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Reposted by World Health Organization Western Pacific Region

WHO @who.int · 20h

It's #WorldSightDay

Prolonged screen or reading times can lead to eye strain, dry eyes, and headaches.

DO take breaks!

Use the 20-20-20 rule to help your eyes:
🖥️ After using a screen for 20 minutes
📏 Look at an object 20 feet away
🕓 For 20 seconds

Infographic titled “Avoid eye strain & headaches – follow the 20-20-20 rule”. It explains:
After 20 minutes spent using a screen, look at an object 20 feet (6 metres) away for at least 20 seconds.

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 1d

⚕️ Medicalization of female genital mutilation betrays the trust placed in health workers.

It is always harmful.

We stand united to end it.

Read joint call to action from @unfpa.org and partners at #FIGO2025 👉 bit.ly/42ytZFn

#EndFGM #DoNoHarm

Medicalization of female genital mutilation is wrong. This must stop. Do no harm. #ENDFGM

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 2d

This year’s agenda is bold:

🌍 A brand-new climate change & health strategy
🍺 Alcohol control policies and framework
🔐 Key amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR)
🦷 Strengthening oral health systems

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 2d

#Fiji is the place to watch. #RCM76 lands there this October!
From 20 to 24 October 2025, health leaders from across Asia and the Pacific will converge in Nadi to tackle challenges that touch 2.3 billion people across 38 countries.

Seventy-sixth session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, 20-24 October 2025, Nadi, Fiji

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 4d

What happens when you stop smoking?

#CommitToQuit

When you stop smoking after one year, the risk of coronary disease is half that of a smoker’s. Between 5 to 15 years, stroke risk is reduced to that the non-smoker. After 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is that of someone who never smoked.

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 6d

Be aware of common breast cancer symptoms.

Early diagnosis of #BreastCancer generally increases the chances of successful treatment.

October is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth.

Breast cancer warning signs and symptoms

Nipple changes
Bloody discharge
Lump in breast or armpits
Change in breast colour
Breast or nipple pain

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 8d

Learn more about this partnership 👇

#InternationalDayOfOlderPersons

www.who.int/westernpacif...

Addressing megatrends of population ageing and NCDs: WHO launches new partnership with Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture

As population ageing accelerates across much of Asia and the Pacific, pushing higher the incidence and impact of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), the Government of Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan and the...

www.who.int

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 8d

Big news for #HealthyAgeing in the Western Pacific!

WHO & Kanagawa Prefecture 🇯🇵 are teaming up to tackle noncommunicable diseases & mental health
challenges linked to ageing.

Together, we're working toward the promise of #SDG3 - the highest attainable standard of #HealthForAll, regardless of age.

WHO Regional Director Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Yuji Kuroiwa, Dr Yoichiro Matsumoto, President of the Global Strategic Centre for ME-BYO, WHO staff and partners at the signing ceremony formalizing plans to address noncommunicable diseases linked to ageing.

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 10d

Know the common symptoms of a heart attack and stroke.

⚠️ If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical care immediately.

#WorldHeartDay

Text that says common symptoms of a heart attack and stroke. Heart attack, pain or discomfort in the centre of the chest, pain or discomfort in the arms, left shoulder, elbows, jaw or back, shortness of breath, vomiting, feeling light-headed or faint, breaking into a cold sweat, becoming pale. Stroke. Weakness/numbness of the face, arm, leg or one side of the body, severe headache with no known cause, fainting or unconsciousness, difficulty in seeing with one or both eyes, confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance and coordination. People experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care immediately.

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 10d

But healthy habits for a healthy heart can't take leave days! Love your ❤ this #WorldHeartDay and every day:

🍽️ Eat a healthy, low-salt diet
🚭 Quit tobacco
💪 #BeActive
💤 Have quality sleep & reduce stress
💊 Take your prescribed medication regularly if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 10d

Our graphic designer is on leave, so we asked the social media manager's kid to make a design for us. 😊

#WorldHeartDay

Drawing of a heart-shaped smiling face in pink and purple colours, with text that says take good care of your heart. Happy World Heart Day!

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 12d

Learn more about #rabies 👇

www.who.int/news-room/fa...

Rabies

WHO fact sheet on rabies, providing key facts and information on symptoms, diagnosis, transmission, post-exposure prophylaxis, local treatment, prevention, WHO response

www.who.int

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 12d

By working together through the #OneHealth approach connecting human, animal and environmental health, we can #EndRabiesNow together.

Learn how to protect yourself, your loved ones, your community and your pets. 👇

How does rabies spread: Rabies spreads via saliva, usually through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucosa, such as eyes, mouth, or open wounds.

Avoid being bitten to prevent rabies: Avoid unfamiliar dogs, including street dogs. Stay still like a tree if near a suspected rabid dog. Don't shout or kick.

Reduce your risk of rabies. What to do if bitten by a dog: Don’t pull away from the dog. Hold still. Wash all wounds with soap and running water for 15 mins. Use an antiseptic, if available. Seek medical care immediately, and get vaccinated if advised. A delay can be deadly.

Protect your animal and community from rabies: Vaccinate your pets against rabies. Report suspected rabid dogs or other animals.
Support mass dog vaccination of free-roaming dogs.

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 12d

It's #WorldRabiesDay.

Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it’s 100% preventable with immediate treatment after a bite or scratch.

#EndRabiesNow

Illustrations of a dog and a syringe with text that says did you know? Rabies is a viral disease that is fatal once symptoms appear, but 100% preventable if you seek immediate treatment after a bite or scratch.

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Reposted by World Health Organization Western Pacific Region

WHO @who.int · 15d

WHO statement on autism-related issues

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that there is currently no conclusive scientific evidence confirming a possible link between #autism and use of acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) during pregnancy

Full statement bit.ly/47YsgwI

WHO statement on autism-related issues

Follow @WHO for the latest updates

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 13d

Did you know? #Rabies is preventable, yet every year thousands of people - mostly children - needlessly die.

Over 99% of human rabies cases are caused by dog bites. The solution is simple: Vaccinate at least 70% of dogs in a community to eliminate rabies. #EndRabiesNow

A quote from WHO's Dr Bernadette Abela-Ridder that says did you know? Rabies is 100% preventable, and yet every year, thousands of people - mostly children - needlessly die.

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 13d

These significant achievements mark meaningful progress in protecting children and communities across the Region from these preventable diseases.

#VaccinesWork

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 13d

WHO announced today that 21 Pacific island countries and areas that are part of the Western Pacific Region have collectively been verified as having eliminated #measles and #rubella.

#Japan too has achieved rubella elimination after it succeeded in eliminating measles.

🔗 bit.ly/482FpVt

Two young girls of Pacific descent hold up their vaccine cards to the camera

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 14d

Read the article, "The gendered impact of COVID-19 in the Philippines: a call for gender-responsive public health policies" in this issue of the Western Pacific Surveillance and Response journal:
ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.ph...

#WPSAR #GenderEquality

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 14d

For women around the world, the #COVID-19 pandemic deepened existing inequalities. Women in the #Philippines, especially those working in health care and informal sectors, faced greater economic hardship & an increase in caregiver burden, in addition to reduced access to essential health services.

Illustration of a woman with dark hair, glasses and Asian features. The heading below reads: How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact women in the Philippines?

An icon of a virus

As in many countries, in the Philippines, women largely bore the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis: from caregiving to maternal health to unemployment.

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 15d

Get your copy of the latest global report on hypertension: www.who.int/publications...

Global report on hypertension 2025: high stakes: turning evidence into action

The second Global report on hypertension highlights the urgent need to scale up detection, treatment, and control of hypertension, especially at the primary health care level. It showcases proven solu...

www.who.int

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 15d

1.4 billion people live with #hypertension or uncontrolled high blood pressure, says new @who.int report.

Hypertension is the number one risk factor for:
💓Heart attack
⚡Stroke

and can lead to chronic kidney disease and dementia.

Get your blood pressure checked today!

An infographic from the World Health Organization (WHO) illustrating that 7 in 10 people living with hypertension do not have it under control. The image shows ten stylized figures, seven of which are black with red hearts and heartbeat lines, indicating uncontrolled hypertension. The remaining three figures are red with pink hearts, representing those who have their hypertension under control. Below the figures is a message in bold text: "7 in 10 people living with hypertension do not have it under control." At the bottom, there is a red banner urging viewers to "Get your blood pressure checked today."

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 16d

Learn more about the new vision for the prevention and control of NCDS: bit.ly/UNGAHLM4 #BeatNCDs #UNGA

On the road to 2025

bit.ly

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 16d

One way to reduce your risk of developing noncommunicable diseases such as #hypertension, stroke and heart disease is to watch your intake of saturated fats & trans-fats.

Here are some easy-to-follow nutrition tips that can set you on your way to a healthier life.

#BeatNCDs

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World Health Organization Western Pacific Region @whowpro.bsky.social · 18d

Graphic health warnings, meeting the highest international standards, now cover 110 countries, protecting 62% of the global population.

Saving lives without uttering a word.

#TobaccoExposed #NoTobacco

A cigarette pack with a photo of a cancerous tongue
This warning is hard to look at, but its saving lives

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