Harvard Chan School launches LGBTQ health center of excellence amidst pride month celebrations Content Editor: Dr. Gurumurthy June 18, 2024 at 3:00:00 PM LGBTQ, Equity, Non-discrimination On June 4, during Harvard Chan School's Pride Month celebration, the LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence was officially launched. The LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence at Harvard, in partnership with the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, aims to address health disparities faced by LGBTQ individuals, such as higher rates of mental and physical illnesses. The LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence, led by Brittany Charlton, aims to increase research funding, improve data collection, and train new researchers through scholarships and specialized courses. This initiative is timely, given the surge in anti-LGBTQ legislation. The center will also focus on disseminating research and promoting effective communication on LGBTQ health issues , leveraging community strengths to achieve its goals. Click here to read more. Previous Next

A report on the nutrition performance of food companies. A report on the nutrition performance of food companies. Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti November 27, 2023 Access to Nutrition Initiative Nutrition With the ever-rising sales of packaged and processed food products, the need to ensure healthier standards also increases. The Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) published the "India Index 2023" report. This report evaluates India's 20 largest food and beverage companies' performance. The index assessed the nutrition policies and practices of the companies using indicators across seven categories. The findings are as follows: Less healthy food products generate 76% of the revenues Half of the manufacturers follow a nutrition strategy Only 12% of the products are suitable for marketing to children. The report includes recommendations for companies, investors, and policymakers to transform markets for nutrition.

Global Summit Highlights AI’s Role in Sustainable Development Goals Content Editor: Dr. Chinmay July 19, 2025 at 4:47:46 PM Artificial Intelligence, International Health News The AI for Good Global Summit 2025, hosted in Geneva on 8th July 2025 by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) , brings together global leaders, technologists, youth, and civil society to explore how artificial intelligence can advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while addressing its risks. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin warned that the greatest danger lies not in AI replacing humanity , but in rapidly embedding AI across society without public understanding or adequate regulation . Concerns over emerging “agentic AI” systems capable of autonomous decisions include bias, inequality, energy use, and lack of oversight . The summit features over 200 tech demonstrations, from flying cars to AI-driven disaster tools. Workshops tackle AI applications in healthcare, education, ethics, and governance. On AI Governance Day, global regulators will confront the fact that 85% of countries still lack dedicated AI policies. Health is a key focus, with WHO leading discussions on AI innovations in low-resource healthcare and traditional medicine. Youth robotics teams and startups compete with AI solutions for climate resilience and education, while the AI for Good Awards celebrate impactful public-benefit projects. The summit underscores a shared goal: directing AI to serve people and the planet responsibly. Previous Next

Cashless treatment: the way ahead to reduce mortality from road accidents? Content Editor: Dr. Swathi Shenoy April 6, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM Road traffic accidents, Prevention, Golden hour The Ministry of Roadway Transport and Highways launched a pilot programme to provide cashless treatment to victims of road accidents caused by motor vehicles. This programme aims to create an ecosystem for the timely treatment of victims and reduce fatalities caused by road accidents The pilot programme is being initiated in Chandigarh and the National Health Authority will be the implementing agency. The features of this programme are as follows: 1. Victims are entitled to cashless treatment up to a maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakhs per accident per person for a maximum period of 7 days from the date of the accident. 2. Applicable to all road accidents caused by the use of motor vehicles on any category of road. 3. AB PM-JAY packages for trauma and polytrauma cases will be co-opted. 4. The claims raised by hospitals for providing treatment will be reimbursed from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. Based on the outcomes of this programme, further expansion across the country will be planned. Previous Next

India’s Multi-Pronged Push for Cancer Care Content Editor: Dr. Shayari March 22, 2025 at 2:16:12 PM Non-Communicable Disease, Cancer Care India is intensifying its fight against cancer with a focus on prevention, affordable treatment, and innovation. With over 14 lakh new cases reported in 2023, the government has rolled out robust policies, budget allocations, and global partnerships to strengthen oncology infrastructure and ensure equitable access to care. Key Highlights Budget Boost: ₹99,858.56 crore allocated for health, including 200 Day Care Cancer Centres and customs duty exemptions on 36 lifesaving drugs. Infrastructure Expansion: 19 State Cancer Institutes, 20 Tertiary Care Centres, and 770 District NCD (Non Communicable Disease) Clinics established under NP-NCD (N ational P rogramme for P revention and C ontrol of N on C ommunicable D iseases) for early detection of oral, breast, and cervical cancers. Financial Aid: Ayushman Bharat covers chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgeries, while HMCPF provides up to ₹15 lakh for BPL patients. Innovation: Launch of NexCAR19 , India’s first indigenous CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T) cell therapy, and the Q uad C ancer M oonshot initiative to eliminate cervical cancer . Awareness: National campaigns like Eat Right India and Fit India promote healthy lifestyles, while Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs drive grassroots awareness. India’s cancer care framework integrates policy, finance, and innovation, yet challenges in rural access and early detection persist. Sustained efforts aim to build an inclusive, cancer-free future. Previous Next

Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 - takes action on eliminating urban garbage dumps Content Editor: Dr. K. H. Reddy May 8, 2023 at 4:29:16 PM 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. Previous Next

Celebrating international day of older persons across generations Celebrating international day of older persons across generations Content Editor: Dr. Thamizhmaran October 18, 2023 WHO Health topics Global health, Ageism, Geriatric health Every year, October 1 is celebrated as the International Day of Older Persons. This year’s theme was "Fulfilling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations." It sheds light on the global challenges faced by older individuals. It emphasizes Their rights, The need to rectify violations The importance of fostering solidarity between generations Society often employs age as a basis for division, resulting in disparities and a breakdown of intergenerational cohesion. Ageism permeates various aspects of society, from age-based healthcare rationing to limiting younger voices in decision-making. Overcoming ageism is a crucial aspect of the Decade of Healthy Aging (2020-2030). This can be achievable through: Policy changes Education Intergenerational initiatives. In a world striving for inclusivity and sustainability, addressing ageism is paramount to ensuring a just and equitable society for all generations.

Oral Health Inequalities: Economic Burden of Dental Caries Across Nations Content Editor: Dr. Tanya January 4, 2025 at 5:50:40 PM OOPE, Oral Health, Catastrophic Expenditure The study investigated disparities in oral health among the population aged 12-65 years of age by assessing the economic impact of dental caries based on deprivation levels across six countries. The findings were: Exploratory analysis utilized national data on decayed, missing, and filled teeth and the likelihood of receiving interventions such as restorative procedures and extractions for various socioeconomic groups. The economic burden of dental caries is significantly higher among the most deprived rung of the population, with the UK experiencing the highest average costs at around £18,000 per person. Potential healthcare cost savings from implementing preventive measures, including community water fluoridation, sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, school education programs, and oral health campaigns, as well as individual practices like using fluoridated toothpaste, could reduce caries progression rates by 30%, particularly benefiting the most deprived groups. A targeted approach to prevention could yield even greater savings, with reductions estimated at about £14,000 ($17,728) per person in the UK's most disadvantaged population. With a levelling-up approach, cost reductions in the most deprived group ranged from US$3,948 in Indonesia to US$17,728 in the UK. Previous Next

Promoting transparency: FSSAI's directive on energy and health drink labeling Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala April 6, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM Nutrition, Legislation, Safety, Food hygiene Currently, certain proprietary foods that fall under the dairy, cereal, or malt-based beverage mix category are being sold under the label of “energy drinks or health drinks.” To prevent such false labeling of drinks, the FSSAI has issued an advisory to the e-commerce food business operators to re-categorize their products under appropriate groups. In this advisory, the FSSAI clarified the drinks that can be classified as “Energy drinks” and “healthy drinks” Currently, there is no mention of ‘health drinks’ anywhere in the FSS Act 2006 or FSS Rules and Regulations. Whereas, carbonated, flavored, and water-based drinks are classified as ‘energy drinks’ under the regulations. This advisory aims to ensure transparency and prevent the spread of misinformation. Click here to read more Previous Next

Diabetes Trend around the world from 1990-2022 Diabetes Trend around the world from 1990-2022 Content Editor: Dr. Shubham November 26, 2024 Lancet Diabetes, Global Burden of Disease India has the highest number of adults living with untreated diabetes, with over 212 million affected in 2022 and 62% still remain untreated with similar statistics in low- and middle-income countries that see rising diabetes rates but stagnant treatment coverage. This study aimed to analyse global trends in both diabetes prevalence and treatment coverage in representative populations across countries The prevalence of diabetes in India nearly doubled from 11.9% in women and 11.3% in men in 1990 to 24% and 21.4%, respectively, in 2022. This untreated diabetes epidemic poses severe public health risks, including complications like heart disease, kidney damage, and vision loss. The study recommends expanding health insurance and primary health care to enhance early detection and effective treatment of diabetes to mitigate the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in India. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) also highlights that 40% of Indian women and 12% of men suffer from abdominal obesity, a significant risk factor for diabetes. Addressing these intertwined health issues requires urgent public health interventions focusing on early detection, continuous care, and lifestyle modifications to mitigate the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in India. Click here to read more