Closing the gaps: Improving quality of life for older adults with HIV Closing the gaps: Improving quality of life for older adults with HIV Content Editor: Dr Ghurumourthy October 3, 2024 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention HIV/AIDS, Quality of Life, Infectious diseases A study using data from the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) between 2017 and 2022 assessed quality of life (QoL) indicators among U.S. people living with HIV (PWH) aged ≥50 years. The study focused on five QoL indicators set by the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) for 2025: self-rated health, access to mental health services, unemployment, food insecurity, and housing stability. Despite advances in HIV treatment, minimal progress was observed across most indicators. In 2022, only 65% of PWH aged ≥50 years reported good or better health, falling short of the 95% goal. Unmet need for mental health services rose to 21.5%, while unemployment decreased slightly from 11.7% to 8%. Hunger or food insecurity improved, particularly for those aged ≥65 years, meeting the 2025 target. However, housing instability remained a significant issue, with 12.5% of older PWH experiencing unstable housing, far from the 7.4% goal. The findings highlight the need for tailored interventions, focusing on mental health services, employment support, and housing stability to meet the NHAS 2025 goals. Multisectoral approaches and continued monitoring are essential to improving the overall QoL for older PWH. Click here to read more.

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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Waterborne disease outbreaks associated with drinking water - A surveillance by the United States, 2015-2020. Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar March 26, 2024 at 3:04:49 PM Disease Outbreak, Public Health Action, International Health News NORS was launched by the CDC in 2009 as a web-based platform, where public health departments from the United States can voluntarily enter information regarding the outbreak. Through NORS, enteric as well as non-enteric disease outbreak data are reported. During 2015-2020, 214 outbreaks were associated with drinking water, and health officials reported 454 contributing factors from 28 states. Public water was the most common source of these outbreaks, leading to 172 outbreaks. Among enteric illnesses, Norovirus, Shigella, and Campylobacter, or multiple etiologies including these pathogens, resulted in 94% of cases, and often the cause was the source of drinking water. In biofilm-related outbreaks, 98% were Legionella, and the rest were non-tuberculous bacteria and pseudomonas. NORS enhances the efforts of the CDC to estimate the healthcare cost impacts of waterborne and drinking water-associated diseases. Previous Next

Addressing the threat of H5N1: Importance of vigilant surveillance and public health preparedness Content Editor: Dr. Gurumurthy June 13, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM Influenza, Zoonosis, Communicable diseases Since 2022, a small number of sporadic human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) have been identified globally amidst a widespread outbreak among wild birds and poultry. Nearly all human cases reported since 2022 have been linked to poultry exposure, with no human-to-human transmission detected. Currently, HPAI A(H5N1) viruses do not efficiently bind to receptors in the human upper respiratory tract, which limits the risk to the public. However, additional sporadic human infections are expected due to influenza viruses' rapid evolution potential and the widespread presence of HPAI A(H5N1) in wild birds, poultry, and now dairy cattle. Hence, ongoing comprehensive surveillance of these viruses in wild birds, poultry, mammals, and humans should be coupled with frequent risk assessments and preparedness efforts to manage public health risks. Click here to read more. Previous Next

International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) launched to combat Infectious diseases Content Editor: Dr. Siddharth Singh May 27, 2023 at 11:48:16 AM Global Health, Infectious diseases, Disease surveillance Based on the principle of pathogen genomics , WHO and partner agencies are launching a global network to detect and protect people from newly evolving infectious diseases . The goal of this initiative is to provide access to the genome sequence of the prevailing pathogen to every country as part of its public health system. Pathogen genome sequencing was instrumental in fighting the COVID pandemic. It provided quick evidence-based decisions on immunization and viral evolution to curb the catastrophic effects of the disease. Creating such a global network emphasizes the role of multiple partners contributing to disease prevention because diseases do not restrict themselves to international boundaries. Previous Next

Avian flu outbreak in the US Content Editor: Dr. Himabindu Reddy November 23, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM One health, Public health, Zoonotic disease, Outbreak The Eurasian H5N1 clade was first detected in US poultry and commercial stock in early 2022. Since October 2022, cases have spiked, and outbreaks have been reported in backyard flocks, poultry families, and commercial bird producers. The USDA and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service report that this wave of rise in cases crossed the record 60 million mark in November 2023. The first commercial farm outbreak was reported from a gamebird producer in Alabama, which houses 296,500 birds. Previous Next

HIV self testing soon to be adopted by NACO Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti March 15, 2023 at 4:46:04 PM HIV, NACO To address the HIV testing gaps and support the prevention-testing-treatment-care continuum, the WHO recommends HIVST (HIV Self-testing) to all, particularly among the key populations. PATH implemented the Unitaid-funded STAR HIV Self-Testing Initiative in India . HIVST kits were distributed in 14 high HIV prevalence states through five different models: 1) Community-based model, 2) Private practitioner's model 3) Workplace model 4)PLHIV network-led model 5) Virtual model. In June 2022, the study concluded that HIVST is convenient to use and practicable to implement , helping detect HIV in the previously undiagnosed. Many countries have adopted Self-testing as a part of national testing guidelines for HIV. In light of the evidence, NACO plans to introduce HIVST among key populations and their partners in India soon. Previous Next

Surge of psittacosis cases in Europe Content Editor: Dr. Rashmi Verma March 25, 2024 at 1:30:00 PM Zoonotic Diseases, Disease Outbreak, International Health News There has been a surge in the cases of psittacosis in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and The Netherlands since late 2023, leading to increased fatalities. The source of infections is usually infected birds, which can include both domestic and wild birds. In Austria, the surge was not associated with wild birds , whereas in Denmark, the source of infection was found to be wild birds. In contrast, the surge in Germany and Sweden was found to be due to increased contact with infected domestic birds and small birds, respectively. However, no such association was found in the Netherlands. The countries are now investigating and testing wild birds to understand better. The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring the situation and says the overall risk is low. The following measures have been suggested by the WHO: Testing sick people, Keeping new birds separate, and Checking wild birds for signs of the disease to prevent psittacosis from spreading further. Previous Next

Poliovirus still remains a public health emergency of international concern Content Editor: Dr. M Swathi Shenoy September 8, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Global Health, Polio, Public Health The 36th meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on the international spread of poliovirus was recently held. The meeting was held in the context of eradicating wild poliovirus (WPC) and putting an end to cVDPV2 outbreaks by the end of 2023. Data on WPV1 and cVDPV was reviewed for the same. Since the last meeting: One new case of WPV1 was identified in Pakistan Five new cases of WPV1 were identified in Afghanistan. Two genetic clusters of WPV1 were identified. There has been a decline in the cVDPV, with 72% identified from 4 regions- eastern DR Congo, northern Nigeria, northern Yemen, and Somalia. However, the risk of poliovirus spreading internationally remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Previous Next

Heatwave drives closure of Anganwadis in Delhi Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala June 8, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM Anganwadi Services, Nutritional Supplementation, Heatwave, Advisories Under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (Mo WCD), there are close to 10, 897 Anganwadis in Delhi, with more than 6 lakh beneficiaries. May 2024 has witnessed severe heat waves in India, with Delhi recording the highest temperatures consecutively in the last few years. Following the Public Health Advisory for Heat Waves, the MoWCD has decided to keep the Anganwadis closed for one month, from June 1st to June 30th. This step is justifiable to protect the children against exposure to heat. The Anganwadi workers and helpers are now responsible for distributing supplementary nutrition food packets to the beneficiaries through home visits. With the advent of the POSHAN Tracker application, Anganwadi workers can track and remain notified of the beneficiaries requiring services. It becomes all the more important for the AWWs and AW helpers to stay hydrated and protect themselves to ensure continuous service provision. Previous Next