Health Check A WHO without the United States
Jan 22, 2025
Smita Mundasad, a BBC health reporter known for her insights on global health issues, joins the discussion. The conversation kicks off with the potential fallout of the U.S. exiting the World Health Organization and its impact on global health initiatives. They dive into Meta's shift from independent fact-checking to community notes, raising concerns about health misinformation. The podcast also highlights a new rapid test for Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic fever and explores the mental health challenges astronauts may face during long-term space missions.
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WHO's Role
- The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in global health emergencies and promotes vaccination efforts worldwide.
- It works to track diseases, provide therapeutics and vaccines, and support health systems, especially in conflict zones.
US Withdrawal from WHO
- President Trump cited mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, needed reforms, and undue financial burden on the US as reasons for withdrawing from the WHO.
- The WHO expressed regret and highlighted its crucial role in global health, including its work with the US to eradicate diseases.
Health Misinformation Online
- Health misinformation online can have severe consequences, like people choosing unproven remedies over evidence-based medicine.
- Studying its spread is challenging due to changing definitions and limited data access from platforms.
