The New digitial vaccination database - U-WIN to be launched in India January 25, 2023 at 5:24:41 AM NIP, Digital Health, Vaccination After Co-win, Government of India launched U-Win app for routine immunisation and pregnant women registration. It has been launched in a pilot mode in two districts of each state and Union Territory. Pregnant women and children, vaccine acknowledgement and immunisation card linked to ABHA ID (Ayushmann Bharat Health Account). Beneficiaries would be able to book slots for vaccination in advance through U-Win. It also serve as effective surveillance tool too. Previous Next

WHO Committee Meeting Reviews Polio Spread and International Risk Status WHO Committee Meeting Reviews Polio Spread and International Risk Status Content Editor : Dr. Urmimala August 26, 2025 WHO News Section Poliovirus, International spread, IHR, WPV, cVDPV On 18 June 2025, the 42nd Emergency committee meeting was conducted on the spread of Polio virus, under the International Health Regulations 2005. The data reviewed were: A total of 13 new cases of wild polio virus (WPV1) reported from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Of concern, is the spread of cases to newer provinces in both the endemic countries, as evidenced by the case-reporting and environmental surveillance. The high reported coverage of surveillance and Lot Quality Assurance pass rates in the districts and Provinces of Pakistan is commendable. 67 cVDPV cases reported in 2025 65- cVDPV2 2- cVDPV3 reported from Guinea. The recommendations include: Declaration of potential risk of international spread from the following countries: WPV1 - Afghanistan, Pakistan cVDPV1 - Mozambique, DR Congo cVDPV3 - French Guiana (France), Guinea Appropriate measures to be taken to investigate and assess risk of local spread of imported cVDPV2 and subsequent need for immunization response. Encourage routine immunization coverage. For further read, click here

China's Ambitious Carbon Reduction Initiative: Carbon to Gold Loan Scheme Content Editor: Dr. Pradipta S December 6, 2023 at 3:53:44 PM Global Warming, Carbon Emissions, Carbon Footprints Shenzhen's Metro station carbon coin initiative registered 14.6 million users, slashing 720,000 metric tons of emissions since August 2022. Household carbon emission contribute over half of China's annual 10 billion metric tons of emissions, highlighting individual potential in emission cuts. China's "Carbon Road for Everyone" promotes public transport usage, tree planting, and energy reduction among citizens in multiple initiatives. Banks experiment with "personal carbon account" systems, the People's Bank of China's pilot "carbon to gold loan" in Quzhou, offering credit rating benefits. A significant challenge with this initiative would be valuing CO2 reductions from various human behaviors like commuting, heating, or waste disposal. 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

Innovative HIV testing: Outcomes of the together "TakeMeHome" mail distribution program Content Editor: Dr. Chinmay July 12, 2024 at 3:00:00 PM HIV, Research findings, Innovation The Together TakeMeHome (TTMH) program, launched by the CDC in March 2023, aimed to improve access to HIV testing by directly providing HIV self-tests (HIVSTs) to consumers through the mail . In its inaugural year, the TTMH program distributed 443,813 tests to 219,360 individuals. With significant outreach through LGBTQ+ dating apps , the program specifically targeted populations that HIV affects disproportionately, such as young people, cisgender men, and people who identify as Hispanic or Black. Of the individuals who participated in follow-up surveys, 88.3% reported using the HIVST themselves, and 27.1% shared it with others. Furthermore, 11.7% sought additional preventive services, and 1.9% reported new positive HIVST results. These findings suggest that distributing HIVSTs by mail can effectively increase HIV testing and connect individuals to preventive and care services. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Intersectoral Global Action Plan: for enhanced care and cure of neurological disorders. Content Editor: Dr. Akhila Nandan July 31, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Global Health, Neurological disorders, Stigma The WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) has highlighted the guidelines for enhanced care and cure of patients with neurological disorders, as they are the second largest killers (Lancet 2020). The Director-General of the World Health Organization cited the “burden” of such disorders also includes the associated stigma and discrimination. The WHO Director for Mental Health and Substance Use adds that IGAP will be a giant leap for: A holistic approach to neurological disorders treatment Ensuring that such patients can live off-edge from its stigma and discrimination. The five goals to be hit by the action plan are: Governance Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Research Public health approach Click here to read more Previous Next

Revolutionizing e-waste management: Introducing "Recycling on Wheels" Revolutionizing e-waste management: Introducing "Recycling on Wheels" Content Editor: Akhila Nandan September 18, 2023 Press Information Bureau E waste management, Waste management The Technology Department Board has come up with an innovative e-waste management portal, “Recycling on Wheels.” This was launched in view of the alarming crisis in e-waste management. The guidelines for the same are as follows: Deploy the pre-processing of e-waste on Wheels Facility at the site. Scanning and serialization of the e-waste devices Feeding the devices into the shredder for shredding Shredded material drops in the bins below the shredder under a secured cage Environmentally benign collection of shredded e-waste This project shall spread its wings all over the formal and informal sectors, in line with Extended Producer Responsibility. It will help in serving Special Economic Zones (SEZs), R&D centers, etc. The shredded e-waste will help in: Improving transportation efficiency Reducing cost and labor requirements Extraction of metals from the same will also be possible Curb the alarming crisis of e-waste production and management Help boost the Indian Economy.

Bridging the divide, understanding cancer screening trends from NFHS data Content Editor: Dr Dheena November 28, 2024 at 2:48:15 AM Non Communicable Diseases, Screening, Survey A recent study, Learning from the Indian National Family Health Survey (NFHS) , analyzed trends in cancer screening in India , revealing significant declines. NFHS-4 (2015–16) reported that 22%, 10%, and 12% of women aged 15–49 had undergone screening for cervical, breast, and oral cancers respectively. However, NFHS-5 (2019–21) recorded a sharp decline , with only 1.2%, 0.6%, and 0.7% of women reporting the same. For men, oral cancer screening rates dropped from 9% in NFHS-4 to 0.2% in NFHS-5. The decline is attributed largely to differences in the framing of survey questions between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5. In NFHS-4, questions used general terms like "Have you ever undergone a cervix/breast/oral cavity examination?" without explicitly mentioning "cancer" or "screening." This may have led respondents to include routine or pregnancy-related examinations. In contrast, NFHS-5 used more precise wording such as "Have you ever undergone a screening test for cervical cancer?" The clearer terminology likely reduced overestimation but exposed the actual low uptake of cancer-specific screenings. Other possible reasons include shifts in survey implementation, such as moving cancer-related questions from individual questionnaires in NFHS-4 to biomarker questionnaires in NFHS-5. This transition might have influenced participation and response rates. India's rising cancer burden, projected to increase from 1.39 million cases in 2020 to 1.57 million by 2025, underscores the need for accurate data collection and public health action . Recommendations include refining future surveys to better capture distinctions between routine and cancer-specific screenings and incorporating questions to assess cancer awareness. Anyone using NFHS figures to quote cancer screening percentages in India should acknowledge that the figures are not comparable between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 The NFHS data highlights critical gaps in cancer screening practices, offering valuable lessons for designing targeted interventions in India and other low- and middle-income countries to reduce preventable cancer cases and deaths. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Chennai authorities crack down on unauthorized human breast milk sales Content Editor: Dr. Manu June 13, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM FSSAI, Food Adulteration, Breast Milk Commercialisation Food safety officials in Chennai cracked down on a warehouse selling breast milk bottles and sachets following an order by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India warning against the commercialization of such products. Three hundred eighty-eight bottles of Neolacta Pasteurized Human Breast Milk (Neolacta PHBM & Neolacta PHBNM 70) , 450 sachets of milk powder, and human factors (Neolact powder & NeoLact MMF) were seized from the store. Meanwhile, 51 bottles of standardized and pasteurized human breast milk were seized , and a freezer and a room in the distributor’s office were sealed. The officials received a tip from officials in Tiruvallur , who raided a shop in Madhavaram after the Neolacta Life Sciences Private Limited company complained about a staff member who had recently quit to start a human breast milk distribution unit. Click here to read more. Previous Next

How does the efficacy of the typhoid conjugate vaccine remain after years of vaccination? Content Editor: Dr. Pradipta March 19, 2024 at 4:00:00 PM Typhoid, Immunisation, Research Findings In a 2017 randomized control trial in Malawi involving 28,130 children aged 9 months to 12 years, the efficacy and durability of a single-dose Vi-TT vaccine against Typhoid Fever were assessed. 14,069 children received the typhoid vaccine, while the remaining 14,061 children received the control meningococcal vaccine. The effectiveness of the vaccine was measured over different periods. Vaccine efficacy reduced over time by only 1·3% per year over four years with rates of approximately 83.4%, 80.7%, 80.1%, and 77.1% observed at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years post-vaccination, respectively. Efficacy was consistent across age groups, including children under 2 years. These findings support WHO recommendations for Vi-TT mass campaigns in typhoid-endemic areas, followed by routine introduction, emphasizing long-term protection and efficacy. Click here to read more. Previous Next