Heat-health Action Plans

Heat-health Action Plans
Author: Franziska Matthies
Publisher: World Health Organization
Total Pages: 59
Release: 2008
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9289071915

Climate change is leading to variations in weather patterns and an apparent increase in extreme weather events, including heat-waves. Recent heat-waves in the WHO European Region have led to a rise in related mortality but the adverse health effects of hot weather and heat-waves are largely preventable. This guidance results from the EuroHEAT project on improving public health responses to extreme weather/heatwaves, co-funded by WHO and the European Commission. It explains the importance of the development of heat-health action plans, their characteristics and core elements, with examples from several European countries that have begun their implementation and evaluation.

Climate Change and Natural Disasters

Climate Change and Natural Disasters
Author: Vinod Thomas
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
Total Pages: 187
Release: 2017-01-31
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1412864526

The start of the new millennium will be remembered for deadly climate-related disasters—the great floods in Thailand in 2011, Super Storm Sandy in the United States in 2012, and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013, to name a few. In 2014, 17.5 million people were displaced by climate-related disasters, ten times more than the 1.7 million displaced by geophysical hazards. What is causing the increase in natural disasters and what effect does it have on the economy? Climate Change and Natural Disasters sends three messages: human-made factors exert a growing influence on climate-related disasters; because of the link to anthropogenic factors, there is a pressing need for climate mitigation; and prevention, including climate adaptation, ought not to be viewed as a cost to economic growth but as an investment. Ultimately, attention to climate-related disasters, arguably the most tangible manifestation of global warming, may help mobilize broader climate action. It can also be instrumental in transitioning to a path of low-carbon, green growth, improving disaster resilience, improving natural resource use, and caring for the urban environment. Vinod Thomas proposes that economic growth will become sustainable only if governments, political actors, and local communities combine natural disaster prevention and controlling climate change into national growth strategies. When considering all types of capital, particularly human capital, climate action can drive economic growth, rather than hinder it.

Health in 2015

Health in 2015
Author: World Health Organization
Publisher: World Health Organization
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2015-12-14
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9789241565110

In 2015 the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) come to the end of their term, and a post-2015 agenda, comprising 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), takes their place. This WHO report looks back 15 years at the trends and positive forces during the MDG era and assesses the main challenges that will affect health in the coming 15 years. "Snapshots" on 34 different health topics outline trends, achievements made, reasons for success, challenges and strategic priorities for improving health in the different areas.--

Myanmar

Myanmar
Author: Asian Development Bank
Publisher: Asian Development Bank
Total Pages: 405
Release: 2014-08-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9292546236

After 3 years of historic reforms, Myanmar has entered a pivotal stage in its socioeconomic development. Natural, cultural, and demographic advantages are positioning the country for long-term success, but many challenges and potential pitfalls lie ahead. This publication examines how to leverage the opportunities and offers solutions to the challenges. For Myanmar to achieve its economic transition, considerable investments will have to be made in infrastructure and developing human capital, and progress made on building institutional capacity, a regulatory environment for the private sector to flourish, and a modern finance sector. In all reform efforts, the government should embrace good governance, and strive for inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and regionally connected growth. Ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared broadly and regionally balanced stands out in a crowded development agenda.

Human resources for medical devices - the role of biomedical engineers

Human resources for medical devices - the role of biomedical engineers
Author: World Health Organization
Publisher: World Health Organization
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2017-05-09
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9789241565479

This publication addresses the role of the biomedical engineer in the development, regulation, management, training, and use of medical devices. The first part of the book looks at the biomedical engineering profession globally as part of the health workforce: global numbers and statistics, professional classification, general education and training, professional associations, and the certification process. The second part addresses all of the different roles that the biomedical engineer can have in the life cycle of the technology, from research and development, and innovation, mainly undertaken in academia; the regulation of devices entering the market; and the assessment or evaluation in selecting and prioritizing medical devices (usually at national level); to the role they play in the management of devices from selection and procurement to safe use in healthcare facilities. The annexes present comprehensive information on academic programs, professional societies, and relevant WHO and UN documents related to human resources for health as well as the reclassification proposal for ILO. This publication can be used to encourage the availability, recognition, and increased participation of biomedical engineers as part of the health workforce, particularly following the recent adoption of the recommendations of the UN High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth, the WHO Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health, and the establishment of national health workforce accounts. The document also supports the aim of reclassification of the role of the biomedical engineer as a specific engineer that supports the development, access, and use of medical devices within the national, regional, and global occupation classification system.