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Mental Health Stigma in 2026: Global Statistics, Somalia and the Public Health Crisis

Mental Health Is Health: Breaking the Stigma in Somalia Mental health is health. But for millions of people, stigma can become a barrier to receiving it. Mental health conditions are among the most important public health challenges of the 21st century. In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 1 billion people worldwide were living with a mental health condition, while most people affected still did not receive adequate care. Behind these numbers are people living with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, psychosis, substance-use disorders and other conditions. Yet the problem is not only a shortage of services. For many people, stigma itself becomes a barrier to care. Fear of being judged, rejected, discriminated against, labeled as "crazy," considered weak, or excluded from family and community life can prevent people from talking about their symptoms or seeking professional support. This is why mental...

Food Security and Malnutrition in 2026: The Global, Africa and Somali Crisis

Food Security and Malnutrition in 2026: The Global, Africa and Somali Crisis By Dr. Khalid Sheikh Ali Dirie September 2026 From global hunger to Somalia's nutrition emergency: the latest evidence shows why food security must be treated as a public health priority. Introduction Food security and malnutrition remain among the world's most important public health challenges. The latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 (SOFI 2026) provides a mixed picture. Global hunger declined for the third consecutive year in 2025, but the improvement remains uneven and insufficient to put the world firmly on track for the 2030 Zero Hunger goal. An estimated 645 million people experienced hunger in 2025, equivalent to 7.8% of the world's population. At the same time, approximately 2.1 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. The situation is particularly concerning in Africa. About 309 million people in Africa experienced hunger in 2025, while 66....

Climate Change Is a Health Crisis: How a Changing Climate Is Affecting Our Health

Climate Change Is a Health Crisis: How a Changing Climate Is Affecting Our Health When we hear “climate change,” many of us immediately think about melting glaciers, rising sea levels, or extreme weather. But climate change is affecting something much closer to home: our health. A hotter and less predictable climate means more people are exposed to extreme heat, changing patterns of infectious diseases, food and water insecurity, air pollution, and growing pressure on healthcare systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change. WHO also estimates that climate change could cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths each year between 2030 and 2050 from a limited group of causes, including heat exposure, malaria, diarrhoeal disease, and childhood undernutrition. And this is not just a problem for the future. It is happening now. ☀️ A Hotter Planet Means Greater Health Risks Think about the last...

Malaria Control Efforts Across Africa: Progress, Setbacks, and What Comes Next

Malaria remains one of Africa's most persistent public health challenges — but it is also one of the clearest stories of what sustained, coordinated action can achieve. Understanding both the wins and the new threats is essential for anyone working in health, or simply anyone who wants to see the disease finally brought under control. The Scale of the Problem Africa continues to carry the overwhelming share of the world's malaria burden. The WHO African Region accounts for an estimated 94–95% of malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths worldwide, with children under 5 making up about 75% of all deaths in the region. Globally, an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths occurred in 2024 — roughly 9 million more cases than the previous year. The burden is also highly concentrated. Two-thirds of global cases and deaths are found in just 11 African "High Burden High Impact" countries, and four countries — Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, ...

Hantavirus: The rodent-borne killer you need to know about

It starts like the flu — fever, headache, muscle aches. But within days, it can become a life-threatening emergency. Hantavirus is back in the spotlight, and here's what you should know. Key facts Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents that can cause severe disease in humans. People usually get infected through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva. Infection with hantaviruses can cause a range of illnesses, including severe disease and death. In the Americas, hantaviruses can cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory illness, with a case fatality rate up to 50%. Andes virus, found in South America, is a currently known hantavirus for which limited human‑to‑human transmission among contacts has been documented. In Europe and Asia, hantaviruses cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). What exactly is hantavirus? Hantavirus isn't new — it's a family of viruses carried by rodents worldwide....

Measles in Neonates: A Hidden Indicator of Immunization Gaps

Measles in Neonates: A Hidden Indicator of Immunization Gaps. Measles is often seen as a childhood disease—but what happens when it affects those who haven’t even had the chance to be protected? Neonates are among the most vulnerable. Too young for routine vaccination, they rely entirely on maternal antibodies and the strength of community immunity. When a newborn contracts measles, it is rarely just an isolated clinical event—it is a warning sign. A signal that something, somewhere in the immunization chain, has failed. In many low-resource and rural settings, I’ve witnessed firsthand how gaps in maternal immunization, limited antenatal care access, and missed vaccination opportunities create silent pathways for infection. These are not just system failures—they are missed chances to protect life at its very beginning. Neonatal measles often presents severely, with higher risks of complications, hospitalization, and even death. Yet, it remains under-discussed ...