisks.

Source: a-health-blog.com via Christina on Pinterest

Q&As on hypertension Online

1. What is raised blood pressure (hypertension)?

Hypertension, also known as high or raised blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure. Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of the body in the vessels. Each time the heart beats, it pumps blood into the vessels. Blood pressure is created by the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels (arteries) as it is pumped by the heart. The higher the pressure the harder the heart has to pump.
Normal adult blood pressure is defined as a blood pressure of 120 mm Hg¹ when the heart beats (systolic) and a blood pressure of 80 mm Hg when the heart relaxes (diastolic). When systolic blood pressure is equal to or above 140 mm Hg and/or a diastolic blood pressure equal to or above 90 mm Hg the blood pressure is considered to be raised or high.
Sometimes hypertension causes symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, palpitations of the heart and nose bleeds. However, most people with hypertension have no symptoms at all.

2. Why is raised blood pressure dangerous?

The higher the blood pressure, the higher the risk of damage to the heart and blood vessels in major organs such as the brain and kidneys.
If left uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to a heart attack, an enlargement of the heart and eventually heart failure. Blood vessels may develop bulges (aneurysms) and weak spots that make them more likely to clog and burst. The pressure in the blood vessels can cause blood to leak out into the brain and cause a stroke. Hypertension can also lead to kidney failure, blindness, and cognitive impairment.
The health consequences of hypertension can be compounded by other factors that increase the odds of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. These factors include tobacco use, unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol, lack of physical inactivity, and exposure to persistent stress as well as obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes mellitus.

3. How can raised blood pressure be prevented and treated?

All adults should have their blood pressure checked. If blood pressure is high, they need the advice of a health worker.
For some people, lifestyle changes are sufficient to control blood pressure such as stopping tobacco use, eating healthily, exercising regularly and avoiding the harmful use of alcohol. Reduction in salt intake can help. For others, these changes are insufficient and they need prescription medication to control blood pressure.
Adults can support treatment by adhering to the prescribed medication, by monitoring their health.
People with high blood pressure who also have high blood sugar or elevated blood cholesterol face even higher risk of heart attacks and stroke. Therefore it is important that regular checks for blood sugar, blood cholesterol and urine albumin take place.
Everyone can take five concrete steps to minimize the odds of developing high blood pressure and its adverse consequences.

• Healthy diet:
• promoting a healthy lifestyle with emphasis on proper nutrition for infants and young people;
• reducing salt intake to less than 5 g of salt per day (just under a teaspoon);
• eating five servings of fruit and vegetables a day;
• reducing saturated and total fat intake.
• Avoiding harmful use of alcohol i.e. limit intake to no more than one standard drink a day
• Physical activity:
• regular physical activity and promotion of physical activity for children and young people (at least 30 minutes a day).
• maintaining a normal weight: every 5 kg of excess weight lost can reduce systolic blood pressure by 2 to 10 points.
• Stopping tobacco use and exposure to tobacco products
• Managing stress in healthy way such as through meditation, appropriate physical exercise, and positive social contact.

4. How common is raised blood pressure?

More than one in three adults worldwide have raised blood pressure – a condition that causes around half of all deaths from stroke and heart disease. It is considered directly responsible for 7.5 million deaths in 2004 – almost 13% of all global deaths.
In nearly all high-income countries, widespread diagnosis and treatment with low-cost medication have led to a dramatic drop in mean blood pressure across populations – and this has contributed to a reduction in deaths from heart disease.
For example in 1980, almost 40% of adults in the WHO European Region and 31% of adults in the WHO Region of the Americas had high blood pressure. By 2008, this had dropped to below 30% and 23% respectively.
In contrast, in the WHO African region, more than 40% (and up to 50%) of adults in many countries are estimated to have high blood pressure and this proportion is increasing.
Many people with high blood pressure in developing countries remain undiagnosed, and so miss out on treatment that could significantly reduce their risk of death and disability from heart disease and stroke.

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¹ Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

Related links

• Avoiding heart attacks and strokes: Don't be a victim, protect yourself
• What can I do to avoid a heart attack or a stroke?
• World Health Day 2013 - Control your blood pressure
• Fact sheet on cardiovascular diseases
• More about cardiovascular diseases
• World health statistics 2012
• Global Health Observatory

Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide - April 7

Commemorating the Rwanda Genocide by Supporting Rwandan Efforts for Self Reliance - DPI/NGO Briefing

 

 GENOCIDE : Whose responsability ?

RWANDA : What would have prevented this ?

INACTION : The Human Cost

The Path to Genocide