Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
One-Third Of Women Worldwide Suffer Violence, WHO Reports
AP: WHO Study Finds 1 In 3 Women Face Physical, Sexual Violence
The U.N. health agency and its partners have found in a new study that nearly one in three women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes, calling the results a “horrifying picture” that requires action by governments and communities alike. The report released Tuesday from the World Health Organization, based on what the agency called the largest-ever study of the prevalence of violence against women, also found such violence starts early. It says a quarter of young women who have been in a relationship were found to have experienced violence by an intimate partner by the time they reach their mid-20s. (3/9)
NPR: Nearly 1 In 3 Women Experience Violence: Major Report From WHO
The numbers are stark – and startling. Around the world, almost 1 in 3 women have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime, according to a new report released by the World Health Organization. That number has remained largely unchanged over the past decade, WHO said. The report, which WHO says is the largest-ever study of the prevalence of violence against women, draws upon data from 161 countries and areas on women and girls age 15 and up collected between 2000 and 2018. So it does not account for the impact of the pandemic. Lockdowns and related restrictions on movement have led to widespread reports of a "shadow pandemic" — a surge in violence against women and girls around the world, as many found themselves trapped at home with their abusers. (Godoy, 3/9)
In other global developments —
AP: Russia To Make Sputnik V Vaccine In Italy, A First In EU
Russia has signed a deal to produce its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in Italy, the first contract in the European Union, the Italian Russian Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday. The deal was signed with Adienne Srl, the Italian subsidiary of a Swiss-based pharmaceutical company, and Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund. Production of a planned 10 million doses this year is set to launch in July. (Barry and Litvinova, 3/9)
AP: Mexico To Rely Heavily On Chinese Vaccines
Mexico announced a huge bet on Chinese vaccines Tuesday, without making public any information about their efficacy. Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said the Mexican government has signed agreements for 12 million doses of the yet-unapproved Sinopharm vaccine and increased to a total of 20 million doses its contracts for the Coronavac dose made by China’s Sinovac. (3/10)
Axios: COVID: WHO Pandemic Declaration, One Year On — Photos
This Thursday marks one year since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Coronavirus vaccine rollouts are accelerating in the U.S. and elsewhere. The WHO remains concerned about disparities, with rich countries snapping up doses. The pandemic has had a huge economic impact, with much of the world locking down to prevent the virus' spread. Governments have been providing relief packages and are looking to reopen safely. (Falconer, 3/10)
