Global call to action on desertification and drought Content Editor: Dr. Manjeet July 20, 2024 at 2:00:00 PM Climate Change, Environment & Health, One health Desertification and drought are severe environmental challenges , with up to 40% of global land already degraded. Healthy land is crucial for food security, employment, and protection against natural disasters. However, unsustainable resource use and growing populations exacerbate land degradation, driving forced migration and displacing millions. Over one billion young people in developing countries, reliant on land for sustenance , face limited job prospects. Addressing these issues through eco-entrepreneurship and best practices can offer viable solutions. Desertification and Drought Day 2024 focuses on the future of land stewardship, urging global action to preserve this vital resource and ensure stability and prosperity for billions worldwide. The theme for this year, “United for land, our legacy, our future,” aims to combat this raising concern. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Empowering women on track: Creating safe and brighter futures in Indian railways Empowering women on track: Creating safe and brighter futures in Indian railways Content Editor: Dr Sumana Mukhopadhyay October 21, 2023 The Hindu Gender in health, Occupational health, Public Health The Ministry of Railways is planning to provide respite to women track maintainers and assistant loco pilots by taking account of their requests for a change in job category. This initiative follows persistent representations made by trade unions to emphasize the challenges encountered by women employees in these roles. The Railway Board has communicated with general managers of all Zonal Railways, requesting data on female track maintainers and assistant loco pilots. The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) advocated for a one-time option for women to change their job category, prompting the Railway Board to begin gathering information on such requests. Major concerns were related to inadequate facilities, particularly during pregnancy. The female employees also pointed out concerns regarding extended periods of sitting. The move aims to address these issues and aligns with the demands presented by unions, including the All-India Railway Men's Federation.

Stagnant progress in Anemia Content Editor: Dr. Nikhil Kumar Khatri Global health • Anaemia is a critical health concern mainly occurred due to iron deficiency with severe consequences like developmental issues, risk of infections and death. • Anaemia is affecting children and women, with 40% of children aged 6 months to 5 years, 36% of pregnant women, and 30% of women aged 15-49 years experiencing it in 2019. • The 2023 World Health Statistics report suggests reduction rate of anaemia since 2000 has been only 0-1% annually. • Measuring anaemia accurately is challenging, particularly in young children due to costs and complex logistic tests. • To address anaemia effectively, there is a need for updated surveys covering all age groups, especially adolescents. • A holistic approach is necessary, addressing poverty, food insecurity, healthcare access, education, climate change, and gender inequality. • Swift action, by local communities and supported by global leadership in supplementation, nutrition education, screening and treatment is essential to address anaemia, and improve public health worldwide. Previous Next

Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 - takes action on eliminating urban garbage dumps Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 - takes action on eliminating urban garbage dumps Content Editor: Dr. K. H. Reddy May 8, 2023 Press Information Bureau Environmental health, Sustainability, Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 Under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, many cities have ingeniously revitalized neglected places into social hubs. Bhopal converted 37 acres of dumpsite into a gorgeous green zone welcome post for the city. Navi Mumbai took a unique route and built a multi-sports arena with safety nets in the free space under the Sanpada flyover. Surat and Patna converted their dumping grounds into biodiverse, sustainable open parks with benches made of discarded tires, tins, etc. These initiatives make the environment clean and green, promoting the health and well-being of the urban residents.

Green cover: A dust mitigation strategy. Green cover: A dust mitigation strategy. Content Editor: Dr. Aishwarya April 22, 2024 Social Trends Environmental Health, Dust Mitigation, One Health. MCD recommends planting of trees in schools, open areas and on the roadside this year. The horticulture department has released notices for the zonal offices to detail on their specific measures to implement the task. MCD also aims to carpet or repair 50km of internal roads by Oct as part of dust mitigation measures. Work is being implemented under non-plan head, funds received from MLAs or M ukhyamantri S adak P unarniraman Y ojna, said by officials. Water sprinklers, jet machines and anti-smog guns are being sprayed to mitigate dust pollution.

OptiBP- Smartphone App for Blood Pressure estimation OptiBP- Smartphone App for Blood Pressure estimation Content Editor: Dr. Ranjitha R May 9, 2023 WHO - News Section Digital Health, Research finding, WHO A multi-country study assessing the accuracy of an app, OptiBP, which estimates blood pressure through the camera of a smartphone by reading optical pulse waves was rolled out. It was identified by WHO as innovative health technology for low-resource settings , that will be incorporated into the health system during routine antenatal care. It will be one of the digital health interventions for health system strengthening but needs evaluation and evidence for its appropriate integration. The study will evaluate these tools effectiveness and accuracy in as many contexts as possible in future.

CDC approves Flumist vaccine for self administration Content Editor: Dr. Tanya October 2, 2024 at 2:31:14 PM CDC, Influenza, Vaccines Flumist, a live attenuated vaccine , has been approved for self administration for adults aged 18 years and above or for administration by a caregiver for those aged 2-17 years This shall increase both convenience and accessibility, thereby favoring vaccine acceptance.. The vaccine can be procured online through the Flumist Online program. Adults aged 18 years and above have to complete an online questionnaire which is then reviewed by the pharmacist before shipment of the vaccine. Click here to read more 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. 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Fire and air: CDC sounds the alarm on rising asthma emergencies after wildfires Fire and air: CDC sounds the alarm on rising asthma emergencies after wildfires Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti September 6, 2023 Public Health Public Health New York endured poor air quality in the early weeks of June due to smoke from Eastern Canadian wildfires making the air quality index unhealthy across the state. Daily mean PM 2.5 values were calculated and compared with the baseline value. The asthma-associated emergency department visits were recorded from the Electronic Syndromic surveillance system. They concluded that increased concentration of PM led to a three-fold increase in asthma-associated ED visits among older children and young adults. This study alerts physicians and public health experts towards low-risk communication and enhanced focus on high-risk individuals, devising effective wildfire smoke response plans.

Health Ministry Advisory on Nutritional Awareness Boards in Workplace Health Ministry Advisory on Nutritional Awareness Boards in Workplace Content Editor: Dr. Anamika August 25, 2025 Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Oil and Sugar Boards, Health Ministry, workplace nutrition, NP-NCD The Union Health Ministry has released an advisory urging workplaces to display informative boards on oil and sugar to spread awareness about hidden fats and excess sugar in foods. These boards, to be placed in canteens, lobbies, and meeting areas, aim to encourage healthier food choices and daily habits. It does not mandate warning labels on traditional snacks like samosa or jalebi and does not target Indian street food. Instead, it promotes general lifestyle changes under the NP-NCD programme, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, choosing low-fat options, walking more, and taking short activity breaks to reduce lifestyle diseases. click here