Health Unbounded

Today, I attended a training session about using digital tools to increase access to GP services. It was an insightful discussion, but one particular moment really stood out to me and got me thinking. A colleague shared their experience of working in NHS 111, where they used to book GP appointments and tell patients that their GP would call them back within 1–2 hours. However, now that they work in general practice, they’ve realised that this isn’t always the case. GP appointments are often triaged, sometimes by admin staff and the callback time depends on the urgency of the issue and how busy the service is that day. The reality is quite different from what they were previously telling patients. The trainer leading the session responded with a powerful point: relationships within the NHS matter more than we realise. If the person who shared this story had a connection with someone still working in NHS 111, they could pass on this insight. That way, NHS 111 staff would have the correc...

Global health interventions require vast financial resources, with ensuring universal access to mental health care alone projected to cost $16 trillion by 2030 (Patel et al., 2022). Funding for healthcare priorities such as universal health coverage, infectious disease prevention, and maternal and child health runs into hundreds of billions of dollars annually (WHO, 2023). Given these financial realities, some global health organisations often rely on funding from governments, pharmaceutical companies, and major global health foundations . Yet, discussions around funding often raise concerns about maintaining independence, ensuring transparency, and preventing external influence from shaping public health priorities . Some organisations, such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) , choose to operate through public donations, citing the need to maintain full control over their work (MSF, 2023). Others, such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund , work with government and priv...

Scientific breakthroughs have the power to change lives , not just for individuals in one country but for millions across the world. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a global health challenge , affecting one in every 3,500–5,000 male births worldwide . While it primarily weakens muscles, its impact on the heart is often the most life-threatening aspect . The Phase 2 FIGHT DMD trial has now delivered groundbreaking results, offering a potentially life-changing treatment for DMD related heart disease. Ifetroban, an oral medication developed by Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, could help slow down heart failure in DMD patients, particularly in low-resource settings where advanced cardiac care may be inaccessible. Here are 10 fascinating facts about this exciting breakthrough and what it could mean for global health. 10 Fascinating Facts About the FIGHT DMD Trial 1. DMD Isn’t Just About Muscles DMD is a genetic disorder that occurs in all regions of the world, with higher detection rates i...

On 20th January, President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), a decision that sparked widespread concern among health experts. As a major funder of WHO, the USA’s departure has far-reaching consequences both domestically and globally, reshaping public health policies, research collaborations, and global health security. The Domestic Fallout: A Step Back for Public Health? Severing ties with WHO weakens US public health preparedness, limiting access to global disease surveillance, technical guidance, and best practices. This could hinder responses to outbreaks, disrupt healthcare policy alignment, and reduce cooperation in non-communicable disease management and emergency preparedness. Funding for research and vaccine development may also suffer, as WHO plays a crucial role in global health initiatives. US institutions risk losing international partnerships that drive progress in infectious disease treatment and antibioti...