Hunt for new WHO head heats up

The process of appointing a new director general to the World Health Organization after the death of Lee Jong-Wook is in full swing, with three high-profile candidates already in the running, and at least one other being discussed. Finland has nominated Pekka Puska, director general of its National Public Health Institute, for the director general's post, The Scientist learned yesterday (July 24). From 2001 to 2003, Puska was director of noncommunicable disease prevention and health promotion at WHO.He joins a growing list of candidates. Last Monday (July 17), it emerged that Mexico had proposed its health minister, Julio Frenk, for the job. Frenk, a 52-year-old former academic with a PhD in health care organization and psychology, had previously been WHO's executive director, evidence and information for policy. In early June, WHO's regional director for the Western Pacific, Shigeru Omi, also became a candidate for the top job....