💗 Breast cancer can affect anyone, but certain factors increase risk. *Who is most at risk?* 👩🏻 Women account for 99% of cases, and risk increases with age, especially over 40. 📈 Factors such as obesity, alcohol use, tobacco, radiation exposure, reproductive history and hormone therapy can increase risk. 🧬 Certain inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2, also raise risk. *Good news is that breast cancer is highly curable, with:* ✅ Early diagnosis: recognizing symptoms, seeking timely medical advice, and ensuring prompt evaluation and treatment. ✅ Screening: using mammography in healthy women aged 50–69 to detect cancer before symptoms appear. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a moment to check your breasts. Learn how to do breast self examination ➡️ bit.ly/3YoHQMM

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that mainly affects children under 5 years old. It invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. *Symptoms and risk:* 🦠 Polio spreads person-to-person, mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less often, by contaminated water or food. 🤒 Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, and limb pain. 🧑‍🦽 1 in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis, and up to 10% of those affected die when their breathing muscles fail. 💔 Anyone unvaccinated remains at risk. *Key facts:* 🔹 There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented through vaccination. 🔹 As long as one child remains infected, children everywhere are at risk. 🔹 Thanks to global vaccination efforts, wild poliovirus cases have dropped by over 99% since 1988. 💪 A polio-free world means no child will face lifelong paralysis again. Learn more about polio ➡️ bit.ly/3J5vsfZ

🦠 Did you know there's a tapeworm called Taenia solium that can cause serious health problems? 🚨 While the worm itself lives harmlessly in your gut, if eggs from contaminated food or poor hygiene enter your body, they can travel to your brain and cause seizures or epilepsy — a condition called neurocysticercosis. 🌍 This disease affects millions worldwide—estimates suggest 2.5 to 8 million people suffer from it, and it’s preventable! *The main ways to stay safe?* ✅ Wash your hands thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom. ✅ Wash vegetables and cook pork thoroughly. ✅ Avoid using untreated human manure in farming. ✅ Educate yourself and others about transmission. 🐷 Breaking the cycle also involves vaccinating pigs and improving farming practices—part of a “One Health” approach that protects humans, animals, and the environment. 💪 Stay safe, practice good hygiene, and always follow the science. Watch the latest Science in 5 video ➡️ https://bit.ly/4oDbgB2

🤒 You can’t see it, taste it, or smell it, but lead exposure is silently harming millions of people every year. ⚠️ Lead poisoning is a preventable global health issue that affects people of all ages and causes serious, lifelong health problems. *Key facts:* 📊 In 2021, lead exposure caused 1.5 million deaths worldwide. 👶🏽 Half of the disease burden falls on children under 5. ⚠️ There is no safe level of lead exposure. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause permanent damage. 🏠 Major sources include: inhalation of lead particles generated by burning materials containing lead, lead-based paint, contaminated soil and water, and unsafe battery recycling. Together, we can raise awareness, prevent exposure, and build a world free from lead poisoning. Learn more about lead exposure ➡️ bit.ly/43eLbjv

🤕 Did you know that headaches are one of the most common brain disorders? Globally, over 3 billion people suffer from recurring headaches like: 🔹 Migraines 🔹 Tension headaches 🔹 Cluster headaches These can disrupt work, school, and daily life, causing missed activities and emotional stress. ⚠️ Many people remain undiagnosed or untreated because headaches are often misunderstood or seen as minor. 💡 But proper treatment—like medication, lifestyle changes, and understanding triggers—can make a big difference. *Simple steps can help manage symptoms:* 🚰 Staying hydrated 😴 Maintaining a regular sleep schedule 🚫 Avoiding alcohol 📖 Using a headache diary WHO is working to improve awareness, diagnosis, and access to effective care worldwide. 💙🧠 If you or someone you know suffers from frequent headaches, seek help—relief is possible, and no one should suffer in silence. Learn more about headache disorders ➡️ https://bit.ly/482yScM

🧠Did you know? Over 40% of the world’s population—more than 3 billion people—live with neurological disorders like: 🔹 Stroke 🔹 Migraines 🔹 Dementia 🔹 Epilepsy 🌎 Yet, less than 1 in 3 countries has a national plan to address this growing issue. 🚨 Many low-income countries have 80 times fewer neurologists than wealthier nations, making diagnosis and care difficult for millions. ⚠️ Weak health systems, lack of funding, and stigma mean essential services like stroke units and rehabilitation are often unavailable, especially in rural areas. *WHO urges governments to prioritize brain health by investing in:* 🔹 Public policies 🔹 Expanding access to care 🔹 Strengthening data systems 💪🏽 Together, we can work to reduce inequalities, improve quality of life, and protect our brain health at every stage of life. Let’s act now! Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/474iqsk

👨🏻 Men’s health often receives less targeted attention, despite consistently worse outcomes across many countries. ❤️‍🩹 Men face higher risks of premature death and disability from preventable diseases and injuries, many of which are avoidable. *Key concerns:* 🔹 Men are more likely to die early from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. 🔹 Men’s life expectancy is shorter than women’s in nearly every country. 🔹 Men have higher rates of smoking, unhealthy diets, alcohol use, injuries, and interpersonal violence. 🔹 Men visit doctors less often and report more unmet health-care needs. *Take charge of your health:* 🩺 Get regular check-ups, early detection saves lives. 🚭 Quit tobacco and limit alcohol use. 🏃 Stay active and maintain a balanced diet. 🧠 Talk about mental health and seek support when needed. Good health starts with small steps, take yours this month. Get more tips here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qKiHbt

🌆 On World Cities Day, WHO calls on leaders everywhere to make cities: 🔹 Healthier 🔹 Fairer 🔹 More sustainable 🌍 Over half the world lives in cities—this number is set to reach nearly 70% by 2050. *But many urban areas, especially slums, face serious health risks like:* 🏚️ Unsafe housing 🚱 Pollution 💦 Limited access to clean water 🌳 Limited access to green spaces WHO has launched a new guide to help decision-makers create urban environments that protect health and promote equity. 🏙️ It shows how working together across sectors—transport, environment, housing, and health—can build resilient, cleaner, and more livable cities. 💪🏽 The future of urban health depends on strategic action today—making cities places where everyone can thrive. Find out more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3JfcTpM

*World Health Summit 2025 | 12-14 October* 🌍 Health leaders from across the world are coming together in *Berlin and online* to discuss the biggest challenges shaping global health – from equitable access to care to digital innovation and stronger health systems. 💬 Don’t miss the chance to hear directly from global experts driving change in health policy and practice! 💻 Can’t be there in person? You can *join live-streamed sessions* and follow the discussions in real time. 🔗 *Explore the program:* www.worldhealthsummit.org/program ▶️ *Watch the event video:* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nrdi6pO_KU

🌴🩺 The climate crisis is a health crisis. 🚨 The 2025 Lancet Countdown report, in collaboration with WHO, shows that climate change is already costing millions of lives and straining health systems worldwide. 🌡️ Heat-related deaths increased 23% since the 1990s, with over 546,000 lives lost annually. 🔥 Droughts and wildfires are pushing millions into food insecurity, while economic losses from heat and disasters run into trillions of dollars. *But there’s hope!* Many communities and cities are leading the way with: 🔹 Cleaner energy 🔹 Sustainable diets 🔹 Climate-resilient health systems 🌱💚 Switching to renewable energy could save over 10 million lives each year. 📈 As COP30 approaches, we must accelerate climate action that centers on protecting health, reducing inequalities, and creating a sustainable future for all. *Every action counts—health and climate are deeply connected.* Find out more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3X5Klly