PLoS Medicine
http://www.plosmedicine.org/
(Accessed 2 January 2016)

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Progress in Medicine: Experts Take Stock
The PLOS Medicine Editors , Andrew Beck, Ewan Birney, Manuel Graeber, James Tumwine, Phillipa Hay, Hyeong Sik Ahn, Anushka Patel, Philipp du Cros, Lorenz von Seidlein, Nick Wareham, Nicola Low
Editorial | published 29 Dec 2015 | PLOS Medicine
10.1371/journal.pmed.1001933
Introduction
For the 2015 end-of-the-year editorial, PLOS Medicine asked 11 researchers and clinicians spanning a range of specialties to comment on the state of their field and what they expect or hope to see next year. From cardiovascular diseases and diabetes to cancer to infectious diseases, from new research and technologies to clinical practice, and from training to health policy and strategy, our contributors had plenty to say. Here’s to a healthy 2016!

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Public Health and International Partnerships in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
John Grundy, Beverley-Ann Biggs, David B. Hipgrave
Policy Forum | published 29 Dec 2015 | PLOS Medicine
10.1371/journal.pmed.1001929
Summary Points
:: The health system in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is suitable for high public health program coverage, with a wide facility network and high staff-population ratios.
:: Economic difficulties, natural disasters, and poor resourcing of the health sector in the 1990s had catastrophic impacts on public health and system functioning, leading to sharp declines in vaccination coverage.
:: With considerable international support, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine coverage has risen from 37% in 1997 to 96% in 2013. Major challenges related to immunization services and the health sector more generally have been reduced.
:: This recovery demonstrates the potential for international partners to support DPRK’s national health agencies and improve public health programming, notwithstanding tensions in international relations and challenging domestic conditions.
:: Sustained collaboration is required to improve population health and health services in DPRK. This has regional and global public health implications and may influence ongoing political tensions.