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Health: Infectious diseases

Editorials

Here is a list of the latest articles

Taking the global out of health campaigns

The last stages of polio eradication suggest a new model of health campaigns much more responsive to global changes and local context.

22 February 2013 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Bird flu surveillance, Indonesia

Tackling bird flu effectively needs scientific openness

Efforts to limit publication of controversial bird flu research could end up doing more harm than good.

2 March 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Algerian journalists

Even 'bad science' needs putting in context

Science journalists must help to root out misleading scientific claims, but not without sensitivity to culture and the limitations of science.

13 January 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Child receiving oral polio vaccine in Kano, Nigeria

Polio eradication: learn from setbacks and press ahead

The world is close to eradicating polio, but countries need consistent vigilance — including informed media coverage — to reach this goal.

28 October 2011 | EN | 中文

Mother and child under malaria bednet, Ghana

Eradicating disease: an ambitious but energising goal

Focussing on the steps needed to eradicate malaria, not just control it, can broaden and stimulate support for health research agendas.

14 October 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Boy with skin rash caused by smallpox, Bangladesh

Let's get rid of smallpox for good

A decision to delay, yet again, the destruction of smallpox virus stocks ignores the concerns of the developing world.

10 June 2011 | EN | ES

Urgent action needed to tackle malnutrition

Science can help design strategies to tackle malnutrition. The challenge is turning this knowledge into action.

20 January 2010 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Get the science straight on climate change and disease

Climate change's complex links with insect-borne disease need solid research — not alarmism that distracts from other crucial factors.

9 September 2009 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Swine flu: so far, so good

The prospects of a severe global swine flu pandemic appear to be diminishing. Informed reporting can take some of the credit.

14 May 2009 | EN | FR | 中文

mrsa

Surveillance vital for tackling antibiotic resistance

International surveillance systems are needed to curb the rise of antibiotic resistance.

26 March 2008 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Africa’s bird flu preparations must involve the media

The media must be involved in African preparations for a possible bird flu outbreak.

8 February 2007 | EN

Journalists discuss bioethics at the workshop in Beijing

Bioethics reporting in China: a case for bold action

Journalists in China — as elsewhere — have an important function to play in reporting on how science and technology affects people's lives.

5 October 2006 | EN | 中文

Beating HIV/AIDS still needs a scientific approach

The research community's failure in the past 25 years to develop either a vaccine or a cure for HIV/AIDS underlines the need to be more, not less, scientific.

25 August 2006 | EN

Stepping up to the flu vaccine challenge

Developing countries need to recognise the long-term benefits of creating the capacity to research and develop flu vaccines.

4 May 2006 | EN

Egwang says Africa's media has a key role to play in facing the threat bird flu poses to the continent

Bird flu: a wake-up call to the African media

The only way for Africa to combat bird flu successfully is through an effective communication strategy that enables the public to prepare both for outbreaks in their poultry stocks and for a possible human pandemic.

14 February 2006 | EN

Community health worker selling USAID-subsidised bednets in Senegal

Getting the right message across on malaria

Although research on malaria needs greater support, the fight against the disease will not be won in the laboratory but with tools in the field, many of which already exist. Improved techniques are needed to communicate this reality to decision-makers.

7 November 2005 | EN

Influenza virus particles

Bird flu: the role of science journalists

As prospects grow of a global flu pandemic, it is important for governments to recognise that responsible science journalism can play a significant role in limiting its impact.

24 October 2005 | EN | ES

Vaccines vs. bednets: the malaria dilemma

There are few clearer examples of the need to combine high-tech solutions to development issues with the reality of problems as experienced and perceived on the ground than the challenge of designing an international strategy to combat malaria.

13 December 2004 | EN

Even failed experiments can be important ones

Disappointing results of clinical trials of a promising pair of new AIDS vaccines have highlighted the dilemmas faced by those determining strategy in this field. Fortunately, reactions on all sides indicate a willingness to use science as the principal basis of their decisions.

13 September 2004 | EN

Avian influenza viruses (gold)

Bird flu: the communication challenge

Scientific advances since the major flu pandemics of the 20th century mean that, in principle, the world is better equipped to prevent bird flu from having the same consequences. But obstacles still exist, and greater transparency must be the order of the day.

26 July 2004 | EN