Brundtland urged action to curb infectious diseases, which account for about 45 percent of deaths in developing countries. AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are behind about half of those deaths, she said. AIDS is the biggest killer in Africa today, accounting for more deaths than the continent's endemic warfare or malaria. About 2 million Africans died of AIDS in 1999. We are seeing a change in perceptions.
Health is big news.
In October, WHO plans to start work on a tobacco treaty for its 190 member countries.