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West Africa to target human and animal health together to fight Ebola and Zika
West African leaders have agreed a new approach to infectious diseases in an attempt to avert any repetition of the disastrous Ebola outbreak. Human, animal and environmental health will all be considered together, and countries in the region will work collaboratively to catch outbreaks of diseases including avian flu, Zika and Ebola in their early stages.
- Categories
- Environment, Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Reinventing Water For Millennials: Soma’s Michael Del Ponte
In 2013, Michael Del Ponte, 34, launched Soma, a San Francisco-based company that produces a water filter designed to compete with Brita. Soma’s signature product is a glass container shaped like a wine carafe, with a filter that tucks into the top half of the vessel. Del Ponte set up the company as a social enterprise. He donates 1% of his revenue to an international clean water non-profit, charity: water, and in 2014 he incorporated as a B Corporation, which means he goes through a rigorous monitoring process that holds him to commitments like treating employees well, opening up corporate governance, relying on manufacturers with high labor standards, and minimizing Soma’s impact on the environment. He says that his millennial customers embrace Soma’s values and he has persuaded investors, including angels and venture capitalists, to invest $9.5 million in the business. Soma pitchers range in price from $29 to $49 and sell at Target; Bed, Bath & Beyond; Bloomingdales; Nordstrom; as well as in small specialty retailers and on Soma’s site. Estimated revenue for 2016: $10 million. In this interview, which has been edited and condensed, he explains how a commitment to giving back has helped build the brand.
- Categories
- Health Care
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Self-Injection of Contraception is Feasible, Acceptable in Uganda
Self-injection of the contraceptive Sayana® Press is both feasible and highly acceptable among women participating in the first such research study conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, according to results published online by the journal Contraception.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Bill Gates keen to partner India on e-health, e-payment through his Foundation
Bill Gates, co-founder of American technology giant Microsoft is keen to partner with the Indian government for technology driven social projects such as e-health, e-agriculture and e-payment. Gates, who met union minister for communications and IT, Ravi Shankar Prasad in the capital on Thursday has also also evinced interest in partnering with start-ups that can provide these services to the bottom of the pyramid.
- Categories
- Health Care, Technology
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The Business of Malaria
Despite recent progress, the Democratic Republic of Congo remains the second most malaria-affected country in the world, with upwards of 10 million cases reported each year. Population Services International (PSI) and its partner network member Association de Santé Familiale (ASF) want to ensure that all Congolese have access to better diagnostics and care by creating a thriving business for treating malaria.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- public health
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A Souvenir Smuggled Home From Cuba: A Cancer Vaccine
Zuby Malik is an unlikely candidate to violate international law. A 78-year-old mother of four with a crown of silver hair, she is a retired obstetrician-gynecologist with a penchant for order.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Latin America
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New, rapid diagnostic test for malaria wins $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant
An interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers at Vanderbilt University headed by Stevenson Professor of Chemistry David Wright has designed a new kind of rapid diagnostic test for malaria that has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant which is designed to support innovative global health and development research projects.
- Categories
- Health Care
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With ‘Silicon Valley’ model, UNICEF invests in tech start-ups working to improve children’s lives
Using a venture capital approach – investing in companies with short track records but long-term growth possibilities – the United Nations Children’s Fund announced today the first five emerging market start-ups to which it will provide seed money to source solutions for issues like transportation, wearable technology, finance, and personal data.
- Categories
- Health Care, Investing
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