The best of this week’s health news from around the web.
International health news
- Malaria hotspots need tackling – In countries with falling levels of the disease there are still pockets of high infection levels.
- An end to a third of childhood deaths? – The UN has announced plans to combat diarrhea and pneumonia related deaths in children.
- Polio eradication by 2018 – A new plan sets out practices needed to eradicate polio by 2018. Gone from much of the world it is still endemic in Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan.
Health advice
- Eggs better than ever before! – Despite warnings of high cholesterol and blood pressure now experts say eggs are packed with health essentials.
- Preparing for sickness abroad – Advice on how to be prepared for illness or accidents abroad, starting with how to choose good health insurance.
Country alerts
- China: Bird flu cases rise to 60 – Safety measures are being stepped up as the H7N9 strain of bird flu spreads to Beijing, with 13 people dead.
- Indonesia: Introducing universal healthcare – From 2014 to 2019 Indonesia will implement its universal healthcare programme with the aim of covering all citizens.
- UK: Organ donations soar – Figures show a 50% increase in organ donation since 2008. UK still has one of the highest family refusal rates in the EU.
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