Here are eight key news developments in global health and public health for today, October 31, 2025:
1. 🏙️ WHO Launches New Global Guide for Strategic Urban Health Action
On World Cities Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a new guide for decision-makers titled, “Taking a strategic approach to urban health.” The guide calls on national and city leaders to adopt integrated strategies to transform urban areas—where 4.4 billion people now live—into engines of health, equity, and sustainability. The framework is designed to help governments tackle health challenges, especially in slums and informal settlements, which are disproportionately affected by poor health outcomes.
- Source: WHO calls for a new era of strategic urban health action with global guide to unlock healthy, prosperous and resilient societies
- https://www.who.int/news/item/31-10-2025-who-calls-for-a-new-era-of-strategic-urban-health-action-with-global-guide-to-unlock-healthy-prosperous-and-resilient-societies
2. 💔 Humanitarian Workers Under Attack in Sudan Crisis
The Sudan INGO Forum has strongly condemned the continued, unacceptable attacks on humanitarian and healthcare workers in Sudan, reporting the tragic loss of five Sudanese Red Crescent Society volunteers and the abduction of six medical staff near the Saudi hospital in El Fasher. The organizations called on all parties to the conflict to uphold International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and ensure safe, unimpeded access for aid delivery.
- Source: INGO Forum Condemns Attacks on Humanitarian and Healthcare Workers
- https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/ingo-forum-condemns-attacks-humanitarian-and-healthcare-workers
3. 🚨 ACA Open Enrollment Begins Amid Funding Uncertainty in the US
The open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplaces begins on November 1st, but is shrouded in uncertainty. Health policy experts warn that the potential expiration of enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025 could lead to significantly higher premiums for millions of enrollees if the US Congress does not act to extend the subsidies.
- Source: Shopping for ACA health plans this open enrollment? Here’s what to know
- https://www.capradio.org/news/npr/story?storyid=nx-s1-5591404
4. 💉 Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Meeting Concludes
The 26th Annual General Meeting of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers (DCVMN) 2025 is concluding today in Bali, Indonesia. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration among member countries to enhance global vaccine production capacity and address regional health security challenges, particularly in the context of advancing global health equity.
- Source: Indonesia sets to advance global health through leadership in DCVMN
- [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://en.antaranews.com/news/389245/indonesia-sets-to-advance-global-health-through-leadership-in-dcvmn)
5. ⚕️ AMA Launches Hub for Doctors to Counsel on Firearm Safety
The American Medical Association (AMA) has teamed up with the Ad Council and other healthcare leaders to launch a new digital resource hub. The hub provides doctors with conversation guides, fact sheets, and toolkits to help them initiate potentially lifesaving conversations with patients about firearm safety and secure storage practices as a critical public health measure.
- Source: New hub gives pointers for doctors to help boost firearm safety
- https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/injury-violence-prevention/new-hub-gives-pointers-doctors-help-boost-firearm-safety
6. 🌊 Health Response Mobilizes for Hurricane Melissa Victims in Jamaica
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has activated its Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Database to mobilize private sector air support. The efforts focus on airlifting essential supplies, including medical supplies, shelter tarps, and water filtration systems, to the affected regions, with Kingston’s airport currently handling limited relief flights.
- Source: NBAA Activates HERO Database as Industry Readies Melissa Relief Efforts
- https://nbaa.org/2025-press-releases/nbaa-activates-hero-database-as-industry-readies-melissa-relief-efforts/
7. 💊 FDA Issues New Guidance to Speed Up Biosimilar Market Entry
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new guidance aimed at expediting the time-to-market for biosimilar drugs. This policy move is intended to increase competition, lower costs, and improve patient access to complex biological treatments, a key goal in pharmaceutical public health policy.
- Source: Oct. 3, 2025: Advocacy Update spotlight on the government shutdown
- https://www.ama-assn.org/health-care-advocacy/advocacy-update/oct-3-2025-advocacy-update-spotlight-government-shutdown
8. 🗺️ PAHO Highlights ‘People-centered Smart Cities’ for Health Equity
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is commemorating World Cities Day with a virtual seminar focused on “Healthy People-Centered Cities.” The event highlights how local governments can use data-driven decision-making, technology, and AI to strengthen well-being, equity, and resilience in urban communities across the Americas.
- Source: World Cities Day 2025: Healthy People-Centered Cities – PAHO/WHO
- https://www.paho.org/en/events/world-cities-day-2025-healthy-people-centered-cities
