India Showcases Global Leadership in Affordable Medicines at Second Policymakers’ Forum India Showcases Global Leadership in Affordable Medicines at Second Policymakers’ Forum Content Editor: Dr. Anamika July 5, 2025 Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Affordable Medicines, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) The event brought together delegates from 24 countries to discuss the Indian Pharmacopoeia and the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). Key discussions focused on enhancing access to affordable medicines , strengthening regulatory systems , and promoting health coverage schemes like Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Technical sessions showcased India’s advancements in drug regulation , while field visits to laboratories, pharmacies, and manufacturing units offered insights into India’s pharmaceutical infrastructure . The forum highlighted India’s contributions to generic drug and vaccine supply and reinforced its commitment to equitable global healthcare through capacity-building, quality standards, and stronger international partnerships

Public Health Daily News Snippets WHO Bulletin Releases Special Edition on Traditional Medicine Ahead of Global Summit The WHO Bulletin published its first special issue on traditional medicine since 1977, featuring research and policy analyses. This release precedes the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine scheduled for December 2025 in New Delhi. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Global Health, Traditional Medicine Integration Read More Global Summit in Geneva Intensified Efforts to Curb Toxic Mercury Pollution A major international conference was held in Geneva from 3rd to 7th November 2025 to strengthen the global fight against mercury pollution . Delegates collaborated to accelerate the phase-out of this toxic metal from products and industrial processes, aiming to protect human health and the environment. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : United Nations Environmental Health, International Policy Read More Fitness & Nation-Building: Insights from the National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025 The first-ever National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025 in Mumbai brought together policymakers, athletes, and industry leaders to reaffirm one message: India’s progress towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047 depends on how seriously we take fitness today. With icons from sports and cinema joining the conversation, the conclave highlighted fitness as both a cultural shift and a public health necessity. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fit India Movement, Physical Activity, Non-Communicable Diseases, Viksit Bharat Read More Global Evidence Review of the Inequality- Pandemic Cycle: UNAIDS report The UNAIDS established the “Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemic ” in 2023. Its report “Breaking the inequality-pandemic cycle ” released in November 2025 is based on evidence from more than 1500 peer-reviewed literature and reports from government agencies and research institutions across multiple pandemics and its own empirical studies over the past 2 years. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 2025 Pandemic preparedness, Social inequality, Global Health Read More Decomposition Analysis of Factors Driving Global Maternal Mortality Reduction A new Lancet Global Health paper highlights evidence that combining family planning with quality maternity services has driven a 41% global decline in maternal deaths since 2000. The study shows how contraception alone prevented more than 77,000 maternal deaths in 2023. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : The Lancet Global Health Maternal Health, Reproductive & Sexual Health, Gender Equality, Family Planning, Declining Global Maternal Mortality Read More Delhi’s Air Quality Sees Noticeable Improvement: CAQM 2025 Report The 2025 update from the C ommission for A ir Q uality M anagement (CAQM ) highlights significant enhancements in Delhi's air quality and a marked reduction in stubble-burning incidents in nearby states. The report offers data-backed evidence of collaborative efforts to reduce pollution through the use of cleaner fuels, improved waste management, and more stringent regulatory measures. Published on : Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Air Pollution, Environmental Health, Public Health Policy Read More Genomic Collaboration for a Safer Future: India and Italy Unite for Pandemic Preparedness The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) round table in New Delhi emphasized the power of genomic research and collaboration in strengthening pandemic preparedness. Experts called for sustained global surveillance and rapid translation of genomic data to safeguard public health. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Genomic Surveillance, Pandemic Readiness Read More WHO Unveils Global Agenda to Strengthen Paediatric Clinical Trials The World Health Organization has unveiled a new global research agenda to close gaps in evidence on child health. It prioritizes equitable, high-impact paediatric trials to ensure that treatments for children are safe, effective, and grounded in sound science. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Health Research, Pediatric Health, Clinical Trials Read More WHO refutes Tylenol-Autism Link: Urges Evidence-Based Care A statement by the current US President, which linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, prompted an immediate response from the World Health Organization. The WHO clarified that no scientific evidence supports this claim and urged reliance on medical guidance. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Maternal and Child Health, Health Communication, Global Health Governance Read More 2025 Lancet Countdown Report on Climate Change and Health Impacts of climate inaction have led to a 23% increase in heat-related deaths since the 1990s. Food insecurity affected 124 million more people due to extreme weather in 2023, with losses reaching $1.35 trillion. Addressing climate change has prevented 160,000 premature deaths from coal pollution and supported 16 million jobs in renewable energy. With COP30 ahead, WHO, along with member states, plans to emphasize climate action and a swift transition away from fossil fuels. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Climate change, food insecurity, Sustainability Read More WHO Introduces New Global Framework to Enhance National Health Emergency Response The World Health Organization has unveiled a new global guide, the National Health Emergency Alert and Response Framework, to bolster countries' readiness for health crises. Developed from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides a standardized approach for managing emergencies. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Global Health Security, Emergency Preparedness Read More Training Modules to Strengthen Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Response in India The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced three specialized training modules to enhance India’s capacity for managing chemical emergencies. This initiative aims to build a skilled, coordinated response system across healthcare and disaster management sectors. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : PIB Delhi Chemical Emergencies Preparedness, IHR, Disaster management Read More Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives 01-10 February, 2024 View More 14-20 January, 2024 View More 19-25th November, 2024 (26) View More 23-31stOctober, 2023 (18) View More 28-31 January, 2024 View More 7-13 January, 2024 View More 5-11th November, 2023 (5) View More 15-21st October, 2023 (12) View More 21-27 January, 2024 View More 26-30th November, 2024 (20) View More 01-04th November, 2023(4) View More 08-14th October, 2023 (5) View More March 27 - 31, 2023 (15) View More March 6 - 12, 2023 (24) View More February 23 - 25, 2023 (3) View More February 15 - 16, 2023 (8) View More March 20 - 25, 2023 (18) View More March 1 - 5, 2023 (8) View More February 20 - 22, 2023 (2) View More February 07 - 14, 2023 (5) View More March 13 - 18, 2023 (8) View More February 26 - 28, 2023 (15) View More February 17 - 19, 2023 (3) View More February 01 - 06, 2023 (5) View More Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE

Policy to curb trans-fat: Progress report from the WHO Policy to curb trans-fat: Progress report from the WHO Content Editor: Dr. Ghurumourthy July 1, 2024 UN News Section Nutrition, Fats, Health policy UN World Health Organization (WHO) report reveals that 53 countries now have best practice policies to eliminate industrial trans fats, protecting 3.7 billion people, or 46% of the global population. This is a substantial increase from 2018, when only 6% were covered. Despite progress, over four billion people remain at risk, mainly in the WHO African and Western Pacific Regions. New policies in countries like Egypt and Mexico could save 183,000 lives annually. In January 2024, the WHO awarded validation certificates to Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand for their progress. WHO urges all nations to adopt and enforce these policies and calls manufacturers to remove trans fats from products and supply chains. Click here to read more.

Towards sustainable solutions: The plastic waste management rules, 2024 Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi April 6, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM Amendments, Environmental Health The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. The rule defines “biodegradable plastics” as materials capable of biological degradation in specific environments, such as soil or landfills, and that do not leave any microplastic residues. The points emphasized in the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2024 are: The caveat about microplastics in the updated rules is that it does not mention which chemical tests can establish the absence of microplastics, or the limit of reduction of microplastics in a sample to consider them eliminated. The amendment mentioned that carry bags and commodities manufactured shall be permitted to be made from compostable or biodegradable plastics. This is subject to mandatory marking and labeling laid down under the rules and regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for food contact applications. The rules require manufacturers of compostable or biodegradable plastic commodities to obtain a CPCB certificate before marketing or selling . Every manufacturer of commodities made from plastic shall: 1. Ensure pre-consumer plastic waste processing, created from rejected or discarded products of manufacture and 2. Report to the concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee, yearly. These rules aim to bring reforms in the way plastics are currently being handled. Click here to read more Previous Next

HealthPlix's new expansion: Offline EMR platform tailored for doctors Content Editor: Dr. Priyasha Panda October 28, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Digital Health, Electronic Medical Record, Artificial Intelligence HealthPlix is a digital health platform empowered with AI technologies. It aids in clinical decision-making and thereby creates detailed patient profiles and efficient prescriptions. The offline Electronic Medical Record (EMR) of HealthPlix is the first in India that is available 24/7, and the speed is 48% faster than the previous version. The improvised productivity can help doctors attend to 10% more patients each day. Doctors can practice without an internet connection and later sync the data to the cloud. The data sync is fast, i.e., within 5 minutes, and secure, thus ensuring zero loss of information. It ensures flexibility by having online capabilities and being able to switch between both modes automatically . HealthPlix's “AI-powered EMR on Mobile” is available on Android and iOS smartphones. It provides real-time access to patient’s information without any limitation of time or place. It ensures an increased reach to over 12,000 doctors in more than 100 cities in India with uninterrupted access to patient data, even in areas without or with unreliable internet connectivity. It currently serves 2.5% of the Indian population and can act as a ladder for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Previous Next

Study to determine the prevalence and risk factors of depressive episodes among tribals in India Content Editor: Dr. Tanya July 17, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM Mental Health, Tribal Health, Depression While a significant amount of research has been done concerning depression in the general population, there is an absolute dearth of understanding about the mental health status of the tribal societies of India. The key objectives of the study included: Assessment of prevalence of depression among the ST population Assessment of determinants of depressive symptoms among the ST population Secondary data from the LASI survey conducted between April 2017 and December 2018 was obtained, and 12,215 STs were segregated. The self-reported depressive symptoms were assessed using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), which comprises 20 questions regarding depressive episodes and overall mental health. The results of the study were as follows : 25% of the ST population experienced depressive symptoms , ranging from 21 % among 45-49 year olds to 29% among STs over 70 years of age. Depressive episodes were more common among females . Depressive symptoms showed a negative association between education and no. of living children. Depressive symptoms showed a positive correlation with the presence of comorbidities. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Ensuring hospital safety: Best practices for fire prevention Content Editor: Dr. Sumana Mukhopadhyay March 30, 2024 at 3:00:00 PM Climate change measures, Fire safety The Union Health Ministry and NDMA advised States/UTs to take measures to prevent hospital fires during the summer heat. Hospitals are instructed to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations through comprehensive inspections, electrical load audits, and obtaining valid fire No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to rectify any identified discrepancies and prioritize safety measures. Some of the comprehensive instructions that were released to conduct the activities are as follows - Regularly inspect fire equipment for expiration dates, accessibility, water pressure, and audibility. A maintenance schedule involving monthly checks for extinguishers, and quarterly tests for alarms/hydrants. Implement no-smoking policies and controls in oxygen areas And staff Training regarding risks. Install smoke detectors and fire alarms, test them monthly, and replace batteries annually. Avoid overloading of power sources. Installation of water sprinklers and accessible Hosepipes. Review/update hospital infrastructure and renew the fire safety NOC to comply with fire safety standards. Implement continuous training on fire prevention and emergency procedures with bi-annual fire drills, including evacuation drills Click here to read more. Previous Next

Unveiling the gender snapshot of our world Unveiling the gender snapshot of our world Content Editor: Dr Sumana Mukhopadhyay October 20, 2023 United Nations Gender Equality, SDG The Gender Snapshot report alerts that if ongoing patterns persist, over 340 million women and girls could be living in poverty by 2030, constituting 8% of the female population globally. Nearly one in four women may need to tackle food insecurity , with a substantial gap in unpaid care and domestic work. The next generation of women is projected to spend 2.3 more hours per day on such tasks than men. The report also emphasizes the ingrained gender gap in leadership roles. It calls for collective action to address these disparities and achieve a world where every woman and girl enjoys equal rights, opportunities, and representation. Older women are at greater risk of poverty and violence, along with the strong impact of climate change on restricting women’s development. The report estimates that an additional $360 billion annually is required to advance gender equality across key SDGs. Gender equality is considered foundational for an ideal and equal society and is an integral component for achieving all other SDGs.

Modified DASH Diet Boosts Blood Sugar Control in Type 2 Diabetes Modified DASH Diet Boosts Blood Sugar Control in Type 2 Diabetes Content Editor : Dr. Chinmay August 27, 2025 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Type 2 diabetes, Research Study, NCD, DASH diet A clinical trial conducted at Johns Hopkins demonstrated that a customized form of the DASH diet, called DASH4D, can markedly enhance glucose regulation in individuals with type 2 diabetes. This modified approach adjusts the standard DASH framework by lowering carbohydrate intake, boosting unsaturated fats, and reducing potassium content to ensure suitability for patients with kidney disease. In a 20-week randomized study, 89 participants followed either the DASH4D diet or a standard U.S. diet, with all meals provided and blood sugar tracked via continuous glucose monitors. The study found that participants on the DASH4D diet had average blood glucose levels 11 mg/dL lower than those on the standard diet, and they spent an extra 75 minutes each day within the ideal blood sugar range. Benefits were even greater for individuals with HbA1c above 8%, who gained roughly three extra hours daily in the target range. This improvement is considered clinically meaningful and could translate into reduced complications over time. As the first controlled trial to demonstrate such benefits from a DASH-like diet tailored for diabetes, the findings suggest DASH4D could be a valuable addition to dietary guidelines, especially for people managing both type 2 diabetes and hypertension. For further read, click here

"TRACK" platform against the Advanced HIV disease "TRACK" platform against the Advanced HIV disease Content Editor: Dr. Sumana Mukhopadhyay July 28, 2023 WHO News Section Global Health, HIV, AHD, Digital health AHD (advanced HIV disease) is a major mortality factor causing approx. 650,000 deaths in 2021 globally and an incessant obstacle in the HIV programs. It includes – Patient with CD4 count <200/cellmm3 < 5 years old children with HIV Due to complications associated with AHD, WHO is commencing a digital platform for comprehensive health promotion and knowledge support named “TRACK” from June-2023 The purpose of this digital learning series is- Knowledge Strengthening for stakeholders. A collective place to share and find solutions for HIV’s burden. Development of a national strategic plan for HIV . The platform will comprise – Educational and best practices resources. Webinars, case-based presentations, and workshops on various HIV and AHD components.