WiRED’s Foundational VALUES
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For nearly 30 years, WiRED’s volunteers have been providing health education to underserved communities around the world. In the coming months, we will reflect on a selection of our programs and activities
Category: Special Series
Preventing Rheumatic Heart Disease Is Urgent
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Rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Preventable and treatable if diagnosed in early stages of infection. If not, RHD is deadly. A recent 2024 Lancet article states that “rheumatic heart disease affects 40 million people globally”
Rheumatic Heart Disease, A Scourge of Marginalized Populations
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Although it is completely preventable, rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a dangerous, life-threatening illness, affects 40 million people worldwide, mainly children and adolescents. It occurs mostly in underserved
Asthma in the News
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Findings from a recent study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health associates indoor gas stoves used for cooking with an increased risk of current asthma among children. While many of the
Strep A and Scarlet Fever Outbreaks in Children
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My nine-year-old granddaughter — appropriately named Scarlett — has scarlet fever. Her sore throat led to an itchy body rash starting at her wrists and spreading under her arms and knees and over her chest.
Healthy Practices Benefit Pregnant Women
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An expectant mother’s health determines the health of her baby. In low-resource areas of the world, women receive too little information and scant professional attention about healthy practices during their pregnancies.
WiRED-Armenia’s Programs Continue to Grow
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Last month the WiRED–Armenia team conducted a training in Yerevan, Armenia, for members joining the program and establishing new health centers in their respective communities throughout the country.
November is National Diabetes Month
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November is National Diabetes Month — a time to learn about diabetes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 422 million adults have diabetes, and 1.6 million deaths are directly related to diabetes every year.
WiRED Marks Global Handwashing Day on October 15
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What is the first line of defense against almost all infectious diseases? Yes, that’s right — handwashing. Handwashing is key to the prevention of everything from the common cold to Ebola. Handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs (bacteria, parasites and viruses) to avoid getting sick and to prevent the spread of germs to other people.
The 2019-2020 Flu Season is Here
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Are you ready for flu season? The best way to prevent flu is by getting vaccinated each year. Influenza or flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by several viruses. Flu resembles the common cold because it infects the same organs (nose, throat, lungs) and has similar symptoms.