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It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you’re hearing about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) right now. It’s also understandable if your children are feeling anxious, too. Children might find it difficult to understand what they are seeing online or on TV – or hearing from other people – so they can be particularly vulnerable to feelings of anxiety, stress and sadness. recommends open and supportive conversations with your children to help them understand, cope and help others.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, is committed to working with countries and communities across the world. In China, UNDP is working with relevant authorities to provide emergency support and assist in the procurement of critical medical supplies. In the spirit of solidarity, UNDP launches ‘’ in more than 40 languages and dialects, for everyone to share reliable information from the to properly protect themselves and others.

Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with Down syndrome. In December 2011, the as World Down Syndrome Day. This year's theme, "We Decide," emphasizes that all people with Down syndrome should have full participation in decision making about matters relating to, or affecting, their lives. Effective and meaningful participation is a core human rights principle supported by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The United Nations is actively addressing the global COVID-19 outbreak on several fronts - from situation reports and technical guidelines, through funding and partnerships, to advice for the public. Our new portal brings together information from the United Nations and the World Health Organization, as well as other UN agencies. Get the latest news and answers to your questions. Be sure to visit regularly to get your facts from reliable sources. The portal also has dedicated sections for UN personnel and delegations.

“We must declare war on this virus,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his comments on the global response to the spread of the COVID-19, calling on governments to cooperate in order to “ensure targeted support for the people and communities most affected by the disease.” The United Nations is  on several fronts - from situation reports and technical guidelines, through funding and partnerships, to advice for the public. You can find  (WHO) and the United Nations. 

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused unprecedented disruption in many areas of our lives, and that’s true of a key UN forum as well: the .

Childhood obesity is a complex public health issue – caused by many factors, it intersects significantly with socioeconomic status. As obesity can establish behaviours at a young and vulnerable age, countries have a duty to protect children from a phenomenon that can become a health burden for the rest of their lives. On World Obesity Day, 4 March, highlights the success Portugal has had in tackling childhood obesity – one of the main health challenges in the WHO European Region – with their sugary drinks tax. Taxation is often an effective way of nudging behaviour change and is far more successful than targeting or shaming individuals.

UNICEF answers your questions on how to protect yourself and your children. Find out the answers to these and more:

• How does the COVID-19 virus spread?
• What are the symptoms?
• How can I avoid the risk of infection?

No single country is adequately protecting children’s health, their environment and their futures, finds a released today by a Commission of over 40 child and adolescent health experts from around the world. The Commission was convened by the World Health Organization (), and The Lancet. The report, A Future for the World’s Children?, finds that the health and future of every child and adolescent worldwide is under immediate threat from ecological degradation, climate change and exploitative marketing practices that push heavily processed fast food, sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco at children. 

The is the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the . It was adopted by the World Health Assembly on 21 May 2003 and entered into force on 27 February 2005. It has since become one of the most rapidly and widely embraced treaties in United Nations history. The Convention was developed in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic and is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health. The Convention represents a milestone for the promotion of public health and provides new legal dimensions for international health cooperation.

As , also known as coronavirus, continues to spread, the World Health Organization is addressing some misconceptions and misinformation surrounding the contagious disease, which first appeared in December 2019, in the Chinese city of Wuhan.  Here are some of the questions answered: 

• Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus? 
• Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus? 
• How effective are thermal scanners in detecting people infected with the new coronavirus?

Inform yourself and spread the word!

Sweden is hosting the on 19–20 February 2020. The theme of the conference is Achieving Global Goals 2030. The event is co-sponsored by the , and ministers from more than 80 countries are attending. Representatives of industry,  research and international organizations are also participating. The Conference is an opportunity for delegates to share successes and lessons from the and to chart future strategic directions for global road safety.

Despite increases in life expectancy, the rise in chronic and non-communicable diseases has become a global threat. Every year across the globe, 15 million people die before age 70 from these diseases, which include cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes and obesity. Obesity is one of the known risk factors for non-communicable diseases and a disease in itself. A new report “” sheds light on the growing obesity epidemic and its negative impacts. 

United Nations chief António Guterres says the World Health Organization's characterization of the COVID-19 health emergency as a pandemic “is a call for action – for everyone, everywhere” adding that as we fight the virus “we cannot let fear go viral.” The United Nations is on several fronts - from situation reports and technical guidelines, through funding and partnerships, to advice for the public. You can find  (WHO) and the United Nations. WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus, to track the spread and virulence of the virus, and to provide advice to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.

The World Health Organization () has spelled out the need to step up cancer services in low and middle-income countries. WHO warns that, if current trends continue, the world will see a 60% increase in cancer cases over the next two decades. The greatest increase in new cases will occur in low- and middle-income countries, where survival rates are currently lowest. Yet, progress in poorer countries is achievable. WHO highlights a wide range of proven interventions to prevent new cancer cases.