Lancet readers to join WHO election debate

This week's issue heralds the start of THE LANCET's coverage of the build-up to the election of a new Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO)-and Lancet readers are being invited to join the debate about who should be proposed as the next WHO leader.

Gro Harlem Brundtland's announcement in August this year that she would not stand for a second term as Director-General of WHO came as a surprise to the global health community. Through her reforms over the past 4 years, Brundtland has been credited for moving the issue of health-particularly that of the poor-back into the international spotlight.

The Lancet's coverage of the electoral campaign begins with a Special Report on the organisational structure and history of WHO and the election process; WHO's 192 member states have to put forward candidates by November 19, followed by shortlisting and a final decision to be made at the end of January next year.

A new section on THE LANCET's website-www.thelancet.com-will provide information on WHO and international health and will allow readers to e-mail whodg@lancet.com where their comments will be posted on the website.

Contact: The Lancet Press Office, 32 Jamestown Road, London NW1 7BY, UK;
T) 44-207-424-4949;
F) 44-207-424-4912;
E) Richard.lane@lancet.com

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