Public health & disease

Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos bans single-use plastics

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On July 1, 2025, Lagos introduced a ban on single-use plastics like Styrofoam plates, straws, and cutlery. The city—home to 20 million people—has long battled severe plastic pollution, with clogged waterways worsening floods and harming health. The ban is already driving grassroots recycling, sparking innovation in sustainable packaging, and raising public awareness about waste reduction. If supported by stronger enforcement, better waste systems, and affordable alternatives, this move could slash hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic waste annually—positioning Lagos as a model for African cities aiming to protect their environment and build a cleaner, more resilient future.

Good news for public health

U.S. Food & Drug Administration approves world’s first 100% effective HIV prevention drug

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The U.S. FDA has approved lenacapavir (Yeztugo), the first HIV prevention shot that’s given just twice a year. In large studies, it was virtually 100% effective—no HIV cases were seen in one trial, and only two cases occurred in another with more than 2,000 people. This long-lasting protection could make it much easier for people to stay protected, especially for those who find taking a daily pill difficult. By reducing the need for frequent dosing, the new treatment has the potential to greatly expand access to HIV prevention and help move the world closer to ending the deadly epidemic that has killed more than 44 million people worldwide since 1981.

Timor-Leste coastline

World Health Organization certifies Timor-Leste as malaria-free

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The World Health Organization certifies malaria elimination when a country has zero indigenous cases for three consecutive years. So far, 47 countries and one territory have earned this status. A Southeast Asian nation, committed to fighting malaria since gaining independence in 2002, has now joined them—demonstrating the impact of sustained, focused efforts to defeat this devastating disease.

Dollar bills and pills, representing medical debt

Arizona erases $429 million in medical debt

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Thousands of Arizonans now have a financial burden lifted off their shoulders, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced on Wednesday. According to the Democratic governor, $429 million in medical debt has been erased for more than 352,000 Arizonans as part of a partnership between her administration and national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. In 2024, Hobbs announced an initiative to erase $2 billion in medical debt for up to one million Arizonans.

Indigenous person from Colombia

Colombia’s Constitutional Court issues landmark ruling in favor of Indigenous communities exposed to mercury contamination

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The contamination, caused by gold mining, affects key rivers and fish consumed by the communities, with mercury levels found up to 17 times above safe limits. The ruling suspends new gold mining licenses in the Yuruparí macroterritory until intercultural dialogue is held and a remediation plan is established. The court also mandated regular monitoring and inclusive implementation, with biannual hearings and Indigenous participation, marking a judicial precedent for Indigenous-led environmental justice and the protection of ancestral knowledge.

Holding a smiling baby

World’s first malaria treatment for newborn babies gets approval

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Switzerland’s drug regulator has cleared the way for a new medicine to become available in parts of Africa where the life-threatening disease is endemic. In a late-stage clinical trial, pharmaceutical giant Novartis showed the drug was safe and effective for babies. The lack of specialized treatment – and the fact that babies are not vaccinated until they are around five months old – has left the youngest infants relatively unprotected against malaria, a mosquito-borne disease that kills about 597,000 people per year.

Air pollution from a coal plant

Global mercury emissions have fallen 70% over last four decades

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Gold mining, coal burning, and cement and nonferrous metals production all release several thousand tons of mercury into the atmosphere every year, leading to tens of thousands of deaths worldwide. However, a team of Chinese scientists from schools in Tianjin, Beijing, Tibet, and Nanjing has found that mercury concentrations in the atmosphere have reduced by a staggering 70% since a peak in the year 2000.

Metal pipes

Flint, Michigan at last replaces corroded pipes after lead crisis

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Flint’s lead crisis began in 2014, when the city began drawing water sourced from the Flint River instead of from Lake Huron. The river water was more corrosive than the lake water, and the city failed to take the additional steps needed to prevent lead from leaching into drinking water. In 2017, a federal court ordered the city to replace all lead pipes within three years. Eight years later is the project finally complete. State officials told a federal court this week that the city has excavated more than 28,000 properties in search of lead water lines and replaced nearly 11,000 pipes.

Mosquito on a leaf

Suriname becomes first country in the Amazon region to eliminate malaria

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Suriname has officially been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO). This certification marks the successful interruption of indigenous malaria transmission for at least three consecutive years – a major step forward in the global fight against one of humanity’s deadliest diseases. With today’s announcement, WHO has now certified 46 countries and one territory malaria-free – and each one has successfully prevented the re-establishment of the disease.

Midwife and mother

Virginia becomes first U.S. state to recognize autonomous midwifery practice

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Autonomous midwifery practice enables midwives to conduct their professional work by providing evidence-based, high-quality, and ethical care across pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, as well as providing other reproductive health care. Now, Virginia midwives can not only practice autonomously but also receive 100% free schedule reimbursement from private insurance and Medicaid. They can also serve on a 24-hour on-call duty roster for nursery care when physicians are unavailable, addressing staffing shortages in rural areas.

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