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This is a report on the impact of the 1900-1991 Gulf War on the Iraqi population. An estimated 205,000 Iraqis died in 1991, and an excess of 47,000 deaths among children under five were reported from January to August 1991. The consequences of armed conflicts are generally felt for decades, as the natural environment and essential infrastructure (including health services) are damaged or destroyed. Iraq's infrastructure was extensively damaged, and biological and chemical pollutants were widely dispersed. Sanctions, the Oil-for-Food Programme, and No-Fly Zones undermined recovery and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the war

This document explores the current understanding of mainstreaming, and examples of relevant experience. It provides a set of basic principles designed to enable those working at the different levels and aspects of HIV/AIDS policy and practice to begin using mainstreaming processes to expand and accelerate responses to HIV/AIDS

This information for this report was derived from a survey intended to get a sense of what a health-focused audience felt were the issues in relation to the promotion of ICT. The initiative for the survey stemmed from Action Point 7 of the G8's Digital Opportunity Task Force (DOT Force). Surveys were distributed by email and resulted in 37 (of 120) responses, the majority of which came from African organisations. The most important finding was that respondents believed in the necessity of focusing on the information needs of, and the communication channels among, individuals before considering the the supporting technology. Human processes were stressed as more important, and ICTs initiatives should support those processes

The article describes the 'Electronic TB Register', a user-friendly, Epi-Info based software programme based on the WHO/IUATLD format of recording and reporting. Individual records from the TB registry are entered in a program that provides interactive support. Factors critical for success include a functioning, paper-based system, involvement of staff from the TB programme, health information systems, and health facilities, ongoing training, and backup support

This report highlights the achievements of the Vaccines and Biologicals Department of the World Health Organization (WHO). In particular it highlights the formation of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, the drop in the number of polio cases, the lack of progress in the research and development field, and the lack of access that over 37 million children still have to immunization services. In the light of these findings it lists where its efforts will focused in the future. These include facilitating and coordinating research and development activities on vaccines against diseases of poverty; strengthening routine immunization services and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance; identifying and implementing long-term financial sustainability mechanisms; certifying the world as polio-free and addressing post-eradication technical challenges;and accelerating efforts to control diseases and reduce vaccine-preventable mortality through supplemental immunicsation activities

A systematic review of the effect of consumer use of online health information on decision-making, attitudes, knowledge, satisfaction and health outcomes and ulilisation. Ten comparative case studies are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Internet: all studies showed some positive effects on health outcomes, although the methodological quality of many studies was poor. The study was not specific to developing country or resource-poor context