Imperial WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training

16/09/2026

Advanced Leadership and Management for Health Programme – November 2026

The WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training at Imperial College London is pleased to announce the Advanced Leadership and Management for Health programme, taking place from 30 November to 4 December 2026 in London, followed by two online follow-up days. Designed for healthcare professionals, health managers, policy-makers, heads of department and professionals working across international and regional organisations, the programme provides a practical and interactive approach to developing leadership and management skills for complex health settings....

09/09/2026

According to UNICEF, 93% of those under 15 breathe in enough air pollution to impact their health and development. That’s 1.8 billion children.
At such a young age, pollutants:
- Alter physical and cognitive development of newborns and young babies
- Increase risk of acute respiratory infections
- Reduce lung capacity by 20% in highly polluted areas
- Account for 26% of newborn deaths worldwide due to preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW)
- Are linked with respiratory infections that account for 15% of all under-5 deaths
So, what can we actually do?
Short term, we can protect children directly by:
- Recommending window and air filters
- Using cleaner fuels to cook and heat homes
- Checking air quality before outings
However, longer term, air pollution is a global emergency requiring active changes in policy at local and national levels.
What can we do as healthcare professionals (HCPs)?
- Talk to pregnant patients about air pollution and its risks of preterm birth and LBW
- Speak to parents of children with asthma about the impacts of air pollution on their condition
- Use our power as HCPs to speak to patients about better travel choices and cleaner air decisions in the home
To learn more, see Global Action Plan’s videos on how to speak to patients about air pollution: https://www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/health/knowledge-hub-health
More generally, see the UN Environment Programme’s guides to individuals, universities, and private sector groups on what we can do day to day and who to lobby for change - https://www.unep.org/interactives/clean-air-day-guide/
- Sources:
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/emergencies/air-pollution
https://www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/health/knowledge-hub-health

UNICEF UN Environment Programme

02/09/2026

Currently, it’s thought that less than 40% of people with urinary incontinence seek help. Hence, for , the theme is Worth its Weight in Gold! Launched by the Urology Foundation, the aim is to destigmatise and decrease embarrassment when talking to medical professionals about urinary symptoms.

So, as healthcare workers and allied health professionals, how can we help patients be more comfortable speaking about their p*e?

💬 Change our language - for example ‘leaking urine’ instead of’ urinary incontinence’

🪧Know the best local bladder and bowel services and resources

❓Start with open questions - ‘does your bladder or bowel ever cause you problems?’

See this list of helpful resources for patients by Bladder and Bowel UK, including a ‘Just Can’t Wait Card’ - https://www.bbuk.org.uk/starting-conversations-with-patients-about-bladder-bowel-health/

If you have your own tips on how to allow patients to feel more comfortable discussing urinary symptoms, leave your comments below!

Sources:

- https://www.bbuk.org.uk/starting-conversations-with-patients-about-bladder-bowel-health/

- https://www.theurologyfoundation.org/impact-achievements/campaigns/urology-awareness-month-2026/



The Urology Foundation

02/09/2026

Urology Awareness Month 2026 Worth Its Weight in Gold!

Currently, it's thought that less than 40% of people with urinary incontinence seek help. Hence, for , the theme is Worth its Weight in Gold 💰 Launched by the Urology Foundation, the aim is to destigmatise and decrease embarrassment when talking to medical professionals about urinary symptoms. 💭 So, as healthcare workers and allied health professionals, how can we help make patients more comfortable speaking about their p*e?...

Currently, it’s thought that less than 40% of people with urinary incontinence seek help. Hence, for , the theme is Worth its Weight in Gold 💰 Launched by the Urolog…

01/09/2026

World Humanitarian Day 2026

🌍 World Humanitarian Day 2026: It's Time to 💙 Every day, humanitarian workers risk their lives to help others. This World Humanitarian Day, the UN is calling on all of us to take action. 🗣️ Use Your VoiceShare verified campaign information 🔗World Humanitarian Day | United Nations and call for the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel using…...

🌍 World Humanitarian Day 2026: It’s Time to 💙 Every day, humanitarian workers risk their lives to help others. This World Humanitarian Day, the UN is calling on all of us to t…

30/07/2026

🗓️ The midweek health check is back!

🔗 Links

🦠 This World Hepatitis Day, PAHO issued an urgent call to break down barriers to preventing access to testing and treatment - https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/world-hepatitis-day-2026

If you would like to learn more about global hepatitis burden and trends, read the WHO’s report here: https://www.paho.org/en/documents/global-hepatitis-report-2026

🛏️Furthermore, the Australian Labor Party (ALP) has resolved to repeal the prevention of telehealth use in voluntary-assisted dying - https://theconversation.com/labor-national-conference-backs-use-of-telehealth-in-voluntary-assisted-dying-care-287188

♿Finally, for Disability Pride Month, read a blog piece by AbleOTUK’s founding member, Rachel Booth-Gardiner, where she reflects on her lived experience as a disabled OT and why this month is so important - https://www.rcot.co.uk/latest-news/disability-pride-month-proud-be-disabled-ot

If you’d like to learn more about Gardiner’s advocacy work as well as her work as an OT, see AbleOTUK’s website here: https://affinot.co.uk/ableotuk/

Learn more about disability pride here (video recommended by Motability Foundation) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZslYmOwgCQ

This week's content curated by: Rama Aowidah, WHOCC Health Comms Intern & Rachel Barker, WHOCC Communications Officer

World Health Organization (WHO) PAHO-WHO The Conversation Australia + NZ Australian Labor Party Royal College of Occupational Therapists

23/07/2026

🗓️ Another week, another midweek health check

🔗 Links

🍎 This week, the UN has published a new report on Global Hunger revealing that whilst it’s on the decline, decreases are marginal - https://www.who.int/news/item/21-07-2026-un-report--global-hunger-levels-ease-for-third-consecutive-year-as-regional-disparities-persist

💉 Furthermore, the UK has released a new Meningitis B vaccine following the outbreak in Kent. Access is targeted to older teens and young adults - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c982352my98o

🌊 Finally, floods in Bangladesh have hardest hit its most vulnerable communities, with more than 5,000 refugee shelters damaged and 17 dead - https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/415330/over-1m-hit-by-monsoon-emergency-as-iom-scales-up

If you would like to learn more about the details of the developing situation in Bangladesh, read Rohingya Coordination Platform’s report here -https://rohingyaresponse.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Inter-Sector-Flash-Update-4.pdf

This week's content curated by: Rama Aowidah, WHOCC Health Comms Intern

22/07/2026

🌍✈️ Transform your summer into an overseas learning experience! 🏥

Join us at Imperial College London, ranked 2nd best university in the world, for a Public Health & Clinical Medicine short course and explore the vibrant sights and sounds of London. 💂

This immersive programme is your chance to learn, grow, and connect with like-minded students from around the globe! 🌐

Learn more about public health, global health, clinical medicine, health leadership, and multidisciplinary teamwork.

📆 Key Dates: August 10th – 21st
🔗 Sign up here: https://www.imperialwhocc.org/short-summer-and-winter-training-programmes/
▶️ See our previous cohort's achievements on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6c166by_9M

💡 Note: These are introductory short programmes. Students with advanced Master's-level training may prefer our fellowship programmes — learn more here: https://www.imperialwhocc.org/visiting-programmes/postgrad/

What happens when students step beyond the classroom and experience...

08/07/2026

⏲️ Time for your midweek health check!

🔗 Links

🪱Toxoplasmosis meets the WHO criteria for a neglected tropical disease - Toxoplasmosis meets the World Health Organization criteria for a neglected tropical disease | PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
World Health Organization (WHO)

🍎$3 million USD is put towards improving nutrition in Liberia - https://allafrica.com/stories/202607080253.html
allAfrica.com

🧪Precision and Prevention as a new frontier for cancer research - https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2026/06/02/unlocking-a-new-era-for-cancer-prevention-research/
Cancer Research UK

Mentioned in the above article are:

Professor Ruth Langley - Expert medical oncologist at UCL - https://www.innovative-ctu.ucl.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/ruth-langley/

Professor Sarah Blagden - Experimental oncologist at Oxford - https://oxfordcancertrials.ox.ac.uk/about-us/our-team/sarah-blagden

Professor Karen Brown - Director of Leicester Cancer Research centre - https://le.ac.uk/people/karen-brown

Dr Nadia Nasreddin - Post doctoral researcher at CRUK Scotland - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-nasreddin-62b0231a5/

💬 please leave a comment if you have any interesting recommendations or thoughts - we’d love to hear from you ❣

This week's content curated by: Rama Aowidah, WHOCC Health Comms Intern

01/07/2026

⏲️ It’s time for your midweek health check: putting the spotlight on

🔗 Links
🏥🤝India sends a field hospital in response to Venezuela earthquakes
Indian Army field hospital begins operations in quake-hit Venezuela – Hindu 🔗 https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/venezuela-earthquake-indian-army-field-hospital-begins-operations/article71161012.ece
A disaster diplomacy perspective of acute public health events – Disasters 🔗 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/disa.12306

Please use this link to donate directly to the Cross Venezuela: Earthquakes 2026 appeal 🔗 https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ifrc/venezuela-earthquake/~my-donation

🌏✈️ Measles cases in Australia and Korea linked to outbreaks in South and South-East Asia.
Measles surges in Southeast Asia; Korea reports two-thirds imported cases - 🔗 https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-science/2026/04/23/H27PLWTEFRGCFGXH5PUOFQHLFY/
Measles cases rise in Australia as authorities monitor deadly outbreaks in South and South-East Asia - 🔗https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-27/measles-cases-rise-in-australia-as-authorities-monitor-outbreaks/106722836
Travelling epidemics: Human mobility patterns and their impact on the spread of epidemics – 🔗 https://www.mpg.de/4406928/Travelling_epidemics

Watch our resident nutrition expert discussing claims of ‘immune-boosting’ diets to prevent or cure measles as part of our series of In the Hot Seat interview series where we delve deeper into headlining heath news - 🔗 https://youtu.be/Esl2o1AnSGI

🌈🦋 This last week of Pride Month, we are celebrating 56 Dean Street and TransPlus
The Soho clinic spearheading LGBTQ+ health care - RCN Magazine🔗https://www.rcn.org.uk/magazines/People/2024/Feb/Sexual-health-services-for-the-LGBTQ-community
LGBT+ Pride Month - Chelsea and Westminster NHS Hospital 🔗 https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/about-us/organisation/our-way-of-working/equality-diversity/lgbtq-pride-month
56 Dean Street 🔗https://www.dean.st/
TransPlus 🔗 https://www.wearetransplus.co.uk/

This week's content curated by: Rachel Barker, WHOCC Communications Officer 🔗 Rachel Barker | LinkedIn

💬 please leave a comment if you have any interesting recommendations or thoughts - we’d love to hear from you ❣