Kerala strives to empower and educate their older adults Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti October 30, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Population health, Older adults, Healthy and active ageing As per the India Ageing Report 2023, the old age dependency ratio is highest, at 19.4%, in the south (constituting Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu) as compared to other regions. Kerala is projected to constitute around 23% of the older (>60 years) population in India by 2036. The Minister of Higher Education and Social Justice is taking steps consecutively to address the welfare issues of older adults. Initiatives like: Memory clinics Vayomithram project (provision of free medicines) Vayojana Park program. The Naipunya Nagaram programme (a digital literacy program for the elderly) Previous Next

Approval of regulatory agencies for medical products as WHO Listed Authorities (WLA) Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar June 5, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM International health, Health safety, Health standards Since the launch of the WHO list of regulatory authority initiatives in March 2022, a total of 36 regulatory authorities from 34 member states are now designated as WLAs It includes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and the European Medicines Regulatory Network (EMRN), which is composed of the European Commission, the European Medicines Agency, and medicines regulatory authorities of 30 countries. The previously designated WLA Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore was approved for an expanded scope of functions. This decision was based on the WHO technical advisory group's following performance evaluations that were in accordance with international standards and regulatory practices for ensuring quality, safety, and efficacy. Attaining WLA status means complying with these standards and seeking continuous improvement and excellence. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Global Diabetes Burden quadruples since 1990: A Lancet study Content Editor: Dr Tanya November 26, 2024 at 3:31:09 PM Diabetes, Non Communicable Diseases, WHO The global Diabetes burden has risen from 7% to 14% between 1990-2022, with the largest increase in LMICs. The report was a collaboration between NCD Risk FactOR Collaboration (NCD-RisC) and WHO . There are substantial global statistical differences in diabetes-related parameters, with diabetes burden in people aged 18 years or older accounting for 20% in WHO South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions. The South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean region and the African region have the lowest treatment coverage as well. This alarming rise in the global Diabetes burden can be attributed to: Rising obesity prevalence Physical inactivity due to sedentary lifestyles Marketing of packaged and unhealthy food Economic Hardship The WHO launched the global monitoring framework on diabetes , representing the need for more comprehensive steps to tackle the burden of diabetes. Click here to read more. Previous Next

MERS-CoV cases reported in Saudi Arabia: Update from May 2024 Content Editor: Dr. Chinmay May 18, 2024 at 3:00:00 PM MERS-CoV, Surveillance, International health news Recent Cases : Three MERS-CoV cases (including one death) occurred in Riyadh in April 2024. All patients were men with underlying health conditions. Transmission : The cases are linked to a healthcare facility , with two suspected to be secondary infections from the first case. Yearly Totals : Four cases and two deaths reported in Saudi Arabia in 2024 so far. Globally, there have been 2613 cases and 941 deaths. Public Health Response : Saudi Arabia is conducting contact tracing, improving testing, and reinforcing infection control measures. WHO Assessment : The risk remains moderate , and additional cases are expected. WHO has asked the officials to focus on the following to control the situation: Strong surveillance Early case identification Proper infection control in healthcare settings. Click here to know 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. 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

India ranks 111 in Global Hunger Index: Long festering fight erupts once again Content Editor: Dr. Immanuel Joshua E Nutrition, Global Health, Food insecurity India ranks 111 out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index report 2023. This is based on a score of 28.7 on a 100-point scale. The index takes into consideration four indicators, each scored from 0 to 100, where 0 is the best score (no hunger), and 100 is the worst. This categorizes India’s severity of hunger as “serious.” However, the Union government disputed India's results for the third year in a row, pointing to faulty methodology. But as in several previous years, the two NGOs, Ireland’s Concern Worldwide and Germany’s Welt Hunger Hilfe, defended the ranking. Afghanistan, Haiti, and 12 sub-Saharan countries performed worse than India on the GHI . Previous Next

India CENSUS 2021 : Delayed. When it is expected to start? February 13, 2023 at 1:41:47 PM Population, Demography, Delayed CENSUS - 2021 In an indication that the Census exercise meant to be conducted in 2021, but delayed because of the COVID 19 pandemic, may get delayed further. The Union budget allocation under the Census Survey and Statistics head has been slashed to ₹1,565 crore this year, from the ₹3.676 crores in 2022-23. As per the latest PTI report (on January 07, 2023), census enumeration remains postponed till September 30, 2023. The date of freezing administrative boundaries for the enumeration has been extended till June 30 and census can be conducted only 3 months after the freezing of the boundary limits. It is the first census of India that is expected to be digitalized, where the data will be collected through a mobile app. Also, facility for self-enumeration will be available. Previous Next

Dismissal of the Yamagata strain from the flu vaccine Content Editor: Dr. Prachi Goswami March 13, 2024 at 2:45:00 PM Communicable Diseases, Immunisation, International Health News The advisory group consisted of F ood and D rug A dministration (FDA ) and V accines and R elated B iological P roducts A dvisory C ommittee (VRBPAC ) experts. The group voted for a return to trivalent flu vaccines , similar to the WHO recommendation in September 2023. They urged manufacturers to drop the Yamagata strain from 2024-25 vaccines since it has not been detected since 2020 in the US. They also approved the WHO-recommended Northern Hemisphere strains for the US for the 2024-25 season. However, all countries cannot switch to trivalent vaccines since it may still be circulating there or they may not have the means to switch to trivalent vaccines in such a short time. Previous Next

Empowering women: India's labor ministry leads the way Content Editor: Dr.KH Reddy February 9, 2024 at 3:15:00 PM Gender equality, Pay parity, Women empowerment, Laws and legislations The ministry of labor and employment reinforced its drive to increase women in the workforce and support female entrepreneurs by establishing an environment that is safe, healthy, and supportive of women. Some of the pivotal components highlighted by the advisory include : Availability of canteens, creches, restrooms and first aid boxes at all workplaces and adequate accommodation for construction site migrant workers Medical practitioners to ensure healthcare ICC to effectively address sexual abuse complaints at earliest. Compliance to Equal Remuneration Act, Maternity Benefit Act & ESI Act The advisory instructs employers to be aware of these regulations and actively implement them thus safeguarding well-being and dignity of women in workplace Previous Next

National Mission For Clean Ganga Organizes River-Cities Alliance Global Seminar National Mission For Clean Ganga Organizes River-Cities Alliance Global Seminar Content Editor: Dr. Ismail Zabiulla Rifai May 9, 2023 Press Information Bureau Water and Sanitation, Sustainable Development National Mission For Clean Ganga Organizes River-Cities Alliance Global Seminar On 4th May 2023. National Mission For Clean Ganga (NMCG) in association with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) organized the ‘River-Cities Alliance (RCA) Global Seminar: Partnership for Building International River-Sensitive Cities’ in New Delhi. River Cities Alliance: Joint initiative of the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) & the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), with a vision to connect river cities and focus on sustainable river centric development. The Purpose of the seminar was to provide a platform for officials of member cities and international stakeholders to discuss and learn good practices for managing urban rivers. The Notable points discussed in the seminar were regarding the Best practises by international cities of Greater Manchester, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Aarhus and national cities of Ayodhya and Udaipur in developing their rivers; Decentralised Urban Wastewater Management System in Japan and also the Contributions of NMCG – Urban Agenda and Urban River Management Plan Framework, STPs to address issues of faecal contamination.