Actualités

6 July 2025  – Mycetoma is a slow-moving but destructive infectious disease that begins in the subcutaneous tissues and can invade the skin, deep tissues, muscle and bone. Caused by more than 70 microorganisms of bacterial or fungal origin, mycetoma thrives in tropical and subtropical environments where thorn injuries are common.

Left untreated, the disease progresses from painless nodules to massive swellings. If not detected and managed early, mycetoma can cause gross deformity of the limbs, causing intense suffering, loss of function and impaired ability to work to earn a living. In advanced cases it can lead to amputation and death. 

Little is known about the incidence and prevalence of mycetoma worldwide. As early signs often go unrecognized by patients and health workers, the disease frequently progresses to the point where amputation is needed, resulting in lifelong disability and imposing heavy medical, public health and socioeconomic burdens on patients, their communities and health care systems.

Simple measures can help prevent mycetoma. Closed footwear and protective clothing can protect against puncture wounds. People living in or travelling to endemic areas are advised not to walk barefoot.

Leveraging the expertise of the Mycetoma Research Centre (MRC) in Khartoum – designated a WHO Collaborating Centre in 2015 – the Government of Sudan and WHO led the first international training workshop on mycetoma in 2019 to strengthen national capacities on diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.

MRC: a global hub now at risk

MRC

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26 June 2025, Cairo, Egypt – On International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, marked on 26 June, the World Health Organization (WHO) is highlighting the drug trade’s devastating effects on the health and well-being of populations.

Drug use impacts security, safety, and development, costing some countries up to 2% of their GDP due to health-related expenses, crime, and lost productivity. Beyond its economic burden, drug use constitutes a significant public health issue, linked to a range of health issues, including mental health conditions, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Despite these public health implications, drug use has been overwhelmingly addressed through a law enforcement and supply restriction lens, using strategies that reinforce stigma and overlook the health dimensions of the issue.

Globally, an estimated 292 million people (5.6% of those between 15 and 64) used drugs in 2022. There are 64 million individuals suffering from drug use disorders. In 2022, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, an estimated 6.7% of the population aged between 15 and 64 years used drugs, and more than 3.4 million people suffered from drug use disorders.

Despite the alarming levels of substance use, and the fact that investing in substance use treatment offers returns of between US$ 4–12 for every dollar spent, in 2022, only 1 in 11 individuals with drug use disorders globally, and 1 in 13 in the Region, received treatment.

To reduce morbidity, mortality, and the social costs associated with substance use disorders, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean launched the “Regional Flagship Initiative on

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23 June 2025, Dublin/Geneva—The World Health Organization (WHO) today released its report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, warning that action is needed to maintain and accelerate progress in tobacco control as rising industry interference challenges tobacco policies and control efforts.

The report focuses on the six proven WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures to reduce tobacco use, which claims over 7 million lives a year:

Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies;

Protecting people from tobacco smoke with smoke-free air legislation;

Offering help to quit tobacco use;

Warning about the dangers of tobacco with pack labels and mass media;

Enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and

Raising taxes on tobacco.

Since 2007, 155 countries have implemented at least one of the WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures to reduce tobacco use at best-practice level. Today, over 6.1 billion people, three-quarters of the world’s population, are protected by at least one such policy, compared to just 1 billion in 2007. Four countries have implemented the full MPOWER package: Brazil, Mauritius, the Netherlands (Kingdom of the), and Türkiye. Seven countries are just one measure away from achieving the full implementation of the MPOWER package, signifying the highest level of tobacco control, including Ethiopia, Ireland, Jordan, Mexico, New Zealand, Slovenia and Spain.

However, there are major gaps. Forty countries still have no MPOWER measure at best-practice level and more than

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22 June 2025, Cairo, Egypt – June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about all forms of dementia.

Worldwide, dementia is the seventh leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability. The majority (61%) of the 55 million people living with dementia – a number that is expected to increase to approximately 78 million by 2030 – live in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring the urgent need to raise awareness and advocate for better care, support and prevention strategies. In the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region around 2.3 million people live with dementia, and it is the 14th leading cause of death.

Dementia is an umbrella term for several diseases that affect memory and other cognitive abilities and behaviours that interfere with a person’s ability to maintain their daily activities. It is a progressive and chronic condition in which there is disturbance of brain functions such as memory, thinking, judgment, orientation, calculation, language, learning capacity and comprehension. It is often preceded by a decline in motivation, deteriorating social behaviour and emotional control. Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. While the strongest known risk factor for dementia is age it is not a normal part of ageing.

Lack of awareness and understanding of dementia leads to stigmatization and barriers to diagnosis and proper care.

The impact of dementia extends far beyond the person with dementia.

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19 June 2025, Cairo, Egypt – Substance use across the Eastern Mediterranean Region is growing among vulnerable groups, including migrants and displaced persons. This silent crisis, taking place in the shadow of conflict, displacement, marginalization and economic hardship, is compounded by the loss of social support networks.

In 2022, 6.7% of people aged between 15 and 64 in the Region had used drugs, surpassing the global average. Young men are particularly affected, with nearly 5% reporting cannabis use in the past year. The treatment gap is particularly alarming. Only 1 in 13 people with substance use disorders receive care.

Substance use contributes to the spread of infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis. It takes a heavy toll on mental health, community safety and national economies. In some countries, the economic impact has reached 2% of gross domestic product.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, on 1 June 2025 the Regional Health Alliance (RHA), which brings together 18 UN agencies, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), to facilitate multilateral engagement and joint efforts to address health priorities, convened a regional technical meeting to strengthen coordination, explore joint interventions and align the response to substance use with the complex realities on the ground.

Under the leadership of WHO’s

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