2023 NIVW Week Digital Media Toolkit Content Editor: Dr. Rashmi Verma Influenza, Digital media tool N ational I nfluenza V accination W eek (NIVW) is an annual observance in December to remind everyone (6 months and older ) that there’s still time to get vaccinated against flu . Since flu viruses are constantly changing and protection from vaccination decreases over time, getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to reduce your risk of flu. Millions of children get sick with flu every year, and thousands are hospitalized as a result. As a nationwide call , the following methods have been used to remind people: T emplate M atte R elease. S ample N ewsletter B lurb. P atient R eminder M essages. S ocial M edia M essages. P rintable P osters. Previous Next

Effectiveness of the Monkeypox vaccine: Findings from a study Content Editor: Dr. Gurumurthy June 18, 2024 at 3:00:00 PM Vaccination, Infectious disease, Mpox The JYNNEOS vaccine, a two-dose series designed to prevent smallpox and mpox, has demonstrated effectiveness in real-world applications, especially during the recent global mpox outbreak, which has primarily impacted MSM, transgender, and nonbinary individuals. Despite most recipients receiving both doses in 2022, only 25% of the at-risk population is fully vaccinated. A study examining mpox cases from May 2022 to May 2024 found that 75% occurred in unvaccinated individuals, while only 0.8% occurred in fully vaccinated persons. Fully vaccinated people experienced fewer severe symptoms and had lower hospitalization rates than their unvaccinated counterparts. Among fully vaccinated individuals, most cases appeared a median of 266 days after the second dose. There was no significant difference in infection timing between those who received intradermal and subcutaneous doses. Although breakthrough infections were noted, particularly in a 2023 cluster in Chicago, these were infrequent and less severe. The CDC advocates for continued monitoring and vaccination, emphasizing that the two-dose regimen offers substantial protection and should be complemented with other preventive measures. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Contamination renders groundwater unsafe in Chennimalai Panchayat villages Contamination renders groundwater unsafe in Chennimalai Panchayat villages Content Editor : Dr. Harshita September 24, 2025 PHC editorial Bureau Safe Water, WASH, water pollution The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board has reported that groundwater is not fit for drinking in 25 villages under the Chennimalai Panchayat Union in Erode district. Officials attributed the contamination to pollutants in local water sources and stated that measures are being planned to ensure a safe supply to the affected areas. Tests revealed contamination, raising health concerns among residents who depend on wells and borewells for daily needs. Meanwhile, environmental groups have pointed to industrial discharge from the nearby SIPCOT complex as a possible cause. The affected areas were identified, and officials were directed to place red warning boards, discontinue the use of motors at those sites, and ensure that residents receive drinking water solely through the Combined Water Supply Scheme (CWSS). Officials have assured that alternative water supply measures will be arranged while long-term solutions are being planned.

Children at risk of cholera in aftermath of Cyclone Freddy Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal March 23, 2023 at 3:11:32 PM Global Health, Disaster Management, Infectious Disease Mozambique has been facing a cholera outbreak since September 2022. As of 18 March 2023, nearly 10,000 cases had been reported , more than tripling case reports since early February. Cholera has already claimed more than 1,660 lives in Malawi. Almost 2.5 lakh children under five years of age are expected to be acutely malnourished, with over 62,000 expected to be severely malnourished. Severely malnourished child - 11 times more likely to die from cholera. UNICEF is urgently calling for funding of US$155 million to respond to the impacts of flooding and cholera in the region. Even prior to the cyclone, Malawi and Mozambique were most seriously affected by the cholera outbreak that has, this year alone, resulted in more than 68,000 cases across 11 countries in Africa. For further reading - Click here Previous Next

Effectively the prices of 651 esssential medicines will come down by 6.73% despite 12.2% increase in WPI Content Editor: Dr. Siddharth Singh April 7, 2023 at 10:08:18 AM Essential Medicines, OOPE, Jan Aushadhi Kendras The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) had been able to fix the price of 651 out of the 870 scheduled under the essential drugs. This capping of the price would save Rs. 3,500 Crore of the consumer's pocket, annually. Further, Jan Aushadhi stores have created competition in the market which helped in decreasing the price of such drugs. The pricing of a drug is a multifaceted approach, the pharma companies can increase or decrease the price of their drugs according to Wholesale Price Index (WPI) according to the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that almost 40% of the health budget in LMIC is directed towards medicines, which maximum is borne out of Pocket by the consumer. 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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Harvard Chan School launches LGBTQ health center of excellence amidst pride month celebrations Harvard Chan School launches LGBTQ health center of excellence amidst pride month celebrations Content Editor: Dr. Gurumurthy June 18, 2024 Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health LGBTQ, Equity, Non-discrimination On June 4, during Harvard Chan School's Pride Month celebration, the LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence was officially launched. The LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence at Harvard, in partnership with the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, aims to address health disparities faced by LGBTQ individuals, such as higher rates of mental and physical illnesses. The LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence, led by Brittany Charlton, aims to increase research funding, improve data collection, and train new researchers through scholarships and specialized courses. This initiative is timely, given the surge in anti-LGBTQ legislation. The center will also focus on disseminating research and promoting effective communication on LGBTQ health issues , leveraging community strengths to achieve its goals. Click here to read more.

WHO urges action to protect children from contaminated medicines January 28, 2023 at 9:26:03 PM Bio-Medical Safety, Pharmoco-Vigilance Over the past four months, countries have reported on several incidents of over-the-counter cough syrups for children with confirmed or suspected contamination with high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG). The cases are from at least seven countries, associated with more than 300 fatalities in three of these countries. WHO’s medical product alerts were rapidly disseminated to all 194 Member States. These medical product alerts requested; (a) the detection and removal of contaminated medicines from circulation in the markets, (b) increased surveillance and diligence within the supply chains of countries and regions likely to be affected, (c) immediate notification to WHO if these substandard products are discovered in-country. Previous Next

India strengthens snakebite surveillance with mandatory reporting Content Editor: Dr. Dheena December 3, 2024 at 3:02:50 AM Notifiable Diseases, Surveillance The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the National Action Plan for Prevention & Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) , targeting a 50% reduction in snakebite-related deaths by 2030 . Farmers, tribal populations, and rural communities are at the highest risk, making enhanced surveillance essential. Under NAPSE, all government and private healthcare facilities , including medical colleges, are now required to report snakebite cases and deaths as a Notifiable Disease under the State Public Health Act. Mandatory notification will provide crucial data on high-risk areas, the burden of snakebites, and factors contributing to fatalities, thereby improving clinical management and intervention strategies. The Ministry has urged healthcare providers to submit reports using a standardized format that tracks critical details such as bite location, first aid given, and the use of anti-snake venom. This effort aims to strengthen snakebite prevention, enhance treatment outcomes, and improve reporting from private healthcare providers, marking a significant step toward reducing the public health burden of snakebite envenoming in India. Previous Next

Digital healthcare: Is it the road ahead for healthcare systems? Content Editor: Dr. Prachi July 31, 2024 at 1:00:00 PM Digital health, Technology, Innovation, Telemedicine Telemedicine has increased the accessibility of healthcare and reduced the burden on doctors as well. Since 2013, Indian doctors have taken 20 million appointments online on Practo, compared to 638,000 in 2009, a trend supported by the American Medical Association (AMA) . Doctors in Bangalore and Delhi were the earliest in this digital race, followed by Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. The greatest increase in digital appointments is seen in gynecology, orthopedics, pediatrics, physiotherapy, and psychiatry. This digital revolution is helping to create a healthcare system that is more efficient, accessible, and and patient-centered. Previous Next