Revolutionizing diabetes care: smart insulin, your personal pancreas Revolutionizing diabetes care: smart insulin, your personal pancreas Content Editor: Dr. Subhana Siyad September 6, 2023 The Indian Express Diabetes, Insulin, NCD Insulin administration techniques have advanced significantly over the years, moving from glass syringes with long needles to disposable syringes with finer needles to prefilled insulin pens. Dr. Arnold Kadish created the first artificial pancreas to constantly deliver insulin in the 1960s. Following these, the Biostator and Insulin Pump were created in the 1970s and 1990s, respectively. The battery-powered, modern insulin pump administers insulin through a tiny teflon or steel cannula placed just under the skin either at predetermined rates or at the press of a button, cutting down on the number of pricks from several times per day to just once every 2-3 days. Tubeless insulin pumps can change the insulin doses based on glucose information from a continuous glucose monitor. Better insulin modifications for various times of day and night, exercise, illness, menstruation, exams, and other everyday scenarios are a further benefit, which helps to decrease bouts of hypoglycemia and improve HbA1c status. However, high cost (2-5 lakhs), stigma among patients regarding wearing a device that constantly reminds them of their condition, problems with cannulas in thin patients or those who sweat a lot, and skin reactions from adhesive tapes, deter patients from switching to insulin pumps.

Delhi's sex ratio at birth declines 3rd consecutive year- An increase in prenatal sex testing? Delhi's sex ratio at birth declines 3rd consecutive year- An increase in prenatal sex testing? Content Editor: Dr. Shubham September 12, 2024 Directorate of Economics and Statistics Population, Demography, Sex Ratio, Infacticide, PCPNDT For the third year in a row, Delhi's birth rate has decreased: from 929 in 2022 to 922 females for every 1,000 males in 2023. While the death rate in Delhi climbed little from 6.07 to 6.16, the birth rate improved from 14.24 per thousand in 2022 to 14.66 in 2023. The sex ratio had improved significantly in the past, reaching 1004 females per 1000 males in 2008, but has been declining since 2020. This trend about the decline in the sex ratio has alarmed health experts, suggesting an increase in prenatal sex determination tests and calling for stricter enforcement of related laws. In the last three years, just 19 cases have been filed under the PCPNDT Act. Experts have also raised concern and the high number of deaths due to septicaemia, urging stricter health policies to be implemented. Together, the rates of maternal and infant mortality declined marginally in 2023, reaching 23.61 and 23.61 per 1,000 live births, respectively.

Samagra Shiksha scheme: To promote menstrual health Samagra Shiksha scheme: To promote menstrual health Content Editor: Dr. Shubham August 29, 2024 Social Trends Menstrual Health, Reproductive health, Adolescent health UNICEF India commended Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s efforts to promote menstrual health among adolescents in the state. Rs 57.18 crore has been transferred to the accounts of 19 lakh school-going girls in Madhya Pradesh as part of a cash transfer scheme. The money was set aside for girls' students to purchase sanitary napkins, under the "Samagra Shiksha" scheme. The program's goal is to encourage girls in Classes VII through XII to practice good hygiene and cleanliness. UNICEF India is working with the government and stakeholders to raise awareness about menstrual health and school hygiene. The objective of this effort is to enhance the menstrual health and hygiene of teenage girls in Madhya Pradesh.

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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100 ‘eat right’ food streets planned across India Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal April 27, 2023 at 3:22:11 PM Food Safety, Nutrition, Eat Right Campaign The objectives of this project are to promote safe food habits, reduce food-borne illness, promote easy access to safe and hygienic food , and hence improve overall health outcomes. This would help to boost the Eat Right Campaign, boost food safety, and improve the credibility of local food businesses. Financial assistance of ₹1 cr per food street will be given to the States and the Union Territories. Previous Next

River Ganges' unseen tragedy: Dolphins trapped in troubled waters Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti October 20, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Environmental Health, One Health Along the basins of the River Ganges, the closure of barrages paves the way for the entry of dolphins. The dolphins get trapped in it and eventually die. Their deaths may be due to factors such as: The rapid recession of water Heat stroke Human interference. The Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation India and the Department of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change, Uttar Pradesh conducted a rescue operation between 2013 and 2020. The operation saved a total of 19 dolphins. However, five of them died during transport. The paper published in the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management discussed salient points as follows: Ensuring a minimum of six feet of water depth in dolphin-trapped areas. Monitoring and timely reporting of such incidents Veterinary research to improve the quality of rescue operations Previous Next

NITI Aayog’s Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response Framework (PPER) NITI Aayog’s Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response Framework (PPER) Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala September 17, 2024 NITI Aayog Public Health Preparedness, Pandemic Response, COVID-19 The expert groups at NITI Ayog analyzed the COVID-19 situation in India and has come up with recommendations in the form of the Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response Framework (PPER) for action. The PPER emphasizes the importance of the first 100 days of an outbreak of a new pathogen and the need to develop a robust system capable of making strategic decisions and actions. The recommendation are framed under four pillars: 1. Governance, Legislation, Finance and Management : The expert group recommends the enactment of a Public Health Emergency Act Establishment of an empowered governance framework for public health response and a continuous monitoring group Preparing a plan for action for rapid response Initiating a PPER fund for all activities concerning preparedness and response. 2. Surveillance, Management of Data and Early Predictive Warning : A robust surveillance network linking data on human, animal and environment in the form of epidemiologic, genomic and clinical data Setting up more BSL3 and BSL4 laboratories for priority and unknown pathogens Leveraging Forecasting and Modelling for early prediction of emerging threats 3. Research and Innovation, Infrastructure, Capacity building : Developing countermeasures based on Research on priority pathogens Expanding production capabilities for drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools Strengthening supply chain and logistic management through infrastructure development and robust action plan for countermeasures Establishing institutes of innovation for research on diagnosis and management and for appropriate human capacity building. 4. Partnership, Community engagement and risk communication : Developing strategic plan for risk communication and community engagement Collaborating with private sector and international organizations. Click here to read more

Extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana expected for 5 years Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti November 20, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Nutrition, Food Security The PMGKAY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana) started in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been extended six times since then. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Householders beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act are covered under the scheme. It provides 5kg of foodgrains free of cost over and above the 5kg foodgrains entitled to them under NFSA at a subsidized rate of Rs 3/kg rice and Rs 2/kg wheat. The cabinet has agreed upon the extension of the scheme for the year 2023 at around ₹2 lakh crore. The prime minister promised to continue the PMGKAY for five more years at a rally in Chhattisgarh. Previous Next

World Zoonosis Day: The need to differentiate between zoonotic diseases and animal diseases World Zoonosis Day: The need to differentiate between zoonotic diseases and animal diseases Content Editor: Dr. Prachi July 26, 2024 Press Information Bureau One Health, Zoonotic Disease, Public health World Zoonoses Day is celebrated on 6 July in honor of Louis Pasteur, who administered the first rabies vaccine on this day in 1885. The interactive session tried to differentiate between zoonotic diseases and those affecting animals. Species-specific animal diseases, such as Foot and mouth Disease and lumpy Skin Disease, do not pose a threat to humans but may lead to unnecessary fear of animals. The session emphasized that all animal diseases are not zoonotic, citing the recent detection of African swine fever in the Thrissur district of Kerala. Prevention of zoonotic diseases requires integrated efforts combining vaccination, hygiene, husbandry practices, and cross-disciplinary collaboration under the One Health approach. The department has launched nationwide Brucella and Rabies vaccination campaigns and implemented an animal disease surveillance plan. The National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) has been established with multi-agency experts for collaborative outbreak investigations. Click here to read more.

Jal Jeevan Mission: Process in water accessibility Jal Jeevan Mission: Process in water accessibility Content Editor: Dr. Sumana September 5, 2024 Press Information Bureau Environmental health, Water access, National programmes The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched by the Government of India in partnership with States, has made significant strides in providing potable tap water to rural households. As of August 2024, more than 15.04 crore rural households (77.87%) now have tap water connections, a substantial increase from 3.23 crore in August 2019. The mission also emphasizes community participation, with over 5.32 lakh Pani Samitis formed at the Gram Panchayat level and 24.64 lakh women trained to test water samples using Field Test Kits (FTKs). The mission's success is largely attributed to its digital monitoring systems , including the JJM dashboard and mobile app , which provide real-time data on water supply status across villages. Moreover, sensor-based IoT solutions are used to measure and monitor water quality, ensuring the supply meets BIS:10500 standards. Digital tools also enable the geo-tagging of assets and linking of AADHAR for targeted delivery, promoting transparency and accountability. Challenges such as water scarcity, geogenic contaminants, and technical capacity issues are being addressed through various government measures, including financial assistance and skill development programs. The mission's success is further bolstered by the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign , focusing on sustainable water management. Click here to read more.