Publications

Throughout Asia and the Pacific resources dedicated to transgender issues are extremely limited and very few are directly in the hands of transgender communities.The Asia Pacific Transgender Network mapping exercise is a crucial initiative. It contributes to progress in transgender welfare in Asia and the Pacific and to fostering stronger links across the region. In this first attempt to map out transgender organizations, the report reflects the diverse range of amazing work being done with limited – or even no – funding. It shows the deep commitment and dedication of the transgender community across the region, whether in the area of HIV and health or in broader rights issues such as legal gender recognition, and legal protection from discrimination.

This study focused on factors to condom use, HIV testing, and access to services among males who have sex with men (MSM) as a key affected population. To supplement the quantitative data derived from MSM respondents of the 2013 IHBSS, this study analyzed qualitative data derived from in-depth interviews with 105 MSM participants from the 21 cities of the 2013 IHBSS. The present study looked at condom use as the primary HIV prevention strategy among MSM and HIV testing as the primary link to HIV care and treatment among MSM. The objective of the present study was to understand the drivers and barriers to condom use among MSM and the drivers and barriers to HIV testing among MSM. 

In this report we review global progress made towards those 10 targets in advance of the critical milestone of the 2016 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS and in the context of the target of ending AIDS by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. This is an important opportunity to reflect on progress, but also to identify where gaps remain and to take action to ensure that no one is being left behind by the global AIDS response. The UNAIDS 2016–2021 Strategy aims to harness the momentum we have achieved to date. If we do not Fast-Track our efforts the number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths will rebound. Investment in AIDS must not falter; in fact, in the short-term it needs to increase. Front-loading investment now will ultimately lead to greater impact and long-term cost-saving.

This report provides an overview of the status of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) implementation and coverage on a global level, drawing on specific information about the status of CSE in 48 countries, generated through analysis of existing resources and studies. Best practice in terms of providing CSE continues to develop. The current report examines the evidence base for CSE and, through a series of case studies from every region, explores initiatives that are setting the standard and pioneering new practices in the delivery of CSE. It represents the first in a series of periodic reports that aims to monitor the global implementation of CSE. Comprehensive life skills-based sexuality education helps young people to gain the knowledge and skills to make conscious, healthy and respectful choices about relationships and sexuality.

This publication primarily intends to highlight the activities and healthcare situation in Bangladesh during 2014 but, based on availability, 2015 data are also included in some cases. 2015 is a year of great significance in terms of newer public health visions, both for Bangladesh and other Member States of the United Nations. The UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will conclude this December, and we will have to confront the challenges of the newly-set Sustainable Development Goals, abbreviated as SDGs. Health Bulletin 2015 makes specific mention of this transition, in relevant chapters. Our experiences with the MDGs will guide us in our pursuit of addressing the new challenges in the coming SDGs.

The year 2013 was a year of great achievement in regards to scaling up programs, strengthening and advocating for more support in certain areas of Family Health. The year was strengthened for the Unit with the edge of Monitoring and Evaluation added to the Unit as a strong pillar which added to the Unit a proper planning process. There were lessons learnt in 2013 that would help improve 2014, some of these include proper planning with partners for implementation of programs though an important component for the whole unit was to secure staffing for the various programs under Family Health to ensure smooth roll out and closer follow up by project officers, such as Child health and Reproductive Health. Family Health is committed to make a difference in the areas of Family Health for the people of Fiji.

Member States in the WHO Western Pacific Region made significant gains over the past year in improving health outcomes and strengthening health systems. Communicable disease morbidity and mortality continued to decline, and noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors were more effectively addressed. Real progress occurred in the move towards universal health coverage, and the Region is now better equipped to handle threats posed by emerging infectious diseases, emergencies and disasters. WHO reforms continued to focus on tailoring support to the specific needs and priorities of the 37 countries and areas that make up the Western Pacific Region. Often that meant going beyond traditional global and regional approaches to develop more localized initiatives.  WHO’s work, however, is far from complete. More needs to be done in fighting difficult diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, as well as neglected tropical diseases. We must strengthen preparedness and better mitigate the risks associated with emergencies and disasters. Recent challenges, including the health impacts of climate change, also must be addressed if we are to achieve even better health outcomes. This brief summary of achievements and challenges serves as an introduction to the work of WHO in the Western Pacific Region for the year that ended on 30 June 2015. 

The Sydney Gay Community Periodic Survey is a cross-sectional survey of gay and homosexually active men recruited at a range of gay community sites in Sydney. Since 1996, the project has been funded by the NSW Ministry of Health and supported by ACON and Positive Life NSW. The major aim of the survey is to provide data on sexual, drug use and testing practices related to the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) among gay men in Sydney. The data presented in this report are from the period 2011 to 2015.

The health information that are published includes data relating to the health status of the nation and are vital in supporting evidence based policy making and planning of health care services in the country. Some of these information also presents key indicators for the national health strategies as well as part of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. The health data produced also aligns with WHO health statistics – indicator compendium.

This edition of Women, Business and the Law highlights the World Bank Group’s commitment to generating objective data and building knowledge about gender equality. The report draws on readily comparable data across seven indicators: accessing institutions, using property, getting a job, providing incentives to work, building credit, going to court and protecting women from violence. It expands data coverage to 30 more economies than the previous edition in order to enhance global understanding of laws that affect women’s economic opportunities. The data reveal the magnitude of the challenge that the world still faces in the quest for gender equality. It seems clear from the evidence that while governments are working progressively to provide equality of opportunity for women, there are still laws that differentiate between women and men in ways that affect women’s economic prospects: of the 173 economies covered, 155 have at least one law that differentiates between women and men. These inequalities impede development, hinder prosperity and undermine national competitiveness.