Disease
Ghana battles deadly meningitis outbreak amid shrinking foreign aid and health system struggles
A meningitis outbreak is sweeping through Ghana’s Upper West region, exposing a struggling health care system. With understaffed hospitals, dwindling resources and no approved vaccine, authorities are at their wits’ end.
Desperate cancer patients in Peru look for options across the Atlantic
In Peru, cancer patients are facing enormous challenges to be able to survive. The situation is especially dire for children with leukemia. Many die because they couldn’t get access to treatment in time. More and more parents are seeking help in Spain.
Cow plague threatening ranches in southern Europe
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, or EHD, is typically found in the tropics and affects cattle, deer and other animals. But due to abnormally high temperatures in Europe, cases are now spreading quickly across Spain, Italy and France. The virus causes internal bleeding, miscarriages and sterility. It’s rarely fatal, but ranchers are concerned for their animals and livelihoods.
Pandemic recovery will require much focus and attention, Dr. Atul Gawande says
The COVID-19 pandemic has killed about 7 million people worldwide, ravaging health care systems and economies. Dr. Atul Gawande, head of global health at the US Agency for International Development, spoke with The World’s Carolyn Beeler about how pandemic recovery “will require as much focus and attention as it did when it first started.”