WHO | Week Ahead for media - 11 May 2026

No images? Click here Monday, 11 May 2026  | Issue 352   Subscribe to receive this weekly update   Catch-up vaccination campaign, Hamad clinic, South Gaza, 09 April 2026   © WHO Tuesday, 12 May   Launch of the second edition of the SHAKE the salt technical package Webinar, 14.00-15.15 CEST WHO will launch the second edition of its SHAKE the salt habit technical package during a global webinar, marking Salt Awareness Week 2026. The updated technical package highlights how current food environments continue to drive excessive salt consumption through processed and packaged foods, and introduces stronger government-led measures, including mandatory sodium reduction policies, guidance on managing conflicts of interest with the food industry, and new practical tools for implementation, enforcement and monitoring. Further information and registration: here.  Wednesday, 13 May  Launch of the World Health Statistics Report 2026 On Wednesday, 13 May, WHO will launch the World Health Statistics Report 2026, its flagship annual compilation of global health and health-related indicators.  The 2026 edition consolidates data for health-related indicators from the Sustainable Development Goals. It assesses progress towards the globally agreed targets, describes key challenges for the years ahead and includes reviews on global health topics such as COVID-19 pandemic-related excess mortality, life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, and strengthening mortality data as part of country civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. An embargoed press conference will be held on Wednesday, 13 May at 14.00 CEST / 12.00 GMT.  A media advisory with further information will be sent closer to the time. The report is offered for early access to journalists only from Monday, 11 May.  Please request by email to bracquemontm@who.int with a copy to mediainquiries@who.int.  ********** Strengthening surveillance of and response to foodborne disease outbreaks: launch of the updated WHO manuals WHO EPI-WIN webinar, 13.00-14.15 CEST This webinar will mark the launch of the updated WHO foodborne disease surveillance and response manuals, which provide countries with practical tools to strengthen these critical capacities.  Covering the full spectrum from early detection to integrated surveillance across the food chain, the manuals support national authorities in identifying signals sooner, verifying risks, and responding in a coordinated and timely way. The speakers will also highlight the manuals' relevance to emergency preparedness and response, and present country experience in using them to assess systems, identify gaps, and drive concrete improvements. Further information and registration: here. Thursday, 14 May Release of the WHO global report on nicotine pouches The first WHO global report on nicotine pouches, Exposing marketing tactics and strategies driving the growth of nicotine pouches, will be launched on Thursday, 14 May.  It warns that these rapidly expanding products are being aggressively marketed to adolescents and young people while regulation in many countries remains limited or absent.   The report will be released in the lead-up to World No Tobacco Day (31 May), which this year will focus on tobacco and nicotine addiction and the tactics used by industry to hook a new generation of users.  Journalists can expect analysis of emerging trends in the commercialization and promotion of nicotine pouches, the policy and regulatory gaps countries are facing, and WHO’s call for stronger action to protect public health and prevent nicotine addiction among younger generations.   A press conference will be held on Thursday, 14 May, details to follow in a media advisory.  The report is offered for early access to journalists only from Monday, 11 May.  Please request by email to guerraja@who.int with a copy to mediainquiries@who.int. Other WHO events of interest Global landscape of endometriosis policies and guidelines, 11 May Interactive multi-stakeholder hearing (part of the preparatory process for the High‑Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety), 12 May Understanding infertility in an era of fertility transition, 14 May World Hypertension Day 2026, 17 May Look ahead Walk the Talk Geneva 2026, 17 May Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly, 18 to 23 May   Latest news from WHO here WHO events here Sign up for our newsletters here WHO photos available for media use here WHO media contacts: mediainquiries@who.int You are receiving this NO-REPLY email because you are included on a WHO mail list. If you have been forwarded this update you can click here to subscribe. Do not reply to media@campaign.who.int as it is an unmonitored mailbox. Journalists may write to mediainquiries@who.int.         Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1202 Geneva 27, Switzerland  Unsubscribe