Six IAEA Initiatives to Use Advances in Nuclear Science for Global Health

1. Expansion of access to radiation therapy services worldwide

More than 100 countries have joined kThe initiative of the IAEA “Beams of Hope — Cancer treatment for everyone”, within the framework of which the Agency, together with governments, international financial institutions, and private sector organizations, helps to expand access to radiation therapy services in countries with low and middle income levels. Radiation therapy is an essential component of cancer treatment.

More than 90 million euros of off-budget funds were attracted within the framework of the initiative to assist in providing oncological care in countries with low and medium income levels. Ten linear accelerators and 55 mammography machines were purchased, and 20 support centers were also opened in four regions.

Centers of excellence within the framework of the “Rays of Hope” initiative are leading oncology institutions recognized for outstanding achievements in the fields of clinical care, quality management, education, research, and innovation. Under this global network, training has been organized for more than 700 specialists in radiation medicine, which has allowed for expanding access to safe and high-quality oncological care.

IARC also collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in conducting imPACT missions — comprehensive assessments of the country’s capacities and needs in cancer control. The recommendations based on the results of imPACT missions are used in preparing technical cooperation projects, national cancer control programs, and strategic financing documents.

In nuclear medicine, radiopharmaceuticals are used — compounds that are introduced into the body and contain a small amount of radioactive material. These drugs allow diagnosing and treating a wide range of diseases, including detecting cancer at an early stage, which significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment and reduces mortality. In addition, such technologies play a key role in identifying cardiovascular diseases and chronic pathologies involving the thyroid gland, brain, and bones.

IAEA helps countries establish departments of nuclear medicine and radiology, sharing technical knowledge and experience to assist them in applying safe, effective, and high-quality methods of medical imaging and targeted therapy for all patients.

During X-ray examination and computed tomography, ionizing radiation is used to obtain images of internal organs, allowing doctors to detect fractures or cancer tumors. In radiation therapy, cancer is treated using high doses of radiation, precisely targeting tumors and limiting exposure to the nearby healthy organs and tissues.

The IAEA dosimetry laboratory contributes to improving patient safety and the effectiveness of radiation therapy and medical imaging by providing calibration and audit services. Calibration allows medical institutions to accurately measure radiation therapy doses. Dose calculation and administration accuracy is checked during audits.

MAGATE publishes guiding instructions on quality assurance anddosimetersfor medical physicists specializing in radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, diagnostic radiology, as well as for radiation metrologists. In addition, the Agency cooperates with partners in organizing regional and national training courses and specialized practical seminar workshops for medical physicists and radiation metrologists on topics related to quality assurance and dosimetry.

Zoonotic infections are caused by pathogens transmitted from animals to humans, and they represent one of the main threats to modern society. About 60% of known infectious diseases and 75% of all new diseases come from them.

They affect human health, causing acute illness and long-term complications, with approximately 2.6 billion cases of infection and 2.7 million deaths registered annually.

The initiative “Comprehensive Actions to Combat Zoonotic Diseases” (ZODIAK) was proposed to help prevent pandemics caused by pathogens—bacteria, parasites, fungi, or viruses—that are carried by animals and can be transmitted to humans. With the help of nuclear and related technologies, ZODIAK conducts work to enhance the readiness and create the potential of countries in the area of operational detection and identification of infectious disease outbreaks, as well as response to them.After detecting and determining the characteristics of the flare, it is possible to timely take measures based on the data to respond.

The world faces two problems of improper nutrition — undernutrition and obesity — which contribute to the rise in the incidence of non-communicable diseases. Developing and disseminating nuclear and related technologies, IAEA promotes the strengthening of population health worldwide through the application of nutritional science methods to obtain accurate data on energy expenditure, body composition, breastfeeding practices, nutrient absorption, and the condition of the skeletal system.

In addition, the IAEA helps doctors and healthcare workers treating injuries to use nuclear and related methods to assess nutritional status and develop effective measures for the prevention and treatment of all forms of malnutrition throughout life.

These methods include techniques using stable isotopes and visualization. MAGATE also creates and maintains global databases on energy metabolism, consumption of breast milk, and the compositional makeup of bodies. Based on this information, publications are prepared that, among other things, help dispel outdated notions about energy metabolism.

WHO carries out all its activities in the field of human health within the framework of the corresponding program.

ВSeries of publications on human healthиIMF report on this topicEducational materials, research results, and technical guiding materials on radiation therapy, radiology, and nuclear medicine, quality assurance and dosimetry, medical physics and nutrition are provided. These publications are used by medical workers worldwide to improve methods of diagnosis, therapy, and increase the effectiveness of treatment.

From radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging to radiopharmaceuticals, nutrition, and zoonotic disease control, MAGATE helps countries apply nuclear science and technology achievements to address global health challenges. By sharing knowledge, creating potential, and providing indispensable calibration and audit services, the Agency assists countries in improving the safety, effectiveness, and accessibility of radiation medicine and health services.