Tobacco and cigarette use among Thai students remains high. Underage current smokers have easy access to cigarettes. Urgent steps are needed to curb the access of youth to tobacco.

IntroductionHIV/AIDS has been one of the world’s most important health challenges in recent history. The global solidarity in responding to HIV/AIDS through the provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and encouraging early screening has been proved successful in saving lives of infected populations in past decades. However, there remain several challenges, one of which is how HIV/AIDS policies keep pace with the growing speed and diversity of migration flows. This study therefore aimed to examine the nature and the extent of HIV/AIDS health services, barriers to care, and epidemic burdens among cross-country migrants in low-and middle-income countries.MethodsA scoping review was undertaken by gathering evidence from electronic databases and gray literature from the websites of relevant international initiatives. The articles were reviewed according to the defined themes: epidemic burdens of HIV/AIDS, barriers to health services and HIV/AIDS risks, and the operational management of the current health systems for HIV/AIDS.ResultsOf the 437 articles selected for an initial screening, 35 were read in full and mapped with the defined research questions. A high HIV/AIDS infection rate was a major concern among cross-country migrants in many regions, in particular sub-Saharan Africa. Despite a large number of studies reported in Africa, fewer studies were found in Asia and Latin America. Barriers of access to HIV/AIDS services comprised inadequate management of guidelines and referral systems, discriminatory attitudes, language differences, unstable legal status, and financial hardship. Though health systems management varied across countries, international partners consistently played a critical role in providing support for HIV/AIDS services to uninsured migrants and refugees.ConclusionIt was evident that HIV/AIDS health care problems for migrants were a major concern in many developing nations. However, there was little evidence suggesting if the current health systems effectively addressed those problems or if such management would sustainably function if support from global partners was withdrawn. More in-depth studies were recommended to further explore those knowledge gaps.

The considerable health, social and economic implications of Zika virus along with the World Health Organization's declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2016, led to the gathering of Southeast Asian countries for a committed response to Zika virus in Southeast Asia. For the technical and collaborative efforts to be successful, existing gaps had to be overcome. Guidance for relevant authorities to build preparedness and response capacities, enhancement of networks, and the provision of a forum to share best practices of Zika and mosquito-borne diseases across the region were still needed to address Zika virus as a global health security threat.Operating outside of formal structures, government health officials from Southeast Asian countries assembled to update knowledge, share experiences, and develop a comprehensive framework that could navigate Zika virus prevention and control. This framework would include guidelines that encompass cross-sectoral efforts including 1) Surveillance, Outbreak Investigation, and Containment, 2) Laboratory Detection, 3) Zika in Healthcare Facilities, 4) Prevention and Vector Control, and 5) Coordination and Risk Communication. The result of the unofficial network was a candid dialogue between government officials on best practices and a functional, adaptable set of Zika virus operational guidelines specific to Southeast Asia.