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

Advancing mental health solutions: Insights from the 18th Kolokotrones symposium Content Editor: Dr. Chinmay December 5, 2024 at 3:00:00 PM Mental Health, Public Health, International Health News The 18th Kolokotrones Symposium, organized by Harvard’s CAUSALab and Population Mental Health Lab, addressed challenges in understanding and addressing mental health issues. With nearly one in four U.S. adults affected by conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD , and one in 20 experiencing significant impairment, traditional treatments like therapy and medication are proving inadequate. Karestan Koenen, who leads the lab, emphasized the need for population-based strategies, such as policies that alleviate economic stress to improve mental health. Experts explored diverse topics, including teen depression, opioid overdoses, and PTSD, highlighting the complexity of evaluating interventions. Katherine Keyes noted inconsistent evidence on restricting adolescent social media use, while Magdalena Cerdá described difficulties in assessing harm reduction laws for opioid overdoses due to fragmented data . Discussions also covered child mental health, PTSD’s role in cardiovascular risk, and the effects of childhood trauma. The panel stressed better data, advanced methodologies, and innovative tools like AI for meaningful progress Click here to read more. Previous Next

SPArc Therapy as a Safer Alternative in Head and Neck Cancer Therapy SPArc Therapy as a Safer Alternative in Head and Neck Cancer Therapy Content Editor: Dr. Asma Aftab July 5, 2025 PHC Editorial Bureau Oncology, Medical Innovation For the first time, a team of doctors in the United States, have treated a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma using step-and-shoot spot-scanning proton arc therapy (SPArc) —a precise form of proton therapy that spares healthy tissue. Conducted at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, this technique was found to reduce radiation exposure to critical areas like the brainstem, spinal canal, and oral cavity by up to 90% compared to standard methods. Published in the International Journal of Particle Therapy, the study involved a 46-year-old woman treated with 33 SPArc sessions. She experienced minimal side effects and continued working throughout treatment. Various experts have praised the method’s precision, especially for tumours near vital organs. Though a more advanced dynamic version of SPArc is still under development, this marks a major step in treating complex head and neck cancers with reduced collateral damage. Cost and accessibility, however, still remain key concerns.Click here to read more

Bridging the divide, understanding cancer screening trends from NFHS data Bridging the divide, understanding cancer screening trends from NFHS data Content Editor: Dr Dheena November 27, 2024 The Lancet Non Communicable Diseases, Screening, Survey A recent study, Learning from the Indian National Family Health Survey (NFHS) , analyzed trends in cancer screening in India , revealing significant declines. NFHS-4 (2015–16) reported that 22%, 10%, and 12% of women aged 15–49 had undergone screening for cervical, breast, and oral cancers respectively. However, NFHS-5 (2019–21) recorded a sharp decline , with only 1.2%, 0.6%, and 0.7% of women reporting the same. For men, oral cancer screening rates dropped from 9% in NFHS-4 to 0.2% in NFHS-5. The decline is attributed largely to differences in the framing of survey questions between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5. In NFHS-4, questions used general terms like "Have you ever undergone a cervix/breast/oral cavity examination?" without explicitly mentioning "cancer" or "screening." This may have led respondents to include routine or pregnancy-related examinations. In contrast, NFHS-5 used more precise wording such as "Have you ever undergone a screening test for cervical cancer?" The clearer terminology likely reduced overestimation but exposed the actual low uptake of cancer-specific screenings. Other possible reasons include shifts in survey implementation, such as moving cancer-related questions from individual questionnaires in NFHS-4 to biomarker questionnaires in NFHS-5. This transition might have influenced participation and response rates. India's rising cancer burden, projected to increase from 1.39 million cases in 2020 to 1.57 million by 2025, underscores the need for accurate data collection and public health action . Recommendations include refining future surveys to better capture distinctions between routine and cancer-specific screenings and incorporating questions to assess cancer awareness. Anyone using NFHS figures to quote cancer screening percentages in India should acknowledge that the figures are not comparable between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 The NFHS data highlights critical gaps in cancer screening practices, offering valuable lessons for designing targeted interventions in India and other low- and middle-income countries to reduce preventable cancer cases and deaths. Click here to read more.

Hurricanes elevate risk of Cholera, Zika, West Nile virus PHC Editor November 16, 2024 at 2:23:45 PM Hurricanes, Infectious diseases, Cholera, Zika, West Nile virus, Vibrio vulnificus. Hurricanes can lead to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, Zika, West Nile virus, and Vibrio vulnificus (flesh-eating bacteria) due to flooding and infrastructure damage. Floodwaters often contain sewage and contaminants, facilitating the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera. Standing water from floods creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of Zika and West Nile virus transmission. Exposure to contaminated water can lead to infections by Vibrio vulnificus , a bacterium that can cause severe illness or death. Public health officials emphasize the importance of avoiding contact with floodwaters, using insect repellent, and ensuring access to clean water to mitigate these risks. Previous Next

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

Medical Product Alert N°4/2025: Substandard (contaminated) FENTANILO HLB (fentanyl citrate) PHC Editor Health Systems WHO has issued Medical Product Alert N°4/2025 after six lots of FENTANILO HLB (fentanyl citrate) were found contaminated in Argentina. The affected injection is used for peri‑operative analgesia and in intensive care. According to the alert, laboratory testing detected drug‑resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii, creating a high risk of severe bloodstream infections among exposed patients. Argentina’s regulator (ANMAT) recalled implicated lots and previously suspended manufacturing activities at a producer due to serious good‑manufacturing‑practice failures. WHO advises clinicians and facilities to immediately quarantine and remove suspect stock, report adverse events to national authorities, and procure alternatives from authorised suppliers. Although the contaminated lots were identified in Argentina, WHO warns the products may have circulated elsewhere and requests vigilance and notifications if detected in other markets. The agency urges strengthened pharmacovigilance and supply‑chain checks until all recalled products are confirmed removed. (Source: WHO) Previous Next

Legislation for Digital Birth Certificates passed in India Content Editor: Dr. Himabindu Reddy August 7, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Laws & regulations, Public health, Digital India, Electronic records The Lok Sabha passed an amendment for the registration of births and deaths bill on August 1 2023. The amendment allows for issuing of digital birth certificate , which can be used for all official purposes. The bill faced some opposition by those who considered it anti-poor and an infrastructure for mass surveillance violating the privacy of citizens. With this amendment, the government aims create a centralized database to avoid multiplicity of certificates for proof of time and place of birth in the nation and ensure smoother service delivery. According to the plan this database will update and sync with National population register, ration cards and property registration system. Previous Next

Concerns of ash disposal in Delhi Concerns of ash disposal in Delhi Content Editor: Prayag Khandelwal February 17, 2024 Social Trends Environmental Health, Waste disposal The ash generated from Waste-to-Energy Plants contains heavy metals and unburnt toxic chemicals which contaminates the underground water table. To dispose of the ash produced by the WTEPs in Okhla and Tehkhand, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has constructed an ESL facility in Tehkhand. The amount of trash (ash) to be disposed of daily is 100 tonnes, and this ESL has a capacity of 9.23 lakh cubic meters. ESL is projected to live for 6.5 years, according to MCD . Following the filling of ESL, MCD will begin looking for other land and in Delhi, land is an extremely valuable resource. Consequently, bricks and other materials that can be used in construction operations must be made from the ash produced by all of Delhi's current waste-to-energy facilities.

Revised COVID-19 therapeutic guidelines. Content Editor: Dr. Rashmi Verma November 30, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM COVID-19, Global health This update provides new baseline risk estimates for hospital admission for non-severe COVID-19 patients. The revised estimates aid healthcare professionals in identifying and tailoring treatment for individuals based on their risk levels. The most notable change includes the transition of individuals over 65 and those with specific chronic conditions from high to moderate risk. WHO reiterates its strong endorsement of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir ('Paxlovid'). WHO recommends molnupiravir or remdesivir in cases where Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir is unavailable for high-risk patients. Further, it advises against molnupiravir and remdesivir for moderate risk due to potential harms outweighing benefits. Only symptomatic treatment is recommended for low-risk patients. WHO cautions against routine use of new antivirals (VV116) and strongly opposes ivermectin for non-severe COVID-19, restricting its usage to clinical trials in severe or critical cases. Previous Next