The annual general assembly of the National Council of Churches USA and Church World Service has been taking place this week amid sober assessments of national and world conditions and calls for renewal of the churches’ unity.

The National Health Service has continued to take a bashing in the USA, says Giles Fraser. The outrage of the religious right is fuelled by ignorance and prejudice, he argues.

Church leaders and members are among those giving enthusiastic support to the new Wall of Life initiative, an interactive campaign across the UK by the NHS Blood and Transplant service.

The Church of England has called for greater investment in public health programmes aimed at teenagers, in a submission to UK advertising regulating bodies.

As the federal government in the USA considers comprehensive reform of the health care system, faith groups, civic organisations and labour unions are mobilising for change. They want to see an end to the massive health divisions.

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When people hear the word 'health' they think immediately of medical matters, says Juan Michel. But health is also an issue of clean drinking water, nutritious food, a safe work environment and essential care accessible at the community level - not least in a time of flu panics.

While the impact of flu viruses and the issues surrounding them is making life increasingly difficult in Mexico, churches in the USA are seeking to respond rationally and with care to a situation where panic can be a major part of the problem.

Patients' and hospital groups have expressed anger that a nurse who exposed serious mistreatment of elderly hospital patients has been struck off the medical register for misconduct.