The 61st World Health Assembly sets new work for WHO.

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The 61st World Health Assembly--meeting in May and comprising a record 2704 participants from 190 nations--has advised new stratgeies to tackle threats to global public health.

Delegates to the Health Assembly directly confronted major public health challenges which are now results of complex interactions of factors beyond health. The President of the Assembly, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who is the Minister of Health of Guyana, said, "Child and maternal health, and the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases rely on the supply chain and commodities. We are now closer to having an increased flow of quality health commodities that will lead to better health."

Among other new emphases, delegates requested WHO to intensify its work to curb harmful use of alcohol, which is the fifth leading risk factor for death and disability in the world. The work on the...