Government launches PENCiL portal to strengthen enforcement of child labour laws Government launches PENCiL portal to strengthen enforcement of child labour laws Content Editor: Dr. Anamika December 7, 2024 Press Information Bureau Child Labour, Child Welfare, Child health The Government has developed an online portal called ‘Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour (PENCiL)’ to enforce the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986. The portal consists of five components: Central Government State Government District Project Societies Child Tracking System Complaint corner District Nodal Officers (DNOs) have been appointed to ensure strict implementation of the Act. The Ministry has framed a model State Action Plan (SAP ) with action points for State Governments to eradicate child labor, including among migrant, girl, and SC/ST children. Click here to read more.

Comparison of diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2. Comparison of diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2. Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar May 4, 2024 Center for Disease Control COVID-19, Public Health, Health Research The objective of the study was to re-evaluate the performance characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen test with those of RT-PCR and viral culture during periods of greater population immunity and recently circulating Omicron variants. Among participants enrolled in the study during increased disease and vaccine-induced immunity, circulating viruses differed antigenically from ancestral strains, and there was a similar proportion of infections detected by antigen and culture. But, by RT-PCR detection, it was higher c ompared to that either by antigen or culture Compared to RT-PCR, the sensitivity of the paired antigen test was low, but higher when compared to culture. Even though the culture result is not an absolute marker of transmissibility, the pattern of positive antigen tests may suggest a transmissible virus and might aid in determining when symptoms begin to resolve. Click here to read more.

UNICEF issues Urgent Call for action in response to the rise in Sexual Violence in CONGO. Content Editor: Dr. Sangya Chaudhary June 1, 2023 at 10:53:09 PM UNICEF UNICEF has issued an urgent plea for action in response to a concerning rise in sexual violence against girls and women in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Reports indicate a 37% increase in gender-based violence during the first three months of 2023 compared to the previous year. The situation is particularly dire for the over 1.16 million people displaced by conflict in the region, with overcrowded sites posing significant risks. Many survivors reported being attacked by armed and displaced men in and around camps. UNICEF also warns about high levels of sexual exploitation of children at more than 1,000 sites. UNICEF is providing medical, psychosocial, and protective services. They also have called for expanded interventions, an end to exploitation, and increased donor assistance to improve living conditions, healthcare, and education for the affected population. Previous Next

Assessment of the utility of the Globorisk Chart Content Editor: Dr. Tanya Tanu April 9, 2024 at 2:00:00 PM Globorisk Chart, Cardiovascular Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases The Globorisk chart assesses the risk of heart attack or stroke in healthy individuals using parameters such as a person’s country of residence, age, sex, smoking, diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol to predict the chance that they will have a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years. Two separate Globorisk charts, one for laboratory use and another for office use , are available. The objective of the study by Kar et al was to categorize patients with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) using the Globorisk chart to predict their risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular disease (CVD) event within the next ten years. The study also aimed to find the percent agreement between the Globorisk chart and the WHO/ISH chart. The study was conducted in 2018 and included 760 adults attending the NCD clinic of one rural and one urban primary health center in Puducherry. The Globorisk chart's laboratory and office risk calculators were used to calculate the risk. Using the Globorisk prediction chart, the study predicted that 22.1% (n = 168) of the participants had less than 10% risk for any CVD event in the next 10 years. However, when the WHO/ISH chart was used, the same risk was found in 71.1% (n = 540) of the individuals. The study also found no agreement between the two risk charts (k = 0.0174; P-value = 0.26). In conclusion, the study found that the Globorisk chart identified more patients as belonging to the higher risk category compared to the WHO charts. 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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CDC recommends Nirsevimab for protection against RSV Content Editor: Dr. Himabindu Reddy August 24, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Global health, Public health, RSV, Vaccination, Child health AstraZeneca created the long-acting monoclonal antibody known as Nirsevimab, which got its USFDA approval in July 2023 for newborns and infants exposed to their first Respiratory syncytial virus season. It can also offer protection to children up to 24 months old who are entering their second season but have low immunity. RSV usually starts spreading in the winter season in the US. The CDC estimates that RSV leads to the hospitalization of nearly 80 thousand children and the deaths of nearly 300 under-5 children every year. The director of the CDC assured that this new tool for protection against RSV will soon be made available as part of children’s immunization schedules. Previous Next

“Aditi”: Narayana health unveils affordable surgical insurance Content Editor: Dr. Mohammed Kashif July 9, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM Health insurance, Universal health coverage, Unmet needs Addressing the unmet needs in India's healthcare , where 70 million surgeries are required but only 20 million are performed due to financial barriers, Dr. Devi Shetty, chairman of Narayana Health, launched the health insurance product 'Aditi' on July 1. The basic plan, with a premium of Rs 10,000 per year, covers a family of four where the eldest is 45 years old, offering Rs 5 lakh in treatment and Rs 1 crore in surgeries . The premium will vary based on the patient’s age and/or comorbidities. Unlike traditional insurance, the “Aditi" plan will initially cover elective procedures only within their hospital chain but can be used anywhere for emergencies. The focus is on providing managed care with minimal administrative hurdles, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience within the Narayana Health network. Dr. Shetty emphasized that no one will be denied coverage, regardless of their medical conditions. Previous Next

Insights from Kenyan Sub-County Forecasting to improve Under 5 malnutrition surveillance using Machine Learning Content Editor: Dr. Smruthi June 20, 2025 at 6:09:26 PM Research findings, Under 5 malnutrition The main aim is to develop a spatio-temporal machine learning model for predicting acute malnutrition in children, using DHIS2 data. Main objectives of this study are improving the prediction rates through the collective use of all indicators, such as signals derived from satellite images, and forecasting acute malnutrition at various severity levels across different time periods of 1, 3, and 6 months. The study used routinely collected health data from DHIS2 alongwith remotely sensed satellite data, mainly Gross Primary Productivity measurements, of 5 years. Window average model has been used as a baseline and it is compared with the new machine learning model. The performance was evaluated using Area Under Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC). The machine learning models with AUC of 0.86 for 6 months period, performed much superior than the Window Average baseline of AUC 0.73 in forecasting sub-county malnutrition rates. The machine learning models displayed high accuracy of AUC >0.9 in predicting extreme acute malnutrition risk across all assessed time periods. Click here to read more. Previous Next

NCW Report on violence against women January 25, 2023 at 5:24:40 AM Women Health As per report from National commission for women, 30,957 cases complaints have been made to NCW over the last year. Out of those, 31% are regarding right to live with dignity, 23% are regarding protection of women against domestic violence and 15% are regarding matters of harassment of married women including dowry. NCW had a dedicated 24x7 helpline platform (7827170170) since July 21 and also planned for nationwide campaign to create awareness. Previous Next

WHO designates a Collaborating Centre on artificial intelligence (AI) Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala March 22, 2025 at 2:16:19 PM Artificial Intelligence, WHO, Ethics The World Health Organization (WHO ) acknowledges the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects of healthcare , including research, diagnosis, drug discovery, outbreak preparedness, clinical applications, and electronic health records. Committed to harnessing AI for innovation, equity, and ethical integrity, WHO has strengthened its collaboration with the D igital E thics C entre at the Delft University of Technology by designating it as a “Collaborating Centre on AI for Health Governance .” This Centre will support the WHO in developing guidelines and policies to promote the responsible and ethical use of AI in healthcare. Additionally, it will contribute to AI research in the health sector and provide expert insights to WHO. To facilitate the effective implementation of AI-related guidelines at the national level, the Digital Ethics Centre and its partners have established the “Responsible and Ethical AI for Healthcare Lab. ” Previous Next