11 stories published
A week-long vaccination campaign across 79 high-risk districts in Pakistan reached 18.6 million children with a 98 percent coverage rate, deploying 163,000 health workers door-to-door. Pakistan remains one of only two countries where wild poliovirus is endemic, making the campaign's success critical to global eradication efforts.
Dawn Pakistan · Friday 5 June
A grandmother initially diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer was found to have a treatable brain abscess after a surgeon questioned the diagnosis and operated. The infection, traced to a dental issue, was successfully treated, sparing her from a terminal prognosis.
Upworthy · 4 Jun
A breakthrough treatment for ovarian cancer has been approved that extends patient survival while being better tolerated than standard chemotherapy. Patients report the drug has allowed them to resume normal activities while managing their disease.
BBC News · 3 Jun
Google is requesting EPA approval to release 32 million sterile mosquitoes in California to suppress invasive species that transmit dengue and other diseases. The sterile insect technique has proven effective in reducing disease-carrying mosquito populations without pesticides.
San Francisco Chronicle · 3 Jun
Researchers have identified specific cell types and genetic variants that increase inflammatory bowel disease risk, using single-cell mapping techniques that revealed enhancer-enriched variants previously undetectable in bulk tissue analysis. The breakthrough provides new therapeutic targets for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which affect over 6 million people globally.
Nature.com · 3 Jun
Google has applied for permits to release 64 million southern house mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria, a proven method to suppress disease-carrying mosquito populations in California and Florida. The technique has successfully reduced dengue and Zika transmission in other regions and could significantly lower West Nile virus cases in the US.
Live Science · 3 Jun
Research indicates that GLP-1 medications, widely used for diabetes and weight management, may lower the risk of breast cancer. The finding could represent a significant additional health benefit for the millions of women taking these drugs.
Abcnews.com · 3 Jun
Preclinical tests demonstrate a new injectable hydrogel both relieves osteoarthritis pain and repairs damaged cartilage, addressing the disease's underlying cause rather than just symptoms. The treatment offers a potential alternative to current options that only provide temporary pain management without stopping joint degradation.
Medical Xpress · 3 Jun
Papua New Guinea has reduced malaria deaths from 13 per 100,000 people to just 1 using existing prevention, testing and treatment methods without a vaccine. The achievement is significant as PNG accounts for 90% of all malaria cases in the Western Pacific region.
Good News Network · 1 Jun
Only 10 cases of Guinea worm disease were reported worldwide in 2025, down 33% from 2024 and the lowest count ever recorded. The parasite is on track to become only the second human disease eradicated after smallpox, following decades of coordinated global health efforts.
Good News Network · 26 May
Hospitals in São Paulo state are phasing out ultra-processed foods in favour of organic vegetables and locally made alternatives, building on Brazil's successful school meal reforms. Monthly food fairs connect hospital staff with over 50 local farms to source fresh ingredients for patient meals.
Guardian Global Development · 20 May