Catamist News

PAHO: Vaccinate Now for Whooping Cough

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has urgently called on countries in the Americas to address critical vaccination gaps as whooping cough cases have dramatically surged, reaching nearly six times the 2023 numbers globally and over 66,000 in the Americas in 2024. This alarming resurgence, particularly affecting infants and vulnerable communities, is attributed to declining immunization coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, which remains below PAHO's recommended 95% target.

4 min read

US Bishops Ban Gender Care at Catholic

In a landmark decision on November 12, 2025, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) formally prohibited gender-affirming care across its extensive network of over 650 Catholic hospitals, a move impacting one in six acute care hospitals in the U.S. This directive, overwhelmingly supported by bishops, has sparked immediate and strong reactions, drawing praise from conservative groups while facing severe criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates and medical organizations concerned about patient well-being and access to care for transgender individuals.

Alzheimer's Drug Delays Progression 8+ Years

New data presented at a major international conference reveals that the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab (Leqembi) could dramatically slow disease progression by over eight years for certain patients, offering a far more optimistic outlook than previously understood. These groundbreaking findings, which highlight the profound impact of early intervention and include the development of a convenient at-home injectable version, underscore the critical need for early diagnosis despite concerns over the drug's high annual cost.

WHO-WB: Billions Lack Care, Global Health

A new report from the WHO and World Bank, released on December 6, 2025, reveals a mixed global picture for universal health coverage, with billions still lacking essential care despite some progress in expanding access since 2000. The report highlights that 4.6 billion people remain without vital health services and 2.1 billion face severe financial hardship, indicating that the world is significantly off track to meet its 2030 UHC goals due to stagnant public health spending and disproportionate burdens on the poorest populations.

Aid Cuts Jeopardize HIV/AIDS Progress

Decades of progress in HIV/AIDS care, particularly across Africa, are severely jeopardized by drastic reductions in international aid, threatening to reverse hard-won gains. Experts warn that these critical funding cuts, largely due to a halt in US contributions, could lead to an alarming 3.3 million additional HIV infections by 2030, sparking a global health emergency.

WHO: Weight Loss Drugs New Obesity Chapter

The World Health Organization has officially recognized GLP-1 weight loss medications, including Mounjaro and Wegovy, as a significant breakthrough in combating the escalating global obesity crisis, marking a pivotal shift in how the international health body views treatment. Amidst projections that global obesity will affect two billion people by 2030, the WHO is now urging countries to enhance access to these therapies and calling on pharmaceutical companies to lower prices and increase production to ensure equitable availability worldwide.

Global Fund Shortfall Imperils Health Fight

Global efforts to combat HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria are severely jeopardized due to a significant $6.7 billion funding deficit in the Global Fund's 2026-2028 budget, threatening to reverse years of public health advancements. This critical shortfall, largely attributed to the reluctance of key donor nations to commit specific amounts, raises serious concerns about the sustainability of life-saving programs and the potential resurgence of these devastating diseases.

Ultra-Processed Food Threatens Global Health

A major series of papers in The Lancet, involving 43 international experts, reveals a global health crisis where the rapid increase in ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption is displacing fresh foods and linked to a surge in chronic health problems, impacting nearly every major organ system. Scientists are urgently calling for bold, coordinated policy action to counter significant corporate influence and shift food systems towards healthier options, as UPFs now constitute over 50% of the average diet in countries like the UK and US.

WHO Warns: Antibiotic Resistance Crisis

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning that common bacterial infections are rapidly becoming untreatable due to escalating antibiotic resistance, a critical global health threat. A new WHO report reveals that one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections in 2023 were already resistant to standard antibiotic treatments, with resistance rising fastest in regions with weaker health systems.

Ethiopia Battles First Marburg Outbreak

Ethiopia is currently grappling with its first-ever outbreak of the highly contagious and deadly Marburg virus, with six confirmed cases and three tragic fatalities reported as of November 20, 2025. Health experts are urgently implementing intensive surveillance, isolation, and contact tracing measures to curb the spread of this Ebola-related hemorrhagic fever, which originates in fruit bats and transmits through bodily fluids.

Washington: First H5N5 Bird Flu Death

A Washington State man has tragically become the first known human fatality globally from the H5N5 strain of avian influenza, confirmed by health officials on Friday, November 21, 2025. This significant development, stemming from exposure to his backyard poultry flock, highlights a rare but serious incident, though authorities emphasize the risk to the general public remains low with no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

US Cancer Sex Rule Sparks Concern

Starting in 2026, U.S. cancer registries will be forced to classify patient sex solely as "male," "female," or "unknown," a directive from the Trump administration that has sparked alarm among scientists and transgender rights advocates. This policy shift is expected to severely hinder the understanding of cancer diagnoses and trends within the transgender population, making it more difficult to address critical health disparities for this marginalized group.

5 min read

Health News

PAHO: Vaccinate Now for Whooping Cough

US Bishops Ban Gender Care at Catholic

Alzheimer's Drug Delays Progression 8+ Years

WHO-WB: Billions Lack Care, Global Health

Aid Cuts Jeopardize HIV/AIDS Progress

WHO: Weight Loss Drugs New Obesity Chapter

Global Fund Shortfall Imperils Health Fight

Ultra-Processed Food Threatens Global Health

WHO Warns: Antibiotic Resistance Crisis

Ethiopia Battles First Marburg Outbreak

Washington: First H5N5 Bird Flu Death

US Cancer Sex Rule Sparks Concern

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Health News

PAHO: Vaccinate Now for Whooping Cough

US Bishops Ban Gender Care at Catholic

Alzheimer's Drug Delays Progression 8+ Years

WHO-WB: Billions Lack Care, Global Health

Aid Cuts Jeopardize HIV/AIDS Progress

WHO: Weight Loss Drugs New Obesity Chapter

Global Fund Shortfall Imperils Health Fight

Ultra-Processed Food Threatens Global Health

WHO Warns: Antibiotic Resistance Crisis

Ethiopia Battles First Marburg Outbreak

Washington: First H5N5 Bird Flu Death

US Cancer Sex Rule Sparks Concern

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