World Health Assembly opens with focus on equity, resilience, and global health cooperation; Region of the Americas Health care

05/19/2026

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Geneva, May 18, 2026 (PAHO) – Dr. Víctor Atallah, Minister of Health of the Dominican Republic, assumed the presidency of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) this Monday, as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) highest decision-making body opened in Geneva.According to WHO rules of procedure, the presidency rotates among the Organization’s six… 05/18/2026

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05/18/2026

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Washington, D.C., May 18, 2026 — Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) from El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama, together with national authorities and regional actors, participated in the CENTAM GUARDIAN 2026 simulation exercise as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen preparedness and response to emergencies and disasters in Central America.… 05/18/2026

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Geneva, Switzerland, 18 May 2026 (PAHO) — The Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79) opened today at the Palais des Nations, bringing together delegations from more than 190 countries to define global health priorities and advance discussions on some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. This year’s Assembly takes place amid… 05/18/2026

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Geneva, Switzerland, 18 May 2026 (PAHO) — Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis of The Bahamas was recognized today with the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General’s Global Health Leaders Award during the High-Level Welcome of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79), honoring her lifelong contribution to public health in the Americas and… 05/18/2026

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05/17/2026

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The Alberta Medical Association says another patient has died while waiting for treatment at a major hospital, renewing concerns about health-care pressures. 05/17/2026

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05/16/2026

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05/15/2026

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Washington, D.C., May 13, 2026 (PAHO) – The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends adults consume no more than 2000 mg/day of sodium, which is equivalent to one teaspoon, and even less for children. Excess salt consumption is one of the leading risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases—two of the main causes of death in the… 05/14/2026

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The Manitoba government is providing $22.1 million in funding to improve the cardiac care centre at Winnipeg's St. Boniface Hospital. 05/14/2026

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Some Quebec hospitals say emergency room visits dropped during recent Montreal Canadiens playoff games, offering brief relief to overcrowded ERs. 05/14/2026

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04/29/2026

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Infoway's Market Guidance provides jurisdictions, health system leaders, and digital health vendors with clear, actionable guidance to advance the Shared Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap’s objectives and align with broader pan-Canadian... 03/26/2026

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This report summarizes the 2026 Pan-Canadian Projectathon, highlighting key participants, outcomes, and lessons learned, and demonstrating how the event continues to accelerate secure, seamless health data exchange and advance Connected Care across... 03/30/2026

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The Ministry of Health has launched a 30-day consultation on allowing the sale and use of certain devices that function as hearing aids, without a prescription. 05/14/2026

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An Ontario couple who disembarked from the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena are isolating in Grey Bruce. A third who may have been exposed on a flight is in Peel Region. 05/14/2026

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A B.C. man says he's so frustrated about waiting for knee and hip surgeries in B.C. he's flying to Mexico to get them done. 05/14/2026

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'I shouldn't have to go out of country. I feel like I should be able to get that care and that help here where I am, but it's just not possible,' said Talia Assu-Gregg, 20. 05/14/2026

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Prostate cancer often develops quietly, with few or no early warning signs, and can resemble normal age‑related prostate changes. When symptoms arise, they usually involve subtle changes in urination. Doctors combine careful questioning, physical examination, blood tests, and modern scans to distinguish harmless enlargement from serious disease. 04/17/2026

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