FSSAI to ensure the prohibition of calcium carbide in fruit ripening. Content Editor: Dr. Aiswarya May 27, 2024 at 2:00:00 PM Artificial Fruit ripening, Natural ripening, harmful calcium carbide. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has alerted traders, fruit handlers, and Food Business Operators (FBOs) to strictly comply with the prohibition on calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits, focusing on its excessive use during the mango season. FSSAI also advises the Food Safety Departments of States and UTs to take strict actions against person(s) indulging in such practices as per the provisions of FSSAI. Due to the dangers, calcium carbide used for ripening fruits has been banned under the Regulation of the FSSAI. The authority permits the use of ethylene gas as a safer alternative to Calcium carbide for fruit ripening . The ethylene gas treatment of unripe fruits accelerates the natural ripening process until the fruit naturally starts producing ethylene in required quantities. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Tamilnadu health department to launch ‘One Health and Climate Hub’ for integrated climate-health action Tamilnadu health department to launch ‘One Health and Climate Hub’ for integrated climate-health action Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala November 28, 2024 Social Trends One Health, Health System, Climate Change The Tamilnadu Dept. of Health and Family Welfare will set up the ‘One Health and Climate Hub’ owing to the challenges faced due to the interconnectedness of human health, animal health and the environment. Its proposed functions are: Formulating action plans to climate change associated health risks with a focus on vulnerable communities. Establishment of state-wide surveillance systems for monitoring data related to climate-sensitive diseases, subsequently developing Early Warning Signs (EWS). Facilitate coordination among the departments involved with the three components of One Health, along with forest and disaster management. Capacity building of the involved staff. Retrofitting climate-resilient systems like solar panels in healthcare facilities. Supporting research on climate events and outbreak using historical data.

Unemployment rate of graduate degree holders shows a declining trend as per the annual PLFS reports Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal March 23, 2023 at 3:11:40 PM Youth Affairs, Demography, Unemployment According to PLFS Reports, the estimated unemployment rate (UR) for people with graduate degrees who are 15 or older was 17.2%, 15.5%, and 14.9% during 2019–20, 2020–20, and 2021–22, respectively. This data illustrates a declining trend in the UR for people with graduate degrees . With effect from 1st October 2020, the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) was introduced to encourage employers to create new jobs and replace those lost due to the Covid-19 epidemic. The "National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) " is implemented to increase the employability of young people. Under this program, the government reimburses apprentices for 25% of their monthly stipend . The Government has brought in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS), and more programs to improve the employability of youth. Previous Next

Rally for Garbage Free Cities on International Day of Zero Waste Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal March 29, 2023 at 4:11:12 PM Sanitation, women empowerment Discussions and best practices presentations on Circularity in Garbage Free Cities, Women and Youth for GFC, Business, and Tech for GFC, and Fireside chat with Mayors will be conducted accordingly. The Women-led Swachhotsav , which would see residents rally for garbage-free cities on March 29, 30, and 31, 2023, will be influenced by the Swachh Mashaal March . After that, each ward of a participating Urban Local Body will conduct cleanliness drives in public spaces. For the Mashaal march, more than 2000 cities have already banded together. The event will be organized by MoHUA in collaboration with GIZ, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, and UNEP. Under the campaign, the first edition of Women Icons leading Swachhata (WINS) Awards 2023 was announced to recognize high-impact women entrepreneurs or women-led enterprises working for urban cleanliness. Also, a unique peer learning initiative, Swachhata Yatra has been rolled out wherein SHG members engaged as waste entrepreneurs are getting the exciting opportunity of inter-state travel and enriching their experience. Previous Next

Bridging the gap: Addressing child nutrition disparities across nations Content Editor: Dr. Aishwarya April 6, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM Undernutrition, Nutrition, Children A cross-sectional study was conducted on data available from Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys and Demographic and Health Surveys of 92 low and middle-income countries to find the prevalence of “Zero food children” among 6 to 23-month-olds. “Zero food children” are those who had not been fed any animal or formula milk, solid or semisolid food 24 hours before each survey reported by the mother or caretaker. From the sample of around 2.7 lakh children, the estimated percentage of “Zero food children” was 10.4% . The study found that such children were particularly high in West Central Africa and India which accounted for almost half of Zero food children. India has a “Zero food children” prevalence of 19.3%. This prevalence underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve infant and Young Child Feeding practices to ensure optimal nutrition during this critical period of development, where the issue is particularly urgent in West Central Africa and India. Click here to read more Previous Next

The first step toward the management of retinal degeneration Content Editor: Dr. Prayag Khandelwal March 14, 2024 at 1:30:00 PM Genomics, Genetics, Research Findings A study demonstrated that the retina in mice carrying the Rd8 mutation of CRB1 is characterized by the presence of bacterial invasion. Whereas normal CRB1 expression is enriched in the apical junctional complexes of retinal pigment epithelium and colon enterocytes, CRB1 mutations attenuate its expression in both sites. The resulting alterations of the outer blood-retinal barrier and intestinal epithelial barrier in Rd8 mice led to the translocation of intestinal bacteria from the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract to the retina, leading to secondary retinal degeneration. Systemic bacterial depletion or reintroduction of normal Crb1 expression into the colon rescued Rd8 mutation-associated retinal degeneration without reversing retinal barrier breach. The study suggests that antimicrobial agents have the potential to treat CRB1-associated retinal degeneration . Hence, it paves the way for further research in humans towards a promising treatment of genetic retinal degeneration. 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. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : PIB Delhi Chemical Emergencies Preparedness, IHR, Disaster management Read More Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives 01-10 February, 2024 View More 14-20 January, 2024 View More 19-25th November, 2024 (26) View More 23-31stOctober, 2023 (18) View More 28-31 January, 2024 View More 7-13 January, 2024 View More 5-11th November, 2023 (5) View More 15-21st October, 2023 (12) View More 21-27 January, 2024 View More 26-30th November, 2024 (20) View More 01-04th November, 2023(4) View More 08-14th October, 2023 (5) View More March 27 - 31, 2023 (15) View More March 6 - 12, 2023 (24) View More February 23 - 25, 2023 (3) View More February 15 - 16, 2023 (8) View More March 20 - 25, 2023 (18) View More March 1 - 5, 2023 (8) View More February 20 - 22, 2023 (2) View More February 07 - 14, 2023 (5) View More March 13 - 18, 2023 (8) View More February 26 - 28, 2023 (15) View More February 17 - 19, 2023 (3) View More February 01 - 06, 2023 (5) View More Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE

WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine advises an upgrade! Content Editor: Dr. Siddharth Singh April 20, 2023 at 4:43:11 PM COVID-19, Vaccination TAG-CO-VAC published an interim report that the vaccines based on the index virus is equally effective for later variants including Omicron. However, considering the antigens distance and uncertainity of viral evolution, the WHO body has emphasised on updating the vaccine antigen composition by including Omicron , as the most antigenically distinct SARS-CoV-2 variant thus far, for administration as a booster dose. This has lead to the development of bivalent mRNA vaccine including the index as well as the Ba.1 - or BA.4/5. The latest meeting of the group concluded:- Vaccines containing index virus continue to provide high level of protection against severe disease and death from all descendents of COVID-19. However, the protection from severe disease is maintained longer as compared to protection from symptomatic infection. Bivalent vaccine show modestly increased effectiveness against symptomatic disease while the severe outcome shows similar effectiveness. 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. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : PIB Delhi Chemical Emergencies Preparedness, IHR, Disaster management Read More Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives 01-10 February, 2024 View More 14-20 January, 2024 View More 19-25th November, 2024 (26) View More 23-31stOctober, 2023 (18) View More 28-31 January, 2024 View More 7-13 January, 2024 View More 5-11th November, 2023 (5) View More 15-21st October, 2023 (12) View More 21-27 January, 2024 View More 26-30th November, 2024 (20) View More 01-04th November, 2023(4) View More 08-14th October, 2023 (5) View More March 27 - 31, 2023 (15) View More March 6 - 12, 2023 (24) View More February 23 - 25, 2023 (3) View More February 15 - 16, 2023 (8) View More March 20 - 25, 2023 (18) View More March 1 - 5, 2023 (8) View More February 20 - 22, 2023 (2) View More February 07 - 14, 2023 (5) View More March 13 - 18, 2023 (8) View More February 26 - 28, 2023 (15) View More February 17 - 19, 2023 (3) View More February 01 - 06, 2023 (5) View More Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE

Food expenditure trends from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-2023 Content Editor: Dr. Mohammed Kashif June 14, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM Standard of living, Well-being, Socio-economic status, Research findings The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) compiles the average Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE), an indicator of living standards. MPCE is defined as the total monthly consumption value of household goods and services divided by household size. Expenditure Patterns on food items are as follows: Rural : Constitutes 46% of MPCE, of which Beverages, refreshments, and processed foods (9.62%), Milk and milk products (8.33%), Vegetables (5.38%), and Cereals (4.91%). Urban : Constitutes 39% of MPCE, of which Beverages, refreshments, and processed foods (10.64%), Milk and milk products (7.22%), and Fruits and vegetables (3.8%). State-wise variations in food and cereal expenditure: Food Expenditure (as % of MPCE) Rural: 39% in Kerala to 54% in Bihar and Assam. Urban: 35% in Telangana to 47% in Assam and Bihar. 2. Cereal Expenditure (as % of MPCE) Rural: 3% in Haryana, Kerala, and Punjab, and 7% in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Urban: 3% in Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu, and 6% in Bihar and Jharkhand. The key takeaways include the following: The share of expenditure on food has gradually declined in rural and urban households compared with previous surveys. Urban households spend more on food in absolute terms, constituting a smaller percentage of their total expenditure. Beverages, refreshments, and processed foods receive the highest food budget allocation in both rural and urban areas. Click here to read more. Previous Next