Get stronger, live longer: The unexpected benefits of lifting weights Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi July 11, 2024 at 2:00:00 PM Weight training, Old age, Physical Activity A new BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine study investigated how one year of supervised high-intensity weight training impacts muscle function and size in older adults over three years. It compared this to moderate-intensity training and a control group. Randomized controlled trials were conducted on 451 adults at the retirement age (64-75 age bracket) at a University Hospital in Denmark. The results were assessed at the Baseline, post-1-year intervention, two years, and four years post-study start. The results depicted that heavy resistance training for one year in healthy adults of age may have a long-lasting beneficial impact on muscles by preserving muscle function. Overall, this study underscores the potential of heavy resistance training to preserve muscle function and prevent functional decline in older adults, highlighting an effective strategy for promoting healthy aging and reducing healthcare costs Click here to read more. Previous Next

Training Modules to Strengthen Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Response in India Training Modules to Strengthen Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Response in India Content Editor: Dr. Sampriti November 7, 2025 PIB Delhi Chemical Emergencies Preparedness, IHR, Disaster management On October 23, 2025, India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) introduced three specialized training modules designed to enhance the nation's ability to handle chemical emergencies. These modules, crafted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and with technical assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO) India, focus on: (1) Preparedness, Surveillance & Response, (2) Pre-Hospital Management, and (3) Medical Management of Chemical Emergencies . Aimed at public health professionals, emergency responders, healthcare workers, and policymakers, these resources support the core capacities required by the International Health Regulations (2005) . The launch event, held at Nirman Bhavan in New Delhi, gathered senior officials from various ministries, academia, industry, and international partners to reaffirm India's dedication to establishing a robust and self-sufficient health emergency response system. The introduction of these training modules boosts India's readiness for chemical emergencies by enabling quicker detection, a coordinated response, and a decrease in illness and death rates. This initiative bolsters national health security and aids in adhering to the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), thereby enhancing the resilience of the public health system. For further reading, click here

14 more harmful fixed drug combinations banned by the Government of India Content Editor: Anubhav Mondal June 9, 2023 at 6:08:10 PM Drug Control, Fixed drug combinations, Health policy, Drug Ban After determining they lacked therapeutic value , The Union government banned fourteen fixed-dose combinations (FDC) medications. The prohibition was put in place in response to the recommendations of an expert group assembled to look into the effectiveness of various drug combinations. According to the notification, an expert committee concluded that "these FDCs have no therapeutic justification and may pose risks to humans." The notification further stated that "in the larger public interest, it is necessary to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution" of certain FDCs. The Union Health Ministry had banned the sale of 344 such fixed-dose combinations in 2016 , however, the manufacturers of 15 drugs appealed the judgment in the Delhi High Court and repealed their ban in 2017 . Previous Next

Updated Free Diagnostics Service Initiative (FDSI) programme under National Health Mission. February 16, 2023 at 5:59:11 PM National Health Mission, AB-HWC, OOPE The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India supports ‘Free Diagnostics Service Initiative’ (FDSI) programme under National Health Mission. FDSI was launched with the aim to provide accessible and affordable pathological and radiological diagnostics services closer to the community which in turn reduces the Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE). Number of essential medicines and essential diagnostics at AB-HWCs have been increased i.e. HWC-PHC - 171 essential medicines and 63 essential diagnostics, HWC- Subcentre - 105 essential medicines and 14 essential diagnostics. To increase the outpatients in Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centre (AB- HWCs), this measure was taken along with an expanded package of 12 services for patients. Previous Next

Leveraging partnerships to globalize TCI. Content Editor: Dr. Rashmi Verma November 30, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM WHO, AYUSH Ministry, Traditional Medicine WHO and India's AYUSH Ministry signed a multi-million, five-year agreement in Geneva to advance traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCI) by developing new technical documents for global well-being. This collaboration will play an important role in the globalization of evidence-informed TCI . It will also aid in mainstreaming proven TCI practices in national health systems toward achieving universal health coverage and well-being. India is a steadfast supporter of WHO's TCI Medicine Unit. India solidified its commitment through a third agreement that focuses on developing benchmark documents and evidence-informed technical products for traditional medicine systems. In August 2023, the first traditional medicine global summit in Gujarat, India, launched the Gujarat Declaration, emphasizing collaborative efforts to integrate traditional medicine into national health systems. India's new agreement supports WHO in developing benchmarks for Siddha, herbal medicine safety, and international pharmacopeia, advancing traditional medicine. Previous Next

Unveiling the intersection: COVID-19 and Candida auris Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar April 4, 2024 at 2:00:00 PM International Health News, Infectious Disease Mount Sinai Hospital was on the frontlines of treating COVID-19 in the early phase of the pandemic. Candida auris , a multidrug-resistant fungus , was identified first in the United States in 2016; since then, hospitals in New York have been the hotspots. During the study period, they identified 64 cases, 34 by surveillance and 30 by clinical culture, with the incidence rising from 2.6 per 10,000 admissions in 2019 to 7.8 in 2022. The total incidence was 4.9 cases per 10,000 from 2019 to 2022. The authors say the increasing incidence of C. auris could be due to multiple factors associated with the pandemic. The study results highlight the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the spread of M ultiple D rug R esistant O rganisms (MDROs) and how targeted surveillance can serve as a valuable tool to combat the increasing spread of C. auris . Click here to read 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

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

COVID-19 variants and its association with long-COVID Content Editor: Dr. M Swathi Shenoy September 11, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Global Health, COVID-19 A recent study was conducted to find the association between virus variants, vaccination, past exposure, and the risk of developing long COVID symptoms. The study compared the risk of developing PCC after infection with Wild type, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron SARS-CoV-2, depending on previous vaccinations and/or infections. The study was a prospective cohort study conducted in Germany, conducted before the introduction of the bivalent vaccine. An estimated 18,000 individuals were included in the study. The salient findings of the study were: 2,822 participants reported symptoms 12 weeks after infection, of whom 5.1% had no previously reported symptoms. Compared to those who were vaccinated three times and those who had omicron infection, the unvaccinated individuals with wild type of infection had a higher risk for long COVID. The risk was also higher among those unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals with alphavirus infection. Regardless of the time since the last infection, the number of previous infections was strongly linked to a lower risk of long COVID-19. However, these factors did not have any effect on the symptom severity of long-COVID. The lack of protection against long covid may turn out to be a serious problem in the future. Previous Next

Zoonotic Kyasanur Forest disease virus calls for attention Content Editor: Dr.KH Reddy February 22, 2024 at 1:30:00 PM One health, zoonotic, disease outbreak, public health, KFD The number of deaths due to KFD in the last 67 years since its identification is found to be around 560. But KFD cases have spiked since January and claimed two lives already in 2024. The rising cases of KFD are mostly concentrated in Shivmogga, Uttar Karnataka, and Chikmagalur districts of Karnataka. The case count from Jan 1 of this year to Feb 18 is 103, among which two died. The disease currently has no vaccine and no cure and is managed only symptomatically. The case fatality rate to date is 1.94. KFD can be diagnosed using RT-PCR, ELISA, or cell culture. The Karnataka government is currently providing free hospitalization and treatment for those positive with KFD. The Health Ministry of Karnataka is also looking into research for developing a vaccine to prevent this disease in those at risk. Previous Next