New diseases like SARS and bird flu cause anxiety in the community. People get worried, some to the extent that it even affects their health. You feel very sad, and yet you must carry on and maintain your cool in very trying and difficult moments. You have to tough it out. Margaret Chan affectanxietybird share on social
What amazes me most is that the media and I have fostered a close relationship. Margaret Chan amazeclosefoster Change image and share on social
Tobacco is the only industry that produces products to make huge profits and at the same time damage the health and kill their consumers. Margaret Chan consumerdamagehealth Change image and share on social
Many diseases including malaria, dengue, meningitis - just a few examples - these are what we call climate-sensitive diseases, because such climate dimensions for rainfall, humidity and temperature would influence the epidemics, the outbreaks, either directly influencing the parasites or the mosquitoes that carry them. Margaret Chan callcarryclimate share on social
Some experts say we are moving back to the pre-antibiotic era. No. This will be a post-antibiotic era. In terms of new replacement antibiotics, the pipeline is virtually dry. A post-antibiotic era means, in effect, an end to modern medicine as we know it. Things as common as strep throat or a child's scratched knee could once again kill. Margaret Chan antibioticbackchild share on social
For a pandemic of moderate severity, this is one of our greatest challenges: helping people to understand when they do not need to worry, and when they do need to seek urgent care. Margaret Chan carechallengegreat Change image and share on social
A health system that lacks commodities for managing high-mortality infectious diseases and the main killers of mothers and young children will not have an adequate impact. By the same token, even the best-stocked delivery system will have an inadequate impact if it fails to reach the poor. Margaret Chan adequatechildcommodity share on social
I think U.N. organizations are important organizations. They exist for good reasons. And we also admit that there is room for us to improve the way we do business. The WHO will be a very positive and proactive partner in the overall U.N. reform, which is also important. Margaret Chan admitbusinessexist share on social
When you're dealing with new and emerging diseases, you have no idea and you can't predict in advance what would happen. Margaret Chan advancedealdisease Change image and share on social
I want us to be judged by the impact we have on the health of the people of Africa and the health of women. Improvements in the health of the people of Africa and the health of women are key indicators of the performance of WHO. This is a health organization for the whole world... But we must focus our attention on the people in greatest need. Margaret Chan africaattentionfocus share on social