Latest content: Health

On Human Rights Day, The Commonwealth's Dr Shavana Haythornthwaite and Dr Justin Pettit, explain that human rights are also a crucial part of the solution to effectively addressing environmental degradation and climate change.

During London Global Cancer Week (15-19 November), the Commonwealth Secretariat hosted two events to shine a spotlight on cancer, one of the leading causes of morbidity and death in the world.

After three years in the making, last week the Commonwealth Secretariat launched its new Voluntary Information and Price-Sharing database (VIPSD). One-third of the world’s population lacks access to essential medicines, with most of them living in poor countries, while rising prices of new drugs are becoming a challenge in wealthy states. And, since the global Covid-19 pandemic, the urgent need for essential medicines has intensified.

At UNCTAD15 in Barbados, Commonwealth Secretary-General spoke on a hybrid virtual and in-person roundtable on the theme of ‘Regional integration for a resilient, inclusive and sustainable future’.

A new tracker has been launched to help Commonwealth countries monitor progress towards halving malaria cases by 2023 and ultimately ending the disease by 2030. 

A blog by Tukiya-Kaunda Mutupa, a Health Consultant at the Commonwealth Secretariat

Commonwealth health ministers have today issued a joint statement after their annual meeting in which they called for swift and equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for everyone around the world. In the statement on behalf of the 54 Commonwealth member countries, they expressed deep concern over the stark gaps in access and delivery of doses, especially in poor countries, and called for “fair and transparent” pricing for the vaccine.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Union for International Cancer Control have launched a new taskforce to step up efforts towards preventing and treating cervical cancer.

Continuing determined action is needed for malaria rates to fall by more than 50 per cent by 2023 to meet the target set out by Commonwealth leaders, the Secretary-General urged on World Malaria Day. 

Poorer countries will most likely “bear the brunt of hundreds of thousands of needless deaths” from inequalities in access to Covid-19 vaccines.

Commonwealth Law Ministers have called for increased international co-operation to enable equal access to Covid-19 vaccinations.

Today, people across the globe will pause to focus on one of the most persistent and vicious epidemics in our history: AIDS. Three letters that have caused unprecedented suffering and loss across generations and around our world.  

Health advocates, cancer survivors and celebrities have joined the Commonwealth’s campaign to eradicate cervical cancer in its 54 countries. 

The Commonwealth will lead a global movement this week aimed at urging countries to make an ambitious plan to eliminate the most preventable cancers.

Isaac Folorunso Adewole, a former Nigerian Minister of Health and professor of gynaecology and obstetrics, writes about the Commonwealth working together to change the narrative on cervical cancer.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has impressed upon member countries the importance of examining mental health legislation to see whether it is in line with the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.

Activity and sport are necessary parts of young people’s daily rhythm. We go to the gym, not just for the exercise, but also for the opportunity to socialise. A run in the park offers a chance to meet-up and perhaps play a game of football.

The Commonwealth’s Secretary-General has encouraged the international community to take urgent multilateral action to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. 

Commonwealth health ministers have agreed to coordinate their response in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

Countries should maintain essential health care to non-COVID-19 patients while dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

A stalwart campaigner who fought on global health issues affecting the Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion people has sadly died.

As the COVID-19 pandemic impacts communities across the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth is urging countries and their citizens to make use of the information and resources provided by the World Health Organization.

Leading health officials are calling for urgent action to reduce the number of cancer cases in the Commonwealth, which are above global averages.