A 3-day workshop to boost the completion of ABDM integration A 3-day workshop to boost the completion of ABDM integration Content Editor: Akhila Nandan August 24, 2023 Press Bureau Information Health insurance, Ayushmann Bharath, Universal Health Coverage In order to boost the completion of ABDM integration, NHA and IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) organized a 3-day workshop from August 10 to 12 in New Delhi, which witnessed over 150 participants. This workshop was also conducted to enhance the Health Claims Exchange (HCX) specifications and e-claim standards for insurance companies and Third-Party Administrators As per the orders of IRDAI, all insurance companies are supposed to collect the ABHA numbers so as to ensure an affordable healthcare environment for the common man. It has also advised to join the National HCX, which will provide information regarding insurers, TPAs, claimants, etc. NHA and CDAC, Pune, provided technical assistance to help them achieve their goals. This intervention is believed to drink from the nectar of partnership and teamwork to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem. Click to read more

Can we predict life expectancy using lifestyle factors? Content Editor: Dr. Swathi Shenoy April 17, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM Noncommunicable diseases, lifestyle modifications Noncommunicable diseases have been on the rise, contributing to large amounts of morbidity and mortality. However, these diseases are preventable with appropriate lifestyle changes. However, there is a lack of tools that will help estimate the risk of these diseases. Hence, a study was conducted to develop and validate a multivariable model with the following objectives: 1. To determine the life expectancy of young adults 2. To identify those young adults at risk of lifestyle-related disorders. A cross-sectional approach was used using the data of 38,481 participants from the National Nutrition and Health Examination Survey (1994-2014). The risk factors included in the model are smoking, physical activity, diet, and BMI. The lifestyle-related diseases included in the model were: 1. Diabetes, 2. Arrhythmia, 3. Coronary artery disease, 4. Myocardial infarction, 5. Stroke, 6. Malignant neoplasms. The model showed good predictive potential, with the area under the ROC being 0.846. The model also estimated the deferred effects of lifestyle and its impact on life expectancy. Hence, this model can motivate young adults to undergo lifestyle modifications. Click here to read more Previous Next

QR based OPD registration crossed 5 lakh mark under ABDM QR based OPD registration crossed 5 lakh mark under ABDM February 25, 2023 The Hindu National Digital Health Mission, ABHA Health ID QR code-based instant patient OPD registration was launched last year in October under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. From its inception, till now 365 hospitals have adopted it. According to a report by National Health Authority, more than 5 lakh patients have availed the benefit of queue-less OPD registration. The QR code can be scanned by different government and 3rd part apps example: the ABHA app, Arogya Setu app, PayTM, etc. The initiative has not only made the process paperless but has also streamlined patient registration. It is also linked to the ABHA number, therefore it is also helping in the linkage of patient health records. The maximum registration through QR code has been taken in Karnataka, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

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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Since the declaration of the novel coronavirus as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, a variety of strategies have been implemented to combat its spread. Among these strategies, two predominant approaches have emerged: elimination and mitigation. Elimination, also known as the 'Zero-COVID' strategy Public Health News Analysis China's Zero COVID Policy – An Insight Author : Dr Aninda Debnath Updated on : March 13, 2023 Public Health Interventions, Zero COVID Policy, COVID-19 In terms of short-term benefits, the Zero-COVID-19 strategy has been shown to prevent avoidable infections, hospitalizations, and deaths caused by the virus. Since the declaration of the novel coronavirus as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, a variety of strategies have been implemented to combat its spread. Among these strategies, two predominant approaches have emerged: elimination and mitigation . Elimination, also known as the 'Zero-COVID' strategy , is primarily adopted by island states such as New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Zero-COVID approach seeks to achieve a goal of zero deaths by vigorously containing the virus through short-term lockdowns, followed by stringent find, test, trace, and isolate measures. It places a strong emphasis on the protection of lives at all costs. On the other hand, countries such as India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Sweden have implemented anti-pandemic measures that follow a mitigation strategy. This approach employs relatively lenient or relaxed measures to restrict virus transmission. (1)(2) Benefits of Zero-COVID strategy One of the main arguments for justifying the Zero-COVID strategy is based on societies' overarching duty to protect human life, whereby every COVID-19 death is considered unacceptable. This argument suggests that since the Zero-COVID approach has a better track record in terms of saving lives than the mitigation strategy, it should be favoured over the latter. In terms of short-term benefits, the Zero-COVID-19 strategy has been shown to prevent avoidable infections, hospitalizations, and deaths caused by the virus. In comparison to societies that adopt a "living with COVID-19" mitigation policy, individuals in societies that implement the Zero-COVID-19 approach typically have much lower rates of COVID-19 infection. For instance, an analysis of COVID-19 data from 72 countries conducted in 2020 revealed that the elimination strategy provides significantly greater protection to society members in terms of COVID-19 deaths, when compared to other anti-pandemic measures. (3)(4) Multiple studies have shown that the Zero-COVID approach is more effective in saving lives than the mitigation strategy. For example, Oliu-Barton conducted a study comparing countries that adopted the Zero-COVID-19 approach with those that adopted the mitigation approach, and found that countries that implemented Zero-COVID had COVID-19 death rates that were 25 times lower than those that adopted the mitigation strategy. (5) Overall, the argument in favour of the Zero-COVID approach is that it provides significant short-term benefits in terms of preventing COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths, particularly when compared to the mitigation strategy. Argument against Zero-COVID strategy It is important to note that health equity concerns are not exclusive to the Zero-COVID strategy, but can also arise under the mitigation approach. In particular, marginalized communities can be disproportionately burdened by the pandemic and the societal responses to it, especially when such communities are already facing structural racism or poverty. (6) For instance, the implementation measures, such as physical distancing and quarantine, may not be feasible or effective for individuals living in crowded and under-resourced communities. Such communities may lack access to adequate healthcare services, personal protective equipment, and information on how to protect themselves against COVID-19. As a result, these communities may face a higher risk of infection and more severe outcomes, including hospitalization and death. (7) Research has found that strict lockdowns can have a significant impact on health services for individuals with chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and cancer. The diversion of medical resources to combat the pandemic can compromise routine check-ups and follow-up treatments for these patients, leading to negative consequences. During the recent Omicron wave in Shanghai, strict lockdowns resulted in interruptions in regular medical care and limited treatment resources, causing havoc among residents. For instance, individuals requiring dialysis were unable to receive treatment due to hospitals' policies of no admission without a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19. These findings indicate that while lockdowns may be an effective measure for controlling the spread of COVID-19, they can have unintended consequences for individuals with chronic health conditions. (8) Therefore, it is essential to consider health equity concerns in the development and implementation of any pandemic response strategy. This includes taking into account the unique circumstances and needs of marginalized communities and ensuring that measures are in place to address any adverse impacts on their health and well-being. Such efforts may include targeted outreach and education, provision of resources and support, and partnerships with community organizations to build trust and foster engagement. (9)(10) Change in strategy The change from a zero-COVID approach will come with many advantages, but also great challenges. Advantages The change should also better balance the control of COVID-19 versus other diseases, as the zero-COVID approach has occupied vast public health resources. Moreover, living with the virus in a highly vaccinated population can lead to robust herd immunity against various SARS-CoV-2 variants through repeated natural mild infections Challenges COVID-19 cases will surge rapidly and stay high for months. Healthcare systems could be overwhelmed by too many patients, which could increase greatly the COVID-19 fatality rate. Conclusion The Zero COVID strategy can be effective in controlling infectious diseases, especially in the early stages of an outbreak when little is known about the disease and there are no effective measures to control it. However, with the advent of vaccines and wide vaccination coverage, as well as a decreasing case fatality rate, it may be more advantageous to opt for a mitigation strategy rather than a Zero COVID approach. Vaccines have been developed and deployed at an unprecedented pace, providing significant protection against the virus and drastically reducing the risk of severe disease and death. This has enabled governments to shift their focus from the elimination of the virus to the management of its impact on society. Instead of trying to completely eradicate the virus, mitigation strategies focus on reducing the transmission and severity of the disease while keeping the economy and society open. Furthermore, a Zero COVID strategy may not be feasible in the long term as it requires strict and often draconian measures, such as complete lockdowns, which can have severe economic and social consequences. Mitigation strategies, on the other hand, can be adapted to the changing situation and can be less disruptive to daily life while still being effective in controlling the spread of the virus. References 1. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Variants of SARS-COV-2 [Internet]. [cited 2023 Feb 24]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-variants-of-sars-cov-2 2. Su Z, Cheshmehzangi A, McDonnell D, Ahmad J, Šegalo S, Xiang YT, et al. The Advantages of the Zero-COVID-19 Strategy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022 Jan;19(14):8767. 3. Frontiers | Asymptomatic Transmissibility Calls for Implementing a Zero-COVID Strategy to End the Current Global Crisis [Internet]. [cited 2023 Feb 24]. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2022.836409/full 4. Helliwell JF, Norton MB, Wang S, Aknin LB, Huang H. Well-being Analysis Favours a Virus-Elimination Strategy for COVID-19 [Internet]. National Bureau of Economic Research; 2021 [cited 2023 Feb 24]. (Working Paper Series). Available from: https://www.nber.org/papers/w29092 5. Oliu-Barton M, Pradelski BSR, Aghion P, Artus P, Kickbusch I, Lazarus JV, et al. SARS-CoV-2 elimination, not mitigation, creates best outcomes for health, the economy, and civil liberties. Lancet. 2021 Jun 12;397(10291):2234–6. 6. Open letter from African intellectuals to leaders over COVID-19 [Internet]. [cited 2023 Feb 24]. Available from: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/4/17/open-letter-from-african-intellectuals-to-leaders-over-covid-19 7. Saalim K, Sakyi KS, Fatema-Tuz-Zohra, Morrison E, Owusu P, Dalglish SL, et al. Reported health and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable populations and implemented solutions in six West African countries: A media content analysis. PLOS ONE. 2021 Jun 16;16(6):e0252890. 8. Kluge HHP, Wickramasinghe K, Rippin HL, Mendes R, Peters DH, Kontsevaya A, et al. Prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in the COVID-19 response. Lancet. 2020;395(10238):1678–80. 9. Bai W, Sha S, Cheung T, Su Z, Jackson T, Xiang YT. Optimizing the dynamic zero-COVID policy in China. Int J Biol Sci. 2022;18(14):5314–6. 10. Jecker NS, Au DKS. Does Zero-COVID neglect health disparities? J Med Ethics. 2022 Mar;48(3):169–72. ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. Join the team Public Health Chronicle! APPLY NOW

Maryland Sees Tenfold Increase in Whooping Cough Cases Content Editor: PHC Editor November 4, 2024 at 5:48:07 PM Whooping Cough, Maryland, Pertussis, Vaccination, Public Health Maryland has reported 121 confirmed cases of whooping cough (pertussis) as of October 22, 2024, a significant rise from 11 cases during the same period in 2023. The Maryland Department of Health notes that this surge aligns with national trends, as the United States returns to pre-pandemic levels of pertussis incidence. Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination, particularly for infants and those in close contact with them , to curb the spread of this highly contagious respiratory disease. Symptoms of whooping cough include severe coughing fits, a "whooping" sound when breathing in after coughing , and potential complications like pneumonia, especially in young children. The state is intensifying public health campaigns to raise awareness and encourage timely immunizations to protect vulnerable populations. Previous Next

National Media Delegation Praises NIV Pune’s Viral Research Efforts Content Editor: Dr. Lopamudra July 12, 2025 at 5:29:52 PM Virology, Viral Diseases A delegation of national media representatives toured NIV Pune to observe its pioneering work in viral disease control . During the visit, scientists demonstrated their critical contributions to public health security. Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director of NIV, presented recent breakthroughs including surveillance of COVID-19 mutations , containment of Guillain-Barré Syndrome cases , and progress on made-in-India vaccines targeting Mpox , Kyasanur Forest Disease, H5N1, and Japanese Encephalitis. The institute marked a technological milestone with NAKSHATRA - India's inaugural High-Performance Computing system dedicated to viral genomics , enhancing research capabilities. Since its 1952 founding, NIV Pune has served as India's frontline defense against viral threats through swift diagnosis and epidemic control measures. Previous Next

Antimicrobial resistance: A global health threat Content Editor: Dr. Sivanthiga June 22, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM Antimicrobial Resistance, Sustainable development Goals, Research findings The study used the six-year data set (from Jan 2017 to Dec 2022) from the Indian Council of Medical Research Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (IAMRSN). The results revealed a global health threat of escalating levels of antimicrobial resistance. Associations between higher antibiotic resistance and lower Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) achievements were established. The AMR trends in pathogen groups such as gram-negative, gram-positive organisms, Enterobacteriaceae were identified. An AMR scorecard for targeted interventions based on demographics was proposed. Cefotaxime resistance emerged as a potential early indicator for emerging carbapenem resistance, suggesting a novel surveillance marker ; thus, ‘indicator antibiotics ’ were introduced. The following recommendations were made: Implement proactive surveillance of AMR to align with WHO GLASS standards. Vigilantly monitor escalating carbapenem resistance. Tailor treatment guidelines based on demographics. Develop targeted interventions using AMR scorecards. Emphasize associations between AMR and SDG to help in policymaking . Click here to read more. Previous Next

CDC issues level 2 travel advisory for Chikungunya CDC issues level 2 travel advisory for Chikungunya Content Editor: Dr Urmimala November 22, 2024 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Advisory, Chikungunya, Outbreak, Global Health Following a rise in the number of US travelers returning from Telangana, India, diagnosed with Chikungunya , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the Level 2 Travel Advisory notice . The Advisory includes: Symptoms of the disease- fever, joint pain, muscle ache, rashes . Route of Transmission- Vector-borne- Mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) bites Modes of Prevention- Self protection - wearing long sleeve clothes, using insect repellants Recommending Vaccination for all aged 18yrs and above travelling to areas of outbreak- with restrictions for certain groups like pregnant women and immunosuppressed. The four levels of travel advisories are meant to inform travellers about the global health risks of traveller to different areas of the world and the level of precautionary measures required. The recommendations are as follows- Level 1 for practicing usual precautionary measures for a disease Level 2 for practicing enhanced precautionary measures Level 3 for recommending reconsideration for travel due to non-essential reasons Level 4 to avoid all travel. Click here to read more.

Combating infant and child mortality: India's research and program initiatives Combating infant and child mortality: India's research and program initiatives Content Editor: Dr Shayari December 12, 2024 Press Information Bureau National Health Programs, National Health Mission, Health Research The Indian government, through the ICMR and the M inistry o f H ealth and F amily W elfare, is implementing a comprehensive strategy to reduce newborn and child mortality and improve overall health outcomes. Key Takeaways: 1. ICMR Research Initiatives: The ICMR is conducting extensive research, including the "Sankalp" program to reduce neonatal mortality to the single digits, research on reducing stillbirths, studies on childhood respiratory diseases (which reveal differences from Western data), and projects focusing on the first 1000 days of life, sickle cell disease screening, and birth defect surveillance. 2. National Health Mission (NHM) Programs: The NHM is implementing numerous nationwide programs to improve newborn and child health. Key initiatives include establishing specialized newborn care units (SNCUs and NBSUs ), promoting mother-newborn care (MNCUs and KMC ), providing home-based care (HBNC & HBYC ), ensuring free treatment under JSSK , implementing universal immunization (UIP ), promoting breastfeeding (MAA ), combating pneumonia (SAANS ) and diarrhea (STOP Diarrhoea ), screening children under RBSK , managing malnutrition in NRCs , addressing anemia (AMB ), and providing extensive capacity building for healthcare providers. 3. The ICMR is forging dynamic partnerships with stakeholders, including national/state pediatric associations and NGOs, to amplify research and implementation endeavors. Click here to read more.