Hybrid Covid immunity offers more cover than infection January 25, 2023 at 5:24:40 AM COVID The WHO defines hybrid immunity as protection in people who’ve received at least two doses of a Covid vaccine and have been infected with the virus either before or after vaccination. According to Lancet, the hybrid immunity, coupled with primary vaccine doses, was effective in preventing severe disease and hospital admission in 97.4% of participants upto 12 months. The effectiveness of only hybrid immunity against re-infection stood at 41.8 per cent at 12 months. And, the effectiveness of only previous infection against severe disease and hospital admission was 74.6 per cent at 12 months. After 12 months, protection against re-infection for all forms of immunity dipped to 24.7 per cent. It states that hybrid immunity with more vaccine doses provides more protection. Previous Next

Drug for tuberculosis protects against leprosy Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal Tuberculosis, Leprosy Southwest China districts that had at least two household connections with leprosy were divided into one of three intervention groups for the cluster-randomized experiment. A single dose of the anti-tuberculosis medication rifampin was given to one group, one dose of the anti-tuberculosis medication rifapentine was given to another, and a control group did not receive any treatment at all. Follow-up visits were conducted annually. The primary outcome was the 4-year incidence of leprosy among household contacts. The cumulative incidence at 4 years was 0.05% in the rifapentine group, 0.19% in the rifampin group, and 0.63% in the control group according to the per-protocol analysis. There were no serious adverse events reported, and the cumulative incidence was 92% lower in the rifapentine group than in the control group. Although the cumulative incidence in the rifampin group was 79% lower than in the control group, the difference was not deemed statistically significant. "Rifapentine should now be considered in planning future trials of postexposure prophylaxis for leprosy and possibly also in any potential new version of multidrug therapy," David Scollard, MD, PhD, of the National Hansen's Disease Programs, said in a statement. Previous Next

Anemia assessment shifted from NFHS to DABS-I Content Editor: Dr.Sivanthiga.G June 18, 2023 at 5:37:33 PM National Family Health Survey, Anemia, Maternal and Child health, Diet and Biomarkers Survey Anemia is an important component related to mortality and morbidity as far as MCH(Maternal and Child Health) care is concerned. So, accurate estimates are needed to tackle the crisis. Comparing data of NFHS-4(2015-16) and NFHS-5(2019-21) anemia burden in India increased by nearly 4% and 8% in women of reproductive age group and children of age 6 to 59 months. This created fear of over diagnosis of anemia in India. The method already followed in NFHS uses capillary blood(diluted one) for Hb estimation rather than venous blood which is more accurate. Hence questions related to anemia are dropped from NFHS-6 which is scheduled to commence in July. Diet and Biomarkers Survey in India (DABS-I) launched last year to map diet, nutrition and health status, shall provide the correct estimate of anaemia among the rural and urban population. Previous Next

04. Climate Change Performance Index - India secured 8th position December 24, 2022 at 4:39:42 AM Environment & Climate Change The Climate Change Performance Index 2023 report was released recently.Since no country was strong enough in all index categories to achieve an overall very high rating, thus the top three places i.e 1-3 are vacant. Thereafter India is amongst the top 5 countries. With India (8th), the United Kingdom (11th), and Germany (16th), only three G20 countries are among the high performers in CCPI 2023.Thus India’s rank is the best amongst the G20 countries. Previous Next

Expansion of District Disability Rehabilitation Centers Content Editor: Dr. Swathi Shenoy March 29, 2024 at 2:45:00 PM Rehabilitation, Universal health coverage, Divyangjans The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, recently virtually inaugurated 35 additional District Disability Rehabilitation Centers (DDRC). These are spread over the country as follows: 1. Madhya Pradesh-13 2. Andhra Pradesh- 07 3. Odisha- 06 4. Tripura-04 5. Maharashtra- 02 6. Assam -01 7. Nagaland-01 8. Manipur-01 These DDRCs emphasize the government’s commitment to providing the best services to the divyangjans. This initiative will ensure that rehabilitative services are provided at the grassroots levels to the divyangjans. The centers will provide comprehensive care, which includes, but is not restricted to the following: 1. Medical provisions and rehabilitative services 2. Education and skill training, 3. Early identification, 4. Assistive device fitment, prosthetics, and orthotics 5. UDID Registration Facilitation These centers will also ensure awareness generation and provide information regarding the various government schemes. 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

Understanding healthcare’s three delays: Impact on infant and child mortality Content Editor: Dr. Sumana Mukhopadhyay April 9, 2024 at 2:00:00 PM Health Care , Child care A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted to determine the frequency of delays in healthcare among deceased infants and children aged 1-59 months. Data was collected through verbal autopsies and medical records from 6 sites across the globe. The three-delay model was used to assess the delays . The findings of the study are as follows: 64% of the participants had at least one form of delay. The most common form of delay was waiting to seek care , in which waiting for >72 hours after recognizing the illness, was the most common . (32%). 4% of the individuals had the 2nd delay,i.e., delay in obtaining transport and reaching the health care facility. Delay in getting the necessary care, in the form of the absence of a few medications was seen in 8% of the participants. It was found that children aged 12-59 months faced more delays when compared to those aged <12 months. There is a dire need for community-based interventions to ensure timely management of ailments to reduce mortality among infants and children. Click here to read more Previous Next

Canine wonders : Dogs can detect people with COVID 19 in seconds Content Editor: Dr. Anubhav Mondal May 27, 2023 at 11:54:13 AM COVID 19, sensitivity, specificity, screening, early detection Early in 2020 , before diagnostic tools were widely accessible, the idea of using dogs to detect COVID-19 surfaced. Since then, more than 70 groups in 60 countries have conducted research to determine how and whether canines may be used to detect those with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Dogs were evaluated for their capacity to recognize COVID-19 from sweat samples, saliva, masks, and urine in the 27 studies that made up this analysis. Sensitivity and specificity ranges in six trials with high-quality data were 82% to 97% and 83% to 100%, respectively. Rapid antigen testing should have minimum standards that are higher than 80% sensitivity and 97% specificity. According to the systematic review done, most SARS-CoV-2 canine smell detection is within or even above these requirements. Dogs have been thus utilized in real-time population screening scenarios , such as airports and large gatherings because they can detect scent in seconds. Previous Next

Resurgence of the Nipah virus cases in Bangladesh Content editor: Dr. Aneesh February 26, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM Nipah virus , Outbreak, Global health The two men had consumed raw date juices which is a known risk factor for contracting the disease before they became ill Nipah virus cases follow a seasonal pattern from December to May as the period coincides with the harvesting of palm sap and festivities related to the process. The sap can be contaminated by the saliva, urine, or droppings from fruit bats which are thought to harbour the disease The virus can then spread from person to person. Out of 14 cases reported, 10 of them turned fatal. Nipah virus has a high case fatality rate between 45% to 75%. There are no approved treatments or vaccines. WHO has designated it as a high-priority disease. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Mobile veterinary clinics bring livestock care to farmers' doorsteps in Yadgir Content Editor: Dr. Mohammed Kashif July 11, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM Mobile veterinary clinic, One health, Emergency veterinary care Introduced in August 2020 by then-Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, the Pashu Sanjivni scheme provides a mobile veterinary service accessible via toll-free number 1962 , ensuring prompt emergency treatment for livestock. In the Yadgir district, the initiative has proven highly effective , deploying eight dedicated vehicles. Each vehicle is staffed by a doctor, veterinary inspector, and D-group employee and delivers immediate care to livestock. The service operates seamlessly by forwarding call details from the 1962 Emergency Response Centre to the nearest mobile veterinary clinic. This efficient coordination ensures that the clinic promptly visits the animal owner's location for on-the-spot treatment, enhancing the scheme's convenience. The service is managed by a private agency and supervised by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department and staffed by a dedicated veterinary team. However, it excludes surgical care for the animals. Dr. Raju Deshmukh, Deputy Director of the department, highlighted the scheme's benefits for farmers and urged them to utilize the helpline for their livestock's health needs. Previous Next