April 7: International Health Security is Theme of World Health Day 2007

Today is World Health Day. It marks the founding of the World Health Organization [WHO] and is an occasion to raise awareness of key global health issues. This year's theme is international health security. The aim of the day is to urge governments, organizations and businesses to "Invest in health, build a safer future."

WHO Document Is Informative Tool for Gobal Health Awareness Activities
"Invest in Health, Build a Safer Future" is a WHO background document that profiles international health security issues to guide discussions and stir debate. It is an informative tool for health awareness activities around the world.

Issues profiled include emerging and rapidly spreading diseases; environmental change; the ongoing danger of bioterrorism; sudden and intense humanitarian emergencies caused by natural disasters, chemical spills or radioactive accidents; and the impact of HIV/AIDS.

Emerging diseases, such as SARS and avian influenza, humanitarian emergencies, health risks from effects of climate change or environmental degradation, and other acute health threats can all be defined as public health emergencies.

International health security is the first line of defence against health shocks that can devastate people, societies and economies worldwide. Implementation of the International Health Regulations [IHR] from June 2007 will help to build and strengthen mechanisms for outbreak alert and response at national and international levels, and contribute to making the world more secure.

WHO expects that events highlighting international health security will be organized by government officials [including ministers of health], representatives of nongovernmental organizations, health care providers, educators, students, representatives of women's and children's organizations, the media, and members of the public.

Locally, regionally, nationally and globally, WHO aims to empower groups to spread the following messages regarding global health security:

Threats to health know no borders.
In a globalized world, emerging epidemics cross national borders and threaten our collective security. Threats to health and security are multiplying and moving faster than ever before.

Invest in health, build a safer future.
Every country must invest in health and build its capacity to prevent new and existing threats by strengthening public health systems. Only then can we build a safer future. Implementation of the International Health Regulations [IHR] from June 2007 will help to build and strengthen effective mechanisms for outbreak alert and response at national and international levels.

Health leads to security; insecurity leads to poor health.
HIV/AIDS is a powerful example of how interdependent health and security have become. HIV/AIDS threatens the stability of entire nations and regions. Unlike many other diseases, AIDS affects the most productive members of society. Protecting the health of people and the security of all those affected requires political commitment at the highest level and close collaboration between governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector.

Preparedness and quick response improve international health security.
Threats to health security are many and varied; they include sudden shocks to health and economies from emerging diseases, like SARS and avian influenza, humanitarian emergencies, bioterrorism and other acute health risks. Tackling the health effects of these threats involves working collectively to improve preparedness and to respond effectively when they occur. The shortage of safe drinking water and its impact on health and security after Hurricane Katrina, and the tsunami in Asia, clearly demonstrate the importance of advance preparation and the ability to respond quickly.

The World Health Organization is making the world more secure.
The security of all countries depends on the capacity of each to act effectively against health threats. WHO's response to severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS] and avian flu clearly demonstrated the power of coordination and the importance of international health security. International collaboration among developed and developing countries, and increased focus on information-sharing and the strengthening of public health systems and surveillance, are key to containing outbreaks of infectious diseases. The threats remain; we must continue to invest and build. WHO’s leadership is essential.

About WHO
The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health. It was established on April 7, 1948. WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in WHO's Constitution as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

WHO is governed by 193 Member States through the World Health Assembly. The Health Assembly is composed of representatives from WHO's Member States. The main tasks of the World Health Assembly are to approve the WHO programme and the budget for the following biennium and to decide major policy questions.

For more information, see "Working for Health: An Introduction to the World Health Organization."
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4GB and 8GB iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. Support the Global Fund to Fight HIV and AIDS in Africa.

Dec. 1 Marks World AIDS Day; (PRODUCT) RED Companies Continue the Global Fight Against AIDS

Twenty-five years have passed since the virus later identified as HIV was discovered, yet the number of people infected with HIV/AIDS has relentlessly increased. In Africa alone, 5,500 lives are lost daily and unnecessarily to the deadly disease.

As ProsperNOW reported in October ["Apple Announces iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition; Portion of Proceeds Contributed to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS in Africa," Oct. 16], several companies comprise the Bono- and Bobby Shriver-led (PRODUCT) RED initiative to raise awareness and funds in the global fight against AIDS: American Express [U.K. only], Apple, Converse, Gap, Emporio Armani, Motorola, MySpace.com [U.K. only] and MTV Networks. Each partner has developed special (PRODUCT) RED items, and donates a portion of sales or profits from those products to support Global Fund programs.

ProsperNOW is proud to partner with two (PRODUCT) RED companies: Apple, which donates $10 from each sale of its sleek 4GB and 8GB iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition models; and Converse, which donates 5% of the net wholesale price of its distinctive, red-eyelet (PRODUCT) RED shoes. [See product sample, above.]

[Cindy, a Converse staffer, recently informed ProsperNOW that the company's (PRODUCT) RED inventory sold out "quite quickly," and doesn't plan to restock until February 2007. Till then, customers have the "Design Your Own -- MAKE MINE RED" option at Converse.com; i.e., choose from several syles, colors, materials, etc., and include the special (RED) eyelets at the top.]

According to preliminary tracking numbers, total (PRODUCT) RED sales in the U.S. during the first six weeks since launch have raised enough money to:

* Provide more than 40,000 men or women with anti-retroviral treatment for a year;

OR

* Provide more than 2 million peer educators with HIV training;

OR

* Provide a year’s worth of school materials and daily hot meals for more than 86,000 children orphaned by AIDS;

OR

* Provide more than 1 million Rapid Tests, which detect HIV and deliver instant test results.

Looking for current information about AIDS? The Kaiser Family Foundation has a wealth of fact sheets about HIV/AIDS -- on both the global and U.S. fronts.

To keep informed about (PRODUCT) RED developments, click here.

Also, tune into a special one-hour program this evening [Friday, Dec. 1]. Ashley Judd and Salma Hayek have teamed to create a documentary, "Ashley Judd and YouthAIDS: Confronting the Pandemic," which premieres at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST on TLC.

Apple Announces iPod nano [PRODUCT] RED Special Edition; Portion of Proceeds Given to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS in Africa

Editor's note: As promised since our humble beginnings, ProsperNow is about creating wealth and abundance in myriad forms -- yes, including philanthropy. On occasion, we're going to shamelessly feature socially responsible ProsperNow Mall merchant partners who give back...

Apple® just announced the iPod® nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. (RED) was created by U2 lead singer Bono and Bobby Shriver to engage business in the fight against AIDS in Africa by getting the world’s most iconic companies to make uniquely branded products. A portion of the profits from these products goes directly to the Global Fund to fund programs for women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED comes in a beautiful red aluminum enclosure and features 24 hours of battery life; Apple’s innovative Click Wheel; and an incredibly thin and light design. Apple will contribute $10 from the sale of each iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Apple will also offer a $25 iTunes® (PRODUCT) RED gift card, available for purchase at Apple’s retail and online stores next month.

“We’re ecstatic that Apple is giving their customers the choice to buy a red iPod nano, and help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa,” said Bono, co-founder of (RED). “It's wonderful to see this incredible level of commitment from companies that are willing to lend their creativity in the fight against AIDS in Africa -- the greatest health crisis in 600 years.” Other (PRODUCT) RED partners include American Express, Converse, Emporio Armani, Gap and Motorola.

“Now, customers can buy the best music player in the world and do something to help the world at the same time,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re honored to work with Bono, (RED) and this team to contribute to an incredibly important initiative and help change the way people think about AIDS in Africa.”

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was established in 2002, with the support of the world’s leaders and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, to dramatically increase resources to fight three of the world’s most devastating diseases, and to direct those resources to areas of greatest need by supporting locally-driven strategies. To date, the Global Fund has committed $5.2 billion [US] to more than 363 programs in 131 countries. For more information about (RED) please visit www.joinred.com.

Pricing & Availability

The iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition is available worldwide in a 4GB model for $199 [US] through Apple’s retail stores and the Apple Store® [www.apple.com]. All iPod nano models include redesigned earbud headphones providing superior comfort, fit and sound quality, and a USB 2.0 cable. The second-generation iPod nano features up to 24 hours of battery life and completely skip-free playback. The iTunes (PRODUCT) RED gift card will be available through Apple’s retail stores and the Apple Store [www.apple.com] next month for $25 [US].

iPod nano requires a Mac® with a USB 2.0 port and Mac OS® X version 10.3.9 or later and iTunes 7.0 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000 [Service Pack 4], Windows XP Home or Professional [Service Pack 2] and iTunes 7.0 or later. Internet access is required and a broadband connection is recommended.

Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; actual capacity varies by content. Photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos transferred from iTunes.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.

4GB iPod nano RED Special Edition. Just $199, only at the Apple Store.