New Report Highlights Public Health Impact of Corporal Punishment
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new report, “Corporal punishment of children: the public health impact,” which reveals that an estimated 1.2 billion children are subjected to corporal punishment annually. The report emphasizes the “overwhelming scientific evidence” that this form of violence can lead to long-term mental and physical health problems. The WHO is calling for a public health approach to end the practice.
- Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
Federal Health Employees Urge HHS Secretary to Stop Spreading Inaccurate Information
Hundreds of federal health employees have signed a letter imploring Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to “stop spreading inaccurate health information.” The letter, which includes signatories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accuses Kennedy of “sowing public mistrust” and creating “dangerous gaps” in public health infrastructure. The plea follows an attack on the CDC headquarters, which authorities say was motivated by the gunman’s distrust of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Source: Al Jazeera
Record Number of Mosquito-Borne Disease Outbreaks in Europe
On World Mosquito Day, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned that Europe is experiencing record-breaking outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases. The ECDC stated that West Nile virus infections and chikungunya virus disease are becoming the “new normal” for the continent. The mosquito that spreads chikungunya is now established in 16 European countries, and there have been 27 chikungunya outbreaks so far in 2025, a new record.
New COVID-19 Variant, Stratus (XFG), Spreads in the US
A new recombinant COVID-19 variant, Stratus (XFG), is spreading rapidly in the United States. While experts say the variant does not cause more severe illness or different symptoms compared to earlier strains, it has mutations that may help it evade the immune system. The WHO reported that XFG’s prevalence has risen from 7.4% in early May to 22.7% by the end of June across 38 countries.
- Source: The Times of India
DEA Highlights National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is recognizing National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. The DEA estimates that nearly 80,000 people in the United States died of a drug overdose in 2024. The agency is raising awareness about fentanyl, which is 50 times more potent than heroin, and has launched the “One Pill Can Kill” campaign to provide resources to the public.
Global Health Funding Sees Significant Decline
A new report from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) shows a 21% drop in development assistance for health (DAH) between 2024 and 2025. This decline is primarily due to a substantial cut in U.S. financing. The report notes that this has led to downsizing and scaled-back operations at many health organizations and UN agencies, impacting global health programs.
New York State Reports Syphilis-Related Infant Deaths
The New York State Department of Health is urging testing for syphilis after a third presumed syphilis-related infant death outside of New York City this year. The department is taking steps to address the increase in congenital syphilis cases across the state.
- Source: The Times of India