• The World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed Mr. José Luis Castro as the WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases.

• Chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), affect nearly half a billion people globally and are major causes of death and disability.

• Mr. Castro, with his extensive experience in global health, aims to raise awareness, mobilize support, and implement solutions to improve respiratory health worldwide.

• He will promote WHO’s CRD program, encourage integration of respiratory health into local policies, and enhance public engagement.

• His role starts on September 1, 2024, highlighting WHO’s commitment to addressing respiratory health issues.

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• The Gender index measures women's contributions relative to men across four dimensions.

• The global Gender Gap score 2024, a crucial measure of gender parity, ranges from 0 to 1, representing 0 to 100% attainment of gender parity.

• The key findings related to India are as follows: 

1. India ranked 129th globally, two notches down from the 2023 position.

2. India is 5th in Southern Asia with a score of 0.641, a decrease in the score by 0.002.

3. Economic Participation and Opportunity score is 0.398, an improvement from 36.7% in 2023.

4. India is still behind the global average, and it needs improvements in legislative roles, management, workforce participation, and technical jobs.

5. Economic parity is <30% in terms of estimated earned income.

6. Educational attainment score is 0.964, down from 1 in 2023;

7. High attainment in primary, secondary, and tertiary education exists, but the literacy rate is below the global average.

8. The political empowerment score is 0.251, which has slightly declined from the previous year.

9. Years of female or male heads of the states remain above the global average but low women participation in parliament, federal, and ministerial roles (6.9%).

10. Health and survival score is 0.951; healthy life expectancy is 1.002; and sex ratio at birth is 0.929.

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• On June 4, during Harvard Chan School's Pride Month celebration, the LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence was officially launched.

• The LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence at Harvard, in partnership with the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, aims to address health disparities faced by LGBTQ individuals, such as higher rates of mental and physical illnesses.

• The LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence, led by Brittany Charlton, aims to increase research funding, improve data collection, and train new researchers through scholarships and specialized courses.

• This initiative is timely, given the surge in anti-LGBTQ legislation. 

• The center will also focus on disseminating research and promoting effective communication on LGBTQ health issues, leveraging community strengths to achieve its goals.

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• The JYNNEOS vaccine, a two-dose series designed to prevent smallpox and mpox, has demonstrated effectiveness in real-world applications, especially during the recent global mpox outbreak, which has primarily impacted MSM, transgender, and nonbinary individuals.

• Despite most recipients receiving both doses in 2022, only 25% of the at-risk population is fully vaccinated.

• A study examining mpox cases from May 2022 to May 2024 found that 75% occurred in unvaccinated individuals, while only 0.8% occurred in fully vaccinated persons.

• Fully vaccinated people experienced fewer severe symptoms and had lower hospitalization rates than their unvaccinated counterparts.

• Among fully vaccinated individuals, most cases appeared a median of 266 days after the second dose.

• There was no significant difference in infection timing between those who received intradermal and subcutaneous doses.

• Although breakthrough infections were noted, particularly in a 2023 cluster in Chicago, these were infrequent and less severe.

• The CDC advocates for continued monitoring and vaccination, emphasizing that the two-dose regimen offers substantial protection and should be complemented with other preventive measures. 

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• Avian influenza virus infection in humans ranges from mild upper respiratory tract infection to severe, potentially fatal illness.

• The symptoms include conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal problems, encephalitis, and encephalopathy.

• A 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico died from bird flu, making it the first confirmed human case of the H5N2 variant.

• The patient, who had chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus, passed away on April 24 after experiencing fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and nausea.

• Despite no known exposure to poultry or animals, the patient had been bedridden for three weeks before developing acute symptoms and died the same day of hospitalization in Mexico City.

• Authorities are monitoring farms near the patient’s home and have set up a wildlife monitoring system.

• In the United States of America, the H5N1 bird flu variant spread is ongoing among wild birds and dairy cows. 

• There have been a few human cases, but there has been no human-to-human transmission. 

• Similarly, Australia reported its first human H5N1 case in May, and there are no signs of transmission.

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• High levels of the sweetener xylitol may raise the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes and cause blood clots, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal.

• The published paper presents a multifaceted study, starting with two observational cohort studies, followed by a human consumption experiment and laboratory tests.

• It was found that xylitol increases thrombosis and platelet reactivity, which might impede blood flow and result in major health problems. 

•  The study found that xylitol increases MACE risk by 57% in the third tertile compared to the first tertile [ HR: 1.57 (1.12–2.21)].

• Excessive xylitol consumption is advised to be avoided, particularly in individuals with cardiovascular conditions.

• Using natural products instead of artificial sweeteners, such as fennel seeds, might enhance wellbeing. 

• In the European Union (EU) and India, xylitol is permitted for usage as a food additive.

• EU Authorities are evaluating its safety standards, considering these findings.

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• The AusDiab (Australian Diabetes, Obesity, and Lifestyle Study), conducted over 12 years, reveals a complex relationship between vegetable consumption and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk.

• The research, which tracked the dietary habits of Australian adults, found that a higher intake of vegetables (recommended daily intake of at least 5 servings), particularly green leafy varieties, is associated with improved markers of T2D, such as lower fasting plasma glucose and better insulin sensitivity.

• These vegetables, rich in essential nutrients, play a protective role against the onset of diabetes. Conversely, frequent consumption of potato fries and chips correlates with an increased 31% risk of poorer insulin sensitivity, a 25% lower acute insulin response, increased glucose tolerance, and T2D.

• Vegetables, particularly cruciferous ones, were found to be linked to a 25% lower risk of developing T2D over the follow-up period. The study underscores the importance of incorporating a variety of vegetables into the diet for better health outcomes and suggests that diet plays a crucial role in managing and potentially reducing the risk of diabetes.

• However, the study's limitations include recall bias, inaccuracies in dietary assessment, and the observational nature of the study.

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• The Joint FAO/IAEA(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations / International Atomic Energy Agency) Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture is organizing the International Symposium on Food Safety and Control.

• It aims to highlight the role that nuclear techniques in improving agricultural productivity and food safety.

• Over 400 national and international research institutes and experimental stations are involved in over 25 coordinated research initiatives that are annually coordinated and supported by the Joint FAO/IAEA Center.

• The symposium, which highlights the enormous influence of nuclear technology on global food and agriculture, is a critical turning point in the continuing cooperation between FAO and IAEA.

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• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National and State Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) aims to reduce tobacco-related diseases and deaths through comprehensive tobacco control programs.

• Despite a decline in overall tobacco use, significant disparities remain among various U.S. populations, prompting targeted interventions at multiple levels..

• The program provides technical assistance and funding to states and territories, supporting comprehensive tobacco control initiatives and quitline services.

• Recipients of the NTCP funds must implement evidence-based policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies.

• The four main goals are to prevent youth initiation of commercial tobacco products, promote quitting among all ages, eliminate secondhand smoke exposure, and advance health equity by addressing tobacco-related disparities.

• Grounded in CDC’s Best Practices, core components include state and community interventions, mass-reach health communication, tobacco dependence treatment, surveillance and evaluation, infrastructure support, and enhanced quitline systems.

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• The Food and Safety Department of the Delhi government may soon take action against outlets that are unlawfully utilizing "liquid nitrogen," as there have been a few reports of the chemical being consumed and causing injuries in eateries in other areas of the country.

• Officials claim that restaurants frequently utilize liquid nitrogen to give food products a smokey appearance, occasionally injuring customers in the process. This stuff is great for quickly chilling ice cream, mocktails, cocktails, and baked goods.

• Various such incidents have recently been reported where people had to be rushed into hospitals after consumption of liquid nitrogen:
  1. A 12-year-old girl in Bengaluru required emergency surgery after consuming liquid nitrogen-infused paan at a wedding, resulting in perforation peritonitis—a hole in her stomach.
  2. A young businessman from Gurgaon several years ago had to get nearly half his stomach removed after consuming a cocktail containing liquid nitrogen, highlighting the dangers of this practice.
  3. In Gurgaon, 5 consumers suffered burns after using a liquid nitrogen mouth freshener.

• Alarmed by reports of injuries, the FSSAI(Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) banned the direct addition of liquid nitrogen in food service, citing non-compliance as grounds for legal action under the FSS Act.

• The Household Consumption and Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23 employed the CSQ (Consumption Survey Questionnaire) and DGQ (Durable Goods Questionnaire) to assess non-food item expenditure.

• The HCES included a comprehensive range of non-food items to capture an accurate picture of household spending.

• The broad categories evaluated included pan, tobacco and intoxicants, fuel and light, education, medical, conveyance, consumer services excluding conveyance, miscellaneous goods, entertainment, rent, taxes and cesses, clothing, bedding, footwear and durable goods.

• The expenditure pattern on non-food items in India is as follows ;

1. Rural: 54% of MPCE of which Conveyance (7.55%), Medical (7.13%), Durable goods (6.89%), Fuel and light (6.66%), Clothing and miscellaneous (6% each).

2. Urban: 61% of MPCE of which Conveyance (8.59%), Durable goods (7.17%), Miscellaneous goods, entertainment, and rent (6.56% each).

• Key takeaways

1. The share of non-food items has increased for both urban and rural households in comparison with previous surveys.

2. Non-food expenditure constituted a major part of total MPCE in urban areas.

3. Urban and rural households spend significantly more on conveyance.

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• The  Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) compiles the average Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE), an indicator of living standards.

• MPCE is defined as the total monthly consumption value of household goods and services divided by household size.

• Expenditure Patterns on food items are as follows: 

1. Rural: Constitutes 46% of MPCE, of which Beverages, refreshments, and processed foods (9.62%), Milk and milk products (8.33%), Vegetables (5.38%), and Cereals (4.91%).

2. Urban: Constitutes 39% of MPCE, of which Beverages, refreshments, and processed foods (10.64%), Milk and milk products (7.22%), and Fruits and vegetables (3.8%).

• State-wise variations in food and cereal expenditure: 

1. Food Expenditure (as % of MPCE)

• Rural: 39% in Kerala to 54% in Bihar and Assam.

• Urban: 35% in Telangana to 47% in Assam and Bihar.

2. Cereal Expenditure (as % of MPCE)

• Rural: 3% in Haryana, Kerala, and Punjab, and 7% in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

• Urban: 3% in Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu, and 6% in Bihar and Jharkhand.

• The key takeaways include the following:

1. The share of expenditure on food has gradually declined in rural and urban households compared with previous surveys.

2. Urban households spend more on food in absolute terms, constituting a smaller percentage of their total expenditure.

3. Beverages, refreshments, and processed foods receive the highest food budget allocation in both rural and urban areas.

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