Meghalaya is considering mandatory pre-marital HIV/AIDS screening, following Goa’s example, as part of a broader plan to address the State’s rising HIV cases.

A Johns Hopkins study found that a tailored version of the DASH diet can significantly lower blood glucose and improve time spent in the healthy range for people with type 2 diabetes. The results highlight the potential of personalized nutrition in managing chronic conditions.

In Geneva, the United Nations is working on a legally binding agreement to address the plastic pollution crisis, as waste is expected to increase threefold by 2060 if no measures are implemented. The United Nations Environment Programme emphasizes the need for a fundamental transition to a circular economy, given the global threats plastic poses to health, ecosystems, and economies.

Harvard researcher Antonella Zanobetti’s federally funded studies, which linked air pollution and heat to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and heart disease, were abruptly halted by grant cancellations. The research aimed to clarify how environmental exposures contribute to rising dementia and neurological disease rates worldwide.

WHO released the “Compendium on Respectful Maternal and Newborn Care,” on 7th August 2025 as an evidence-based guide to help managers of maternal, newborn, and child health programs implement context-specific interventions for respectful maternity care at the facility level.

Based on the 42nd Emergency committee meeting, Afghanistan and Pakistan still continue to be at potential risk of spreading wild poliovirus 1. Appropriate immunization and surveillance measures need to be stepped up to present the spread of both WPV and cVDPV.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that sleeping sickness, aka human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) has been eliminated from yet another African country - Kenya. Though negligible outside Africa, HAT remains an important public health concern in the continent as the severe form of disease is highly (~100%) fatal in just a few weeks when unsupervised.

A recently published study in the American Journal of Public Health estimated excess mortality in adults ≥ 25 years in a 3-year interval (2020-2023) using the ARMIA model and found that mortality for undocumented immigrants was significantly higher during the peak of the pandemic.

Under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, individuals have been selected as part-time members for a term of two years. These appointments include nominations from State/UT Governments and State Medical Councils, many of whom previously served on the Medical Advisory Council. The selection process for NMC’s autonomous boards was also carried out, with media present to ensure transparency.

UNICEF and WHO released the 2024 global immunization coverage estimates, highlighting progress and gaps in routine childhood vaccinations. While many countries have maintained or improved coverage, others have shown a worrisome decline in vaccination coverage.

Global health experts at the UN ECOSOC meeting emphasized that preventing future pandemics requires inclusive, cross-border partnerships and proactive investment in health systems. With the adoption of a new pandemic prevention treaty, leaders stressed shifting from reactive measures to community-centered, preventive approaches.

The Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory promoting healthier eating habits at workplaces through the display of oil and sugar awareness boards. This initiative aims to educate individuals about the health risks of excessive fat and sugar consumption without targeting specific traditional foods or mandating warning labels.