Health

February 6, 20246 min readRampant COVID Poses New Challenges in the Fifth Year of the Pandemic“We’re still in a pandemic,” says a lead COVID official with the World Health OrganizationBy Meghan BartelsWHO's Covid-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove looks on during a press conference at the World Health Organization's headquarters in Geneva, on December 14, 2022.Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty ImagesEditor’s Note (3/11/24): Today is the fourth anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration of the COVID pandemic. In this Q&A, Scientific American’s senior news reporter Meghan Bartels talks to Maria...

Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice has no health benefits for girls and women and cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.The practice of FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes an extreme...