The number of diagnosed cancer cases will more than double between 2000 and 2030, primarily in poor countries, A United Nations research agency said today.

The 192-nation World Health Assembly today agreed to speed up preparations for a possible bird flu pandemic by allowing the UN health agency and member countries to establish a global warning system a year early.

Dr Lee Jong-wook, head of the World Health Organisation, has died after emergency surgery for a blood clot in his brain over the weekend, officials in Geneva said today.

Ageism in Ireland’s health and social services is a reality, a report said today.

RICH nations must massively increase the money and expertise they give to poor countries if they are to stand any chance of tackling the HIV/AIDS crisis, the World Health Organisation said yesterday.

GOVERNMENTS worldwide must do more to work together in the fight against SARS, the head of the UN health agency said yesterday, as delegates gathered for the WHO's annual meeting, wearing badges to show they have been screened for the virus.

A COALITION of Irish anti-tobacco agencies yesterday accused Germany of siding with the tobacco industry to obstruct an international agreement on smoking.

A little-known South Korean tuberculosis expert was today elected to head the United Nations health agency.

The head of the World Health Organisation, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, said today she had decided not to stand for a second term in office.