Superbugs, Anti-Vaxxers Make WHO ’ s List Of 10 Global Health Threats

(CNN) — From climate change to superbugs, the World Health Organization has laid out 10 big threats to our global health in 2019.
And unless these threats get addressed, millions of lives will be in jeopardy.
Here’s a snapshot of 10 urgent health issues, according to the United Nations’ public health agency:
Not vaccinating when you can
One of the most controversial recent health topics in the US is now an international concern.
“Vaccine hesitancy — the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines — threatens to reverse progress made in tackling vaccine-preventable diseases,” WHO said.
“Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective ways of avoiding disease — it currently prevents 2-3 million deaths a year, and a further 1.5 million could be avoided if global coverage of vaccinations improved.”
The health agency cited the recent 30% global increase in cases of measles — a disease that had been nearly wiped out in some countries.
“The reasons for this rise are complex, and not all of these cases are due to vaccine hesitancy,” WHO said. “However, some countries that were close to eliminating the disease have seen a resurgence.”
Drug-resistant superbugs
There’s a dark side to the incredible success of antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials: Overuse of such treatments have led to drug-resistant superbugs.
“Now, time with these drugs is running out,...

Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - January 21, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Health – CBS Boston Tags: Health News CNN Local TV Source Type: news