💉 Africa looks to end cholera; The US looks to end goals; Brazil says no to rainforest upkeep
#565 | Children are working way too much; And not getting enough vaccines; Say no to olive oil
Hello, and welcome back to The Kable for a tight and light recap of the week that was. We're happy to report that, as per custom, this week too crossed all the signposts we can expect to see on the path to our inevitable extinction. Before that happens though, have you signed up for The Kable? Because this weekly read might just be what helps you stave off your demise. Too dark? Okay then, on with the news, which is a big bucketload of good cheer.
Beginning with the Africa CDC's recommitment towards eradicating cholera in Africa by 2030. At a meeting in Ethiopia last week, representatives from 20 African nations affected by cholera this year issued a call to action seeking to end cholera on the continent. The reason why Africa hasnt' been able to get a handle on this scourge yet is quite simple: years, even decades of under-investment in water and sanitation. Funnily enough, elimination of - or at least mortality reduction due to - cholera is also enshrined in the UN SDGs. SDGs which the US has now decided don't need to be adhered to. SDGs that the US is now trying to get watered down.
Yes, we know most of the world has forgotten that the WHO had declared mpox an emergency not too long ago. This week, the agency reaffirmed that mpox remains a public health emergency.
Wait, the good news isn't over yet. There has been a steady increase in attention to mental health globally over the past 20 years, with everything - diagnoses, prescriptions, therapy - peaking during the Covid lockdowns. It is good that people are finally treating mental health seriously and getting the help they need. Including psychiatric medication. What is with this new study in JAMA Network Open that says there is a direct correlation between use of common psychiatric medications and the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)? Why would these researchers even want to study this? It really is true what Alfred told Bruce Wayne.
But next up, we actually have actual good news. Olive oil, the "healthy" oil and first love of health influencers everywhere, may not actually be healthy at all. Because one of the key fats in olive oil is oleic acid. And we have another new study, this time in Cell Reports, that says unlike other fats, oleic acid boosts the number of "fat cell soldiers," setting the stage for obesity and even chronic diseases. So how is this good news, you ask? Have you even seen the rate at which prices for olive oil have been skyrocketing? Plus, between climate change and Israel, olive trees are dying off faster than rational thinking in the US, which will only drive the price of olive oil even higher. This study is excellent news for your wallet.
Speaking of Israel, the UN this week passed a resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Of course, the usual suspects voted against it and there was one notable abstainee too.
Elsewhere, preparations are in full swing in Brazil for COP30, the UN's upcoming climate summit. As befits a climate summit, preparations include legislative plans for offshore drilling near the mouth of the Amazon, rock blasting along another river in the rainforest, making it harder to recognize Indigenous land and easier to build infrastructure in the rainforest. This is just a little over two months after mowing down thousands of acres of rainforest to make it easier for summit attendees to reach the summit location. Last year's UN climate talks had the unique distinction of being hosted by someone who called oil and gas a gift of God, with talks eventually leading to a consensus that no one was happy with. At this point, the UN might serve global climate goals better by not having these summits at all.
And finally, if you're wondering why climate is a concern, just look at data from May 2025, which turned out to be the second-hottest May ever. The month before that was the second-hottest April ever. But hey, you want a positive spin? This might have been the coolest May of the rest of your life.
Stories Of The Week
Make 'em children sweat. According to the ILO and UNICEF’s new global estimates, 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024 with 54 million of them doing hazardous work that risks their health and development. Yes, that’s 20 million fewer than in 2020. But before we break out the fair-trade confetti, the world has missed its target to eliminate child labour by 2025. Progress, as the report puts it, has been “too slow.” Like, 11 times too slow if we want to end it in the next five years.
Most child labour is still in agriculture (61%), with services (27%) and industry (13%) trailing behind. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the global epicentre, with 87 million children working — largely a function of poverty, fragile institutions, and rapid population growth. Asia-Pacific showed the steepest drop in numbers, from 49 to 28 million children. Latin America and the Caribbean held steady, but “steady” doesn’t sound like progress when children’s futures are on the line.
The causes remain the usual suspects: poverty, weak protections, education access gaps, and shrinking global development budgets. The recommendations? Also familiar: invest in universal child benefits, strengthen child protection systems, fund education, ensure decent work for adults, and crack down on abusive supply chains. Now, all we need is political and financial will to finish the job. So, not in this century, we guess.
(UNICEF)
Long reads
Life is but a game. We promised you a light Kable today. And we delivered. This last story in The Conversation explores why seemingly rational people are so okay skipping vaccines for themselves and their wards. It's because everything is gamified.
Oh, and Gopal Nair doesn't want you to see this.