CDC Report: Trends in U.S. death rates among older adults Content Editor: Dr. Chinmay July 25, 2024 at 4:00:00 PM Mortality Rate, International Health, Public health A report details trends in death rates among older adults in the United States. Titled "QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Death Rate Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years, by Sex — United States, 1970–2022 ", it analyzes data spanning from 1970 to 2022. The results of the study are as follows: Significant Decline: There has been a notable decrease in death rates for adults aged 65 and older since 1970, with the age-adjusted death rate falling from over 6,700 per 100,000 people to approximately 4,000 in 2019. Recent Variations: Death rates increased slightly in 2020 and 2021 but decreased again in 2022. Gender Disparities: Males have consistently experienced higher death rates compared to females throughout the entire period. The report's data is sourced from the National Vital Statistics System. Click here to read more. Previous Next

50 years of the expanded programme on immunization. Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi Aggarwal May 15, 2024 at 1:30:00 PM Immunization, Morbidity, Mortality, Research Findings WHO initiated the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1974 to ensure global access to life-saving vaccines. For this study, mathematical and statistical models were utilized to estimate the impact of vaccination against 14 pathogens covered by EPI, as well as the mortality and morbidity averted for each age group compared to a scenario without vaccination. Findings showed the importance of vaccination as: 154 million deaths were prevented since 1974 , with 146 million deaths averted among children under 5 and 101 million among infants under 1. 40% of the decline was observed in global infant mortality and 52% in the African region. On average, 66 years of full health were gained for every death averted , totaling 10.2 billion years of full health. As a result, EPI was identified as the largest contributor to improved infant survival over the past five decades. Click here to read more. Previous Next

COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, warns Prime Minister COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, warns Prime Minister Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal March 24, 2023 The Hindu Infectious disease, COVID, Influenza The Prime Minister emphasized the need to monitor the status of covid and directed to increase whole genome sequencing of COVID-19 positive samples. In the high review meeting, the COVID and influenza situation was evaluated; as influenza and COVID cases are on the rise, senior citizens and people with co-morbidities to take extra precautions. The PM also directed officials to follow up with states for effective monitoring of ILI and SARI and testing for influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and adenovirus. In the previous week, 888 cases of COVID, with a weekly positivity rate of 0.98%.

India Emerges as Global Biotech Destination India Emerges as Global Biotech Destination Content Editor: Dr. Shubham June 20, 2025 Press Information Bureau Biotechnology, Bio-Foundry, India Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh addressed the "I nternational C entre for G enetic E ngineering and B iotechnology" (ICGEB) Board Meeting of Governors on May 14, 2025. He emphasized India's growing role in the global biotech community, promoting the creation of the first "DST-ICGEB Bio-Foundry" with public funding and the expansion of its bioeconomy from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024. The country's biotech achievements were as highlighted: By 2024, its bioeconomy will have grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion. More than 10,000 biotech startups are based in India, which is ranked third in Asia-Pacific and 12th globally for biotech. India developed the world's first DNA-based vaccine , introduced Nafithromycin , and developed diagnostic kits for Dengue and HIV. The BioE3 Policy , approved in August 2024, aims to build a resilient ecosystem for bio-based products and enhance biomanufacturing. India plays a significant role in ICGEB, with 105 international PhDs and 112 postdoctoral researchers trained in New Delhi. India has five priority areas for biotech growth: bioenergy, bio-industrial, bio-plantation, biomedical, and biomanufacturing . With visionary leadership, India is set to steer towards becoming a global bioeconomic leader.

Protecting the mental health of those who protect us: A novel initiative for the Armed Forces Protecting the mental health of those who protect us: A novel initiative for the Armed Forces Content Editor: Dr. Manjeet Mohanty January 10, 2024 Press Information Bureau Mental Health, Armed Forces, Telemedicine A dedicated Tele-MANAS cell was inaugurated at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune . This approach was launched due to the various cultural, and environmental stressors prevalent among armed forces. The cell will be functional 24*7 and will be manned by psychological counselors. The Cell is an extension of the Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The cell will act as a central assistance center for all Armed Forces beneficiaries across India. The government is committed to addressing mental health challenges in the Armed Forces, recognizing their unique stressors. Currently, there are 46 functional Tele-MANAS cells operating across 34 States/UTs, handling over 2000 calls daily and receiving more than 4.7 lakh calls since its launch in October 2022.

Telangana's 2024 Gig Workers Policy: Comprehensive social welfare scheme for a diverse workforce Telangana's 2024 Gig Workers Policy: Comprehensive social welfare scheme for a diverse workforce Content Editor: Dr. Mohammed Kashif June 8, 2024 Social trends Social security, Labour rights, Gig workers Amidst the evolving gig economy, the Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers Policy, 2024 , emerges as a comprehensive framework safeguarding the felt needs of workers across multiple sectors. Forum for Good Governance, an NGO, along with the state Labour Department, has developed the policy. The draft Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers Policy, 2024, proposes: Minimum wages for gig workers. Accidental insurance of Rs 5 lakh. Mandatory health coverage. Contributions from aggregator companies to a welfare fund managed by a board. Contributory old age pension. Contributory wage compensation scheme. Scholarships for workers' children. Maternity benefits. The policy requires aggregators to establish dispute resolution committees and mandates worker registration with the government. Ride-sharing platforms and food delivery aggregators need to register with the Transport and Labour Departments, respectively. The key issue of severance pay in this sector is overlooked, as companies view their workers as partners and not employees. The policy extends coverage to workers in sectors beyond ride-sharing and food delivery, including logistics, healthcare and hospitality.

Riverine plastisphere: The new AMR reservoir? Riverine plastisphere: The new AMR reservoir? Content Editor: Anubhav Mondal November 22, 2023 Centre for Infectious Disease Policy and Research Microbial resistance, Water Pollution, AMR Researchers from the University of Warwick led a team that found that after being immersed in a river for a week, both new and old plastics carried opportunistic "microbial hitchhikers" and different sets of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Examples of these hitchhikers were organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Plastics operate as a reservoir for pathogenic bacteria, or ARGs, often exacerbated by their persistence in the environment due to their recalcitrance and buoyancy. The findings raise worries that the "riverine plastisphere" could act as an antibiotic resistance reservoir. However, the researchers note that it's too early to tell whether plastics can transmit infection-causing, antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Recent study says 34 Million Years of Life Lost (YLL) due to four risk factors Recent study says 34 Million Years of Life Lost (YLL) due to four risk factors Content Editor : Dr Urmimala Maiti December 7, 2023 eClinical Meidicne Journal Global Health, Cancer prevention, Years of Life Lost An International study undertaken by the Cancer Surveillance Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, focused on the impact of four risk factors on mortality and Years of Life Lost (YLL) due to cancer across seven countries. The study found the following YLL from cancers: 20.8 million YLL to tobacco smoking 5.9 million YLL to alcohol consumption 4 million YLL to HPV infection 3.1 million YLL to excess body weight. The study also demonstrated the disparities in YLL among countries, reflecting the differences in risk factors and cancer deaths in their population. The study underscores the importance of primary prevention of cancer as a key to reducing cancer mortality as well as its societal implications.

Water Amendment (Pollution and Prevention) Act, 2024 Content Editor: Dr Tanya Tanu February 17, 2024 at 3:30:00 PM Water pollution, Pollution control Changes in the Water Amendment (Pollution and Prevention) Act passed on 12th February 2024 include: Decriminalizing certain violations of the Act deemed ‘minor’, replacing most of the penalties of imprisonment with fines ranging from ₹10,000 to 15 lacs. In case of an unfair fine, a provision for appeal has been provided in the bill. Empowering the Centre to frame rules to select the chairpersons of State pollution control boards. The text of the Act notes that the amended bill will establish a balance between the severity of the offense and the gravity of the punishment given. However, there were a few points of concern with the new amendment. These include: Absence of deterrent to violating environmental laws due to decriminalization. Limited role of state government in safeguarding the environment. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Highlights of 2024 WHO and UNICEF Immunization Estimates Highlights of 2024 WHO and UNICEF Immunization Estimates Content editor : Dr. Urmimala August 25, 2025 WHO News section Vaccination, Immunization, Inequities, WHO, UNICEF The 2024 estimates of global immunization coverage were released by UNICEF and WHO. The key highlights are: Worldwide , 89% of infants have received at least one dose of the DPT vaccine, and 85% have completed all three recommended doses. In 131 out of 195 countries, first-dose DPT vaccination coverage reaches 90% or higher. In 47 countries, progress is being held back. Moreover, 22 of these 47 countries had achieved 90% coverage of the first dose of DPT in 2019 but have seen a decline since then. Measles vaccination coverage for the first dose is 84%, and second dose coverage increased to 76% from 74%. The estimates emphasize the need to focus on addressing the issues leading to a decrease in vaccination coverage and sustaining the efforts in countries that have already achieved high coverage. For further reading, click here