World Health Organization Western Pacific Region

This year’s agenda is bold:

🌍 A brand-new climate change & health strategy
🍺 Alcohol control policies and framework
🔐 Key amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR)
🦷 Strengthening oral health systems

Seventy-sixth session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, 20-24 October 2025, Nadi, Fiji

#Fiji is the place to watch. #RCM76 lands there this October!
From 20 to 24 October 2025, health leaders from across Asia and the Pacific will converge in Nadi to tackle challenges that touch 2.3 billion people across 38 countries.

When you stop smoking after one year, the risk of coronary disease is half that of a smoker’s. Between 5 to 15 years, stroke risk is reduced to that the non-smoker. After 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is that of someone who never smoked.

What happens when you stop smoking?

#CommitToQuit

Breast cancer warning signs and symptoms Nipple changes Bloody discharge Lump in breast or armpits Change in breast colour Breast or nipple pain

Be aware of common breast cancer symptoms.

Early diagnosis of #BreastCancer generally increases the chances of successful treatment.

October is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth.

Addressing megatrends of population ageing and NCDs: WHO launches new partnership with Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture As population ageing accelerates across much of Asia and the Pacific, pushing higher the incidence and impact of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), the Government of Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan and the...

Learn more about this partnership 👇

#InternationalDayOfOlderPersons

www.who.int/westernpacif...

WHO Regional Director Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Yuji Kuroiwa, Dr Yoichiro Matsumoto, President of the Global Strategic Centre for ME-BYO, WHO staff and partners at the signing ceremony formalizing plans to address noncommunicable diseases linked to ageing.

Big news for #HealthyAgeing in the Western Pacific!

WHO & Kanagawa Prefecture 🇯🇵 are teaming up to tackle noncommunicable diseases & mental health
challenges linked to ageing.

Together, we're working toward the promise of #SDG3 - the highest attainable standard of #HealthForAll, regardless of age.

Text that says common symptoms of a heart attack and stroke. Heart attack, pain or discomfort in the centre of the chest, pain or discomfort in the arms, left shoulder, elbows, jaw or back, shortness of breath, vomiting, feeling light-headed or faint, breaking into a cold sweat, becoming pale. Stroke. Weakness/numbness of the face, arm, leg or one side of the body, severe headache with no known cause, fainting or unconsciousness, difficulty in seeing with one or both eyes, confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance and coordination. People experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care immediately.

Know the common symptoms of a heart attack and stroke.

⚠️ If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical care immediately.

#WorldHeartDay

But healthy habits for a healthy heart can't take leave days! Love your ❤ this #WorldHeartDay and every day:

🍽️ Eat a healthy, low-salt diet
🚭 Quit tobacco
💪 #BeActive
💤 Have quality sleep & reduce stress
💊 Take your prescribed medication regularly if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.

Drawing of a heart-shaped smiling face in pink and purple colours, with text that says take good care of your heart. Happy World Heart Day!

Our graphic designer is on leave, so we asked the social media manager's kid to make a design for us. 😊

#WorldHeartDay

Rabies WHO fact sheet on rabies, providing key facts and information on symptoms, diagnosis, transmission, post-exposure prophylaxis, local treatment, prevention, WHO response

Learn more about #rabies 👇

www.who.int/news-room/fa...

How does rabies spread: Rabies spreads via saliva, usually through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucosa, such as eyes, mouth, or open wounds.

Avoid being bitten to prevent rabies: Avoid unfamiliar dogs, including street dogs. Stay still like a tree if near a suspected rabid dog. Don't shout or kick.

Reduce your risk of rabies. What to do if bitten by a dog: Don’t pull away from the dog. Hold still. Wash all wounds with soap and running water for 15 mins. Use an antiseptic, if available. Seek medical care immediately, and get vaccinated if advised. A delay can be deadly.

Protect your animal and community from rabies: Vaccinate your pets against rabies. Report suspected rabid dogs or other animals. Support mass dog vaccination of free-roaming dogs.

By working together through the #OneHealth approach connecting human, animal and environmental health, we can #EndRabiesNow together.

Learn how to protect yourself, your loved ones, your community and your pets. 👇

Illustrations of a dog and a syringe with text that says did you know? Rabies is a viral disease that is fatal once symptoms appear, but 100% preventable if you seek immediate treatment after a bite or scratch.

It's #WorldRabiesDay.

Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it’s 100% preventable with immediate treatment after a bite or scratch.

#EndRabiesNow

WHO statement on autism-related issues Follow @WHO for the latest updates

WHO statement on autism-related issues

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that there is currently no conclusive scientific evidence confirming a possible link between #autism and use of acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) during pregnancy

Full statement bit.ly/47YsgwI

A quote from WHO's Dr Bernadette Abela-Ridder that says did you know? Rabies is 100% preventable, and yet every year, thousands of people - mostly children - needlessly die.

Did you know? #Rabies is preventable, yet every year thousands of people - mostly children - needlessly die.

Over 99% of human rabies cases are caused by dog bites. The solution is simple: Vaccinate at least 70% of dogs in a community to eliminate rabies. #EndRabiesNow

These significant achievements mark meaningful progress in protecting children and communities across the Region from these preventable diseases.

#VaccinesWork

Two young girls of Pacific descent hold up their vaccine cards to the camera

WHO announced today that 21 Pacific island countries and areas that are part of the Western Pacific Region have collectively been verified as having eliminated #measles and #rubella.

#Japan too has achieved rubella elimination after it succeeded in eliminating measles.

🔗 bit.ly/482FpVt

Read of newest edition of WPSAR Below the text is the logo of the Western Pacific Surveillance and Response journal

Read the article, "The gendered impact of COVID-19 in the Philippines: a call for gender-responsive public health policies" in this issue of the Western Pacific Surveillance and Response journal:
ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.ph...

#WPSAR #GenderEquality

Illustration of a woman with dark hair, glasses and Asian features. The heading below reads: How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact women in the Philippines?

An icon of a virus As in many countries, in the Philippines, women largely bore the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis: from caregiving to maternal health to unemployment.

For women around the world, the #COVID-19 pandemic deepened existing inequalities. Women in the #Philippines, especially those working in health care and informal sectors, faced greater economic hardship & an increase in caregiver burden, in addition to reduced access to essential health services.

Get your copy of the latest global report on hypertension: www.who.int/publications...

An infographic from the World Health Organization (WHO) illustrating that 7 in 10 people living with hypertension do not have it under control. The image shows ten stylized figures, seven of which are black with red hearts and heartbeat lines, indicating uncontrolled hypertension. The remaining three figures are red with pink hearts, representing those who have their hypertension under control. Below the figures is a message in bold text: "7 in 10 people living with hypertension do not have it under control." At the bottom, there is a red banner urging viewers to "Get your blood pressure checked today."

1.4 billion people live with #hypertension or uncontrolled high blood pressure, says new @who.int report.

Hypertension is the number one risk factor for:
💓Heart attack
⚡Stroke

and can lead to chronic kidney disease and dementia.

Get your blood pressure checked today!

Learn more about the new vision for the prevention and control of NCDS: bit.ly/UNGAHLM4 #BeatNCDs #UNGA

One way to reduce your risk of developing noncommunicable diseases such as #hypertension, stroke and heart disease is to watch your intake of saturated fats & trans-fats.

Here are some easy-to-follow nutrition tips that can set you on your way to a healthier life.

#BeatNCDs

A cigarette pack with a photo of a cancerous tongue This warning is hard to look at, but its saving lives

Graphic health warnings, meeting the highest international standards, now cover 110 countries, protecting 62% of the global population.

Saving lives without uttering a word.

#TobaccoExposed #NoTobacco

17 million people die annually due to noncommunicable diseases. This is the highest number of untimely deaths. Icons with disease names: cancer, heart diseases and stroke, diabetes, mental health conditions, lung diseases.

Noncommunicable diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease result in the highest number of untimely deaths and suffering.

Learn more about the new vision for the prevention and control of NCDS: bit.ly/UNGAHLM4 #BeatNCDs #UNGA

Every 2 seconds someone under the age of 70 dies of a noncommunicable disease

⏱️Every two seconds, a person under the age of 70 dies from a noncommunicable disease (NCD) such as heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, or diabetes.

Did you know? Almost 9 in 10 of those deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries.

#BeatNCDs #UNGA

World Patient Safety Day 2025 Theme: Safe care for every newborn and every childRooted in a key principle of medicine – “First, do no harm” – World Patient Safety Day aims to increase public awareness and engagement, enhance globa...

You know your child best. Speak up for them if something feels wrong.

Let’s work together – families and healthcare providers - to keep newborns and children safe.

#PatientSafety
www.who.int/westernpacif...

Informational poster by the World Health Organization titled 'Keeping care safe for your child: Tips for families.' The design includes a central illustration of a person holding a child inside a heart with a flower. Four colorful boxes present tips: tracking symptoms, medication, and appointments; staying informed about medical conditions; asking questions when unsure; and speaking up when something feels wrong. Each tip is paired with relevant icons like pills, a stethoscope, and handwashing.

How can you keep your child safe – including when they’re getting healthcare?

Parents and caregivers are:

📣#1 Advocates
📂Record-keepers
👂🏼Advisers

Photo of a man in a gray suit and silver tie against a background with stickers and bright colored boxes. There is a quote box with the text "It takes a village to keep our children safe. That village needs teamwork: with strong health systems and well-informed health workers and families that help make the best decisions for the tiniest patients"

We cannot fail the little ones.

Newborns and children can sometimes be severely impacted by unsafe healthcare, and they can carry this impact for the rest of their lives.

#WorldPatientSafetyDay

World Patient Safety Day 2025 Theme: Safe care for every newborn and every childRooted in a key principle of medicine – “First, do no harm” – World Patient Safety Day aims to increase public awareness and engagement, enhance globa...

Learn more about safe care for every newborn and every child: www.who.int/westernpacif...

"WHO infographic highlighting the importance of safe health care for children. It includes five key messages in colorful boxes: children face higher risks, need age-appropriate care, can't speak up for themselves, and require teamwork between families and health workers. Illustrated with icons of children, a heart-shaped shield, handwashing, listening, and caregiving. WHO logo at the bottom left."

Children aren’t small adults.

They need individualized care:

✔️ For their age
✔️For their weight
✔️For their development

Small errors can cause lifelong harm.

Keeping our newborns safe takes teamwork – within families, communities and the health sector!